Republican Conservatism vs Democratic Liberalism

The title is pretty straight forward, but subject to change, as Republicans and Democrats both have people they would classify as liberal or conservative. However I feel that RC and DL are the most used and advocated types.

Now, much of this is my personal opinion. I will get flak, just like I did in my Chivalry thread. I don't care. This thread is about discussion but I anticipate we'll all have a nice fight about ideals and ethics.

Now then.

From what I've seen, roughly 90% of Republican dogma is based on fear. Fear of terrorists, fear that gays want to destroy marriage (as if it was sacred in the first place), fear that Democrats will take us down a perilous road. This in itself makes me dislike Republicans profoundly. Fear is a great way to gain control and power, but a terrible way to actually make your country proud or make this world we live in any better.

Obama has done something I've rarely seen in politics in general, let alone a presidential race. He's given many people something they havn't seen in years.

Hope.

Hope that maybe, just maybe, if we work together, we don't HAVE to be afraid anymore. Of course, I was never afraid, even the day of 9/11. Frankly it didn't even phase me that much. Of course, I was young and didn't understand the full implications of what I was seeing, but still, I never felt afraid for my life, even taking numerous flights in the following years. But still, far too many people live in a state of fear in our nation. That has to stop.

Now, as far as Liberalism and Conservatism comes into play, I think they've been grossly skewed. The very terms (I believe) seem to be used mostly in terms of finance and spending, i.e. Liberals want to spend all our money, Conservatives don't want to spend any of it. Unfortunately, this has been taken to mean that you're a bad person in general to the other side. My personal opinion is that I'm a Liberal, yes, but only terms of social and human issues. I'm Liberal because I believe in extreme freedom and independence when it comes to individuals. Hence why I smoke ganja and don't really give a shit what anyone thinks about me.

Now, here's where my personal opinion comes into play. I'm basing my opinion entirely on what I've seen and experienced. Liberals (for the most part) seek to increase liberty, to allow us to be happy citizens without trying to influence us to deny others rights or to squelch the thoughts and views of others. Conservatives, on the other hand, seek to crush liberty, to put laws in place that reduce what one can do within the bounds of the country.

The very words Liberal and Conservative have dire meanings, I think ones that people don't quite realize. A proper American should WANT to be Liberal, to want to do everything they can to improve the lives of the American people, not to try and dictate what they can do to their own bodies or who they can marry. Of course, this is just my opinion.

This ties in very well with the fact that I won't vote McCain/Palin. I never felt threatened by Iraq, I still don't by Iran, I don't think we should be in the Middle-East for any reason what so ever, and I can't honestly see how he thinks he's any different from George Bush, in terms of policy. Also, Palin is from Alaska. Alaska is the Texas of the north. I would never set foot in Texas if I had a choice, so I don't think I'd like to go to Alaska. Gun-toting warmongers never really did it for me.

That will segway into my next short segment; experience. Who cares? I'm god damn tired of hearing this experience argument, as if it meant something. George Bush had years and years of experience as Governor of Texas with a rich, lengthy history of political ties from his family. By all rights George W. Bush should have been an amazing president. Whether you like him or hate him, you can't say that he's put the country in a better spot than it was 8 years ago. Well I mean, you CAN, but I'd assume you were from the moon. Therefore, experience is really a moot point. Yeah, Obama doesn't have much experience, neither does Palin. I'm not voting for Obama or against Palin on those grounds. I'm voting for Obama because he actually makes me feel like the country isn't fucked, and voting against Palin because she thinks she can ride the same wave as Obama, when her and McCain's voting records and personal views would joyously give us more of the same.

But that's just me.


P.S. John McCain served time in a POW camp and did some really good shit in the military. I care that he was a POW.....why? Zero bearing on being a good leader or a good president. He has military experience, which is awesome if you want to CONTINUE fighting wars. I don't, so peace on that issue.

bump?

Well, in the US at least, the "liberals" want to tax and spend, the "conservatives" want to borrow and spend.

I do agree with you that after eight years of a president that we couldn't even respect, let alone be inspired by, it would be great to have a leader like Obama.

im a card carrying gun toting republican, and i sure as shit do not live in fear. after 9/11 the hajis got what was coming to them. General Motors HMMVS full of pissed off young Marines armed to the teeth with lethal weapons. Soldiers with far superior technology. And can't forget the hammer swinging Seabees wrecking and building.

as far as liberal/conservative republican/democrat....i try not to look at the names associated with different political beliefs. granted im a registered republican, but that doenst mean i vote strictly republican on everything. there are things i dislike about republicans and things i like about the democrats, and vice versa. liberals on the other hand...:wtf: