[Iconoclast2]

The single greatest error of libertarians is to fail to recognize that limiting the power of the Federal government is far more important than using that power to restrict the power of state governments to regulate individuals. By defending Federal arrogations of power that, in the short run, appear to advance individual liberties (the freedom not to have to view items of a quasi-religious nature in government offices???), they alienate natural allies and bring about less freedom in the long run.

[ConsistentLibertarian]

Claim: "The single greatest error of libertarians is to fail to recognize that limiting the power of the Federal government is far more important than using that power to restrict the power of state governments to regulate individuals."

Argument: "By defending Federal arrogations of power that, in the short run, appear to advance individual liberties [...] they [1] alienate natural allies and [2] bring about less freedom in the long run."

This is an interesting argument, and it's made in clear, articulate prose. It's a pleasure to read.

However I disagree.

Re [1] -- The people I'm alienating want the States to use their power to promote religion. They are most certainly _not_ my natural allies. IF people were saying "The very thought of States using their powers to promote religion makes me want to puke, but nonetheless this not an issue governed by the Constitution, then there's no need for them to feel alienated. We can work together to crush any state politician, including the Chief Justice of Alabamba.

Re [2] -- Why so? Federal powers to limit state powers does not translate into greater federal powers over individuals. Just the opposite. The less states can do, the more liberty we have.

I think that the single greatest error of conservatives is to fail to recognize that increasing the power of States to legislate erodes individual liberties and alienates natural allies.