What is a Liberal? What is a Conservative?

[Nebrfarmr]

Im so confused to this, because all I seem to hear is name-calling, and really have not been around enough to know where they fall.

For example, I am liberal in the sense that I don't see a problem in helping out the needy with their basic needs, but am conservative in that I think it should be only basic needs, and don't consider things like cell phones a 'right'.

I think that the government should have a safety net in place to help those in need, but it should be to help people get on their feet, not become a multi-generational way of life.

I think the government should be as small as possible, while still able to get the job done, and I think the Federal government is doing too many things that would be better handled at the State level.  Except for what they 'print' I don't think that government does much to produce new wealth, but will admit some good research has been done with public funds.

I think taxes should be low, but end the special treatment for special interests.  If we do this and cut wasteful spending, maybe we can balance the budget with the tax rates we have.  I think that Heinz can test the viscocity of ketchup on their own, and hookers in China don't need my tax dollars.

Lastly, I think the Constitution should mean exactly what it says.  It is not a 'living' document, in the sense that the meanings of the words written down should change.  If something needs to be changed, there are ways to amend it.  Laws should be as short and simple as possible, and punishment should be swift, and sure.  If you hit someone in the head with a bat, whether or not your mama didn't hug you, doesn't un-crack the other guy's skull.  If you embezzle a million dollars, somehow a fine of a 'couple hundred thousand' to me, just doesn't cut it.

I could go on, but I think this is a good start.  Looking forward to see what comes of this.

[BA Deere]

Hey Nebrfamr, Conservatives are not against helping the poor, not at all.  Libs like to mischaractize the fact that Conservatives want to help the poor in a sustainable way.  See, 0bama has had control for 3 yrs now, total Democrat control for 2 of those 3 yrs and poverty is worse and worse http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/no-christmas-for-millions-of-american-families-this-year   Liberals believe that you should send the government a large chunk of your income and the government will determine the best way to spread it around. If you make alot without much need, liberals would like to only send you back maybe 10% of your money back.  Do you see the obvious fault in this liberal theory? It will remove the incentive to work...and that has miserably failed everytime that it has been tried.  Democrats have relatively recently taken on the dregs of society into their tent for votes, perverts, lazy ner-do-wells.  In exchange for support they are paid handsomely with social programs.  Liberals want to take away your ability to defend yourself "don`t fight back, let the criminal help himself".   I am 100% totally serious about this after 0bama got in these agencies have went nuts with controls, "they" do not even trust you to put in a electrical outlet in your machine shed without a licensed electrician doing the work$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$    Liberals are freakin` nuts! No if`s and`s or but`s.

[kraft-t]

After Obama fot in these agencies have went nuts with controls! Elaborate please. What agencies have done what?

[kraft-t]

The court doesn't change the meanings of the constitution. The fact is in some cases the legislation conflict from one clause to another. The right to privacy doe not allow you to intrude into sexual matters. BTW Capitalism is not mentioned in the constitution. Thus capitalism must be against the law.

[kraft-t]

Is the government giving out cell phones or have the poor bought them? Do you suggest a beneficiary sell his cell phone before he can qualify for benefits? How about you welfare checks from the FSA? Did you sell your cell phone first. You aren't using that money to buy cigarettes of Bud lite are you?

I think your idea of welfare is that it only goes to po\people that are starving. Like a jew in a nazi concentration camp. If he had a job three months ago and he had a cell phone then and now he should cancel the contract even though the phone company won't let him out of the deal.

I don't think you shold be on cr4op suibsides either for 30 years..

[cowfarmer]

Hard to argue about Gov programs when most of us are on the gov. nipple.

[BA Deere]

And THAT my friend IS the plan!!  Once we`re all suckin` on Uncle Sam`s nipples then nobody can complain, right?  In 2014 socialized medicine`s metamorophosis is complete, then nobody can complain about nothin` we will be 100% on the government dole.   Just like the soviet union, there were so many regulations that somebody was always guilty of something and too scared to say anything.  Yup, I`d say we`re pretty much "there".

[rawhide]

FMCSA for one mr. kraft. Congress said NO to letting mexican trucks into the country because the mexican govt. did not uphold their part of the NAFTA treaty but the head of the FMCSA went to mexico and signed the papers himself and the mexican trucks are coming--i saw one in kentucky last week. Another thing this AGENCY did is the new cell phone rule---(notice i didn't say law)--as of jan 1 2012 truck drivers must use hands free devices ---(before you get your panties in a wad i personally think is a good idea) or face a $2750 fine. But some retired old fart can hold the phone up to his ear for free--that is what the clowns in D.C. call a push for safety andi call a push for control. They get us fighting among ourselves over liberal and conservative ideas and they pull some bull**bleep** like this.

[Nebrfarmr]

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@kraft-t wrote:

Is the government giving out cell phones or have the poor bought them?

The government is giving out free cell phones, as well as providing 'free' service.  Anyone who owns a cell phone and currnetly pays for service is having subsidizing this.  I pay about 1/3 of what my service costs, for this.

 Do you suggest a beneficiary sell his cell phone before he can qualify for benefits?

Nope, but I don't believe someone who does not have a job, and has no desire to have one, should not get a 'free' cell phone, just because they have a pulse, and can fill out a form.

How about you welfare checks from the FSA? Did you sell your cell phone first. You aren't using that money to buy cigarettes of Bud lite are you?

As to the FSA, I always had the personal belief, that it should just be a 'help' in times of poor prices, not a guaranteed check.  For that reason, I signed up in the ACRE program, giving up 20% of my guarantee, unless crop prices went way down. I did this as much on principal as anything.   How many liberals, who say they 'don't pay enough' taxes, will give up a write-off, to pay 20% more?  Can you name one?

In my entire life, I have never bought a cigarette, nor beer.  Don't smoke, and don't drink.  I had one mixed drink at my cousin's wedding reception 3 or 4 years ago, and at least 10 years before that since I had a drink of any kind.

I think your idea of welfare is that it only goes to po\people that are starving. Like a jew in a nazi concentration camp.

I think you are jumping to conclusions.  I just don't want people to be picking up things like this, which was found in a parking lot. 

In case you can't read it, it shows charges of $141, for porterhouse steak, and lobster, bought with food stamps.  Do you, or do you not approve of this?  It is a very simple yes/no question.

 If he had a job three months ago and he had a cell phone then and now he should cancel the contract even though the phone company won't let him out of the deal.

If he had a job 3 months ago, there already is unemployment insurance in place for that.  I belive it runs something like 18 months or so, does it not?

I don't think you shold be on cr4op suibsides either for 30 years..

I haven't.  Have you???

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