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oberlee · 03-13-2008, 07:45 PM

Thanks, all.

With the current election, I've been much more interested in politics than ever before. And I love where I live, and I love what fervor it's brought to my interests politically.

However, it's scary to see my opinions get so fervent, because then I also see myself more close-minded. And the way to any progress is not to denounce those of opposing views, but to understand them.

Anyway, I knew that I would find intelligent, open-minded people here on this forum.

Bush has REALLY made republicans look bad, unfortunately...IMO.

coollikeme wrote, "I have one major problem with Democrats. They claim they don't want the death penalty, yet they will kill a baby in the form of abortion. Am I missing something here? Some one needs to explain this to me. A killer can take the life of an innocent person of any age or gender, brutally, and have their life spared. Yet, when it comes to a baby, they have no problems taking the life of an innocent child."

This argument is so laden with different viewpoints, arguments, etc. Both sides are legit; for me, though, I am more concerned with those of us who have been born, and are living now. It's not that I pit one against the other--it's not so simple. I think ultimately that banning abortion would be sexist and do little more than contributing to to unhappiness and despair. It doesn't let people take control of their lives. And I'm sorry, but so many men would bail and leave some poor teenage girls to do this on her own. Not ideal, but realistic.

But I digress...

Brutha, I agree... esp about relativism and absolutism... that defines a lot of issues dividing the two.

And amadeus, you're right about democrats being fear-based too, but that's only in their tactics against an opponent, from the way I see it. It seems to me the whole ideology of republicans is fear-based, from their perspective. Sure, they use fear as a tactic on the people, but it just seems republicans are so afraid of change, especially socially, with things that have nothing to do with them. I'm sorry--it doesn't affect your reality if Joe and Bill down the street are lovers. It doesn't! It's not YOU. Democrats seem to have progress goading them, and republicans have fear. Otherwise, why be so afraid to change?

03-13-2008, 07:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
oberlee Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 236	Thanks, all. With the current election, I've been much more interested in politics than ever before. And I love where I live, and I love what fervor it's brought to my interests politically. However, it's scary to see my opinions get so fervent, because then I also see myself more close-minded. And the way to any progress is not to denounce those of opposing views, but to understand them. Anyway, I knew that I would find intelligent, open-minded people here on this forum. Bush has REALLY made republicans look bad, unfortunately...IMO. coollikeme wrote, "I have one major problem with Democrats. They claim they don't want the death penalty, yet they will kill a baby in the form of abortion. Am I missing something here? Some one needs to explain this to me. A killer can take the life of an innocent person of any age or gender, brutally, and have their life spared. Yet, when it comes to a baby, they have no problems taking the life of an innocent child." This argument is so laden with different viewpoints, arguments, etc. Both sides are legit; for me, though, I am more concerned with those of us who have been born, and are living now. It's not that I pit one against the other--it's not so simple. I think ultimately that banning abortion would be sexist and do little more than contributing to to unhappiness and despair. It doesn't let people take control of their lives. And I'm sorry, but so many men would bail and leave some poor teenage girls to do this on her own. Not ideal, but realistic. But I digress... Brutha, I agree... esp about relativism and absolutism... that defines a lot of issues dividing the two. And amadeus, you're right about democrats being fear-based too, but that's only in their tactics against an opponent, from the way I see it. It seems to me the whole ideology of republicans is fear-based, from their perspective. Sure, they use fear as a tactic on the people, but it just seems republicans are so afraid of change, especially socially, with things that have nothing to do with them. I'm sorry--it doesn't affect your reality if Joe and Bill down the street are lovers. It doesn't! It's not YOU. Democrats seem to have progress goading them, and republicans have fear. Otherwise, why be so afraid to change?