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[ReplacementPelican]

It's incredibly odd reading this thread. OP, it seems as though you vote Republican for the same reason that people join sub-cultures. It may be best to reconsider how you define your political opinion based upon politics and not 'I like having dinner at a table!' and 'women dress to provocatively these days' because your voting choices do not accomplish this but instead rally against poor people, gay people, black people, women, Muslims and immigrants.

I honestly wish this is hyperbole.

 

[Heshinsi]

Most of the responses in here seem less like conservatism and more like the bullshit the US Republican party has been peddling as "conservatism" for a while now.

That's the same shit conservatives are peddling here in Canada, the UK, and Australia too. Nothing about conservatism is good. Fiscal conservatism is a myth, and being socially conservative begs the question as to why you care what other people do with their lives?

 

[Aaron Strife]

no, no, no. reality doesn't apply here.

Right.

Look I feel you. I too have conservative friends! There's a family were close to who is very nice, but very conservative and very religious. They all voted for Cruz. A man who has compared gays to animals and pedophiles and whose almost ever policy is deliberately harmful to someone or some thing. In 2012 when a gay marriage ban was on the MN ballot they lobbied one of their daughters (who's now a Bernie supporter) to vote for it. They wanted in her first election to vote to limit civil rights.

I mean we can barbecue with them, there's even some friendly ribbing now and then about our politics. I'm not saying conservatives can't be okay everyday people but I think that's a huge mark on their character.

That's the same shit conservatives are peddling here in Canada, the UK, and Australia too. Nothing about conservatism is good. Fiscal conservatism is a myth, and being socially conservative begs the question as to why you care what other people do with their lives?

Bill Clinton was the only true fiscal conservative we've had in decades.

Everyone else probably since New Deal era including Reagan and Bush has been fundamentally Keynesian.

 

[Aselith]

Guns, tits and barbeque

 

[i_am_ben]

Gay hating.

 

[Red]

Conservatives want a strong core group above all else, and they stifle trends and ideas that diverge from the traditions of that group.

 

[The One and Done™]

I feel like it's Dog Whistle politics tbh.

 

[Zantetsuken]

Hiding their policies behind the "good book" while barely following the doctrine contained inside at all. So called "Christians" left and right implementing voter laws to prevent more minorities from voting, racist profiling from police, engineering fear on television news. But you're in church every Sunday because?

Saying that protesting should be peaceful, while America has been built on violent protests since the beginning. Isn't that what war basically is? Violent protests? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Anything that messes with white privilege is a threat. Gotta keep those country clubs intact. A lot of not-in-my-backyardism from those that remain silent while their friends and family don't like gay marriage, government regulation, etc. Your silence is deafening.

Fear from not understanding, lack of empathy, fuck you got mine, bootstraps pulling conservative values.

 

[BladeoftheImmortal]

Dunno. It seems like people take whatever their personal beliefs are, and somehow lump them into acceptable western culture. That, or they equivocate 'modern' with 'western. '

Human rights and representative government? Sure. That's western culture. Those have deep history. Tolerance though? Tolerance of what? It's not really a western civilization cultural value to tolerate other cultures that don't believe in human rights of represenstative government. Carte blanche tolerance of other cultures doesnt' really fit. That's more a brand new value than something that has years of history behind it.

As for the conservative values posted, they are to some degree a part of western culture, it's the ethical/traditions/social norms. That person mentioned Modesty, Decency, Work ethic... those are definitely social norms in western culture... western culture generally shuns people who are immodest, indecent, and lazy.

Except this is usually lumped in with poor. A poor person isn't inherently immodest, indecent, and lazy, but the modern conservative usually believes that.

 

[Otnopolit]

So I'm not saying I disagree with the criticisms of conservative in this thread (as I am a Democrat who wants more than a two party system), but surely there must be something beneficial to the ideology? I try my best to avoid the rhetoric of "us versus them", but I can't help but feel the GOP is dying because it cannot stand up for itself anymore due to its outdated principles.

 

[theignoramus]

What is wrong with this?

Two parents and some kids?

Surely we are not vilifying that?

Nothing wrong with the image itself, everything wrong with ramming it down the throat of everyone who doesnt conform to it.

