I am a Libertarian and the way I explain is that I believe in smaller government than most Republicans do. It is never the government's job to protect us from ourselves nor interfere with free commerce and association. I should be able to do business with whom I choose (or not) and purchase what I choose (or not). Consequences of my decisions are mine to bear. The government is not my parent. I believe the majority of government power should fall on the states as our founding fathers intended. Again, limited power here as well. Seatbelt and helmet laws protect us from ourselves and so need to go in my view. NY and California are perfect examples of tyrannical states. No government should be interfering in the people's daily lives and forcing them to do things they do not want to do. Push agendas on the people. That is tyranny. Libertarians are not anarchists. We believe in limited government both state and federal.