Liberal vs. Conservative - I don't get it.. (party affiliation, Iraq, Taliban)

[Leilani Vasquez]

Call me stupid if you will.

What's the big deal with liberal vs. conservative? It seems like one group despises the other based on their opinions.

I'm in my middle 30's. I'm registered to vote as an independent because I share both republican and democratic views. What does that make me?

[MI-IRISH]

If you share any of either parties views...it would make you brainwashed,stay independent,think for yourself,question their authority,and call them out when they are wrong

[Bluefly]

The U.S. has always been a struggle between providing for the social well being of all and providing for just oneself.

There are times when one ideology gets a swing of power, but then the other usually comes in to clean up after their power corrupted them.

In the 1920s and 1950s, conservativism ran rampant and it took someone like FDR and JFK/LBJ to clean it up.

By the 1970s, liberalism had run amok and needed Reagan to clean up.

Now we have conservatism run amok again and are in another phase of needing someone like Obama comfortable with government to step in.

The tension is important for a dynamic society. Ideologues, however, believe their way is the right way for all solutions. As we saw with the humorous Republican alternative budget, clearly this is a period when they do not have the answers.

Stay independent. It's smarter.

[TristansMommy]

Originally Posted by Leilani Vasquez

Call me stupid if you will.

What's the big deal with liberal vs. conservative? It seems like one group despises the other based on their opinions.

I'm in my middle 30's. I'm registered to vote as an independent because I share both republican and democratic views. What does that make me?

It makes you an independent. I was one once too. There were some things I could agree on that were "Republican". .. but after 8 years of being under Republican's and as I got older and formed more of my views I found that I was more in line with the democrats. Here is why

• Abortion - While I would not chose to have one myself, I beieve that every person has the right to choose
• Government - I am on the side of more regulation of big business...Someone needs to police the rampant greed on Wall Street. They've proven when left to their own devices, that companies etc sell their country and the world economy up river for their own personal gain without any thought of what's best for this country as a whole.
• Religion - I'm all for leaving "God" in the pledge because it was originally written that way. I'm not religious, I am , however, spritual and respect all regligions.. I just don't ffeel that running on "religion" and ruling by it works that way for me.
• I don't believe that "abstinance only " works.. and Sarah Palin's daughter was a great example as to why.
• Education - I believe we need to improve education NOT by throwing more money on the problem, but by cultivating better teachers and better curriculums. I'm not for a voucher program
• Gay Marriage - I believe that gays/lesbians should be able to "marry" in a LEGAL sense, their partner. As to wether churche's or specific religions would recognize marriage.. that is all up to the church. As far as the law is concerned they should be equal to a man/woman marriage (I am straight and married btw)
• Health Care - While not even the Democrats are pushing an Universal System of Healthcare IMO they have a plan that brings us closer and is far better, IMO, than the Republicans have offered.
• War - I'm all about trying to negotiate peace.. not invade countries on "lies". .. and getting out of Iraq as fast as possible... and focusing where we should have always focused and that is in Afghanistan and the Taliban. I like how the President is reaching out and repairing relationships around the world.

Overall I feel that Republicans do not care about the middle class or even the poor. While sometimes government goes to far with "welfare" (ie: the thread about free cell phones.. if that's true) I do believe that welfare is needed. Unlike some Conservatives /Repubs on this board I do not believe that a person is where they are out of laziness (yes.. I do know that there are those that ARE completely lazy and milk the system). ..I KNOW tht not everyone can be 6 figure earners.. and those that aren't are not "lazy" or "worthless". In other words.. I happen to believe that a persons worth is NOT tied to the size of their wallet/purse. I tend to feel that the Republicans have that attitude and lean toward Social Darwism.

I do know that both parties have their faults and are not perfect., however the Democrats seem to share most of my ideologies. So, that is why in this past election, I chose a side. And yes.. sometimes the "conservative" view gets under my skin because it seems to be in direct opposition of my views adn I tend to view their ideologies as cruel and unsympathetic at times as well as more self serving.. and that is my opinion.... not really up for agrument.. just telling you where I am coming from.

