Should conservatives become more libertarian ?

Question

I am someone who sort of straddles the fence between conservativism and libertarianism. I ask this question mostly to conservatives, but liberal input is welcome as well.

Should the Republican Party become more libertarian ? I don't mean abandon some of the key positions of the party- I mean reexamine some positions such as Drug policy(which is stupid), some of the more invasive things in the Patriot Act, etc. Oh, and actually become FISCALLY conservative-something the Republican government has not been since 2001.

I'm not a RINO(Republican in name only)- I'm actually pretty conservative on most issues- but I think one of the weaknesses of the GOP is their intrusion into people's lives.

A few comments about your answers: I myself am pro-life, anti-death penalty, and have nothing against gays unless they try to push their sexual preference into the political spotlight(like they're doing now).

And as for religion: I think the Democrats made a big mistake years ago by becoming hostile to religion. They dug their own grave by ignoring a religious nation.

Answer 1

I too walk closer to the conservative line... and I do value our freedoms and rights... the liberals carry it too far though.... to such a point that they actually infringe on peoples rights such as in abolishing religion etc. as far as the patriot act goes... I think it makes every one nervous in some ways to know big brother is watching... at the same time we do want to be protected from further acts of terrorism ...and some terrorist are home grown.... perhaps there just needs to be better checks and balances on what they are doing and how they are doing it................fiscally Democrats / liberals most often are the ones that raise the taxes and spend money on a multitude of programs
..though both parties need to be more conservative financially..... I don't align myself with either party... some republicans are liberal, some democrats are conservative..... I am independent... either party requires dogmatic thinking to an extent... so I vote for the best candidate... who ever they are...

Answer 2

Well, lets be clear. Most Republicans in Congress are not what I would call conservative. They've been weak on immigration and foolish on the economy. They might already lean more Libertarian, though I'm not exactly sure what constitutes Libertarian.

The real issue is that candidates on both sides have to be so moderate, that there is no real difference between the two. The only reason I vote Republican is because by some miracle, they manage to get it right more often than the Demon-crats.

Answer 3

I think the Republicans have moved away from the libertarian positions that were their good points, and become a big-government, big-spending clone of the Democrats, only with different beneficiaries. So yes, I would like to see them become more libertarian. I'd have a really hard time pulling the lever for a Repub presidential candidate unless I had some reason to think they were a very different kind of Republican from what we have right now.

Answer 4

I have been a fence-straddler for some time myself, and I have come to the conclusion that "conservatives" in the U.S. are more concerned with "conserving" their own position than with conserving anything of value to the country as a whole. That is why we have seen fiscal conservatism go out the window over the past few decades. As for liberals, I tend to throw them into the same bag with conservatives, as far as American politicians are concerned. They are all more concerned with how they wish to spend the citizens' money than with the continuation of the freedoms which form the core of the constitution.

As for everyday citizens who call themselves conservative, I believe most would find Libertarianism refreshing and true if only they could break free of the two-party brainwashing which dominates our political system.

Thanks for raising the question!

Answer 5

No!! Liberals should gain some sense and become more conservative!! They shouldn't care about the patriot act, it is their to protect you.. I have nothing to hide.. Sounds like you do!!
You should stop questioning the government and emboldening the enemy!!

Answer 6

I agree with many libertarian ideals.

On a funny note, I was watching Bill Mahar one night, (I can stand to watch him for a few minutes every now and then), and he claimed to be a libertarian. I fell out of my chair laughing.

Answer 7

No they should be true to themselves . The only thing is , for them to become more in tune with the people and stop taking money from the Corporations for favor's

Answer 8

Pro life, Pro death, Anti-gay. Let 's stay that way.

Answer 9

Yeah because we don't need all that stupid Christian, pro-war, homophobe, anti-abortion, pro-gun control, racist crap being confused with true patriotism.

Answer 10

Yep, they should. I could actually agree with them on a few things if that would happen.