Robert Samuelson:
"A recent Pew poll asked people to pick between “freedom to pursue life’s goals without state interference” and the “state guarantees nobody is in need.” Americans selected freedom 58 percent to 35 percent. European responses were reversed: Germany’s 36 percent to 62 percent was typical. By wide margins compared with Europeans, Americans believe that “success in life” is determined by individual effort and not by outside forces. Yet, in their voting habits, Americans often prefer security."
Under your own description republicans do not respect freedom at all. Many republicans, and the recent primaries showed republicans feel the US should be a christian state, and they have made efforts to block many religions. They even enforce christian ideals that marriage is only for a man and a woman. Freedom of religion is not a republican value.
Republicans also support foreign wars to install democracy yet try to limit what the democracy can vote for. We have seen their anger at Iraq, libya, and egypt for not putting in the democracy they want, and allowing the people to chose islamic rule.
Republicans are clearly against a woman's right to chose for her own body in their opposition to birth control, abortion, and medication. they have even opposed a woman's rights to employment.
Republicans pass supposed moral laws like prohibition, limited times for purchasing alcohol, anti-sodomy laws despite them loving their blowjobs, laws against pornography, and even support censorship based on words they don't like.
Republican opposition to freedom of speech is well noted and a danger to the internet.
Republicans oppose the rights of people to vote if they are likely not to vote for republicans and make very decided efforts to limit people who are not republican to vote.
republicans oppose immigration of hispanics while being happy and very active in helping middle east terrorists to come to the US.
Clearly the choice of republican is not a choice for freedom at all. Both parties are a nanny state who does not believe that people can make choices for themselves, but republicans are the worst.