I know some might read that previous post of mine and think I am slow coming to the game, but I think I have not given enough critical thought to whether one CAN be both of those things at the same time.
I never took the time to examine that basic premise.
I think the basic premise is false. But even more, I don’t believe I have defined those components of the premise.
What is “socially liberal”, and what is “fiscally conservative”?
As in the old saw about defining pornography, on the surface I had not defined them, though I was certain I would know each if I saw them.
And I have found that is true, I can tell it when I see it, though defining those categories is much stickier.
The more I thought about defining those terms, the more variables began to get introduced as I thought them through, until it was a swamp of ideas.
And then it became clear all at once: there was ONE thing that makes “socially liberal” and “fiscally conservative” completely unable to inhabit the same space in a normal person. I think it is a cleavage point. (no, not that kind)
It is Personal Responsibility.
That is the cleavage point that separated the two cleanly. If one phrase defines it, the other is its antithesis.
By its very nature, “socially liberal” demands you must surrender your personal responsibility.
And the obverse is true: “fiscally conservative” demands personal responsibility.
Being fiscally conservative means you aren’t depending on someone else to provide for you...and “socially liberal” encompasses everything else from fiscal to emotional.
Using your same logic it is not possible to be socially conservative and fiscally liberal. Yet we have Santorum.
The bridge that spans your cleavage is selfishness. A person can support fiscal conservatism because they don’t want to get hurt financially and social liberalism because they want what they want baby’s lives be damned. Personal responsibility never enters into it for them.