 

[Red]

So I'm not saying I disagree with the criticisms of conservative in this thread (as I am a Democrat who wants more than a two party system), but surely there must be something beneficial to the ideology? I try my best to avoid the rhetoric of "us versus them", but I can't help but feel the GOP is dying because it cannot stand up for itself anymore due to its outdated principles.

It's as I said, people want solidarity in a strong core group. To maintain that group they ascribe to traditional values and are hesitant to change the requirements to be a member of that group. They also have a different set of morals, ie Pro-life vs pro-choice. So the idea that government can prevent women from having abortions is seen as a net positive for someone with a conservative perspective. They hold to what they believe is a principled belief system.

From Conservapedia:

Conservative values include:

placing ideas and principles above personal desire, weaknesses, fears and regrets
a never-ending quest for the truth, despite obstacles based on emotion and personal experience, and spreading such truths for the benefit of all
recognizing and utilizing the benefits of competition and hard work
emphasizing charity, with its unexpected benefits, rather than compulsory tax-and-spend programs
teaching self-help rather than dependence on government and others
a devotion to the principle of justice
supporting self-defense
recognizing the media for its bias, bullying, deception.
frugality and efficiency
rejecting the deification of government officials
giving those in authority due respect, but not to the point of accepting orders or assertions that are contrary to logic or morality
downplaying significance of wealth, disparities in wealth, and materialism in general
emphasizing self-reliance and being able to keep the fruits of one's labor
not complaining, and instead taking practical action to improve one's situation
emphasizing self-restraint against hurtful activities
emphasizing humility and open-mindedness instead of arrogant certainty about one's own views
recognizing the power of the free market
understanding that a rising tide lifts all boats, e.g. tax cuts benefit all
self-control as opposed to a self-indulgent search for instant gratification of desires
recognizing that evil does exist in the world, and making an effort to combat this force by whatever means necessary
respecting the sanctity of life
following Christian principles

Maybe my favorite analysis on liberal vs conservative values is discussed here by Michael Shermer.

It can be hard for people on the other side of the fence to see where conservatives are coming from. One of my supervisors is a deep conservative, it is in his veins, and he wants it in the veins of his family, to the point where he brags to me about belting his daughter for getting out of line. He described to me the other day why asking a bakery to cater a gay wedding is like asking a Burger King to make sure all its food is certified kosher, or halal, and used this example to prove how ridiculous non-discrimination laws are. His values are so far removed from my own that I can barely comprehend them, or follow the logic. I told him, the difference is that a Burger King will not turn down a Jew or a Muslim simply because of their religion. And he laughed like that was beside the point, or that I didn't follow. It is not only a difference of perspective. I think there is a difference in how our minds work.

Sometimes I think of conservatives as principle-driven, in that they place more value on their morality than on humanity. While liberals recognize human nature and build a worldview that is less head-in-the-clouds. Which is ironic, because head-in-the-clouds is one of those phrases conservatives like to pin on liberals. I think of the preference for punishment vs rehabilitation after drug abuse, or the idea that we are fine to continue coal mining in the face of global warming. Or that corporal punishment works, or torture, or trickle down economics, and so on. Things that have been proven ineffective and are continually employed because of the principle of the matter.

 

[Kaiser aus Ubermensch]

That article reads very much like someone trying to go "No it's okay guys, Romney can totally win this!" His thesis is America is getting more conservative, and his only evidence is that there are more conservatives - he doesn't mention the number of people identifying as conservative have gone down, even though they're still a majority.

Sorry I have no respect for bigots and assholes who ballyhoo about the good ol' days when men were men and women stayed in the kitchen, and then punch Trump protesters because fuck black people. Even if you agree with the conservative values laid out by the OP I think you'd be very hard pressed reconciling those with anything that's going on in the conservative political movement.



Cool. Now I'd appreciate it if they stopped spitting on other peoples' identity (gays, immigrants, single mothers/parents, Muslims, African-Americans) by supporting guys like Trump.

When it comes to conservatives in politics this is very true.

They enter the game to make money. Ever heard of Dick Cheney?

