Pat Buchanan's recent column on libertarianism wins some points for a basic understanding of the libertarian role in opposing Big Government and protecting the rights of the individual. But then Buchanan makes a huge leap in logic claiming that "on open borders, as on mass immigration, libertarians line up with the Party of Government."

Buchanan argues that the immigrant crime rate "is twice that of the native-born, which translates into diminished security for American citizens and a necessary expansion of state police power – i.e., more cops, judges, courts, jails, prisons."

Apparently Buchanan believes that fuzzy-headed libertarians have failed to connect the dots and see how their support for open immigration plays into the hands of statism. In a bizarre twist of logic, Pat Buchanan argues that the way to stop the expansion of state police powers is to militarize our borders and expand the state's powers to use deadly force anywhere near the border.

Buchanan also raises the classic argument that immigrants are "disproportionate users of social services." Like most social conservatives, Buchanan would rather pass more laws and hire more border cops, than deal with the underlying issues of Big Government. Libertarians don't care if immigrants use a disproportionate amount of social services, because we believe all social programs should be junked.

Buchanan plays upon ethnic mistrust and xenophobia to portray open borders as a disaster: "With an anticipated 75 million immigrants poised to enter the United States in the next half century – mostly poor folks, far more prolific than our native-born – there will arise an inexorable need for still more police, jails, prisons, schools, laws, rules, regulations, services and restrictions on all Americans at the local, state and national level."

Such hostility towards immigrants is very popular these days. As a result, the Libertarian Party's support for open borders has become our most controversial position. Libertarians are endlessly scolded for supporting such a dangerous idea as open borders, especially since the events of 9-11.

Though libertarians may be suspect in today's political climate for supporting open borders, it is a fundamental issue for anyone who believes in open and unregulated markets. Like the war on drugs, the basic premise of closed borders is flawed and cannot be enforced. Just look at the results in both cases – despite huge escalating budgets to control drugs and illegal aliens, there are more drugs and illegals than ever before.

Fifty years ago, the United States didn't have immigration problems or illegal aliens, at least not by today's standards. Instead, America was held up as the freest and most tolerant nation in the world. The U.S. economic system was, by comparison with most other nations, a free market economy. Immigration was not only far less restricted than today, U.S. borders were virtually unmanned. Back then, borders were easily crossed and people prospered on both sides.

For example, back in the '50s Mexican workers would spend six months a year working in California and six months a year with their families in Mexico. Unlike U.S. foreign aid, that may only reside in a country for a few hours before it is transferred to a private Swiss bank account, the dollars that went south with the Mexican "Braceros" went directly to poor families and local Mexican communities. Without strict borders, Mexicans filled a vital need for California agriculture, while creating stability and prosperity back home. Most Mexican families found it preferable to remain in their beloved communities, enjoying the advantage of the low cost of living.

Now, the border between California and Mexico has become one of the deadliest borders in the world, with dozens of deaths each year. Crossing such a deadly border means that once an illegal alien gets into the U.S. they are very reluctant to leave. Dollars that would have gone back to their home country end up instead going to "Coyotes" to smuggle their loved ones into the U.S.

Libertarians understand that free markets and open borders have always been the route to real peace and prosperity. That's why we oppose the drug war and the siege mentality of current U.S. immigration policy. Sure, it would be easier and more popular to reject our controversial policy of open borders, but libertarians don't abandon basic principles of freedom, regardless of which way the political winds may blow.

Steve Kubby was the Libertarian gubernatorial candidate for California and played a key role in the passage of Proposition 215, California's historic medical marijuana law. He is the author of two books on drug policy reform and the founder of the American Medical Marijuana Association. His current position is as Producer for the Pot-TV News.