[SteveA]

I'm glad I didn't post my views as it's interesting to see slightly different takes from both of you.

Quote by: RickSp As a libertarian I find that I agree about as often with liberals as I do traditional conservatives. In my experience very few conservatives "don't explicitly expect government to enforce their conservative values on others." To the contrary the vast majority seem to think that that is exactly what government is for.

Sadly, that last comment does seem to be far too often true.

But for example, you have many socially conservative views don't you? If you ignored your stance stance on government, would you call your personal social views conservative or libertarian? I tend to consider you more along the lines of a traditional conservative (a.k.a. not neo-conservative).

Truely, from a political viewpoint, you're stances are libertarian but those views were part of a conservative upbringing correct?

I'm just guessing so please correct me if I'm mistaken. The real point I'm trying to make is (and I know you already feel this way) that there's truly little of conflict between conservative values and a libertarian government. And truly many conservatives (for example, Ronald Reagan) praised the merits of reducing government involvement in our lives.

As you've pointed out though, conservatives have drifted away from this and I'm hoping something like this thread can provide more encouragement for conservatives to see the value of a libertarian government.

Quote by: Apeman81 Conservatives and Liberals both believe that it is good and just to aid our fellow man. The difference is in the approach. The liberal tends toward giving the man a fish, so that he might eat, The conservative tends toward teaching the man to fish, that he may feed himself. More to follow

I thinking less of the differences between liberals and conservatives and instead libertarians and conservatives.

I think both conservatives and libertarians tend to prefer teaching to fish instead of simply giving fish.

Quote by: Milton Bradley Traditions die hard for the most part, but particularly when the group being asked to compromise is already getting preferential treatment. There is just no incentive for them to come around to our position.

There's a lot of truth in that. It may be the only way this trend will reverse is after it bites back. I've had more of a socially conservative upbringing and admit being saddened to see this happen. There's been a drift in conservative views on what the role of government should be. It feels like watching someone begin walking into a minefield after you've tried cautioning then against it. I guess we'll see what happens ... it would be nice to be outside the potential blast radius.