 

[MattKeil]

It's as I said, people want solidarity in a strong core group. To maintain that group they ascribe to traditional values and are hesitant to change the requirements to be a member of that group. They also have a different set of morals, ie Pro-life vs pro-choice. So the idea that government can prevent women from having abortions is seen as a net positive for someone with a conservative perspective. They hold to what they believe is a principled belief system.

From Conservapedia:

That list is hilarious in the context of modern conservatism.

placing ideas and principles above personal desire, weaknesses, fears and regrets

Nonsense. Modern conservatism is inherently a fear-driven ideology.

a never-ending quest for the truth, despite obstacles based on emotion and personal experience, and spreading such truths for the benefit of all

"Truth" and "the benefit of all" have no relation to conservative policy.

recognizing and utilizing the benefits of competition and hard work

Ah yes, the "fuck you, got mine" dogwhistle.

emphasizing charity, with its unexpected benefits, rather than compulsory tax-and-spend programs

Preferring to give lip service to social good works rather than actually performing them is indeed a cornerstone of the right in the US today. Good call.

teaching self-help rather than dependence on government and others

Entirely used as a justification of the false belief that all people have an equal starting line in life.

a devotion to the principle of justice

Or one particular version of it.

supporting self-defense
following Christian principles

Mutually exclusive ideas.

recognizing the media for its bias, bullying, deception.

Fox News does not constitute "the media." Not that conservatives ever take Fox News to task over doing all three of those things regularly.

frugality and efficiency

Yeah, nothing says "frugal and efficient" like the US military in 2016.

rejecting the deification of government officials

Two words: Ronald Reagan.

giving those in authority due respect, but not to the point of accepting orders or assertions that are contrary to logic or morality

Unless you're not white, in which case not following every whim of an authority figure means it's okay to open fire on you.

downplaying significance of wealth, disparities in wealth, and materialism in general

Specifically because the leaders of the right don't want you to think too hard about how rich they are and you aren't.

emphasizing self-reliance and being able to keep the fruits of one's labor
not complaining, and instead taking practical action to improve one's situation

Redundant with the above bootstrap nonsense. Not inherently ridiculous ideas, but used as a cudgel against those who need help more than an inspirational ideal.

emphasizing self-restraint against hurtful activities

Addicted to drugs? It's your own fault!

emphasizing humility and open-mindedness instead of arrogant certainty about one's own views

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

recognizing the power of the free market

We saw the ultimate result of that tactic in 2008, but please believe that was somehow Obama's fault or something. Look, puppies!

understanding that a rising tide lifts all boats, e.g. tax cuts benefit all

All the people who get their taxes cut, sure. Not so much the people who depend on services funded by those taxes. Also the military is eternally exempt from cuts for some reason.

self-control as opposed to a self-indulgent search for instant gratification of desires

*Insert mind-numbingly long list of hypocritical conservative sex scandals here*

recognizing that evil does exist in the world, and making an effort to combat this force by whatever means necessary

So part of this political philosophy requires believing in a completely subjective notion that even all the proponents of the philosophy don't agree on the nature or definition of. Seems legit.

respecting the sanctity of life

At least until it's out of the womb. Then you're on your own. See: Bootstraps.

Overall I'd have to say that's one long load of horseshit.

 

[Red]

I don't disagree with you. I had to double check that Conservapedia was not satire. If you want to waste a couple of minutes, browse some of their articles. Check out atheism vs truth. That place is a black hole of critical thought.

 

[twobear]

are we talking big C or small c

 

[Regiruler]

I think the OP is spot on.

Granted, fiscal conservatism is quite a bit different, and is in opposition with religion, whereas social conservatism stems from religion. It's frustrating as one who supports a liberal financial policy in an effort to eliminate inequality, yet wants fairly traditional social policy.

 

[travisbickle]

following Christian principles
supporting self-defense

"Turn the other cheek, so you have a better stance to shoot the perpetrator"
- Jesus

 

[Steel]

I don't disagree with you. I had to double check that Conservapedia was not satire. If you want to waste a couple of minutes, browse some of their articles. Check out atheism vs truth. That place is a black hole of critical thought.

I'm still not convinced it's not satire. Check the page on liberal values. I was laughing while reading the entire thing.

