The distinction I make between social liberalism and social libertarian, is “If you break it, you bought it”. I do not believe the Govt should be there to pick up people after they have screwed up their own life. Therefore, my beliefs cannot be characterize as “liberalism”.
Perdogg: “I do not believe the Govt should be there to pick up people after they have screwed up their own life. Therefore, my beliefs cannot be characterize as “liberalism”.”
Thanks for the clarification. Realize that liberty cannot be maintained without individual morality. So, even though you and others believe government shouldn’t bail out immoral or irresponsible people, your numbers are dwarfed by those who want government to protect them from their own mistakes. That is why libertarianism cannot work. The closest we ever had to achieving something like it was in the past when Americans were more Christian. That is why you’ll find many of the older conservatives, while not necessarily religious themselves, greatly respected and encouraged the Christianity that modern libertarians seem to fear. Believe me or not, but the greatest threat to your liberty comes from the left.