Questions for Liberals?

Question

I am a die-hard conservative, and I am baffled by the upside-down thought process that liberals go through when making decisions. In an attempt to understand liberals better, I ask for clarification. Explain your position on the war in Iraq, illegal immigration, gun control, and higher taxes. Give logical reasons for your positions.

Answer 1

I am not a liberal, but also not a "die-hard conservative". Truth can be found in moderation not extremes. Regardless, I will attempt to answer the questions that would surely label me as a "liberal" by conservatives.

Before I do, do you think it is wise to associate yourself with any one political movement? Wouldn't it be more logical to formulate a unique platform as opposed to adhereing to the ideology of a sole political body? When I hear someone designate themselves as a "die-hard" conservative or liberal, all I think is narrowmindedness.

The three that you are most likely to cause you to be ill:

1. Illegal immigration

Most conservatives look at immigration through a egocentric perspective. For example, My ancestors founded this country; therefore, all other races and ethnicities are not native to the United States. There logic is completly flawed. 2/3 of America can trace their geneology to Ellis Island. For example, my ancestors came to the United States, via Ireland, in the late 1800s. When they arrived at Ellis Island they were met by people who share conservatives' beliefs today. These people were called nativists. Basically, nativists belief that they are native to the United States and immigration threatens their soveriegnty and well being. They would argue that immigration should be stopped.

The reality: Columbus didn't discover America, paleo-indians did. After Europeans effectively destroyed 90% of the actual native people, using murder and desiese, they preceded to oppress those considered "inferior". Most "whites" do not realize that this country was built by immigrants, many of whom were "nonwhite" and can trace their ancestory back much further than you or me. How can you support an immigration policy that rewards those with wealth and ignores the "poor, huddled masses" that made this country unique? They are simply seeking better way of life, much like your ancestors did.

2. Higher Taxes
I support higher taxes for the wealthy, not the poor/middle class. Your arguement most likely would be that the rich pay the majority of taxes and further taxation would stiffle economic growth, which is illogical. The reality is the rich pay a smaller porportion of their wealth in taxes than you or I do (I'm assuming your not megarich or you would already know this). Do not be foolish enough to believe the wealthiest Americas all accumulated thier wealth using ethic and legal means. Not true. They reality is that the unfair tax burden placed on the middle class only helps to grow the gap between the rich and poor.

3. Iraq

It would take weeks to explain the mistakes in Iraq. History provides plenty of examples of what not to do, but we did them. Some of the consequences are:

1. loss of respect around the world.
2. reestablishment of "Cold War" like tensions
3. Failure to focus on the causes of terrorism
4. Increase resentment around the world, aiding the recruitment of future terroists.
5. Waist of financial resources that could have better been spent elsewhere
6. loss of domestic civil liberities and future threat of loss of liberty
7. Polarization of America
8. And many many more.

Wow! What a feable attempt to explain complex issues in a few words. I hope you get the point. If it makes you feel better, no government official will never take my guns from me while I'm still breathing.

I'm in a hurry, gotta go, sorry so sloppy

Answer 2

War on Iraq
It was no war, it was Family Business, an occupation
and the Bagdad Sausage was swallowed swiftly thus.
There was counter measure intended after the 9/11 plot.
Of course absolutely natural. An international police action
was appropriate, but not streetgang allures like 'with us or
against us' when breaking all laws and courtesies, almost an
insult for every sincere ally. Spineless Tony had no problem.
Afghanistan was a halfhearted repair, demanding weapons
back that were sold to terrorists, ooops freedom fighters, by
Rumsfeld. Canada and Germany maintained the work then.
Sadam been bombed continuously in a decade, embargo
enacted, Blix destroying illegal korean rockets. So what?
5 billions per month for a fleet backing the UN inspecteurs
and let that silly Chief suffer infarct while fighting Al Qaeda,
after all. He was murderous to his people, but calculable
easier than what happened indeed. Main goal, secure the oil
but who secured the treasure and local executives? No one.
Loot and riot, and I bet it was the insurgents who used that
time to steal and dig out hidden ammo. Holy incompetence!!

Illegal Immigration
Error -No such file or directory
If it is immigration then it cannot be illegal, and vice-versa.

Guns
Oh well, cavemen lol - ok keep them. I'm a marksman myself.
In a country with so many hunters it should be just natural to
own some. But factories should get their butts moving finally
to implement better idenfication. WHOSE models come into
criminal circles significantly easier? Get them by their (bleep).
But no excuse for military firepower like a tank buried in yard.

Taxes
Taxes are community, caring for each other and
being granted not to starve from the urbanization.
Highway - high tax, but also traffic grid to make money.
Health Care - yes, but why from taxes only? Who says so?
It's insurance with a social component. We have working
examples around and the advantage of access to listed
failures in history. I expect a USA concept to be better.
Patriot - ever heard? Let's show how a great country does..

