rob, this isn't a question of good vs bad. nobody wants a policy instituted that doesn't benefit them, and likewise, everyone wants policy put in place they feel is in their favor. the problem is that humans are social animals, we compete for limited resources, we are also members of a social species where we all have to give up something for the benefit of all, and of course, we are not all going to agree on who gives up what or how much, and who benefits. now most people are willing to give up something for the common good, but there isn't always agreement on where to draw the line. not surprisingly, if you analyze people's actions with respect to how they benefit it's pretty clear why they think the way they do, even if they won't admit it to themselves.

this tends to bias people in ways they don't even understand. sometimes they don't even realize they are biased. do you think that everyone who disagrees with you is either evil or stupid? of course not, you just think they're mistaken, or misled. and they feel the same about you.

the trouble is that all human organizations, whether they are corporate, labor, governmental, military, or socioeconomic class tend to have goals and desires, they want to perpetuate their own corporate existence and prosperity, and those who belong to those organizations and classes tend to identify with those aims, and work together to achieve them because it is in their joint benefit. ideology is the differences people have. that's just the way it is, and that's why we have democracies and arguments like this. conservatives are just going to have to get used to the fact that there are smart and decent people out there who sincerely believe conservatives are wrong.

thanks for your first sentence, but i'm puzzled you should be surprised i feel that way. liberals aren't necessarily unreasonable or doctrinaire any more than conservatives are. however, extremists and ideologues on both sides are highly motivated to make you believe that everyone on the other side is rigid and unbending, and when we are treated that way, we tend to respond in kind.

I'm sick and tired of all the choices in society being presented to me as either my way or the correct way. in fact, it really pisses me off.