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Stop the Hate
Brown Eyes:
--- Quote from: karen1129 on March 04, 2009, 02:12:50 pm ---Why do you think it is over the top?
For a great many conservatives, that is truly how they view gay rights and abortion issues.
--- End quote ---
Yes, I agree Karen. Anti-gay and anti-abortion positions seem to be fundamental to a lot of social conservative platforms.
louisev:
Not just this, but it is the OFFICIAL NATIONAL REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.
Jeff Wrangler:
--- Quote from: atz75 on March 04, 2009, 01:08:41 pm ---I take Jeff's comment to mean that the social conservatives in the Republican party feel no hesitation at having government control/restrict/meddle with the rights of gay people and the rights of women to make their own medical decisions, along with their doctors of course.
--- End quote ---
That's exactly what I meant, Amanda. ;)
Republicans don't like big government, except when it restricts the rights of people Republicans don't like. Then they're perfectly OK with big government.
And I also meant to suggest that the party is now dominated by right-wing socio-religious conservatives, for whom the social issues are more important than fiscal conservatism.
Lynne:
I've been thinking about this 'extreme' idea and I have mixed feelings about the word and its usage. I wrote a pretty extreme post, but I stand behind every word as my personal opinion on matters. I thought it might be too over-the-top, so I PM'd garycottle to ask if he'd rather I move it to my blog and he said no, so I'll let it be.
It should go without saying that I'm opposed to extreme actions Timothy McVeigh or Osama bin Laden style. I wonder if it is true that the source of the polarization we see in our nation is really a result of extremist viewpoints.
For instance, you're never going to get me to concede to the RR that Roe v Wade should be overturned. And it's not because I'm pro-abortion. I think if sex education were properly implemented, there'd be little to no need of abortion services. I feel the way I do because I believe very strongly in a woman's right to privacy and reproductive freedom.
Is that extreme? I don't see much middle ground. I'm even opposed to required parental notification because there are too many cases where a male family member is the father. A sad state of affairs, but I would rather place the trust in the young woman to make the decision that is best for her, hopefully with some counseling from professionals involved.
Nevertheless, there's a world of difference between thinking blowing up buildings, murdering innocent people, is a good solution compared to holding strong convictions on political issues with evidence to support your positions, lobbying your representatives to implement policies you agree with and to oppose those you don't, and supporting/voting for candidates who hold views similar to your own.
pnwDUDE:
--- Quote from: Lynne on March 04, 2009, 02:59:54 pm ---
It should go without saying that I'm opposed to extreme actions Timothy McVeigh or Osama bin Laden style. I wonder if it is true that the source of the polarization we see in our nation is really a result of extremist viewpoints.
--- End quote ---
Lynne, I believe it is. For rigid liberals and entrenched conservatives, there is no middle ground regarding the issues (which we don't need to list, cause' we know em'). With no middle ground or flexibility, we remain at odds. This is why peaceful negotiations regarding ideals or tyrany have rarely worked as long as man has walked this earth. What has worked is war because there is no middle-ground.
If I were to say I am extremely conservative (which no one here has said he/she is, and I don't think there is one that is a Bettermost member), what would one assume. I'm an atheist. I vote for equal rights. I have and will continue to vote for Democrats if they stand for fiscal conservatism and my idea of what government is or isn't. Extreme liberalism has as many negatives as extreme conservatism in the eyes of a right-leaning individual and for this discussion, I'm not thinking of bin Ladens & McVeighs, but they are true extremists and my statement got people thinking.
When the only thing people have in common is these threads, we become icons and avatars. When we post an ideal and it flies in the face of someones values/beliefs there seems to be this need by some to prove the other wrong. I don't reckon if we all had the wherewithall to get together once a week or month for drinks, etc., the constant hot topic would be politics, religion, and trying to prove each other wrong. When we know where each other is coming from, decide if other social components are compatible with ours, and move on.
Brad
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