# Why are conservatives such dicks? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 7, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657 "2009-08-07T16:54:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![sleeping](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@sleeping](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeping)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/161 "2009-08-08T22:43:40Z")
I should add, BTW, that that should not be taken as a condemnation of you or your family, **jsgoddess**. I have plenty of relatives who are the same way. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/162 "2009-08-08T22:48:31Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > It’s kind of interesting that he puts qualifiers on what he owes his wife and children. One gets the impression of contractual obligations. > > I think you have to have a limited cognitive construction of the world to be a conservative. > > But we have to take it easy on Crafter\_Man. It’s hard work making your own electricity and potable water and food and fighting off marauders with the weapons you’ve built and putting out fires and educating your own children and curing them of illness and injury. It leaves very little time to use the computer you constructed from raw materials to compose message board posts on the internet you created. I wonder where he gets the cash for the roads he drives on, or the military that protects him. Or what happens if he has to call the police, or the fire department. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/163 "2009-08-08T22:58:23Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Doesn’t he pay for all those things? While I disagree with **Crafter\_Man** ’s point of view, he didn’t say he takes care of all those things himself - he said he doesn’t owe anything to society for them. I mean, do we owe society for our electricity, or do we owe the electric company? Because it’s not society that sends me a bill for my electricity every month. Pay for them with what? Currency? Oh, maybe you mean that he barters with things he’s grown or furniture he’s built. But you can’t barter if there’s nobody else to barter with. Also, there won’t be an electric company if there isn’t a customer base bigger than just you because as much as you may be the center of the world, it won’t be efficient to generate just your electricity each day. You kind of have to hope that there are enough healthy, educated, nourished people out there with transportation and some means of protecting and educating their own families to create your power or provide you with police and fire services and so forth, while also seving as a customer base themselves to make it efficient for someone else to build your computer. Or could you just pay for all of that on your own? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/164 "2009-08-08T23:05:56Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I mean, do we owe society for our electricity, or do we owe the electric company? Because it’s not society that sends me a bill for my electricity every month. It’s society in the form of the public utility commission that regulates your electric company, ensuring that your rates are based on the fair cost to serve you rather than whatever the company can get away with; that the outside plant (poles, wires, underground conduits, transformers, substations, etc.) are maintained in safe and reliable condition; that if you want to dispute your bill you have a knowledgeable but neutral forum in which to bring your case. Many states impose winter moratoriums on both gas and electric company shutoffs for nonpayment, so that customers with an infant or an illness won’t lose their service during heating season. ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/165 "2009-08-08T23:31:32Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > “It’s just a baby!” > > “Look at the _ **bones** _, man!” “But if we took the bones out it wouldn’t be crunchy!” ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/166 "2009-08-08T23:34:02Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > You really put Rudy Giuliani in that category? Really? Rudy Giuliani is part of the reason the Republican party is in shambles, he’s not an old school conservative like Reagan and Bush. > > He’s one of the dicks, one of the lunatics, not one of the good ones. At least he made his name fighting the mob. Too much of the current GOP seem like they’d rather hang out with the wiseguys. ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/167 "2009-08-08T23:35:09Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Conservatives _are_ dicks. They’re reckless, arrogant, stupid dicks. And Liberals are pussies. And then there are assholes. Pussies don’t like dicks, because pussies get fucked by dicks. But dicks also fuck assholes; assholes that just want to shit on everything. Pussies may think they can deal with assholes their way. But the only thing that can fuck an asshole is a dick, with some balls. Yeah, how _is_ the asshole-fucking coming along these days? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/168 "2009-08-08T23:52:55Z")
