Younger Americans Cite Liberalism as Defining Aspect, Poll Says

[Ali G. 37]

Everything is evil or bad to you.

http://www.refused-classification.com/Games_A-Z.htm All the games that have been refused classification in Australia. Under the prosed internet filter for Australia, any website that hosts content related to any of those games would be subject to being blocked. Which is just about every single gaming site out there. Along with a bunch of e-commerce sites that might sell those games to audiences outside of Australia. If its all to protect the children than anything might be justified.

The government does not need to go out and actively filter all the content you have trouble with. Most adults will not go seek that kind of content out. Those who do, have psychological problems that are not going to be solved by an internet filter.

As much as you hate civil rights, the ACLU does not call the shots. But the ACLU and other organizations like them such as the EFF, do challenge the law when it might be violating the civil rights of citizens. Those challenges are fought out in court, and sometimes they win, sometimes they don't. But i suppose you would rather not have that, and let corporations and corrupt politications call the shots on what should be legal and illegal. There is a story this morning about a US lobby group trying to make using open source software equivalent to piracy.

Dude, what the heck is that site? Something out of someone's basement.

As I have said many times before, who appointed the ACLU and so on commander and chief? Okay, so should we hate on the government but just go on the word of a disingenuous private organization like the ACLU. Sorry but I prefer Australia's model of we the people having a say on legislation, rather than the ACLU or supreme court. Your point about lobbyist is well noted and unfortunately they too get to abuse the courts to push their agenda, as does the ACLU. That is why a corporation now basically has the same rights as an American to influence an election.

I just don't buy this hysteria that the government is the enemy yet the private sector or some private group (ALCU) are the honest folks, that are looking out for us. No they are looking out for their own agenda. The ACLU is no different to some association suing for their members. This is why neither of the two (equivalents) nor the courts have as much power and authority abroad, as they do here.

This is obviously complicated and beyond the scope of a forum but I think many Americans would benefit greatly of actually living in other first world countries and paying attention to why people in these societies are experiencing such a higher quality of life. Things that might seem trivial, like restricting access to filth, is definitely part of the overall success. Ultimately, also why we don't have Columbines.

Edited February 24, 2010 by Booyah

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Why is it that the majority of the time you enter any thread involves you mocking someone for their views?

Is it that hard for you to enter a thread and simply state your opinion?

Wow, oversensitive much?

[_Simpson_ 250]

Cynicism is the murderer of idealism. Pragmatism on the other hand, doesn't kill idealism, it tempers it. What I see among many who consider themselves conservative now, but were liberal as they were younger, is that they have become cynical. I've become more pragmatic as I've gotten older, but I'll fight tooth and nail against letting cynicism affect my outlook on life.

and good intentions pave the path to hell

I dont necessarily consider it cynical when I look at the world for what it is and then act accordingly. Often times you you see unrealistic goals with high school/college kids.

[_Simpson_ 250]

This is true and is certainly not something I experienced in Aus, until moving here.

You just cant help yourself BY, can you?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

and good intentions pave the path to hell

I dont necessarily consider it cynical when I look at the world for what it is and then act accordingly. Often times you you see unrealistic goals with high school/college kids.

Cynicism is the general distrust of people's integrity or the integrity of the institutions by which we live (judges, law enforcement, government, doctors, lawyers, scientists), born out of frustration with broken trust.

[_Simpson_ 250]

Cynicism is the general distrust of people's integrity or the integrity of the institutions by which we live (judges, law enforcement, government, doctors, lawyers, scientists), born out of frustration with broken trust.

True

[one...two...tree 2,762]

True

...and that's why, IMO, people become more cynical as they get older, unless they are conscious of it and decide to fight the natural tendency towards cynicism.

Edited February 27, 2010 by Galt's gallstones

[_Simpson_ 250]

...and that's why, IMO, people become more cynical as they get older, unless they are conscious of it and decide to fight the natural tendency towards cynicism.

I see your point.

IMO I think people start to open there eyes as they get older and therefore quit banging there heads against the wall with these unrealistic dreams.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I see your point.

IMO I think people start to open there eyes as they get older and therefore quit banging there heads against the wall with these unrealistic dreams.

But idealism is based on the idea that one person can make a difference in the world....which is true, but it's not always visible.

[_Simpson_ 250]

But idealism is based on the idea that one person can make a difference in the world....which is true, but it's not always visible.

yes one can make a difference but one must set realistic goals

[Obama 2012 1,714]

I'm 'younger' I suppose in being that I am 27.

My views come a bit differently as I grew up 'poor' in America, had a single mom who had to be on welfare/medicaid at times, etc.

I'm very fiscally conservative and very limited government on many things.

I'm also very socially liberal though when it comes to those issues (except gay marriage as in I don't think government should be involved in any marriage, period.).

I've been working since I was 14 and haven't looked back since. I didn't work out of necessity, I worked because I wanted to and I wanted my own money. It was that simple. You seem to grow an appreciation for things once you are earning your own money and that's something that many kids today don't get, they lack that appreciation value.

If you're 18, head off to college and have had everything provided for you your entire life and have never earned any of it, then yeah.. you're going to be more liberal. It's just how you were raised. Granted, I'm not talking about the ones who had the church beat into them growing up saying that 'vote republican' those are a bit extreme....

I look at Government like this:

Taxes: 'income taxes' should be based on INCOME, not trade of services. Our 'income tax' is in now way an 'income' tax. If that were the case, then standard deduction would at the very least = out to what annual minimum wage is.

