Is being conservative OR liberal an oxymoron?

Question

The 'conservatives' that I know seem to not worry about: the money they spend, the energy they use, or how their actions affect the world at large (conservatives: liberal spending, liberal consumption, liberal actions).

The 'liberals' I know: recycle, conserve energy, don't eat meat, and are overly obsessed with how their actions affect the world (liberals: conserve resources, conserve life, conservative consumption, concerned about impact).

Why is it that the very description of both of these words negate the word itself? What is the reason these words (conservative, liberal) are used to describe the opposite action?

(ps- the question set forth does not necessarily reflect the views of the author... this is just a question that came up in conversation).

Answer 1

please dont use oxymoron..

it confuses most convervatives..

"the fooler cant be fooled again"

Answer 2

I've been saying for years that the terms are reversed....the guys in the Kremlin are VERY socially conservative, but the US becomes progressive more liberal all the time.....saying what you want, going wherever you want, being an independent citizen designing you own life is a VERY liberal idea....the conservative of todays USA would be seen as dangerous radicals just 100 years ago, maybe less.

Answer 3

before everything, no longer all Republicans are Christians. There are very liberal democrat Christians too. supply up performing like all conservative republicans are christians and all christians are republican. 2nd of all, even although Jesus might stay out of politics, he may be neither a democrat or republican. He may be an self reliant. He may be saddened that female abort unborn toddlers, so he may be professional-existence, yet might additionally no longer basically like the loss of existence penalty. He believes in retaining the ecosystem like liberals, yet thinks marriage could desire to be between a guy and a female like conservatives. And if each and every individual says Jesus does no longer help wars like the Republicans do, you're suitable, he does no longer, yet lots of the U. S. involvements in wars have been started by employing DEMOCRATS.

Answer 4

Not for this conservative.

I believe in a small limited government that only passes laws to prevent people from hurting each other not to protect them from themselves.

I save my money, conserve energy, recycle etc.

I also help with wildlife conservation by blowing holes in deer every November and I use every part of the deer.

Food from the meat.
Clothes from the hide.
Knife handles from the bone.

That is conservative and conservation.

Answer 5

In English, the same word can have several different meanings. Liberal can refer to a political philosophy, or a prophligate or generous attitude towards some resource. Conservative can refer to a political philosophy or a cautious aproach to a problem. That's all.

Answer 6

Mostly the problem with the definition of conservative is that the people thought of as "conservative" actually aren't...I don't think of George Bush as much more than a slightly (VERY slightly) right-of-center moderate. Goldwater was a real conservative.

Answer 7

First, the people you know are not a good cross section.

Second, the words describe government not consumption, recycling, etc.

Liberals are for more government while conservatives are for less.

Answer 8

Good observation.

Although, most of the liberals I know eat meat and I know a few conservatives who don't. What one eats has nothing to do with their political ideology.

Answer 9

its all about balance ... we all need to appreciate both sides when we express our feelings

"Liberals are for more government while conservatives are for less."

... wrong ... Bush has the largest government in history AND the largest national debt ... and he says hes a conservative, please explain

ok I will ... the GOP has been hijacked ... but its not like the dems are any better

Answer 10

I wouldn't say they conserve life considering their stand on abortion but everything else was true.

Answer 11

Ha, thats pretty funny. Its a little weird how that has worked out... You would think it would be the other way around.