Like, get the final line:

In general, liberal values tend to undermine traditional society, and in certain instances can cause irreparable harm to the lives of individuals who are brought under their sway.

 

[Familienoberhauptvogel]

yet wants fairly traditional social policy.

which are?

 

[Princess Viola]

I'm still not convinced it's not satire. Check the page on liberal values. I was laughing while reading the entire thing.

Like, get the final line:

I think a lot of stuff on Conservapedia was added by trolls making fun of their really conservative beliefs.

The fact that you can't tell what may have been added by people mocking them vs what they actually believe tells you something

 

[Red]

I'm still not convinced it's not satire. Check the page on liberal values. I was laughing while reading the entire thing.

Like, get the final line:

I don't think it's difficult to believe that those statements are genuine. Look at what Trump's brought out of the woodwork. When he talks about "passion," he's talking about people who have such deeply held beliefs. That's where this anger is coming from.

 

[gutter_trash]

oops wrong thread, lol

 

[besada]

Like, get the final line:

Have you never been to freerepublic.com?

 

[Already Torn]

I think the OP is spot on.

Granted, fiscal conservatism is quite a bit different, and is in opposition with religion, whereas social conservatism stems from religion. It's frustrating as one who supports a liberal financial policy in an effort to eliminate inequality, yet wants fairly traditional social policy.

Oh man, that's super weird. Like I'm not a fiscal conservative, but I can at least understand why people would want to be selfish and keep their money from other people. Money is great and you can buy fun stuff with it, and you can't do that if you don't have money. I guess there's even the chance you earned that money even though in most cases that's not really the full story right? But social conservatism is so much more baffling and contemptible to me. It does nothing but bring despair into the world for no reason at all. There's not even anything gained from it except that everyone else acts like you, which I guess is good for the ol ego? No clue.

Like I don't think anyone's tried to kill themselves because they thought everyone around them was dressing too lewdly, but plenty have because of years of critical comments on appearance from family members. Maybe I'm missing something I guess, but I can't even fathom the reasoning other than just assuming it's all based on raw instinct without any attempt at rational thought or understanding.

It's also weird to call it "values" when, if we're separating it from the political sense, you're just describing your preferred lifestyle. Seems like you're giving your preferences more credit than they're worth to describe them as "values", but maybe that's just me. "Yeah, I just travel from town to town for work. I believe in strong drifter values".

 

[Cyan]

I don't know a single conservative that has ever ballyhoo'd about the good ol' days. I mean, I know a few elderly people that talk about the old days, but no one from age 25 - 60. I live in a deeply conservative town in southwestern Indiana, and these stereotypes in this thread just seem so off to me.

What do you think "Make America Great Again" means?

 

[orochi91]

Conservatives have a tradition of wanting religious freedom for themselves and little for others, hence the periods of American history that were variously anti-Catholic, anti-semitic, and now, anti-Muslim.

Well said.

 

[womfalcs3]

It's sad to see Conservatism politicized so much these days and all the Trump haters paint all Conservatives as "racists, bigots, uneducated, violent, hateful."

To me, conservative values stand for:

- Traditional families, with two-parent households. Now, this is simply one of many ways families can look. I'm not saying any one way is right or wrong. But conservatism advocates for having children, and having two parents share household responsibilities, and having dinner at the family table (and not in front of the TV/computer), and talking to our kids.
- Manners and decorum. A time when etiquette mattered more in society, and children learned how to properly set up the dinner table and greet adults. Swearing was considered indecorous, and popular songs had clean lyrics. People debated with each other with civility, not with insults or profanities.
- Fashion: conservatism often means longer skirts, less cleavage, and a philosophy of "less is more." It encourages showing restraint when it comes to: talking about yourself, displaying yourself, and drawing attention to yourself. It preaches kindness over narcissism.
- Face-to-face interactions: it harkins to a time when we knew our neighbors and made in person visits to our friends, not more impersonal methods of connecting such as over email, text, Facebook, or snapchat.
- Hard work: not that people today do not work hard, but Conservatism focuses on having a good work ethic, and making something of yourself. Contributing something worthwhile to society. Not the consumerist mindset so prevalent today that's mostly about "what am I getting" and "how much more can I buy."

