“One cannot have small government when the vast majority of citizens are immoral and/or unwilling to restrain the sinful impulses that are a natural part of human life”
And how would you propose to choose those virtuous individuals who would manage that large government that will force us all to be virtuous? By a vote of that unvirtuous majority?. That’s the problem that we have now.
Daveinyork: “And how would you propose to choose those virtuous individuals who would manage that large government that will force us all to be virtuous?”
Your response is typical of the libertarians on this thread. Point out where I or other social conservatives are advocating big government to “force us all to be virtuous.” I’m only pointing out it’s impossible to have small government when the vast majority of citizens are not virtuous.
I’m not calling for federal dictates to force them to behave. However, that doesn’t mean all levels of government need to turn a blind eye to social ills. For example, support for marriage would be a good start. Letting communities set their own standards would be another. Eliminating programs that subsidize immoral behavior would be a biggie.
You seem to think socons are ready to break down your door to see if you’re watching porn or smoking a bit of weed. That’s not necessarily true. Some might, but most of the ones I know just want government to stop siding with the cultural barbarians.