Should my government protect me from an invading enemy? That'd be a good thing.
Agreed.
But what about from my neighbor who plays loud music and hurts my sanity -- should the government ban loud music?
Agreed that that is a difficult one. This falls under the third-party nuissance problem (like pollution). Presumably, you could show tort and require the noise-polluter to pay you for your suffering (or, cheaper, turn down the music).
What about business practices by my employer that endanger my health - should my employer be forced by the government to be protect my health?
Find another employer.
What about the ravages of dumb personal habits - should the government protect me from being stupid?
Nope. You are entirely responsible for the consequences of your own choices.
What about my own body - should the government have control over my body, in the name of protecting me and others?
Protecting you, no. Protecting others, yes. (If you were not of sound mind and posed a threat to others, then government would have the right to restain you until such time as you regained your senses and no longer posed a threat to others).
You might be interested in my other discussion board at Multiple Utopias which addresses the question of how to develop a libertarian framework that maximizes freedom generally while allowing individuals to group themselves according to their personal beliefs and needs.
> Find another employer
Exactly.
Dumb personal habits - I can't support a candidate who wants to protect me from myself. Both social conservatives and social liberals want me to act like them. Nope, sorry.
> You might be interested in my other discussion board at Multiple Utopias ...
I will check that out, thanks. Unfortunately I'm about out of time this afternoon but will be back on tonight. Thanks for the post -- good stuff.