For the conservatives, what are the most negative things that you perceive about liberals? What are the most positive?

For the liberals, what are the most negative things you perceive about conservatives? What are the most positive?

For the libertarians, same questions about both.

For the centrists, same questions.

Republican boys are HOT. :drool:

i'll play.

liberals good-generally compassionate people.
bad- naieve and unrealistic/idealistic, rely on the government for too much

conservatives good- more realistic, self reliant
bad- too religious

oh yeah, and most libs are way too smug. i really resent the whole attitude like they are the only ones who have actually examined the relevant information. both sides are also generally way too partisan/loyal beyond logic.

I'm only going to do 3 issues for each.

Conservative Cons/Liberal Pros:
Animal rights
Gay rights/Marriage
Economic view

Conservative Pros/Liberal Cons
Drug legalization
Abortion
Death Penalty

Liberals have skid-marked panties. Even the boys have panties.

Liberals have skid-marked panties. Even the boys have panties.


Is that good or bad? :D


I agree with jwreck, liberals are too "pie in the sky" and conservatives are too "Jeeesus says *insert Jesus phrase here*!"

I think that you can more easily make the point that liberals are monolitically one way or another.

I think that there is far more diversity of opinion on the conservative side.

I also think that debate is allowed on the right and eschewed on the left.

There are at least two main types of conservatives : social and fiscal.

that can't be said for the libbies.

Liberals have skid-marked panties. Even the boys have panties.

I think we're going to have to require photographic evidence on this one. :eek7:

Can't help you there.

I avoid libbies like I avoid hanging around the TB ward breathing deeply.

Can't help you there.

I avoid libbies like I avoid hanging around the TB ward breathing deeply.

I've noticed that's a common trait right wing extremist share. Coulter said on Leno she has 1 liberal friend, and has never been friends with any other. You avoid liberals as well. A good number of hard core conservatives hate liberals with a passion, it's basically like racism, only substitue "black" or "mexican" with "liberal." I think racism is a mental disorder, much like your hatred of liberals.

I find that far right conservatives are probably the most hypocritical people I've ever met. Most of them all claim to be Christian, yet every pore of their body seeps out hatred. Hatred for liberals, hatred for whatever.

I find that the lines are very blury between "normal" conservatives and most liberals. My best friend is a staunch republican, and we agree on tons of stuff. My father is a like a liberal trapped in a conservatives body, heh. We agree on tons of stuff as well. Always have.

I do think a lot of conservatives are good people. Most have positive intentions, and they truly believe their beliefs are for the greater good. The critical thinking cons will put up a great argument for what they believe in. I like debating with the sane ones. I can't say the same for some of the utterly delusional extremists I've encountered online.

I started this thread because I've been thinking that most of our perceptions are actually influenced by the media, and are not really our own thoughts when it comes to our political opposites. Most political books written by these blowhards serve no purpose other than to demonize whoever their target is and fuel hatred. Any book by Ann Coulter comes to mind. And a few by Michael Moore as well.

I have also noticed, that liberals in general are much more open to listening to their opponents viewpoints and making an effort to understand it, but conservatives tend to shut out any viewpoint they don't like and put forth zero effort into understanding their views. I think this is because conservatives are more phsycologically attached to their beliefs, and that attachment comes from a stronger desire for security due to fear being the primary motivator. Left leaning individuals tend to be more willing to sacrifice security for beliefs due to fear not being the primary motivator.

The reason there is party hatred between the liberals and conservatives is because conservatives think that liberals have an immoral stand on issues. It's not like racism because race isn't a choice that someone can make. I think there are good points and bad points on each side but I do lean to the right.

I've noticed that's a common trait right wing extremist share. Coulter said on Leno she has 1 liberal friend, and has never been friends with any other. You avoid liberals as well. A good number of hard core conservatives hate liberals with a passion, it's basically like racism, only substitue "black" or "mexican" with "liberal." I think racism is a mental disorder, much like your hatred of liberals.

I find that far right conservatives are probably the most hypocritical people I've ever met. Most of them all claim to be Christian, yet every pore of their body seeps out hatred. Hatred for liberals, hatred for whatever.

