Is everyone who is not a Republican considered a Liberal

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: Rob9874
I'm not saying I don't weigh every issue. Didn't you read my post? I even gave the example of censorship. I vehemently oppose censorship, despite the fact that the Republican party is typically for it. I would never side with an issue just because my party does. That would be ridiculous. I can honestly say my poitical opinions are my own choosing, and not influenced by any political party. I'm saying that when I support tax cuts, support welfare reform, support pro-life, support gay marriage bans, support free trade, etc, I'm not afraid to be labeled a Republican. I would ASSUME most people also side with a majority of one party's platform, but like to call themselves "independent" because they want to avoid stereotypes from either side. I honestly believe that. Sorry.

Well of COURSE people want to avoid stereotypes. Once you firmly state you are independent as opposed to just being part of a group, people can't just argue by calling you a hippie/a sissy liberal/out of touch with America, or a Nazi/a Jesus-freak/redneck, they have to actually look at your views and argue against them.

People make assumptions that inevitably lower the level of discourse to people screaming neo-con and liberal at each other. I for one don't see the need to aid this by labeling myself, plenty of other people seem willing to do that for me. I think my opinions are strong enough to stand on their own without any kind of over-riding, big group political ideology behind them, something I feel just hurts the overall process.

 

[jjzelinski]

Originally posted by: Rainsford

Originally posted by: Rob9874
I'm not saying I don't weigh every issue. Didn't you read my post? I even gave the example of censorship. I vehemently oppose censorship, despite the fact that the Republican party is typically for it. I would never side with an issue just because my party does. That would be ridiculous. I can honestly say my poitical opinions are my own choosing, and not influenced by any political party. I'm saying that when I support tax cuts, support welfare reform, support pro-life, support gay marriage bans, support free trade, etc, I'm not afraid to be labeled a Republican. I would ASSUME most people also side with a majority of one party's platform, but like to call themselves "independent" because they want to avoid stereotypes from either side. I honestly believe that. Sorry.

Well of COURSE people want to avoid stereotypes. Once you firmly state you are independent as opposed to just being part of a group, people can't just argue by calling you a hippie/a sissy liberal/out of touch with America, or a Nazi/a Jesus-freak/redneck, they have to actually look at your views and argue against them.

People make assumptions that inevitably lower the level of discourse to people screaming neo-con and liberal at each other. I for one don't see the need to aid this by labeling myself, plenty of other people seem willing to do that for me. I think my opinions are strong enough to stand on their own without any kind of over-riding, big group political ideology behind them, something I feel just hurts the overall process.

Well put. Cliff Notes say: think for yourself and don't be so quick to marginalize others..

 

[MidasKnight]

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech
Far Left, Moderate Left, Libertarian, Moderate Right, Far Right.

A large portion of the voters fall somewhere into those five areas.

Agreed.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: jjzelinski
Way to compomise your integrity Rob, keep fightin' the good fight!

For him to compromise his integrity he'd have to have some integrity first.

 

[TMPadmin]

Anyone who does not think like me is a FLAMING tree hugging, baby killing, electric car driving, bleeding heart liberal!

Okay that's a bit over the edge. I do find that many, not all, democrats seeeeem to be a bit more far left. Just in passing in the office I have been attacked verbally on several occasions after this and the last election. I was called names, and in general abused. Good thing it doesn't bother me.

In town the GOP HQ was vandalized by a liberal organization. I understand it was not organized by the Democratic Party but in my experiences democrats become angered and sometimes violent when things don't go their way. Conservatives / Republicans tent to find a solution and see where they went wrong to correct the situation for a better result next time; this is not saying liberals don't do the same just not in my experiences.

I do think you have republicans, undecided and liberals. The Democratic Party does not see the need to become a bit more moderate and that is one of the reasons they lost yet again.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: Rob9874

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: Rob9874

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech
Far Left, Moderate Left, Libertarian, Moderate Right, Far Right.

