I feel that ultimately it is pointless in perpetuating the idea that there is indeed a "liberal" and "conservative" side. We're all just people. People make good and bad decisions. There has yet to be one politician with whom I completely and utterly agree or disagree. They're just people trying to make decisions that they feel are right. Their biases get in the way just like the rest of us. Pidgeon-holing people into their "parties", however, ends up just causing more damage. They all, after all, are most likely friends. When it comes down to it, they're coworkers. Look at Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton being all buddy buddy after they're out of office.

I can see the world through both perspectives, but neither is right. As with most things in life, a middle ground is more realistic. Going to the extremes shuts you off from compromising. Ultimately, we should focus providing choices for everyone, you know freedom. Whether those choices be about drugs, abortion, marriage, religion, etc. As long as consent is present in all situations, the result of that situation will not be abuse, and that, in my opinion, is all that matters. I don't care if you're pro-choice, pro-life, against drugs, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, black, white, whatever. None of those matter, because they're all predicted by geographical location and societal organization. Just as long as people have the choice to be/do what they want, and understand that everyone has that choice. We should live in a world where we teach people about everything, and once given the information allow that individual to make the decision for themselves.

Blanket statements like this topic do more damage than good for both sides. It makes "liberals" come out to bash "conservatives" and vice versa. Regardless of the label you try to prescribe, we're all just humans. These political affiliations are just illusions, which further divide and conquer us, so that we don't try to promote peace, as we are too busy fighting amongst each other. Just my opinion of course.

Originally posted by dragonfire2159
I feel that ultimately it is pointless in perpetuating the idea that there is indeed a "liberal" and "conservative" side. We're all just people. People make good and bad decisions.

I couldn't disagree more with your position. There is wrong and right. I'm getting tired of the entire "there's no such thing as right vs. wrong, it's all right vs. right" mentality.

Instead of looking at right vs. wrong, try looking at results. Just look at the results produced by liberal policies in just about every major city in the United States. Almost every major city in the U.S. has been run by Democrats for years, and almost every major city in the country is in deep financial trouble, has higher crime, and provides a lower quality of life than suburban neighborhoods.

Why?

It's in large part due to the liberal policies forced upon the city residents. Higher taxes. Total capitulation to unions. Terrible schools. Higher crime.

If anybody can name a city where liberal policies have generated wealth let me know.

I am tired of people who label themselves as conservative labeling everyone else as liberals without understanding the position that they come from. Nobody has ALL THE ANSWERS because God did not make anyone infallible. We are all human together and every one of us makes mistakes. Even those of us with egos the size of an aircraft carrier. Anyone who informs themselves just from one philosophy is a philosophical bigot. Anyone else would call me a conservative, but the OP has chosen to call me a liberal simply because he could not be bothered to read my posts once he saw I was disagreeing with him. After all only liberals could possibly disagree with somebody so incredibly knowledgeable. If this is the ACME of conservativism, then the actual liberals have nothing to fear.

The only terrorist attack on American soil occurred under George Bush. That says it all.

[edit on 6-2-2008 by groingrinder]

double posted somehow....

[edit on 2-6-2008 by ybab hsur]

Originally posted by ybab hsur
There's few things more enjoyable than being SO RIGHT, that you invoke name calling from the radical left.

The conservatives have been called the right for so long that they've come to believe it.

Originally posted by jamie83


If anybody can name a city where liberal policies have generated wealth let me know.

Portland, Oregon, the city that works. I believe we had billions in leftover money this budget year? Learn about it, love it and deal with it. It's a liberal city that works and we havent even felt the bursting of the housing bubble too loudly. Houses are still selling, and prices are still going up.

I'm not here to debate anything other then the fact that portland is a liberal city that has made decisions which has generated weatlth.

We are the first city in the US with an openly gay mayor too. He starts his term next year.

oh and one last thing, we are so 'different' that the first George Bush calls the city 'Little Beiruit'.

[edit on 6/2/2008 by Telafree]