I Am A Liberal
I’m for helping those in need, not telling them to fend for themselves. I support healthcare for all, not healthcare only for those who can afford it. I believe in nutrition assistance for the hungry, not tax breaks for the greedy. I believe in healthy school lunches for children, but not by changing the definition of pizza. I’m for Social Security and Medicare, and I know these programs would be self-sustaining if the FICA cap were removed and everyone paid into the system on 100% of their income.
I believe all people should be free to practice whatever the religion they choose, not have their religion chosen for them. I believe people should be free to practice no religion at all, rather than be forced to partake in prayer. I believe religion is a system of beliefs, not a set of scientific facts. I believe there is a difference between laws laid out in the Bible and laws set forth in the Constitution. I believe all people should have the right to marry whomever they love, not be told their love is a sin.
I believe in the right of the people to bear arms, not amass armaments. I’m for keeping Americans safe in their homes, but not the uninfringeable access to guns. I’m for helping victims of violent crime, not for blaming them for becoming victims. I believe in equal justice for all, not separate justice for some. I believe rights are inherent to all free citizens, not privileges that can be taken away.
I believe in our form of government, but not imposing it on other nations. I’m for keeping America strong, but not weakening it with a bloated military. I’m for going to war to defend our country’s sovereignty, not for sending troops to fight in every country’s civil war. I’m for supporting veterans by helping them when they return from service, not dishonoring their service by cutting their benefits.
I believe in regulated capitalism, not an unfettered free market. I’m for subsidizing the development of new energy technologies, but not the production of carbon-emitting fossil fuels. I’m for protecting the environment, not destroying it. I believe we should address man-made climate change, not deny it exists.
I believe in more people voting, not fewer. I’m for term limits, not lifetime terms. I believe elected officials should serve their individual constituents, not their corporate donors. I believe money is currency, not speech, and that corporations are businesses, not people.
In other words, I believe in democracy and that’s why I am a liberal.
Click here for reuse options!Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: Mark Hersch
Mark Hersch is a Boston-bred, DC-raised liberal now living in Chicago with his liberal wife and two liberal dogs.
arc99 July 4th, 2014 at 14:35
In the wake of recent Supreme Court rulings as well as the ugly anti-Muslim bigotry taking hold in this nation, I think that when it comes to the issue of religion in politics, we should recall how Thomas Jefferson pretty well summed things up in his Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom
“”that our civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions, any more than our
opinions in physics or geometry; that therefore the proscribing any citizen as unworthy the public confidence by laying upon him an incapacity of being called to offices of trust and emolument, unless he profess or renounce this or that religious opinion, is depriving
him injuriously of those privileges and advantages to which, in common with his fellow citizens, he has a natural right;””
AnthonyLook July 4th, 2014 at 16:37
Shame on the conservative Supreme Court Judges.
Bob Waas July 4th, 2014 at 17:19
Thomas Jefferson had some other things to say.
“If we can but prevent the government from wasting the labours of the people, under the pretense of taking care of them, they must become happy.”
“I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.”
“A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circlue of our felicities.”
“Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.”
“No freeman shall be debarred the use of arms.”
“To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.” (like Obamacare)
“It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.”
“None but an armed nation can dispense with a standing army. To keep ours armed and disciplined is therefore at all times important.”
“The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.”
“I own that I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive.”
Shades July 4th, 2014 at 18:32
I’ve got to get ready for this evening so I don’t have time to play with you but here’s two that jumped out at me.
“To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he
disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.” (like the Iraq War).
“It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes (Iraq war, Afghanistan war, Medicare part D, tax cuts for the rich). A
principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.”
I can add parentheses too. Now, after perusing posts by my comrades, I’m off to spend the evening with friends. How sad you you have nothing better to do than troll on this national holiday. You really are a lonely boy.
arc99 July 4th, 2014 at 18:57
it is uncanny how right wingers like Bob act as if they are the only people whose tax dollars are used for purposes they disagree with.
