"...many who would call themselves conservatives that limited government was the key, along with the absence of taxes. But the fact of the matter is that without government, there is no freedom."

First, I love how liberals define what conservatives believe. Second, Mr Haycox does not address the fact that our government has become the tyrant. Setting rules for States when the federal government power is strictly defined and currently ignored. States are to run themselves and the feds only stepping in when it affects the other states. I've worked for the federal government almost my entire adult life and see first hand how inept it actually is. There is so much nepotism and taking care of friends that truly qualified, deserving people can't get into positions to make a positive difference. Incompetence is promoted to get rid of it because it takes an act of congress to fire someone.