The differences between a "conservative" and a "libertarian"

[JetGirl]

Since the board went all emo in the Break Room. Next thing you know, the conservatives will be cutting themselves, and I've got enough on my conscience.

Bwuahahaha!!!

 

[mrjarrell]

Since the board went all emo in the Break Room. Next thing you know, the conservatives will be cutting themselves, and I've got enough on my conscience.

 

[dross]

Since the board went all emo in the Break Room. Next thing you know, the conservatives will be cutting themselves, and I've got enough on my conscience.

I keep seeing references to this "incident." How did something all controversial happen and I was no where near it? I feel left out.

 

[rambone]

I keep seeing references to this "incident." How did something all controversial happen and I was no where near it? I feel left out.

Let me know when you find out, because I am clueless too.

[/threadjack]

 

[level.eleven]

I think it had to do with a porno vs. the bible thread. Alas, I missed it as well. Oh, and then there is the "has INGO changed thread". Ninnies.

 

[level.eleven]

My true opinion is far too offensive to post. I'm a fan of libertarianism in all of its flavors; let's just leave it at that.

This. I feel as if I have answered the same questions and had the same discussions with statists online for years. I probably haven't changed any minds.

 

[Tallenn]

Another interesting aspect of Libertarians is that a lot of them started out "conservative", with an overall interest in politics and government. A lot of which, I contribute to exposure. You really don't a dose of classical liberalism, or third parties for that matter, until you discover them on your own. It certainly isn't taught during the discussion of TJ in school. You do get heavy doses of R vs. D. Red team vs. Blue team, literally.

You have very accurately described me, almost right down to the last speck. I was a Republican (and a neo-con) for most of my adult life, mainly because I didn't really consider that there might be something other than the two parties. Today, I would consider myself even beyond libertarian. Someone else said it: government IS the initiation of violence. Good people don't seek that kind of power. I prefer to think of myself as an "anarcho-capitalist" these days.

Oh, and EXCELLENT post, Rambone!

 

[Kmann]

great post. nice to know my stances official label. Libertarian.

 

[jsgolfman]

You have very accurately described me, almost right down to the last speck. I was a Republican (and a neo-con) for most of my adult life, mainly because I didn't really consider that there might be something other than the two parties. Today, I would consider myself even beyond libertarian. Someone else said it: government IS the initiation of violence. Good people don't seek that kind of power. I prefer to think of myself as an "anarcho-capitalist" these days.

Oh, and EXCELLENT post, Rambone!

Ah, someone else has seen the light. See, there is hope Fletch.

 

[rambone]

Ah, someone else has seen the light. See, there is hope Fletch.

That's what I'm here for guys.

 

[Bill of Rights]

...
General Terms and Concepts

Right-wing = minimal government, Left-wing = maximum government. ...

With the exception of the above, I agree with you and think this is a good post, Rambone.

While the Left Wing typically wants maximum government involvement in matters fiscal, i.e. welfare, food stamps, and the like, the Right Wing has carved out it's niche in the maximum government thing in the area of morality, wanting laws about drugs, laws about sex, laws about relationships, laws about medical research, etc, and a truly minimalist government, as you continued in your post to point out, is involved with none of that. It is so, so easy to fall into that whole "left or right", "conservative or liberal", "republican or democrat" either-or paradigm, and that's the trap that the big parties have created. Take a look at the quiz located at World's Smallest Political Quiz and you'll see a three dimensional model that's much more descriptive: Not only can you be liberal or conservative, but also statist or individualist. The key, I think, is in recognizing that each person should have maximum rights and minimum interference in his/her life, but also, hand in hand with that, that same person should have maximum responsibility for his/her choices and actions.

All in all, though, as I said, good post, and rep is enroute.

Blessings,
Bill

 

[Tallenn]

Absolutely agree there, Bill.

Left and Right, Conservative and Liberal, really are just terms used to pull the wool over people's eyes to hide the fact that there really is no longer any adversarial political system in America.

I prefer the terms Us vs Them.