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Are you a conservative who cares the least bit about individual liberty? You really need to familiarize yourself with the Harm Principle.

The object of this Essay is to assert one very simple principle, as entitled to govern absolutely the dealings of society with the individual in the way of compulsion and control, whether the means used be physical force in the form of legal penalties, or the moral coercion of public opinion. That principle is, that the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right... The only part of the conduct of anyone, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.

--John Stuart Mill "On Liberty"

By her words, it seems Sarah knows it well.

I agree wholeheartedly.

The leftist argument against that is: <nasal, whiny, whinging liberal tool> "But if they hurt themselves, we'll be the ones to pay for it, so we have the right to limit their freedom!" </nasal, whiny, whinging liberal tool>

They completely and conveniently ignore the "responsibility" part of liberty. If you bring that up, they refuse delivery.

Madison was especially concerned with individual liberty being protected by the Constitution. Every Freeper should read the Federalist papers AND the Anti Federalist papers.

In Federalist 10 Madison spends the entire essay defining liberty and how government and especially FACTIONS (be they political or Religious etc.) should not be able to use Government Power to limit Individual Liberty WHEN that liberty does not harm or interfere with another's liberty.

Sarah is waaay ahead of most Freepers who cannot grasp that concept!