The Differences Between Conservatives and Liberals

Some thoughts: It seems to me liberals are extremely passionate about things they see are wrong: healthcare, climate change, defense/offense strategies, wars, etc. It's almost like they think they own the exclusive rights to championing "reform" on their pet issues. The thing is, Conservatives also agree that there are lots of problems that need to be fixed...

But libs are so busy ranting their outrage, they assume that Conservatives are just there to stop them and get in their way. It never even enters their minds, the Conservatives DO want SOME changes. They assume that Conservatives are "evil, rich, white people, racist, bigots, homophobes, etc" But I notice a couple of things. I don't know of any Conservatives that fit any of the above adjectives. I also notice how hard Conservatives try to talk about facts with liberals but when the liberals can't converse in facts, they resort to blind, wild, emotional ridicule, generalizing, and really nasty put-downs and jokes. Another problem is that there are so many "facts" and "studies" from both sides, it just becomes system overload...which is the perfect distraction...

The thing is, Conservatives are very aware of corrupt CEO's, health insurance companies, questionable reasons for going to war, and so on...I think both sides are fighting for the same things that are wrong in our society....but I think our world views are what causes so much dissent. Libs tend to see the glass half empty: "America's wrong for this, that other countries think badly of us...we're imperialists that need to put into our place." Heaven for bid if some loser country doesn't like us. People don't like Russia, Cuba (well except our Democratic Black Caucus and Michael Moore), Iran, Palestine. I don't think they are changing how they do things just to make us happy.

The liberals see whole systems, corporations, industries as evil and that one big, giant, government will solve everything and that Socialism justifies this hatred of "Wallstreet," "CEO greed," etc, . What astounds me is a blindness to the idea that systems, corporations, industries, by themselves, are like guns are things; they don't do harm by themselves, it is those corrupt individuals that run the systems that can be very disruptive.

So what I find so interesting is that big business, big insurance, big car company, doctors, lawyers are horrible, but big union, big government, big corporations "in bed" with government like GE (General Electric), big pockets $$$, like George Soros, John Podesta, big healthcare (I think they also forget how many millions of $$$ actors make, they have private jets, gazillion houses, amazing vacations. Also, their major funders like George Soros, John Podesta, Rockefeller made their $$$ on big Wallstreet."So for a liberal, outrage depends on "who" is successful not their bogus claims on how they make the money.

Another, unexplainable outrage is this visceral hatred of FoxNews. For generations and generations the 8 or so news channels were admittedly, and unapologetic left leaning. So once again, liberals feel that they are entitled to monopolize the news industry and anything that opposes them is evil, outrageous, and needs to be annihilated. The problem really becomes a big deal when Fox's ratings triple and quadruple, the now called, "Fringe Media;" formerly known as "mainstream media." Again, it never occurs to them that it's popularity has to do with the right's disgust of bias and and daily doses of propaganda. Conservatives however, don't "hate" left media, it falls out of our line of vision, so in effect, we don't see it so we don't really care about it.

But all these big, hated by the left, things are run by "people." Some good, some bad. But power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The same lure of corruption that occurs in business is the same lure of corruption that occurs in big union, big government. The difference is that in a "free-choice" society (capitalism) we can choose to change companies, allow nasty things to fail... but with Socialism, we're stuck...if it turns out terrible... we're stuck... What liberals are blind to see is that it is corrupt individuals that run those corrupt companies. If you "nationalize" them, now you have corrupt individuals running a government business. There is nothing in the world that can show that once an individual steps across the threshold of a government-run business, or system, that they instantly gain "integrity." We only have centuries of proof that the exact opposite happens.

So of course, we are all blinded with our motes and beams...with Conservatives however, we've been very busy raising our families, working hard, giving service, donating to charities that we've never, ever, been politically active. You see, we trust people. We naively give people the benefit of the doubt and project that the people we have voted into office are like us. It seems the beltway demon possesses anyone who steps within it's realm. We became disenfranchised with the Republicans, appalled at the deceptions and back-room deals that took place last year during the primaries. And the lame-excuse for a career politician, John McCain is anything but a RINO (Republican in Name Only).