Now, none of these are right or wrong. They are simply a set of values one can choose to live or not to live by. And conservatism means different things to different people. Thus this thread. I have given a few examples of what I consider to represent conservative values. How about you? Is it indistinguishable from the politics of the modern Republican party? Or do you have other personal views of conservatism? And how do you feel about them?

It's distinct from the current republican party and politics. It's how we choose to live. The ones you cite are a good representation of conservatism. I don't find anything wrong with them. Being a conservative has nothing to do with guns and war.

 

[kirby_fox]

I used to be way more conservative. It was less about social issues and more about other things-- spending on programs we didn't need, cutting pork out of bills, and finishing the wars in a stable region before pulling out (because I believed if we left at the wrong time, it would simply become even more unstable and create more problems). For the most part, I still believe in many of these things.

Unfortunately I no longer hear about any of that. When you talk to conservatives today, it's about pulling out support for things because "I don't like it" and that there's some imaginary PC war out to get them. Everyone is plotting against them to stop them from practicing their religion and buying guns. It's all about misplaced fear that is repeated over and over without anyone listening to reason. They fear what they don't understand to the point where they think saying things like "You don't want to be socialist as a country, do you?" is winning an argument- ignoring the socialist programs already existing in the country.

And it's this fear that makes them think this way: they are right, and you're dumb if you think otherwise. This fear that is echo-chambered on online websites or right-wing media shows telling them: you're right. I agree with you. Everyone who doesn't is dumb. And you start seeing it more and more as they dig their heels into the sand and want to appeal all the progress we've made.

 

[MWS Natural]

I'm not disgusted by conservatives. Actually they just make me sad for the human condition. But also a lot of what passes for liberal or left wing is also very conservative since people compromise on certain issues and are desperate for some illusory "middle ground."

Yep. An entire group of people that lack basic empathy for their fellow man.

 

[chefboy]

Primal disgust at anything that challenges your preconceptions.

This I find hard to accept because it is equally true among the strongly liberal side of things as well.

 

[Frozenprince]

Conservatism is a political ideology of delaying, discouraging, or in some cases even reversing(Reactionaries) societal advancement in the image that they themselves value to a point of idealization. Almost always associated with intolerance precisely because those who harken to these values marry a) their take on 'proper' Christianity and b) their own morality to it. Universally the 'losers' of history, as their stances never mesh with societal trends. Almost always ignore what others would suffer under with their 'ideals' at best, or at worst are actively hoping the worst on others with whom they disagree. See: The romanticization of the 1950s by white Americans ignoring the reality faced by minority groups.

And finally, a shifting metric because what a conservative in the 1850s believed versus a conservative in the 1950s believed is night and day. Human history is a giant example of tradition being thrown away because it is quite literally idealization of the past.

Pretty sure we have a different understanding of 'Conservative values' OP. To me it's a code word for 'the good ol days'.

One and done.

 

[VanWinkle]

Oh man, that's super weird. Like I'm not a fiscal conservative, but I can at least understand why people would want to be selfish and keep their money from other people. Money is great and you can buy fun stuff with it, and you can't do that if you don't have money. I guess there's even the chance you earned that money even though in most cases that's not really the full story right? But social conservatism is so much more baffling and contemptible to me. It does nothing but bring despair into the world for no reason at all. There's not even anything gained from it except that everyone else acts like you, which I guess is good for the ol ego? No clue.

Like I don't think anyone's tried to kill themselves because they thought everyone around them was dressing too lewdly, but plenty have because of years of critical comments on appearance from family members. Maybe I'm missing something I guess, but I can't even fathom the reasoning other than just assuming it's all based on raw instinct without any attempt at rational thought or understanding.

I'm socially liberal in quite a few ways, but it would be hard for me to vote democrat because I'm very pro-life (I don't vote republican either, though). It's one of the few things I'm staunchly socially conservative about. I feel like it's not a very hard thing to comprehend both sides reasoning, though. You don't see an abortion as wrong, because the fetus has not been born or given a chance at life yet. I see abortion as wrong because it's actively stopping a child from being born. In my mind it is too morally reprehensible to accept and be okay with. Really, I think that I'm honestly not a very liberal person, but I accept things that the government should be able to allow that don't hurt anyone, like gay marriage and helpful social programs.