..
I will say, however, that if the Democrats leave me as unhappy as the Republicans.. i will have to look elsewhere for a candidate.. Right now I'm all about letting the Democrats do what they are doing and see if they deliver.. if not.. perhaps my mind will change and head in a different direction.

[swagger]

Originally Posted by Bluefly

Now we have conservatism run amok again

I'm not sure how you can say that with a straight face...

To the OP: It makes you a lot like me. Ignore the party affiliations and vote for who best represents your positions on the issues.

[nononsenseguy]

Originally Posted by Leilani Vasquez

Call me stupid if you will.

What's the big deal with liberal vs. conservative? It seems like one group despises the other based on their opinions.

I'm in my middle 30's. I'm registered to vote as an independent because I share both republican and democratic views. What does that make me?

Well you can hardly call most Republicans holding public office today, "Conservative"; but there are a few.

There is a vast difference in ideology between the two groups. Conservatives favor a strict interpretation of the Constitution, as our founders intended. This is why they are called "strict constructionists". Conservatives do not believe as "liberals" do that the Constitution should be reinterpreted depending on "modern attitudes" of social behavior, etc.

Personally, I think the ideas of our founders were timeless principles, and they do not need to be modified in any way. They still work. Capitalism still works (when we let it), and it is our Constitution and capitalism that has given people the most freedom that any nation has ever known, and made us the richest people with the highest standard of living.

[PurpleLove08]

Originally Posted by TristansMommy

It makes you an independent. I was one once too. There were some things I could agree on that were "Republican". .. but after 8 years of being under Republican's and as I got older and formed more of my views I found that I was more in line with the democrats. Here is why

• Abortion - While I would not chose to have one myself, I beieve that every person has the right to choose
• Government - I am on the side of more regulation of big business...Someone needs to police the rampant greed on Wall Street. They've proven when left to their own devices, that companies etc sell their country and the world economy up river for their own personal gain without any thought of what's best for this country as a whole.
• Religion - I'm all for leaving "God" in the pledge because it was originally written that way. I'm not religious, I am , however, spritual and respect all regligions.. I just don't ffeel that running on "religion" and ruling by it works that way for me.
• I don't believe that "abstinance only " works.. and Sarah Palin's daughter was a great example as to why.
• Education - I believe we need to improve education NOT by throwing more money on the problem, but by cultivating better teachers and better curriculums. I'm not for a voucher program
• Gay Marriage - I believe that gays/lesbians should be able to "marry" in a LEGAL sense, their partner. As to wether churche's or specific religions would recognize marriage.. that is all up to the church. As far as the law is concerned they should be equal to a man/woman marriage (I am straight and married btw)
• Health Care - While not even the Democrats are pushing an Universal System of Healthcare IMO they have a plan that brings us closer and is far better, IMO, than the Republicans have offered.
• War - I'm all about trying to negotiate peace.. not invade countries on "lies". .. and getting out of Iraq as fast as possible... and focusing where we should have always focused and that is in Afghanistan and the Taliban. I like how the President is reaching out and repairing relationships around the world.

Overall I feel that Republicans do not care about the middle class or even the poor. While sometimes government goes to far with "welfare" (ie: the thread about free cell phones.. if that's true) I do believe that welfare is needed. Unlike some Conservatives /Repubs on this board I do not believe that a person is where they are out of laziness (yes.. I do know that there are those that ARE completely lazy and milk the system). ..I KNOW tht not everyone can be 6 figure earners.. and those that aren't are not "lazy" or "worthless". In other words.. I happen to believe that a persons worth is NOT tied to the size of their wallet/purse. I tend to feel that the Republicans have that attitude and lean toward Social Darwism.

I do know that both parties have their faults and are not perfect., however the Democrats seem to share most of my ideologies. So, that is why in this past election, I chose a side. And yes.. sometimes the "conservative" view gets under my skin because it seems to be in direct opposition of my views adn I tend to view their ideologies as cruel and unsympathetic at times as well as more self serving.. and that is my opinion.... not really up for agrument.. just telling you where I am coming from.

