The boundaries are as undefined as the objective standard for 'proper size of Govt'. It's an ongoing debate.
True Libertarians of any stripe are hard to find but especially in the public sphere (politicians). Because most on the Right or Left that call themselves Libertarian just have libertarian views and want to say "I'm not some ideologue wacko like those other people!" Still doesn't make them true Libertarian.
Of course 'degree of Govt intrusion' is a tough line to distinguish.
One person's 'Big Bad Govt' is another's 'Moderate Necessity'. Like gun control...I am a civil libertarian in the sense that I think it's a right that shouldn't be revoked but I'm also in favor or regulation for safety concerns. So I can't call myself Libertarian on that issue...not really.
Shouldn't a libertarian not lean left or right?
what is a conservative libertarian? seems like a contradiction in terms. if you're really a libertarian, bring on the sex and drugs and atheism.
People mostly aren't aware that it really doesn't refer specifically to Left/Right politics or those issues, but how you believe w/r/t Govt's role. So you can be a conservative or liberal libertarian, they are just few and far between.
You can have libertarian views - I certainly have them - but you can't demand intrusive Govt (directly in your private affairs) and then call yourself a Libertarian. That goes for those that support gun control or support engaging in needless battles across the globe to enforce democracy on other countries.
Bill Maher, obviously a liberal, calls himself a libertarian and supports the idea that the Govt should FORCE you to buy health insurance. But he's not a Libertarian NOT because he's a liberal (on any given social stance) but because he advocates for heavy Govt interference on that issue. He calls himself a libertarian because he's not a Leftist moron and doesn't want to be considered in the same breath with Leftist morons like Michael Moore.
Believe it or not, you can have conservative views and still believe it's not up to the Govt to enforce them. Libertarians, like Authoritarians (practically ALL Democrats and Republicans) certainly can lean Left or Right. Ron Paul seems to be the best example of a Conservative Libertarian but even then, I believe (don't know for certain) he thinks abortion should be dealt with at the State level. Which is still Govt intrusion.
I think people like Iron Horse are libertarian on a lot of issues...but there isn't that much of a difference if you're just picking and choosing which Big Govt programs you like. It's hard to be a principled Libertarian. Civil liberties is my #1 issue...but I can't call myself a Libertarian because I care about poor people and the elderly enough to think we need those social safety nets.
However on a lot of other issues, I would agree with Iron Horse.
Well...I'm not remotely a Fundamental Christian but on individual liberties, yes.
I feel the U.S. has a lot of citizens worried about the wrong shit, and a big reason is that the current Republican party has convinced the middle class that it's at war with the poor, inner city class (oh, and communism, still). Pretty effective smokescreen. Meanwhile, corporations are now considered to be individuals.
The real problem is that BOTH of those parties 1) have a stranglehold on control and 2) are corporate behemoths unto themselves.
Pointing the finger at the Big Bad Republicans, misses the point. The alternative isn't any better because they are ineffective. So even if those people voted in their best interest (as many did in '06 and '08) what are they getting? Mostly more of the same...and compounded by the idea that the stuff that WILL help them, is incompetent.
Such as the HC bill that will likely be ruled unconstitutional.
That's it in a nutshell, really. Shitty vs Shittier.
