Do you consider yourself liberal, conservative, other?

[Si modo]

Originally Posted by ThorHammer

if it is dirty it is because they have made it so. That being said, I have a different idea of what a liberal is.

My impression is that we (Americans) assign the word "liberal" with whatever gives us a whiff of socialism.

[ThorHammer]

Originally Posted by Si modo

My impression is that we (Americans) assign the word "liberal" with whatever gives us a whiff of socialism.

and we are wrong to do so.

[Si modo]

Originally Posted by ThorHammer

and we are wrong to do so.

But it's so much more palatable to say liberal than socialist, however wrong; and that's why I think the term liberal has been so twisted here in the USA.

[ThorHammer]

Originally Posted by Si modo

But it's so much more palatable to say liberal than socialist, however wrong; and that's why I think the term liberal has been so twisted here in the USA.

And you would be right. Socialist is a dirty label in the United States, and therefore it is political suicide for a party that hopes to make a dent on the national level to label themselves thus.

[Si modo]

Originally Posted by ThorHammer

And you would be right. Socialist is a dirty label in the United States, and therefore it is political suicide for a party that hopes to make a dent on the national level to label themselves thus.

Perhaps the redefined word could be marketed in a tube and called KY?

[drgoodtrips]

Originally Posted by jviehe

... Rather they seek to protect the erosion of the rights to practice their own beleifs, such as marriage...

As it exists, marriage is not a 'belief' - it's a state endorsed business contract with responsibilities and social engineering incentives. And, since the definition has been in flux ever since it was a contract for purchasing women from their fathers, the idea of it being 'eroded' is myopic.

[daddio]

Originally Posted by jviehe

I think its a misconception that conservatives want to use govt to promote conservative social issues. THere is indeed a segment of the republican party that beleives that. HOwever, conservatives are more likely to accept that people can behave in private however they want, that the govt has no power to tell you how to behave as long as you dont affect others rights, and that we should not be favoring one behavior over another. For example, conservatives disagree with homosexuality, but do not want to outlaw it. Rather they seek to protect the erosion of the rights to practice their own beleifs, such as marriage. Basically, conservatives want govt out of your private lives, and for individual communities to make those decisions.

If thats how you feel, and you want limited govt overall, then i would call you conservative.

amen to all dat. its those commonly viewed as liberals that seek to use the power of state to limit what you do.

[manuelmpf]

Originally Posted by jviehe

Rather they seek to protect the erosion of the rights to practice their own beleifs, such as marriage. Basically, conservatives want govt out of your private lives, and for individual communities to make those decisions...

That's hilarious...so, conservatives want government of out my private life, as long as they (conservatives) get to dictate which practices the government stays out of...classically conservative :-)

[Lady Luna]

Originally Posted by daddio

amen to all dat. its those commonly viewed as liberals that seek to use the power of state to limit what you do.

That's true, but the same can be said of conservatives.

[daddio]

Originally Posted by Lady Luna

That's true, but the same can be said of conservatives.

no, it can't. its widely held but not the case.

[Lady Luna]

Originally Posted by daddio

no, it can't. its widely held but not the case.

Since conservatives want to act as the moral police for everybody else, yes, it is true.

[daddio]

Originally Posted by Lady Luna

Since conservatives want to act as the moral police for everybody else, yes, it is true.

for example ?

[timj219]

I am a social libertarian, a mild fiscal conservative, and a believer in the regulation of markets to favor working americans and safeguards against the ownership of government by international corporations. I picked Liberal in the poll because I guess on balance more of my views match that label than any other.

[TheLastBoyScout]

Originally Posted by jviehe

Just a quick poll to try and determine which way this forum leans. Someone made a comment that this forum is 90% republican, which seems pretty laughable to me. I sure wish it was. I know everyone doesnt like to be put in a box, but you should be able to choose one.

Both terms now carry negative connotations.

Liberal has been a bad word for some time now and Bush has now given Conservatism a bad name.

So what's happened is that the two labels have become recognized as dogmas to which there are issue by issue positions that qualify or disqualify you from being part of the respective club.

What you end up with then is extremism and exclusion. This is the result of very partisan politics. One of the things the 2008 election was about was public rejection of this extremism and the notion of a polar pigeonholing of people's beliefs and values. That's why so many people are voting "other" in this poll.

[Bobby]

Originally Posted by TheLastBoyScout

Bush has now given Conservatism a bad name.

I disagree, President Bush was a awesome conservative.


AH ! on this forum, there are only 6 Conservatives !