Are there any differences between Conservatives and Libertarians?

1/12/03 | Sparta

[Sparta]

I've been reading posts by people who use the term Conservative and others who use the term Libertarian. I have a question for all FReepers, is there a difference between the two?

[eshu]

By far the biggest problem with the Libertarian Party is the name itself. 'Libertarian' sounds like a combo between 'liberal' and "librarian."

It also sounds a lot like the word "liberty," the idea of which is terrifying for most people.

[Cultural Jihad]

And I'm not in favor of twisting the heads off cute little kittens, but I think it should be legal.

See how silly it sounds?

Or, "Twisting the heads off of cute little kittens is so cruel, the only worse thing would be to discourage this cruelty!"

[Mr. Mojo]

True enough.

[Cultural Jihad]

... "liberty," the idea of which is terrifying for most people.

LOL! Now the Orwellians have discovered 'libertyphobia' to explain why they consistently cannot get more than a half a percent of the vote.

Aesop would have called that mindset:

[rb22982]

Here is the LP platform do you libertarians support it or not?

Majority of it yes, but by no means all of it. Specifically (and why I like the CP better than the LP) the military, abortion and open borders I'm at about the opposite end.

[rb22982]

Yes. Conservatives believe in the principles set forth in the U.S. Constitution, and the vision of the Founding Fathers for our country.

Except for an income tax, drug laws, gun laws, very strong fed govt with very weak state power. etc

[Cultural Jihad]

and why I like the CP better than the LP

Not much of a contest there.

[rb22982]

Actually most young people who even give a flip about politics are primarily RATM socialists, not libertarians.

[rb22982]

Well considering dope (marijuana) was made illegal by a demoflop socialists (FDR), had the most arrest under a demoflop traitor (clinton), is safer than alcohol and costs this country 20+billion every year to combat, while not reducing use, I find it hard to believe that any real conservative wouldn't support legalization or at least chuck the federal government out of the picture at the very minimal.

[E Rocc]

"Social conservatives" are often willing to use the power of the state to enforce their idea of "morality" or "decency". Libertarians are not. That is the primary difference.

-Eric

[rb22982]

Yes wonderful articles like this piece of propaganda led to the current drug war.

[Cultural Jihad]

Libertarians want to thwart the right of people to decide what kind of a society they are to live in. They want to make mandatory the toleration of evil.

[k2blader]

*LOL* Classic.

[rb22982]

Libs don't want ANY government in our lives. Kinda bad idea as the world gets more crowded. They support legalizing drugs, okay with abortion, etc....fiscally are more aligned with conservatives only cheaper.

Not true, libertarians believe that government is a necessary evil to protect the rights of individuals, not to police them. Libertarians are for legalizing drugs because 1) we can't stop drug use 2) it costs a fortune to fund the war with little results 3) DEMOCRATS started the drug war, first with under WW and then again under FDR and Bill Clinton's admin arrested more people for drugs than ANY other 4) The founding father's had no drug prohibition laws. As for abortion, you are going to find it very divided. I'm pro-life, as are most of my libertarian leaning friends but even pro choice libertarians abhor Roe Vs Wade and would wage war to have it overturned, unlike Republicans.

[k2blader]

Fun little quiz. Thanks.

[rb22982]

Just like not much of a contest between big gov't Republicans and big gov't Democrats.

[E Rocc]

Libertarians want to thwart the right of people to decide what kind of a society they are to live in. They want to make mandatory the toleration of evil.

Libertarian would restrict the definition of "evil" to actions which directly harm others. Any wider definition becomes tyranny of the majority, whether the "evil" in question is gun ownership, pornographic or violent entertainment, non-marital sex, alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, or pork consumption, un-PC opinions, or refusing to pray five times a day facing Mecca.

-Eric

[Badray]

Libertarians are usually pro-choice,"

Virtually every one that I know is pro-life because abortion violates the first principle of non-aggression of other's rights.I also know a lot of pro-abortion pubbies. Why don't you throw them out of the party of leave the GOP?

" . . . .for legalization of drugs,"

some are, but more importantly, most are against what it takes to enforce the drug laws and the consequences of the WOD.

". . . more tolerant of homo-sexuals,"

again, some are, but what should we do: Shoot them on sight? The problem is what it takes to enforce laws against such things. Whose bedroom to they look in and for what reason should they look? Should we suspect you because someone saw you hug a friend in celebrating when your football team just scored the winning TD? Or the football player because he patted a team mate on the butt?

". . . less likely to have traditional religious beliefs,"

This is true. We don't worship government. But I know a lot of Bible believing, God fearing Libertarians, too.

". . . and generally dont want to run government, they want to eliminate it."

No, just the 80 - 90% that is unconstitutional.

"Often they act like a bunch of kooks."

I won't argue with you here. A lot of 'free spirits, to say the least. As more pubbies tire of the GOP and it's reliance on big government, the LP is starting to clean up it's act.

"Bill O'Reilly is more libertarian than conservative."

I can't quite figure O'Reilly. He seems to be all over the map, but relies heavily on government solutions no matter what side of the issue that he comes down on.

"So is Bill Maher of Politically Correct."

He is NOT libertarian, but he is wierd.

[tpaine]

"Libertarians believe that social institutions are capable of operating without government guidance; conservatives don't. Simple." -steve_b-

Hell, some of FR's 'conservatives' posting here are out'n out socialist prohibitionists:

Connecting the War on Guns & Drugs [my title]
Address:http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/820965/posts

[radioman]

Great post!
This is the crux of the problem, I believe.
Law must be based on truth. If we really had a drug problem in this country, our leaders would not have to resort to lies and propaganda to rally support for this war.

I have been a registered republican for over forty years, but I'm 100%
libetarian when it comes to this issue.