Sometime around 1980, the word "liberal" became an expletive. Now we're witnessing the same thing happening to the word "conservative," and folks on the right are starting to switch to the "libertarian" label instead.
The trouble is that in order to be a libertarian, you have to actually be interested in preserving personal liberties--more interested, at any rate, than either liberals or conservatives are. And this is where things can get tricky, as one DailyKos contributor put it in his
"Top 10 Signs You Might Not Be a Libertarian." My personal favorite:
9. If you believe you have an inalienable right to attend Presidential townhalls brandishing a loaded assault rifle, but that arresting participants inside for wearing a pink shirt is an important public safety precaution, there's a chance you're dangerously unbalanced, but no chance you're a Libertarian.
What are some other signs that you might not be a real libertarian? Post your suggestions in the comments field below.
Related: What is a Libertarian?
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