Why is it that conservatives attack the critics personally, but progressives focus on the principles?
603563
What is a Bush fan suppose to say... blame it on others? "Clinton... liberal media"... come on... that's all they have...\n\nHave you looked at the issues surronding Bush... you can't win any kind of debate with those issues... getting into a political debate on the issues being a Bush fan is like boarding the titanic...\n\nRillifane... have you read Franken's book... obviously not... the title is trying to be silly using Rush's own style of "debate" (hahaha) against him... it's full of more issues on one page than I've ever seen a conservative use on here...
1058694
This whole Liberal vs Conservative debate does nobody any good. All that happens is more polarization.\n\nThe differences come from basic assumptions about life, government and the country's role in the world. But no one discusses the assumptions, only the differences.\n\nBasic assumptions such as help someone going through hard times vs. self reliance. These ultimately lead to arguments regarding welfare, medicare,  social security, etc.\n\nPersonal liberties and state's rights vs. government involvement in regulating business, security, etc. Which is causing much of the bashing on both sides at present.\n\nLabeling other's as Liberal, Conservative, weak minded, etc. does not help anyone. It just leads to more bashing. And laying the responsibility at the feet of one side ignores the fact that the blame goes both ways. Rush Limbaugh is just as much of a Liberal basher (he says liberal in a way that suggests the very word dirties his mouth) as Ted Kennedy is a Conservative basher.\n\nHonest debate over issues without resorting to labels, name calling, mud slinging and all other tactics to confuse the issues is what this country needs. The national debate we need to be having is what does this country truly stand for, what is the role of government at all levels and what is the role of this country in the world. Assumptions have to be made clear and understood. Etc. etc.
79658
To take a definition from Ambrose Bierce, creator of the first dictionary...\n\nConservative, n. A statesman enamored of existing evils, as opposed to a Liberal, who wants to replace them with new ones\n\n------\n\nThe question is too difficult to answer because both sides are going to skew it towards their own beliefs and ideas.\n\nSocial conservatives lean more towards tradition and personal responsibility, whereas social liberals are progressive in ideals and believe more in societal involvement.\n\nEconomic conservatives favor free markets, limited government and money to the people to use as they see necessary. Economic liberals like government fiscal control and money to the government to use as it deems necessary.\n\nThe most important thing is remembering that conservatives and liberals are political philosophies, whereas Democrats and Republicans are political parties.
1168013
Are you kidding?\n\nRepublicans tend to be conservatives (though there are exceptions for sure)....\n\nIn general, conservatives want to "conserve" our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and strive to keep the government close to the principles upon which it was founded.\n\nBeing a Conservative...I'd like to remove the Commerce Clause though!!!!!
972351
It's as simple as this.  Liberals feel that they are better able to spend money collectively for the good of a society than individuals are able to spend their own money for the good of society.  It is a mindset.  Liberals think society first at all costs and conservatives feel individual first.  On the outside the liberal side sounds better but to achieve their mindset they have to forcibly take from others (continuously higher taxes) which unless it's done by a government is generally called stealing.
1007644
Liberals are for change and  conservatives don't want change, they are traditionalists thats about as simple as i can put it
1103486
I agree with C.E. You are bias, and it appears to be that you don't care. But I will give an answer anyway. \nLiberals and Conservatives are on diff. sides. You think they're going to get along when both think that they're right? It's obvious they're not. Here's why: \nThere are some things worth fighting for. What your country does is a BIG one. \nOh, let me verify something. There are good ppl on both sides, and there are bad. Not all think the same way, but there is the general idea of both, that has been established. \nAnd this isn't democrats vs. republicans, it's liberals vs. conservatives. You need to get them straight. But here's the story on what you asked, even if you didn't know it;\nConservatives wish to conserve the morals and values of the JudeoChristian heritage that has made America great. \nLiberals wish to have "freedom" from all morals and values, esp those of the scriptures. \nDems and Republicans are diff. If you're wondering abt them, ask that. Generally though, it is the republicans that have conservative views and vice versa. \n...Conservatives believe that torturous murder of unborn babies should be illegal, and Libs believe it's the woman's choice to kill her baby or not. \nCs believe capital punishment should be used, and Ls want to be easy on such crimanals. (usually) Cs believe homosexuality is wrong, and such "unions" should not be allowed, Ls promote such stuff....\nThere is more, but that is why they don't get along. Why should they?  I am a conservative republican, and I will always fight for what I know is right, and liberal democrats will always fight against that. And that's the truth of it.
