Would switching from a Conservative to Libertarian be seen as a betrayal?

Uhhh, nope. I did it. Going Libertarian doesn't mean you abandon any Republican stances, in fact in many cases it means you actually find a better understanding of the clical conservatism that was practiced by early Republicans. See, my family thought I was nuts at first when I told them about how great the Libertarian causes were, they're all mostly hard-line Republicans. But after I explained to them the strength and faithfulness to Constitutional principles in the Libertarian platform, they understood my choice. Ron Paul actually maintains his Republican affiliation because he understands that the TRADITIONAL Republican values and platforms were once akin to the modern Libertarian model. Don't confuse "Libertarian" with being "Liberal". The two terms are NOT synonomous. Trust me, I also walked the "liberal" line while I was in college and realized it just conditions you into moderate Socialism, and if you're not careful borderline Marxist Communism like some of my former peers. I even mingled with some anarchists. Those guys are total loons.