It points out their narrow and completely unrealistic view of the world.
tiredoftea July 4th, 2014 at 22:52
And, how they pick and choose their quotes from wherever the fringe sites put them up. Bible, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, it doesn’t matter and it doesn’t take much to find the complete and in context source to refute their argument.
jasperjava July 4th, 2014 at 23:24
Almost ALL of the “quotations” you used were made up by modern-day conservatives and falsely attributed to the founding fathers. You ought to be ashamed of yourself for putting your own words in their mouths just to give the imprimatur of authority to your whacked-out extremist beliefs.
It reminds me of the time you posted a made-up doctored version of the remarks that President Obama made on the night of the successful bin Laden raid. Utterly shameless lies.
You really are a slimeball, besmirching the reputations of the President and the Founding Fathers that way, on the 4th of July, no less.
Have you no shame at all??? At long last, have you any decency?
Bob Waas July 5th, 2014 at 11:10
You are so hell bent on spewing your hatred that you didn’t take the time to verify each of these quotes as to their authentication.
Each and every quote is verified on several sources, especially the Monticello site. http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/quotations-jefferson-memorial
In fact, Amazon sells many of the quotes as wall plaques.
It is the secular progressive liberals who want to rewrite the parts of history they don’t like; like the fact that our founding fathers were influenced by God when forming this great nation.
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”
Exodus 20: 16.
jasperjava July 5th, 2014 at 11:40
Almost NONE of the spurious quotations you use are found on the Monticello site. They’re obviously made-up by modern-day conservatives, but you’re not smart enough to realize that.
This quote, however, is genuine:
“the Christian philosophy, the most
sublime & benevolent, but most perverted system that ever shone on
man, endeavored to crush your well earnt, & well deserved fame.” – Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Priestley, Washington, March 21, 1801
==================
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”
Exodus 20: 16.
Where was THAT Commandment when you posted a doctored version of President Obama’s remarks, that made it look as if he was taking all the credit for the bin Laden raid?
You’re nothing but a slimy hypocrite.
Bob Waas July 5th, 2014 at 12:13
Every quote was on the Monticello site. You have to discredit everything that doesn’t fit your narrative of liberal bias.
Which Obama quote proving his narcissistic nature would you like posted, there are so many?
Your vile language will need to be confessed tonight so you can receive communion tomorrow.
jasperjava July 5th, 2014 at 22:17
Still bitter, huh?
So in that case, all the right-wing blather about Reagan bringing down the Berlin Wall and bringing about the fall of the Soviet Union is just plain garbage, then. (And it is, since the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union were still solidly in place when he retired feebly from office.) It wasn’t Reagan who did it, it was the German people and the various peoples in the former Soviet Republics.
President Obama, at least, refocused the mission to capture or kill bin Laden. His so-called “predecessor” disbanded the CIA unit that was tasked to find bin Laden, and declared that he didn’t know and didn’t care where bin Laden was, and didn’t think too much about him.
You’re a pathetic, hate-filled fool. I would feel sorry for you if you weren’t such a nasty, disgusting person.
Bob Waas July 7th, 2014 at 00:02
Yea, right. Here is the team who got Bin Laden
jasperjava July 5th, 2014 at 02:50
Bob Waas is the kind of scum who doesn’t care whether his posts are truthful or not, as long as they support his evil agenda.
http://www.thefederalistpapers.org/founders/jefferson/top-ten-fake-thomas-jefferson-quotes
http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/spurious-quotations
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/11/opinion/jefferson-fake-gun-quotation/index.html
Gary July 5th, 2014 at 18:17
“To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.” (like Obamacare) or like fruitless wars in which we have no business other than business, eh Bob? These were indeed Jeffersonian ideas, but the more balanced approach was voted on and taken before the writing of the constitution. What Jefferson thought did not become the law of our land.
Bob Waas July 5th, 2014 at 21:27
Which war are you making reference to, the Iraq and Afganistan wars that were approved by Congress?
Obamacare forces people to buy a product whether they want it or not and is tyrannical, so it fits the description.
