The Observation

As I walk Boston this election season, I see a city that is full of Libertarians.

Don't agree?  This is laughable?

Watch any street corner and you will see what I mean.  How many people cross the street against the advice, and the law, presented by the “Don't Walk” sign?

It happens every cycle.

Nullification

The people that choose to walk when instructed not to are practicing the “nullification” of laws that, while imposed on them with good intentions, they feel don't apply.

If they want to cross an empty street, but the sign says “Don't Walk”, they cross anyway!

True, this is a harmless act, yet there are men with badges and guns to enforce this, and ultimately every, law written to “protect” us from ourselves.  But we can protect ourselves, right?

At this point it could be argued that this particular law is never enforced, but that isn't my point here.  The point of non-enforcement is related to another problem of "arbitrary enforcement".

Personal Liberty

So, if we can protect ourselves, do we need laws to say when we can and cannot cross the street?  I would argue that we do not, and from observation, I would argue that the majority of Bostonians do not either.

However, our government thinks we do.  Otherwise, why would the law be on the books in the first place?  If water can be "dangerous" and cause drowning, why don't we just outlaw water?

Perspective

I'll admit, this is a seemingly trivial example, but it is rooted in a central theme of Liberty: the freedom to make your own decisions and reap the appropriate benefits or consequences (provided you do not agress against another person or their property).

So, are you a Libertarian?  Walk the streets, and discover for yourself.