Posted on 06/04/2008 10:45:28 AM PDT by moderatewolverine
George Will was on the Colbert Report last night, and he was quite good. When asked to describe the difference between liberals and conservatives (2:10), Will succinctly answers, "the difference between the truth and confusion." Well said, George.
(Excerpt) Read more at primetimepolitics.com ...
I always liked Rush’s definition of what is a liberal and what is a conservative.
“A liberal is someone who believes people are basically good. A conservative believes that people are basically selfish.”
I’ve thought about it a lot in the years since I first heard him say this and he’s right. It sounds simplistic but there’s so much territory it covers the statement is more truthful every day.
Another thing to consider: Conservatives think that human nature is static, and Liberals think that human nature can be changed through social constructs (so, through proper social change, we can perfect humans).
Perhaps but if people are basically good, why would Democrats need judges and scientific experts to tell them what to do all the time? If they really believed that people are basically good, then they would have more respect for the legislative process and people making their own decisions about abortion, homosexual marriage, etc.
It’s not often you see Colbert at a loss for words. Will gave as good as he got.
Have you ever read Locke and Hobbes?
They are the two political philosophers upon which Rush based his comparison.
Good point. A lot of Liberalism comes down to pride:
A Liberal thinks that he is basically good and thus fully qualified to lead society as a figure of Authority. You on the other hand are the scum of the earth and ought to have the boot heel of authority on your neck.
It's just the opposite with climate.
Conservatives think that climate is supposed to change, Liberals thinks it's supposed to be static.
I really, really dislike Colbert.
The pseudo-conservative schtick wears on me. It also gives Colbert the framework to be particularly vicious and seem innocuous.
George Will had a book to sell, so he did what he had to do. I was really glad to see that he smacked Colbert down.
Also, in the card game of life, a liberal is someone who will do literally anything to get his way. A conservative uses the facts, good manners, and fair play.
Thus the liberals called the current Republican candidate, and the conservatives have found chicken manure in their chicken salad (to quote a wise man).
Though I hate to sink to the liberal’s low level, NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!
I think the better explanation is that liberals believe that people are basically good...conservatives UNDERSTAND that we are animals, and left to our own devices without rules and morals and set standards, we will destroy ourselves and others.
Colbert is such a prick. George Will even manages to look like a genius compared to the Prick!
He who sets the rules of the debate, wins the debate.
Where would the liberals be without BDS?
You’ve got me there, griswold3.
I respect George Will, but wouldn't it have been more accurate to say, 'the difference between liberals and conservatives is the difference between the confusion and truth? Shouldn't the order have been switched?
Conservatives believe in the individual. Liberals believe in the government.
I respect George Will, but wouldn't it have been more accurate to say, 'the difference between liberals and conservatives is the difference between the confusion and truth? Shouldn't the order have been switched?
Just watched the video. The post got it reversed, George got it right... conservative:liberal - truth:confusion.
Of even greater interest was learning that George Will is an agnostic.
I respect the guy even more now!
That explanation seems too easy to me and leaves the door WAY open for nanny Gov't. Conservatives can have that definition if they want but I expect many people who call themselves Conservatives would have a hard time accepting Conservative inspired Nanny Gov't to protect us from our animal selves.
I love Colbert. He brought out the best in George Will on this one.
Conservatives believe in Economic freedom, National Defense and enforcing Judeo-Christian Values. Liberals believe in government imposed Economic Limitations, a Weak Defense, and doing away with Judeo-Christian Morality.
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