10 Differences between Conservatives And Liberals...

[Henry Hawk]

10 Differences between Conservatives And Liberals


By John Hawkins

10) Conservatives believe that individual Americans have a right to defend themselves and their families with guns and that right cannot be taken away by any method short of a Constitutional Amendment, which conservatives would oppose. Liberals believe by taking arms away from law abiding citizens, they can prevent criminals, who aren't going to abide by gun control laws, from using guns in the commission of crimes.

9) Conservatives believe that we should live in a color blind society where every individual is judged on the content of his character and the merits of his actions. On the other hand, liberals believe that it's ok to discriminate based on race as long as it primarily benefits minority groups.

8 ) Conservatives are capitalists and believe that entrepreneurs who amass great wealth through their own efforts are good for the country and shouldn't be punished for being successful. Liberals are socialists who view successful business owners as people who cheated the system somehow or got lucky. That's why they don't respect high achievers and see them as little more than piggy banks for their programs.

7) Conservatives believe that abortion ends the life of an innocent child and since we believe that infanticide is wrong, we oppose abortion. Most liberals, despite what they'll tell you, believe that abortion ends the life of an innocent child, but they prefer killing the baby to inconveniencing the mother.

6) Conservatives believe in confronting and defeating enemies of the United States before they can harm American citizens. Liberals believe in using law enforcement measures to deal with terrorism, which means that they feel we should allow terrorists to train, plan, and actually attempt to kill Americans before we try to arrest them -- as if you can just send the police around to pick up a terrorist mastermind hiding in Iran or the wilds of Pakistan.

5) Conservatives, but not necessarily Republicans (which is unfortunate), believe it's vitally important to the future of the country to reduce the size of government, keep taxes low, balance the budget, and get this country out of debt. Liberals, and Democrats for that matter, believe in big government, high taxes, and they have never met a new spending program they didn't like, whether we will have to go into debt to pay for it or not.

4) Conservatives believe that government, by its very nature, tends to be inefficient, incompetent, wasteful, and power hungry. That's why we believe that the government that governs least, governs best. Liberals think that the solution to every problem is another government program. Even when those new programs create new problems, often worse than the ones that were being fixed in the first place, the solution is always....you guessed it, another government program.

3) Conservatives are patriotic, believe that America is a great nation, and are primarily interested in looking out for the good of the country. That's why we believe in "American exceptionalism" and "America first." Liberals are internationalists who are more concerned about what Europeans think of us and staying in the good graces of the corrupt bureaucrats who control the UN than looking out for the best interests of this nation.

2) Conservatives, most of them anyway, believe in God and think that the Constitution has been twisted by liberal judges to illegitimately try to purge Christianity from the public square. We also believe, most of us anyway, that this country has been successful in large part because it is a good, Christian nation and if our country ever turns away from the Lord, it will cease to prosper. Liberals, most of them anyway, are hostile to Christianity. That's why, whether you're talking about a school play at Christmas time, a judge putting the Ten Commandments on the wall of his court, or a store employee saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays," liberals are dedicated to driving reminders of Christianity from polite society.

1) Conservatives believe in pursuing policies because they're pragmatic and because they work. Liberals believe in pursuing policies because they're "nice" and make them feel good. Whether the policies they're advocating actually work or not is of secondary importance to them.

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/column.aspx?UrlTitle=10_differences_between_conservatives_and_liberals&ns=JohnHawkins&dt=04/27/2007&page=1

[Henry Hawk]

10 MORE Differences between Conservatives And Liberals

By John Hawkins




10) Conservatives believe that the United Nations is a corrupt, anti-American, anti-Semitic talking shop that is largely hostile to American interests and is too incompetent to be much of use in areas where it's not. Liberals are internationalists who still have confidence in the UN. Moreover, they don't seem to be overly concerned about signing our country on to international schemes that are slanted against us, or about the fact that nations that are largely hostile to our interests like China, France, and Russia have a veto over any significant action that the UN can take.