Gary July 6th, 2014 at 18:20
So do states with car insurance, and banks requiring fire insurance for home loans. So what’s your point? Everybody making you do what you don’t want is a tyrant? Sounds like me when I was ten or eleven.
Bob Waas July 6th, 2014 at 19:53
Your argument doesn’t compute and you know it.
The insurance you used as examples are to protect others.
I own my home, so it is optional for me to carry fire insurance, no one is forcing me.
Sage July 6th, 2014 at 23:19
And hopefully your house burns to the ground with you in it.
ecotoper July 6th, 2014 at 00:20
from a man who owned people of what he considered to be a lesser race … Jefferson was a great founding leader, but his personal beliefs were steeped in the horrid biases of his era …
arc99 July 4th, 2014 at 14:35
In the wake of recent Supreme Court rulings as well as the ugly anti-Muslim bigotry taking hold in this nation, I think that when it comes to the issue of religion in politics, we should recall how Thomas Jefferson pretty well summed things up in his Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom
“”that our civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions, any more than our
opinions in physics or geometry; that therefore the proscribing any citizen as unworthy the public confidence by laying upon him an incapacity of being called to offices of trust and emolument, unless he profess or renounce this or that religious opinion, is depriving
him injuriously of those privileges and advantages to which, in common with his fellow citizens, he has a natural right;””
AnthonyLook July 4th, 2014 at 16:37
Shame on the conservative Supreme Court Judges.
Bob Waas July 4th, 2014 at 17:19
Thomas Jefferson had some other things to say.
“If we can but prevent the government from wasting the labours of the people, under the pretense of taking care of them, they must become happy.”
“I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.”
“A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circlue of our felicities.”
“Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.”
“No freeman shall be debarred the use of arms.”
“To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.” (like Obamacare)
“It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.”
“None but an armed nation can dispense with a standing army. To keep ours armed and disciplined is therefore at all times important.”
“The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.”
“I own that I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive.”
Shades July 4th, 2014 at 18:32
I’ve got to get ready for this evening so I don’t have time to play with you but here’s two that jumped out at me.
“To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he
disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.” (like the Iraq War).
“It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes (Iraq war, Afghanistan war, Medicare part D, tax cuts for the rich). A
principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.”
How sad you have nothing better to do than troll on this national holiday. I’d think, at the very least, you’d want to visit blogs more in line with your beliefs to celebrate the Fourth of July; that is, if they’ll have you. You really are a lonely boy.
arc99 July 4th, 2014 at 18:57
it is uncanny how right wingers like Bob act as if they are the only people whose tax dollars are used for purposes they disagree with.
It points out their narrow and completely unrealistic view of the world.
tiredoftea July 4th, 2014 at 22:52
And, how they pick and choose their quotes from wherever the fringe sites put them up. Bible, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, it doesn’t matter and it doesn’t take much to find the complete and in context source to refute their argument.
jasperjava July 4th, 2014 at 23:24
Almost ALL of the “quotations” you used were made up by modern-day conservatives and falsely attributed to the founding fathers. You ought to be ashamed of yourself for putting your own words in their mouths just to give the imprimatur of authority to your whacked-out extremist beliefs.
It reminds me of the time you posted a made-up doctored version of the remarks that President Obama made on the night of the successful bin Laden raid. Utterly shameless lies.
You really are a slimeball, besmirching the reputations of the President and the Founding Fathers that way, on the 4th of July, no less.
Have you no shame at all??? At long last, have you any decency?
Bob Waas July 5th, 2014 at 11:10
You are so hell bent on spewing your hatred that you didn’t take the time to verify each of these quotes as to their authentication.
Each and every quote is verified on several sources, especially the Monticello site. http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/quotations-jefferson-memorial
In fact, Amazon sells many of the quotes as wall plaques.
It is the secular progressive liberals who want to rewrite the parts of history they don’t like; like the fact that our founding fathers were influenced by God when forming this great nation.
