well, they are liberal in some ways, like social issues, they basically want the government out

"Republican Sock Puppet", has already been co-opted.

You are correct. I would hate to be referred to as a liberal. Libertarian is derived from liberty. I would rather go with Freedomtarian or Individualist.

Yeah, how about Republican because thats what most of them (that I have encountered) act like. It seems to me that if you are uncomfortable with being labeled "republican" because of their unpopularity, you call yourself a Libertarian because no one has ruined that label yet. In the end, are they really that different?

For those who say Libertarians are just Republicans with a new name, here are a few distinct differences. Abortion Libertarians: Oppose actions that compel, prohibit, regulate or subsidize abortion, sterilization or any other forms of birth control. Republican Platform: Abortion without exception is wrong and should be opposed. Same-sex Marriage Libertarians: We hold that unions between adults are a private matter and should not be the subject of private licensing, regardless of sex. We call for the government to not restrict or give preferential treatment to private contracts between adults. Republican Platform: We should amend the U.S. Constitution to define marriage as the legal union of a man and a woman. Gambling Libertarians: Gambling is a voluntary activity, and therefore a victimless crime. Republican Platform: We should eliminate all state-sponsored gambling and oppose any expansion of gambling. Drugs Libertarians: We call for an end to the ‘War on Drugs,’ which like all previous wars on drugs is in reality a war by the federal, state and local government on the people it is supposed to protect from war. Until such time as the prohibition of drugs is repealed,we call for an end to the denial of pain relieving drugs such as marijuana and heroin to those who are suffering.” Republican Platform: The Republican Party's platform has no provision advocating the legalization of marijuana and heroin. Right to Life Libertarians: terminally or hopelessly ill persons should have the right to die at the time and place and under the conditions of their own choosing. Republican Platform: “The U.S. Constitutions should be amended to restore legal protection for the lives of innocent human beings from conception to natural death.

Yes. Before I learned better I thought the two were the same.

Sure. I now substitute "Five Time Loser" for Libertarian, because 'Libertarians' are almost inevitably 1) Bad at History 2) Bad at Economics 3) Bad at Moral philosophy 4) Bad at Biology, esp. Neuroscience 5) Relatively humorless http://world.std.com/~mhuben/onelesson.html