I am of the opinion, as stated in the 1956 Republican platform, that in matters of the people, government decisions should always be liberal. And in matters of the people's money, government decisions should always be conservative.
I think that is one of the problems with our society today. A lot of people think it has to be "either/or."
For example, you and I go at it like cat's and dogs here at Debate Politics. Yeah, it does neither of our our blood pressures any good service but that's what people do here, anyways. I get it.
But in the "real world," if you will, it's not like this. In fact, I would venture to say that a LOT of my friends and family think much like you do. But that doesn't stop us from getting together and watching a Sunday football game and drink some beer together. Often, my friends like you, go fishing together and we have a BLAST! I would give them the shirt off my back and they would do the same for me. Somehow, we manage to keep these divisive opinions out of our relationship. One of my dearest friends, (and front house engineer,) makes you look like Nancy Pelosi he is so conservative. But we are the BEST of friends.
I don't know why that can't be practiced here at Debate Politics as well. But it is what it is, I suppose.
No, I have come to learn that, at least in my world, that people of both leans basically want the same things, and have more in common with each other, than differences.
For example. I want national security for myself, friends and family. I want the strongest defensive military on the globe. Stronger than any military ever known to mankind. I bet you want that too. Where we might part company on that issue is where I think that we should not send our son's and daughters to some foreign land, to fight and die in a war that is only necessary to be economically dominate and to expend our munitions so that our defense industry will have to create more. Sure, that might be good for the economy of some, but at what cost? Is it worth the life of our child? I don't think our military needs to be 5 times bigger than the rest of the world's military's combined. (Two times is sufficient for me. LOL!) That is a matter of money as well as defense. Military spending should be "conservative." Yet, "today's" conservatives seem to think that we should grow our military indefinitely and to even whisper an idea of cutting back is blasphemous. I don't know, you might agree with this too. But probably not. I really don't know.
In matters of "the people," no doubt, I am as liberal as it gets. It is in my nature to "live and let live," and be tolerant of others who might have a lifestyle different from mine. "Today's" conservatives, or those who profess to be, take issue with that. They seem to want to tread on those who differ from them by shoving their views and opinions down the throats of everyone else by way of law. I take issue with that.
I am firm in my belief's that people who take advantage of our nation's welfare system, people who, for some reason, think the government owes them a living, should be hung out to dry. That's where I part company with many of the democrat/liberal minded folks. But many democrat/liberals do agree with that, as well. There is no "no size fits all." I have no patience with those who think they are entitled and that is where my "live and let live," ends.
I could care less if two queers tie the knot or not. That is a matter "of the people." It should be solved in a liberal way. That is where I part company with many of "today's" self-professed conservatives. But, then again, I know several conservatives that agree with me on that issue as well. Again, there is no "one size fits all."
What really boils my blood is people who act like assholes when they disagree with my take on things. I have never been one to just sit back and be treated like **** without putting up a fight. That's probably the Texan in me or my past military training. I believe people can have different views without being pricks about it. For crissakes, I am a Master Freemason with the tallest flagpole on my block. To suggest that I don't love this country and care about it is just asnine. You don't get more American than being a Freemason. A veteran Freemason, no less.
Yes, you and I go at here at DP. But you very well could be one of the people I sit in my boat with, or have a beer at the bar with, and get along fine with. in "real life."
Why we (speaking about all of us here,) have to treat each other with such disrespect here at DP is beyond me. I am as guilty of it as the next person.
But I'm going to work on that.