>>Americans come in many sizes, shapes and political associations. This is but one of many. We are a complex people and attempting to understand others goes a long way in acceptance of the American dream. One mans dream can be another mans nightmare!
>>
>>Real Americans!
>>
>>A Conservative Super Friend is simply a real American who wants everyone in this country to enjoy his/her way of thinking. There should be no government at the federal state, or local level. Government is restrictive and subject to the whims of those who are elected as well as the laws of the land. In addition the people do not have a real choice of how they want to live. What do the people know anyway?
>>
>>Real Americans have no use for mamby pamby do gooders who want this country to have any sort of social organization. You have to wear fatigues whenever possible, own at least one gun, and fight every form of government created!
>>
>>Belonging to the NRA is not necessary! Who needs an organization to own or use a rifle? Rifles were created by God to give mankind independence, put meat on the table and defend your way of life against all comers! Besides when flat land foreigners come to visit your neck of the woods you can scare the pie out of them or be serious if you want. Yes sir, show those flat land foreigners and revenuers who is King of the Hill!
>>
>>Real Americans include such heroes as Timothy McVay. He knew that government was the enemy! He attempted to set things right and got his message across! One messenger can have a great deal of power, even with a message filled with manure!
>>
>>When a real American finds a terrorist group training camp in his/her back yard, he/she smiles and encourages the bastards. Chaos is what Real Americans strive for! After all true Democracy is chaos. Show government they have no control! No matter how hard government tries to suppress terror and protect our country there is always room for at least one individual to express himself/herself!
>>
>>Where do you find Real Americans, sometimes called Survivalists? Why they are living in many areas of the United States. Ukiah, Oregon comes to mind. Yes sir, that is where my father was raised, and I have visited that town many times. If you ever visit Ukiah, Oregon, tell them I sent you, and my father was raised there. Mention Grandpa John and Grandma Betsy to gain points. People will accept you and lower his/her rifles while in your presence. That can be a feeling of relief!
>
>Tom,
>
>While I don't necessarily agree with everything you've said, there are a number of great points. Rather, however, than address those, I'm going to post how I feel.
>
>I used to think of my self as a Liberal. However, in regards to what's going on now, I don't. I should explain.
>
>Fiscally, I'm a conservative. We should "pay as we go". I believe that the government's budget should be balanced. In fact, back in the '80s the Republican party wanted to have an balanced budget amendment to the constitution. What do we have now?
>
>Socially, I think I'm a conservative. I don't think that the government has any business intervening in my personal life.
>
>Governmentally, I think I'm a conservative. I believe in less government now more.
>
>As far as the environment, I think I'm a conservative. I want to make sure that the air we breath and the water we drink is pure.
>
>However, I'm supposedly liberal.
>
>Fiscally, we're running record deficts. I understand the argument that "we're at war". War, however, is a time a shared scarifice. Yet we've got a tax cut during this time. This is the first time in the history of this country (and maybe the first time in the history of civilization) that a tax cut has been implemented in time of war.
>
>Next we get to social issues. The government wants an admendment to the consitution say that marriage is strictly between a man and a woman. While I'm most decidedly hetrosexual, what business is it of the government's to decided that the sexually of two adults should be a determining factor on their civil rights and priveledges?
>
>In terms of the size of government, do people realize that under this administration we've seen the largest expansion of government since the 1960's?
>
>Finally, in terms of the environment, this administration isn't doing anything to "conserve" it.
>
>So would someone tell me why I'm a "liberal"?



George;

Interesting how people who have responded to my post. I did not state my feelings about politics but only about one specific topic. No one asked why or what the meaning was. To reveal what I feel would take many words but here is an attempt to be brief.

1. There are over 50 registered political parties in the United States. Each has an agenda of its own.


2. We have individuals and small groups of individuals who express themselves for political reasons. They may use peaceful or violent means to do so.

3. Our Constitution allows one to express himself/herself politically.


4. Thomas Jefferson said if government does not represent the people the people have the right to rebel.

5. It is tragic to see people disagree with government and use force to express themselves. We lost JFK, MLK and others because one man or perhaps a very few wanted to express themselves or disagreed with the political process.


6. I feel that the results of an election should be respected but that we should speak out when we feel that something is wrong or we disagree with government.


7. As far as your description of your political views I must say I agree with you 100% and share the same viewpoint.


8. I do not believe in the simplistic approach of placing a title on someone and then dismissing him or her. Terms such as “Liberal or Conservative” come to mind. Take time to find out how and why someone enjoys a particular way of thinking. Too many people are not interested in understand others. They do not have time or care.


9. With the USSR dissolved we went from having one focal point to a atmosphere of uncertainty of who the enemy is. Disgruntled Americans have proven themselves to not be beyond killing other Americans for political reasons.


10. With freedom come many opportunities, which can be difficult to comprehend. Should we restrict political expression? That is a difficult question to answer.

11. I do not believe in violence to express yourself. As a Vietnam Vet I have seen a bit of what violence is and how even a five year old child cannot be trusted. Who is going to blow you or someone else up? You do not know. Paranoia becomes a serious issue.


12. Is the enemy from within or external to our country? The answer is both.


My original essay on this topic was very long and defined many different groups. Some people think we should not have political debate or understanding. Our political process is expressed in many ways and we have no control of that. When we attempt to suppress political thought we are entering a dark area of history.

Intolerance and the unwillingness to understand others can be a dangerous thing. Trying to find root causes of why people act using violence to express himself/herself is a difficult topic to comprehend. Rationalization is not the answer in my opinion. Do not qualify and excuse those who use violence to express themselves. Bleeding hearts we do not need. What we do need is a difficult quality to define. Then again it can be very simple.

A strong belief in God, close family and helping others helps me to feel connected to my community. My right to vote is my means to express my political viewpoint where it counts.


Remember the Bob Dylan song “The Times they are a Changin? That was 1964. I think the times are always changing! :)


Tom