A large portion of the voters fall somewhere into those five areas.

I doubt it. Most people with half a brain decide on each issue independantly, and aren't real concerned with sticking to the party line. It's just not that simple as much as some would like it to be.

Nah, I like the fact that I can pick a side and commit to it. Does that mean that I agree with everything on the Republican agenda? Nope. I hate censorship, for example. Does it mean that the Republican party just happens to embody each and every one of my political ideas (or that I have adopted all of theirs)? Nope, not at all. But based on my perspective, my life experience, when I look at all the issues and weigh all the facts, I like an overwhelming majority of what the Republican party believes in. I'm not some wishy-washy wet dishrag that rides the fence on every issue. I hate that! I am a conservative Republican, and am not apologetic about it in the least. Even if I am labeled a religious whacko. That just tells me that my accuser knows absolutely nothing about my political viewpoint.

According to Tiles' 5 categories, I would say I'm inbetween Moderate Right and Far Right. I'm not Moderate Right, because they're like 60/40 Republican. Not me. I'm more 80/20. But I'm not Far Right. Those ARE the religious whackos who like to home school and want Stern off the air.

I find that to be silly. Just because you consider each side equally and realize there is truth/benefits to each one doesn't mean you are wishy-washy or flip-flopping. I have a slight allegiance to the Rep party, but I say very very very slight.

Nah, you're just afraid to say one way or the other, because you don't want to be labeled. Face it.

Nope. You'd be wrong. I don't care if someone labels me or not. I'm just not partisan.

Rob's statement is indicative of the mentality that much of the nation embraces. You're one or the other. You can't root for two teams at once. It's childish, destructive, and deficient.

 

[assemblage]

Are all Southerners ignorant Evangelical hicks?

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: assemblage
Are all Southerners ignorant Evangelical hicks?

No but a large minority of them are. Same is true in the Farm Belt.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: assemblage
Are all Southerners ignorant Evangelical hicks?

Yes, all of them. Not a single one has an education or can speak properly or act in any profession higher than farmer. In fact all of the physicians at my wife's hospital are northerners, because the hospital couldn't recruit any doctors from the south (there are none; they can't get into medical school). Also, every single one of them goes to church 3 times a week. All of them!

 

[imported_tss4]

Originally posted by: TMPadmin
Anyone who does not think like me is a FLAMING tree hugging, baby killing, electric car driving, bleeding heart liberal!

Okay that's a bit over the edge. I do find that many, not all, democrats seeeeem to be a bit more far left. Just in passing in the office I have been attacked verbally on several occasions after this and the last election. I was called names, and in general abused. Good thing it doesn't bother me.

In town the GOP HQ was vandalized by a liberal organization. I understand it was not organized by the Democratic Party but in my experiences democrats become angered and sometimes violent when things don't go their way. Conservatives / Republicans tent to find a solution and see where they went wrong to correct the situation for a better result next time; this is not saying liberals don't do the same just not in my experiences.

I do think you have republicans, undecided and liberals. The Democratic Party does not see the need to become a bit more moderate and that is one of the reasons they lost yet again.

I would imagine your experience is colored by the fact that as a conservative you probably surround your self with more consrevative minded people. So the liberals that you interact with the most or notice at least are the squecky wheel obnoxious type. As a liberal I have the exact opposite experience. Most of my freinds are like minded so the only conservatives I tend to interact with are obnoxiuos and over the top about their views. Its interesting that you think liberals are farther left than conservatives are right. I would also disagree with that (as would most liberals). I can only attribute that to the widening of the gap between liberals and conservatives.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: AntiEverything
Libertarians are outside the current political spectrum.

Everything is outside the current Poltical spectrum, it's a Religious spectrum now.

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: TMPadmin
Anyone who does not think like me is a FLAMING tree hugging, baby killing, electric car driving, bleeding heart liberal!

