What is a Libertarian?

I came across the title linked piece written by Arkady Kamenetsky and I felt it was a good one to share for those who wonder exactly what is a Libertarian. He puts a good summary of beliefs together, one small part:

I believe that in America, the greatest nation on earth, individuals should be given maximum freedom to choose how they want to live their lives. That is, they can practice whatever religion they want, arm themselves, engage in any drug usage they see fit as long, this is important, they do not hurt me or anyone else in their process. For example if a citizen wishes to drink himself into oblivion and get behind a wheel, I have a serious problem with that, but if that same citizen wishes to inject himself with heroine and pass out in his mother's basement - then more power to him!

I believe that females have a right to choose what to do with their own bodies, as long as whatever is in their body depends on the female. If a woman is carrying a child and this child needs the mother to survive, then it is up to the woman to choose whether she wishes to continue carrying the child. However the day the child can survive on their own, the choice is revoked, because the choice of a free citizen cannot impact the life of another. More simply put, if a late stage child is capable of surviving in a hospital via machines, abortion should not be an option.

It's one I not only recommend reading but bookmarking to share with friends who ask "What is a Libertarian?"