I hate labels.
Every "Republican" is automatically called a "Conservative", and every Democrat is called a "Liberal". Yet the reality of the situation, is far more complex than that.
Conservatism, by definition, is a political philosophy that resists change. Conservative people resist radical changes to the political structure, and advocate slow changes to our laws. The philosophy being that the less radical the changes, the better the country is able to adapt.
Yet somehow, the actual meaning of the term has been hijacked by the Republican Party, to mean something entirely different. In fact, the Republican party is advocating a radical change, from current policy.
In this case, the Democratic party is actually more Conservative than the Republican Party. They want to keep current policies in place.
Both political parties are trying to shove people into a particular Party, based on single issues.
1. If for religious reasons, you are against Abortion in any form, you are automatically a Conservative. If you believe in "Woman's Choice" you are a Liberal.
2. If you believe in the 2nd Amendment, you are a Conservative. If you believe in "Regulated Gun Ownership" you are Obviously a Liberal.
3. If you believe that "God" is an issue for the Church, and not the School, you are obviously a Liberal.
4. If you believe in regulation, you are a Liberal, if you think "Free Market Capitalism" is the only way to go, your are a "Conservative".
Here are my responses to those issues...
1. I am clearly pro choice. Why you ask me? So now I am a "Liberal"
2. I believe in the right to bear arms, and that it should be regulated by the Federal Government. I think that everyone can agree that no one should be in possession of a fully Automatic .50 Cal. So some regulation is required.
3. GOD is a matter for the Church, not the School. While I grew up with the Pledge of Allegiance, I grew up in the 1970's and had NO idea that there were any other religions than Christianity at the time. Now I know better, and I think we should respect other religions, by not using that particular wordage.
4. Capitalism is a fine system when you are on the top part of it, but if you are on the bottom part, it sucks.
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1. I waffle on the abortion issue. I think it's a private decision, but then so is murder which it is equated to by some groups.
ReplyDelete2. I think the US Constitution and the intent of the "Founding Fathers" both point to gun ownership as a requirement for a state militia. A state militia is a military for protecting the state (in some cases from the Federal Government.) This implies that private citizens should be able to own F-16s if they can afford them AND they can demonstrate that they are part of a well organized militia. Nothing in the US Constitution implies gun ownership for personal protection is a right.
3. The US Constitution is very clear that Church and State should have a wide segregation.
4. Unregulated Capitalism results in free market manipulation and a widening of the distance between rich and poor. The rich need a middle class to sustain wealth and secure society against rebellion, so it's in their best interest to keep as thin a middle class as required for these purposes.
3.