Libertarians, which would you give up?

[Dr. Nosophoros]

Why capitulate? some of the best movements have come from the unadultered passion of individuals that actually believed in and stuck to something that eventually became groups when others saw the dedication and belief individuals had in whatever ideals they represented (that is why the king falls so far from the crown in many cases-they played a game that was bigger than them). If you play others games and by the rules they present you might as well count yourself among the living dead because you are always going to get screwed, and the beat goes on.

Media plays a large role in the shaping of our perceptions, because for many that is the window to the world whether on small or large screen. Who is controlling the information you receive, FOX says "fair and balanced" but how many actually believe that? I'm know it's the same universally whether left right or in between (it makes no difference) someone, somewhere is making decisions in the cutting room that takes orders from someone else above them that takes orders from someone else above them and so on and so on to decide what you see, thus shaping perceptions to a degree. Pride is good but don't paint yourself in a corner with it or think for an instant that you are smarter than they are, some have been at this mind-screw for years, and get paid a lot of money to figure out ways to better screw your mind and ensure victory for whoever is paying them to get it.

 

[Aqualung]

Why capitulate?

because I thought it would be an interesting, hypothetical, thought experiment.

 

[Zephyr]

I wouldn't like either, but I'd probably give up fiscal conservatism. I'm really in no position to become a social conservative.

 

[CaptainXeroid]

No doubt here...I'd hang onto my fiscal conservatism almost no matter what. Not to derail this debate too much , but the current Republican party does NOT represent fiscal conservatism.

 

[Aqualung]

I'd keep the fiscal conservatism (but I'm really more of a conservative than a libertarian anyway, but I'm getting there )

This article explains my position better than I could:

RealClearPolitics - Articles - Good News: The World Gets Better

I've been thinking, though, those countries with the most social freedom (like the Netherlands, Spain, Norway, etc.) are also quite a bit more socialist than our country. For example, Spain allows gay marriage and gay adoptions, but the president is a member of the socialist party. Their taxes are highly progressive, with 40% of the highest earners' money being paid in income tax. (I use Spain as an example because we were just learning about this in my spanish class.)