Okay that's a bit over the edge. I do find that many, not all, democrats seeeeem to be a bit more far left. Just in passing in the office I have been attacked verbally on several occasions after this and the last election. I was called names, and in general abused. Good thing it doesn't bother me.

In town the GOP HQ was vandalized by a liberal organization. I understand it was not organized by the Democratic Party but in my experiences democrats become angered and sometimes violent when things don't go their way. Conservatives / Republicans tent to find a solution and see where they went wrong to correct the situation for a better result next time; this is not saying liberals don't do the same just not in my experiences.

I do think you have republicans, undecided and liberals. The Democratic Party does not see the need to become a bit more moderate and that is one of the reasons they lost yet again.

that post makes me pretty sad. how could anyone have such warped views?

take a vacation to a blue state we're really nice people.

both the right and the left have their fringe people (ie: for every violent, GOP-hating, anti-Bush democrat, you have an abortion-clinic-bombing republican). it's sad that each group gets defined by the vocal minority.

 

[cquark]

Originally posted by: tss4

Originally posted by: TMPadmin
Anyone who does not think like me is a FLAMING tree hugging, baby killing, electric car driving, bleeding heart liberal!

Okay that's a bit over the edge. I do find that many, not all, democrats seeeeem to be a bit more far left. Just in passing in the office I have been attacked verbally on several occasions after this and the last election. I was called names, and in general abused. Good thing it doesn't bother me.

In town the GOP HQ was vandalized by a liberal organization. I understand it was not organized by the Democratic Party but in my experiences democrats become angered and sometimes violent when things don't go their way. Conservatives / Republicans tent to find a solution and see where they went wrong to correct the situation for a better result next time; this is not saying liberals don't do the same just not in my experiences.

I do think you have republicans, undecided and liberals. The Democratic Party does not see the need to become a bit more moderate and that is one of the reasons they lost yet again.

I would imagine your experience is colored by the fact that as a conservative you probably surround your self with more consrevative minded people. So the liberals that you interact with the most or notice at least are the squecky wheel obnoxious type. As a liberal I have the exact opposite experience. Most of my freinds are like minded so the only conservatives I tend to interact with are obnoxiuos and over the top about their views. Its interesting that you think liberals are farther left than conservatives are right. I would also disagree with that (as would most liberals). I can only attribute that to the widening of the gap between liberals and conservatives.

Bush is also the most radical President since FDR, so his extremism gives some people the idea that the center of the spectrum has moved rightwards.

 

[dardin211]

Well Bush and his people have proven that not every Republican is a conservative that's for sure.

 

[TMPadmin]

I guess my attempt at sarcasm was not taken as such.

Anyone who does not think like me is a FLAMING tree hugging, baby killing, electric car driving, bleeding heart liberal!

Sorry... Don't be so sad. But the equivilant hateful things are said about republicans with no issue.

I know that not every liberal / democrat is as hateful as the ones I mentioned but they are out there. I think maybe I see less radical conservatism since I live in a predominately democratic state (NY). But taking in the national news, how many liberals were arrested at the Republican convention and how many conservatives were arrested at the democratic convention? I don't know exactly but if you wish you can look it up and prove me wrong.

It's funny you have to bring up abortion in this. I am equally disgusted by those bombing or sniping "doctors" who perform abortions it gives the cause a bad name, not to mention the danger or death they create. I will never defend their actions. You are correct each group is defined by the radical minority but it seems as though there is a majority of liberal radicals.

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: Feldenak

Originally posted by: amdfanboy

Originally posted by: AntiEverything
You're confusing libertarian with moderate. Libertarians are for minimal government, which neither Reps, Dems, or anything in between is generally concerned with.

Reps used to be

I'm a former Republican that switched to Libertarian. If/when the Republican party returns to true conservative ideals, I will go back.

A good number of the republican congressman are Libertarian-Republicans, I'm hoping they can steer the party in a more fiscally responsible direction.

