Replies to post #1652 on Poet's Corner

[Slipstick Libby]

Please read this (and this goes double for my friend Slippy -g) as a description rather than an argument.
OUCH! <removes verbal knife from his back. :-) >

My family was largely uneducated but very hard working.
Mt father quit school in 8th grade. Not because of school; he had to go to work.

I am the first woman in my famiy to graduate from college, which I did on full scholarship
I'm the fist and so far the only person to graduate. I also went on scholarship (books, fees, tuition).

Something ws just on CNN Headline News about an organization collecting funds to buy supplies for girl's school in Afghanistan. I think that's what it was about; unfortunately, I didn't start paying attention until the end. If anyone hears the organization name, contact me.

I grew up in a place where it was still looked down upon to be Irish.
And I completely (fortunately) missed that part of being Irish. My family came to America about 1853 (potato famine, of course), so they were thoroughly Americanized by the time I was born. And we lived in Arizona. Mexican immigrants were the lowest caste there; we were on the side of God and the High and Mighty. :-)

The Kennedy family, despite the personal foibles of many of their members
Now THERE'S an understatement.

I think the terms "liberal" and "conservative" may be somewhat muddied
More than somewhat. For example, if the Democrats put up a candidate I find at all acceptable and the Republicans put up a Religious Rightist, goodbye party lines. I'd say I'm socially liberal and fiscally conservative. I don't like Republicans who want to spend every cent they can steal from me either.
Reagan is regarded by many as a Republican Hero, almost a god to some. I live in CA where he was governor. Just as he left office in hs last term, he signed a bill starting payroll witholding in CA for the first time. The effects of course were rising taxes. As predicted by critics of the bill. You don't notice the theft as much if its done a piece each week rather than one big chunk once a year.

In my mind, "liberal" is a fundamentally democratic (note small 'd') worldview
What, you think we want to dig up George III? :-)
There are conservatives who think popular control of the gov't and those guarantees in the Bill of Rights are largely what it's all about. The rest of the Constitution isn't worth much without that.

the government has the right to ensure that its citizens are treated fairly, despite their color, IQ, nation of origin, etc.
As that applies to civil rights, yes. Excluding Caucasians and Asians from colleges so blacks and Hispanics can be admitted. Nuts!

[Bird of Prey]

Good Day to you Poet!


As I said when I asked, I am only curious and wishing to expand my knowledge base. I certainly am not looking to start an argument. I do hope that in the coming days you will expand upon what you wrote. I'll try to at least match you in descriptive terms as well.

My roots are a bit mixed. some English, some Scottish, some Irish, some American Indian and Lord knows what else. My Mother got her college degree, My Dad did a tour in the MArine Corps. My family never had much in the way of material wealth, but we never were on any govt. program either. We always had what we needed, and usually most of the things we wanted as well. Both my parents were hard workers (they are retired now) and instilled that same work ethic in all of their children. I know what it is to be looked down on, it seems there is always one group or another able to thumb its collective nose at someone for some reason.
I agree with you on the muddying of the labels "Conservative" and "Liberal". However I have a different definition of "Liberal". In my view "liberals" hold that Government is the answer to all social problems. Whatever is wrong...the government can fix it. This kind of Liberal is found in all political parties and at all levels. Our education systems is littered with this view.
But I digress, In my worldview, "conservatives" look to the individual for the answer to a problem.
I agree that Governments need to insure that all of it's citizens have an equal chance to succeed, And that race, creed, etc should not be factored into allocating resources. The resources should be available to all...equally.
Scholarships based on merit...not on race, nation of origin, etc.
Employment based on merit...not on race, nation of origin, etc.
Housing based on merit...not on race, nation of origin, etc.

Everything I and the rest of my family have, we have earned, nothing given.

IMHO, a great many think they are liberal because they care for their fellow man and wish to help. Caring is not the exclusive domain of Liberals. I believe they simply operate from a different definition of "help". This is best summed up by an old axiom. the first half is "liberal" methodology, the second conservative.

Give a man a fish and he eats for the day.
Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime.

The Bird of Prey