clavus

The word is too controversial. When it is uttered in mixed company, eyes shift, and tempers flare. Nobody really knows what the word itself means, so it easily offends. Use it to describe yourself, and people get nervous. Use it to describe others, and you might get a slap on the back or punch in the mouth.

Why? Because the word lost its meaning. The only time we dare utter it is when we are near those closest to us – those who already know the quality of our character.

The word is, of course, “Conservative.”

Don’t believe me? Answer these questions.

I like the Environmental Protection Act. Does that make me a conservative, like those Republicans who crafted it, or a Conservative like those Republicans who are dismantling it?

The Balanced Budget Amendment was an idea long championed by Conservatives. So if I ask why we are running a record deficit, why am I called a whining Liberal?

If I call myself "conservative" do I stand for states rights, and individual rights, or am I a "conservative" who usurps these rights in the name of god or war?

The rudder has fallen off. The word is adrift in a sea of syntax. It’s time we scuttle it.

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Elphaba

Clavus, good questions all. Have you reread your own statement "I am a Republican?"

Edit: Not scuttle, but reclaim the ship, and toss the skalliwags over the side.

Mondak

This is very frustrating since most don't know what it means. When you look at it, are we trying to be on the winning team or are we aligning ourselves with those who best represent our ideas? Most people are following men not ideas.

I like smaller government - those who call themselves conservatives have expanded the scope, spending and power of the government to unprecidented levels. I can't see where I signed up for that.

I am no longer a Republican, a liberal, a Democrat or a Conservative. I am a critical thinker. I long to commune in a land of people dedicated to thought and legitimate debate.

I will dissagree with one thing though - the rudder has not fallen off. It is just the controls have been bypassed while we stood by silent. This ship is not wandering the oceans randomly. It is going exactly where those at the helm want it to. It doesnt' have to be a conspiracy either. All you have to do as a politician is:

1. Act in your own best interest.
2. Tell everyone that you are an altruist and only working for the public good.
3. Condemn anyone who is following rule #1 (openly).

We let them do this to us by being lazy.

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Halx

I feel like labeling and aligning ourselves is bad for a number of reasons:

1. It allows others to pre-judge us.
2. It gives us a default that may not be in line with our true feelings.
3. It groups us with people we don't like.
4. It polarizes the population.

So, I'm with Mondak on this one. Critical Thinker.

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tecoyah

"C".....stands for constipated.......as in, all politics in this country.....someone really needs to drop a load and get it over with

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jmad

I can consider myself conservative as far as economics goes, and a liberal on social issues. Less government, more free trade! States rights should be paramount, less federal interference in regional or local issues! Let gay people get married, or at least give them civil unions, because every man/woman is created equal! Put non-violent drug users in Rehab, not Prison! etc.

So I guess I have to agree with Mondak on just about every point. I would never label myself conservative, but I am conservative on some issues and vice versa being liberal on most social issues.

Lately, I always get this feeling that anyone I know that strictly aligns themself with a political party and votes along party lines is a complete moron and a tool. Either they are too lazy and/or are too stupid to think for themselves. I actually have a lot of friends that are like this, and deep down I have contempt for them because of this trait. Does anyone else feel this sentiment toward people you know who vote strictly down party lines, or am I just an a-hole?

clavus

Well, I had to label myself as something so I could vote in the Primary.

I started to write about the word itself, how it polarizes, pisses-off and freaks out people. Liberal hasn't really changed its meaning so much, but I've found people avoiding the C Word, even in non-political discussions.

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Halx

I'll be truthful. I don't know what it means.

I have no idea what a conservative likes or dislikes.

I'm sure if someone tried to define it for me, another person would come along and argue it.

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archpaladin

Word.

More to the point, I think most political labelling terms suffer from this sort of problem. Think about it - do you know what "liberal" means any more than you know what "conservative" means? I doubt it. I think it's all just a gimmick to create a black-and-white division in a world consisting of gray shades.

Politics in this nation - and in most any nation, I think - would be better served by a bunch of independent stances, rather than by two or three.

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tecoyah

Slowly, I think....we are heading there. Baby steps, but at least here in TFP....it is happening.

So I like to think

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Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha