Being a social liberal and a fiscal conservative involves specific stances on two different aspects of governance. Social liberalism emphasizes individual rights, equality, and social justice, often advocating for policies like marriage equality, abortion rights, and anti-discrimination laws. It’s about how society should be organized and how individuals should be treated within it.

Fiscal conservatism, on the other hand, focuses on economic policy. It advocates for reduced government spending, lower taxes, and minimal government debt. This approach is about how the government manages its finances, aiming for efficiency and reduced intervention in the economy.

Libertarianism, while it can share some aspects of both social liberalism and fiscal conservatism, is a broader political philosophy. It emphasizes individual liberty as its core principle, advocating for minimal government intervention in both personal lives and the economy. This includes a strong emphasis on free markets, personal freedom, and limited government across all aspects of life.

So, while there are overlaps, especially in terms of economic policy with fiscal conservatism, libertarianism as a philosophy extends beyond just economic or social issues. It’s a comprehensive worldview about the role of government and individual freedom, whereas being a social liberal and a fiscal conservative usually refers to specific policy preferences within the existing political system.

I believe in appropriate regulation of the free market to prevent monopolies and improper collusion, however it is not fair to criticize companies in a vacuum for how quickly they cover employee overhead costs, because that is just one line item on their budget. The point being made by the author is that the company may have more money to give, but that is shortsighted framing of the issue to blame companies without understanding the economics of their business.