I find that the lines are very blury between "normal" conservatives and most liberals. My best friend is a staunch republican, and we agree on tons of stuff. My father is a like a liberal trapped in a conservatives body, heh. We agree on tons of stuff as well. Always have.

I do think a lot of conservatives are good people. Most have positive intentions, and they truly believe their beliefs are for the greater good. The critical thinking cons will put up a great argument for what they believe in. I like debating with the sane ones. I can't say the same for some of the utterly delusional extremists I've encountered online.

I started this thread because I've been thinking that most of our perceptions are actually influenced by the media, and are not really our own thoughts when it comes to our political opposites. Most political books written by these blowhards serve no purpose other than to demonize whoever their target is and fuel hatred. Any book by Ann Coulter comes to mind. And a few by Michael Moore as well.

I have also noticed, that liberals in general are much more open to listening to their opponents viewpoints and making an effort to understand it, but conservatives tend to shut out any viewpoint they don't like and put forth zero effort into understanding their views. I think this is because conservatives are more phsycologically attached to their beliefs, and that attachment comes from a stronger desire for security due to fear being the primary motivator. Left leaning individuals tend to be more willing to sacrifice security for beliefs due to fear not being the primary motivator.

Interesting - reverse liberal and conservative throughout, and you pretty much have my perspective. Funny how that works out, huh?

I think that 80% of us, given an opportunity to sit down in person and hash out differences would probably find that we agree more than we'd expect. The other 20% are the bombthrowers on both sides that end up influencing opposing opinions and creating such a partisan evironment.

Conservatives tend to be people who are ether rich and greedy or poor and not smart enough to know that its not in their best interest to vote Republican. Of course its a sweeping generalization but thats what this thread is all about.

Most leftists I met are very kind people btw. Some are a bit psychotic, especially when you disagree with them. But the people I know who share my beliefs will really give the shirt off their back to you. I don't know many uber conservatives who will do the same.

Conservatives tend to be people who are ether rich and greedy or poor and not smart enough to know that its not in their best interest to vote Republican. Of course its a sweeping generalization but thats what this thread is all about.I tend to vote for who I think will do what's best for the country as a whole, not for what's in my best interest. And that simple concept represents a primary difference between liberals and conservatives.

Conservatives tend to be people who are ether rich and greedy or poor and not smart enough to know that its not in their best interest to vote Republican. Of course its a sweeping generalization but thats what this thread is all about.

Most leftists I met are very kind people btw. Some are a bit psychotic, especially when you disagree with them. But the people I know who share my beliefs will really give the shirt off their back to you. I don't know many uber conservatives who will do the same.

What part of this do you not understand?

For the conservatives, what are the most negative things that you perceive about liberals? What are the most positive?

For the liberals, what are the most negative things you perceive about conservatives? What are the most positive?

I didn't notice anything positive about conservatives in that post. :hmm:

Republican women are, on average, much better groomed than Democrats - at least in the SF Bay Area.

Capitalists are able to afford more hair care, facials, and footwear.

Republican women are, on average, much better groomed than Democrats - at least in the SF Bay Area.

Capitalists are able to afford more hair care, facials, and footwear.

Right, how about actually addressing the topic?

I did. On average, Conservatives are better groomed than dirty granola & sprout eating, non-anti-perspirant using Pinko Commie Hippies. Society is more harmonious when one's olefactory nerves are not assaulted with BO.

You really are retarded sometimes.

You are not very adept.

When you start a thread with such a premise, you invite the type of response I posted.

Interesting - reverse liberal and conservative throughout, and you pretty much have my perspective. Funny how that works out, huh?

I think that 80% of us, given an opportunity to sit down in person and hash out differences would probably find that we agree more than we'd expect. The other 20% are the bombthrowers on both sides that end up influencing opposing opinions and creating such a partisan evironment.

Yeah it is interesting. I actually do think that when it comes right down to it, after you get past the stereotypes, the labeling, the bs, people agree on more things than disagree.

I still think that the whole right/left-republican/democrat thing is a distraction.

