Comments on: America Is Still A Conservative Nation

Weekly Standard: Despite Obama's Election, Exit Polls Show Conservatives Still Outnumber Liberals

[andor3]

"The terms liberal and conservative are recognized internationally."

Yes but they do not mean the same thing everywhere. For example, the "neoconservative" movement in the USA was called "neoliberal" in many other countries. In any case, no one is arguing the definition of the terms, just that they are meaningless when applied to a person--people are a complex and ever-changing mix of viewpoints and few would fit any definition of liberal, conservative or whatever--even if we could agree what those terms mean, and this discussion shows we cannot. And of course if the terms are ridiculous in labeling an individual, they are even more so in trying to characterize a country.

In fact, this proves it--America is known to have a majority of Democrats far outnumbering Republicans, so trying to argue "America is still Conservative" just shows how meaningless such a label is.

[jimesmith2]

Depends on what your definition of "conservative". When it comes to economics, I''d agree. But, from Reagan to Bush, Republicans have been about deficits and overspending. It took Clinton to clean up and begin to balance our budget. So, Republicans no longer represent that aspect of politics. As far as Social conservatism -- it is in its death throws. As soon as the 65+ generation is dead, there will be a minimal support for anti-gay legislation among American youth and especially for legislation that is morality-based (abortion). Plus, most Americans have learned that social conservatives are hypocrites -- as in do as I say, not as I do.

[ausus-2009]

andor3,

Are you totally insular? The terms liberal and conservative are recognized internationally. I studied politics in an overseas university and they were well-known terms. If you are taking a sum of values of the population, Americans would tend to be more conservative than, say, Scandinavia, therefore it would be legitimate to say that in comparison it is a more conservative society. Of course, the perfect political middle of the road from which to set your boundaries is in the eye of the beholder.

[andor3]

"Conservative and Liberal are legitimate political science terms, the same way extrovert and introvert are legitimate psychological terms."

Not at all! extrovert and introvert are personality descriptors. Conservative and liberal are labels in America, brands like Chevy or Marlboro. Those terms once described schools of thought or philosophies and maybe still do, but they become absurd when anyone tries to apply them to a person, even more so when applied to a group of people, and completely ridiculous when applied to a nation of people. Trying to label people in simplistic terms is a disease of marketing and completely meaningless.

[ausus-2009]

andor3,

Don''t show your ignorance. Conservative and Liberal are legitimate political science terms, the same way extrovert(although the term was originally extravert) and introvert are legitimate psychological terms.

The UK and Canada have both Liberal and Conservative parties as does New York. To confuse the issue in Australia the Liberal Party is actually the more conservative of the two major parties.

I you go back to my original entry I said that liberal and conservative were a sum of beliefs. My point was that few would give all liberal or all conservative answers to the concepts and terms I presented.

[andor3]

"The word "conservative" has alot of meanings."

Yes and smart, informaed people are not "conservtive" or "liberal" or any other label. THey adopt the actions that make the most sense based on the situation and options available. Labels are only for the convenience of spin doctors, pollsters and ad salesmen who find it convenient to make silly statements like "America is conservative because most of the people we talked to last week supported the conservative ideas we mentioned."

[ausus-2009]

CBS_Oliver,

Are you scared to take the test?

Is it just that you wish to air your prejudices in this forum.

I can name many horrible Democrat politicians and many honorable Republicans just as I am sure you can do the opposite.

Show your true colors.

[cbs_oliver]

The word "conservative" has alot of meanings.

In all cases though, Republicans arn''t "conservative", they''re reactionary.

Too bad.

[ausus-2009]

shellybeanns,

I would place you a few steps to the right of me and a couple of steps to the left of being a reactionary.

Thank you for taking the test.

Now I would like to see someone like timothyone, CBS_Oliver or incog-nito take the test to see if they are committed radicals or moderate liberals.

[shellybeanns]

Defense - This is complex, but I think it all boils down to this: if we don''t have a comprehensive defense, none of these other issues matter one milisecond. I really have a hard time regarding Isolationism because I feel like you''re damned if you do and you''re damned if you don''t. It doesn''t matter your intention if you''ve got other governments that resent your power.

Public Money or Taxpayers Money - Taxpayers, duh.

Individual or the welfare of the whole of society is more important - Ideally, the whole of society is more important, but expecting a small percentage of the population to provide for the rest will only discourage production. The U.S. is unique in its opportunities and people are dying to get here. We have to remember that.

Utilities like telephones and power be owned by government or shareholders? - This is what I was referring to above in regulation. Regulation does provide for stability, but not efficiency.