Who else believes most Conservatives mean well?

[Quixote1818]

I was looking at some of the responses about what makes liberals and conservatives different. Many people said that conservatives were just flat out bad people. Some are but I actually believe many are not bad people. I believe in people and think that many conservatives are just not intellectuals or free thinkers or never had someone open up their minds. They live by what is comfortable and nostalgic and what their religion (that they never bothered to question) tells them to believe. They don't like change and they believe in rules rather diplomacy and in depth communication. They look for simple rather than complex/abstract solutions. They judge everyone based on their life not having the ability to see the complexities of the human condition. It's interesting but while they preach Christianity they rarely have the compassion and empathy that Jesus seemed to be blessed with. It's like they lack the ability to empathies even though they may be able to love deeply. Empathy is a complex emotion and not all people have this ability just like not all people are good at math. It does not make them any less than we are just different. Also, some liberals can be too compassionate and their should be a balance between empathy and personal responsibility in my opinion. Liberals and conservatives should balance one another out if the country is on the right track however right now the country is way out of balance with Bush in office thinking God chose him to change the world.

[Pacifist Patriot]

1. I don't have a problem with conservatism in its classic sense.

I think the dialogue found within a two or multi-party system is healthy if used productively to solve problems.

My beef is with the brand of conservatism that has been hijacked by the self-absorbed and swallowed by the narrow-minded and/or ignorant.

[trotsky]

2. John Kenneth Galbraith said it best.

"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness."

Much of what you write comes from the thoughts expressed in this quote.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

6. That says it all right there. n/t

[Quixote1818]

8. Wow, very good.

[Quixote1818]

11. Thats also exactly how the Holocaust happened.

[MsTryska]

3. REAL Conservatives do mean well

i think.


they're fiscally conservative, they believe in states rights, they want the government off their backs.



i think in core beliefs between liberals and TRUE conservatives, there's not much difference. i think the sticking points tho are the social issues.

[seabeyond]

4. i have too many i love to say bad, but no i dont think they mean

well right now anyway. i think they bought into bush and now in all intent will doin everything to justify that buying into. so now no i dont think they mean well. in the past yes,..........i totally go along with what you post. now they are willingly buying into lies. that is not meaning well

[n2mark]

7. Agree with you seabeyond 100%

[ComerPerro]

5. Conservatives or Republicans

I don't know about "conservatives", I'm not sure they exist. I have never met one.

All I encounter are neocon fanatics.

And, I honestly think that they don't believe in anything except George W Bush.

[Quixote1818]

10. Yes, it's getting scarry, almost cult like.

[NewInNewJ.]

13. I think the Conservatives

have become so rigid. I think there are different kinds. I'm sure there are many conservatives that want what is best or they think what is best for the country. I think they hated Bill Clinton so much because he showed his weakness, that they think the morales only belong to the right wing, cause they can't forgive. Especially if it is about lieing about sex. My Father is a Rep. and a Farmer, since the budget cuts for the farmers have be exposed, my Mom says that he hasn't mentioned it. If you don't face the facts and ignore the bad stuff it will go away. And, no he is not one of those rich Farmers.Just getting by. But, HE VOTED FOR BUSH. He and my brother are just like Bush, they could never admit they made a mistake.

[DIKB]

9. Well. . .

I believe that traditional Conservatives mean well.

The current crop of Neo-cons COULD, in some EXTREMELY WARPED world-view be said to "mean well" in the same way that the Nazis meant well. Now before you start getting touchy, or saying I'm going to extremes, I'm not talking method. INTENT.

Come hell or highwater, killing darkies or jews, empire-building b/c they know better, scapegoating, Religious fundamentalist backed, "Authority from God", Saving the world from others by might.

If they mean well, they've got some SERIOUS Blinders on.

[Quixote1818]

12. Actually I agree. They are like a new cult and it's scarry. Very scarry!

[leftyandproud]

14. Conservatism is dead.

Reagan was the last small government conservative. He would never have invaded Iraq...and would not be pushing this insane neocon agenda. I have respect for him and other true conservatives, not the neocons. They are a different breed.

