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Conservatism, Libertarianism, and Liberalism: Definitions and Distinctions

What are the formal definitions of Conservatism, Libertarianism, and Liberalism? What does it mean to be a Conservative, a Libertarian, or a Liberal?

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Permalink Reply by Jim Rogers on November 3, 2011 at 9:27pm

Think what you will. Please, please give me anything radically right as opposed to Bozo the clown and his incompetent henchmen.

I do not like evangelicals. But I do not fear them, because they are not stuffing it down my throat like Islam does and would.

Militarism? Are you kidding? The rest of the world keeps it's powder dry as we clean up the filth that is Islam.

Mr. Franklin was a diplomat to be sure. But he was also a realist. Which, I gather, you are not.

Permalink Reply by James Healey on May 13, 2011 at 9:43pm

I believe that conservatism is a political philosophy that prefers things they way they are or they way they were. In the U.S, that means a constitutionally limited republic, a free enterprise, a structured society that is deprived of some freedoms. Liberalism is the political philosophy that sees things as perfectible, that some traditions have to be reformed in order to achieve progress. In the U.S, this means that they support a Living Constitution, redistribution of wealth and a permissive society, one which is too permissive. Libertarianism on the other hand is the belief in liberty, which is actualized through a free enterprise and a voluntarily moral society. My problem with libertarians today is that they think abortion is a right or a states' issue. Abortion is the forceful killing of an unborn individual and no free society can permit that.

Permalink Reply by Tonya Wynn on June 1, 2011 at 11:56am

James, I find it very telling that MEN are most outraged about abortion. A woman who has a child is damned-near totally dependent on a man, even if he cheats, abuses her, is cold, is lazy, a child-molester... Yes, a woman should be very slow and choosey about who she has babies with, but many men would have to quit school to support a baby if their lover/girlfriend didn't abort or use birth control. I'm fairly convinced that most of you anti-abortionist men would feel disrespected if you had to constantly run after a child, clean up after her, fetch her from school when she's sick, ect. This is often more of a control issue. James, you especially, strike me as a woman-hater. If your mom was unloving uncaring, and unresponsive, tell her so, and stop the resentment. You've already said you think sex is disgusting. You hate your mother, and by extention, yourself!!

Permalink Reply by Chris Z on June 1, 2011 at 1:51pm

Tonya, this is ridiculous. If you can't get along with James in a less incindiary, accusatory manner, then I will be forced to remove you from the group. Sorry James.

Permalink Reply by James Healey on June 2, 2011 at 2:00pm

If women do have children, they can put them up for adoption if they don't want to take care of them. They won't be forced to run after them.

I don't hate women, Tonya, and I don't hate my mother. In fact, I get along better with women than men most of the time. Just because I'm pro-life does not mean I'm indifferent to the concerns of a pregnant mother, but I will not tolerate the extermination of her child. There are good reasons to be pro-life. Being a man or a woman does not change those reasons.

Permalink Reply by Jim Rogers on November 2, 2011 at 9:15am

Tonya:

Here we go again. "No one shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law." (US Constitution)

So, until there are abortion courts to adjudicate the just reasons for killing a baby in utero there can be no such thing as legal abortion. Roe v. Wade not withstanding. Abortion abrogates human rights. And, until those Abortion Courts are formed no one should be killing babies.

Why is it men are "women haters" when they disagree with feminist absolutism? Methinks there is some guilt and psychological projecting going on. So very similar to racism accusations.

Permalink Reply by Jim Rogers on November 2, 2011 at 9:34am

BTW I didn't take a Michigan Ave. (Chicago) PR partnership so I could be home a lot and have the flexibility to chase after my children.

Permalink Reply by Tonya Wynn on June 1, 2011 at 11:48am

Chris Z, I think it'd be great if you went to Wikipedia or another source so that we all can see if we are using thee 3 terms correctly.

Permalink Reply by Chris Z on June 1, 2011 at 1:52pm

I currently don't appear to have the time, but will if I get some. Go right ahead. The more sources the better.

Permalink Reply by Tonya Wynn on October 27, 2011 at 5:50pm

After being on this site and listening more carefully to those who call in to conservative radio shows, I'm beginnning to believe that 'conservatism' also means, to a Jew or Christian, that Isreal needs the protection and financial support of the U.S.A. I disagree with helping Israel or most other countries.

Permalink Reply by Jim Rogers on November 2, 2011 at 9:36am

Which countries would you prefer get my money? Just curious.

Permalink Reply by Jim Rogers on November 2, 2011 at 10:11am

And if Israel is nuked by Iran, should we sit around waiting for them to figure out how to get one here or defend them? Just curious.