..
I will say, however, that if the Democrats leave me as unhappy as the Republicans.. i will have to look elsewhere for a candidate.. Right now I'm all about letting the Democrats do what they are doing and see if they deliver.. if not.. perhaps my mind will change and head in a different direction.

You think the pledge originally had "under God" in it? ::falls over laughing::

http://www.kofc.org/rc/en/about/acti...Allegiance.pdf

You're an independent?
No Libertarian? No Green Party?
Just: Independent?

[Bluefly]

Originally Posted by swagger

I'm not sure how you can say that with a straight face...

What created our current problems was a hyper-focus on militarism as the solution to everything and an unhealthy trust of unregulated markets.

For the next several years, no matter what Obama does, the problems he is fixing emerged from conservative values.

[Leilani Vasquez]

Thanks for your input. I've just seen an awful lot more of conservatives putting blame on liberals, and vice verse.

In the past I've voted for republicans, and I've voted for democrats. I do this based on my views of the persons running.

[Bluefly]

Originally Posted by TristansMommy

It makes you an independent. I was one once too. There were some things I could agree on that were "Republican". .. but after 8 years of being under Republican's and as I got older and formed more of my views I found that I was more in line with the democrats. Here is why

• Abortion - While I would not chose to have one myself, I beieve that every person has the right to choose
• Government - I am on the side of more regulation of big business...Someone needs to police the rampant greed on Wall Street. They've proven when left to their own devices, that companies etc sell their country and the world economy up river for their own personal gain without any thought of what's best for this country as a whole.
• Religion - I'm all for leaving "God" in the pledge because it was originally written that way. I'm not religious, I am , however, spritual and respect all regligions.. I just don't ffeel that running on "religion" and ruling by it works that way for me.
• I don't believe that "abstinance only " works.. and Sarah Palin's daughter was a great example as to why.
• Education - I believe we need to improve education NOT by throwing more money on the problem, but by cultivating better teachers and better curriculums. I'm not for a voucher program
• Gay Marriage - I believe that gays/lesbians should be able to "marry" in a LEGAL sense, their partner. As to wether churche's or specific religions would recognize marriage.. that is all up to the church. As far as the law is concerned they should be equal to a man/woman marriage (I am straight and married btw)
• Health Care - While not even the Democrats are pushing an Universal System of Healthcare IMO they have a plan that brings us closer and is far better, IMO, than the Republicans have offered.
• War - I'm all about trying to negotiate peace.. not invade countries on "lies". .. and getting out of Iraq as fast as possible... and focusing where we should have always focused and that is in Afghanistan and the Taliban. I like how the President is reaching out and repairing relationships around the world.

Overall I feel that Republicans do not care about the middle class or even the poor. While sometimes government goes to far with "welfare" (ie: the thread about free cell phones.. if that's true) I do believe that welfare is needed. Unlike some Conservatives /Repubs on this board I do not believe that a person is where they are out of laziness (yes.. I do know that there are those that ARE completely lazy and milk the system). ..I KNOW tht not everyone can be 6 figure earners.. and those that aren't are not "lazy" or "worthless". In other words.. I happen to believe that a persons worth is NOT tied to the size of their wallet/purse. I tend to feel that the Republicans have that attitude and lean toward Social Darwism.

I do know that both parties have their faults and are not perfect., however the Democrats seem to share most of my ideologies. So, that is why in this past election, I chose a side. And yes.. sometimes the "conservative" view gets under my skin because it seems to be in direct opposition of my views adn I tend to view their ideologies as cruel and unsympathetic at times as well as more self serving.. and that is my opinion.... not really up for agrument.. just telling you where I am coming from.

..
I will say, however, that if the Democrats leave me as unhappy as the Republicans.. i will have to look elsewhere for a candidate.. Right now I'm all about letting the Democrats do what they are doing and see if they deliver.. if not.. perhaps my mind will change and head in a different direction.

That's a wonderful post. The only thing I'll say is that "under God" was not originally included in the Pledge of Allegiance. It was added in the extremely conservative 1950s.

The original line read "one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all".

I like the original better than the "activist judges" who forced their religion into our government, myself.