Ok this was a question that I asked a whole lot last year, and I have had several friends ask me what they are since. The short answer is I (nor anyone else) can really answer that for you… So here is what I can do I will list a few things that are generally on one side of the other. Now I am going to do this in the form of liberal and conservative. (Generally but not always; conservatives are Republican & liberals are democrats.) Also note this is my opinion based upon the actions of the different people that are categorized on each side, and lots of research.
| Liberal | Conservative |
| Pro-Choice Sees this an issue in which woman should be able to choose what they do with their own bodies. |
Pro-Life Believe that having an abortion is killing a baby. Sometimes to the extent that taking birth control is killing a baby (or potentially doing so. |
| REALITY IN MY VIEW – It appears to me that most people take a position closer to the middle. That abortion shouldn’t be done all of the time on a whim or as a means of birth control, but that it should remain legal especially in cases of rape, incest, and so forth. Very conservative people generally take the position that a baby is a baby regardless thus abortions shouldn’t be allowed under any circumstances. Very liberal people point out that a pregnant woman is risking her life by giving birth, and thus the choice should be hers to make. I am pro-choice more than I am pro-life, but I fit in a little bit on both sides. (Mainly because I do recognize that forcing a baby upon someone can in effect cause them many problems – if you do not understand where this comes from watch Dirty Dancing. Pay attention to more than just the music.) | |
| Feminist Believe that woman should be treated as well as men, make equal money for equal work, and so on… |
Anti-Feminist Believe that the bible explains why the sexes are treated differently, and it is supposed to be that way… |
| I don’t think I can really offer insightful commentary on this one, I am without a doubt a feminist, and nothing makes me more upset than the propaganda that conservatives put upon this issue. (Suggesting that only lesbians are feminists, that they do not understand gender differences and so on. Basically trying and succeeding in making woman afraid to say or act like they are feminists for fear of being labeled in this way.) | |
| Affirmative Action is Good Believe that because of the way we have limited specific types of people we need to “even the score”. |
Affirmative Action is Bad Believe that affirmative action is reverse racism, and that to even that score the specific type of people need to work at it. |
| Anti-Death Penalty | Pro-Death Penalty |
| I used to be for the death penalty, after all I am human and I see certain things to be worthy of death. However, after a lot of research I have learned that our system is flawed to an extent that I am not comfortable with it. | |
| Regulated Market | Totally Free Market- Unregulated |
| I think there is a balance that needs to be maintained here, the government shouldn’t have to much control, but the market cannot (as being proved right now with the economy) regulate itself. | |
| Environmental Worry about things like global warming. |
Economic Worry about what policies to help environment will do to the economy. |
| This isn’t nice, but in this particular one I find the conservative view to be ignorant. When you ignore over 90% of scientists you are doing yourself and everyone a disservice. | |
| Anti-Gun | Pro-Gun |
| Most people fall somewhere in the middle. They can see the reasons why armor piercing rounds might be bad, but do not want to take away someone’s ability to own a gun. (Although I would preach safe practices.) | |
| Pro-Health Care Change Would like everyone to receive health care regardless of ability to pay. |
Pro-Market Health care should remain privatized. |
| I don’t think I need to get into this one, just read a bit of this blog (there is an actual blog if you are reading this on facebook). | |
| Against Patriot Act | Not as against Patriot Act |
| I can’t believe that we gave up so much so fast… Give me liberty or give me death was forgotten in the heat of anger. | |
| Against God in Governmental places (schools and such) | For God in Governmental places |
| Equal rights for Gay people (including marriage) | Gay people should not be allowed to marry |
| Higher taxes and more programs (and thus bigger government) | Lower taxes, less programs and thus smaller government |
| For welfare (and other social programs such as food stamps) | Against welfare (if you need help get it from your relatives, church, help yourself) |
| This is another that a middle ground is most likely best… | |
So in general I am liberal. Not 100%, and I can see merit in both sides in a lot of things but still more liberal than conservative. What throws me more to one side or the other is simply the ignorance I see in one side. However, one thing that isn’t written up there is that conservatives in general pay more attention to what things cost, and that is a good thing.
There are so many more topics that can be put on one side or the other. (Google the terms if you wonder about more, I put the ones I see as most important.)
