Look, a Liberal at Free Republic!

[FreeRepublicLoginName]

"Are you absolutely sure you are a liberal? "

I am absolutely sure anyone here would consider me a liberal, as would most liberals. "Bleeding Heart" is probably an understatement with me. Personally, I consider myself to be a "free thinker", not a liberal, which is why I am trying to view the world through the eyes of a conservative.

I don't want to turn this thread into yet-another-rehash-flamewar, but I am happy to answer your questions. (Please don't turn this into a political debate.)

The biggest fact about my personal philosophy is that I have no beliefs. I have no faith. To me, reason is the only tool we have that actually works. See http://nobeliefs.com/ for writings that closely reflect my own opinions.

"1. Standards for admissions to universities, fire departments, etc. should be lowered for people of color. "

I think everyone should be entitled to a free college education. As far as Affirmative Action is considered, I support it.

"2. Bilingual education for children of immigrants, rather than immersion in English, is good for them and for America."

I do not feel qualified to have an opinion on this. Show me a social study on bilingual schooled versus English-only schooled kids in high-immigrant areas, that somehow measures their success and happiness in life, and I'd vote for whichever one gives the community greater happiness.

"3. Murderers should never be put to death. "

I agree completely.

"4. During the Cold War, America should have adopted a nuclear arms freeze. "

I'm not sure what you mean by this. I support nuclear non-proliferation agreements, if that is what you are asking. I also support a strong military for the purposes of self-defense and helping nations that ask for it (such as Liberia).

"5. Colleges should not allow ROTC programs. "

I have no opinion on this issue. My high school had an ROTC program and it never bothered me.

"5. It was wrong to wage war against Saddam Hussein in the Gulf War."

If you are talking about the '91 war, I disagree. If you are talking about the '03 war, I would say that it is not only wrong, it is criminal. I'd like to see George W. and his friends imprisoned for their murderous war crimes.

"6. Poor parents should not be allowed to have vouchers to send their children to private schools. "

I have not followed the school voucher debate so I do not feel qualified to have an opinion on this issue.

"7. It is good that trial lawyers and teachers unions are the two biggest contributors to the Democratic Party"

I have no opinion on this issue. (I am not a member of the Democratic party and really don't care.)

"8. Marriage should be redefined from male-female to any two people"

To me, marriage has a rather personal meaning. I am happily married with one kid and another on the way.

I don't care how gays define marriage. I also don't think it's government's business to intrude on something as personal and private as marriage.

I do like that new show "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" though. Those gay guys are pretty silly.

"9. A married couple should not have more of a right to adopt a child than two men or two women. "

As far as adopting a child goes, the sexuality of the couple would be pretty far down on my list. For example, I'd rather see a loving gay couple adopt a child than an alcoholic, abusive straight couple. But that's just a cursory opinion, I really don't know anything about child adoption.


"10. The Boy Scouts should not be allowed to use parks or any other public places and should be prohibited from using churches and synagogues for their meetings."

I don't know anything about the Boy Scouts, as far as I am concerned they should be able to meet wherever they can get permission for.

I do know that in Utah the Boy Scouts are a Mormon thing, like an extension of the Mormon church, if that helps.

"11. The present high tax rates are good."

Good grief, what's next? "Eating babies is good"?

Nobody likes taxes but if it comes down to no taxes with no services versus some taxes with some services (like roads, education, health care), I'll take the latter.

The number one budget item --where your taxes go-- in the USA is the military. I thought conservatives like big military spending (see Reagan, Bush), so isn't that a conflict?
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"12. Oil companies are evil."

Companies are neither evil nor good. They are a taxable legal entity and nothing more.

If your question were phrased as "People who run oil companies have repeatedly done evil things", I would agree.

"13. The Israelis and Palestinians are morally equivalent."

I'm a moral relativist so this is a bad question to ask me, heh.

(Lately it seems like the Isrealis are killing more children more routinely and systematically than the Palestinians.)

"14. The United Nations is a moral force for good in the world, and therefore America should be subservient to it and such international institutions as a world court."

I would more-or-less agree. I would word things differently, calling the UN a "forum" rather than a moral force, and America should be a "member of it" rather than "subservient to it". But I strongly support the UN, if that is your question.

"15. It is good that colleges have dropped hundreds of men's sports teams in order to meet gender-based quotas."

I'm not a big sports fan so I have no opinion on this.

If you ask me, "Should we ignore our culture's history of treating women like inferior humans", I would say no.


