Posted on 08/27/2012 4:14:13 PM PDT by Melas
I got the idea from this from a reply, but thought it might make an interesting post on it's own.
Is the Free Republic conception of liberalism accurate? I'd say that my social circle is easily and neatly split down the middle with about half being Democrats, and the other half Republicans. Not to mention that my wife is a lifelong Democrat. I confess, that I don't know anyone personally who claims to actually follow any third party.
One of the things I regularly observe is that conservatives rarely believe what liberals think they believe, and liberals rarely believe what conservatives think they believe. My contention is that the everyman and everywoman is far removed the guys at the top who's views get airtime.
Some observations:
Easily 3/4 of the liberals I know own firearms. Yet the conservatives cling to the belief that all liberals are anti-gun.
The vast majority of conservatives I know personally are against gay marriage, but don't even come close to wanting to re-criminalize homosexuality. Yet, the liberals I know cling to the belief that conservatives desire an American Mutaween peering into every bedroom and hauling folks off to jail.
I've yet to meet a liberal in real life who thinks Obamacare is a good idea.
Honestly, outside of the media and FR, the real differences I see all revolve around money. Liberals are genuinely convinced that Republican policies favor the rich at the expense of the middle class. Conservatives genuinely (and rightly) believe that Democrat policies are all about funding the welfare state at the expense of the middle class. That's the real division I see amongst real people. It really is about the economy, stupid.
precisely. they have not given it much thought. And so, they cut the ends off their ham, because momma and grandmomma did that, and they pull the left lever, because momma voted for carter and LBJ, and gramma was an FDR zombie.
I have found this to be true, also...most libs I meet cannot hold their own in an intellectual discussion about the issues, but dont really know what they are voting for.
That’s the only stereotype that I see actually existing in any numbers in everyday liberals. They all believe in the welfare state. I’m constantly hearing about how we need more (taxpayer) money for education, rehabilitation, social programs et al. I can honestly say that I don’t know a single liberal who doesn’t believe that throwing money at a problem isn’t the best solution.
Fair comment. I'm in Dallas. It would probably be very different if I lived in San Francisco.
Oh, you can bet she will be voting for him in November.
No doubt. I’ll admit, I can be snarky. I’ve told her on many occasions to vote for him, because it doesn’t matter. He’s not taking Texas, even with her vote.
No doubt. I’ll admit, I can be snarky. I’ve told her on many occasions to vote for him, because it doesn’t matter. He’s not taking Texas, even with her vote.
You're missing a big point here. Most liberals are anti-gun for everyone BUT THEMSELVES. It's all about the desire for power over others for them.
Nope, not my experience at all. I'm more anti-gun that most of the liberals that I know personally. I don't really like guns. Mine is heavy, the holster makes the small of my back sweat, cafeteria style chairs are uncomfortable because of it, going to the range is a drudgery right up there with brushing my teeth, cleaning it as as tedious as clipping my toenails, etc etc. Come to think of it, I don't like tools in general. Hammers, guns, ladders, etc are all necessary in my life, but all mean work.
IBTZ
Put down the crack pipe.
I think being in Texas is causing you to have some skewed data on what the typical liberal is like.
Unfortunately I am on the liberal left coast of CA. Home to the fruits, nuts and flakes. The last time CA went R was for Ronald Reagan.
My only solace is that my hubby,myself, my oldest and his wife, my youngest all vote R, which cancels and then some against my mother, sister and brother. My older brother and his wife are unknowns on who they vote for.
Basic rule of thumb. Conservatives think, Liberals feel. Conservative consider the facts and form an opinion, Liberals form an opinion and then find facts to validate that opinion.
You don't own a gun. You just think you can fake it because conservative gun owners are stupid. But what you just described proves you don't own a gun, or at least carry it the way you say or use it the way you say.
I'm sorry, maybe that wasn't clear. So try this: you're a liar.
That was one of my reasons for posting this. I’m curious to know that if the liberals most FReepers meet in every day life are even the least bit as nutty as the one’s we see in the media. Another difference that I see. Of all the liberals I personally know, there isn’t a vegan in the bunch.
Can’t agree with you there Johnnie. I know far too many conservatives who form opinions and then rationalize. They’re almost uniformly of the big government, we will make your moral decisions for you stripe. Not making this up, but I know one curmudgeous fellow who honestly believe that we started going down hill when the government stopped censoring books.
You’re right, I don’t own a gun. Recently acquiring two more after my FIL’s passing, I now own 3.
There is a difference between “conservative” and “reactionary”. Just because someone claims to be “conservative” doesn’t make it so. There is also a serious difference between Libertarian and Liberal. Basically what you are describing are old style Democrats, not liberals. There is a difference.
Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner! That mirrors my experience almost 100%. I can't count the times, that an alleged liberal agreed with me almost 100% across the issues, only to declare that he/she was going to vote Democrat.
Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner! That mirrors my experience almost 100%. I can't count the times, that an alleged liberal agreed with me almost 100% across the issues, only to declare that he/she was going to vote Democrat.
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