Sunday 27 October 2013

Why Conservative Vs Liberal Is Important To Freedom

By Cornelia Reyes


People have always experienced conflict. Everyone has a view of the world that is arises partly from background and experience and partly from inner conviction. Everyone is biased to some extent. In the political arena, conservative vs liberal ideas make for discussion, argument, bitter fighting, and delay. Although the process gets tiresome to follow, it is important to remember that open debate is one of the pillars of freedom.

People get ideas and beliefs from their families, from education, and from circumstances of childhood. As they enter into adult freedom and responsibility, these ideas may change. Remember the student demonstrations of the sixties? Many a former hippie has given up extremely liberal views as he or she matures, enters the workforce, and raises a family.

For instance, a person who got their first credit card in college and ran up significant debt during their twenties might have learned to control their money. Having learned that 'buy now pay later' can have serious consequences, they might take a dim view of politicians who vote for popular but costly programs that tip the public budget into the red.

The Left, as liberals and progressives are often labeled, tends to favor programs that help low-income citizens at the expense of middle-class taxpayers. The fact that each program must be paid for does not always deter politicians from voting for popular entitlements. Although the Right, made up of conservatives, also believes in helping those who can't help themselves, this group views subsidy programs with suspicion. The price tag, which includes administrative costs, is always considered.

This kind of thing causes much political unrest in a country. The socialist view that government should take care of the helpless can go too far, some say. If the amount of welfare for a family is more than the breadwinner can earn by working, some see a problem. They also believe that social services offer help too readily. If a person applies for unemployment, the social worker may offer food stamps as well. This angers some taxpayers.

However, it is also true that many of the most desperately poor don't know what aid is available, and that social workers should explain what help can be given. It is difficult to keep benefits from attracting those who feel no shame in taking advantage of their government and their fellow citizens. It is also hard to know when a program is helping or hurting, if it takes away the incentive to be self-sufficient.

There are debates over fiscal policies, national defense and foreign aid, prayer and sex ed in schools, the role of religion in public life and the definition of marriage. Policymakers debate whether the focus should be on the public or private sector of society and over what is changing the weather. It's enough to make you want to hide your head in the sand.

However, conservative vs liberal opinions are equally important if a country is to be healthy and strong. When the balance is skewed one way or another, nations struggle and even fall. We depend on our leaders to see both sides of any question.




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