RE: How can the paramount good for liberals and conservatives be reconciled?
May 30, 2013 at 10:01 am
(May 25, 2013 at 9:53 pm)whateverist Wrote: ...the essence of conservatism/libertarianism has always seemed to revolve around a respect for tradition, "faith of our fathers", patriotism .. an emphasis on institutions over individuals.Fixed that for you. :-)
Like Stue, I disagree with that assessment of Libertarianism. Tradition? Is that why most Libertarians are either pro gay marriage or think that marriage shouldn't be something decided by the state in the first place? "faith of our fathers"...not sure what that means, but assuming it has something to do with religious views, the majority of Libertarians are for separation of church and state, because religion should be something you choose, not something forced upon you. Patriotism...well, I think most conservatives would call us unpatriotic when we say the military budget should be cut drastically, or that our country is at least partially responsible for the mess in the Middle East, and why so many terrorists attack us.
Libertarianism is all about the individual. I find some aspects of liberalism to be more focusing on the collective (or some collective) rather than the individual.