I believe in more of a 'fair' tax system/consumption tax system where you pay taxes based on what you consume with ZERO exemptions.

I believe in a Capital Gains tax where it's at right now of 15% with ZERO exemptions. I know investment sparks when lowering this tax and government makes more money, but we don't need to over-flood the slot machines here..

The only "progressive tax" i believe in is the Corporate tax. Small businesses who incorporate end up paying the exact same tax rate as Wal-Mart/ExxonMobil do. Are you kidding me? Lower the Corporate Tax rate for 'big' business on a Federal level down to 25% with ZERO exemptions and for companies with less than 250 employees make the tax rate 15% with ZERO exemptions. If you have less than 50 employees, take it down to 10% with ZERO exemptions. This would be more fair AND allow individuals who don't incorporate their business to no longer be considered 'wealthy' because they get stuck on the 'income' tax bracket....

Government Oversight/Regulation on business:: Government should regulate international trade wholeheartedly, they should regulate fraud, they should regulate deceptive practices, and they should also make sure that inter-state commerce is treated fairly to both parties involved.

Every other aspect should be left up to the state in which the business is based out of.

Government Wiretapping/Cameras/etc.: No. No. No. No. and NO again. --- This is something that has been in place for only a short period of time and it already being extensively abused because people aren't willing to fight things a lot of times. There's a reason why many states had banned or are in the process of banning the traffic violation cameras.

Big brother doesn't need to happen and it completely is unconstitutional if you really want to get technical. None of it is legally admissible in court.

Health Care: The government should have ZERO roll in this as far as being a part of it. If the government oversights are done properly as mentioned in the previous part, then the health care industry would be perfectly fine. Too much regulation is part of the reason why we are in the mess we are in today. The government has almost single handily caused costs to go through the roof and continue to do so. They do nothing to address this issue in any legislation they right, why? Because they feel they have done nothing wrong to begin with. Until they realize the mistakes they have made and stop this 'babysitting' bullshit when it comes to procedures, medicines, etc.. and until they allow for international drugs to be brought in, then our costs are indeed going to remain high no matter what.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Insurance should never be 'needed' for health care. People should be able to pay for procedures just as they would buying a new TV. It should be that cheap and that simple.

Abortion: I'm not pro-choice and I'm not pro-life, more pro-responsibility. Don't get knocked up to begin with and if you get knocked up, take responsibility for that action by as Obama even said, 'suffering the consequences' of the pregnancy and taking care of your child or giving it up for adoption. It's pretty damn simple. I'm not going to cry over an abortion, but I do feel strongly on responsibility.

Overall Politics/Life: Be responsible for you and you alone. Take care of your family, take care of your business and leave me alone. If you can't take care of yourself, feel free to ask for help from PRIVATE sources, but don't EXPECT me or the government to take care of you. Don't send the tax man knocking at my door for extra money because you aren't willing to take care of yourself. -- There are legitimate people out there who can't take care of themselves and those people should be helped out, but I can't stand for one minute the low life pieces of trash who sit on their #### all day or who sit and complain all day about what they do and don't have. You want a better life? Make yourself a better life.

America doesn't guarantee you a better life, it guarantees you an opportunity to go out and TRY to give yourself a better life. Take that for what it is. Most people who actually apply that, will be successful. Some will always be working at McDonalds... There's nothing wrong with working at McDonalds, but don't complain about it unless you're willing to try and give yourself a better life.

Don't go out and have children if you cannot afford them. Don't expect the government to pay for your brats each time you pop a new one out. I'm sorry, you should not be able to pop out more kids just to get more money each month. That's utterly stupid and ridiculous. Your kids should be taken from you and given to someone who actually might love them versus the check coming in from the government and those who work.

BE RESPONSIBLE. It's really that simple!

/end.

[jundp 191]

Anyone know what the median incomes for liberals vs. conservatives are?

Where does this idea come from that liberals must not earn any money?

What are the definitions of liberal and conservative which are always thrown out in these articles?

[Peikko 1,575]

Cynicism is the general distrust of people's integrity or the integrity of the institutions by which we live (judges, law enforcement, government, doctors, lawyers, scientists), born out of frustration with broken trust.

No, it's not. One can be cynical in very specific ways, one does not have to suffer from gerneral malaise. I am cynical of the integrity of specific politicians because of very specific activity on their part - I am not frustrated with the political process, yet and I don't mistrust institutions or the product of those instituions per se. Being cynical of the motives of politicians who are not prepared to be specific and detailed about the things they plan to do is totally normal and wise - if you simply believe that a politician will act in the best interests of the constituancy that elected them just because they seem 'nice' you are a fool. Idealism that isn't tempered with pragmatism is also a complete waste of time.

[scandal 951]

What are the definitions of liberal and conservative which are always thrown out in these articles?

They are largely meaningless terms. Or at least, they are only meaningful when used in very specific historical and social contexts.

Some examples:

A "conservative Democrat" during the Civil War was one who favored accommodation with the Confederacy and ending the Civil War without repealing slavery. A "conservative Democrat" today is a Blue Dog who wants healthcare reform without a public option, and who likely is opposed to abortion.

A "conservative" in the twilight of the USSR during Gorbachev's tenure in the 1980s was a devout dogmatic Communist who opposed perestroika and accommodation with the West and free market reforms. A "liberal" in that same place and time favored such a free market reforms.

[justashooter 430]

By Jonathan D. Salant

Feb. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Younger adults, who turned out in unprecedented numbers to help elect Barack Obama to the presidency, say stupidity helps define their generation, a poll found.