Thread: Right versus Left

I've made no secret of my dislike for liberals/leftists/socialists or whatever you want to call them. From the posts I've read on this forum, the feeling is mutual. As far as I'm concerned, their value system and mine are polar opposites and can never be reconciled. The following are characteristics I associate with leftists:

1. An affinity for collectivism.

2. Extreme hedonism. In other words, if it feels good, do it.

3. An equally extreme nihilism. In other words, complete rejection of the morals, customs and traditions that existed in an earlier era.

4. Blind egalitarianism. A belief that societal advancement should be made based mostly on factors other than merit, such as gender, race, etc.

5. Egocentricity. Self-centeredness.

6. Abortion on demand (which, IMO, is the belief that individuals should be totally excused for the consequences of their own actions and lack of personal responsibility.)

7. Gun control. Self-explanatory.

8. The dogmatic belief that there’s a government solution to every problem and conversely, that individualism constitutes selfishness and unconcern for others.

9. Unqualified support for sexual practices that a sizable majority of people in this country find repugnant.

Anyone wanting to add to or rebut these observations, fire away. Unlike most liberals, I'm a big boy and don't go whining to the moderators when one of my political opponents says something with which I disagree.:whistling:

Keeping in mind I'm only addressing this post on behalf of myself.

2. Extreme hedonism. In other words, if it feels good, do it.

I have never once advocated that in fact I have argued the opposite.

3. An equally extreme nihilism. In other words, complete rejection of the morals, customs and traditions that existed in an earlier era.

Complete rejection of religious morals not all morals besides if we are talking about moral behaviour it was once considered immoral for women to show certain parts of their body in public.

5. Egocentricity. Self-centeredness.

:laughing:

6. Abortion on demand (which, IMO, is the belief that individuals should be totally excused for the consequences of their own actions and lack of personal responsibility.)

Which consequences do you speak of? and for that matter why do you feel it is your right to sit in judgement of other people.

9. Unqualified support for sexual practices that a sizable majority of people in this country find repugnant.

If a majority of people find homosexuality (which I assume is what you are talking about) so offensive then why does current trends indicate that society is becoming more tolerant and more open about these issues.

Lets face it the majority of people who do have a problem with this lifestyle are conservatives.

i didn't even read your post and am curious as to how you came to these conclusions. I don't think that anyone can be defined as leftist. People ar epeople - not lefy's. Unless they are left handed, in which case, they should play baseball.

Originally Posted by Zulu87

I've made no secret of my dislike for liberals/leftists/socialists or whatever you want to call them. From the posts I've read on this forum, the feeling is mutual. As far as I'm concerned, their value system and mine are polar opposites and can never be reconciled. The following are characteristics I associate with leftists:

1. An affinity for collectivism.

2. Extreme hedonism. In other words, if it feels good, do it.

3. An equally extreme nihilism. In other words, complete rejection of the morals, customs and traditions that existed in an earlier era.

4. Blind egalitarianism. A belief that societal advancement should be made based mostly on factors other than merit, such as gender, race, etc.

5. Egocentricity. Self-centeredness.

6. Abortion on demand (which, IMO, is the belief that individuals should be totally excused for the consequences of their own actions and lack of personal responsibility.)

7. Gun control. Self-explanatory.

8. The dogmatic belief that there’s a government solution to every problem and conversely, that individualism constitutes selfishness and unconcern for others.

9. Unqualified support for sexual practices that a sizable majority of people in this country find repugnant.

Anyone wanting to add to or rebut these observations, fire away. Unlike most liberals, I'm a big boy and don't go whining to the moderators when one of my political opponents says something with which I disagree.:whistling:

Well, I guess your post is wrong on its face.

"1. An affinity for collectivism."

Nope. Economically I am against socialism and have called it a failed economic policy. I am for controlled capitalism, because unrestrained capitalism does more harm than good. I am for the rights of the individual over the rights of the state.

"2. Extreme hedonism. In other words, if it feels good, do it."

Nope. I have argued against the legalization of drugs and prostitution. Libertarians, on the other hand, have argued FOR these things. You know, like your pal FFA.


"3. An equally extreme nihilism. In other words, complete rejection of the morals, customs and traditions that existed in an earlier era."

Let me see: I've argued for the pledge of allegiance, for the draft, for charity to the poor, for continuing the use of the words "under god" on currency and in the pledge of allegiance and against social darwinism. This sounds pretty non-nihilistic to me. In fact, the people who have been arguing against these things are the socialists and LIBERTARIANS.

BTW, if by previous era's morals customs and traditions you mean the nineteenth century- then YES I do reject them.

4. "Blind egalitarianism. A belief that societal advancement should be made based mostly on factors other than merit, such as gender, race, etc."

Nope. What I have seen is that most liberals have argued that merit is important, but it's not the only factor. In other words you cannot consider merit if a person is being arbitrarily held back by factors OTHER than merit, such as gender, race, etc. which has been the practice in the United States. In other words, if the playing field is level and the rules apply equally to all- THEN we can have a discussion on merit.

"5. Egocentricity. Self-centeredness."

Nope. Most liberals, I have seen post, argue against self centeredness. Libertarianism, however, does take this approach.

BTW- you can't be FOR collectivism and FOR self-centeredness. The terms are mutually antagonistic.

"6. Abortion on demand (which, IMO, is the belief that individuals should be totally excused for the consequences of their own actions and lack of personal responsibility.)"

Yup. Guilty as charged- because it's none of your damned business. It's a matter of bodily autonomy, and you (and the government) should butt the hell out.

"7. Gun control. Self-explanatory."

Nope. I came out against gun control

"8. The dogmatic belief that there’s a government solution to every problem and conversely, that individualism constitutes selfishness and unconcern for others."