You are not very adept.

When you start a thread with such a premise, you invite the type of response I posted.

What? The title isn't the premise, it's an inflamatory title to gain attention.

The topic for you, a conservative, would be to list some positive things about liberals, and negative things about liberals. This isn't a silly premise, it has a purpose.

]I've noticed that's a common trait right wing extremist share.

Are you a communist? Do you actively support FARC?

Calling me a rightwing extremist is the coward's argument.





You avoid liberals as well.

My brother is a Berkeley liberal and I love him very much. I don't agree with him on anything he says about politics. And even though he has a masters in education he is completely ignorant and doesn't even read the daily paper. He finds them too conservative (and this is in the SF Bay Area. LOL)


A good number of hard core conservatives hate liberals with a passion,

I hate the game not the playa.


it's basically like racism,

Man that is sooooooo stupid.


only substitue "black" or "mexican" with "liberal."

I am pretty good at identifying liberals though. But your analogy is still completely moronic. which is par for the course for liberals, they can't win an argument so they ALWAYS end up yelling racism, jingo, homophobe, &c.

I think racism is a mental disorder, much like your hatred of liberals.


Can't even articulate a good rip off of Dr. Michael Savage.

optimus is hot.

(And smart as hell, too.)

It depends on what you mean by "liberal" and by "conservative". For "conservative", if you mean an independent, rational, thinking person with a conservative worldview, that's one thing. A good example of this might be 86 Dude, among a few others. If you mean religiously devoted dittoheaded morons who believe anything they're told, as long as it appeals to the emotions of elitism, hatred, greed, fear or arrogant pride, like the vast majority of the other people who call themselves "conservatives", then this applies pretty well:

I've noticed that's a common trait right wing extremist share. Coulter said on Leno she has 1 liberal friend, and has never been friends with any other. You avoid liberals as well. A good number of hard core conservatives hate liberals with a passion, it's basically like racism, only substitue "black" or "mexican" with "liberal." I think racism is a mental disorder, much like your hatred of liberals.

I find that far right conservatives are probably the most hypocritical people I've ever met. Most of them all claim to be Christian, yet every pore of their body seeps out hatred. Hatred for liberals, hatred for whatever.


I think they've been suckered into a little cult-like group identity, driven by pundit propaganda, and they use it to build up their weak self-esteem. They can't acknowledge the falseness of so much of what they believe, because they'd diminish the group image of "conservative" as being strong, worldly, brave, wealthy, intellectual, etc. people, and they'd no longer be able to hold themsleves up on it. As a result, they'd crash. They can't do that, so they just lash out and scream whenever they see data that doesn't fit into their little cult worldview.

For other conservatives, ones who actually think things through and aren't afraid to break from party or ideological lines, then the best thing about them is that they have integrity enough to break from party or ideological lines. The idea of conservative thought is basically a cautious approach to change, and benefits society by restraining those with a liberal approach, which champions change too much. They're like the breakman on the bobsled team. They may slow things down, but they keep the whole thing from smashing up.

As for liberals, there are also the extremes. I have no thought on what makes them tick, because I've never really studdied any of them. My first guess would be a reaction to the dittoheaded rightwingers, though.

More rational liberals are highly benefitial because they aren't restrained by tradition or undue fear of change in looking for ways to solve problems and improve society. That kind of ideological courage is where social progress comes from, and it's why we don't have a king or a law-giving group of clerics, why we get to vote and own property, etc.

Right now, the biggest problem is the rightwingers, but I don't expect that to last long. The bulk of society is neither little fanatical dittoheaded rightwinger reactionaries, not screaming and angry leftwing fringe. The bulk of society seems to get tired of this kind of crap, but they don't seem to catch on that you get one kind of crap or the other kind of crap, so they just make big tidal shifts from one towards the other, and then back. I think the Republicans, empowered by the Fox/Coulter/NewsMax freeper crowds, have gone too far, and there's going to be a seachange back to the moderate left, with the far left always trying to pull them farther (like the far right has been doing with the Republicans, but hopefully the Democrats will have leadership that doesn't encorage that as a means to quick short term gains, like the Republicans have).

