Fiscal conservatives want small government, just like libertarians. But the social conservatives are not for small government. They want to use government to push their social agenda, just as the social liberals want to use government to push -their- social agenda. Very little difference, other than the agendas, which both positions argue are sacred and true. Surprise.
The small-l libertarian has no use for either position, having no use for government, other than to protect the NATION from the dangerous idiots external to it. Small-l libertarians want the government out of their personal lives. Social conservatives want to control people's personal lives a lot more than any libertarian could stand.
The reason I say "small-l" libertarian is that I have no use for the "big-l" Libertarian party either.
Well put.
Not entirely sure about that. Certainly there are social conservatives who won't be happy until every last American tithes and goes to church on Sunday, but most simply want to be able to practice their beliefs in peace without having liberal indoctrination thrust upon them and their loved ones.
Libertarians and Social Conservatives share the following beliefs:
You should be able to buy and sell to/from anyone. And if that means restricting what you sell to whom, or who you buy from, it's none of government's business.
Social conservatives and libertarians agree that people should be responsible for the consequences of their actions, and not be bailed out by taxpayers.
While social conservatives believe that it is not the role of government to indoctrinate people in liberal socialism, libertarians believe that it is not the role of government to indocrinate anyone in anything.
Social conservatives believe that gay people should not be "married." Libertarians believe that the state shouldn't be involved in marrying people in the first place. Most social conservatives have resigned themselves to the fact that homosexuality exists. They just don't want it shoved down their childrens' throats (excuse the imagery) by an all powerful state apparatus.
While there are differences, there are many areas where libertarians and social conservatives can find common ground to advance their agendas without infringing on the others' rights.