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The political terms and labels in America are so screwed up and interchangeable and have manifested into completely different terms depending on the context given to them.

By definition, fiscal republicans and libertarians that subscribe to a small government, and limited government interference in our lives, as well as maximum individual liberty, would be by definition described as 'classical liberals.' When we talk about free market economic philosophies, it is referred to as 'liberal economics.' Because the word 'liberal' means "loose or not strict." So basically modern day liberals (quasi socialists that love big government) have hi-jacked and butchered the true meaning of 'liberalism.' Modern liberals were called 'progressives' back in the late 19th/early 20th century.

Over in Europe, I believe those labeled 'liberals' are described as having classical liberal (aka libertarian) views. I think conservatives are described as nationalists over there. Different meanings than we use.

When trying to figure out what a politician stands for, look past the glossy label used by him/her, or others describing them. Look at their views and voting record. That's the only way to cut through all the BS and convoluted labeling and find out which core political philosophy they ascribe to. For example, Bush Jr. was no conservative nor a republican in the respect to small limited government principles. He favored and grew government, favored government intervention to solve societal problems, yet he only embraced tax cuts that limited government, individual liberty proponents favored. Hell, the religious right isn't even really "right wing", in fact they use to predominantly be in the democratic party until the civil rights movement. That's the only way Bush got away with the 'conservative' label in the modern context.

Conservatives are just one group within a party. Libertarians support a few policies that different groups within the republicans have, but not all of any one group. The Libertarians base their policies on the principles of the constitution, and while some of the republicans policies are based principles, it's not exclusive, ie... adding responsabilities to the government that weren't originally intended. This is a summary of the major groups within the parties so you can compare.

Groups within the libertarians:

Necessary evil Libertarians=believe that people should be able to take any action, without aid, restriction, or regulation, as long as it doesn't interfere with someone Else's ability to act. They believe though that there are situations where it is a necessary evil for the government to step in, but it is extremely important that those situations be defined as a temporary necessary evils and not a right that someone is entitled to.

Minarchist:believe in the type of society where the only government institutions are a police, courts, military, and prisons.

Groups within the Republicans:

Standard Conservative=for strong action foreign policy, for free market capitalism, business before environment, for stimulating traditional family values, against gun and property regulation

Moderate Republican=for strong action foreign policy, balance between business and environment, for traditional family values, for a big federal government and federal spending to handle big issues, but against micromanaging, against gun and property regulation

Social Conservative=sometimes anti military, business before environment, for free market capitalism, for regulating and controlling morality in society, pro gun regulation

Not perfect, just a summary.

That would be correct. A right wing "Christian" is not conservative. They want government involvement beyond the Constitutional obligations of government.

A conservative wants the US to live under its constitutional Law. Conservatives want the power back to the people and the states. The republicans over the last few years have really strayed from that, and politicians won't let it happen (removes there power)

And Libertarians are the extreme form of conservatism.

remember Republicans, Libertarians, Democrats, etc are all political parties. They are all in one form or another conservative or liberal, depends on how extreme.

It is true

A conservative believes that the government should stay out of the lives of its' citizens

Our Constitution grants the Federal Govt two powers

1- Provide for Defense against other nations

2- Regulate Inter-State Commerce

The Democrats and the Republicans have shredded the Constitution.

The Amerikan Populace (K used on purpose) should be ashamed. They don't deserve their freedoms. They have rejected them.

Ok aside from the religious right wing(half the party)

A political or fiscal conservative IS A LIBERTARIAN.

if the GOP did not stray so far from its roots WE WOULD NOT NEED A LIBERTARIAN PARTY.

to a true conservative BUSH IS AN EMBARRASSMENT

a true conservative embraces ideas like Jefferson NOT CHENEY!!!!

i will support RON PAUL till he dies or leaves office, DO YOU HEAR ME GOP!!

when the GOP returns to its SMALL GOVERNMENT IS BETTER GOVERNMENT attitude i will support it, until then

IM ALL LIBERTARIAN.

If all conservatives were Libertarians, the world would be a much better place; however, neocons, tradtional conservatives, and the religious right tend to denounce Libertarians as liberals until they need their votes.

Yes. Libertarians are Constitutionalists which is as conservative as it can get. Libertarians can however be called classical liberals (aka Abraham Lincoln's view). However classical liberalism is considered dead but is unrelated to modern liberalism.

i agree. i hate how people equate "republican" with "conservatism." they're completely different. true conservatism is the conservation of the Constitution in all its libertarian glory

When the GOP renounces the extreme right, and actually makes your wishful thinking a reality, I just might consider voting for Republicans again.

republican/democrat/libertarian are ideologies dealing with government involvement

liberal/conservative are social views.

Ex. democrats can be conservative.

Libertarians are socially liberal

Though, I do see the point you are trying to make,

libertarians are classical liberals.