Conservatism vs. Libertarianism

by Jacob G. Hornberger

Jacob Hornberger is founder and president of The Future of Freedom Foundation.

The Conservative:

I'm a conservative. I believe in individual liberty, free markets, private property, and limited government, except for:

1. Social Security;

2. Medicare;

3. Medicaid;

4. Welfare;

5. Drug laws;

6. Public schooling;

7. Federal grants;

8. Economic regulations;

9. Minimum-wage laws and price controls;

10. Federal Reserve System;

11. Paper money;

12. Income taxation and the IRS;

13. Trade restrictions;

14. Immigration controls;

15. The postal monopoly;

16. Foreign aid;

17. Foreign wars of aggression;

18. Foreign occupations;

19. An overseas military empire;

20. A standing army and a military-industrial complex;

21. Infringements on civil liberties;

22. Military detentions and denial of due process and jury trials for citizens and non-citizens accused of crimes;

23. Torture and sex abuse of prisoners;

24. Secret kidnappings and "renditions" to brutal foreign regimes for purposes of torture;

25. Secret torture centers around the world;

26. Secret courts and secret judicial proceedings;

27. Warrantless wiretapping of citizens and non-citizens;

28. Violations of the Constitution and Bill of Rights for purposes of "national security"; and

29. Out-of-control federal spending to pay for all this.

The Libertarian:

I'm a libertarian. I believe in individual liberty, free markets, private property, and limited government. Period. No exceptions.