 

[Already Torn]

I'm socially liberal in quite a few ways, but it would be hard for me to vote democrat because I'm very pro-life (I don't vote republican either, though). It's one of the few things I'm staunchly socially conservative about. I feel like it's not a very hard thing to comprehend both sides reasoning, though. You don't see an abortion as wrong, because the fetus has not been born or given a chance at life yet. I see abortion as wrong because it's actively stopping a child from being born. In my mind it is too morally reprehensible to accept and be okay. Really, I think that I'm honestly not a very liberal person, but I accept things that the government should be able to allow that don't hurt anyone, like gay marriage and helpful social programs.

Abortion is a super prickly one, that's legit. I feel like that's one issue that stands out from pretty much all of the others though. A lot of people agree that you probably shouldn't let the freeloader in your belly die, even if the government shouldn't be able to force someone to feed and house an unwanted stranger for nine months at their own expense and health.

But I would also absolutely say that gay marriage doesn't tend to fit in with the idea of "social conservatism", at least not in the way it's generally used.

 

[Herbs]

I'm socially liberal in quite a few ways, but it would be hard for me to vote democrat because I'm very pro-life (I don't vote republican either, though). It's one of the few things I'm staunchly socially conservative about. I feel like it's not a very hard thing to comprehend both sides reasoning, though. You don't see an abortion as wrong, because the fetus has not been born or given a chance at life yet. I see abortion as wrong because it's actively stopping a child from being born. In my mind it is too morally reprehensible to accept and be okay with. Really, I think that I'm honestly not a very liberal person, but I accept things that the government should be able to allow that don't hurt anyone, like gay marriage and helpful social programs.

I guess we can add controlling someone else's body to that list. Nice to see you seem reasonable on other social issues.

 

[Familienoberhauptvogel]

I'm socially liberal in quite a few ways, but it would be hard for me to vote democrat because I'm very pro-life (I don't vote republican either, though). It's one of the few things I'm staunchly socially conservative about. I feel like it's not a very hard thing to comprehend both sides reasoning, though. You don't see an abortion as wrong, because the fetus has not been born or given a chance at life yet. I see abortion as wrong because it's actively stopping a child from being born. In my mind it is too morally reprehensible to accept and be okay with. Really, I think that I'm honestly not a very liberal person, but I accept things that the government should be able to allow that don't hurt anyone, like gay marriage and helpful social programs.

On what grounds is it morally reprehensible? The human body does it all the time, against our wishes even. Even if you find it morally reprehensible what gives you the moral high ground to demand it of the mother to be?

 

[Permanently A]

• small govt
• pro life
• anti climate change
• anti science (I don't think they're really anti science, but more bought off by companies)
• highly religious

Overall I think conservatives try to maintain the status quo from which they themselves benefit at the cost of others.

 

[VanWinkle]

I guess we can add controlling someone else's body to that list. Nice to see you seem reasonable on other social issues.

I'm fine with pretty much anything a person does with their body. I feel like it's surprising that you wouldn't understand why I don't see the fetus as the woman's body. I'm not asking you to see things my way on the subject, but I am surprised by the lack of understanding.

On what grounds is it morally reprehensible? The human body does it all the time, against our wishes even.

Just as I accept natural causes of death, but am against murder. I find abortion to be morally reprehensible because I don't like the idea of killing what is actively going through birth as a human. I understand why you feel differently. I'm telling you why I can't support it myself.

 

[GamerJM]

It's sad to see Conservatism politicized so much these days

Isn't conservatism inherently political? I think what you're describing doesn't even have anything to do with "values," or conservatism, it's just an idealized description of how middle American white people lived 60 years ago.

 

[Extollere]

blah, edit...

that was a dumb-ass post on my part. haha disregard.

 

[BigDug13]

I'm socially liberal in quite a few ways, but it would be hard for me to vote democrat because I'm very pro-life (I don't vote republican either, though). It's one of the few things I'm staunchly socially conservative about. I feel like it's not a very hard thing to comprehend both sides reasoning, though. You don't see an abortion as wrong, because the fetus has not been born or given a chance at life yet. I see abortion as wrong because it's actively stopping a child from being born. In my mind it is too morally reprehensible to accept and be okay with. Really, I think that I'm honestly not a very liberal person, but I accept things that the government should be able to allow that don't hurt anyone, like gay marriage and helpful social programs.