We are one step ahead of the Democrats now. We've been through power from a majority that implodes and an executive branch that only seems to advance the Center for American Progress' agenda. Has anyone reading this researched John D Rockefeller, John Podesta and George Soros and their agendas? These are the people on the other end of the blackberry. These deep pockets and million-tentacled organizations are the machines that advance the Progressive agenda.

So here it is: Liberals are Progressives. They are people who have shed the typical morality of ultimate "right and wrong," God, and virtue. They are Communists. "Progress", "movement", "adaptation," "agitation," "unrest," "unfairness," "inequality," "social justice," "advancement" are the "new morality." They have unhinged from ultimate truth. Everything to them is relative, based on the circumstances surrounding it - political correctness. I can't imagine a liberal can experience much joy. The anger at injustice; dissatisfaction with everything on the lists that haven't been resolved would create a deep bitterness... which can explain why tempers fly so easily. And most liberals I know, are in fact, very bitter, angry people. They want a complete monopoly of ideas, their arrogance makes it very hard for them to accept rebuttal. Which of course makes it impossible for anyone to want "what they have." At least, not when you have experienced the comfort and joy of seeing that "glass is half full."

On the other hand, Conservatives hold firmly that there are ultimate truths, right and wrong. These values become the lodestar around which we define the world and the actions of our brothers and sisters. Most of us find that God is our Polaris. With Him and his Word we can find confidence, security, alleviation from the injustices and corruption we see in the world. We have great confidence in the individual that when they reach their bottom, we are the first to offer and hand to lift them up. Enabling is the very thing that circumvents the reality of redemption. So for this reason, we find great happiness in life, whatever our circumstances. We are people who could have our material goodies taken away, and we would have the resolve to dust ourselves off, pick ourselves up by the boot straps, and start over.

So for Conservatives, we rally for truth, goodness. We try to do this through education, not propaganda, long-suffering and persuasion. We believe in given everyone a choice and letting losers fail. Enabling and bailing out, giving every child a trophy for "participating" so that self-esteem isn't eroded is exactly what leads to this world of "spoiled brat syndrom." The mini-tyrants that want to "change the world," exclude anyone else from deliberation, avoid anyone else's ideas. They grow up into big arrogant tyrants that want to "rule the world," based on their very narrow, echo-chamber reality.

So, for general information, Conservatives we're okay with finding joy in the present. We don't believe the Constitution is a living document. We know that for example, Founders of the Constitution, knew that slavery was a problem. The issue had to be resolved another time. So for these dire inperfections than yes, things need to be changed. But the great minds who studied empires from the beginning knew, that it had to be laid out this way. It was designed that freedom was the most important environment this new empire would have, "if we could keep it."

Progressives, which started around the turn of the century, believe the Constitution is a bil of negative rights, not positive rights. Right now they are building a "positive bill of rights," which grants everyone a home, a job, a college education." This is what is happening now with our new administration. There will become a maximum wage. You will only be allowed to make so much and the rest will be given to "spread the wealth around."

Study, study, study these thing...Our Constitution is hanging by a thread... wake up... We are repeating history. Read about Woodrow Wilson's administration.

How to convert a Liberal to a Conservative - any ideas?

Okay everyone it's time to stop biting our tongues and lay out how we feel in our frantic, fanatic, flaming liberal world.

I have made several attempts in the last few months to gently open my mouth about my concern for my country to various friends and family. I have been blasted with the most amazing excuses, arguments, and the "unsophisticated" emotional spewage of the liberals with whom I speak. I can handle civil disagreement and sharing of ideas. But this is about discourse with hypnotized zombies that have IV lines connected straight to the Obama White House "feel-good" drip.

It's all about feeling good.... and you and I, my dear friend, just want to help invite them think.

Further, I'm not sure I am motivated to "convert" them because like with any conversion, we lay the truth out there for the person themselves to embrace or not. It is not "we" that are doing the converting; it is the amazing process that happens when "truth" takes hold of a person's soul and brings them to "an awakening".
So how do we set their alarm clocks?

