[giantg2]

I think it depends on which topics one holds most dear.

If you are in the minority on an issue, you may feel something is overbearing but the other side may feel it's "reasonable". For example, if one isn't a gun owner, then they aren't something one has to know and deal with. So one may feel that more regulation is not infringing on rights or freedoms.

[lotsofpulp]

It doesn't have anything to do with which topics one holds dear. Small governments would not tell you you can't smoke weed, or buy alcohol at certain places or certain times of day, or cities can't create their own municipal fiber ISPs, or gay people can't get married, or women can't get abortions, or put under god in the national anthem and currency

[giantg2]

The parent comment that I was replying to was stating that one party is known for small government, but isn't. I'm just saying they might appear to be small government depending on the person's views and in comparison to the other party. Neither party is advocating in good faith for a true minarchy.