‘Liberal’ def: “A supporter of a political philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties and free enterprise” - Oxford Dictionary
‘Libertarian’ def: “an advocate of a doctorate of free will especially thought and action” - Britannica Encyclopedia
Both words originate from ‘liber’ or ‘libertine’ meaning freedom, open minded or not the strict observance of orthodox, traditional, or established forms or ways - Merriam Webster
No where is the word ‘conservative’ in its’ lexicon. In fact, ‘conservative’ is anathema to these sibling words.
So why have American ‘libertarians’ adopted conservatism as their dogma? Why do libertarians cling to what they believe are old established ways of American history as their motivation, raison d'être?
Let us look at several issues that are currently influencing our agenda.
Abortion- For the last 50 years this has served as the litmus test between conservative and liberal. In what world is government ordering what women can do with their body’s libertarian? Yet prominent libertarians such as Rand and Ron Paul are militantly pro-life. One can argue that libertarians are promoting the life of the pre-born but giving a fetus life property is a strictly religious issue. That is why there is such an impasse on this matter. So now celebrity libertarians want to inject religious beliefs on other citizens? Not very libertarian-like to me.
How about voting? Conservative libertarians want to deny other Americans the opportunity to vote?? Really?? They seem to have no problem with extreme Republican Gerrymandering. So fair representation is off limits? Guess you gotta chuck all those 18th century “Don’t Tread On Me” flags. How about the new laws passing in various red states that want the state legislatures to take over voting results if they don’t like the outcome that voters decided. Where is it libertarian to have the government deny water, chairs, accessibility or opportunity of its citizens to vote?
Racism- no where in the libertarian vernacular does it state that I have full rights to exercise my freedoms as long as I am white; male, straight, Christian or naturalized American for that matter.
The environment- self styled libertarians say there can be no environmental regulations on business. How about the right to breath or drink water?
Guns- this is the main bone of contention for conservative libertarians, the government can’t take my gun. I am protected by the 2nd Amendment. First, as all constitutional scholars agree the 2nd Amendment language has never been settled to give absolute permission to any and every American the right to own any firearm that they wish. But “libertarians” are quick to impose their constitutional interpretation onto everybody else. So, the right to life or health is subjugated to the AR-15.
Trump attracted many so-called libertarians as a minority elected government wanted to control the rights of the majority, deny their elected representatives from carrying out their constitutional duties and build the government around one party with one authoritarian as the head-constitutional elections be damned.
Free will? You and your actions and ideology are anathema to free will and libertarianism. The only free will is the free will of one (yourself)over everybody else. Guess that’s why you love Trump so much.
Don’t call it “libertarian”. Call it by its true name, authoritarianism, libertarians’ bête noire.