Hmmmm, we do have a problem here don't we? I do not have a solution by myself, but I think more heads are better than one.

I would like to put this out there for all of us to "comment" on. Please comment your suggestion. I can compile your suggestions into an "edit" of this post so that we will have a wonderful encyclopedia of ideas - cited, of course.

So, I thank you in advance for your ideas, I think this will be a wonderful collection that will help us in this very daunting task. I think this will give us a great chance to hear each other's ideas and experiences.

This is part 1 of 2 of an idea I have to help us be armed in our daily life to bring us "change" and to help us have "hope."

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Light Blogging as I Prepare for Big Back Surgery, Glenn Beck & Liberal Fascism

Hi everyone,

I apologize for the light blogging. Number one, I have a lot of thoughts on the current political tides in our country - but am very frustrated with my powerlessness to effect any changes. I have actually started at least 10 articles in the last couple of weeks but have quit 3/4 the way through.

Meanwhile, I am preparing for a 360 fusion of my lumbar spine. There has been a lot to do - donate blood, get fitted for a back brace, pre-admission testing, type and cross-matched - and all the other pleasantries of having a rapidly deteriorating back. There is also all the fun stuff of getting a family prepared to live without the CFO (Chief Family Officer) out of commission for the NEXT THREE MONTHS!!! and beyond.

I will do what I can here. I would like to point people to Glenn Beck's newsletter for the day which has all the articles of Jonah Goldberg's Liberal Fascism:

Liberal Fascism RecapFebruary 25, 2008 - 9:40 ET

Below is a recap of the Liberal Fascism series by Jonah Goldberg that appeared in the Glenn Beck email newsletter...

Feb 22: Emulating FDR: A horrible idea
Feb 21: Government Knows Best
Feb 20: What Hillary and Barack have in store
Feb 19: The facts your liberal friends need to hear

---

Emulating FDR: A horrible idea
By Jonah Goldberg

"America has a dictator," Benito Mussolini proclaimed, watching FDR from abroad. He marveled at how the forces of "spiritual renewal" on display in the New Deal were destroying the outdated notion that democracy and liberalism were "immortal principles." "Roosevelt is moving, acting, giving orders independently of the decisions or wishes of the Senate or Congress. ... A sole will silences dissenting voices." That almost sounds like Harry Reid talking about Bush.
Mussolini reviewed FDR's book, Looking Forward proclaiming the author a kindred spirit. The way Roosevelt "calls his readers to battle," he wrote, "is reminiscent of the ways and means by which fascism awakened the Italian people." "Without question," he continued, the "sea change" in America "resembles that of fascism." Indeed, the comparisons were so commonplace, Mussolini's press office banned the practice. "It is not to be emphasized that Roosevelt's policy is fascist because these comments are immediately cabled to the United States and are used by his foes to attack him."
The German press adored FDR. In 1934, the Vlkischer Beobachter, the Nazi Party's official newspaper, described Roosevelt as a man of "irreproachable, extremely responsible character and immovable will" and a "warm-hearted leader of the people with a profound understanding of social needs." Hitler sent FDR a letter celebrating his "heroic efforts" and "successful battle against economic distress." Hitler informed the U.S. ambassador, William Dodd, that New Dealism was also "the quintessence of the German state philosophy."
The New Dealers were not so much mimicking the Soviet Union, Fascist Italy or Nazi Germany. They were attempting to recreate what they had built -up under Woodrow Wilson's war socialism. Today we have no historical memory of how brutal the Wilson Administration was, nor do we realize that many Progressives supported the war not so much because they championed its foreign policy aims, but because they yearned for the "social possibilities of war," in the words of John Dewey, the 20th century's premier political philosopher.

Continue reading here.

Read the whole series at Glenn Beck's website.

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From Glenn Beck: The facts your liberal friends need to hear (Jonah Goldberg)

From Glenn Beck Newsletter - click here to sign up for free newsletters.

