Libertarianism is NOT Conservatism.
Libertarianism is a reaction (like in "reactionary") to the authoritarian mandate of Leftism. That is all it is. It is an understandable phenomenon, like a juvenile rebelling against the constant oversight of his parents, but that is all it is. Although certainly it can become violent.
Indeed Leftism arises from so much liberalism that the entire internal moral consciousness of the individual is lost and abandoned. Thus centralized authoritarian mandate becomes necessary even for the simplest social commerce.
Conservatism is the recognition and commitment to personal responsibility, hardly libertarianism. It is personal responsibility, its recognition, its practice, its insistence in all, that allows each of us to pursue our own decisions, in an atmosphere of freedom. It is being a mature adult, as opposed to leftism and libertarianism, i.e. manifestations of juveniles.
How obvious is that? How obvious is this juvenilism in millions of college students, Harvard Professors, government careerists, Barack Obama, numerous politicians?
One is honest with one's self and responsible, or a problem to America.
Julian Jaynes makes this wonderfully clear. But many many historic figures before do likewise, e.g. Plato, Buddha, Christ, Shakespeare, Voltaire, H.G,Wells, GBS (in a convoluted way).
And then there is the New York Times, CBS, NBC, Bill Clinton, George Soros, Nancy Pelosi, Henry Waxman, Chuck Schumer, Barack Obama, Henry Gates. What a joke on America.
The terrible spin of the LEFT (sinister in Latin) has distorted the perspective of American civilization. And "they" own the Media.
How obvious is it?
Johnny Suntrade
Johnny Suntrade, your #39 is an outstanding definitive post with which I heartily agree.
The lie-bertarian motto is "Give me liberty without reponsibility!"
And might I add, although purportedly a reaction to liberalism, the libertarians are actually using leftist tactics in their mission and ultimately benefiting the left more than the right.
I think you might want to take the test at the website listed in the article. You could be surprised at what you find.