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Mercnbeth -> RE: Political views? (10/28/2005 11:44:00 AM)
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quote:
Personally, I lean towards the liberal side.
The "liberal side" doesn't exist any more. Using one of the original tenets of liberalism as an example that all people are to be treated equal. I agree with that position. However, equality is no longer a liberal position. Today's liberals support programs and laws that make people "more equal" than others. Colleges are a perfect example. At one time woman were a minority on college campuses. Colleges like Princeton, Yale, Harvard were all male institutions. Those institutions now have a large woman presence, and in the case of Yale, a majority. Woman make up a majority of the overall college population, yet quotas and lower entrance standards are still in place for woman. Ending quotas and the applying equal standards is now a conservative ideal.
Who said this, a conservative or a liberal; "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country!"? Imagine if this was applied in current times to such things as national health care, farm subsidies, and even the Katrina relieve efforts. Now we have national entitlement. Cheap gas, free health coverage, subsidized housing, full employment; are a "right" of every American citizen AND all those who can sneak over the border.
Even the liberals know they can't self identify as liberal. It's almost taken on the pariah definition of a the 50's "pinko communist". Just look at the recent attempt at creating liberal radio talk shows. The charter is to provide a outlet to offset the conservatives. But do they call their attempt "liberal radio"? No - they call it "progressive radio". They are so embarrassed with their liberalism and realize that it is so far from the main stream they had to change the name. Listen and observe how senators, congressmen, or any politician now self identifies as "progressive". Many of these used to be liberals. Why are they now embarrassed by the term?
Their effort is a marketing stroke of genius. It must have been the same marketing study that called the "anti-abortion" movement "pro-life". Just think of the mental exercise needed to be contrary. Once "pro-life" replaced "anti-abortion; abortion (or woman's)rights people were immediately "anti-life"; a VERY tough label to sell to the general public. Now the effort is to make the opposite of conservative not liberal but progressive. Turned around it illustrates the point better. Who would want to be identified with a group that was - "contra-progressive"? The Orwellian use of language is admirable!
Remember one other thing - the general public far out ways any opinion you'll see hear from either side. Ask yourself why the ACLU is more active in getting a small cross off the city shield of the city of LA than they are about the national censorship that's occurring? Every political position that is taken now on a national level first requires a national opinion poll. Decisions and positions taken are determined not on moral or just grounds but on how much money it will bring into the group.
If my political identification were given in lifestyle relative terms I'd be a bi-sexual switch. When forced to label myself I say I am a pragmatist. It's very egomanical and selfish, but honest. I vote and support people who will best enhance or maintain the lifestyle I choose to live. Some compromises that you have to make along the way are very painful, but that's where prioritizing is important. Using the lifestyle alone for making voting decisions you may think that requires a liberal position. But I see no political party or individual politician representing a libertarian point of view on this subject. Without that platform to consider things like national security, business climate, and reducing the size of government became important issues. Of course that doesn't guarantee the person you vote for will follow through with that platform, but when the opposition guarantees the creation of a bigger government, it's a no brainer who to pick out of the gate.
Why the need to call yourself anything? While in college take on the political position of the professor who's class you are taking. It will help your grade. Your goal should be graduation. Think of college as the equivalent of "on-line" lifestyle relationship. You may learn some things but ultimately the real world will be much different. Self identity should be formed by beliefs resulting from your real experiences. Beliefs will be easier to defend if they are yours. Don't waste the fight with people who you ultimately can win against because they have the ultimate power over your grade. Use debate to help qualify your opinions to yourself. Get your degree so you can label yourself a graduate.
It's may be difficult for you to acknowledge now but do enough to achieve your goal and little more. Unless you plans are for graduate school immediately, after your first job, the grades you achieved will never be important again. Consider that 50% of all doctors who practice medicine graduated in the lower half of their class. The shingle they hang with their degree does not give the grades they obtained.
Are you sure you identify as a "liberal"?
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