Or really should.

Round and round the mulberry bush.

How do political posts get turned into religious sermons?

The same way me asking about weapons turning into a post about sanctions I guess ,you guess is as good as mine

That'd be termed a worldview. Your allowance (freedom) for other worldviews not on a long tether this evening?
You prefer mulberries and some folks prefer blueberries.
You struggle quite a bit with one worldview in particular and that's ok.
There's a lot of that going around these days.

Blessings,
Mark

30 years ago, it may have been hard to discern what we were as both sides made good arguments.
When Obamba was elected, that changed ALLOT.
I vote R although I gotta admit I'm a bit ashamed as what R means but as of right now, I'd be disgusted have the D moniker attached to me!

When the personality takes precedent over the policy. Trump supporters are often accused of this. Liberals are creatures of emotion and conservative Trumpsters are more likely to be pragmatic.

Yep. Liberalism (by philosophical definition) is an emotional position.
If you are debating, arguing, or flat out even trying to discuss facts, figures, stats, history, or any other logical process with a liberal please realize....
they hate that.

You're calling their baby (emotions) ugly.

What about classical liberalism of the enlightenment vs the modern progressive liberalism?

I don't believe you have to be on the left or right to be a man of hard core values. The main problem with this America is people divided.You call yourselves Conservatives or Liberals I'm right down the middle on separate issues, not claiming to be on one sides or other.Neither side is right or wrong, today we need to be less one sided and willing to do what makes every American have a better life. A fur trapper fore Ever!

The problem with standing on top of the fence post appeasing those approaching from either side is you either become confused or untrustworthy or both

I want the country to stop accumulating debt.

No Antigovernment I'm not confused or untrustworthy I call it the way I was brought up and call it the way I see it. Don't need a political fence post to guide my beliefs.

Hey it's your story ....

Just messing with you , only you can choose what's best for you

please explain how one is right down the middle on separate issues on abortion? or domestic sovereignty or charging criminals or 1st amendment?
seems these and many more are yes/no with no middle
Abortion or life
closed borders with documentation, or a free for all
charging and incarcerating offenders or let them free to repeat their offences
free speech or let some third party decide what one can say


It is true we were never this divided, couldn't be. dems and reps wanted in the same goals, strong safe America leading the world, good education system,
safety and security for Americans in America and abroad etc etc etc.

We disagreed on how to obtain these goals, Humphry Mondale era dems wanted to tax tax tax and the government spending would prime the economy, Repubs wanted less tax and govt and the private sector with its' capital flow will prime the economy.
We argued and debated but that all ended "at the border" we all took America's side in any international issue.

Today's dems want none of that, they feel America is XXXist whatever the XXX is. And want to fundamentally change or replace it.
That leaves little ground for "middle"

I assume he meant he's conservative on some issues and liberal on others. For example, someone fiscally conservative and socially liberal. I imagine that would be a living heck because you'd go through life never happy and hating both sides.

Thankfully I'm pretty far right, although there are a few issues I lean left on... like legalizing and/or decriminalizing drugs, allowing felons to vote (and have guns!), etc.

Welp this post has answered some stuff

Hard core values of not ever making a decision or taking a position that you would have to defend.

Irony is choosing not to decide is a decision.

How so?

When you hear socially liberal people often make the assumption that someone is "for" a certain issue. That isn't necessarily so. It may mean they don't care about an issue enough to grant government the right to control or enforce the issue.

Example: We have a law in Oklahoma that requires me to show ID to buy Sudafed or it's generic equivalent. This was done to put a dent in the meth problem. You go to the counter and ask for a box of the medicine. You have to show ID and they record how many boxes you bought. So, in theory, LE can check these records to see who is buying up all the Sudafed and it would help narrow down who to check out. But it hasn't done squat to stop the meth problem, they're still cooking, selling, and blowing their houses apart... But I still have to show ID.

Now showing ID to buy sinus medicine isn't exactly an onerous overreach... But it sets the precedent to give idiot politicians the power to infringe on a lot of other things in the name of public safety, health, or any other stupid reason they come up with... And the meth heads are still blowing their houses up cooking the crap because they found other sources for ingredients.

The law did nothing to solve the problem. But it gave politicians the opportunity to get their toe in the door... And the last couple of years have proven what happens when you give them that little bit of power.

So socially liberal doesn't necessarily indicate someone is "for" a certain issue... It might just mean they're against giving government a little more power that they can use as an excuse for overreach later on.

The Patriot Act and the 1/6 folks rotting in cells waiting trial is another good example. Some folks here would say those folks deserve it... But everyone thinks that until it's their turn... And then they wonder where their fair and speedy trial is at.

Mike

We're looking for a voice, someone with brains and articulate enough to convey the message we want heard. Those types aren't a dime a dozen. I'll follow the person who champions my cause, that doesn't make me a member of a cult.