Comments Posted By Chuck Tucson
Displaying 211 To 220 Of 536 Comments
IF REAGAN TOLERATED MODERATES, WHY CAN'T TODAY'S CONSERVATIVES?
Bald Ninja wrote:
Question for you: you say that it’s not even remotely the case that Democrats are more closed to moderate ideas than Republicans - why? As near as I can see the Democrats are at least as dogmatic as the Republicans - if not more so. Democrats don’t take kindly to pro-life folks, ‘traditional marriage’ proponents, etc. You say you are ‘independent’ but what views do you share with conservatives (note, I’m referring to conservatives and not Republicans)? Are you basing you’re judgement about which party is more open-minded on your on-line/comment experiences?
Keep in mind here that I'm not talking about the extreme fringe elements of either party, online or otherwise. I ignore them because when it comes to the electorate, they mean almost nothing, which is as it should be.
I highly value personal liberty, self reliance, and individual responsibility. I believe in the pursuit of happiness. I believe that strong fiscal responsibility is the foundation of good government. The conservatives vastly and overwhelmingly failed in this area.
I believe that free market capitalism is the best possible system that can produce the best possible good for the most people. But that's under one condition.. that it be INTELLIGENTLY REGULATED by people as far outside of it's influence as possible. We have a corruption prone version of this, I think.
I am a scientist, and as such, I understand that morality is totally subjective and furthermore is ROOTED IN GENETICS, not a higher power. Science is cold and hard and unforgiving, but at least it's honest. I believe in the absolute separation of church and state. I place great value on personal privacy and defend the violation of anyone's civil liberties.
I do not condone torture in any way/shape/form. There is no ticking time bomb.
I don't advocate for national health care, but the current system is horrible, and has failed my friends and family more times than I can count. Health decisions should not be made by unrelated third parties who work for THE LOWEST BIDDER. There must be a better way.
Anyone should be able to marry anyone they want. Period.
Abortion is a horrible horrible thing, though it should never be made illegal.
Teaching abstinence is an utter failure. A joke. The national drug policy is a national disgrace that's turned our country into hypocritical joke, and a prison state to boot.
So yeah. That's a subset of my views. I feel more comfortable with the old school type of conservatism, but since I'm not on board with the social end of the party, I choose to not participate as I do not feel welcome at all. Taking so much shit for what I believe gets tiresome after a while.
I've found that democrats have far fewer deal breaker positions in their platform, than do the Republicans. Again, I'm talking about real people here who don't live on the fringe.
I’m not convinced that there is a ‘moderate’ thinking/voting bloc. The term moderate us usually pulled out of the closet whenever there is a need to portray the Republican party as too right-wing or not tolerant enough but it seems to usually be a farce. A lot, if not most, conservative ideas are popular enough to create a solid and winning base but Republicans tend to abandon them when they get into power.
The problem here is that Republicans create this incredible social glass house to live in. They stand atop it's balcony and throw stones in all directions. They have an attitude of superior morality and righteousness that is almost designed to fail.
So, when stones they've thrown come crashing back into their glass walls they are humiliated and embarrassed in the most hypocritical ways imaginable. The Dems have no such moral glass house. They seem to strive for the same things as Republicans, but realize their human limitations and don't bother with the facade.
However, that also leads to the Dems having an air of intellectual elitism that I find equally unsettling and annoying. Though, for some reason, it doesn't seem to backfire on them as much.
So anyway, I'm an independent.
Comment Posted By Chuck Tucson On 4.05.2009 @ 18:58
Ron Russell said:
The GOP is probably more open than the Demos.
As an independent voter, I can wholeheartedly assure you that this is not the case. Not even remotely close.
Comment Posted By Chuck Tucson On 4.05.2009 @ 15:02
Mark J. Goluskin,
When do moderates EVER spend their time and money supporting conservatives?
When their positions on issues we care about are more in line with our views, than those of the Democrats.
If they believe in the big tent, does that not mean they should support any Republican?
Absolutely not. Just because I believe in the big tent doesn't make me even close to welcome in the party. Especially by the so-called Social Conservatives.
Comment Posted By Chuck Tucson On 29.04.2009 @ 14:07
Chasing away those who agree with you in principle but differ with you on interpretation will only lead to permanent minority status for conservatives.
Exactly why I am an independent voter.
Comment Posted By Chuck Tucson On 29.04.2009 @ 12:24
THE MORAL PARAMETERS OF TORTURE
Gayle,
a conservative tries waterboarding and tells his thoughts:
So, is it torture? I'll put it this way. If I had the choice of being waterboarded by a third party or having my fingers smashed one at a time by a sledgehammer, I'd take the fingers, no question. It's horrible, terrible, inhuman torture. I can hardly imagine worse. I'd prefer permanent damage and disability to experiencing it again. I'd give up anything, say anything, do anything.The Spanish Inquisition knew this. It was one of their favorite methods. It's torture. No question. Terrible terrible torture. To experience it and understand it and then do it to another human being is to leave the realm of sanity and humanity forever. No question in my mind.
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=448717
Comment Posted By Chuck Tucson On 28.04.2009 @ 14:40
Excellent piece, Rick.
Comment Posted By Chuck Tucson On 28.04.2009 @ 11:15
Rick, how's this for timely... I'm sure it's just a typo.
http://imgur.com/ESAq.jpg
Comment Posted By Chuck Tucson On 26.04.2009 @ 10:53
DEMOCRATIC PARTY PARTISANS TO 'OUT' GAY REPUBLICANS
This means something? And you say that so often no one can possibly believe you. Care to share? Or were you just throwing strawmen as you usually do?
Social Conservatives built the very closet that gay people find themselves in. Your outrage at those who attempt to dismantle it seems phony, despite their bullshit means of going about doing it.
Are you incredibly naive? Or incredibly dense?
You REALLY believe they are "dismantling" the closet? They are playing hardball politics pure and simple. Get real.
ed.
Comment Posted By Chuck Tucson On 24.04.2009 @ 10:15
But there used to be lines that just weren’t crossed regardless of the provocation.
This is literally the most ironic thing I've ever read here. Well done.
This means something? And you say that so often no one can possibly believe you.
Care to share? Or were you just throwing strawmen as you usually do?
ed.
Comment Posted By Chuck Tucson On 24.04.2009 @ 08:52
BD57,
I just don’t like the extent to which discussion of the “change needed” has devolved to bitching about people who’ve stood by the party for years.
But what if it's those very people who drive away the independents to such an extent that winning an election becomes impossible?
Comment Posted By Chuck Tucson On 22.04.2009 @ 14:59