> [@sqweels](#): > > Yeah, how _is_ the asshole-fucking coming along these days? It’s pretty shitty. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/169 "2009-08-09T00:09:38Z")
> [@sleeping](#): > > It’s called hypocrisy. The thing is, for all their clamoring about the dangers of an encroaching government, I’ve never met a single conservative who would not exploit a government-run program to the fullest when they can. I suspect there’s a cognitive dissonance at work in their minds: “Government-run health care is evil and socialist! … Now, where’s my Medicare card? I need to get to the doctor.” > > Basically, these people have a need to hate, but they can’t summon the hatred for anyone they actually know. So, they fantasize. I don’t think it’s exactly hypocrisy, at least the things I’m mostly talking about. It’s over-reliance on categorization and an inability to make the categories flexible enough to contain what they need to contain. ---
**Author:** ![Fionn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fionn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fionn)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/170 "2009-08-09T00:20:37Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > In their eyes, the pizza delivery guy should go back to school, study hard and get a better job so he can afford to buy health insurance (never mind that in this economy, a number of pizza delivery guys already have bachelors or even masters degrees). The pizza delivery guy should also not expect any sympathy if he goes into debt to pay for his ever-skyrocketing tuition and then has trouble paying off his loans. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/171 "2009-08-09T01:18:46Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Doesn’t he pay for all those things? While I disagree with **Crafter\_Man** ’s point of view, he didn’t say he takes care of all those things himself - he said he doesn’t owe anything to society for them. I mean, do we owe society for our electricity, or do we owe the electric company? Because it’s not society that sends me a bill for my electricity every month. I understand this viewpoint, but it’s still wrong. Unless you’re producing every good or service you ever consume, or you’re independantly wealthy, on some level you’re relying on other members of society. Assuming you’re not independantly wealthy and simply earn a generous wage, how are you earning that wage? Are you providing value for others? Do you depend on demand from others to have a reason to work? Is there an infrastructure or framework in place that facilitates you trading your work for value? Did you construct this framework? Imagine the most rugged individualist you can think of, and imagine he has to work to eat (his specific output isn’t important). Who is consuming his work? Assume it’s people in his local community. How can they afford to pay him? Are they simply bartering their goods and services amongst themselves, or do they have customers outside the community? If they sell to outsiders, how are they selling to them? Did they create and maintain the infrastructure that facilitates their outside dealings? What if their customers live in a dense urban area? Would the urban area be possible without some kind of legal or social framework to hold it all together? Your reliance on society may be very subtle, but it certainly exists. ---
**Author:** ![Plan\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/172 "2009-08-09T02:41:04Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > If you think the government is turning all socialistic and fascist and OMG!! Let’s flood the streets as angry mob!, then yes, you’re a dick. Do you really believe this? An angry mob? Please, let me ask this as politely as possible: Where did you hear this? Seriously, if there’s any evidence of this I totally missed it. I’ve been to two Tea Party protests and they were pretty tame compared to the anti-war marches of my youth. In fact if you do hear about any likely angry conservative mobs let me know. I’d love to go just for the educational/entertainment value. I think what happens is that MSM has this weird view of what a conservative is and then pushes it on people. And a lot of people accept it uncritically. That’s sad. I think the main difference is that you guys think that central planning is more efficient and we think that free markets are more efficient. Oh yeah, and we don’t go around calling you guys dicks based on what some guy on TV told us. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/173 "2009-08-09T02:47:49Z")
> [@Plan\_B](#): > > Do you really believe this? An angry mob? Please, let me ask this as politely as possible: Where did you hear this? Seriously, if there’s any evidence of this I totally missed it. I’ve been to two Tea Party protests and they were pretty tame compared to the anti-war marches of my youth. In fact if you do hear about any likely angry conservative mobs let me know. I’d love to go just for the educational/entertainment value. > > I think what happens is that MSM has this weird view of what a conservative is and then pushes it on people. And a lot of people accept it uncritically. That’s sad. > > I think the main difference is that you guys think that central planning is more efficient and we think that free markets are more efficient. > > Oh yeah, and we don’t go around calling you guys dicks based on what some guy on TV told us. I think Teabaggers engage in recreational protesting without really knowing what the hell they’re actually bitching about or whether their presumed grievances have any sort of coherence or relevance. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/174 "2009-08-09T02:52:00Z")
