What conservatives want is a government strong (i.e. "big") enough to keep me from doing things they don't like, but weak (i.e. "small") enough to let them do anything they want.
What liberals want is a government strong (i.e. "big") enough to enlist the participation of all in the promotion of the common good, but weak (i.e. "small") enough to stay out of everyone's personal lifestyle choices, so long as they don't negatively affect the lives of others.
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