Conservatives on this site?

[newtogolf]

15 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

What  I said is not a single party system. It's a NO party system. A single party system would be like the Borg from Star Trek. 

 

Single party, no party, basically the same thing, there aren't sides to take.

My point is that our political system is big business and neither party wants the other party to go away.  The money is generated by fear mongering that the "other" party will take control.

[saevel25]

33 minutes ago, newtogolf said:

Single party, no party, basically the same thing, there aren't sides to take.

Exactly the opposite. 

What is a political party? It's a group of people who group together around base set of political principles and ideas. What would be a single party system? Every member of congress being under the same party, all having the same political principles and ideas. What would be a no party system. Every member of congress bringing their own personal principles and ideals to the table to negotiate compromises.

[newtogolf]

55 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

Exactly the opposite.

What is a political party? It's a group of people who group together around base set of political principles and ideas. What would be a single party system? Every member of congress being under the same party, all having the same political principles and ideas. What would be a no party system. Every member of congress bringing their own personal principles and ideals to the table to negotiate compromises.

I'm not going to quibble over words, a single party or no party system is not going to happen in our lifetime.  If anything we will see additional parties join the fray.

[skydog]

 

I'm a Ron Paul Republican/libertarian/conservative- whatever you want to call it.  With very few exceptions, if it's not in the Constitution, I don't want the federal government involved in it. As for social issues I believe in personal liberty- as long as you're not infringing on someone else's right to life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness, then I don't really care what you do.

History has told us time and time again that empires crumble because they spread themselves too thin overseas and and that governments who claim to want to help their poor are neither sincere or successful in ever doing so. If you want more of something- subsidize it. Subsidize poverty, and you get more of it.

In my ideal world, I would shrink the federal government to pre-1913 levels- the year the federal income tax and federal reserve came to be. More realistically since I know that isn't happening- I would like people to be able to individually choose the kind of government they want. I would love to be able to choose to get nothing from the federal government for the rest of my life (no social security, medicare, unemployment, etc.) and pay a tax level (<10%) that would reflect that. Conversely, for someone who wants to be able to receive federal benefits, they could be able to as long as they're willing to pay tax levels commensurate with those services (probably 50-70%).

Edited November 9, 2015 by skydog

[rkim291968]

4 hours ago, newtogolf said:

I'm not going to quibble over words, a single party or no party system is not going to happen in our lifetime.  If anything we will see additional parties join the fray.

I am banking on the Rep party to split into two in a decade or two.   The far right/Tea party should for their  own party instead of keep fighting against the party.   Bring on the multiple party system, I say.

[newtogolf]

27 minutes ago, rkim291968 said:

I am banking on the Rep party to split into two in a decade or two.   The far right/Tea party should for their  own party instead of keep fighting against the party.   Bring on the multiple party system, I say.

The same will happen on the democratic side, the Bernie socialists will continue to go more to the left.  Eventually we may see three parties, the moderates, ultra left and ultra right.

[saevel25]

Yea the Republican party is in trouble. Honestly I don't see the numbers for Bernie Sanders to cause a gap in the Democratic Party. 

Here are some demographics that swing heavily one way or the other. 
http://www.people-press.org/2015/04/07/a-deep-dive-into-party-affiliation/

The GOP - Mormon, White Evangelical, White Southerners, White men (some with college degrees or less), Silent Generation (69-85)

The Democrats - Black, Asian, Religiously unaffiliated, post-graduate woman, Jewish, Hispanic, Millennial Generation (18-33).

What also is hurting the GOP is the increase in independent voters. The Democrats have held steady at 32-34% of the population. Republicans have been high 20's, sometimes low 30's. Since 2006 more republicans are aligning themselves as independents. This doesn't mean they will not vote republican. It's not a good sign those people are willing to lean away from republicans. 

Since 2006, the republicans have lost credibility with people who have more education. Those with some college education, the GOP has lost 5%. Those with college graduate or more the GOP has lost 6%. 

The big shift will be the generations after the baby boomers. Those 18-33 year old's who are more affiliated with the democrats. I think as long as the GOP affiliates with the Religious right they will be in trouble. I think a lot of Millennials are turned off by that. 

[newtogolf]

3 hours ago, saevel25 said:

The big shift will be the generations after the baby boomers. Those 18-33 year old's who are more affiliated with the democrats. I think as long as the GOP affiliates with the Religious right they will be in trouble. I think a lot of Millennials are turned off by that.

I think you're right, I consider myself an independent voter because I dislike the religious ramblings of the Republicans.  Church and government should remain separate, one day the GOP will figure out their Christian rhetoric alienates more people than it endears. 

