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Overall, who do you think are more intolerant: conservatives or liberals??
I've always assumed libs would be more tolerant but found them not to be so.
Anecdotally, I've found liberals to display far more of a "think like us or get out" mentality.
For example, a friend of mine in an anthropology club in college was ganged up upon by the granolas in the group because she ate meat. I found the young conservative clubs to be far more inclusive & less hostile to differences in opinion or lifestyle.
And libertarians, the true conservatives, live by the fundamental philosophy of do and be whatever you want as long as you do not infringe on the liberty of another.
Last edited by ATXIronHorse; 05-12-2009 at 10:53 AM..
I've always assumed libs would be more tolerant but found them not to be so.
Anecdotally, I've found liberals to display far more of a "think like us or get out" mentality.
For example, a friend of mine in an anthropology club in college was ganged up upon by the granolas in the group because she ate meat. I found the young conservative clubs to be far more inclusive & less hostile to differences in opinion or lifestyle.
And libertarians, the true conservatives, live by the fundamental philosophy of do and be whatever you want as long as you do not infringe on the liberty of another.
Interesting observations. Too bad then that there aren't more true libertarians and for that matter, true liberals (please refer to Webster's definition to support my opinion). Unfortunately, at the extreme today the conservative is the neocon, hawk, pro-business versus pro-environment, righteous, card carrying John Birch Society, anti-immigrant, gun toting, NASCAR watching etc., etc., etc. While the liberal is the card carrying ACLU, bleeding heart, tree hugging, macrobiotic, vegan, intellectual, minority, elitist etc., etc. etc. Both have become vilified by the other, like "natural" enemies.
Lastly, I find my "conservative" friends more rigid and unforgiving. My perception is that both right and left disagree vehemently when opposing views are brought to them (human nature?) but the conservatives seem more bound by their ideology, which in itself is more concrete / definitive. It is interesting though that my associates, who are the most extreme in their views, are the most difficult to tolerate and relate to.
That's their techniques ... When they have no support for their positions, they resort to childish name-calling and insults.
Again I have to say that, based just on some of the forums I've been a part of, it sounds to me like you are describing the 'conservatives'. If I read the same article as the conservative contingent and come to a different conclusion based on what that article says, that doesn't make me 'stupid' or an 'idiot' or 'childish' or any of the other names I've been called. It simply means I disagree.
Um... yeah, sort of.
That is correct if conservatism includes supporting the Constitution of the United States and its amendments. It is the first of those amendments that allow religious freedom in the United States. Lately, the conservative viewpoint has been that the first amendment provides for freedom of religion, allowing the free exercise of one's religious beliefs (within acceptable standards). The liberals have twisted it to provide for freedom fromreligion, meaning they don't want any mention of religion (especially Christianity) to come into their lives whatsoever.
Can't speak for anyone else, but when I say 'freedom from religion' I simply mean that I am free to not believe what someone tells me to believe. It means my life is governed more by my own beliefs than by those who say 'if you don't believe as I do, your beliefs are worthless'. And, YES, I have had people say exactly that to me. I happen to be Christian; I just don't think my religious beliefs should be encoded into law as some of my fellow Christians seem to think they should.
Can't speak for anyone else, but when I say 'freedom from religion' I simply mean that I am free to not believe what someone tells me to believe. It means my life is governed more by my own beliefs than by those who say 'if you don't believe as I do, your beliefs are worthless'. And, YES, I have had people say exactly that to me. I happen to be Christian; I just don't think my religious beliefs should be encoded into law as some of my fellow Christians seem to think they should.
To quote those pop "geniuses" from the 1980's Devo, "...Freedom of choice is what we've got. Freedom from choice is what we need."
Liberals are by far more intolerant. They won't let conservatives say what they want to say and yet they yell if we don't let them criticize us. All they can do is criticize like they know everything. What they stand for has been proven in the world to be wrong. Socialism, taking away from earners and give to others, all it does is make our nation in danger of falling. They are now using methods that Hitler used. How good was he?
Check history and you will see their ways do not make a healthy nation.
And what is wrong with some tradition? That is what our founding fathers planned and is why our country has survived. it is now collasping on its own weight or people getting nothing but hand outs they did not earn or deserve.
How do we come to these generalizations? "They" "they" "they". How useful is it to over generalize?
[Warning- non PC comments to follow]
I heard a white comedian say this the other day...A friend tells him, "Did you know blacks like watermelon, fried chicken and are lazy?" Said the comedian to his wife..."Wow! Honey! I'm black!"
This is in no way intended to represent my opinion of any ethnicity. It is merely to point out how ridiculous generalizations can be. And that sums up my whole take on the partisan arguments that are so prevalent these days. A ridiculous waste of time.
I think both sides need to shut the **** up and stop dividing the country!
This is the most intelligent post on this thread, in my humble opinion.
I consider myself a true Moderate, with leanings towards the right, however, I am in the Medical Sciences, and so require 'proof' and 'factual' evidence before making decisions regarding legislation to curtail scientific progress, which in that case, makes me lean towards the left. I do, however, believe that you, and dear old George, got it right. As long as we are divided this country cannot, and will not, progress.
Your post brings to mind John Dickinson's "The Liberty Song."
Lyrics
Come, join hand in hand, brave Americans all,
And rouse your bold hearts at fair Liberty's call;
No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim,
Or stain with dishonor America's name.
Chorus: In Freedom we're born and in Freedom we'll live. Our purses are ready. Steady, friends, steady; Not as slaves, but as Freemen our money we'll give.
Our worthy forefathers, let's give them a cheer,
To climates unknown did courageously steer;
Thro' oceans to deserts for Freedom they came,
And dying, bequeath'd us their freedom and fame.
Chorus
The tree their own hands had to Liberty rear'd,
They lived to behold growing strong and revered;
With transport they cried, Now our wishes we gain,
For our children shall gather the fruits of our pain.
Chorus
Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all, By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall;
In so righteous a cause let us hope to succeed,
For heaven approves of each generous deed.
The most extreme liberals and the most extreme conservatives are equally intolerant. People who blindly follow their "ideology" without developing their own based on personal thought and reasoning are the ones who are most intolerant. If you blindly follow either ideology, you're not even really disagreeing with someone - it's just "us vs them" and it becomes a flame war.
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Right on BCreass...
