[ExI] Economic liberalism vs. conservatism: Why the debate here?

[Samantha Atkins]

On Feb 23, 2011, at 1:46 AM, BillK wrote:

> On Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 3:34 AM, AlgaeNymph  wrote:
>> We seem to spend more time in these lists debating the merits of
>> libertarianism or socialism as opposed to, say, how to improve our image
>> with the public.  Why is that?
>> 
> 
> 
> And libertarians filling the list with detailed nit-picking arguments
> about how the poor half of the nation might have to let sick children
> die because they can't afford medical bills and the state shouldn't
> give handouts is a complete turnoff for the public.
> (That's only one of many turnoffs!)

Please do not mix up being libertarian with any flavor of "conservative".   That word is even more bereft of meaning than "left" or "right" are.

I don't give a fig about my image or the image of this list with people that largely refuse to thing or can't see
that exploring some of these questions is far more important than merely how some nebulous "they" may or may
not see us.

> 
> Libertarianism enthusiasts ruin any chance of appealing to the public.
> 

I am not at all interested in mere appeal to the public to the point of being afraid to talk about 
anything that may not be appealing to the public.   

- samantha