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Re: Both extremes are wrong
Publius — (archived)

>Your supposedly clear distinction between liberals and conservatives is anything but. I have observed many so-called liberals that feel just as strongly that they have the only right answer ( the "revealed word", however the revalation occurred) and therefore accuse dissenters to their viewpoint of starving babies etc. "

Your observation is no doubt correct. The "so-called liberals" were probably polarized into taking an untenable position and they reacted. This is a criticism of those "so-called liberals" and not liberalism as a conceptual ideal. Emotional responses are unfortunate, but ultimately, very human.

It is difficult to be a liberal and maintain your cool instead of striking out. It isn't easy to listen to what you consider to be trash and respond as Voltaire did: "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." This takes not only guts, but a lot control.

The conservative position is much easier, it saves going through self examination when all you have to do is fall back on authority and revealed wisdom. This really saves thinking. Being a modern Republican conserves the energy you might spend if you have to think through issues.

Liberalism is a hard path and it is easy to stray. The good part is that fellow liberals are accepting and understand straying and stragglers. Liberalism is the Tao of the thinking individual.

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