libertarians
We might expect libertarians to be against the authoritarian takeover of our country, since their primary concern is, by definition, "freedom"; but in fact there are many who appear to be undisturbed by it, permissive toward it, and even willing to carry water for it, so long as it quashes their mortal enemies on "the left" - often enough as not, a phantom of their own imagining. What is characteristic about this sort of libertarian is that their "philosophy" - if it is even worthy of the name - is dispositional rather than principled; that is, it arises from an emotional commitment to their own comfort and self-interest, over and above any consideration for the needs of others - except for those whose powers they covet or fear. Such people do not believe, at base, that they owe anything to anyone else; those who are financially comfortable, and a little less hard-hearted, are willing to pay their taxes, but beyond that they balk at appeals to solidarity a...