You Dem/Libs are going to disagree. I know you will. But the more I ponder this, the more I think it's true. Before I start, this is a broad generalization. Don't take it personally if it doesn't apply to you. It probably doesn't around here. But the further to the left one goes, the more I think it is a predominant trend. So here goes...
On the issue of personal morals, the Conservatives are frequently and easily exposed as hypocrits. There are endless examples of conservative politicians and personalities breaking the moral codes they hold up so high.
Here's why, IMO. It's because conservatives bother keep high standards. High standards are difficult to adhere to, but conservatives keep them anyway, becauseit is the right thing to do --even though they know failure will occur.
Liberals, on the other hand, seeking to avoid failure, keep low standards, or none at all.Someone cheating on his wifecan't be called a hypocrit, for example, if they had never considered adultery wrong in the first place. Don't call drug abuse wrong, because some liberals abuse drugs, and we wouldn't want to call it wrong. Don't call laziness and sloth wrong, because many liberal voters are on public assistance.
Think of any conservative politicain who has stepped down in shame because of an moral failure, which transformed into ethical failure and wrong doing. Now think of a liberal who has gone through similar problems within a reasonable period of time. Most likely, you will see a rallying of the liberal troops around that person -- standing ovations, rallies, re-election...
It's easy to keep standards that are low. It is easy to aviod moral failure when you keep almost no moral standards.
(OK, I can feel the backlash to this post already, and I haven't submitted it yet![8D])
RE: A difference between Consevatives and Liberals
I don't totally agree, but there's more truth in that post than you'll see many here agree with. I don't think the difference is that conservatives uphold morals while liberals do not, so much as the difference is that conservatives and liberals have a different definition of what morals are important.
The one part that is indesputable in this:
Quote:
Think of any conservative politicain who has stepped down in shame because of an moral failure, which transformed into ethical failure and wrong doing. Now think of a liberal who has gone through similar problems within a reasonable period of time. Most likely, you will see a rallying of the liberal troops around that person -- standing ovations, rallies, re-election...
History proves it true.
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RE: A difference between Consevatives and Liberals
I agree somewhat with Ben on this one--I couldn't say what the reasoning is behind the low/non-existent morals (and you may be right on the money Eto), but the part Ben quoted is very obviously fact.
Chad
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A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Ecclesiasties 10:2
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RE: A difference between Consevatives and Liberals
Quote:
ORIGINAL: Ifferd
There is a fundamental flaw of logic with the whole point of your question eto - you failed to define the criteria of what/who is a liberal or conservative.
What makes one a liberal?
What makes one a conservative?
Is it one issue, or many?
Do you decide which issues matter for the definitions,do I, or is it the RNC or DNC?
Does someone labela personbased on half guessed assumptions?
Or is it the core values in one's own heart that define them rather than the opinions of partisans?
Arepeople their own best judge in determining whether they are "liberal or conservative".
Or, does that privilege of classification belong exclusively to some 3rd party, you, me, someone else?
Can someone be liberal on some issues and conservative on others?
What would they be classified as?
Who is qualified to judge?
Have you asked Taz what he is?
(I feel like he does)
Important questions when addressing your premis.
Very good commentary, Iff.
Upon thinking... my admittedly broad generalization is more partizan and politicalthan philosophical, though it may delve into the roots of each philosophy (conservatism being linked to absolutism, liberalism to relativism).
In my original post, to keep things simple (or overly simplistic) I would say "liberal" refers to those who are "far left." Clintons, Shumer, etc. for politicians, and Begala for analysts...
For "conservative, I would say most "moderate" to far right republicans would fit the bill.
A difference between Consevatives and Liberals