> [@Plan\_B](#): > > You might want to surf around some of the responsible conservative websites and count how often we refer to money and how often we refer to other things. Give me some links and I’ll check them out. How often do you think “responsible conservatives” refer to money compared to other things? What are the “other things”? ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/175 "2009-08-09T03:05:34Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > At least he made his name fighting the mob. Too much of the current GOP seem like they’d rather hang out with the wiseguys. There’s something really wrong with your ability to assess conservatives if you are using Rudy Giuliani as your counterpoint. I’ve got two words for you: Bernard Kerik. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/176 "2009-08-09T03:07:59Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > I understand this viewpoint, but it’s still wrong. Unless you’re producing every good or service you ever consume, or you’re independantly wealthy, on some level you’re relying on other members of society. I agree, you’re relying on society. But you’re not relying on society in some intangible, unquantifiable way: you pay taxes for the roads and schools, you buy your food and electricity. And other people buy your goods and services. > [@](#): > > Is there an infrastructure or framework in place that facilitates you trading your work for value? Did you construct this framework? This is a much better argument. I’m not sure I would describe it as owing anybody anything, but it’s a benefit from society that an individual can’t achieve on his own. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/177 "2009-08-09T03:16:09Z")
I’ll put it like this, if I had to vote in an election where it was George W. Bush vs Rudy Giuliani I’d vote for W hands down. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/178 "2009-08-09T03:21:27Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Bush > Rove > Cheney > Bolton > Rush > Beck > Fox News > Palin > birthers > disruptors > Where is the voice of reason expressed in Repub politics? > [@Guinastasia](#): > > Uh, I think he was referring to people he knows personally, not actual politicians and commentators. Correct, I was referring to Republicans I personally know and have known. I’m pretty much middle of the road but leaning left (although not leaning as much left as I used to be.) I have friends on both ends of the political spectrum. Being middle of the road, I often seem very liberal to my Republican friends and very conservative to my liberal friends. My right-wing friends will kid me jokingly about being such a “leftie,” while my left-wing friends can make some pretty nasty comments. For me, the question would be why are liberals such dicks, and intolerant ones to boot. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/179 "2009-08-09T03:28:10Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > I’ll put it like this, if I had to vote in an election where it was George W. Bush vs Rudy Giuliani I’d vote for W hands down. I would move to Canada, or take up a heroin habit. Whichever seems more sensible in a world gone mad. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657/180 "2009-08-09T03:33:05Z")
> [@Plan\_B](#): > > Do you really believe this? An angry mob? Please, let me ask this as politely as possible: Where did you hear this? Seriously, if there’s any evidence of this I totally missed it. Have you heard about this [story](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-feldman/fists-pounding-on-glass-r_b_253518.html)? The article is biased, but the event is true. Do you deny that there are a lot of conservatives just looking for something to protest about? First they were out maliciously compaigning against Obama (remember the horrible “Get a job!” people? Remember the Obama monkey t-shirts? Remember the rumor that he was a Muslim? Good times, good times…). Then it was the April 15th Douche–I mean–Teabag Parties. Yeah, let’s get fired up about having to pay more in taxes, except that we’re not! Two weeks ago it was the Birther thing (it’s actually still going on, but let’s pretend it’s blown over), and now it’s time to beat down the townhall walls like the zombies in Thriller, because OMG!! SOCIALIST OBAMA IS KILLING BABIES!! At least when the left-wingers were protesting Bush, we stayed pretty much on the “no war for oil” message. And we waited for the war to actually happen before we started protesting (maybe we shouldn’t have). Furthermore, we didn’t need a talk show host to tell us what we were so angry about. Take away Beck, Hannity, and Limbaugh and the conservative base wouldn’t know WHAT to think. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-such-dicks/505657.md?page=10)