Okay, this thread will probably be a trainwreck, but I paid my $4.95 like everyone else, so I think that entitles me to ask a reasonable question.
Whenever I try to participate in a political debate with a liberal, either here or in real life, there is an immediate assumption that I am a party-line following Republican. I’m not any kind of Republican, but once I’ve expressed any disagreement with liberal philosophy, the debate is basically over. The liberal is only willing to debate against a person who holds the stereotypical right-wing conservative position. Of course, I’ve known many conservatives and never met anyone who came close to meeting that stereotype, but that’s another debate.
The point I’d like to debate is this: Why do liberals react with such hostility to an educated, enlightened person with progressive views that happen to be slightly different than their own?
Here is the definition of liberalism from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary:
That pretty much describes me perfectly. It particular, I believe the following:
[ul]
[li]Representative Democracy, while flawed, is still the best political system available[/li][li]Government should not be any larger than necessary to carry out its essential functions[/li][li]A well trained, professional military with lots of high-tech weaponry is essential to protect a nation’s interests[/li][li]The government should not endorse or support any religious beliefs at all, ever[/li][li]Pacifism and egalitarianism are hopelessly naïve beliefs[/li][li]Drugs (including tobacco and alcohol), gambling, and prostitution should all be legal and regulated[/li][li]Persons or corporations who engage in the business of providing dangerous or deadly goods or services should not be held responsible for any negative effects of the same, as long as they make a full disclosure of the dangers involved[/li][li]The government should subsidize a basic health care plan for all citizens[/li][li]People living today should not be punished or receive compensation because people in the past did things that were acceptable at the time but are now considered wrong[/li][li]People should be allowed to express themselves in any way they see fit, as long as they don’t create a public safety hazard or encourage others to commit illegal acts[/li][li]The government should not entangle itself into its citizen’s personal relationships, except to enforce a valid contract[/li][li]Any competent, law-abiding adult should be allowed to own a firearm, as long as they pass a safety course and register the weapon with the local authorities[/li][li]It is a scientific fact that life begins at conception, and as such, abortion is wrong, but it should be legal and regulated as a matter of public health[/li][li]People should make an effort to understand different cultures and belief systems[/li][li]There should be reasonable safety standards for all workplaces[/li][li]There should be reasonable standards to protect the natural environment[/li][li]There should be reasonable rules concerning the amount of hours a person can be required to work, and what additional compensation a person should receive if asked to exceed them[/li][li]The government should not protect corporations or industries that unprofitable or unable to compete in a fair market[/li][li]No person or corporation should be allowed to hold a monopoly in any business area[/li][li]There should be reasonable rules governing the conduct of officers and equity holders of corporations[/li][li]The vast majority of the news media is biased towards the policies and politicians of the Democratic Party, and anyone who denies this is being disingenuous[/li][li]The most intelligent candidate for a political office is not necessarily the most qualified[/li][li]Hatred of anyone who holds a different viewpoint is not constructive and is a first step towards fascism[/li][/ul]
So there is some intersection between my beliefs and Democratic policy, some with Republican policy, some with both, but mostly neither. But what is it about these beliefs that incites such hatred from liberals? Is there something threatening about them? Do you consider them ignorant? If so, why? Even if you disagree, why can’t you acknowledge that they are valid viewpoints? Why do you think that a person who holds these views should not be allowed a voice in public debate? Why has liberalism evolved into an ideological straightjacket that mostly attracts dangerously fanatical demagogues?