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Originally posted by Jeff Higgins
We started off discussing what a liberal was on this thread. It then kind of evolved into why some of us can no longer consider ourselves "liberals" in spite of holding many liberal values. The gay issue was brought up as an example of one that modern liberalism has adopted that has driven people like me away. It's not because we are hateful or intolerant (or whatever other labels liberals like to throw our way); it's because we dissagree with the party line on some newly adopted liberal causes. This is just one of many. You can argue in its favor all you want; we are already familiar with those arguments and dissagree with them. And we are no longer liberals.
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It works both ways though. I used to be more conservative, but the current set of pet issues for the Right and allegiance with the Christian Right has turned me off completely. I more agree with (or at least respect) thought-out conservative viewpoints than I do with rabid dogmatic liberal ones. Some of my best friends are Republicans!
ND and Joeaksa, that's why I think it's so important to admit the possibility of being mistaken. If you never do, how will people know you'd ever be willing to admit to error? (Sound like anyone we know?)
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Your numbers are shrinking by the day; that's the real point of all of this.
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Second, they're not
my numbers. To me, the best use for the democratic party right now is to provide just enough organization to oust the current Repub dominance in gov't. The government works best when there is lots of respectful disagreement, and works worst when there's this much divisiveness and animosity.
The GOP and its supporters have been making the same complaints about the dems for a while - they have no vision, no unity, no leadership. What they miss is those attributes give the strength of diversity of opinions and the ability to disagree with one another. IMO, respectful disagreement within a party is healthier than every rank and file using the same talking points. In the sound bite world of news though, too often it's just the talking points that get through to people.