Libertarian Realist

Faith in individuals to make decisions for themselves & their loved ones. Scorn, defiance, contempt, slight regard for elites who'd make our decisions for us.

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

Emotions vs Results: A Framework for Evaluating Voices & Ideas in Politics
For those who cherish liberty, these are perilous times. The danger comes not only from citizens embracing ideas that make them feel good rather than actually working, but also from champions of liberty pushing positions that make them feel good rather than being politically viable.
The following model addresses both errors by drawing attention to the unavoidable tension between a politics of well-intended emotions and a politics of real-world results.
1. Seductive – Strong appeal but dismal results. Enticing but ineffective, sometimes even catastrophic.
2. Magnetic or Mundane – Popular and effective. Either inspiring leadership that delivers real benefits or established policies that are so effective that they have become settled and uncontroversial.
3. Repellant – Unpopular and ineffective. Bringing stagnation, dysfunction, and decline.
4. Pragmatic – Weak appeal but good results. Ideas that deliver reliable outcomes but fail to inspire broad enthusiasm.
This framework is a reality check for those drawn to charismatic voices and bold promises. Before embracing an idea simply because it resonates emotionally, citizens must ask: What does history reveal about the actual consequences of similar policies?
Likewise, the framework is a reality check for those devoted to ideas that history has shown to work in practice. When advancing such ideas in the political realm, advocates must ask: How will we achieve and sustain public support, given that voters respond to emotional appeal as well as foreseeable outcomes?
The graphical mapping of various writers, politicians, movements, and ideas aims both to show how the model works and to stimulate reflection. Your own mappings will surely differ.
Two final points on this Emotions vs Results model:
1. An alternative mapping might cover political platforms, legislative bills, and actual laws (as opposed to the more politician-centric mapping below).
2. The model complements the Overton Window framework, which defines the range of politically acceptable ideas at any given time. The Mundane quadrant represents the Overton Window itself, where consensus reigns. The Seductive quadrant includes positions pushing toward the mainstream, though potentially not holding up to scrutiny. The Repellant quadrant contains positions outside the Window, neither popular nor effective. The Pragmatic quadrant holds positions that work but lack emotional appeal, making them vulnerable to being ignored or dismissed.
Whomever might come across this model, I hope that it provokes thought and proves useful.

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@JaimeeUSA Sorry, but they are not liberals. We all need to quit calling them so.

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@WatsonNYou @justinamash Right, no accountability for monopoly-power public agencies, as contrasted to businesses that must win and retain their customers under competitive free markets.

My point to @justinamash is that the problem is not personal deficiencies, it is structural inevitabilities.

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@michaelmalice

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@ThomasSowell My business partner from Guyana… and his entire extended family from Guyana… would vehemently disagree with Joy(less) Reid.

They have flourished by their hard work & high character.

The narratives & policies from the Left are insulting & infantilizing to those of color.

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@GadSaad Stay strong….

“Society itself can be the tyrant, society collectively over the separate individuals who compose it.” - JS Mill, On Liberty

Succumb not to those who succumb to the allure of social conformity & standing.

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@walterkirn By which, you surely mean: Extend it, make it permanent?

Having made productive, enjoyable use of my extra hour outdoors this evening, I could not more agree… DST forever!

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@Kasparov63 With this level of analytical sophistication, all I can say is: Chess must not be so hard as I thought it was! 😆

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@RealSpikeCohen Just completed an extra hour of outdoor work on our property, readying for springtime sowing & planting.

“Merely” an extra hour. But massively helpful & valuable.

Denounce me if you must, but: I’m with Spike, an unabashed DST bigot! 😆

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@reason Curtail speech & curriculum, bad. Deny funds & jobs, good.

End the promotion & subsidy of divisive, despicable racism (i.e. DEI / CRT), now. Not least for the harm it does to those in whose name it is advanced (as ever for the radical Left agenda).

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@LP_Allies Whatever the @LPNational bylaws might allow, censure is certainly warranted, at least a statement of embarrassment & shame.

That is, if the LP wants to be regarded as not merely infantile & indecent.

To anyone carrying the libertarian spirt, the @LPNH behavior is repulsive.

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@ThomasSowell Watch for Wes Moore, MD Governor. Yes, practitioner of divisive politics based on class & race. Yes, vassal to the teachers’ unions. No, not a single original or brave idea, just a vessel for The Narrative.

But charisma is off the charts. He’s Kamala w/ confidence & appeal.

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

Ban a religion, no, that’s unacceptable intrusion on liberty & conscience. Too slippery a slope towards tyranny once the principle of freedom of religion is breached. For example, I regard both the modern D Party & MAGA to be cults. So… ban them?

That said, we should not shy from recognizing some regions more compatible with our values & ways than others. And we should never refrain from demanding civil behavior & enforcing the law due to a person’s religion.

In other words, it’s individual behavior that matters, with religion being no license for escaping censure or punishment when behavior relative to our norms & laws is offensive or unlawful.

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@jeff_perlow @JDVance Correction: Weak parent, singular, far too often.

Demise of the family is not sufficiently discussed as contributor to the rise of infantilism and the demise of civility.

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

Strategically, any political party striving for relevance amongst voters must, like any brand seeking uptake amongst consumers, employ both top-down & bottom-up promotional tactics. Otherwise, it will find irrelevance.

Tactically, any org wanting to convey professionalism and inspire confidence really does need to 1) spell its own showcase initiative correctly, and 2) meet prevailing standards of quality with its graphical brand assets. Else, it will find derision.

Sadly, the LP under @LPMisesCaucus domination continues to show no sign of knowing how to become politically relevant & respected in our lifetimes. Extinction is not far fetched.

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@MattWelch No shame, these faithful to the approved narrative, pretending to be devoted to science.

No talent or humor, either. Compare to @DominicFrisby and bits like…

[Dominic Frisby @DominicFrisby]

We Are All Far Right Now #farright

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@robbysoave @justinamash The fundamental flaw of tariffs: It is simply industrial policy by a different name, which is to say, political intrusion into the economy by a different name, which is to say, ceding our welfare to politicians.

Let’s not be chumps in trade. But let’s be wary of tariffs.

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@bonchieredstate So, I'm confused here. The Democrats put this out? Not the Republicans?

If so, it ain't the GOP that's finished, despite the excesses & indecencies of MAGA. More free campaign material for the Republicans in the midterms, I suppose.

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@davidleavitt The behavior was inappropriate, uncivil, and unacceptable. To act so, childish. To defend it, cultish.

Twas another moment of petulance from those who claim to be saving democracy while actually mis-comprehending, defying, and subverting it.

Democracy hypocrisy.

[Libertarian Realist @LibtrnRealist]

@michaelmalice Whatever the threshold may be, the pols & activists in the D Party are receding from it.

Last evening was a disgraceful display by the Democrats, who demonstrated conclusively that they are not actually devoted to democracy & civility.

This, from an independent wary of MAGA.