Ted Rall is the type of progressive who often illustrates the peculiar intersections which can be seen between libertarianism and the left. The diction of political philosophy has been twisted, stolen, and adopted by disparate groups repeatedly since the Enlightenment. Terms like "liberal" and "conservative" meant something different in 1980 than in 1908, and they mean something different now than in 1811. The Republican Party has changed its position from left to right wing so many times it makes one wonder if a better symbol than an elephant might be a chameleon. (Same goes for once Jim Crow friendly Democrats too- maybe they could adopt as a mascot the reversible hoodie).
As an example, here unabashed "liberal" Ted Rall outlines the silliness of the idea that anytime a politician becomes involved in an embarrassing situation involving sex, they should be compelled to resign. In most cases, absent some illegality, sex should not result in someone stepping down. The puritanical instincts of some voters should not hold hostage the sensible understanding of the rest of us that these things happen.
Rall's point is one that is currently in rejected by both the left and the right. Fanatical feminist elements of the left identify with the idea that any act involving sex must amount to exploitation of women. And Bible thumping right wingers subscribe to the idea that since their preacher said the three letter word is a sin, such acts should equate to criminality. What is odd about this debate though is that both sides agree that sex and its substitutes, to paraphrase Paul Theroux, need to be regulated. They are on the same side here, and it is a foolish one.
Sensible libertarian views on nearly everything- except foreign affairs.