Why place liberal and conservative labels???

Question

I think its pointless and it just divides US further. Is there such thing as being both? Why not just label it American

Glenn B- Come on...Americans can OBVIOUSLY have differing opinions, by labeling it liberal or conservative is taking the easy way out and not explaining your opinion. By not labeling it doesnt mean its just one thought or opinion.

Adam B- Exactly most of these people that say they are conservatives or liberals and try to label issues with it dont even know what it means.

ROK- Nice tirade, let me sum it up for you. WORDS dont make a country one and everyone in Germany was behind hitler and he controlled there military. By eliminating liberal and conservative labels will not lead to one idea my friend. We still will have democrats and repub;s and even if those were gone that doesnt mean that you can have your own opinion. You dont have to have a "label" to have an opinion, just simply explain yourself and your opinion, just dont say liberal or conser. =)

Glenn B- thats your opinion, and its wrong these labels do define characteristics, but I have yet to meet a REAL conservative or a pure liberal. So whos to say what characteristics they embody because everyone has differing views of what those words mean. So by your train of logic these words are ineffective. Good point. I agree the words are ineffective You dont need a label to define your characteristic=)

Glen B- you contradict yourself on so many levels and that is not intelligent, make up your mind.

Answer 1

It's easier to call someone a name than it is to engage their ideas and figure out for yourself whether those ideas make sense or not.

Eelfins: no, and wrong. A moderate is a moderate. Both liberals and conservatives can be extreme in their views. You characterize your own views as moderate - this is a common fallacy. You are not the benchmark for the whole world.

Chinagirl: likewise, your attempt to conflate "traditional" and "religious" is wrong, and has no basis in reality. And progressives don't want to abolish religion, but we DO want to keep it out of government, where it doesn't belong. If you prefer to have your religion and your government mixed, I suggest you move to a country with a state religion. I hear Iran is nice this time of year.

Answer 2

If someone wants to label themselves as liberal or conservative they can. It is only wrong when another person labels someone else and tell them what they think. There are such things as conservatives and liberals. America is separated...taking the words liberal and conservative off of people will not change they way that they feel about certain issues. Unfortunately this country is pretty much split down the middle right now.

Answer 3

So we all think alike and the world is stagnate.

Differing opinions keep us going.

Edit; Because these words define characteristics of each party. Ever heard of American first, (political party) second?

Edit; You asked an open-ended question and I gave you an answer. Yeah, it's my opinion...whats your point? In all likelihood you WILL NEVER meet a pure liberal or conservative. Again, what's your point? You asked a subjective question...and in such you'll get a subjective answer. You've proved nothing to me...I could care less if you think it's wrong or not, but it is the way it is. Go ahead and set some precedent and changed the status quo...as far as impressing me...you've hardly shown any intelligence.

Answer 4

Here's Webster's definitions:
CONSERVATISM: A political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions and preferring gradual development to abrupt change.
LIBERALISM: A political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of man, and the autonomy of the individual, standing for the protection of political and civil liberties.
It sounds to me like there's a bit of conservatism and liberalism in ALL of us!
And you're absolutely correct: these stupid 'labels' only serve to divide the country instead of bringing more unity.
In the late 1930's, a German madman spewed hatred, bias and bigotry throughout the land; his propaganda convinced millions of Germans that it was 'acceptable' to gas 6 million Jews so that he could create the perfect white race and a society that would last 1,000 years. Fortunately for the world, it only lasted about ten years before he took the coward's way out and killed himself instead of facing justice for his high crimes against humanity.
Today, we have propagandists whose mission seems to be one of trying to convince others that it's 'acceptable' to insult, injure or - perhaps, someday, even kill - anyone who disagrees with the 'right' political agenda. Such bias, hatred and bigotry is a shameful blight on this nation. We are supposed to be a melting pot of people from all creeds, races, genders, sexual persuasions and political views. If we cannot agree to disagree in a peaceful and harmonious way, we will all end up destroying this great nation and its heritage.
And I'm proud to be an American....where at least I know I'm free.
If we EVER end up with ONE political party and ONE political dogma in this country, we will all suffer because we will all lose our precious freedoms. We do NOT want to become citizens of a totalitarian government where tyranny and oppression rules. For those of you who profess to be a 'conservative' or a 'liberal' (and, frankly, most of you don't have a clue what those terms really mean, other than what you hear from your favorite talk-show host), PRAY TO GOD that the day never comes when this country will be subjected to only ONE such political doctrine. You will live to regret the fact that you labeled yourself as one or the other. -RKO- 08/19/07

Answer 5

Is debate lifeless in the US? between the inhabitants sure. by ability of the knowledgeable, no. could the upward thrust of incredibly civilized debates considerably harm politicians and there agendas? sure, as politics is now, applicants are greater approximately exposure Is scuffling with in the "dems vs. reps" mudhole akin arguing over which place we could make the main of together as being taken great element approximately by ability of the government? No, some themes income some persons greater. are you able to label your self as dem or rep and likewise have faith you're a real "autonomous philosopher"? sure, i'm a Republican in nature, yet strongly disagree with Limbaugh and O'Reilly or perhaps McCain. yet i'm Republican bearing directly to the financial gadget and taxes. Do you settle with each element your "occasion" ascribes to? incredibly not. i'm Republican, have faith in conservation of the ambience, against capital punishment, and sell the separation of the state from faith

Answer 6

Some of the comments on here make you wonder if paranoid schizophrenia is rampant in our society. It is definitely divisive. I can't believe people are active in society and still make some of the claims they do about half of the country in one statement just because they may be liberal or conservative. Its really unbelievable.

Answer 7

Divide et impera.

The kings love separating the commoners by sticking some labels on them.

Answer 8

I agree and to add to that
Its just an easy way for people to avoid doing their research
and thinking for themselves.
It would be interesting to see what would happen with a little common sense and an omission of marching orders.

Answer 9

Conservative and Liberal are not very good, after all, you get lib Republicans (like Bush) and conservative Demos like Joe Liberman.
I greatly prefer traditionalist vs secular progressive.
Traditionalists believe that America and its moral, social, and religious beliefs are the way to go.
Secular progressives want to do away with religion (especially Christianity) traditional morality (straight, hard working, support the troops) and they blame America for most of the worlds evils.
Get the idea?

Answer 10

I don't mind being called a conservative. In strict terms, coservative means moderate, and liberal means extreme. So it's a compliment, if taken literally. Liberals do seem a tad extreme (unyielding?) in their opinions, albiet from my point of view.

huh...OK if I want a liberal amount of tuna in my ice cream, isn't that extreme as opposed to a conservative amount? Must we start redefining words?

Besides isn't diversity a liberal value? So why do they consider division bad?