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>>I've seen more than my share of bigotry and hatred too. Not just from redneck white guys either. I have been amazed at some of the so called "black leaders" who say it's impossible for them to be racist, by virtue of their history. Racism, bigotry, hatred are all based in the same thing. As to tolerance, my take is that some of the most intolerant people are liberals. If you don't happen to agree with gay lifestyles, they think you should not be able to say so. They will attempt to shout you down. That's the intolerance they say they don't like, but in the other direction.
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>John;
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>Prejudice is something that all too many have and will not admit. I have met prejudice people from all races while at the same time I have met tolerant persons from all of mankind.
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>I think we are all too complex to categorize as liberal or conservative. Those are titles that allow us to dismiss those whom we do not agree with. There are those that appear to be like a rabid Pit Bull, and will attack, bite and not let go. Regardless of such an individuals political motivation I like to avoid them!
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>On some issues I am very conservative and on others I am liberal.
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>By the way by looking at the political affiliation and attitude of the Republican and Democratic parties historically, you can see how conservative the Democrats were early on, and how liberal the Republicans were. They seem to have reversed roles to a great extent. I do not equate conservatism or liberalism upon your political parties affiliation. If a democrat is a liberal, what is a member of the Green Party? Yikes! :)
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>Tom

I like that. I tend to be somewhere to the right of Rush on many things like defense, law enforcement, etc. However, I agree with Bush on the compassionate conservatism. I belive in helping those who CAN'T help themselves, but not those who WON'T. I also think the government needs to do more to help the black community, but don't have a clue as to how it would be implemented. Their community is largely one of unwed mothers. It's the breakdown of the family that has wreaked havoc and contributed to the poverty and crime, from my perspective. You can pour all the money in the world into the educational system, but until you address the fact that the kids are being housed in squarlor, not raised, you can't win. I'm amazed that any kids make it out of the ghettos as productive citizens. I believe it will take strong leadership from the black community, like Bill Cosby. He is THE leader of the black community in my mind.