9) Conservatives believe that marriage is one of the most crucial building blocks of a healthy society, and that anything that weakens the institution has the potential to do enormous harm to our country over the long haul. That's why we believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Liberals support gay marriage, and appear completely unconcerned about the long-term damage that glibly toying with something as important as marriage could do to our country.

8 ) Conservatives believe that companies should be taxed and regulated, but that the government has to be very cautious about adding new burdens on business. Businesses provide jobs, health care for many Americans, and enormous amounts of tax revenue, all of which could be jeopardized if we go overboard with taxes and regulations, thereby killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. Liberals, on the other hand, being socialists at heart, have seldom seen a tax, new regulation, or expense that they would hesitate to impose on businesses, despite the potential for damaging our economy.

7) Conservatives have kept an open mind about global warming, but we have seen little hard proof that mankind is responsible for the small, roughly 1 degree global temperature increase over the last century. Saying that it is "scientific consensus" that mankind is causing global warming means little when more than 17,100 American scientists disagree. Liberals want to impose massive regulatory schemes that would increase taxes, cost millions of jobs, and cause fuel prices to skyrocket even though most environmentalists acknowledge that Kyoto and the carbon credit trading schemes that have been put forth wouldn't make a huge dent in the amount of greenhouse gasses produced by mankind.

6) Conservatives believe that encouraging poor people to be dependent on the government is counterproductive. Instead, we believe that by keeping taxes low, the economy strong, and by supporting churches and charities, we can create an environment that allows the poor to help themselves. Liberals believe in keeping poor people as dependent on the government as possible because people who are reliant on the government for their sustenance tend to vote for the political party that will give them the biggest handout.

5) Conservatives may not be happy with how the war in Iraq has gone so far, but we believe that pulling out before the Iraqi government can defend itself from attack would lead to a nightmare scenario that has the potential to produce millions of dead Iraqis, a massive spike in worldwide oil costs, and an increase in terrorism after Al-Qaeda declares victory over the United States. Liberals understand the consequences for pulling out of Iraq too quickly just as well as conservatives, but they would prefer to see America lose the war in Iraq, despite the horrible consequences, because they believe it would benefit them politically.

4) Conservatives believe that the more distant the government gets from the constituents it serves, the worse it performs. That's why, if it's absolutely necessary that government become involved in an issue, it's usually better for state and local governments to become involved instead of the Federal Government.

3) Conservatives believe in keeping taxes low because when taxes get high, they stifle economic growth and expansion; because it's hard to justify giving the government more money when it wastes so much now, and because people should get to keep as much of their hard earned money as possible. Liberals prefer high taxes because it gives them more money that they can fritter away on big government programs and social engineering projects.

2) Conservatives believe that the market can better allocate resources than the government and that usually, when you see problems with the market -- for example gas shortages or the exploding cost of health care -- government interference with the workings of the market is at the root of it. Liberals have never seen a part of the economy that they wouldn't prefer to socialize and put under government control, despite the fact that anything run by the government tends to be far slower, more inefficient, and more expensive than anything run by private industry.

1) Conservatives believe that America has been and continues to be the greatest force for good in the world today. As a nation, we do more to promote freedom, help those who need it, and stand up for what's right than any other dozen nations combined. Liberals, on the other hand, always find a way to blame America first. Nobody, no enemy past, present, or future, will ever top American liberals when it comes to generating anti-American propaganda.

[Bo D]

Henry, I hope you don't really believe all of that.

"Liberals support gay marriage, and appear completely unconcerned about the long-term damage that glibly toying with something as important as marriage could do to our country."

I think it is more apt to say that liberals support freedom...period.

" Liberals, on the other hand, being socialists at heart"

A little offensive don't you think?

"Conservatives have kept an open mind about global warming"

Pshaw! That's funny!

"Liberals understand the consequences for pulling out of Iraq too quickly just as well as conservatives, but they would prefer to see America lose the war in Iraq, despite the horrible consequences, because they believe it would benefit them politically.

