Um, so-called “libertarians” are generally “Annie get your gun” types. In other words, they believe that the GOP will secure their right to carry nucular weapons in public.

This guy is a jackass. What he’s really saying that conservatives believe that people should be left alone–unless, of course, they are doing things that conservatives don’t like.

I don’t recall any liberals decrying the Supreme Court’s decision in Lawrence v. Texas a couple of months ago.

Libertarians don’t have natural allies who are successful in the major political parties. (I sometimes wonder if any particular libertarian has allies among libertarians- but that’s a different issue). Support the GOP or the Donks as you will, based on some particular policy you care about. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that either one is in favor of government playing a smaller role in our lives- if they were they would have chosen a different line of work.

It’s a mistake to think otherwise, I think. A good example of why it is a mistake is David Brin’s famous speech to big-L libertarians- a powerful argument for unrestrained socialism, and world government, that was applauded loudly by a Libertarian convention. A demonstration that, while libertarians might not be sheep, some of them are quite willing to play the goat.

The funny thing is- the one place that libertarianism resonates with most people requires very little policy discussion- people don’t like to be screwed with, and resent it when they are.

Why would you compromise your philosophy and support a group that really does not welcome your point of view?

I think we just have to accept that the vast majority of people in all demographics of all nations on this planet tend to hold very anti-libertarian views. Given this, expect very little from either party as they go for where the bulk of votes are – the stupid, petty masses.

More accurately, I think the traditional association of Democrat with liberal and Republican with conservative is outmoded and inaccurate.

Unfortunately, neither of those parties has noticed yet, and while the Republicans are willing to make compromises on some issues within the party, the Democrats seem increasingly fractured by the pull of different special interest groups.

Not saying either is right. Personally, I wish old George would drop the Victory act and the Patriot act and keep up what he’s doing in Iraq.

But that’s me. Who do I vote for? The only thing that bugs me about Bush is this wrong-headed Homeland security thing, and the Democrats thing TIA’s a great idea too!

The GOP gives lip service to “smaller government”, but cuts taxes (for a select few) and then increases spending (also known as, “tax increases for future generations”). USA Today reported that Republican states have increased state spending MORE than Democratic states:

http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/national/1053312966.shtml

“State legislatures controlled by Republicans increased spending an average of 6.54 percent per year from 1997-2002, compared with 6.17 percent for legislatures controlled by Democrats.”