True Believers

As you can probably tell, I have an interest in Liberalism, and I am just a wee bit curious as to what makes a person identify with Liberal "values." What makes a person "conservative," for that matter? What are the major differences between the two worldviews? And, more to the point, which of those worldviews are more compatible with what might be called "traditional American values"?

Let's take a look. For the sake of having a placeholder to compare and contrast the Liberal worldview, we will use the much maligned and often demonized term "Conservative," which seems to me to be a natural counterpoint.

Conservatives think that Capitalism is the fairest and most equitable way a society can ensure equal opportunity for its citizens; Liberals believe that Socialism makes citizens equal.

Conservatives think that the Founding Fathers created one of the most forward-looking documents ever written and adhere to Constitutional Constructionism; Liberals believe in a "living" Constitution, one that is open to a very broad interpretation and which can therefore be bent to suit individual needs.

Conservatives think that Americans are by nature Self-Reliant and will Persevere in order to address the challenges that confront them; Liberals believe that Social Programs, Entitlements and Subsidies should be funded and implemented as quickly as they can be created.

Conservatives think that Abraham Lincoln's "True American System" is an eloquent distillation of the uniquely American belief that success is rightly achieved through hard work and determination; Liberals believe that The Government should interfere and arbitrate through Quotas and Affirmative Action in an attempt to provide success.

Conservatives think that each and every one of us should be held Accountable for his or her own actions; Liberals believe that Consequences are mean and that actions can always be Rationalized or Equivocated.

Conservatives think that Personal Responsibility is a virtue; Liberals believe that Corporate Liability should be exploited at every opportunity.

Conservatives think that Classicism, though rarely achieved, is an ideal worth striving for; Liberals believe that Class Warfare is best used to achieve the Socialist ideal.

Conservatives think that a sense of Fair Play should be employed in every endeavor, large or small; Liberals believe that rules are for other people and that the most important thing is to Win At Any Cost.

Conservatives think that Juris Prudence and The Rule of Law are indispensable to civilization; Liberals believe that the Trial Lawyers Association should rule the land.

Conservatives think being Pro Business is a catalyst for job growth; Liberals believe that being Pro Union will somehow grow jobs.

Conservatives think that everyone has a Right to Life, and defends those who cannot speak for themselves; Liberals believe that everyone has a Right to Choose Death for those who cannot speak in defense of their Life.

Conservatives think that Organized Religion represents the best opportunity to find God; Liberals believe that promoting Secularism is the best way to avoid any discussion of God whatsoever.

Conservatives think that Marriage is best defined as a sacrosanct union between a Man and a Woman; Liberals believe that Marriage should be redefined to include the union of two people (so far) of the same sex (so far).

Conservatives think that The Right To Bear Arms is a self-evident extension of Natural Law, being that people have the right to defend themselves; Liberals believe that self-defense impinges upon the right of people to Do As They Will, including Rape and Murder.

Conservatives think that Capital Punishment is a necessary component of Justice; Liberals believe that taking a human life is reprehensible, unless it is a defenseless fetus.

Conservatives think that people can and should solve their own problems and that a Limited Government is best suited to promote that ideal; Liberals believe that a Big Government can and should attempt to solve everyone's problems.

Conservatives think that States are sovereign and that citizens should govern and be governed locally as much as possible; Liberals believe that the Federal Government should trump State's Rights.

Conservatives think that Fiscal Responsibility demonstrates a fundamental moral obligation to The People; Liberals believe that a "Tax and Spend" approach demonstrates a fundamental moral obligation to take care of The People.

Conservatives think that Problems should be addressed through Realism; Liberals believe that there are No Problems which Idealism cannot solve.

Conservatives think that the important issues of the day should be discussed and debated using Critical Thought; Liberals believe that Emotionalism trumps Logic and Reason.

Conservatives think that Man is the ultimate arbiter of his world, and that the Responsible Stewardship of Natural Resources is merely acting in the best interests of self-preservation; Liberals believe that the preservation of lower life forms should take precedence over the best interests of Humanity.

Conservatives think America should act as an Eagle; Liberals believe America should act as a Pigeon.

Conservatives think America should "Speak Softly But Carry A Big Stick": Liberals believe that America should be Soft.

Conservatives think that America should act in her own Best Interests, or in the interest of Justice, even when that means acting unilaterally; Liberals believe that America should act only in unison with a Global Consensus.

Conservatives think that America has been a Positive Force, overall, in the betterment of Humanity; Liberals believe that America has been a Greedy Bully who should be stopped at any cost.

Conservatives think "What Is Best For My Country?"; Liberals believe that it is more important to ask "What Is Best For My Party?"

Conservatives think that Honest Debate should be conducted through a lens of Objectivity; Liberals believe that Subjectivity (and Volume) is a worthy substitute for Fact, Reason and Logic
I continue to wonder about the differences between Liberals and The Rest of Us, but the one overarching theme that I keep coming back to is this: Conservatives think; Liberals believe.