1076769
It is hard to get a conservatives who is taught to do as they are told and to stand by their father figure regardless of ones actions. The other reason is fear for their career. You have to point out that these republicans today in the White House are not the good old boy republicans like Eisenhower who had a slogan, 'Vote for Peace", "Vote for Eisenhower". That is all you can do, point out that these are not real republicans.
833952
It's so easy to look at the shortcomings of liberal or conservative thinking. A moderate looks at the strengths of both side's logic. \n\nThose who are disadvantaged need our help. But, that help should be a hand up not a handout.\n\nWe need to react with aggression when aggression is aim at us. But that retaliation should be narrowly focused.\n\nWe should walk softly in world affairs, but carry a big stick.\n\nThere is a great deal of strength when liberal and conservative logic stands shoulder-to-shoulder.
570551
I agree with those who say radical thinkers are close minded.  They can't listen to anything but their own voice.  Moderate thinkers are more interesting as their viewpoints vary.  And remember, "Nothing lasts forever even cold November rain."
793509
Basic conservative mindset. The strength of conservatives is that they tend to operate in a more organized, coherent, and group-minded fashion. \n\nLiberals tend to be more creative, more flexible, and as a result, often come up with different ideas about how to solve a problem. Since most Democrats are liberal to one degree or another, that also shows through in the lack of coherence in the Democratic party.\n\nThe only question is, can the all at least reach consensus about specific issues, and thus be able to accomplish those tasks? Time will tell.
1166980
Liberals hate Conservatives because Conservatives know the difference between right and wrong and call out Liberals on their actions. No one likes to be told that they are wrong or what they are doing is wrong.\n\nAs a Conservative, I get aggrivated when Liberals think they know all of life's answers and they act like intellectuals when actually they are not very smart.
1030259
Conservatives are typically protection-minded, as in typically protective of the country and our way of life. Liberals tend to do a lot of america-bashing, they hate this, they hate that, they have a 'favorite minority of the month' kind of thing, they care more about starving kids somewhere else than starving kids in america, that kind of thing...their focus is more on 'the poor' and some other country than on fixing america....
959698
It's inherent in the idea of tradition and conformity, which are strong conservative values.\n\nThe conservative model advocates slow change, conformity and respect for doing things the same way they had been done. They oppose radical shifts, and fringe or alternative lifestyles, because those tend to be (as they believe) destablizing influences.\n\nThey also tend to believe that groups make decisions better than individuals, and that people should not be allowed to make choices that are harmful. It's a very parental attitude.
254220
Popular opinion is in favor of more action instead of less action, ergo being "Liberal" in any usage of the word is popularly "wrong."  Here's how it works out...\n\nWhat do you want and how do you intend to get it?\n\nLiberals have problems coming up with actionable answers, particularly for the second question.  As a result, it often looks like liberals aren't doing much of anything such that their sexual activities become as important as their political ambitions.  There's just nothing else significant enough to talk about.\n\nConservatives have problems coming up with sensible answers, particularly for the second question.  As a result, it often looks like conservatives are doing the wrong things -- such as military deployments without exit criteria or cutting taxes while trying to fund those military deployments -- but claim that their actions are proof of their strong leadership.  After all, doing things the right and sensible way with a plan that is consistent to the principles they would normally claim to believe in would take longer and the time to act -- ever since 9/11/01, anyway, ignoring certain pesky natural disasters -- is always Right Now.
1006378
I think you hit the nail on the head when you said "SOME".  Some of any group will just talk trash, liberal or conservative.  It's what people do.  You probably just notice liberals more because you know that crazy, irrational conservatives aren't representative, because you're a conservative and you don't think you're irrational.  It's pretty classic prejudice.\nI really think civil discourse is as possible as it ever was.  You just have to wade through lots of jibberish to find it.  I like to remind myself that people have reasons for thinking the way they do.  It helps me differentiate what's a good argument from what's a bad.  When someone acts like one side is completely unreasonable, then that person generally has a bad argument.  But when someone thoughtfully discusses opinions in a respectful manner, that person is usually using good arguments.  Because they don't have to defend with emotion.
857343
Conservatives are not into "bashing." Pointing out the faults of liberals is not bashing.