My issue with this stance is that both parties are a bit fucked up here. One party says it's a woman's right to choose, and if she chooses to terminate, fine. If she chooses to have the child and needs help feeding the child through food stamps and welfare, that's fine too. The other side says you must have this child no matter what. And once you have this forced child, we really would prefer you don't ask for any handouts to help feed the child. Also prolife only applies to Americans. Those Latin American children refugees we are rounding up to deport to certain death, that's totally fine. Collateral damage of dead children from a drone strike? Well that's just something that's bound to happen.

Pro life equals pro American fetus. Not pro American child who needs govt assistance or foreign child.

 

[ZombiePlatypus]

Nothing good.

Yeah, this basically captures it all pretty concisely.

 

[Brinbe]

I don't think any of those values listed in the OP should be inherently conservative at all. Plenty of liberals/progressives believe in many/if not all of those things too. So the thesis of your argument is already flawed.

The outcome of conservative 'values' I see here in Canada and the United States are all about destroying government to the detriment of society except those at the very top.

 

[VanWinkle]

My issue with this stance is that both parties are a bit fucked up here. One party says it's a woman's right to choose, and if she chooses to terminate, fine. If she chooses to have the child and needs help feeding the child through food stamps and welfare, that's fine too. The other side says you must have this child no matter what. And once you have this forced child, we really would prefer you don't ask for any handouts to help feed the child. Also prolife only applies to Americans. Those Latin American children refugees we are rounding up to deport to certain death, that's totally fine. Collateral damage of dead children from a drone strike? Well that's just something that's bound to happen.

Pro life equals pro American fetus. Not pro American child who needs govt assistance or foreign child.

I understand the double-standards going on within the political nature of the issue, and it's very unfortunate. I can only say that I'm just very opposed to abortion. But I'm definitely for social programs that can help people in need and are less fortunate in where they are in life.

 

[philz]

Self reliance. This country was largely settled by people looking to escape the industrial hellhole that was Europe. Would rather take chances with a plot of land than in a factory working for somebody else.

 

[BigDug13]

I understand the double-standards going on within the political nature of the issue, and it's very unfortunate. I can only say that I'm just very opposed to abortion. But I'm definitely for social programs that can help people in need and are less fortunate in where they are in life.

You can be opposed to abortion and still think it's ok to not criminalize choice. My main problem with these ethical dilemmas is when people decide "I don't like this. Therefore I feel like the government should step in and criminalize these choices I don't agree with."

Being Anti abortion is not the same ideal as "I think anyone who chooses abortion should be sent to prison".

It's ok for you to have opinions and it's ok for you to have oppositions to things. But does that mean those things should be criminalized? Should everyone be forced through law to conform to your ethical viewpoint?

Is the party who criminalizes abortion while killing off programs that feed children more in the right than the party who lets you make your own choices in life and keeps programs that feed children going?

 

[Familienoberhauptvogel]

Just as I accept natural causes of death, but am against murder. I find abortion to be morally reprehensible because I don't like the idea of killing what is actively going through birth as a human. I understand why you feel differently. I'm telling you why I can't support it myself.

Conservatism seems to also be against contraception. Not to mention that harsher abortion laws would just shift the ordeal into the shady again which is much more endangering for the mother.
Abortion isn't a modern phenomenon. Towards natural causes, the morning after pill is medicine like any other that uses bodily functions to treat a symptom.

Heck you live in a country that still carries out executions.

 

[AstroNut325]

OP, can you elaborate on the "manners" and "hard work" beliefs? Are you implying people that aren't conservative don't show decorum nor have good work ethic? Why are these things considered "conservative beliefs?"

 

[goomba]

Bigotry, arrogance, ignorance, racism, homophobia and selfishness.

 

[neurosisxeno]

Bigotry, arrogance, ignorance, racism, homophobia and selfishness.

Basically. "Conservative Values" is a catch-all term for the shit Conservatives don't want to admit their base supports.