As it stands, when someone calls themselves a "conservative" these days, they usually mean a freaked out little dittoheaded fool, and that's bad because it's devoid of reason or integrity. They're more like frightened, wounded feral cats than like humans. Don't get close, 'cause they'll bite.

One of the things I dislike about liberals are these accustations of hatred. personally, i don't hate anyone, althoughI would be more than justified for many reasons to hate quite a few foilks if i should so choose.

The biggest problems I have with liberals are as follows (and this doesn't apply to EVERY single liberal, because i'm a bit liberal myself on a few issues, such as the death penalty):

I'm tired of ther "tax breaks for the rich" accustations, because the rich are paying the overwhelming majority of federal revenues, and are creating millions of jobs. poor folks just don't have enough money to support the budget, and many pay nothing at all, even though they're working every day.

I'm tired of gun control proponents claiminmg that eliminating guns will end violence. Even Michael Moore's movie "Bowling for Columbine" clearly shows that guns aren't the issue. In America, it's a behavioral thing. Canadians have millions of guns, yet have nowhere near the gun violence rate that we in the states do. Therer's clearly someting else going on here, and no one seems tyo know exactly what it is.

I'm tired of libs crying about gas prices and "big oil", when the government makes far more per gallon of gas than the oil compnaies, who don't set the prices to beging with. regardless of the price, government gets their share right off of the top, and it's quite substantial. Also, the environmentalists fight tooth andf nail to stop the construction of new refineries and nuclear plants, which would defi9nitely hepl tha overall situation.

I'm tired of the mentality that more funding at every level will solve every problem. History has clearly shown that it doesn't, and never will.

I'm tired of decreases in the rate of GROWTH of funding for federal programs are 'cuts", when they are not. The libs know this, but it workls, so they continue the lie.

I'm tired of libs believing that the money we earn belongs to them (the government), and what we're allowed to keep is only because they're being "nice" to us, although we should feel guilty about it. after all, there are people starving. Forget the fact that the poorest in the US are still asmong the top 1 to 5 per cent of wealthy people from a global standpoint.

I'm tired of the tactics of class envy and division. I'm tired of the lies by ommission abut the fact that minorities have moved into the middle class ore over the last 25 yearsthan ever before in our history.

I have many more, but I won't list them noiw. I just don't feel like typing right now. I will conclude by saying that I'm really fed up at BOTH sides on the issue of illegal aliens. Each side wants to keep the status quo on that subject for different reasons, whild PRETENDING to be upset about the situation. The right supports cheap labor for business, from small business to large corporations, and the left wants to recruit as many "downtrodden" illegal minorities as possible to vote as democrats.

good posts Boo and Betrade.

Conservatives are rude, dense and backwards - but they're often okay to talk with about stuff that is not politics.

generalizing is fun

the rich are paying the overwhelming majority of federal revenues- That sounds strange to me, do you have any stats to prove that.

Conservatives are rude, dense and backwards - but they're often okay to talk with about stuff that is not politics.

generalizing is fun

- That sounds strange to me, do you have any stats to prove that.

It's probably true, but whoever said it is forgetting to take into account that they're also taking the lions share of the profits.

What part of this do you not understand?



I didn't notice anything positive about conservatives in that post. :hmm:
Liberals tend to be fighting a losing cause. We are idealists. Something like what O'Brian told Winston Smith about being the last free man left.

Also, I have noted that a lot of my fellow libs are humorless and cannot take a joke.

Me, I am a bit of a prankster. I love joking around and messing with people. I suppose we all can benifit from a joke at our own expense.

http://www.people.virginia.edu/~jac3he/GiveUpQuiz/hitlercoulterquiz.html

That's a good example of one of the problems with the dittoheads. (Substitute "Jew" for "liberal" and "Germany" for "America" on some of them, the point is the overt, hysterical hatred).

Conservatives are rude, dense and backwards - but they're often okay to talk with about stuff that is not politics.

generalizing is fun

- That sounds strange to me, do you have any stats to prove that.In 1997, the top 20% of income earners paid 74% of the total federal income taxes. In 1998, 44% of the taxes collected went to pay for just the interest on the national debt. I hope I haven't been rude, dense or backwards.