"16. No abortions can be labeled immoral."

As a moral relativist, this question doesn't make much sense to me. I can tell you that my wife will never have an abortion, and that I also don't want government telling me what my family can or cannot do with regards to family matters.

"17. Restaurants should be prohibited by law from allowing customers to choose between a smoking and a non-smoking section."

I disagree. I think businesses should be allowed to cater to smoking personel, and people should be allowed to do whatever they want. (I also think the War on Drugs is wrong.)


"18. High schools should make condoms available to students and teach them how to use them."

The studies I've seen show that condom availability greatly reduces unwanted teen pregnancies. For that reason, I would agree with the above statement.

If several studies came out showing that "no sex at all" education was more effective at reducing unwanted teen pregnancies, I would support that.

"19. Racial profiling for terrorists is wrong -- a white American grandmother should as likely be searched as a Saudi young male."

I disagree. I support racial profiling where it makes sense. If a dude with red hair drops a mysterious box at the airport there's no sense in stopping everyone with black hair.

But I would not extrapolate that to say "racial profiling as policy is okay". That's how you get to Nazi Germany, circa 1938.

"20. Racism and poverty -- not a lack of fathers and a crisis of values -- are the primary causes of violent crime in the inner city."

So 100% of the Enron and WorldCom executives had no fathers and crises of values? (Obviously racism and poverty were not the causes either.)

I think crime is a complex issue, and that racism, poverty, lack of fathers, and crises of values are all contributing factors in some form or another. I think more science is necessary to study the root causes of crime.

"21. It is wrong and unconstitutional for students to be told, "God bless you" at their graduation."

I agree with this. I don't believe in God, and I don't want someone else's belief system rammed down my throat. (Nor would I ever force Atheism onto anyone else.)

I spent some time in the public school system of Utah, where everything is very closely tied to the Mormon church. I've seen church and state acting as one, and it sucks.

"22. No culture is morally superior to any other."

I agree. (I'm a moral relativist.)

"23. Guns should be banned."

I'm still not decided on this one. 3000 kids per year die from guns in our country, but I'm not convinced gun control is the way to solve that problem.

"24. Fidel Castro is a great leader & Cuba is a fantastic place to live."

I disagree. His human rights and liberty record are fairly clear.

But it's sad to note that the dirt-poor Cubans get free college and health care, but we, the richest nation on Earth, don't give those luxuries to our own.

"25. Private Healthcare should be replaced by socialized medicine."

I agree. Social medicine seems to be working pretty well where it's been implemented (which is almost everywhere). Our private system has failed me almost completely, and I would like to go with what works better.

[NeoCaveman]

I hear tell, them there liburuls are the best at makin love with their libertine ways an such,

This is a myth conservative women are better, but liberal women are easier :-)

[FreeRepublicLoginName]

"I answered yours, now please answer mine"

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I sincerely appreciate it.

"1. Can the government create prosperity?"

The Nazi government did it in the early '30s. The US and Japanese interim governments did it for Japan in the late '40s. The US did it in the '30s to escape the worldwide depression. The Aztecs did with organized calendars and agricultural planting schedules. The Ancient Greeks did through lax trade laws. The Romans did it through conquest and heavy taxation of the conquered lands.

So I would say, "yes".

"2. Do you have a right to someone elses earnings or labor?"

I think "earnings or labor" is too broad to offer a response. Of course my answer is "no", but that does not translate into "all social programs are bad".

"3. What is the maximum tax rate that would be acceptable?"

That would depend entirely on what services I was getting for my tax dollars.

If my taxes paid for a live-in-chef, free housing, nightly backrubs, and all the toys I wanted then I'd say 70% would be a fair tax rate. (That's a joke.)

In a free economy, I think we could get by with something like a 15% flat tax, if it were spent wisely and even the rich had to pay taxes. The only thing I really know about economics, though, is that most economists are full of it.

"4. Do you drive an automobile"

Unfortunately, yes. Even better, it's an SUV with really crappy gas mileage. (Maybe that makes me a hippocrat. I happen to think that not-driving-SUVs is not the answer to the problems of an oil economy.)

Frankly, I wish my city were designed such that I could get by without a car. I spend about an hour a day in my car stuck in traffic. I'd much rather spend that with my family.

"5. Are you rebelling from something?"

Nope.

"6.Are you uncomfortable with public displays of religiousity?"