Bullcrap! That isn't funny at all.

I don't feel like going any further with this. You know as well as I do how wrong and downright dangerous it is to categorize people like that.

I respect you, Henry and I thought you knew better.

[Henry Hawk]

Well. first of all, I did not write it....though I agree with much of it...it may be put a little more harsh than I woud put it, but the bottom line, there IS a lot of truth to the list....

I especially agree with what conservatives think......maybe not totaly agree with what he has as the liberals point....

as far as categorizing people......now, you know how Christians on here feel..........we are constantly being 'categorized'....

Bo, I respect you too.......I think this is a good topic.........

[Henry Hawk]

"Liberals understand the consequences for pulling out of Iraq too quickly just as well as conservatives, but they would prefer to see America lose the war in Iraq, despite the horrible consequences, because they believe it would benefit them politically.

I'm not saying that all liberals feel this way,.............but Harry Reid has already talked about how the democrats are going to gain seats by getting the troops home...........I don't care much for any of the politicians to be honest..dems or repubs.....it's all about political points at this point of the game..

[Bo D]

Henry, I know you didn't write it. But you repeated it.

And, yes, there is SOME truth to it. But I can be very conservative on some issues and very liberal on others. And I'm a Christian too. That's why I think it's so wrong to categorize anyone. Remember, when you point a finger at someone, ..........

[Bo D]

I'm not saying that all liberals feel this way,.............but Harry Reid has already talked about how the democrats are going to gain seats by getting the troops home...........I don't care much for any of the politicians to be honest..dems or repubs.....it's all about political points at this point of the game..

Yes it is, sad to say. And Harry Reid is a doofus for saying that.

[Bo D]

Sorry, Henry. If it had been some idiot that posted this, I would have considered the source and ignored it.

But friends don't let friends post nonsense. 

[Henry Hawk]

Henry, I know you didn't write it. But you repeated it.

Bo, Conservatives and Christians are bashed on here daily, especially our President...so, once in a while, I feel like throwing back....probably is wrong, I'm not attacking anyone in particular but as a whole........I've been doing this ever since I have been on here, I'm the (nearly) lone voice of conservatism, I gotta stay true to who I am...

[Bo D]

Bo, Conservatives and Christians are bashed on here daily, especially our President...so, once in a while, I feel like throwing back....probably is wrong, I'm not attacking anyone in particular but as a whole........I've been doing this ever since I have been on here, I'm the (nearly) lone voice of conservatism, I gotta stay true to who I am...

I know what you mean, Henry. Sometimes a bashing is in order though. 

[Henry Hawk]

I know what you mean, Henry. Sometimes a bashing is in order though. 

and that is why, I felt it necessary to post this... .....it must be my self defense mechanism......

[me]

Henry, I know you didn't write it. But you repeated it.

Bo, Conservatives and Christians are bashed on here daily, especially our President...so, once in a while, I feel like throwing back....probably is wrong, I'm not attacking anyone in particular but as a whole........I've been doing this ever since I have been on here, I'm the (nearly) lone voice of conservatism, I gotta stay true to who I am...

You're not alone Henry I'm just not very vocal....   Can't help ya much on the Christian thing though 'cause I'm agnostic.

[Sandy Eggo]

What it means to be a liberal


By Geoffrey R. Stone. Geoffrey R. Stone, a law professor at the University of Chicago, is the author of "Perilous Times: Free Speech in Wartime."
Published October 10, 2006


For most of the past four decades, liberals have been in retreat. Since the election of Richard Nixon in 1968, Republicans have controlled the White House 70 percent of the time and Republican presidents have made 86 percent of the U.S. Supreme Court appointments. In many quarters, the word "liberal" has become a pejorative. Part of the problem is that liberals have failed to define themselves and to state clearly what they believe. As a liberal, I find that appalling.

I thought it might be interesting to try to articulate 10 propositions that seem to me to define "liberal" today. Undoubtedly, not all liberals embrace all of these propositions, and many conservatives embrace at least some of them.





