What is a conservative? What is a liberal?

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Interesting essay on the subject.

http://polaris.gseis.ucla.edu/pagre/conservatism.html

Superman · 08-19-2004, 08:40 AM

Lucid, accurate and relevant.

SteveStromberg · 08-19-2004, 08:47 AM

Simple
Conservative Do it youself treat other like you would want them to treat you and help others out of kindness. Bring Freedom to the opressed

Liberal make sure that all freedom is squashed. Tax the people who make money then hand that money to non producers. Kill as many unborn babies as possible. Do eveything you cant to make all country's of the world under Commie Dictators

Moneyguy1 · 08-19-2004, 09:09 AM

So, according to the article

The medieval Church ( and many sects today) would be considered conservative

Islam would be considered conservative.

I would agree with both of those.

BTW...I wonder about the use of the word "liberal". If it such a bad word, why are we "liberating" countries in the Middle East? The right may want to rethink the use of that word.

Superman · 08-19-2004, 10:03 AM

No wonder you hate liberals so much, Steve. You have no idea what we believe. But I also wonder if you should consider yourself a conservative, since you seem to be fuzzy on that as well. Bring freedom to the oppressed. You're joking, right?

BGCarrera32 · 08-19-2004, 10:20 AM

Conservative = part throttle through turn to keep back end planted...

Liberal = full throttle through turn praying you don't spin the a$$ end around...

RallyJon · 08-19-2004, 10:25 AM

That article is just more of the usual crap, focusing on the whiny author's frustrations with the current political success of the Republican party. Author seems to equate conservatism with the very particular brand of win at all costs politics practiced by the current administration. Another sore loser who will quickly shut up if/when the other party comes to power and tries the same tricks.

Can't you smart Dems see through this stuff? Or do you choose not to?

But if you were really asking the question, here's my take:

A conservative is someone who keeps those crazy liberals from changing everything so fast that society is plunged into chaos. But if not properly and continuously kicked in the ass by liberals and progressives, conservatives tend to want to maintain the status quo--keeping the happy happy and the miserable miserable.

A liberal is someone who prods those stodgy conservatives into making enough progress that society moves forward. Unfortunately, they tend to go way overboard and do too much too fast, which destabilizes society. They often try to solve problems with centralized management and policies that redistribute wealth in a disruptive way. Good that there are conservatives to keep a lid on things.

Superman · 08-19-2004, 04:34 PM

That's fairly accurate I think, RallyJon. I know plenty of politicians personally, and I can tell you there are republicans that I would LOVE to place into office. I have some republican friends who are more liberal than some of my democrat friends.

But I do think the article, in spite of all its personal agenda stuff, makes an interesting point. I notice that liberals are always thinking about the little guy. The peons. The Serfs. And I notice that the conservatives are always trusting business, and those who pull the strings of business. So, all in all, what the author is suggesting seems as though it may be true. That republicans are just that....supportive of the "republic" form of government which is where real smart, real successful people represent the interests of little folks. Or they use their judgement to (hopefully) improve the little guy's situation. And the dems seem to prefer that the little guy get direct benefits, rather than the benevolent table scraps that the conservatives are hoping will keep them happy.

I think it all boils down to whether you trust business, and the rich and powerful, to make the right decisions on your behalf. I don't. And I think that historically the liberal party has done well in politics because it is the party of the people, rather than the party of business. Right now, things are even-Steven and I think it's because the republican party has been able to fool people into thinking that that party is all about "freedom" and "families" etc. It's not, but those values make a feasible match with their real agenda, which is limiting government (which protects people) and making money. Nevermind who makes the money. When people figure that out, then the pendulum will swing. Hard.