But there are lots of ways that libertarians do not agree with the conservatives at all. In fact, they think the conservatives are as bad as dems in a few cases. Things like drug legalization, abortion, gay rights. In some ways, there are big government conservatives. “More control over certain groups of people, less control over me.”
Where would a libertarian find common ground with conservatives in that case?
“But there are lots of ways that libertarians do not agree with the conservatives at all. In fact, they think the conservatives are as bad as dems in a few cases. Things like drug legalization, abortion, gay rights.”
This is very true. I work with a self described libertarian and we like to BS about the news. He’ll agree with me abortion is murder, and I’ll tell him I don’t care if they legalize weed as long as it is taxed hard. The gay thing is where it gets ugly. I feel almost obligated to agree to civil unions in order to get to compromise. People who think like him are turned off when I get religious.
I agree that Libertarians usually hold social views that most freepers would find objectionable.
I disagree that true Libertarians are like big government conservatives. Libertarians believe in personal freedom above all else. Bigger government restricts freedom. Even the most socially indifferent, hedonistic Libertarian sees big government as restrictive.
The common ground that can be built is economics and taxation. Libertarians want free markets and low taxation. With some caveats, we want that too. Libertarians are pro 2nd Amendment. We are too. On social issues, we should push the 10th Amendment and states’ rights. Libertarians on the national level would be ok with that. On the local level, depending on the state, there will be problems with that. Nothing is perfect. We can make common cause on non social issues for sure.