I'm uncomfortable with it, because I think religion is ignorant and destructive. But I believe strongly in the freedom of speech and religion.

"7. Isn't better for children to be raised by two parents, a mother and a father? "

Of course it is.

[FreeRepublicLoginName]

"Are you sure you're not one of those moron perfessors at Berkeley who studied conservatism and decided we're authoritarian pyschos who aren't nuanced?"

Actually I did read that study and part of the reason I'm asking the questions is to see if their predictions of conservatives' answers are correct.

And yes, I understand that their study is biased, opinionated, etc. But like someone here said, "life is not fair" :)

I also read a couple of articles by the guy who wrote this book:

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1401/bookrev9.html

and I wanted to see if his predictions made sense. Some of the questions includes quotes of his.

[SierraWasp]

Ok, I'll buy that... uh, well I've never bought it yet, I mean... well, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!!!

Whatta we got goin on here? Psychological NUDITY? I think I'll ping Michael Savage!!! (grin)

[FreeRepublicLoginName]

"Well what happened? Did we upset you by not getting you kicked off? Were you surprized that after a little joking and sarcasm some of us answered your little survey? Did we mess up your expectations? Speak up."

I took my daughter out to lunch. Sorry, I didn't realize this forum was so "instant".

[SierraWasp]

Wow! I sure wouldn't consider you a "typical liberal" in several respects! First off, you're too much of a "Live & Let Live" person to be a "hard-over" liberal big government leftist. You sound almost like a Libertarian Liberal, or with a few exceptions, almost a classic liberal.

You did hide behind being a "relativist," a whole lot, which proves the theory of relativity where you're concerned. And I was mildly surprised that you are male. I did, of course disagree with most of your positions, but found you refreshingly honest and a little more consistent than most liberals.

I think if you look around here you'll find you have a surprising of compadres. Why is your heart bleeding? Do you need one of Dick Cheney's stents? (sorry)

I know you didn't ask for my judgemental opinion, but you kinda let it all hang out there, so I jumped on it! If we were all still in the "Garden of Eden," we would have no need of being judgemental. Of course you don't buy into all that religious stuff, so foget I said that.

[NeoCaveman]

this is the FUN side of FR, over in General Interest.

[SierraWasp]

I don't think I've ever been over here before and I don't even know the General! You say his last name is Interest?

One question I would have asked the Liberal is "Do you think American is too strong and should be brought down to a more equal economic level like the other nations?

[Conspiracy Guy]

I might have tipped the liberal off that we walk upright. Dubs was chatty too!

[FreeRepublicLoginName]

"Wow! I sure wouldn't consider you a "typical liberal" in several respects! First off, you're too much of a "Live & Let Live" person to be a "hard-over" liberal big government leftist. You sound almost like a Libertarian Liberal, or with a few exceptions, almost a classic liberal."

Wow, all those labels... I only wish I knew what they mean. :)

I don't know what a "classic liberal" is but Tom Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin are very cool in my opinion.

"You did hide behind being a "relativist," a whole lot, which proves the theory of relativity where you're concerned."

I don't consider myself hiding from anything. As far as I'm concerned, what is moral and what is not is an entirely subjective question.

If you ask me, "Is X wrong?", I believe that any X is neither wrong nor right. If you rephrase your question in the form of "does X make you happy or unhappy", I'm happy to give my opinion.

And if I've never considered the issue, like school vouchers, I simply defer until I've had a chance to educate myself.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Sorry I left work and came home. Drinking beer with my fiancee and my dog. the dog doesn't drink. On this site are people who love their country and even respond to liberals in a timely manner.

[FreeRepublicLoginName]

"Do you think American is too strong and should be brought down to a more equal economic level like the other nations?"

Actually I think America is very, very weak, and on the brink of economic collapse. I fear that either me or my kids will need to experience a civil war, brought on by a disintegration of the economy. I do not want that to happen - I believe America is a liberal country, founded by liberals, with liberal values at its core. But you don't need to be an economist to see that our economy is dying (and taking the environment with it). Ask the IMF why it recently reproached the US economy.

Liberals do not hate America. We love it. If we didn't love it we would leave. We think that our ideas are better for the country than conservative ideas, so when we challenge or attack conservative programs or policies, it's because we're trying to make America stronger, not weaker.

If you think our economy is strong try reading "The Ownership Solution" by Jeff Gates. Also, visit http://www.lcurve.org/.

Oh wait, I forgot... conservatives only read the bible.

