Ralphie

I'm not really clued up on politics and all that, but I do have opinions on certain things like gun control, taxes, etc, but I was just wondering what makes a person liberal or conservative? What kind of mind set makes you one or the other? I've heard that liberals are more rebellious to authority while conservatives are more obedient and more respectful of leadership.



How do I know if I am lib or con, can a person be both???

i8acobra

JonGTR

I do not have the self control to properly respond to this thread.

majik

Some core values that I feel strongly about initially drove the decision to consider myself conservative or liberal.



-- The level of necessary government involvement in the free market

-- Pro Choice vs. Pro Life

-- Government assistance programs



but over the years both groups seem to have gone to separate extremes on a topic, and on others it's become blurred as to which side of the line they're leaning

187sks

If you're either, you're an idiot and you're contributing to the collapse of our society. Both sides are trying to screw 99% of Americans over to get richer and more powerful.



You shouldn't have to sit with a checklist and once you've weighed in on issues choose the side that backs more of the positions you feel strongly about than the other side. Support the causes you feel strongly about. This isn't a team sport and too many people sit around rooting for their team to win while everybody loses.



Spoiler alert: there are 2 sides, but it's US and it's THEM. When Republicans OR Democrats are in power THEM is who is winning. They'll push one half of their agenda when Democrats are in power, push the other half while Republicans are in power. They're in this for the long run and until people stop picking a team or a candidate because they are the lesser of two evils the problem will continue to get worse.

Stocker

American left: less individual freedom and control over your own life. Higher taxes to pay for social services.

American right: the opposite



Note: the R party and the D party establishment and most of the people who have been in Washington too long, are walking hand-in-hand toward democratic socialism. The Rs are getting there a little slower.

i8acobra

According to Republicans only:

wheel_of_steel

I'd rep Floyd twice if I could



One thing I notice about murrcan sheeple compared to australian sheeple, is that y'all get WAY more factional and dug-in to an arbriitary side for life, regardless of that party's policies. Australians are just as shallow, but their position changes when the news tells them.



Just compile individual truths from your own life, and if they add up to something with a name; cool. If not, support what's right and stick it to the man.

187sks

"Individual freedom" doesn't prosper under either. Tell me more about how Republicans are fighting for reproductive choice rights. Warrantless wiretapping. A whole list of terribly invasive programs and practices enacted under the Bush regime. Each side picks and chooses freedoms to protect and ones to persecute. Ever notice how few rights are restored after a change in power? BECAUSE NEITHER SIDE WANTS YOU TO HAVE ANY RIGHTS. The entire Bill of Rights is nothing but an inconvenience to them.



*If you're a rich white Christian male or a white Christian male run corporation. All others GTFO.