Nope. I don't believe this at all. I do believe that the private sector is NO MORE EFFICIENT than the government in many instances, and that the scandal at the Walter Reed Hospital is proof of this fact.

"9. Unqualified support for sexual practices that a sizable majority of people in this country find repugnant."

Unqualified support for the idea that what two consenting adults do in the privacy of their own bedroom is NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS. Sheesh, I thought conservatives were supposed to be against government snooping and intrusion...

I've named no names nor pointed any fingers so those of you who've replied to my thread starter may possibly feel I'm talking about you, which is not necessarily so. My list is obviously a broad-brush stroke at liberals in general and the characteristics will apply more often than not. We all know there are deviations from every rule.

Originally Posted by Zulu87

I've made no secret of my dislike for liberals/leftists/socialists or whatever you want to call them. From the posts I've read on this forum, the feeling is mutual. As far as I'm concerned, their value system and mine are polar opposites and can never be reconciled. The following are characteristics I associate with leftists:

1. An affinity for collectivism.

2. Extreme hedonism. In other words, if it feels good, do it.

3. An equally extreme nihilism. In other words, complete rejection of the morals, customs and traditions that existed in an earlier era.

4. Blind egalitarianism. A belief that societal advancement should be made based mostly on factors other than merit, such as gender, race, etc.

5. Egocentricity. Self-centeredness.

6. Abortion on demand (which, IMO, is the belief that individuals should be totally excused for the consequences of their own actions and lack of personal responsibility.)

7. Gun control. Self-explanatory.

8. The dogmatic belief that there’s a government solution to every problem and conversely, that individualism constitutes selfishness and unconcern for others.

9. Unqualified support for sexual practices that a sizable majority of people in this country find repugnant.

Anyone wanting to add to or rebut these observations, fire away. Unlike most liberals, I'm a big boy and don't go whining to the moderators when one of my political opponents says something with which I disagree.:whistling:

I have always found it amazing when someone can say that they dislike all people who share similar beliefs/political associations, etc....just based on that alone. I find it very close minded and find that it is those individuals with whom I tend to like the least. To say that all liberals share these common traits is wrong, and there are those with the same traits who are not liberals. Why do people not want to time to get to know each person as an individual and then judge your like/dislike for them based on who they are as a person. Is that so hard? I have been and still am good friends with many people that did not share my same belief system, morality or religion. Not only have I found these people to often times be very easy to get along with, they also offer me something and that is another point of view. I have learned in life....the hard way.....that I am not always right. I believe when we are dealing with people that think differently than we do, we are all just a bit misunderstood and in our frustration in trying to get our point across it turns ugly. But, in most cases, they are equally as frustrated.
Give people a fair shake, one at a time, they might just surprise you.

Originally Posted by Zulu87

I've named no names nor pointed any fingers so those of you who've replied to my thread starter may possibly feel I'm talking about you, which is not necessarily so. My list is obviously a broad-brush stroke at liberals in general and the characteristics will apply more often than not. We all know there are deviations from every rule.

Ah, so your argument is REALLY that liberals believe these things...except when they don't.

Originally Posted by Orthodox Marxist

Keeping in mind I'm only addressing this post on behalf of myself.

Complete rejection of religious morals not all morals besides if we are talking about moral behaviour it was once considered immoral for women to show certain parts of their body in public.

Apparently you're an atheist. I'm not but please believe me when I say that I detest religious fanatics of any sect. But having said that, I see nothing wrong with non-denominational prayers at public gatherings. I truly believe we had a more upright cultural climate when kids were taught moral beliefs (such as in church) at an early age. I know when I was a kid (which seems like a lifetime ago), there were no school shootings and teen pregnancies were almost unheard of. You sure can't say that nowadays.

Originally Posted by Orthodox Marxist

Which consequences do you speak of? and for that matter why do you feel it is your right to sit in judgement of other people.

Don't sound so holier-than-thou, OM - we're all a bit critical of others' behavior, including you.

The consequences are an unwanted pregnancy. And I remember a time when taxpayers were asked to pay for those abortions, which is wrong, wrong, wrong. Let's also not forget that rubbers are a helluva lot cheaper than abortions.

The biggest problem I have with abortion though is that five unelected tyrants in black robes imposed the right to an abortion upon the entire country instead of leaving the decision to state legislators.

That one-size-fits-all rule is complete and total bullshit. Though you lefties don't like to admit it, folks in different regions of the country think differently. Another thing liberals don't like to acknowledge is that when the Constitution was written, the goal of those writing it was that the federal government and the states would co-exist in a federal system. Not that the federal government, or parts thereof, would be all powerful.

Originally Posted by Orthodox Marxist

If a majority of people find homosexuality (which I assume is what you are talking about) so offensive then why does current trends indicate that society is becoming more tolerant and more open about these issues.

Oh, if those trends indicate more acceptance of homosexuality, then why have those propositions on state ballots prohibiting gay marriages passed so overwhelmingly in the states where they've been introduced? Ask yourself that.

Originally Posted by Orthodox Marxist

Lets face it the majority of people who do have a problem with this lifestyle are conservatives.

I don't care one way or another if two men or two women want to have sex together. What does piss me off though is their in-your-face effort to convince society-at-large that their "lifestyle" is normal and should be just as acceptable as any other. I'll never be convinced of that.

Originally Posted by Zulu87

The biggest problem I have with abortion though is that five unelected tyrants in black robes imposed the right to an abortion upon the entire country instead of leaving the decision to state legislators.

Oh, you mean the same unelected tyrants that put Bush into office in 2000?
:laughing:

lol why u hate left? Both sides are equally at fault in everything wrong. Both sides are corrupt. I agree with the right more on issues inside america and on foriegn issues i agree with the left.