Captain America: Libertarian Icon

Every American is familiar with him in some sense. Some just by happenstance; others through years of comic book collecting. All throughout the Marvel Comics history, he has been a metaphor for Freedom. He has even said it himself.

From his own mouth, he removes the notion that he is a symbol for nationalism and a tool for the U.S Government. He even goes as far as to directly break the law multiple times (Most often in Civil War) in the name of individualism and liberty. While he does work with the government from time to time, it is important to recognize that he doesn't work for the government. In fact, on multiple cases, it has been stated that the Avengers were a private peacekeeping force. Including when Captain America became a renegade hiding from the United States government.

This all started in 1987, late in Reagan's presidency, which is not a coincidence. The story sees Captain America called before a shadowy Commission on Superhuman Affairs, appointed by the President to oversee the activities of government sponsored super-powered operatives. The Commission's main responsibility up to this point had been Freedom Force, the former Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, which became Marvel's version of Suicide Squad in the 1980s. But now, as their sniveling chairman Rockwell explained, they would be taking control of Captain America.

At least, that was the plan. Steve Rogers had acted independently since he came out of the ice, and he had no interest in being the puppet of bureaucrats. When they tried to tell him he has no choice, he told them that he absolutely does, as America is a free country.

In short, Captain America quit rather than compromising his ethics under the leadership of suits he neither knows nor trusts. This was when the Mutant Registration Act had just been passed, it should be noted. The threat of fascism was palpable. If this doesn't explain the libertarian ideal, I don't know what does.

His libertarian ethics come into play even later on during Marvel's Civil War Comics. The whole story is very reminiscent of gun confiscation and registration. In this event after a tragedy involving kids with superpowers at a school, the government and society as a whole called for mandatory Super Hero Registration. (sound familiar?) The Superhero Registration act was the response that made all Super-Powered individuals to act under and only under the government. Captain America led the resistance against the act while Iron Man fought for S.H.I.E.L.D and the U.S Government.

Not to mention that Steve Rogers arguably most iconic quote form Civil War is laying forth the foundation for individualism and liberty.

"Doesn't matter what the press says. Doesn't matter what the politicians or the mobs say. Doesn't matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right. This nation was founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences. When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth and tell the whole world... no, you move."

People often complain that characters like Captain America and Superman are too "good" or not "relatable enough." The thing is, there are two types of fictional characters, one that is designed for readers or viewers to connect with and one that is symbolic of an ideal or philosophy. Daredevil, Spiderman and Batman are more relatable because they are designed to show the struggles of daily life and to highlight humanity of said characters. Meanwhile, Superman and Captain America symbolize the potential of humanity and something that we should all aspire to... a role model for the readers. That is what Steve Rogers. One who does what is right, who stands up to ideals and resists tyranny. Who dedicated his life to justice and liberty. Who is ultimately a symbol for the American roots of libertarianism.

Thus, those who say that Captain America is a gun grabbing tool of the government are not only uninformed but don't deserve the Nerd of the Year award.