Why is there a double standard in this country (USA) ?

Question

When it comes to free speech, why is it that liberals are protected by free speech, but conservatives are always persucuted and condemned?It's not fair. Liberals are filled with hate most of the time, not all , but most.

I feel as a conservative that my views are becoming incresingly codemned. That is my feelings and I am feeling it for a reason. I can't talk about christianity or jesus without being labeled a zealout, which I am not. Alot of things that are immoral according to my religion is totally acceptable in society these days, but I can't express my views because I would be deemed hateful, which is the total opposite of me. I just don't understand why christianity isn't given the same respect as other religions. Nobody would dare disrespect a muslim or jew or hindu, but christians are open game. As far as the news outlets are concerned, they are so far to the left it's crazy, but I still watch because I like to stay informed, but you don't hear me bashing them like fox news gets.I'm so sick of so many people, who live here. There's no way I would ever leave this country though, it's the best in the world.

Answer 1

I'm a conservative, but it seems to me that the freedom of speech is a double edged sword. For both parties. The Dixie Chicks told George W. Bush to basically f*** off, and their sales plummetted. That was America "speaking" their mind. Also, Rosie O' Donnell is being fired (or may be leaving of her own voalition, not really sure) from "The View" for speaking her mind one too many times. I'm sure you know of some conservative censorship otherwise you wouldn't have posted this question.

Answer 2

There is always going to be reaction to free speech, yours, mine, and anyone else's. We all have the right to express ourselves, but we must understand that their may be consequences(not from the government) for those expressions. We all sometimes react more emotionally than with reason when someone expresses something that goes against what we believe. I've caught myself a number of times, and I'm sure there have been other times I didn't catch myself. Sometimes we feel like we are personally being attacked, sometimes we are defending someone else. The bottom line is the emotion distorts our view, makes us feel like we are being persecuted and condemned while the people expressing the opposite view feel the same persecution and condemnation. I think what we have to realize is that we are all trying to achieve the same goal ultimately. We want to preserve our freedom and live "happily ever after" and we want to make sure that others get the same opportunity. We just have different ideas of how to accomplish this. We have to stop bickering about who's to blame and start some meaningful debate about how to make things happen. That's what's so great about having both liberal and conservative viewpoints. That's why we have a two(multiple) party system.

Answer 3

I believe there is persecution and condemnation from both extreme points of views. Just as Conservatives such as yourself feel that you are not allowed to express your views, I am sure there are liberals who are equally condemned. Rosie O’Donnell, Al Sharpton, and John Kerry to name a few.

As for my experience with people who talk about Christianity or Jesus there is a difference in the manner of public discussion these days. My next door neighbor is a pastor and speaks warmly about his life, his family, his church and how that is part of what makes him a person. He has never judged me or anyone else for decisions that I might make or views that I have, but is always willing to listen and offer advice, IF I ASK HIM FOR IT.

Then there are the moralizing preachers and interest groups and politicians that have used Christianity and religion as a club to force their beliefs and views on others. The Kansas Board of Education see-sawing back and forth on creationism and evolution. Providing funding for Abstinence only education. Hiring people for the state department to re-build Iraq because they are anti-abortion or hiring people at the justice department because they attended a Law School founded by Pat Robertson. Opposing abortion in all ways while simultaneously opposing funding or support for the child once they are born.

Yes, there are ridiculous things in are society that I agree with you are an attack against Christianity just because, such as the whole Happy Holidays vs Merry Christmas or no God in the Pledge of Allegiance, but forcing people to say Merry Christmas and thinking that will make the world a better place is naïve. I choose to show my Christianity through the life I lead, the choices I make, and every interaction I have with other people. I do not force my values on others through proselytizing or legislation. That is what I believe all Christians should do.

Answer 4

I think you would receive better answers asking this question from a neutral standpoint.

That being said, your wrong. Yes there are double standards and yes freedom of speech is often one of them. But not in the context that you are placing it.

Conservative views are unpopular right now, in the view of the mid ground public (those that sway from left to right depending on the issue) And that is because, mainly the war in Iraq.
Is it always like this? Hell no, 5 years ago if you were a liberal saying you don't want America to go to war, you were the one who was greeted with hostility, and being unpatriotic, and asked the questions "why do you live in this country?"
Who was right, it doesn't matter, the point is public opinion sways with the wind, and right now, the majority is anti-conservative.

Will it sway the other way? yes, I don't know when, but eventually this "double standard" balances out in the end.

Answer 5

???

The TV and radio broadcast conservatives all day and night; liberals are rarely heard from.

Everything the administration says is broadcast and printed, and discussed, and analyzed, mostly from a conservative perspective.

Liberals are filled with hate most of the time?

You know most of the liberals in America? That's over 100 million people.

You don't ever hear any of the hate spewed by conservatives?

Most of the hate has been coming from the right for several decades now.

If you can't hear it, you haven't been listening.

It's simply not true that conservatives are always persecuted and condemned.

Whoever told you that has been lying to you.

Answer 6

There are all kinds. They really slammed the door when I tried to start the united hillbillies college fund. Now me and my poor white relatives will never be able to afford an education. There is a lot of bitterness coming from the left. All directions really and all directed at the same 1 group of hard working, law abiding, respectful Americans.

I think the reason is partly guilt, partly because they realize we are like a parental figure to them and we won't respond too harshly to their abuse. Partly because they don't have the foresight to see that the freedoms they take from us now will be taken from them eventually by their own hand.

Answer 7

One could and some do
say the same about cons

so quit whining and say something you think is constructive

and By the Way
After America has thought it over
They realized the Dixie Chicks were right Bush was wrong
sales of Dixie chicks records are at an all time high

Answer 8

Libs have double standerd?

Well...no you are wrong, incorrect, false, in error.

If you want to talk double standerds then lets talk about the last President getting impeached for a bj while the current President has violated his oath of office, presented false information to Congress, etc and no impeachment in sight.

Let's talk our Vice-President shooting a man in the face, having booze in his system at time, not reporting it till the next day, and no charges or punishments of any kind..in fact making the guy shot in the face apologize.

Answer 9

Do you understand Free Speech? Free Speech means only that you will not be jailed for your speech, or that certain speech is not banned.

I'm so tired of hearing about Free Speech being used in incorrect contexts. Imus is NOT a free speech issue. Rap lyrics is NOT a free speech issue.

It's only a Free Speech issue when the government steps in. Have they? No? Then quit complaining.

Answer 10

I agree 100%. This is what conservatives get for not being confrontational long ago and trying to keep the peace. Now things have gotten so far out of hand its going to be nearly impossible to correct the problem. Why do you think the liberals have been so hostile in the last several years? They are finally being questioned and confronted about their lies and desctructive ways and they have no argument to justify their actions so they get angry, name call, character assasinate, and generally be everything they claim to hate.