Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TimF who wrote (141794)	1/17/2002 12:45:50 PM
From: i-node	Respond to of 1588561

I don't think that statement is entirely fair David. Many liberals are driven by fundamental core beliefs. You may be right -- on rereading that statement, it does seem unfair. Many liberals feel as strongly about their positions as I do about mine. I do believe, however, that conservatives tend to have the stomach to act according to their principles, even when contrary to popular opinion. I think the problem is those positions are more readily subject to change depending on external factors that are not absolute. As an example, I draw from my experience in income tax preparation. While everyone hates paying taxes, I noticed a trend amongst my liberal clients (this was in the 80s). They were adamant that we should pay more taxes, and let the government spend the money. But when it came time to do their returns, I found they were persistent in their attempts to exclude income or enhance their deductions beyond the point of legality. I did not find this to be true of conservatives. Conservatives, you say, "You owe $10,000". They howl about the liability and pay it. Liberals, you say, "You owe $10,000". They suggest there "must be something we can do" -- what about deducting more auto expense?". The point to this lengthy example is to say, yes, they have principled beliefs, but when confronted with one situation or another those beliefs can be scrapped in a moment. We saw this extensively through the Clinton administration, and in fact, I think this is what modern liberalism has become. Mold the facts to fit the circumstances.