Answer 3

First of all, most conservatives have little understanding of what liberals really believe in, because they listen to people like O'Reilly and Hannity and Coulter and Limbaugh. I am against the war in Iraq, because Iraq was started over a bunch of lies, and Iraq had nothing to do with 911. There is a hidden agenda behind everything the government does, and Iraq is no exception. I am against the way that many people blame the illegals themselves, when the truth is that they are invited here by large business interests, for the purpose of exploiting them for the cheap labor. Large business interests will exploit cheap labor to the exact extent that they are allowed to get away with it. This current administration has passed many laws that help the rich, and this is one of the things he has done to that end. The laws are meant to reward the corportations for exploiting this and other sources of cheap labor. The solution to the immigration problem is to reverse that tactic, and pass laws that reward the corporations for actually doing the right thing, instead of rewarding them for doing the greedy selfish thing. Another part of the solution is to repair conditions in their own country so that it is possible for them to make a decent living without leaving the country. There is always more to all these issues (beneath the surface), than meets the eye. Gun control is a very complicated issue. On the one hand, there has to be some regulation and responsibility that comes with owning a gun because there are serious safety issues that have to be considered. On the other hand, the reason for the right to bear arms, is primarily so that we can protect ourselves from a tyrannical government. It is difficult to find the right balance when it comes to this issue, because both sides have valid points, and both need to be considered. As far as taxes are concerned....when it comes to income taxes, I have seen Aaron Russo's movie, America Freedom to Fascism and I sincerely believe that the income tax must be totally abolished immediately, and so should the IRS and the Federal Reserve. If you find a liberal progressive who doesn't agree with me, at least on the tax issue, you can (in most cases) be sure that the person just hasn't been exposed to the same information, because most Liberals once they see that film, will be totally against income tax, altogether. That should tell you that we liberals are not in favor of higher taxes, like so many conservatives accuse us of being. You must also bear in mind that most high level government officials who claim to be liberal are not true liberals...so you cannot use them as an example of what true liberals believe. Most high level government officials, are actually beholden and totally loyal to the large business interests and so on, that finance their campaigns, etc. *sm*

Answer 4

I would say, that the main difference is that we care about people.

War in Iraq, mismanaged, misinformed, waste of money. There are other countries that were much bigger threats at the time Bush invaded. Right now, we need to get out. Make Iraqi govt take control. They have over 300,000 trained police, enough to patrol their own country. Do we still need to keep some troops there, yes, but a continued occupation is disaster. 2007 is the deadliest year for troops. In the meantime, Iran is getting closer to nukes, Pakistan is in shambles, Russia is doing who knows what (making alliances with Iran and others) and we havent even captured Bin Laden.

Illegal immigration, this country was founded on freedom, people come here for a better chance. I do not believe they should get automatic amnesty, but rounding up and deporting all 12 million of them is unrealistic. I think there should be a system in which they can gain citizenship over a period of time, by meeting certain requirements, (job, etc) perhaps speak English.

Gun control. The constitution was written when? When everyone was afraid that England would invade, so they made a provision for arms. With increasing violence worldwide, video games, etc, guns should be regulated and kept very close track of. I know its not possible to get every gun off the street, but steps need to be taken to reduce gun violence across America. guns are the 8th leading killer in america, behind all the big diseases. not everyone should have a gun.

Higher taxes. this is a big stereotype. It isnt the initiative of every democrat to raise taxes no matter what. It is when they are put into situations where money was waster (Iraq) that they have to come up with money from somewhere.

Answer 5

the Iraq war was sold to the American people with lies, Iraq had nothing to do with 911 and did not threaten the US

I am against illegal immigration, I think they should all be sent home, Bush refuses to do ANYTHING about it because it will hurt business

gun control would mean fewer guns in circulation for criminals to use....I have no issue with appropriate guns for sportsmen and hunters....but I do have an issue with assault or automatic weapons....if you've ever lived in a city like Baltimore, Philadelphia or Detroit or DC you'd understand the need for gun control...they're armed camps!

who wants higher taxes? I'm in favor of lower taxes on lower and middle class people, higher taxes on wealthy people. The wealth that most wealthy people have (people making $250,000 and up) is in their pockets, but was not created by them.....there are lots of "workers" who actually created that wealth....the wealthy are compensated far beyond what they deserve. Those Bush tax cuts? .....more than 70% went to the wealthiest 1% . On the other hand, I'd be fine with a little more tax if they went to things we all benefit from.....public transportation, healthcare, better schools, etc. also I think the main diff between lib and con is their news source...there was a study recently that gave libs and cons the same news info and they were a lot closer than they thought they'd be, but if I read The Nation and you listen to FOX were gonna have diff opinions...and if we switch for a while, we would, according to the study, tend to switch positions.

