i ask this question in all seriousness...not to bash. i really want to know the answer

[blueedwards]

to all the liberals out there:

why are you liberal?

is it out of a dislike for the conservatives or is it that you personally hold the liberal viewpoint? what i am getting at is, do you vote liberal because you hold the typical liberal views:

pro-choice
less military, more social programs
higher taxes for businesses and business owners
moral relativism versus moral absolutes

or is it for some other reason?

again, my question is asked out a desire to know...not to bash or even debate. i am a conservative, and i know why i am. i have met many liberals, some quite intelligent, who hold the exact oppositve view than i. i have a hard time understanding this.

 

[wilheim]

Blue - Not to get into a long discussion. I assume you could say I am a liberal, but imo. that is just another label. I believe in compassion for my fellow human being, somehow that belief puts me on the liberal side of many issues. I am not ashamed of that belief, and hope to carry it for the rest of my time on the planet.


wil.

 

[Railbird]

I am a libreal for the same resons Wilhelm is, plus Im against tobacco companys, and I dont like coorperate greed and Im pro enviroment. What I HATE about my party is the baby killers, the homosexual agenda and the atheists.

 

[noital]

I did not think compassion made a person a liberal,i thought it made you a human being.I guess according to right wing point of view it makes you weak.

 

[hansenbros.]

ironically, imo, you just described a conservative.

noital, as usual you just reinforced your ignorance.

first Iraq, then France

 

[noital]

Todays conservitave and the word compassion dont belong in the same sentence.

 

[Oceans11]

I would only be conservative if I didn't give a rats ass about my fellow humans.

I believe that we should move forwards from the medieval mentality of a pack of dogs, we are better than that IMO.

A conservative is someone who makes things more difficult for the most vulnerable in society, which is immoral.

Healthcare, education, housing and social services cutbacks, erosion of workers rights, a basic general policy of squashing the defenceless and least powerful amongst us.

The most contemptuous bit about it for me is that right wing spin where they claim to occupy the moral high ground, while their policies destroy and disempower the weak.

That patronising moral crap really does get right up my nose.

[This message was edited by eek on March 03, 2004 at 09:28 AM.]

 

[xpanda]

BIG question ... I used to be a Conservative (which still doesn't mean Republican, however) until I realised that the Right has a stronger desire to control the individual than it does the corporation or government-related factions. I believe that politics and business should not be in bed together, that subsidies for big business and certain industries are discriminatory and welfare-ish in nature. I am anti-corporate subsidies, I am pro-capitalist and pro-free markets, anti-IMF, anti-World Bank, anti-WTO ...

I believe in a 'live and let live' doctrine that espouses individual freedom from judgment by the masses. I am a feminist who is grateful for all that women before me have done to enable this life that I lead. I believe strongly in the individual and their desire to lead an accountable and moral life. Most importantly, however, is that I believe power corrupts. In other words, less power must be given to the government and more power given to the individual.

I could embrace Libertarianism as easily as I could embrace the Greens.

 

[KMAN]

Here we go again..... Blue asks a serious question and 2 out of the 5 repsonses take a shot a conservatives.

Typical.

We need a separate forum for those who are not here to bash, and who are actually here to discuss the issues.

I agree with hansen....I don't see how you can call conservatives non compassionate for other human beings....after all wouldn't it be safe to say that most conservatives are christians. As a christian I am care very much about other people. I go to church, donate my money, and volunteer my time to help those less fortunate than me.

Really, if you look at the posts in this forum you would have to think that liberals are less compasionate....or at least less open to others opinions. Everyday, you see people calling Bush names and cussing him all because he has different beliefs. Doesn't make since to me.

Anyway, liberals please share more....I am interested in hearing what you have to say also.

Thanks.

 

[Oceans11]

The MAIN REASON I'm a lefty is because of righty policies. Its that simple.

I suppose I could be a righty and give a couple of bucks a week to the orphans fund to make me feel better, and then go to church to pay my 'go directly to heaven' insurance premium.

It just doesn't wash for me.

If you want a decent civilisation, you pay, we all pay, in-cold-hard-cash.
And so that we all contribute as equally as possible, the state needs to run it. ie Taxes.

Pray as much or as little as you want to, give as much or as little to charity stuff as you want to, that's your choice.

But building a civilisation takes serious wedges of hard currency, not good intentions.

Footnote:
One of the main reasons IMO that the state system has grown is because of the increasing numbers of people who live like rats in a box in the cities.
The community element has been virtually eliminated.

In smalltown America, or anywhere else in the world, the local community meets on Sunday at church(its not just for religion, its a community focal point) and people get help from their neighbours through the week.
Everyone knows each other, you're part of a group that support each other.

This community socialism barely exists at all in the heavily populated areas.

[This message was edited by eek on March 03, 2004 at 10:27 AM.]

 

[Massmilwaukee]

I am a liberal because I believe if you want to spend money; you tax, not borrow. I believe in doctor/patient confidentiality, not legislation that would restrict the rights of Doctors to speak with their patients. I believe we are the only super power left for a time and we need to embrace human rights not only for our citizens, but the citizens of the world. I believe in all cycles and eventually we(the US) will no longer be the sole superpower nor consumer base. Because of this, we need to do all we can to keep a place secure in this world for a compassionate country and I fear that we are hindering this world more than we are helping. I believe some people are born in a social class and are deserving of one break in life. I believe everyone is entitled to medical care no matter their income bracket, predisposition, or medical history. I like having trees, clean water, and US parks. I believe everyone is entitled to as much education as they want. I believe if you want to teach religion in school, fine, teach them all and that goes with creation theory as well. There ain’t just one creation theory on this planet, so why should only one be taught, but there is only one evolution theory. And finally, I believe our President should be able to speak in complete sentences, have at least one achievement of greatness, and not gotten to where he is through nepotism.

 

[jointpleasures]

Wow, would I like to rebut - but I'll just continue to listen.

 

[JudgeWapner]

Blue,I believe in helping my fellow man.I believe government should have a heart.I believe that my personal life is none of my government's business.I think we as the US,should stop trying to set world policy.I suppose these things make me liberal.Always considered my self one,but thinking about it now,not sure what constitutes one.

 

[eltonio]

KMAN: We need a separate forum for those who are not here to bash, and who are actually here to discuss the issues.


If this was a requirement, KMAN, you would not be allowed to post here. Every post of yours is bashing.

 

[KMAN]

Just like my last one right?

 

[truthteller]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I believe in compassion for my fellow human being <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wilheim, doesn't that contradict with the liberal agenda of abortion?

------------------------------

Pat Buchanan and Bill O'Reilly for the White House

 

[D2bets]

1. Civil rights
2. Human rights
3. Personal freedoms
4. Privacy rights
5. Pro-environment
6. Regulation of business/corporate wrongdoing
7. Progressive taxation
8. Pro-choice
9. Universal health care
10. Non-arrogant foreign policy

 

[blueedwards]

thanks for the responses. it helps a little.

 

[PatPatriot]

Whats the old saying..Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day...Teach him how to fish,and he will eat for life.

 

[JudgeWapner]

Pat,give a man some crack and he won't need to eat.