I'm a Social Libertarian. That means that, unlike the Libertarian party, I place personal freedom ahead of capital freedom. I essentially have a liberal view on social matters (+ gun rights) and a semi-conservative view on economic matters (fewer government programs, por favor). This essentially places me in a cross-fire.
As soon as you tell a liberal that you are libertarian, you are immediately placed on their **** list. Seriously. Four out of five times, that's what seems to happen. To a liberal, "libertarian" seems to translate as "evil, right-wing, baby-killing, gun-toting, whiskey-drinking redneck shooting at blacks and Mexicans while trying to usurp law and order." They also assume that all Libertarians agree with the Libertarian party, and so assume that I'm a far-right-wing nutcase who wants to do away with 90% of government regulation. I also seem to get called a Bush supporter by Liberals a lot as well. Let me tell ya', Bush is just as antithetical to Libertarianism as he is to Liberalism. More so, even. I've also been called a baby killer, for no apparent reason.
When you tell a Neo Conservative that you are a libertarian, he will immediately assume that you are on his side, again because most people equate libertarianism with the party. As soon as you reveal that you are anti-Iraq War, anti-wiretapping, anti-corporate tax breaks, anti-stimulus packages, pro-Social Security (with extensive reform), pro-gay marriage, are against the mixing of church and state, and do not believe that Islam is trying to take over the world, you are immediately **** listed by the Neo-Cons as well.
I seem to get along fine with pre-1970 conservatives, opinions differing in detail rather than in base. The problem with this is that Liberals seem to assume that pre-1970 conservative necessarily means racist. If that thought enters your head, please shut the fruck up a second and think first. If I'm supporting equal rights for all, does that mean I'll try to oppress someone based on race? Come now.
When I run across a Fiscal Libertarian, or Libertarian Party Libertarian, they immediately assume that I'm an ally in all respects. When I reveal that I think they're a bunch of nuts, I'm instantly crucified as a heretic. Quite annoying.
So really, it's tough being Libertarian, especially since 90% of people immediately stereotype you into groups which you do not agree with at all. I'm being fired on from three sides at all times. The Liberals are worst at it, but the Neo-Cons are bad too.
So please, before stereotyping me, try this:
Learn what the **** Libertarianism is about first!