[ghalfaire]

I am a no labels guy myself (self described of course) as I don't really seem to fit any of the major parties political philosophies.  Fairly liberal on social issues as I don't want my Government telling me how to live my life and pretty conservative on money issues as I think the Government should be a lot more careful with my money and need a lot less of it.  Not sure what that is; Libertarian?

[rkim291968]

What is mean by being conservative?  You will get 10 different answers from 10 different people.   When Trump touts his conservative values, it means different thing than say what Carson sees as conservative.  

I don't like to be labelled.   I equate being labelled to being restricted.  For those who responded as being conservative on this thread, what is your definition?   What makes you "conservative?" 

[CoachB25]

Pro life

Limited Government

States Rights and responsibilities to take care of many issues on the state and local level. This would include things like control of the educational system. 

National sovereignty and a border that matters.

A strong defense/military

Reduced spending by government on entitlements.  Conservatives I know believe in self responsibility and control over one's life. 

More opportunity for small business.

Conservatives understand that both parties are parties of the rich but that the myth continues that only Republicans benefit from the rich.

Belief in the Second Amendment - I intend to Conceal and Carry. 

Reduction in the National Debt so our children don't have to carry that burden. 

Well, that is a few of the things I believe in as a Conservative.  I try not to push my religious beliefs on anyone else but will defend my beliefs.  I do believe that Christianity is under attack in America. 

One more thing, I know many Black Republicans.  Many are attacked for their beliefs and so, are a silent minority in their communities.  However, on the issues when I speak about these topic with friends, they think alike. 

 

[saevel25]

The definition of conservatism is any political philosophy that favours tradition (in the sense of various religious, cultural, or nationally-defined beliefs and customs) in the face of external forces for change, and is critical of proposals for radical social change
 

9 minutes ago, CoachB25 said:

Limited Government

I disagree. Many conservatives are very much Authoritarian in the way they want to use power. Maybe Limited government in the sense of lowering taxes. Besides that, conservatives very much like to use Government as a tool for their agenda. 

It has only been recently that the libertarian views have been showing up more and more. Which is not conservative, though the GOP has been trying to jump on that bandwagon. 

You can see some of the more traditional GOP candidate push back away from the Tea Party because they were very much more limiting the scope of the federal government. 

 

[rkim291968]

7 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

The definition of conservatism is any political philosophy that favours tradition (in the sense of various religious, cultural, or nationally-defined beliefs and customs) in the face of external forces for change, and is critical of proposals for radical social change
 

This is the dictionary/wiki definition but I suspect every conservative has their own definition.  That's why I posed the question.  To me, the key words in the above definition are "favors tradition."    But then again, tradition tends to change over time.

[CoachB25]

You can disagree all you want.  Rkim asked for any Conservative on this site to give their definition and so, I did.  I speak of conservatism due to the influences in my life and what the government had done to me and mine.  One of my Uncles did 7 years in prison for $7,000 in back taxes.  How was that justified in lieu of what is happening now with people like Sharpton owing so much more?  When my Uncle got out, America gained a very dangerous man.  In fact, infamous and mentioned in books.  My Grandfather tried to leave the institution of sharecropping by homesteading some TVA land in a flood plain.  My Dad and Grandfather built a house which none of you would walk into.  They built barns, they worked like dogs.  We built a bridge to that house/homestead.  We finally purchased an old tractor that was crank started.  Before that, my Dad and Grandfather used mules.  When they had finally turned the corner, eminent domain was declared and the government took their land.  Another Uncle stood at that bridge armed and dangerous.  It didn't work out too well for my family.  That Uncle died in prison.  I could give you time after time examples of what government has done to my family.  So, when I say limited government, I speak from the heart and despise government intrusion into our lives. 

I believe in the power of the individual.  I have lived in places most of you can't image.  I have been stabbed.  I have been beaten almost to death twice by gangs.  When I speak of the power of the individual, I lived it.  I worked 10 years in a factory on midnight shift getting my degree and going to college during the day.  I have worked every low paying job you can think of.  I now teach and have a Master's Degree.  I know what I know but I know what I know.  Most people know what they know but they don't really know what they know.  I know what I know but I know what i know.  You know!

Edited November 12, 2015 by CoachB25

[rkim291968]

@CoachB25, thanks for replying to my question.   As I said, different people have different definition of what it means to be conservative and that's absolutely ok (and I fully expect it).

[Abu3baid]

13 hours ago, CoachB25 said:

I know what I know but I know what I know.  Most people know what they know but they don't really know what they know.  I know what I know but I know what i know.  You know!

I'm confused...