Libertarians need to stop whining so much about LOCAL LAWS, Even Bad ones, instead they will go above and beyond to bitch about a local ordinance that “infringes their rights”. It is almost like they don’t understand the concept of federalism.
I think that they could easily compromise and integrate better with conservatism if they consistently said that the FEDERAL government has no place in people’s lives while allowing that LOCAL people do have a right to pass crazy laws to restrict drugs, porn, etc...
Instead they seem all over the map or unreasonable when it comes to certain things that are “niche concepts”. Like Drug usage and Sexual habits without acknowledging that it’s okay for STATE/LOCAL governments to pass restrictions.
But their main problem seems to be their desire for a Pure Libertarian is so different depending on which Libertarian you ask that it is like trying to herd cats to get consensus.
The majority of people don't want to live in a libertarian world. They want some sort of guaranteed safety net, some regulations, some protections from predatory businesses and individuals. They don't trust that the "invisible hand" will guarantee them a fair and just existence. Even Adam Smith didn't believe that. And as some great wag once said "It's a good thing for most people that life isn't fair."
The funny thing is that most people that are intelligent enough to understand libertarian arguments (however faulty) and persistent enough to slog through reams of Ayn Rand drivel could lead virtually libertarian lifestyles if they stopped wasting time advocating for libertarianism.
The Clinton's are living essentially libertarian lifestyles. Even though they are definitely not libertarian in their political beliefs they can pretty much do whatever they want, whenever and wherever they want to. They own multiple properties, have huge financial reserves, have famous and interesting friends from the world of science, the arts, etc. and have honors up the wazoo.
What more could any right-thinking libertarian ask for?
So for all those libertarians out there who are wasting any time at all trying to convince us poor beknighted conservatives of the errors of our ways: STOP. Do some googling to find an enterprise or career path suited to your skills and temperament, pay all the taxes and bribes and tax avoidance lawyers you need to, make your millions, and lead the libertarian lifestyle where you can live anywhere, shoot any gun your heart desires (even an RPG if you wish!) and do any one or anything you care to.
It's a libertarian world for those who are willing to work for it.
That "distinction" is just plain nonsensical.
"Which is better -- to be ruled by one tyrant three thousand miles away or by three thousand tyrants one mile away?"
--Mather Byles