 

[PingSpike]

No. There are many republicans who are branded as liberals as well.

 

[assemblage]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: assemblage
Are all Southerners ignorant Evangelical hicks?

Yes, all of them. Not a single one has an education or can speak properly or act in any profession higher than farmer. In fact all of the physicians at my wife's hospital are northerners, because the hospital couldn't recruit any doctors from the south (there are none; they can't get into medical school). Also, every single one of them goes to church 3 times a week. All of them!

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: assemblage
Are all Southerners ignorant Evangelical hicks?

No but a large minority of them are. Same is true in the Farm Belt.

Bigoted & not factual

 

[conjur]

"Is everyone who is not a Republican considered a Liberal?"

No, just everyone who opposes Bush. And, become anti-Bush and get labeled: communist, unpatriotic, unAmerican, liberal, partisan, etc.

It's ridiculous.

 

[AntiEverything]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
So, let me get this straight. If you decide on each issue objectively by looking at it from different angles and perspectives, you are "wishy washy" and "riding the fence"? However, when you blindly tow the party line, and "pick a side" on most issues, you are what....stubborn and close minded?

This is the problem we are facing right now. We have become so polarized that we think one "side" is the path to a utopian society, and the other "side" is evil incarnate that is hell bent on destroying the world. As soon as you only listen to people who think the same as you, and refuse to listen to a differing point of view because it's from "the other side", you are the one that loses out.

I've said this before...

Imagine if half the energy both "sides" spend villifying the other and doing everything in their power to "stop them", they worked together, and *gasp* compromised to solve the problems and issues facing all of us, think of what could be done.

Instead we elect these officials to basically carry on a schoolyard fight....and we are the losers.

Feel free to ignore everything I posted though, I'm probably going to feel different in a couple minutes when my wishy wasy a$$ falls off the fence... :roll:

The most intelligent post in this thread has been completely ignored.

Further proof that this forum is roughly 99% partisan tools who have NO interest in America, only in being on the winning side and wanting to force everybody else to thinks exactly as they do.

But I'll raise one for you Insane3D. :beer:

 

[NesuD]

Is everyone who is not a Republican considered a Liberal

No more than anyone who is not a liberal is considered a Neocon Republican. It's a 2 way street my friend.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: assemblage

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: assemblage
Are all Southerners ignorant Evangelical hicks?

Yes, all of them. Not a single one has an education or can speak properly or act in any profession higher than farmer. In fact all of the physicians at my wife's hospital are northerners, because the hospital couldn't recruit any doctors from the south (there are none; they can't get into medical school). Also, every single one of them goes to church 3 times a week. All of them!

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: assemblage
Are all Southerners ignorant Evangelical hicks?

No but a large minority of them are. Same is true in the Farm Belt.

Bigoted & not factual

Damn you, catch the sarcasm.

 

[DragonMasterAlex]

If that were true it wouldn't be so damned hard to get something OTHER than a Republican or Democrat into ANY elected office! It actually IS, unfortunately, true that people tend to stick to party lines. Just because you encounter some intelligent people in a place like AT P&N doesn't change the fact that most of the population is about as intelligent as cardboard.

Jason

Originally posted by: Insane3D
I doubt it. Most people with half a brain decide on each issue independantly, and aren't real concerned with sticking to the party line. It's just not that simple as much as some would like it to be.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: DragonMasterAlex
If that were true it wouldn't be so damned hard to get something OTHER than a Republican or Democrat into ANY elected office! It actually IS, unfortunately, true that people tend to stick to party lines. Just because you encounter some intelligent people in a place like AT P&N doesn't change the fact that most of the population is about as intelligent as cardboard.

Jason

Originally posted by: Insane3D
I doubt it. Most people with half a brain decide on each issue independantly, and aren't real concerned with sticking to the party line. It's just not that simple as much as some would like it to be.

I did say "people with half a brain" didn't I...