What makes a conservative a conservative and what makes a liberal a liberal?

and why do they dislike each other so much. it keeps us in this mode of them vs. us. i dont want to hate a conservative or a liberal. i want to be able to talk about the differences and meet in the middle where ever that is now.What makes a conservative a conservative and what makes a liberal a liberal?
Wow, a really good question. A conservative is generally someone that wants less government in most aspects in our lives. In most cases, they want to protect the status quo, typically because it's in their favor. They tend to promote Christianity and denounce taxes of the most part. A liberal is generally someone that wants to make changes (progress) where there are issues (i.e. Civil Rights). Liberals tend to want to ultilize taxes for the benefit of the entire country and although they don't actively promote religion, they are in fact Christians. The latter is the part that Conservatives tend to ignore, in an effort to convince the public that liberal=evil. It really all comes down to God, guns and taxes.





They dislike each other so because they feel that the other is going to be the downfall of the country. Each feels that the radicals on each wing are highjacking the respective parties. It's crazy.





They don't seemed interested in really addressing the problems of the people. An example is Terri Schaivo. How absurd is it to convene for one person when there are millions homeless, hungry and uninsured (in the US no less)? Liberal and conservatives alike dropped the ball on this.





I frequently want to understand how in this day of political correctness, that each party can be so uncivilized to each other. They actually delay on issues of importance to the people that vote(education costs, health care, security, environment, rising costs of living, etc.), but move fairly quickly for the businesses (minimum wage, tax breaks, assisting in moving jobs overseas, etc.) that contribute to their campaignsWhat makes a conservative a conservative and what makes a liberal a liberal?
Below is a list of things Liberals believe in.





Freedom...


...of conscience


You have the right to think as you wish.





...of religion


You have the right to worship as you please. The government has no business either supporting or opposing religion in general or any specific religion.





...of speech


You have the right to express your views, whatever they may be. Only in the free marketplace of ideas can truth emerge.


------------------------------...


Civil rights


All people are equal under the law. Any type of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender is not only inconsistent with a free and civil society, but is immoral as well.


------------------------------...


Universal public education


Equality of opportunity requires all Americans to have access to a basic education consistent with maintaining informed citizenship and the ability to participate fully in society.


------------------------------...


Tolerance of Differences


Because we are all unique beings, with different skills, needs, and wants, we must respect the life choices of others as long as their life choices do not infringe on the rights enjoyed by other citizens.


------------------------------...


A Social Safety Net


Recognizing that circumstances beyond mortal control play a part in all our lives, a basic social safety net shall be avaliable to all who need it, not as a permanent lifestyle, but rather as a helping hand to get back on one's feet.


------------------------------...


Employees' Rights


We spend most of our lives working. Work is the foundation of our economy and a major part of the glue holding together communities. The employee is an equal business partner with the employer, and as such, has the right to collectively bargain for terms of employment.


------------------------------...


Environmental Protection


Contrary to some people's opinions, it is possible to both protect the environment and sustain economic growth. We support taking all reasonable and responsible steps to protect the environment and the species contained therein.


------------------------------...


Strong Families


The family is the primary social unit in America. It must be respected, and encouraged in all its forms. Government should make policy with this in mind.


------------------------------...


Responsibility


With rights come responsibilities. Exercising our rights means taking responsibility for our actions, and their effects on others.


------------------------------...


Free Enterprise


The capitalist economic system is the most efficient solution to providing for peoples' wants and needs. Government's role is that of a regulator, not a controller of industry, and any regulation must only be for the good of society as a whole, and not for the benefit of any one entity.


------------------------------...


Rule of Law


Law is the framework in which society operates. There can be no society without justice. Justice means that those who commit crimes must be made to answer for them, and that the criminal code is fair and wisely constructed. When criminal actions go unpunished, respect for the law weakens. The law applies to all, including all agents of the government.


------------------------------...


...most importantly, Progress


Progress is what Liberalism really means; moral progress, economic progress, and social progress to benefit all humanity. This represents the path towards a better world. At its heart, Liberalism is an optimistic philosophy.
TV ads. Only TV ads.
As near as I can tell, there are a dozen or so people in this forum who make that decision for everyone who opens their mouths and expresses their opinion.


Just hang out here for a while and soon enough one of them will let you know if you are a conservative or a liberal.
AMEN------- Marcus J





I was going to answer this question with the same thoughts you so eloquently crafted. I find I depressing that people do not find the time to reflect up this issue. The bickering without listening is counter-productive and EGOTISTIC.





The ability to understand other's points of view is a truely HUMAN characteristic we need to cultivate.





I like your defintion of Con vs Lib. One has his marbles and wants to protect them and the other has marbles but sees a better way to distribute them.





I try to walk the walk by listening to both points of view through multiple media outlets that have political leaning agreeing and disagreeing with my leanings. I really helps me mold and test my politics. Those people who shut out the other half have missed the true enjoyment of life. I feel again depressed that so many people are losing a chance to live a full enriched life. Bitterness is such an ugly state of mind
A conservative is a person who conserves money but spends it stupidly. A liberal is someone who gets as much money as possible but lacks the brains to spend it wisely.





Both liberals and conservatives are very hard headed and ignorant (at least the ones in power)...they would rather finger point than fix problems.
Radicalism.
conservative is moved by the brain.





liberal is moved by the heart.





The two are regularly at conflict...think of Freud's Id versus Super-ego.
I think the main difference between the two is that cons wear religion on their sleeve and liberals do not. Cons are dogmatic thinkers, liberals are free thinkers. Cons believe that their way of life is the only life to live so we should preach (or force) it into other countries, liberals believe that everyone should live their own life as they see fit and tolerate cultural differences more effectively.





The problem is that 'conservative' and 'republican' in the same sentence these days is an oxymoron. They are supposed to be conservative in fiscal spending, foreign affairs, and expanding government. But they have done nothing but the opposite in the last 8 years.
it doesn't matter, as long as there is a black and white issue people will gravitate to one side or the other, weather its rep or dems, life or choice, or even yankees or red socks,





i find it really hard to believe that all the people in these two political parties oppose each other on every single issue, i would even believe that there are issues that arise were one side takes opposition for the sole purpose of trying to weaken the position of the other who might really believe in that issue,





but what makes the difference is bigger government vs smaller government
conservatives have penises, liberals have aginers.





Seriously though Conservatives tend to be more orthodox in politics and traditional, especially on social issues.


Liberals are progressive and strive for change on social issues
Liberalism is based upon logic and the basic evaluation of all information and data.


There is a difference between a political liberal and just a liberal.


A political liberal does not necessarily follow Liberalism.





I won't say anything about conservatives because I'm not one. A conservative can better describe a conservative, not by a liberal. The other way works around as well.
Conservatives tend to believe that government involvement in business and personal lives is bad. Liberal tend to believe that government involvement is necessary. For example, welfare for disadvantaged people is generally a liberal idea...the government should help those less fortunate. Conservatives tend to believe that the market place will take care of its own, and government should stay out.