The Civilian's Politics [Part 1] Intro & The Conservative and Liberal Fallacy

Okay, so sure these days I try to avoid politics and their discussion at all costs. People only seem to know how to argue about such things. Two things you should never talk about with someone you've just met: Politics and Religion. Even if you "agree", you are almost guaranteed to argue. But I digress. These days I need to vent (due in no small part to the constant ramblings of that crackerjack bunch at Fox News), so I have decided to see how I do as a part-time blogger of politics (these posts will be found at my blog and my facebook as soon as I set it all up right). So, I am Kevin Smith, I don't like to claim a party affiliation, and am angered by any politics that could be seen as "selfish" (more on that another time). Now let's get to the point(s) before I start to sound like some nihilistic jerk.

The top two words people think of when they think of politics are most probably the overused and misunderstood labels of Conservative and Liberal. If someone were to walk up to me and ask my politics I would either: A) ignore them B) say something long like "I don't like to label myself, I find that to be..." and etc. or C) say Liberal. Now why would I join in and perpetuate the overuse and misunderstanding of that word? (I hear you ask). I'm lazy and like to avoid political conversations in everyday situations (there's enough stress in being a broke college student trying to get a loan as it is). All day everyday the news/media/whatever-else-you-call-it throw around Conservative and Liberal like they believe there are only two possible combinations of viewpoints in the world. I mean, really, if I'm against war then I must also be Pro-Abortion (also called Pro-Women's Rights...what is it with all these misleading labels, it's as if someone were trying to control us)...right? Well, let me clear that up, I am not. So, does that make me Conservative or Liberal? Where do I fit? How about all the rich people against having their taxes raised who would also like to marry their partner? Okay, enough examples, I think the point is clear, and it's a pretty weak point anyway.

Despite their use by just about everyone just about everyday, there are very few people who can actually give a coherent definition. And if you're hoping for getting a consistent answer, you might as well be spending your time yelling at your TV about how Obama isn't a US citizen, you'll be just as fulfilled either way. What does one do when they want a coherent definition of such common words? Well, first you google them. And after you're done clicking all the links that look like they have answers you'll agree with and cursing the creators of the webpages with ones with which you disagree when you click the other ones by accident, you go grab a dictionary (isn't our language based entirely on the definitions found within one of those grand books anyhow?). Done that? No? Well then aren't you lucky that I did, and because I care, I'm going to copy and paste what i found just below this (what, you thought I was actually going to use a paper dictionary? hah)

And for the record, I'm not copying the definitions that say "of or pertaining to the conservative party" or whatnot, those aren't in my dictionary from just a few years ago, and the fact they let that crap in irks me in ways I cannot describe in a mostly clean blog.

con⋅serv⋅a⋅tive[kuhn-sur-vuh-tiv]
–adjective
1.disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change.
2.cautiously moderate or purposefully low: a conservative estimate.
3.traditional in style or manner; avoiding novelty or showiness: conservative suit.

lib⋅er⋅al[lib-er-uhl, lib-ruhl]
–adjective
1. favorable to progress or reform
2. favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.
3. of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies.
4. free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.
5. open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.
6. characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts: a liberal donor.
7. given freely or abundantly; generous: a liberal donation.
8. not strict or rigorous; free; not literal: a liberal interpretation of a rule.
9. of, pertaining to, or based on the liberal arts.
(this is a more modern definition, the "older ones have even less to do with politics)