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”
Exodus 20: 16.
jasperjava July 5th, 2014 at 11:40
Almost NONE of the spurious quotations you use are found on the Monticello site. They’re obviously made-up by modern-day conservatives, but you’re not smart enough to realize that.
This quote, however, is genuine:
“the Christian philosophy, the most
sublime & benevolent, but most perverted system that ever shone on
man, endeavored to crush your well earnt, & well deserved fame.” – Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Priestley, Washington, March 21, 1801
==================
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”
Exodus 20: 16.
Where was THAT Commandment when you posted a doctored version of President Obama’s remarks, that made it look as if he was taking all the credit for the bin Laden raid?
You’re nothing but a slimy hypocrite.
Bob Waas July 5th, 2014 at 12:13
Every quote was on the Monticello site. You have to discredit everything that doesn’t fit your narrative of liberal bias.
Which Obama quote proving his narcissistic nature would you like posted, there are so many?
Your vile language will need to be confessed tonight so you can receive communion tomorrow.
jasperjava July 5th, 2014 at 22:17
Still bitter, huh?
So in that case, all the right-wing blather about Reagan bringing down the Berlin Wall and bringing about the fall of the Soviet Union is just plain garbage, then. (And it is, since the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union were still solidly in place when he retired feebly from office.) It wasn’t Reagan who did it, it was the German people and the various peoples in the former Soviet Republics.
President Obama, at least, refocused the mission to capture or kill bin Laden. His so-called “predecessor” disbanded the CIA unit that was tasked to find bin Laden, and declared that he didn’t know and didn’t care where bin Laden was, and didn’t think too much about him.
You’re a pathetic, hate-filled fool. I would feel sorry for you if you weren’t such a nasty, disgusting person.
Bob Waas July 7th, 2014 at 00:02
Yea, right. Here is the team who got Bin Laden
jasperjava July 5th, 2014 at 02:50
Bob Waas is the kind of scum who doesn’t care whether his posts are truthful or not, as long as they support his evil agenda.
http://www.thefederalistpapers.org/founders/jefferson/top-ten-fake-thomas-jefferson-quotes
http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/spurious-quotations
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/11/opinion/jefferson-fake-gun-quotation/index.html
Gary July 5th, 2014 at 18:17
“To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.” (like Obamacare) or like fruitless wars in which we have no business other than business, eh Bob? These were indeed Jeffersonian ideas, but the more balanced approach was voted on and taken before the writing of the constitution. What Jefferson thought did not become the law of our land.
Bob Waas July 5th, 2014 at 21:27
Which war are you making reference to, the Iraq and Afganistan wars that were approved by Congress?
Obamacare forces people to buy a product whether they want it or not and is tyrannical, so it fits the description.
Gary July 6th, 2014 at 18:20
So do states with car insurance, and banks requiring fire insurance for home loans. So what’s your point? Everybody making you do what you don’t want is a tyrant? Sounds like me when I was ten or eleven.
Bob Waas July 6th, 2014 at 19:53
Your argument doesn’t compute and you know it.
The insurance you used as examples are to protect others.
I own my home, so it is optional for me to carry fire insurance, no one is forcing me.
ecotoper July 6th, 2014 at 00:20
from a man who owned people of what he considered to be a lesser race … Jefferson was a great founding leader, but his personal beliefs were steeped in the horrid biases of his era …
Linda1961 July 4th, 2014 at 16:15
Well written post defining modern American liberalism.
Linda1961 July 4th, 2014 at 16:15
Well written post defining modern American liberalism.
neworleans878 July 4th, 2014 at 16:29
Ramen.
nola878 July 4th, 2014 at 16:29
Ramen.
Shades July 4th, 2014 at 16:37
I agree with all of the above but I’d like to add I’m a liberal because I don’t assume the status quo cannot be improved.
Shades July 4th, 2014 at 16:37
I agree with all of the above but I’d like to add I’m a liberal because I don’t assume the status quo cannot be improved.
neworleans878 July 4th, 2014 at 17:50
I’m a proud Liberal in my business…people tell me to f*ck people and get rich…and I could. But I know what it’s like to struggle and prefer to help people climb off the sh*t heap than exploit them. I love it when former costumers come visit and tell me how they’ve just bought a home.