In 1997, the top 20% of income earners paid 74% of the total federal income taxes.


What percent of the income did that top 20% earn?


In 1998, 44% of the taxes collected went to pay for just the interest on the national debt.


Another reason to vote Republicans out. THey're the Debt Spending Party.

http://www.people.virginia.edu/~jac3he/GiveUpQuiz/hitlercoulterquiz.html

That's a good example of one of the problems with the dittoheads. (Substitute "Jew" for "liberal" and "Germany" for "America" on some of them, the point is the overt, hysterical hatred).

Wow I actually only got 2 wrong.

Wow I actually only got 2 wrong.

Me too, but I recognize Hitler's style. Coulter is more shrill and less tactful. The message is the same though: Hate.

What percent of the income did that top 20% earn?It's hard to find up to date numbers, but according to this (http://www.allegromedia.com/sugi/taxes/)site, in 1995 the top 20% or 22.2 million families paid 77% of the total federal income taxes and earned 53% of the income. The average income for the top 20% was $120K per year.

The Top 1% of income earners (comprising about 1 million families) earn about 15% of the total income earned by all wage earners in the United States, yet they pay almost 30% of all individual income taxes.
Furthermore, the Top 1% are shouldering a roughly 50% higher proportion of the overall income tax burden than they did in 1977.

Also:


:http://www.allegromedia.com/sugi/taxes/images/graph_indtaxcum.gifhttp://www.allegromedia.com/sugi/taxes/images/legend.gif


The bottom half pay almost nothing in taxes. That seems a bit beyond progressive.

Another reason to vote Republicans out. THey're the Debt Spending Party.The national debt (http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/opd/opdhisto4.htm) has gone up every year since 1960. Social spending has grown 14 time faster than the economy and currently consumes almost 60% of the federal budget. Democrats are responsible for the vast majority of social spending.

It's hard to find up to date numbers, but according to this (http://www.allegromedia.com/sugi/taxes/)site, in 1995 the top 20% or 22.2 million families paid 77% of the total federal income taxes and earned 53% of the income. The average income for the top 20% was $120K per year.

[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica][SIZE=2]The Top 1% of income earners (comprising about 1 million families) earn about 15% of the total income earned by all wage earners in the United States, yet they pay almost 30% of all individual income taxes.


Bad, but not as bad as it sounds when you say the top 20% of the people pay 70% of the taxes.


The national debt (http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/opd/opdhisto4.htm) has gone up every year since 1960.


In real dollars, but that's not adjusted for inflation or the rate of growth of the economy. As a percentage of the GDP, which is how it's meaningful, it goes up under Republicans and down under Democrats.

Bad, but not as bad as it sounds when you say the top 20% of the people pay 70% of the taxes.They paid 77% in 1995. Does this seem fair to you?

n real dollars, but that's not adjusted for inflation or the rate of growth of the economy. As a percentage of the GDP, which is how it's meaningful, it goes up under Republicans and down under Democrats.Is it meaningful, or just the way you like to present it? Also, did you forget about the rest of my post?

In 1997, the top 20% of income earners paid 74% of the total federal income taxes. In 1998, 44% of the taxes collected went to pay for just the interest on the national debt. I hope I haven't been rude, dense or backwards.- haha, rude, certainly, dense, of course! everyone who disagrees with me is :|, I don't know about backwards - then again, you're not strictly conservative, are you :l


Do you have this after income brackets in stead of just percentages. This is fascinating. Someone (who's a bit to the right of my political position) once told me that he didn't understand the point of progressive taxation, because taxing the rich really doesn't earn the govt that much money since they're so few.

They paid 77% in 1995. Does this seem fair to you?

Is it meaningful, or just the way you like to present it? Also, did you forget about the rest of my post?

It's not meaningful. They take the majority of the benefits of American society and pay the majority of it's bills. I'd be happy to see that income tax slashed and inheritence taxes replace it. That way, rich or poor, you keep more of what you earn, which would be fair.