Liberals and Conservatives Don’t Really Exist

Alan Lance
Aug 9, 2017 · 6 min read

If you have spent any time paying attention to politics, you have no doubt noted the lack of listening occurring in public discourse. Anyone who disagrees with a statement no longer needs to actually give a reasoned response; in fact, if one tries, he is likely to be dismissed as a “Libtard” or “Trumpkin,” or have his point of view devalued as fake news. Instead of discussing the issue, it has become enough to target the person speaking with a label or epithet that nullifies the speaker’s point of view, without any concern for whether a good point was being made. The truly concerning part of this is that the very members of government who need to work together in order to run the country are instead using an “us vs. them” mentality to justify their actions. They are willing to support any viewpoint and any legislation that gives the appearance of their side winning despite what it does to the country and to the constituents whom that person is supposed to represent.

The solution to this is to realize the lie that we have been handed: that this is a war between conservatives and liberals. No such war really exists and, as long as we fail to fully understand this, political candidates and parties will continue manipulating the electorate by feeding us fearful images of the “other side” taking control. Let’s not allow that to happen. There is no such war, and there are no conservatives fighting with liberals. There are a bunch of people with different shades of belief who are being told that their beliefs are in danger. This is simply not true.

By definition, a conservative is one who wishes to conserve, generally referring to conserving that which has become tradition. I have yet to meet anyone who believes that everything should be kept exactly as it was 10 years ago, 60 years ago or 200 years ago. Some things are well established and work as well now as they did then. Friendship, community and public service are examples of ideas that never seem to grow old. On the other hand, very few of us wish we could go back to the modes of travel or the lack of plumbing that were well established 200 years ago. So it is safe to say that everyone is conservative about certain things, but not so much about others. The differences occur in our opinions about which policies should be maintained. Part of that difference has to do with our situation. For example, a coal worker is likely to think that coal powered electricity is a great idea, while an environmentalist (whose income does not depend on coal) is likely to think otherwise. Both of these people have valid points for their own life circumstances. The trick is to get them to listen to one another long enough to recognize the correctness of each point of view. From there, finding a solution that addresses the needs of both becomes possible, and no one ends up being wrong or unheard.

A liberal is, by definition, one who is open to new opinions and willing to discard traditional methods. Personally, I have met nobody who wants to change everything just because it is different, and dump every established system of actions. Some new ideas are wonderful. Electric lights, running water and marrying for love are reasonably new ideas that have become very popular. On the other hand, weapons capable of wiping out life on the entire planet and communications systems that can be hacked to destroy data, finances and lives are rather new developments that most people could do without. It seems that most of us are liberal about some things, but not others. Always, the trick is to listen to one another and hear why a particular change is being advocated by some and opposed by others. With communication, it is possible to find common ground so that most everyone can feel comfortable with the changes that occur.

The challenge has been getting people to listen. The point of representative government is to avoid extremes. A two-thirds majority was meant to make certain that no single point of view could sway policy, and this was intended to force representatives to compromise: you know, talk to one another, listen to opposing viewpoints, decide what is best for the citizens of the country, and put public welfare before political gain. The idea was to create a government body that would not fall prey to the “we win; you lose” concept of legislation. The concept behind this structure is to force politicians to look for solutions that give each party or faction some of their most important points, so that no group feels at a total loss. More importantly, this forced compromise is meant to give the American people what they need to have better lives. This requires people actually listening to one another for the wisdom that they have, rather than shutting each other out because they have a different way of thinking.

The confrontational viewpoint that has been making compromise in politics so difficult is making its way into our everyday lives. Ignore, for a moment, the gridlock in Washington because politicians cannot see the value in their opponents’ points of view. Take a look at what is happening in our cities and throughout the world. People who are immigrants and descendants of immigrants are maligning recent immigrants for simply having come from another country. People who have little to no money are demonizing the rich as being uncaring, while people with wealth are demonizing the poor as being lazy. Religious extremists (of any religion) are denouncing those whose behavior does not fit their extremists standards, while those who shun religion are quick to ridicule the religious for having beliefs.

Please do not misunderstand. The previous paragraph was not intended as an indictment of any people. Also, I am not saying that all descendants of immigrants or all of any group behave in the ways I have outlined above. Those who do have become far more outspoken in their intolerance, and seem to feel they are justified in degrading and abusing others. It is a false perception to believe that intentional unkindness can be justified. If we continue to talk about one another with people who share our beliefs, we reinforce our mistaken ideas. If, instead, we talk with those we normally shun (or fear or hate) about what worries us, about how we feel, about our concerns for our futures, we can resolve a great deal. If descendants of immigrants talk to recent immigrants, they are likely to find common themes about wanting what is best for their families. The rich and the poor are likely to find that they both want to be treated with respect and have a path toward greater prosperity. Those with or without religious backgrounds are likely to find that they have certain expectations about the behavior of others, and also want the freedom to believe or not believe as they like. And liberals and conservatives, if they would simply talk to one another without preconceived ideas, are certain to find that there are things that should be maintained and other things that need changing.

We don’t have to agree on everything; we just have to be willing to hear another point of view. Maybe it will convince us we are right, maybe it will show us how others think even if we don’t agree, or maybe it will change our mind. In any case, no harm will be done.

So, the next time a politician says that a vote for him is a vote against some group of people, remember that you are being manipulated. A representative is required to speak for all his constituents: those who voted for him, those who didn’t, and those who he claimed he would be against. I realize that the current state of American politics does not seem to abide by that rule. Perhaps that is, in part, because we have bought into some portion of this “us vs. them” idea. I believe, if we can begin talking to one another, looking for common ground, and recognizing that hatred helps no one but the politician trying to use it to manipulate us, that we can return to civil discussion and compassionate leadership in due time. In the meantime, we cannot be at war with one another. There are no conservatives and no liberals. There are just people who want to have a good life and be free to have their opinions.

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