Why else did the Founders leave questions of health, safety & morality to the States & local communities? (There is absolutely no Federal role delegated over such questions. They are matters for self-determination--not by disassociated individual, but by organized communities. Thus each State could retain their own cultural values--as different as they were.)
On the other hand, Federal taxes upon individuals were not allowed unless they were "flat." (No forced redistribution of the fruits of anyone's labor.) The Preamble looked to the Founders lines of descent--their "posterity," for whom they intended to secure the Blessings of Liberty, etc. etc. (A clear appreciation of the continuity of families, with multi-generational purpose.)
The idea that there is a dichotomy between Conservatism and a people dedicated to Liberty from their inception is absurd. Because some people in a self-designated "Libertarian Party," in some communities, may have lost sight of the basic Libertarian concept that used to allow American communities to freely exercise religious principles--The First Amendment was clearly written to prohibit Congress from interfering with same (just read it)--should not confuse what is historically true.
Yes, it is an American libertarian principle that you can display the Ten Commandments; that you can enforce standards of behavior that those who live in a community agree upon; again, that health, safety & morals, are State, not Federal issues.
William Flax
Well said...
Unfortunately Ron Paul was not a good standard-bearer for the big "L" Libertarian cause and his more ardent supporters tended to "lose sight of the basic Libertarian concept ...
The extremist Marxist Left presently running the country is a great reason to build a coalition of conservatives and libertarians to beat back this communist horde and return to the American tradition of our Founders.