Don’t beleive in Heaven or Hell. But it’s a slice of Paradise on Earth.
Jonathan Glasman July 5th, 2014 at 07:19
I could get rich, but I choose not to. Translation: I’m too lazy to work.
Gary July 5th, 2014 at 18:19
I could get rich, but I choose not to. Translation: I’m too lazy to work. Hey, how about letting me do my own translating? That’s the same tactic Limbaugh uses. And I’m sick of him, too.
Matt G. Leger January 17th, 2015 at 06:03
You failed to read the entire sentence: “people tell me to f*ck people and get rich…and I could. But I know what it’s like to struggle and prefer to help people climb off the sh*t heap than exploit them.”
Not wanting to get rich by “f*cking people” is NOT the same as not wanting to do the work required to get rich. There are plenty of ways to acquire wealth that do not require screwing someone else over.
nola878 July 4th, 2014 at 17:50
I’m a proud Liberal in my business…people tell me to f*ck people and get rich…and I could. But I know what it’s like to struggle and prefer to help people climb off the sh*t heap than exploit them. I love it when former costumers come visit and tell me how they’ve just bought a home.
Don’t beleive in Heaven or Hell. But it’s a slice of Paradise on Earth.
Jonathan Glasman July 5th, 2014 at 07:19
I could get rich, but I choose not to. Translation: I’m too lazy to work.
Gary July 5th, 2014 at 18:19
I could get rich, but I choose not to. Translation: I’m too lazy to work. Hey, how about letting me do my own translating? That’s the same tactic Limbaugh uses. And I’m sick of him, too.
Matt G. Leger January 17th, 2015 at 07:03
You failed to read the entire sentence: “people tell me to f*ck people and get rich…and I could. But I know what it’s like to struggle and prefer to help people climb off the sh*t heap than exploit them.”
Not wanting to get rich by “f*cking people” is NOT the same as not wanting to do the work required to get rich. There are plenty of ways to acquire wealth that do not require screwing someone else over.
Jeff Allen July 4th, 2014 at 20:49
Probably the best, most articulate description of liberalism I have read. There are many things that I find common ground with as a conservative and others that even though I disagree with means, I agree with the motive. Good read, thanks for posting
Jeff Allen July 4th, 2014 at 20:49
Probably the best, most articulate description of liberalism I have read. There are many things that I find common ground with as a conservative and others that even though I disagree with means, I agree with the motive. Good read, thanks for posting
Tommy6860 July 4th, 2014 at 22:13
Awesome! Fits me like a well tailored suit on what modern liberalism is.
Tommy6860 July 4th, 2014 at 22:13
Awesome! Fits me like a well tailored suit on what modern liberalism is.
fancypants July 4th, 2014 at 22:14
being liberal means you can properly identify our supreme courts priorities
fancypants July 4th, 2014 at 22:14
being liberal means you can properly identify our supreme courts priorities
JohnH July 4th, 2014 at 22:28
I believe ideologies are toxic.
jasperjava July 5th, 2014 at 02:32
That belief, in itself, is ideological.
Jonathan Glasman July 5th, 2014 at 07:18
Only if he believe in it with ideological fervor. And paradoxical logic is no argument; that’s just being difficult.
jasperjava July 5th, 2014 at 11:52
I disagree that fervor is a necessary aspect of ideology. One can be a conservative or a liberal, and yet not be a fanatic.
I don’t think of it as a paradox. The failure to choose is itself a choice. The idea that ideologies are toxic is a political stance in itself, like a radical independent declaring “A plague on both your houses”.
Ideologies are not always organized with parties, symbols, or coherent political programs. All political thought is ideological, even if the person espousing them refuses to recognize it.
JohnH July 5th, 2014 at 17:54
You don’t know what an ideology is. It isn’t a single belief. It’s a system of beliefs.
jasperjava July 5th, 2014 at 21:56
I was a political science major. I know what an ideology is.
