If Mustachian were a political party, what would it stand for?

[crocheted_stache]

What values would Mustachians promote? What policies and laws would Mustachians put forward?

[HenryDavid]

Less consumerism, more badassity, I.e. Personal responsibility, moderation, community over merchandise.
Recognizing he much abundance and wealth is truly available, so there's so need to fear a bit of sharing, I.e. Progressive income taxes that pay for useful things like health care.
Appreciating and enjoying nature, source of so much free good stuff, such as beauty, oxygen, etc.
Less fear-based politics, more optimism and shared good times with your neighbours.

[nanu]

And legalizing Marijuana, if not other controlled substances as well

[2Birds1Stone]

Bike riding, dumpster diving, tulip bulb trading ruffians.

[Bardo]

Paying less attention to politics, and more to what is important in life (ie promoting the low-information diet).

[icek05]

I think you could count an a pretty big increase of the gas tax, with much of the money collected going toward bicycle infrastructure. 

I'd also want to make sure that national/state parks are preserved and protected.

Finally, limit campaign spending and donations.  Have candidates write out their views on each issue and provide their voting record and let that be the end of it.

[StashDaddy]

Here we go again.

If this thread goes like all the other political ones on this forum, it will proceed like this:

The right-wingers will write in and say that Mustachianism is about hard work ethic, investment, capitalism, sacrifice, and self-reliance.

The lefties will write in and say that those right-wingers are stupid, and its all about being "green", fighting the evils of capitalism, legalizing marijuana, and progressive belief that poor people are noble victims that need our help and money.

And back and forth, back and forth, until the insults start flying =)

[I'm a red panda]

And legalizing Marijuana, if not other controlled substances as well

What does this have to do with mustachianism?

[GuitarStv]

I think it would stand for never winning. It espouses ideas that are not mainstream, like conservation, hard work, and ignoring social norms.  You can't sell this to the average person.

[nanu]

And legalizing Marijuana, if not other controlled substances as well

What does this have to do with mustachianism?

Technically nothing, except that MMM himself said in the past he supports legalizing it (IIRC).
Personally I think it should be legal, but I don't use it so I don't really care

[Eric]

And legalizing Marijuana, if not other controlled substances as well

What does this have to do with mustachianism?

It's an extremely cheap and efficient way to alter consciousness.  Especially if you can grow it yourself, which would be allowed with legalization.  What's Mustachianism if not finding ways to do things cheaply and efficiently?

[jmusic]

I think this thread mostly covers the same topic as:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/political-leanings-of-mustachians/

So given that there's a lot of self selection bias, the community here tends Libertarian, and though the poll also leaned folks liberal (even I was slightly left, though I've always considered myself Republican), I often wished for a "neither agree nor disagree" option as I thought many of the questions were "not even wrong." 

I found some of the questions to be a bit skewed when I took the poll.  I've always considered myself a Republican, but these days I can't stand EITHER party so that would put me in the "Centrist" camp. 

Anyway, to the thrust of this thread, I would guess that most MMMers identify closely with Libertarian views, but we all know that many people wouldn't do what was in their best interests even if forced. 

I agree with legalizing Marijuana, even though I have zero experience with it (never tried it and in the military now).  Doing so would win the "War on Drugs" in a way that nothing else could!  What I have read is that it tends to reduce motivation to succeed, so I'll probably never try it even if it is legal.

Great ideas regarding increased gas taxes and improving bike infrastructure.  I for one HATE how little thought is given in urban planning to cyclists, but I also think that we need more training in schools, etc. regarding proper use (vehicular cycling). 

[Sid Hoffman]

The right-wingers will write in and say that Mustachianism is about hard work ethic, investment, capitalism, sacrifice, and self-reliance.

The lefties will write in and say that those right-wingers are stupid, and its all about being "green", fighting the evils of capitalism, legalizing marijuana, and progressive belief that poor people are noble victims that need our help and money.

And back and forth, back and forth, until the insults start flying =)

[NoraLenderbee]

Free beer.

[Annamal]

Libraries and really good bike trails

[rosaz]

I'd say probably fewer tax expenditures: getting rid of mortgage interest deduction, student loan interest deduction, childcare deduction, health insurance deduction.

Interest deductions encourage debt, health insurance deductions encourage crazy-expensive health insurance, childcare deduction (which I'm currently benefiting from) penalizes MMM-types. And all of them encourage people to spend more money in specific, somewhat arbitrary ways.

You could get rid of those, lower the rates somewhat, particularly in the middle and lower-income brackets (to make ER more widely available), and probably boost the retirement savings maximums too with the money saved.

[frugalnacho]

I agree with legalizing Marijuana, even though I have zero experience with it (never tried it and in the military now).  Doing so would win the "War on Drugs" in a way that nothing else could!  What I have read is that it tends to reduce motivation to succeed, so I'll probably never try it even if it is legal.

That's called propaganda. 

[GuitarStv]

I agree with legalizing Marijuana, even though I have zero experience with it (never tried it and in the military now).  Doing so would win the "War on Drugs" in a way that nothing else could!  What I have read is that it tends to reduce motivation to succeed, so I'll probably never try it even if it is legal.

That's called propaganda.

 . . . also, kinda ironic sentiment on a forum dedicated to dropping out of the rat race to dick around at your own pace.

[frugalnacho]

I agree with legalizing Marijuana, even though I have zero experience with it (never tried it and in the military now).  Doing so would win the "War on Drugs" in a way that nothing else could!  What I have read is that it tends to reduce motivation to succeed, so I'll probably never try it even if it is legal.

That's called propaganda.

 . . . also, kinda ironic sentiment on a forum dedicated to dropping out of the rat race to dick around at your own pace.

I just want to be able to focus on my true passion, growing and smoking marijuana, without a damn job getting in my way. 

[sheepstache]