Why do people think you can only be Liberal or Conservative?

Question

My belief is that most Americans hold both Liberal and Conservative viewpoints depending upon the topic. Yet there is much rhetoric about crazy liberals think this or heartless conservatives think that.

For example most people agree that we should receive equal pay for equal work whether we are men or women (a Liberal belief). I also think that most of us are leary of giant government bueauracracies (a Conservative ideal). What do you think? Are we all just black and white or is really like many shades of grey?

Answer 1

i think it's because independent thought is foreign to our culture-our whole society is based on 'win/lose', 'us/them', 'right/wrong', that anyone who dares to think for themself or step out of lockstep is automatically suspect...i think that old saying 'there are two sides to every story' is one of the more ignorant phrases in the english language...there are as many sides to a story as there are characters IN the story, and viewers/readers/listeners OUTSIDE the story...

Answer 2

The people of which you speak do not vote. The conservatives have been investigating and judging and calling the liberals names for over a decade. They ran Clinton through the ringer for having sex with adult women.
Now that the Republicans have committed real crimes that have a real effect on the American people. For years we have had no investigations. We have had no justice. We have had our civil rights abused and ignored. We have been called unpatriotic for being American and asking questions. All the while the Republican Bush Administration is having weekly conference calls with powerful meth using ministers. All the sick dishonest criminal activity. The Republicans crimes are not just one here one there. It is systemic and a culture.
It is every Americans duty to destroy these leaders and rid them from power.

Answer 3

Personally, it is the government...most especially...the power elite, or the globalists, or the new world order, or the world banking system, or what ever you want to call them...because they are all the same group of people...that I and most progressives are against. These people must be stopped, because if the rest of us allow them to continue with their agenda, the rest of us are destined to live in a world that will make the current conditions seem like Disneyland.

Answer 4

Just because it is like that, does not mean we have to follow.. I fit into more than one or 2 categories..Consider myself liberal in some areas and conservative in others.. We do not have to conform to 1 party either.

NOTHING is ever just black and white unless you make it that way..

Answer 5

You are a level minded, thoughtful person and I think most of us think as you do. It is only the radicals who have to define others in order to try to support their own silly beliefs.

Answer 6

Some people have never learn the concept of the middle ground

Answer 7

good question..short answer.media and sound bite attention spans. american sport-like propensity towards aggression and demonizing our adversary. I think the words are quite misleading and meaningless if you consider the political spectrum and these terms in different countries or i nthe us in different eras.

Answer 8

Because I am right..I got the FLAG

and it ya do not like it get outa this country ya COMMIE!

Oh by the way..what is a commie anyway?

Answer 9

Nope, I am a devout middle of the road kind of person...I actually hate all politicians.

Answer 10

it is easier to label people than to have an intelligent conversation with them. don't worry,i haven't seen anyone that labels other even be able to keep their stereotypes straight.