Macedon
10-13-2004, 03:13 PM
The posts on this forum really point out the differences in opinion on Bush and Kerry (and Clinton?), but I haven't read much that explains the thinking behind why one supports one party over another.
I am sure we all agree that the philosophy behind each party is significantly different. Republicans are known to be conservative while Democrats are recognized for being more liberal. The question you then have to ask yourself is this: where do your beliefs fall----are you conservative or liberal?
Yes this might be an over simplification of the differences but.....
If you are conservative you seem to believe the following:
That Authority should be recognized, respected and obeyed.
That Individual Beliefs should be protected from intrusion.
That Ethics sometimes trumps Reason.
And that big Government creates problems.
The Liberals, on the other hand, believe the following:
Authority should often be questioned & challanged.
Human Rights should be protected from intrusion.
Reason sometimes trumps Ethics.
Big Government often alleviates problems.
Just to take one difference in more depth.... Conservatives often talk about the sanctity of life when speaking of their stance against Abortion. They say that all life is precious and it is Unethical to take a life no matter how young or underdeveloped.
The liberal thought is that although life is precious, it is Reasonable for a woman in certain situations (rape, poverty, health concerns of mother and baby, etc) to want to abort a pregnancy and her right to do so should be protected.
With gun control the thinking often goes like this:
Conservatives want to protect and individuals right to purchase and own firearms. They feel that it is not the firearms that are dangerous but rather the people who misuse them; therefore, we shouldn't restrict gun rights, we should punish those who abuse their rights.
Liberals believe it is not reasonable to seperate the guns from its usage; guns can't fire themselves and guns have few other usage(s) other than inflicting damage on a certain objects (human, animal, inanimate). Therefore in a society that looks to protect all people's rights and well being, restriction should be placed on those instruments that potentially harm human beings.
You see where I am going with this. Basically, it would be nice (during this election season) to see the philosophy's debated and leave the mudslinging for mudwrestling; otherwise we all get jipped and everyone's rights get abused.
I am sure we all agree that the philosophy behind each party is significantly different. Republicans are known to be conservative while Democrats are recognized for being more liberal. The question you then have to ask yourself is this: where do your beliefs fall----are you conservative or liberal?
Yes this might be an over simplification of the differences but.....
If you are conservative you seem to believe the following:
That Authority should be recognized, respected and obeyed.
That Individual Beliefs should be protected from intrusion.
That Ethics sometimes trumps Reason.
And that big Government creates problems.
The Liberals, on the other hand, believe the following:
Authority should often be questioned & challanged.
Human Rights should be protected from intrusion.
Reason sometimes trumps Ethics.
Big Government often alleviates problems.
Just to take one difference in more depth.... Conservatives often talk about the sanctity of life when speaking of their stance against Abortion. They say that all life is precious and it is Unethical to take a life no matter how young or underdeveloped.
The liberal thought is that although life is precious, it is Reasonable for a woman in certain situations (rape, poverty, health concerns of mother and baby, etc) to want to abort a pregnancy and her right to do so should be protected.
With gun control the thinking often goes like this:
Conservatives want to protect and individuals right to purchase and own firearms. They feel that it is not the firearms that are dangerous but rather the people who misuse them; therefore, we shouldn't restrict gun rights, we should punish those who abuse their rights.
Liberals believe it is not reasonable to seperate the guns from its usage; guns can't fire themselves and guns have few other usage(s) other than inflicting damage on a certain objects (human, animal, inanimate). Therefore in a society that looks to protect all people's rights and well being, restriction should be placed on those instruments that potentially harm human beings.
You see where I am going with this. Basically, it would be nice (during this election season) to see the philosophy's debated and leave the mudslinging for mudwrestling; otherwise we all get jipped and everyone's rights get abused.