Quote:
Originally posted by gothweb
Mijoon--
I think you are making the common mistake of confusion social Conservativism with political Libertarianism. Roughly speaking, Conservative means sticking with the old ways of dealing with things-- old-fashioned morality. Libertarianism is the desire to minimize government, leaving yourself with only that which is necessary.
So, by that differentiation... On the topic of porn and censorship:
Conservative: That stuff is wrong. People shouldn't be allowed to see it. Censor it!
Liberal: Let people look at what they want, this isn't the 1950s.
Libertarian: We don't need another law about this. Let it go.
Federalist: The only way to control porn is more law.
The thing you are seeing is that, in America, the Conservatives (Republicans) make claims to Libertarian doctrine, which the Liberals (Democrats) have traditionally been Federalists. It does not mean that Big Government is a liberal ideal.
|
Conservative means to conserve the Constitution of the United States, and to conserve the type of government that it called for.
from dictionary.com:
con·ser·va·tism (kn-sūrv-tzm)
n.
The inclination, especially in politics, to maintain the existing or traditional order.
A political philosophy or attitude emphasizing respect for traditional institutions, distrust of government activism, and opposition to sudden change in the established order.
Conservatism The principles and policies of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom or of the Progressive Conservative Party in Canada.
Caution or moderation, as in behavior or outlook.
____
I agree that the republicans tend to push their moral values as well, which causes most libbers to go the other way. But if you are interested in the constitution at all I suggest you get a little more conservative in your thinking.
I am much more of a libertatrian than a republican.