Some ideologies are simple, others are complex. Even apathy is an ideology. It’s a political stance of disengagement, of not caring who runs things and for what purpose.
JohnH July 6th, 2014 at 09:48
“I know what an ideology is.”
Actually, you don’t. “Apathy” isn’t an ideology, in the political sense, which is of course the sense I meant. Neither is recognizing that ideologies are toxic.
JohnH July 4th, 2014 at 22:28
I believe ideologies are toxic.
jasperjava July 5th, 2014 at 02:32
That belief, in itself, is ideological.
Jonathan Glasman July 5th, 2014 at 07:18
Only if he believe in it with ideological fervor. And paradoxical logic is no argument; that’s just being difficult.
jasperjava July 5th, 2014 at 11:52
I disagree that fervor is a necessary aspect of ideology. One can be a conservative or a liberal, and yet not be a fanatic.
I don’t think of it as a paradox. The failure to choose is itself a choice. The idea that ideologies are toxic is a political stance in itself, like a radical independent declaring “A plague on both your houses”.
Ideologies are not always organized with parties, symbols, or coherent political programs. All political thought is ideological, even if the person espousing them refuses to recognize it.
JohnH July 5th, 2014 at 17:54
You don’t know what an ideology is. It isn’t a single belief. It’s a system of beliefs.
jasperjava July 5th, 2014 at 21:56
I was a political science major. I know what an ideology is.
Some ideologies are simple, others are complex. Even apathy is an ideology. It’s a political stance of disengagement, of not caring who runs things and for what purpose.
JohnH July 6th, 2014 at 09:48
“I know what an ideology is.”
Actually, you don’t. “Apathy” isn’t an ideology, in the political sense, which is of course the sense I meant. Neither is recognizing that ideologies are toxic.
Maxx July 4th, 2014 at 22:33
The reality is, any conservative could parallel their own laundry list of why they believe what they believe and it will be equally as earnest and in turn, to them, correct.
Any notion that because a liberal wants a safe neighborhood, it implies a conservative doesn’t….that a liberal wants good education…but a conservative doesn’t, is intellectually infancy at its finest.
I was a registered Democrat for almost 30 years. No more. I had my epiphany a decade ago and left the party but certainly not forgotten are all the conversations I had over that time frame with registered Democrats who said, behind closed doors and in select company, the most racist things my ears have ever heard. Declarations most often assigned to conservatives. My point?
Labels are for soup cans.
Any Pavlovian assumptions that “liberals good, conservatives bad” and vice versa, are the primary reason the political climate has become as dysfunctional as it is. This “our way or the highway” declaration FROM BOTH SIDES that “everything we think is good and just and everything they think is wrong” has brought us to where we are.
By and large, conservatives and liberals want the same things out of life. They just have different methods to obtain those goals. Life, in its most simple state, reminds us that there is always more than one path to the same beach.
As a registered independent, I am fiscally quite conservative but socially, quite liberal. There are ideas from both parties I agree with but frankly, I’m sick and tired of these incessant musings that 50% of the country is always right while 50% of it is always wrong.
Tommy6860 July 4th, 2014 at 22:51
I only agree with this as if it were on paper only. This has not much basis in reality regarding the conervative cause. If the consevatives want those same things as you say they do, no matter the means to which you don’t list how they want to get them, they sure are a funny group. Constantly blocking bills, being anti-equal rights/women’s rights, while not doing their their jobs, is nothing along the sorts you allude that one side as wanting to achieve on the same level as liberals. I’ve been voting for 35 years now and voted across many parties. I am not an adherent to any certain party, but I am very liberal, I mean left of liberal.
I’ve also learned what seems to be an irrefutable immutable truth about “Conservatism”; conservatism has never been what conservatives say it is.
