what makes a conservative a conservative and what makes a liberal a liberal?

Question

and why do they dislike each other so much. it keeps us in this mode of them vs. us. i dont want to hate a conservative or a liberal. i want to be able to talk about the differences and meet in the middle where ever that is now.

none of this answers my question. you got one guy talking **** about liberals and another about conservatives. its people like you that i cant stand.

Answer 1

Wow, a really good question. A conservative is generally someone that wants less government in most aspects in our lives. In most cases, they want to protect the status quo, typically because it's in their favor. They tend to promote Christianity and denounce taxes of the most part. A liberal is generally someone that wants to make changes (progress) where there are issues (i.e. Civil Rights). Liberals tend to want to ultilize taxes for the benefit of the entire country and although they don't actively promote religion, they are in fact Christians. The latter is the part that Conservatives tend to ignore, in an effort to convince the public that liberal=evil. It really all comes down to God, guns and taxes.

They dislike each other so because they feel that the other is going to be the downfall of the country. Each feels that the radicals on each wing are highjacking the respective parties. It's crazy.

They don't seemed interested in really addressing the problems of the people. An example is Terri Schaivo. How absurd is it to convene for one person when there are millions homeless, hungry and uninsured (in the US no less)? Liberal and conservatives alike dropped the ball on this.

I frequently want to understand how in this day of political correctness, that each party can be so uncivilized to each other. They actually delay on issues of importance to the people that vote(education costs, health care, security, environment, rising costs of living, etc.), but move fairly quickly for the businesses (minimum wage, tax breaks, assisting in moving jobs overseas, etc.) that contribute to their campaigns

Answer 2

Liberalism is based upon logic and the basic evaluation of all information and data.
There is a difference between a political liberal and just a liberal.
A political liberal does not necessarily follow Liberalism.

I won't say anything about conservatives because I'm not one. A conservative can better describe a conservative, not by a liberal. The other way works around as well.

Answer 3

Conservatives have better behaved children but Liberals children are better behaved as adults. A large majority of college students are Liberal and were raised by Liberal parents. Teaching children to be quiet and not to disturb people make them more pleasant to live with but does not necessary produce good results if you are trying to raise an successful adult.

Answer 4

AMEN------- Marcus J

I was going to answer this question with the same thoughts you so eloquently crafted. I find I depressing that people do not find the time to reflect up this issue. The bickering without listening is counter-productive and EGOTISTIC.

The ability to understand other's points of view is a truely HUMAN characteristic we need to cultivate.

I like your defintion of Con vs Lib. One has his marbles and wants to protect them and the other has marbles but sees a better way to distribute them.

I try to walk the walk by listening to both points of view through multiple media outlets that have political leaning agreeing and disagreeing with my leanings. I really helps me mold and test my politics. Those people who shut out the other half have missed the true enjoyment of life. I feel again depressed that so many people are losing a chance to live a full enriched life. Bitterness is such an ugly state of mind

Answer 5

A conservative is a person who conserves money but spends it stupidly. A liberal is someone who gets as much money as possible but lacks the brains to spend it wisely.

Both liberals and conservatives are very hard headed and ignorant (at least the ones in power)...they would rather finger point than fix problems.

Answer 6

Conservatives tend to believe that government involvement in business and personal lives is bad. Liberal tend to believe that government involvement is necessary. For example, welfare for disadvantaged people is generally a liberal idea...the government should help those less fortunate. Conservatives tend to believe that the market place will take care of its own, and government should stay out.

Answer 7

I think the main difference between the two is that cons wear religion on their sleeve and liberals do not. Cons are dogmatic thinkers, liberals are free thinkers. Cons believe that their way of life is the only life to live so we should preach (or force) it into other countries, liberals believe that everyone should live their own life as they see fit and tolerate cultural differences more effectively.

The problem is that 'conservative' and 'republican' in the same sentence these days is an oxymoron. They are supposed to be conservative in fiscal spending, foreign affairs, and expanding government. But they have done nothing but the opposite in the last 8 years.

Answer 8

As near as I can tell, there are a dozen or so people in this forum who make that decision for everyone who opens their mouths and expresses their opinion.
Just hang out here for a while and soon enough one of them will let you know if you are a conservative or a liberal.

Answer 9

it doesn't matter, as long as there is a black and white issue people will gravitate to one side or the other, weather its rep or dems, life or choice, or even yankees or red socks,

i find it really hard to believe that all the people in these two political parties oppose each other on every single issue, i would even believe that there are issues that arise were one side takes opposition for the sole purpose of trying to weaken the position of the other who might really believe in that issue,

but what makes the difference is bigger government vs smaller government

Answer 10

conservative is moved by the brain.

liberal is moved by the heart.

The two are regularly at conflict...think of Freud's Id versus Super-ego.