**SPECIAL REPORT: The facts your liberal friends need to hear**
This is the first special report in a week-long series with author Jonah Goldberg, investigating how Liberal Fascism is trying to control your life from the cradle to the grave. Don't miss part two tonight on TV: "The new New Deal--what Barack and Hillary have in store" at 7 pm and 9pm ET, only on Headline News. And look for another special report in tomorrow's newsletter.

The facts your liberal friends need to hear
By Jonah Goldberg

Liberals, perhaps more than anyone, believe that we should be vigilant against the threat of fascism. Now, they also believe that fascism can only come from the Right--I think they're wrong. But, what liberals - and everyone else - very much need to understand is that whatever direction fascism comes from, it's popular. Fascism succeeds in democratic countries because it convinces people that it's the wave of the future, it's progressive, it's young, it's vital, it's exciting. Fascist promise to fix what's broken in our democracy, to heal our wounds, to deliver us to promised lands. So if you think fascism comes from the Right, fine. But at least keep in mind that it won't sell itself as dull, or uptight, or old-fashioned.

Let me take a moment to give you a concrete sense of what I mean.

Fascism appealed to youth activists. Indeed, the Nazis and Fascists were in major respects youth movements. In 1931, 60 percent of all German undergraduates supported the Nazi Student Organization. "Their goal," the historian John Toland wrote of the young idealists who fed the Nazi rise to power, "was to establish a youth culture for fighting the bourgeois trinity of school, home and church."

Meanwhile, middle and lower class Germans were attracted to the economic and cultural populism of Nazism. The Nazi party began as the German Worker's Party. The Nazis economic rhetoric was eerily similar to John Edwards "Two Americas" talk. The Nazis promised to clamp down on Big Business - particularly department stores, the Wal-Marts of their day - and end the class struggle. Theodore Abel, an impressively clever American sociologist, gives us insight into why working class Germans were attracted to Nazism. In 1934 Abel took out an ad in the Nazi Party journal asking "old fighters" to submit essays explaining why they had joined. He restricted his request to "old fighters" because so many opportunists had joined the party after Hitler's rise. The essays were combined in the fascinating book Why Hitler Came Into Power. One essayist, a coal miner, explained "Though I was interested in the betterment of the workingman's plight, I rejected [Marxism] unconditionally. I often asked myself why socialism had to be tied up with internationalism-why it could not work as well or better in conjunction with nationalism." A railroad worker concurred, "I shuddered at the thought of Germany in the grip of Bolshevism. The slogan 'Workers of the World Unite!' made no sense to me. At the same time, however, National Socialism, with its promise of a community . . . barring all class struggle, attracted me profoundly." A third worker wrote that he embraced the Nazis because of their "uncompromising will to stamp out the class struggle, snobberies of caste and party hatreds. The movement bore the true message of socialism to the German workingman."

Nazism's appeal to the professional classes was just as strong. Raymond Dominick, a historian specializing in the history of German environmentalism, found that by 1939, 59 percent of conservationist leaders had joined the Nazi party, while only 10 percent of adult males had. Forty five percent of medical doctors had joined and roughly one quarter of teachers and lawyers had. The two groups of professionals with the highest rates of participation in the Nazi Party? Veterinarians were first and foresters were a close second. Dominick found a "unique nexus between National Socialism and nature conservation."

The Nazis and Italian Fascists won-over big business, cultural elites, the youth and the lower-classes because they portrayed themselves as heroically on the side of progress, protecting the environment and the poor. Fascists preached unity, togetherness and an end to division.

Liberals need to ask themselves where do they hear this rhetoric the most?

I'm not saying that merely being for the environment, the poor or national unity makes you a fascist. But what I am saying is that if you're concerned about spotting fascism on the horizon you can't just look at people you don't like. That's like only looking for your lost car keys where the light is good. Huey Long reportedly said that if Fascism comes to America it will be called "anti-Fascism." Liberals can still make their arguments that fascism comes from the right. But until they understand that wherever fascism may come from, it never arrives save in a form that the best and the brightest are willing to accept with open arms.
And if liberals don't know their history, they won't be equipped to spot it when it comes knocking.

Jonah Goldberg is the author of the New York Times bestseller Liberal Fascism.

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