Which side are you on?

Question

Nobody's totally Liberal. Nobody's totally Conservative. What makes you decide to step on either side of the line, and why is it so hard for anyone to make the trek across? Why are values used as a sole purpose for the left vs right fight? I have mostly Liberal values. Mostly, not all. Just because an animal has wings and a beak, doesn't make it a falcon.

Apparently, Answergirl and ssB didn't get the message. No posers allowed of any kind, no propaganda allowed of any kind.

Answer 1

Although Americans think of Liberal and Conservative as absolute polar absolutes, in the US the difference between the two ends are pretty narrow.

And as we have seen from the likes of Hitler and Stalin the two extreme ends of leftism and rightism actually overlap. Making the political scale more like a circle that overlaps at the extremes than a straight line with polar opposites.

Politically I tend to be more conservative, socially more liberal. Most people are not either one extreme or the other, and the narrow span that encompasses our political spectrum means most people fall in the middle. One problem is the ugly, negative form of politics being practiced means all but the most ardent followers of the political parties get out and vote in force, so the pendulum swings from the ultra left to the ultra right and by failing the vote in numbers, the moderate majority is ignored.

Answer 2

I believe that people for the most part have a right and responsibility to be in charge of their own lives...their own destiny. By the same token, I do not believe that others have the right to negatively impact my life so they can enjoy themselves. This country is too full of people who want to stick it to the man and take what they can get because our government allows them to get without strings. I am all for helping people to improve their lives...giving a boost up to those trying to help themselves. And if need be having mechanisms to protect and preserve the widows and aged, the victims of catastrophic illnesses, the children.

A proper government would hold us personally accountable for our decisions, yet would have minimum safety nets while allowing charities the ability to make up the difference. While it would seem easier to let the government control more of our lives, this is detrimental to our development as a people and as individuals. We would become like the 30-year old still living at home and not the masters of our own destiny

This is why I find myself aligning mostly with the conservatives.

Answer 3

I too am mostly liberal. But I prefer the "New Democrats" to the far left-wing of the party. I think Republicans have had some decent ideas. I just don't think they follow through well. Plus, they've allowed their party to be hijacked by Christian dominionists who want to tear the Constitution apart to serve their religious needs. So, until there's some pretty major changes, I'll generally always be a Democrat (unless, somehow, the Libertarian party actually becomes legitimately strong enough to matter).

Answer 4

My value system is based on what works best for the people I care about, and what I'd like someone to do for me.

I care about the USA and its citizens because it is the country established by one of my heroes, Ben Franklin. I also care about my family, and I care about myself. I judge what I think is right based on these ideals and because I'm only one person with limited capabilities, I let the rest be damned.

And yes, most of my values would be considered liberal.

Answer 5

I'd consider myself very liberal, but not far left. Like Jesi, I am politically conservative (less gov't in business, free gun policies, etc). On the other hand, I am socially liberal (same-sex marriage, pro-life). But too much of anything is bad, expecially when it's bad as is.

Answer 6

I'm a conservative who can't stand the fascist neocons. The love of liberty should be first in our hearts, for the business of government is not business as Coolidge said, the business of government is people.

The terms "Conservative" and "Liberal" have been meaningless for a long time, since what we have now is fascists and advocates of democracy.

Answer 7

Here's a pleasant some of the tax plans by way of the Washington Post. As can also be noticeable, Obama offers tax cuts to ninety five% of taxpayers, and offers eighty% of tax payers better cuts then McCain, who offers the giant cuts to the highest wealthiest one million%.

Answer 8

I'm a liberal but I agree with some conservative points of view.

Answer 9

I'm a moderate and it depends on what the issue is as to which side of the fence I am standing.

Answer 10

libertarian...limited government involvement in people's lives and businesses, and low taxation. Simple. Personal accountability.