[Tux]

15. Well

Republicians are anti-American by nature. They prefer to remove freedoms, ruin the economy so CEOs can make more money, send jobs overseas and tell us it'll make us rich, force Christianity onto everyone, think war solves all problems, hates anyone different, they can't stand intelligent people that disagree with them (liberal professors, etc), and lack any form of personal responsiblity since they hide behind corporations for unethical and illegal activities (enron, WorldCOm, etc).

It's that basic.

[n2mark]

16. There are no more conservatives

only neocons. The conservatives have been bullied by the neocons.

[Padraig18]

17. "The most dangerous man on earth is a well-intentioned fool"

My Gran says that all the time.

[EST]

18. Not I

I think each "conservative" picks out a piece of the definition and thinks that is all it means. These modern-day hacks are not conservative; they are right-wing radical.

[Disturbed]

21. The Neo Fascists mean well.

Yes, they believe that Amerika is an Holy Empire and that all nations should should kneel at the alter of Capitalism.

The Right Wing Agenda

Abolish

Social Security
Medicare
Employer supplied health insurance
Unemployment Benefits
Welfare
Abortion Rights
Collective Bargaining
EPA
Public Education
Public Housing
IRS

[EST]

24. Yup

You forgot to include:
Jobs
Dreams
Motivation
Freedom
Voting rights
Self respect
Life

[donheld]

19. I blame the likes of Rush, Coulter, Hannity etc

who has made a lot of conservatives so hatefull.

[King Coal]

20. Hell, I would settle for a conservative.

These neocons make Reagan look pretty good right now.

[hfojvt]

22. 'He means no harm'

she muttered. 'He's a good old sort. If only he weren't plumb crazy!'

The Neverending Story page 124

[Igel]

23. I'll provide the flame bait.

I believe most people believe they mean well, regardless of what the consequences of the actions are. Most people also believe the "other" can only have bad intentions in an attempt to dehumanize them.

A professor can rake a student over the coals and cause her to quit a grad program not because she's not good, but because the professor believes she'll be happier elsewhere. And mean well.

A minister can cause untold grief to others in how he governs his church, but believe what he's doing will ultimately be good for the people involved. Again, he means well.

A parent can beat the crap out of his kids, scarring them for life. And believe that he's actually instilling "character" in them that will make them better people.

In other words, people can engage in some serious self-delusion. And mean well.

[Starlight]

25. I don't think there is a simple answer to that question.

As far as the GOP leaders, they "mean well" only if you define that as doing absolutely anything to gain & keep power & money. These people are totally lacking in morals or ethics and never consider anything but their own selfish aspirations.

I think the majority of people are basically sheep - too lazy & uninformed to make decisions or form any opinions of their own and too afraid of controversy to challenge authority. They call themselves "conservatives" because the tv & radio & church tell them that's the right thing to do. They just repeat the loudest voices they hear in the media. If the tv & radio suddenly started broadcasting liberal ideas and trashing conservatives, they'd all switch parties without a second thought. :shrug:

[BurtWorm]

26. Some may mean well.

But there sure are a lot of mean motherfuckers among them.

[Digit]

27. This admin is NOT conservative...they are neocons.

The conservatives just need to realize that their leader(s) is(are) just pretending to be a Republican.
What will make them be inquisitive and not defensive?
They were duped. They will end up suffering as many others will.
They will lose their children in the future wars to be declared and their children who survive will lose their future due to a bankrupt USA.
I don't wish this on anyone.
Wake up Republicans, your party as been hijacked.

[More Than A Feeling]

28. I also believe that many conservatives mean well

many republicans, too (aren't always the same thing, you know) My father and my mother's family are all conservative to a greater or lesser degree. So is my second best friend. My girlfriend is a very liberal republican who supported Kerry.

If I judged republicans and conservatives too harshly, I wouldn't have practically anyone left.

[KayLaw]

29. I don't even know WHAT they are

I guess my father is a conservative and he's a very decent person who plays by the rules and cares about others. He has little to nothing in common with scumbags like Pillhead Rush, Falafel O'Liely, Borrow-and-spend Bush, the Take-over-the-world Neocons, or the Just-plain-crazies like Ann Coulter.

As far as I can tell, most people who say they're conservatives are suckers--like my veteran neighbor who says he won't vote for Democrats because they're not compassionate enough. Okey-dokey.

:eyes: