Conservatives here?

I'm moderately conservative with a libertarian streak.

There are a few issues I disagree with conservatives on, but overall I think they've got more things right than liberalism, which is a pretty flawed ideology. Liberalism's original philosophical thinkers are .... bat shit, to say the least.

 

me, me, me!!!!

 

What does that mean? Is that the opposite of corporatism?

---------- Post added 25th May 2014 at 07:24 PM ----------

I'm a libertarian, but of the socialist variety. : 3

 

Gary Johnson/Ron Paul conservative here.....

 

rEVOLution.

 

Indeed.

 

That makes sense, thanks!

This definition might help: Not an oxymoron. In fact, the term "libertarian" was first used by a French anarcho-communist back in 1857 to describe himself (an anarchist). The modern term libertarianism (economic freedoms) was originally called liberalism. A libertarian socialist would argue that a society based on such huge disparities of wealth is unfree. If you wish to enter into employment, you choose first and take orders later. Libertarian socialists believe in voluntary association and economic democracy. This will allow the individual to reach his/her full potential.

 

My dad says I have extreme right-wing views because I think that sex education in schools and vaccinations should be mandatory with no exceptions/opt-outs for any reason, and that's about it. That and some foreign policy issues I'm considered conservative on.

 

Depends. I was raised in a socially conservative environment and to an extent I see myself as a fiscal conservative (and regrettably, if I had been of voting age in 2005, I would have voted for my state's amendment to define marriage constitutionally as between a man and a woman).

That said, I see myself more as a "compassionate conservative." I know that word is sometimes thrown around to mean "we love you, we truly do, but there's not much we can do for you." That said, I personally redefine that to mean someone who knows that, while government can be incredibly evil and powerful, it can wield its power for good if it is carefully checked.

I'm torn between lending a helping hand (social welfare) and creating a system that creates dependency and serves to create indentured servants rather than help people rise above government help. For instance, let's say that the governemnt offers assistance to those making less than X amount. The person qualifies and gets assistance. They work damn well and the boss wants to give them an incremental promotion. Unfortunately, that promotion (and modest pay raise), while great to put them on the path of greater self-sufficiency, would also disqualify them from medical and social benefits that are greater than what the raise entails, and therefore, as rational individuals, turn down the raise and live out working in a poor job with little prospects because the pain of loss of government benefits outweighs the benefits of the new raise. They aren't lazy, they are intelligent and rational and respond to how social policies are crafted (just like companies do with the tax codes). I wish for some revision of social welfare so that we can help those in need and those getting out of government assistance in a way doesn't enslave people to "the system."

On guns, I'm all for the protection of the 2nd Amendment and letting people keep and bear arms. I would be all for a revision of FFL regulations (e.g. make all vendors at gun and trade shows complete FFL paperwork, etc., or even change the reporting requirements on transfer of ownership). Guns are a right, but they are not an unlimited "right." Driving (while technically not a "right") is still what we would consider a "shall issue" right, but that right is still heavily regulated and there are protocols to suspend or revoke such a right.

When I vote, I vote on issues I care about, not parties.

Another TL;DR post of mine :roflmao:.

 

What you described in the original post fits me. It doesn't work for modern Republicans though.

 

Which type of conservatism on foreign policy? Neoconservatism (dominant view today) or traditional conservatism? Hopefully, the latter.

---------- Post added 25th May 2014 at 07:52 PM ----------

Ugh, many modern Republicans are just nuts when it comes to foreign policy and really aren't actual conservatives.

 

I'm generally pretty conservative, although I seem to be becoming more liberal as I get older and learn to think for myself. I was raised in a very conservative family.

 

i guess you could say that i'm a social libertarian and fiscal conservative.

i sum it up like this, as long as you're not hurting anyone (including yourself) do what ever lets you feel good, just don't ask me to pay for it.

private property? if i pay for it, or it's given to me freely, it's mine and i don't need anyone to tell me what to do with it.

limited government, yes; care for the poor, health care ( in Canada here) secure the boarders, encourage trade, maintain infrastructure. limited social safety net.

arms. i wish we had a second amendment here in Canada. i can't think of a more vulnerable group than the LGBT community who would benefit from the right to bear arms for self defense along with hunting, sport shooting and predator control.

private capitalism. this has raised more people out of poverty and maintained them so than any other system of social/economic policy in history.

 

I think you should be able to do whatever you want as long as it does not hurt others. If you want to say take hard drugs or kill yourself with food and drink I will stand up for your rights.

 

John Stuart Mill.