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ORIGINAL: chickpea

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ORIGINAL: Leatherist

The issue with liberals is thier tendency to go into "nanny mode".

You cannot use legislation to force morality and compassiuon-people have to want to.

Nanny mode (if it were actually true) is better than Domination mode.  I think since you're a dominant, you want to treat foreign policy like a D/S relationship.  We are not trying to force someone to change who they are, but how they act.  It is not imposing our values on them, but rather showing our wants, our strength, and giving them options.  That takes work....  I'm sure you'd rather toss money that isn't yours (trillions of the tax payer dollars) and blow people up....much easier....and call all the extra work that can save us trillions, sissy nanny stuff.  I think it's smart diplomacy.  Forcing our hands, giving options, letting it open doors to long term cooperation.  Don't have to be the same (change them if they're different) with everyone to get along with them, just have to treat them with respect.  If they refuse to do so, they suffer the consequences.  It's that simple.  You confuse "speak softly and carry a big stick" with "coddling them".

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ORIGINAL: Leatherist

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ORIGINAL: chickpea

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ORIGINAL: Leatherist

The issue with liberals is thier tendency to go into "nanny mode".

You cannot use legislation to force morality and compassiuon-people have to want to.

Nanny mode (if it were actually true) is better than Domination mode.  I think since you're a dominant, you want to treat foreign policy like a D/S relationship.  We are not trying to force someone to change who they are, but how they act.  It is not imposing our values on them, but rather showing our wants, our strength, and giving them options.  That takes work....  I'm sure you'd rather toss money that isn't yours (trillions of the tax payer dollars) and blow people up....much easier....and call all the extra work that can save us trillions, sissy nanny stuff.  I think it's smart diplomacy.  Forcing our hands, giving options, letting it open doors to long term cooperation.  Don't have to be the same (change them if they're different) with everyone to get along with them, just have to treat them with respect.  If they refuse to do so, they suffer the consequences.  It's that simple.  You confuse "speak softly and carry a big stick" with "coddling them".

I think you are confusing a moderate with a conservative. I dislike being ass raped by materialistic wolves as much as I dislike being told what to do by idiots who "know what is good for me"

Espcially when they cannot even keep thier own fiscal houses in decent and balanced order.

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ORIGINAL: Alumbrado

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ORIGINAL: Irishknight

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ORIGINAL: meatcleaver

Most conservative ideas come out of pessimism, being scared of the future or putting ones head in the sand and holding onto what someone already has to the exclusion of others.

I would have to say that particular statement is more opinion and bias than fact.  I have conservative ideas as well as liberal ideas.  Most of my thoughts run somewhere down the middle because that is where the reality is.  The far left dreams of creating a utopia through government institutions that will make all people love each other.  AIN'T gonna happen.  The far right believes that if they can get everyon to follow the exact same set of rules and conform to a cookie cutter mold of "good Christian soldiers" then the world will be perfect.  AIN'T gonna happen. 
The reality of life falls between these two realms of idiocy.

Putting the unknown or the uncomfortable into the 'you must be one of them' box is a knee jerk reaction, not the product of sincere reflection or critical thinking. Reality is a scary thing to many, it would seem.

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ORIGINAL: cluelessslave

There are useful definitions for rational discourse. Then there are pejorative epithets used for political campaign antagonism. What you do when you start a thread saying liberals have good thoughts that help people while conservatives are evil and heartless, is you bring an element of reason to an oftentimes irrational hate fest. Or did I turn that around? The point is, it's all supposed to be fun...until somebody drops an atom bomb.

Liberal: Hey, let's try something [that we think is] new [because we haven't bothered to read history]!
Conservative: Do what we know works [in theory but obviously not in real life]!
Political Hack: It's US against THEM!
Knowitall: The whole system is fucked; you are sheeple! Soylent green is made of people!
Wag: I like how that vein in your forehead throbs when you get upset.

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ORIGINAL: cluelessslave

Conservatives are about competing for private property and protecting their own group from outsiders.

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ORIGINAL: cluelessslave

Authoritarianism and capitalism are conservative ideologies.

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ORIGINAL: cluelessslave

Communism and socialism are liberal ideologies.

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ORIGINAL: fungasm

That all people should be treated equally, regardless of color, gender or sexual preference.

Take pride in who you are, your unique nature, and that you have different skills, tastes and abilities.  That is what makes horse races, and being a replaceable cog in the great machine is boring, is it not?

That our elderly shouldn't be left to die in poverty.

Agreed, but am aware that even the government, that has a program that can be construed to address this problem, recommends that one take personal responsibility, and claims their system will be broken once i reach that age.  Is there not a level
of personal responsibility?  Sorry this is cold hearted, but it is pragmatic.

That those who cannot take care of themselves should be protected.

Who is to decide that someone is unable.  is it possible that someone might see that as an easy way to tap in?
  Who is best to decide on the care of the disabled?
      Please not my neighbor "i'd rather be dead than be in that condition."
       Please not my relative "i can't believe someone would waste their life caring for someone in that condition."
        Please not my social worker "there are places that will provide full term care."
      Please help me to find the tools, but give me the freetom to deal with these issues in my way, with care left in the hands of those who have his/her best interests in mind. (this can also throw back to elderly)

That everyone deserves an education. 

This is true , but an education, not simply being forced through a system regardless of whether learning has happened or not. 

That no one should go to bed hungry.

Again, there is a level of personal responsibility in this issue, as well as a sense of morality.  i would provide a meal to a hungry family or person.  i would be resentful if this same person reached into my pocket and took out the money for a meal without my consent. 

That no one has the right to hurt or abuse a child.

Clear definitions here, my children were hurt when they were told that the tooth fairy or Santa claus might not be exactly what they thought.  They were hurt when their parents got divorced.  They have, on rare occasions, experienced corporal punishment, but seemed more hurt with writing assignments and corner time.  They also considered it abusive when they could not play gameboy or watch tv.

That rape is wrong. 

Has this come under question?

That our Constitution and Bill of Rights are sacred documents, and that those who love this country will act within the laws of this country.  If those laws are wrong, we work to change them peacefully.

There are many attacks on this, but it has stood up pretty strongly.  i do fear those who want to take away my ability to carry a gun.  (i am not a gun person, but it is nice to think i could be if necessary). 

That our soldiers who fight for us deserve the best training, the best equipment, and the best Commander in Chief- who will send them to defend our country and it's values.

Part of my military training was that not everything would work all the time.  The best weapon was one's mind, and the ability to understand, accept and overcome.  i am proud of my time served, my country, and what the military has taught me in terms not only of operational skills, but discipline and flexibility.

Just some thoughts.  If the worst thing you have against Obama is his middle name- than you really have to do better.

Listen carefully to his values, his value of you and watch his devotion to country.  Just a thought.

Ali