A comment...

From the "Sums it up" post of 27 Jul 13:

"Libertarianism is a political philosophy that is concerned with the proper use of force. The only proper role of coercion or violence is to defend person and property against coercion or violence. These should not be used against anyone who has not himself deprived someone of life, liberty, or property. This does not mean that coercion or violence should actually be employed, just that it might rightly be. Coercion or violence that goes beyond just defense is unjust aggression. Peaceful and consensual activity should never be aggressed against. But, of course, this doesn’t mean that all such activity is moral, wholesome, and beneficial.

It is no wonder that some conservatives have mischaracterized libertarianism—some libertarians have done the same thing. Libertarianism cannot be simplistically defined as “fiscally conservative, socially liberal.” Libertarianism is a philosophy of life, not a lifestyle. Libertarians who view libertarianism as more of a social attitude than a political theory are making it something it is not. No one is more libertarian than someone else because he celebrates more alternative lifestyles rather than tolerates them.

Although some conservatives have mischaracterized libertarianism as depreciating tradition, rejecting religion, and disdaining morality, nothing could be further from the truth. I believe it is entirely possible to be a resolute social and theological conservative and at the same time be an uncompromising and hardcore libertarian.

Conservatives can and should be libertarians because there is nothing inherently libertarian about same-sex marriage, legalized abortion, or recreational drug use."

Laurence Vance

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Thank you for the comment.

Stay safe.