Libertarians faulted unfairly

Bart Haggin’s letter (March 31) blaming libertarianism and Friedman economics for our current woes demonstrates yet again that he is ignorant of these subjects. He asserts that libertarianism, laissez-faire government, and Friedmanism are comparable. Nonsense.

Libertarians support the least regulation that is necessary to do the job. That is not laissez faire. Everybody with half a brain cell today, including libertarians, knows that there was not enough regulation of the financial industry. I have been saying as much for years.

Friedman advocated fiat money over a fixed standard. Libertarians want a solid monetary standard, which would have prevented the runaway debt and runaway (though delayed and only recently felt) inflationary practices of the last two decades. Also, though Haggin implied otherwise, Friedman favored a sharply curved income tax.

Democrats and Republicans were in control during this entire economic disaster, not Libertarians. Democrats and Republicans set the policies. If you remember just a few months ago, you will remember that Libertarians were not even allowed to participate in the important election debates.

Either Ron Paul or Bob Barr would have vetoed a grossly inflationary bailout.

Rather than pointing fingers, Mr. Haggin, I suggest that looking in a mirror would be much more appropriate.

Lonny Eachus

Spokane