More than an absence part 2

For example, at those times in life when I feel most free, it's a fullness. not an absence of something - although the absence of shackles does indeed bring a full feeling, doesn't it?

But the absence of an ideology? Libertarianism has been described as a belief that people should be free to exercise their individual rights without government interference so long as they don't tread on others' individual rights. Isn't that an ideology?

I think I understand where Smith is coming from, I even tend to agree with him. This is likely just a semantic quibble.

It seems to me his main point in that passage is not about libertarianism, but about government: "Government is about stealing ... So if you’re a Republican, a Democrat, a Green, or a 'libertarian' mini-statist, what you’re admitting to the whole world is that you’re a thief. You’re admitting to your neighbors that you want to steal their money, their houses, their weapons, their jewelry, and their children. You’re admitting that, if they won’t cough up in a manner that appears comfortingly voluntary, you’ll send your thugs (because you lack the balls to do it yourself) to beat them up, kidnap, or kill them."

I can definitely sound an "Amen" there.