Why in general can I have a rational debate with a conservative but with a liberal it usually comes down to?

Question

anger and name calling.

Answer 1

Because it's easier to carry on a conversation with someone that agrees with you on everything. I've had civil conversations with conservatives (I'm a pretty strong liberal), but you kind of have to agree to disagree most of the time.

Answer 2

I think that whichever side isn't in power just feels helpless against the other side (particularly when big things are going on) and does the only thing it can to try and feel better - call the other side silly names to try and hurt their feelings.
Conservatives tend to be people who are happy with things the way they are (i.e. they want to conserve the status quo), while liberals would rather see things change for the better. Liberals in America seem to be frustrated that for the past 6 years things have not changed for the better (Am I wrong in assuming you're American?). Ever since Bush came to power, things have been going down hill from a liberal point of view, and not just because he's a Republican. Here's what I mean - just because conservatives are in power doesn't mean that liberals have to see everything they do as bad (point of fact, I'm Canadian and a supporter of our Liberal party. In our last election the Conservative party won. Although I disagree with a lot of what they've done, some recent Conservative moves have been really great, even from a liberal point of view - I don't think this is happening with Bush).
After 6 years of Bush's botched handling of every kind of internationl issue (like the way his administration turned the world against America after the initial outpouring of support following 9/11), I think many liberal Americans are just frustrated with America's political right-wing. I also think that liberals feel Bush is undermining their civil rights, which is scary. Conservatives were mud-slinging at liberals just as much when Clinton got to run the show for 8 intern-loving years.

Answer 3

I think predominantly liberals have not had to intellectually defend their ideas before, so they have not actually thought out their core belief system. When asked for facts, logic and reasoning, they are unprepared, so quickly go into a defensive mode.

What really baffles me are the liberals who think Bush caused 9/11, or that he stole the elections, or that all conservatives care about is God and money. Those are the one that quickly degenerate into name calling. How many times have we heard Bush and the GOP called liars, Hiter, Nazis and fascists. Did these liberals not learn what Hitler, the Nazis and facism really were?

Certainly this doesn't go for all liberals. My sister is a big liberal, and whenever we get together we usually get into it, and she at least has a core belief system and some facts. We disagree, but I respect her position.

Answer 4

As a Libertarian, I get the same thing.

I find it is because when I disagree with a Conservative, we can locate an underlying premise or principle that leads them to the viewpoint, and I can understand why they believe what they do, even though I disagree.

With Liberals, I find that more often than not they simply have the facts wrong, and are not interested in knowing the truth if it doesn't fit their current belief set.

That's my experience with them.

Answer 5

I find most conservatives get quite violent, and none of them have logical, reasonable or ethical arguments. I have never come across a situation where the liberal gets angry and starts name calling unless she/he is being attacked. All the same, I wouldn't rule out that it happens with some liberals. I guess you've been unlucky. At the end of the day it all comes down to the individual.

Answer 6

Liberals don't generally name call. They just stick their nose in the air, assume you're a moron and walk away.

Conservatives usually ball up their fists when confronted with thoughts outside their narrow window.

Answer 7

I'm middle of the road and I've experienced that with liberals too... they don't think it's possible for anyone to be in-between...

but in debates with conservatives I usually hit a brick wall if they can pull religion into the conversation at all.... then there's no more debate because it's God's will....

Answer 8

Well, just look at what members are in each club. Harry Reid, Nancy Polosi, Hitlary Clinton, John Kerry,.......help me if you can have a rational conversation with any of these, and they represent the party.

Answer 9

actually, I've found the exact opposite to be true for myself, maybe we are just talking to the wrong crowds.. want to have a civil debate?

Answer 10

The liberal does not seem to have any answers so he is stuck with name calling. Remember, Conservatives are Americans first and liberal are liberals first and Americans next.