Moreover, because 10 is a small number, the list is not exhaustive. And because these propositions will in some instances conflict, the "liberal" position on a specific issue may not always be predictable. My goal, however, is not to end discussion, but to invite debate.

1. Liberals believe individuals should doubt their own truths and consider fairly and open-mindedly the truths of others. This is at the very heart of liberalism. Liberals understand, as Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes once observed, that "time has upset many fighting faiths." Liberals are skeptical of censorship and celebrate free and open debate.

2. Liberals believe individuals should be tolerant and respectful of difference. It is liberals who have supported and continue to support the civil rights movement, affirmative action, the Equal Rights Amendment and the rights of gays and lesbians. (Note that a conflict between propositions 1 and 2 leads to divisions among liberals on issues like pornography and hate speech.)

3. Liberals believe individuals have a right and a responsibility to participate in public debate. It is liberals who have championed and continue to champion expansion of the franchise; the elimination of obstacles to voting; "one person, one vote;" limits on partisan gerrymandering; campaign-finance reform; and a more vibrant freedom of speech. They believe, with Justice Louis Brandeis, that "the greatest menace to freedom is an inert people."

4. Liberals believe "we the people" are the governors and not the subjects of government, and that government must treat each person with that in mind. It is liberals who have defended and continue to defend the freedom of the press to investigate and challenge the government, the protection of individual privacy from overbearing government monitoring, and the right of individuals to reproductive freedom. (Note that libertarians, often thought of as "conservatives," share this value with liberals.)

5. Liberals believe government must respect and affirmatively safeguard the liberty, equality and dignity of each individual. It is liberals who have championed and continue to champion the rights of racial, religious and ethnic minorities, political dissidents, persons accused of crime and the outcasts of society. It is liberals who have insisted on the right to counsel, a broad application of the right to due process of law and the principle of equal protection for all people.

6. Liberals believe government has a fundamental responsibility to help those who are less fortunate. It is liberals who have supported and continue to support government programs to improve health care, education, social security, job training and welfare for the neediest members of society. It is liberals who maintain that a national community is like a family and that government exists in part to "promote the general welfare."

7. Liberals believe government should never act on the basis of sectarian faith. It is liberals who have opposed and continue to oppose school prayer and the teaching of creationism in public schools and who support government funding for stem-cell research, the rights of gays and lesbians and the freedom of choice for women.

8. Liberals believe courts have a special responsibility to protect individual liberties. It is principally liberal judges and justices who have preserved and continue to preserve freedom of expression, individual privacy, freedom of religion and due process of law. (Conservative judges and justices more often wield judicial authority to protect property rights and the interests of corporations, commercial advertisers and the wealthy.)

9. Liberals believe government must protect the safety and security of the people, for without such protection liberalism is impossible. This, of course, is less a tenet of liberalism than a reply to those who attack liberalism. The accusation that liberals are unwilling to protect the nation from internal and external dangers is false. Because liberals respect competing values, such as procedural fairness and individual dignity, they weigh more carefully particular exercises of government power (such as the use of secret evidence, hearsay and torture), but they are no less willing to use government authority in other forms (such as expanded police forces and international diplomacy) to protect the nation and its citizens.

10. Liberals believe government must protect the safety and security of the people, without unnecessarily sacrificing constitutional values. It is liberals who have demanded and continue to demand legal protections to avoid the conviction of innocent people in the criminal justice system, reasonable restraints on government surveillance of American citizens, and fair procedures to ensure that alleged enemy combatants are in fact enemy combatants. Liberals adhere to the view expressed by Brandeis some 80 years ago: "Those who won our independence ... did not exalt order at the cost of liberty."

Chicago Tribune

[Henry Hawk]

Exactly......... ............that is what I just said......... .......same things just worded differently... 

[Sandy Eggo]

Exactly......... ............that is what I just said......... .......same things just worded differently... 

Not quite.