Excellent Self-Deprecating Libertarian Humor

Readers seem to really enjoy the political humor on this site, much of which mocks big government and statist politicians.

But the jokes and cartoons mocking libertarians also get good reviews, probably because advocates of small government have better senses of humor and are less insecure (how’s that for self-serving analysis?).

We started this series with a video portraying Somalia as a libertarian paradise.

Then we had two cartoons, one on libertarian ice fishing and the other showing libertarian lifeguards.

I thought we then hit a high point with the image showing 24 types of libertarians.

But this new cartoon, which I first saw on the What We Think and Why blog, may be even better.

As I’ve said before, effective humor takes a bit of truth and turns it into caricature, and these images strike home.

When I give speeches in front of Republican audiences, they seem to think that libertarianism is all about sex and drugs. I try to put their minds at rest by pointing out that I strike out with dismaying frequency on the former and have never tried the latter, but I’m not sure that works.

When I talk to left wingers, they probably don’t think I’m wealthy (I should be so lucky), but they definitely think that I represent the interests of the rich. I try to explain that big government is all about an elite class figuring out ways to rape and pillage ordinary people, but I wonder whether that message sinks in.

When I talk to the media, it’s obvious that most of them can’t distinguish between Ron Paul, the Libertarian Party, and the libertarian philosophy, so that part is exactly right.

When I’m hanging out with non-political friends, they probably don’t think I’m crazy, per se, but they definitely think I’m engaged in a pointless and futile effort.

When I analyze myself, I like to think of myself as a freedom fighter. But our Founding Fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What about me? Well, my life’s not at risk and I have no fortune to lose, but I do sometimes have to travel to places where there isn’t a convenient McDonald’s. Not exactly the same level of sacrifice. On the other hand, I think I can safely claim to have never sold out, so at least I have honor.

But the final image really does sum up my life. Day after day, I sit in front of a computer and it seems all I do is read and write about never-ending examples of brain-dead government stupidity.  And if you don’t believe me, look at these examples.

That, my friends, is the real challenge of being a libertarian.