[FreeRepublicLoginName]

"I might have tipped the liberal off that we walk upright."

Really? But then do your knuckles still drag on the ground?

[SierraWasp]

Actually, your views remind me of Randian friends of mine. We enjoy exchanging views and even though it may be inconsistent, I share many of Ayn Rand's philosophies, but I'm certainly not atheistic. I just like to be as objective as possible till I hit the inexplicable, then I fall back on the faith my parents inculcated in me.

You know... "Faith of our fathers," and that sort of thing. I just look at my fantastic Waspishness in the mirror and know that I couldn't possibly have "evolved" from pond scum!!! (grin)(no, I don't admire totalitarians or racists)

[SierraWasp]

"Oh wait, I forgot... conservatives only read the bible."

Hay! I ain't nevur been to no pubic schools... only church ones, but I ain't no danged bible thumper, neither!!! See! I knew yew'd jab us purdy soon as if we wuz ignernt, er sumthin!!!

Yew reely hurt my feelers wiff dat biblical dig uv yers!!! Now my hart's a bleedin!!!

[Conspiracy Guy]

It only hurts on concrete.

[FreeRepublicLoginName]

"I just like to be as objective as possible till I hit the inexplicable, then I fall back on the faith my parents inculcated in me."

Rather than falling back on faith, may I suggest science and education? (Warning, here comes an Athiest rant...)

When something is inexplicable, that does not mean that it is inconsistent with reason. That just means you have not yet learned its explanation (or perhaps nobody has). Gravity, agriculture, and even day-and-night were once "inexplicable", and explained by the mythologies of various religions.

As soon as you "fall back on faith", you are ceasing the inquiry, closing your mind, and allowing ignorance to prevail. The results of "faith" are abundant throughout history, and it's never been good.

At the same time, the number of lives "saved" by basic improvements in agriculture and health care far outnumber those lost in all the wars combined. Science works, every time, and has always worked, since the Greeks first discovered it two thousand years ago.

When you believe in something without having a reason for it (i.e., faith), you are lessening yourself and your potential. When you calm your personal insecurities by telling yourself lies about "The Heavenly Father" watching out for you, you are doing nothing but endangering yourself and those around you. You would be happier if you had the solidarity of reason behind you.

[SierraWasp]

Nice rant, but I can see you aren't one who ascribes to all the non-science non-sense oozing out of the current EnvironMental CommuNutty. I love science! I love education, not government indoctrination in government schools of today. For a "reletivist," you should never say never about anything, right?

My crutch is as good as your crutch and a lot more restful to my mental health than waiting an eternity for science to actually and fully figure it out.

Besides, science rarely gets past the theory stage and the public takes those wild speculations on faith because the scientist gods have spoken to the liberal media in order to get published to get a government grant to perpetuate their bullshit theory!!!

Just wait until medicine is socialized and watch the motivation for continued science to drop way off. Even now, we have idiots pushing "organic farming" and "alternative medicine" and even anti-capitalistic liberals damning the very corporate geese that lay the golden eggs for science and especially government programs. I resent that, don't you?

[Feiny]

From your answers, you are most certainly a liberal. Although, I believe that if you are honest that reason is the most important aspect of your philosophy, these views would not be held. Facts & logic will destroy many of the views you now hold. I used to be fairly liberal until I began educating myself on the issues.

You wrote that you don't want to turn this into a political debate, but that is precisely how views are challenged. I consider myself a libertarian-conservative mainly because I am against the war on drugs (but there are other reasons also).

1. You think that education should be free, but the money is taken from someone elses pocket to fund that expense. Do you support theft? No one has a right to my labor, my property or my money.

2. In California, we had bilingual education and it was a failure. English emersion has proven to be most effective, there are many studies....try a google search.

3. Would you still agree that murderers should not be put to death if it were your wife or daughter that were killed? Personally, I support the death penalty for very heinious crimes.....but I would prefer putting the bastards in a small cell alone with no outside contact and very little else.....but I am sure that would be ruled "cruel & unusual punishment".

4. The nuclear arms question had to do with the fact that many liberals protested that Reagan would start WW3 by building upour nuclear arsenal. What it accomplished was the bankrupting and eventual fall of the USSR.


I have to go walk my dog......so I will address the rest later. You seem to genuinely want answers and I will do my best to help. There seem to be many topics which you need an education on.....

Also, Congratulations on your upcoming birth.....I hope it is an easy one for your wife.