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I've never been interested in politics that much until recently. So I've started at the beginning, trying to establish my own beliefs. So while reading about political issues, I often come across the terms liberal and conservative. I sorta get what each means, I've looked them up. I was hoping to get a better perspective possibly by asking this question also. So far what I got of it is that liberals want government to create equality among all people and conservatives believe people should create their own success and not depend on the government. I have a feeling there is a whole lot more to it than that. I saw a website where it described the views of both regarding a certain subject. For me, I didn't really belong to one specific side, but rather agreed with some liberal and conservative beliefs, so I would guess I'm a little of both.
I also read that liberals are rich and conservatives are generally poor. Probably just a stereotype. Anyway, it's interesting to me so I'm trying to delve a little deeper to gain a better understanding. Opinions/information/experience with this subject?
In Liberaland, the govt is the FIRST place you look when you get into trouble. Everyone is consider equal regardless of their talents or abilities. The product of your labor is owned by the STATE to be distributed as it sees fit.
In Conservatopia, you handle your own problems the best you can and only look for help from the govt as a LAST resort. People are allowed to use their talents and abilities without interference from govt. What you produce is YOURS to do with as you please.
There is a myth that liberals work for the poor and conservatives work for the rich.
There are also the social issues. Homosexuality and abortion. Liberals are for both and conservatives are anti for both.
There are people that play both sides of the fence, but essentially come down to choosing. For some the social issues make their choice, and for others, their choices are fiscal beliefs.
About the economics of liberals and conservatives, there are poor and rich of both.
As much as "conservatives" like to say that only "liberals" are for government intervention in peoples' lives, it seems "conservatives" (or neocons) seem to think government intervention is OK when its forcing their views on the people. For example, a lot of "conservatives" have no problem with the government telling schools that they should be pushing evangelical fundamentalist Christianity...
In my opinion, both "liberals" and "conservatives" are very much the same....they just have different special interests, but at the end of the day both groups want their views pushed on the people.
And both the Democratic and Republican parties are playing all of you "liberals" and "conservatives" like a fiddle, while they laugh all the way to the bank while the Joe Schmoes of the country argue about left vs right and liberal vs conservative and Fox News vs. MSNBC.
I've never been interested in politics that much until recently. So I've started at the beginning, trying to establish my own beliefs. So while reading about political issues, I often come across the terms liberal and conservative. I sorta get what each means, I've looked them up. I was hoping to get a better perspective possibly by asking this question also. So far what I got of it is that liberals want government to create equality among all people and conservatives believe people should create their own success and not depend on the government. I have a feeling there is a whole lot more to it than that. I saw a website where it described the views of both regarding a certain subject. For me, I didn't really belong to one specific side, but rather agreed with some liberal and conservative beliefs, so I would guess I'm a little of both.
I also read that liberals are rich and conservatives are generally poor. Probably just a stereotype. Anyway, it's interesting to me so I'm trying to delve a little deeper to gain a better understanding. Opinions/information/experience with this subject?
All partisan politics aside, there are smart people from all sides of the isle. Social conservatives see citizens as part of a social fabric, and suggest that they should play their part in holding that fabric (culture & tradition) together. They urge cultural assimilation and a my way or the highway approach to ensure that the fabric is held together. Liberals see citizens as equals, and feel that all should be allowed an equal opportunity to fail or succeed. Hence, liberals are in favour of innovating school systems to give kids from disadvantaged backgrounds a better shot at succeeding in life. There are pros and cons to both sides, but it is important that if you do identify with one group, that you are open to your views being scrutinized so that you can refine them. By listening to conservative talking points, I am now in full support of citizens being armed at all times. On other matters (abortion), I would find it hard to have my views changed. It's not a matter of right and wrong, but more of a matter of fundamental beliefs which have been ingrained into our heads over the years.
I'm in/was in the same boat, I joined this forum got some insight, checked out a couple of opposing viewpoints books at the library, watched CNN/FOX/MSNBC, and talked with people on both sides and the middle of the spectrum. I formed my own opinions what I thought was right, what I didn't agree with and what I couldn't conclude as an opinion. I'm mostly on the liberal side but I do agree with some conservative viewpoints, so It gets a little bit confusing. It helps if you study the history of all parties (just not liberal and conservatives). There are very very educated people on this board so I'm sure a personal message wouldn't bother them if you have any questions.
So far what I got of it is that liberals want government to create equality among all people and conservatives believe people should create their own success and not depend on the government. I have a feeling there is a whole lot more to it than that.
This is more or less correct. I'd say that the two ideas you are describing are libertarian vs. egalitarian... or liberty vs. equality.
Democrats, liberals, and egalitarians are generally in the same camp together.
Republicans, conservatives, and libertarians are generally in the same camp together.
I've never been interested in politics that much until recently. So I've started at the beginning, trying to establish my own beliefs. So while reading about political issues, I often come across the terms liberal and conservative. I sorta get what each means, I've looked them up. I was hoping to get a better perspective possibly by asking this question also. So far what I got of it is that liberals want government to create equality among all people and conservatives believe people should create their own success and not depend on the government. I have a feeling there is a whole lot more to it than that. I saw a website where it described the views of both regarding a certain subject. For me, I didn't really belong to one specific side, but rather agreed with some liberal and conservative beliefs, so I would guess I'm a little of both.
I also read that liberals are rich and conservatives are generally poor. Probably just a stereotype. Anyway, it's interesting to me so I'm trying to delve a little deeper to gain a better understanding. Opinions/information/experience with this subject?
understand first that there are two different areas you need to deal with, fiscal and social.
on the fiscal side of things, things are rather simple;
fiscal conservatives want equal opportunity for everyone, and thus less government intrusion.
fiscal liberals want equal outcomes for everyone, and thus more government intrusion.
in the same way that also applies to the social side of things as well. conservatives tend to be against gay marriage, abortion, and for gun rights and prosecuting criminals, and putting them away for as long as possible.
social liberals tend to be for gay marriage, for abortion, against gun rights, and want to "understand" why criminals do what they do. they also tend to push for lighter sentences.
Question everything you read on the internet and stay away from conspiracy theories and you'll be OK. The conspirists have created their own online communities and they don't read sources that could possible invalidate their positions. Remember to think for yourself!
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