How do you lean politically?

2018-04-06T12:50:31-04:00

Personally I am a moderate. But I fully admit to leaning left on some issues and leaning right on others. For instance.....

When it come to civil liberties I tend to lean left. Meaning I don't think it's anyone right to tell anyone how they can live their life. I think it's wrong for conservatives to try to tell women they can't get an abortion. Do I think abortion is wrong, as an adopted child yes I do, however that doesn't give me the right to tell someone what they can and cannot do with their own body. Many argue the religious angle. "well, my religion says it's bad so you can't do that!" And guess what, they will have to answer for that when they meet their maker. Still doesn't give me the right to force my religious beliefs onto others.

When it comes to our rights, I tend to lean right. Take the 2A for example. I am very much AGAINST repealing it, or any of our Constitutional rights or rights granted to us by the Bill of Rights. These are our basic human rights given to us by God via our government. And I don't think it is the right of the government or any group or individual to take those rights away.

So, what do we do and how do we handle all of this when what we believe directly contradicts our other beliefs?

Example:
I am very much for free speech, but I HATE White Supremacists...I hate what they say, I hate what they stand for and I hate what they do. Really, I hate all racism in any form. But it is their right to say and believe what they believe. How do I handle the fact that I think they shouldn't be able to say and do those things while defending free speech?

It's a tough question.

How do Liberals/the Left/Democrats whatever you want to call them, scream for less Government spending but at the same time demand the Government to subsidize those more unfortunate than myself?

How do Conservatives/the Right/Republicans demand that the Government stay out of their business, but scream that the Government should step in and make abortion illegal?

These are all questions that each and every one of us should be answering. We tend vigorously defend our rights when we agree with them, but then do a 180 when we don't.

We tend to trample on the 9th amendment when it suits us.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2018 1:26 PM

2018-04-06T13:26:14-04:00

I'm not sure I am "political" at all. I know what I believe is right, and I'd like to think I understand the government I live under well enough to know what's "protected". Up until not too long ago, I went to bed each night convinced both rode in close harmony. Now, I'm not so sure, and get up each day wondering what will be (and dreading) the next extreme viewpoint we can all argue with each other upon.

Frankly, I spent too much time here and in other places trying desperately to "convince" others of certain things. When I ask myself "why", I guess the only honest answer is that I miss the days when it seemed we could take each person, and each issue separately, and where debate didn't equate to screaming in each other's faces. I probably naively think something I write might help brings things back to "normal".

Above anything else I may be, I believe there is a God, and that He, not we, judges what is true and just. Beyond that, I respect the Constitution as one of the most logical and rational frameworks for how to govern people who can't agree on that even.

If I'm truly "against" anything, it's the notion that everywhere there's a "problem", there's a "law" that solves it. I ardently want people to use common sense, common decency and compromise to find ways to work with each other...as opposed to using rhetoric, shock and threats to try and "shame" the other "side" into submission. Eventually, that won't be enough, and I don't like to think of where that could lead in my lifetime.

Response by SGT Edward Wilcox made Apr 6 at 2018 2:54 PM

2018-04-06T14:54:05-04:00

I have never heard anyone on the left call for less government. That has always been the hallmark of a conservative. You should listen a little closer to what each said is really saying. The Left want less restrictions on the individual. Who a love and have sex with is no one's business bu the other person in my bed. Who I worship is also my business, and the Government has no business legislating morality. However, they also want more restrictions on business. It is the Government's job to protect the citizenry, not only from our enemies, but from our corporations.

I am a believer in the Bill of Rights. I also understand that there is not one right contained therein that is absolute. I do not support repealing the 2nd Amendment, but I believe there should be restrictions on it.

I guess that I am one of the odd ones. My beliefs don't contradict any of my other beliefs.

I am, however, concerned with your belief that our rights, as enumerated in the Constitution, are "God given'. Nothing could be further from the truth. I don't know of any religion that teaches we have a right to Free Speech/Thought, or the Right to own a gun, or the Right to an attorney. Those rights are given by the Constitution, and can be taken away through amendments to the Constitution. God has nothing to do with it.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2018 8:07 PM

2018-04-06T20:07:27-04:00

I identify as a unicorn...much less controversal.

Response by SSgt Gary Andrews made Apr 6 at 2018 8:44 PM

2018-04-06T20:44:42-04:00

I'm a live and let live person when it comes to domestic issues, so I'm often accused of being a "libtard" by name callers......but I take a harder line when it comes to world affairs. If I had to pick a category for myself, I guess it would be center/left. I generally vote for Democrats, but have voted for Republicans on occasion in national politics. I pay no attention to party affiliation when voting for local candidates.....I go for the people that have demonstrated integrity.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2018 9:31 AM

2018-04-08T09:31:45-04:00

I consider myself a Libertarian
Minimum Government
Maximum freedom

Prior to the last presidential election an Army times survey found that the higher ranking and the more combat tours you had been on the more likely you are to lean Libertarian.