RFK Jr. posted about this recently:

The phrase "old-fashioned liberals" is key. I'm one of those liberals! What that term means today is nearly the opposite of what it meant to my uncle and my father. Liberal ideals are: equality before the law, freedom of speech, pro-working class policies, transparent government, opposition to war, regulation of large corporations, clean environment, opposition to authoritarian policies. With some exceptions, old-fashioned liberalism is more at home in the Republican Party now than it is in the Democratic. But really what this election is about, is bigger than a clash of two parties. It is about building a popular coalition to overthrow a corrupt establishment.

https://x.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1830372997015670882

I'm wondering what are the differences between an old-fashioned liberal and a conservative?

From Grok:

The major differences between an old-fashioned liberal, often referred to as a classical liberal, and a conservative can be understood through several lenses, including economic policy, social issues, the role of government, and individual rights:

Economic Policy:

Classical Liberal: Advocates for free markets with minimal government intervention, emphasizing economic freedom, competition, and property rights. They believe in reducing trade barriers, supporting laissez-faire capitalism, and are skeptical of government regulations unless they protect individual rights or prevent monopolies.

Conservative: While also supporting free markets, conservatives might be more inclined towards protectionism or regulations that protect national interests or traditional industries. They might favor policies that support traditional values or structures over pure market efficiency, like tax policies that benefit family structures or small businesses.

Social Issues:

Classical Liberal: Prioritizes individual liberty, which includes freedom of speech, religion, and lifestyle choices. They might oppose laws that enforce moral or social norms unless they directly infringe on others' rights. However, they might not push for social change through government action, focusing instead on individual choice.

Conservative: Tends to favor traditional values, often advocating for policies that reinforce family structures, religious values, and national identity. They might support laws or policies that reflect these values, like restrictions on abortion or same-sex marriage, based on a belief in preserving societal norms.

Role of Government:

Classical Liberal: Believes in a limited government, primarily to protect individual rights, enforce contracts, and provide for national defense. They are wary of government overreach into personal lives or the economy.

Conservative: While also advocating for limited government in economic terms, conservatives might support a stronger role for government in social issues to uphold traditional values or national security. They might favor a government that reinforces cultural norms or national identity.

Individual Rights:

Classical Liberal: Emphasizes negative rights (freedom from interference), where individuals should be free from coercion in their personal and economic activities. This includes strong support for free speech, even when controversial.

Conservative: While also valuing individual rights, conservatives might balance these with community standards or national interest. They might support restrictions on certain freedoms if they believe it preserves social order or moral standards.

Cultural and Philosophical Differences:

Classical Liberal: Often seen as more cosmopolitan, valuing global exchange of ideas and cultures, though not necessarily through governmental means but through individual interactions.

Conservative: More likely to prioritize national or local culture, seeing globalism as a threat to national identity or sovereignty. They might support policies that protect cultural heritage or national language.

Current Sentiment from X: There's a sentiment among some users on X that modern political labels might not accurately reflect these traditional distinctions. Some argue that today's "liberals" might be more akin to what conservatives once were in terms of enforcing social norms, albeit different norms, through government action, while some "conservatives" might be closer to classical liberals in their economic policies but not necessarily in social issues.

In summary, while both classical liberals and conservatives share a skepticism towards overreaching government, they diverge significantly on the role of government in enforcing social norms, the extent of economic freedom, and how individual rights should be balanced against community or national interests. However, these distinctions can blur in modern political discourse, where terms like "liberal" and "conservative" have evolved or been redefined over time.