Maxx July 5th, 2014 at 09:26
I only need submit the recent hysteria over the Supreme Court ruling regarding Hobby Lobby. I watch as much MSNBC as I do FOX news and not once during the day did I hear MSNBC accurately report that Hobby Lobby supported 16 out of the 20 birth control options for its employees. The reporting was being framed as if they did not support health insurance benefits that involved birth control of any sort and thus the hundreds of thousands of subsequent tweets which followed, were equally as misinformed.
My point? Americans no longer have opinions, we have agendas.
SteveDiPerna July 5th, 2014 at 10:21
Well said, Maxx!
Hardlee_Ded July 5th, 2014 at 15:19
How does saying what you believe in, equate to saying some one else doesn’t… those over lapping areas aren’t contradictions, in fact an intelligent person would see them as common ground… not an attempt to exclude others.
But the conservative mindset is to not see common ground anywhere… just further reason to claim division and exclusion.
The problem isn’t in the statements… it’s in the choice of interpretation.
But I see nothing in this article that says a conservative can’t share these views or have different ideas as to achieve those goals and objectives…
Maxx July 4th, 2014 at 22:33
The reality is, any conservative could parallel their own laundry list of why they believe what they believe and it will be equally as earnest and in turn, to them, correct.
Any notion that because a liberal wants a safe neighborhood, it implies a conservative doesn’t….that a liberal wants good education…but a conservative doesn’t, is intellectual infancy at its finest.
I was a registered Democrat for almost 30 years. No more. I had my epiphany a decade ago and left the party but certainly not forgotten are all the conversations I had over that time frame with registered Democrats who said, behind closed doors and in select company, the most racist things my ears have ever heard. Declarations most often assigned to conservatives. My point?
Labels are for soup cans.
Any Pavlovian assumptions that “liberals good, conservatives bad” and vice versa, are the primary reason the political climate has become as dysfunctional as it is. This “our way or the highway” declaration FROM BOTH SIDES that “everything we think is good and just and everything they think is wrong” has brought us to where we are.
By and large, conservatives and liberals want the same things out of life. They just have different methods to obtain those goals. Life, in its most simple state, reminds us that there is always more than one path to the same beach.
As a registered independent, I am fiscally quite conservative but socially, quite liberal. There are ideas from both parties I agree with but frankly, I’m sick and tired of these incessant musings that 50% of the country is always right while 50% of it is always wrong.
Tommy6860 July 4th, 2014 at 22:51
I only agree with this as if it were on paper only. This has not much basis in reality regarding the conervative cause. If the consevatives want those same things as you say they do, no matter the means to which you don’t list how they want to get them, they sure are a funny group. Constantly blocking bills, being anti-equal rights/women’s rights, while not doing their their jobs, is nothing along the sorts you allude that one side as wanting to achieve on the same level as liberals. I’ve been voting for 35 years now and voted across many parties. I am not an adherent to any certain party, but I am very liberal, I mean left of liberal.
I’ve also learned what seems to be an irrefutable immutable truth about “Conservatism”; conservatism has never been what conservatives say it is.
Maxx July 5th, 2014 at 09:26
I only need submit the recent hysteria over the Supreme Court ruling regarding Hobby Lobby. I watch as much MSNBC as I do FOX news and not once during the day did I hear MSNBC accurately report that Hobby Lobby supported 16 out of the 20 birth control options for its employees. The reporting was being framed as if they did not support health insurance benefits that involved birth control of any sort and thus the hundreds of thousands of subsequent tweets which followed, were equally as misinformed.
My point? Americans no longer have opinions, we have agendas.
SteveDiPerna July 5th, 2014 at 10:21
Well said, Maxx!
Hardlee_Ded July 5th, 2014 at 15:19
How does saying what you believe in, equate to saying some one else doesn’t… those over lapping areas aren’t contradictions, in fact an intelligent person would see them as common ground… not an attempt to exclude others.
But the conservative mindset is to not see common ground anywhere… just further reason to claim division and exclusion.
The problem isn’t in the statements… it’s in the choice of interpretation.
But I see nothing in this article that says a conservative can’t share these views or have different ideas as to achieve those goals and objectives…