Answer 6

Short and sweet...

Iraq--The terrorists must be wiped off the face of the earth, no "therapy" as Rush tells you that liberals want, and no mercy for these killers. That's why Afghanistan was a necessary war, but Iraq which the 9/11 commission concluded had no operational ties to al-Qaeda is not. This has only served to create more terrorists because all they see is an invasion of a Muslim country without cause.

Immigration--We probably agree on this, what has you beloved Bush done to secure our borders?

Gun control--Again we agree, myself as well as more liberals than you can imagine are gun owners.

Taxes--Not higher taxes, just fair taxes. In other words, the richest 1% of Americans should not be getting massive tax breaks while we are trying to fund several wars (justified or not)

Answer 7

Iraq = its a quagmire. even dick cheney sad, so. plus, the 1400 year old sectarian conflict in Iraq, did not help the situation.

Illegal immigration- Illegal immigrants do all the jobs that regular americans dont want to do. How many of you out there really want a job the involves being in 100 degree heat, for 12hrs a day, for $3/hr? I dont.

Guns - guns should only be given to people w/o a criminal record, cops, and soldiers. Why? Soldiers and cops are obvipus, but people because the bill o rights does say we have the right to bear arms. so, we have that right to defend ourselves.

Answer 8

Iraq: We should not have gone in, as there was insuficient reason to do so.

Gun Control: it is less the proper registration of guns, but there is no genuine reason to own an AK-47 or an Uzi. These are designed to kill only. There is no need to use a Mac-10 to hunt pheasant

Higher taxes. OK, that has me buffaloed. Why raise taxes for programs when the program that are in place aren't working right? Make the money do more.

Now, in this age of enlightenement, as a conservative, please answer this: why is it that when a liberal expresses a view about war, a conservative brands them as a traitor?

If there is a true need to go to war, you will get support, but make the true need there. (Iraq II didn't have it)

Answer 9

1) War in Iraq
a) Misconceive from the beginning. War is about oil not 'spreading democracy' or 'regime change' or any of that nonsense. Bush's 'national interest' is commandeering other country’s national resources by force or threat of force.
b) America and the world were sold a bill of goods by Bush et al in the buildup - falsified WMS's
c) Bush/Cheney failed to follow military advice on troops necessary to maintain order in a post-invasion Iraq.
d) Continued US/western presents in Iraq will not contain Muslim extremism or curtail terrorist threats against the US or other western nations, In fact quite the opposite is happening. More Muslims are against us now than before the war. Continuation on our current course of action guarantees more of the same - more sniping deaths of US service people, more civil war, more bombings. If we left, the locals would eventually sort themselves out
e) Our intervention in Iraq has actually strengthened Iran and broadened Iran's influence. Probably NOT what Bush/Cheney had in mind...
2) Illegal Immigration
a) Can't kick them all out. It's like the 'war on drugs' (another failed policy). I say issue them ID's at the boarder, photo and finger print them and collect payroll taxes from them.
3) Gun control.
a) There already is gun control. Hunters should be able to hunt but they don't need concealable or multi-shot pistols to do it. The answer to this problem is ammunition control. Ammunition should only be available to Federal stores (similar to state liquor stores in PA). Similarly to the way high explosives are control. Control the ammo and stop the black market for guns. The flip side to this is that cities where most of the murders take place need help. Drugs should be decriminalize, regulated and taxed just like alcohol. Take the profit out of drugs and the turf wars will end.
4) Taxes
a) You don't pay that much now so quit crying. As long as taxes go to improve the public domain I don't mind paying my share. Paying for stupid stuff like pie-in-the-sky Star Wars missile intercept systems that have never worked, will never work and even if they did work, can easily and cheaply be rendered useless by multiple dummy warheads has to end. We spend way, way, way too much on the military. If we took all the money we spent on the military and on Iraq reconstruction efforts for the last 7 years, we could have constructed surface rail and dedicated bus/mass transit systems in every major metropolitan area, thus cutting our need for oil buy...oh...50%?

Answer 10

I am a die-hard liberal, and I am baffled by the upside-down thought process that conservatives go through when making decisions.

>>Explain your position on the war in Iraq...
Conservatives are wagging the dog in Iraq instead of going after the terrorist enemies of America, such as Osama bin Laden.

>>llegal immigration.
President Reagan and President Bush, both die hard conservatives granted amnesty for illegal immigrants. I think that sucks.

>>Gun control
Use both hands.
Michael Moore is a lifetime member of the NRA.

>>Higher taxes.
I hate taxes, conservatives lie about lowering taxes to get elected, then use inflation and squandering out tax dollars to put us into higher tax brackets.

Truth = the Anti-Conservative.

Quite logical.