The problem is that most of the time when someone mentions the word “Libertarian” on FR the nuts go crazy over it, calling the posters all sorts of names, like dope user, libertine, etc.
The extreme Libertarians have some off the wall views but it’s a cinch that the only way to save this country is to inject a healthy dose of Libertarian thinking back into politics.
Smaller gov’t and less intrusion into people’s lives is the only sound idea for the future. That’s the real change we need.
What are you, some kind of dope-smoking tax protestor?
/ONLY kidding
However, I really do wonder sometimes whether or not our society is ready for that libertarianism -- to work things out between themselves civilly without being continually told what to do by government. We have raised several generations now without even the semblance of manners, with a real "I matter, you don't" chip on their shoulder. They aren't exactly "thinkers". They are to a large degree, spoiled children. The "growing up process" would not likely be pretty, however necessary it is.
I think that some of the reaction you cite is brought on by attitude of libertarians somewhat portrayed by the author of this piece. Libertarian thought and conservative thought SHARE the principles of centrality of private property and small, and localized, government as the underpinning of Liberty. In that area the differences are about how to keep or regain such attributes.
Often times we see these some-times allies claiming that one side or the other is the ONLY source of reverence for the two issues mentioned and that produces needless conflict.
Yup, you've got that right about FR so-cons. On the other hand there's lots of other people who like to call themselves libertarian using the "socially liberal and fiscally conservative" line to rationalize support for judicially-decided social policy, Gov safety nets as well as Green delusions of Gov-mandated "alternative energy" solutions. My point is the libertarian label is used by many who may or may not adhere to many of its basic principles. I suppose this is an indication that although people may not fully understand the implications of the libertarian label, it is not as universally hated as some other labels out there today.