Okay, so let's take a look. First off, yes I removed all mentions of politics that I did not find in some older paper dictionaries I have. Second, there are just more definitions for Liberal, it has nothing to do with a personal bias. And Thirdly, which one looks more appealing? Starting with Conservative, there are some connections that can possibly be made if you have certain viewpoints. We can get rid of definitions 2 and 3 because the first one is the only one that really matters. So what does this make those who claim to be Conservatives? Apparently, they're people who are "disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change." Can someone explain how anyone would want to use that to describe their political affiliations? And even more importantly (and probably more overlooked) what are these "traditional values" you speak of? America is a country made up of many different people of all religions, creeds, colors, and all that jazz. So where are these traditional values coming from? Oh, of course, the country's national religion, Christianity (yes, that was sarcasm). While on the subject, to those of you still claiming "that's the way the founding fathers wanted it", I have two points: 1) Do some research, read a book, most of them were atheist 2) Since when do the Founding Fathers make decisions like that for us today? Sorry, getting off subject. Back to this "Conservative" nonsense, aren't there many things so-called Conservatives are trying to change? Certainly a true conservative would want all things to stay the way they were when the country was founded. Was the Patriot Act written by the Founding Fathers? Then fuh-git about it! Tax breaks for the rich 300 years ago? Looks like they'll be paying to keep their country alive, just like everyone else! So, according to the dictionary, a Conservative is someone who wants everyone to follow some mysterious "traditional values" and wants to keep the country just like the Founding Fathers would have wanted. Which, on a side note, means all of you African-Americans/Black people/whatever-the-term-is-these-days are gonna have to move back down south and get to work on whatever we tell you too. Come on, didn't you know even the great George Washington owned slaves? Yea, what a great, upstanding gentleman.

Now that I've done my fair share of what will doubtlessly be called "Conservative-bashing", I think it's time we took a look at this word that "the media" loves to throw around and say with disgust, like it's some kind of insult. It's immediately obvious that this one would be a bit easier to relate to politics. There's a lot of stuff that can basically be condensed into "wanting freedom for all (and also being a generous giver)". Hey...that sounds really familiar. I think I've heard that before, but I'm having a lot of trouble remembering where. Wait! I've got it! "...All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..." Recognize it now? That's right, the Declaration of Independence, the document that announced the USA as it's own free country. But wait, that's not all! "...whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it..." This one might be a bit more of a stretch, but is that the Declaration advocating altering the government? Yes, I believe it is. How so very "un-Conserative" of them. Tired of the comparisons to an ancient document that has nothing to do with our law or country today? Me too, so on to the next part of the definition. "Characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts." Doesn't that great big book that those so called "traditional values" are based on having something to say about that? Proverbs 28:27 says "He that gives to the poor shall not lack: but he that hides his eyes shall have many a curse." Could that mean that even God is a Liberal? Hmmm. But now I'm moving on, cause I know not all people who claim to be Conservative also claim to be Christians (although example and experience tells that most do).

So, can someone tell me how these two terms relate to our nation and even the world as a whole? According to the dictionary definitions, it looks like the news is grim. I'm afraid to tell you all, that out entire nation and very existence is based on "Liberal principles". From the creation of our nation to the shaping to the everyday going-ons. The creation of the US and none of that shaping would have even occurred had it not been for Liberal ideas, Liberal beliefs, and Liberals. And if you're a God-fearing person (whether you call him Allah or just simply...God) it looks like he too is a Liberal (go read some more of your Bible/Qur'an, I read both, surely you can find the time to read one). Oh, and remember the Renaissance? Where would have happened had all those great minds been "Conservative"? Not saying they were all saints, history shows that even the great minds can be b******s. In fact, I might go so far as to say that we might all still be living in caves were it not for Liberals. Surely that unremarkable individual who discovered fire or created the wheel was looking to change things, screw walking everywhere and eating nothing but salad.

So if you managed to make it all the way through this, I'd love to hear what you have to say. This is by no means an all-encompassing argument against the use of those two misunderstood words. I'm not claiming that this is a perfect persuasive document with no holes, it's just some points and opinions I'd like to get out in the open. So if you have something to say or want to tear apart this whole thing feel free, just know that I will be responding to every single comment that I believe requires a response. But, as always, let's keep it civil (unless you LIKE making yourself look like an ass, be my guest).

Hugs&Kisses, Civilian
XP

testing/1.2.3.

Hello and welcome to my little piece of the net I have decided to refer to as
[t.he_prot\ocol]

This isn't going to be where I pour out my heart, I have another place to do that.
This is where I will offer up my opinions and thoughts on less emotional things.

I'm going to use this partially for my occasional political rants.
I've got a few reviews of television shows planned.
I take up too much of my spare time with trips to Hulu.

This is also where I'm going to vent a bit of my nerd/geek side.

[y/ou_ha.ve_b/ee/n_war\ne.d]