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Scientists Find 'Liberal Gene'

I would say once any human being's emotions have been triggered, that their ability to be objective and to critically assess facts is greatly impaired, regardless of where they are on the political spectrum.

As far as the genetics, I imagine that there are genes that influence conservatism as well.
 
Well I do have my BA in American History and I'm working on a Masters Degree in a related subject right now so don't doubt my knowledge. As for your question, I'll answer it with a question of my own, why do almost all poor whites in rural areas in the south vote for the Republican party, when Democratic financial policies and tax breaks clearly favor people who make under $65k a year, and Republican tax breaks and policies mostly favor people who make over $160k a year? You are right, the Civil War was a rich man's war. The rich land owners had all the poor whites fight for them by using the same fear mongering talking points that were used to get all of the conservatives hyped up about the Iraq War. Tell an uneducated southern boy that the North is trying to take over and change his way of life, he'll believe it, even if it is highly exaggerated. In actuality, the wealthy land owners didn't want their "peculiar institution" taken away by Northern Liberals.

1) its the same reason why rich gays and Jews often vote for the dems-issues other than pure economic self interest. (such as the fact that poor whites in rural area are often very pro military, pro patriotism and pro gun)

2) one can make the very credible argument that the dems pretend to care for the poor but their policies are actually designed to keep people dependent and in poverty and thus pawns of the dem party. SO your idiotic claim that the dems favor the poor ignores the fact that dem policies hurt those who might be poor but have a desire and a drive to escape poverty
 
No, I'm saying that many of the people demonized by conservatives are helpless. It makes me angry because I have a sense of right and wrong, not because I'm one of their victims.



You have wealth because you live in a society that makes it possible, protects your rights, and provides you with an environment conducive to opportunity. That costs, and some of that cost involves protecting other people. But if you don't believe you need this country, and don't want to pay in return what it asks of you, you are always welcome to go try your luck in a country that asks nothing and provides nothing - but I wouldn't recommend it. There tend to be a lot of truck-mounted machine guns and child-soldiers in countries like that.

that is as stupid as saying I got top grades because my professors awarded A grades to top students.
 
You don't even have to get moralistic or ideological... the costs to society are mitigated and everyone comes to greater returns and fewer losses thanks to the demon of socialism.

the demon of socialism has filled the mass graveyards of the world with millions of innocents over the last 100 years
 
the demon of socialism has filled the mass graveyards of the world with millions of innocents over the last 100 years
I suppose that's one way to mitigate costs. ;)
 
I suppose that's one way to mitigate costs. ;)

well socialists and other leftwing collectivists keep telling us they want to make people equal

those who fill a mass grave certainly have achieved that state
 
those who fill a mass grave certainly have achieved that state
They thought it to be the cheapest and most effective means of uniting the people.
 
They thought it to be the cheapest and most effective means of uniting the people.

yeah bullets cost about 12 cents a piece

SYL got to run
 
Look and listen to Keith Olbermann, and tell me there isn't something seriously medically wrong with the man's brain.

Liberalism is a genetic defect.
 
Look and listen to Keith Olbermann, and tell me there isn't something seriously medically wrong with the man's brain.

Liberalism is a genetic defect.

Olbermann doesn't have the gene defect - he's just a brainwashed douche.
 
I hear that we're also on the verge of a breakthrough regarding political moderates and "independents". It's long been assumed that moderate views are varied and thus difficult to characterize, but this has gone largely untested - seems no one really gives a damn about the moderate/independent worldview. Drab and uninteresting, the topic was quickly given priority status for stimulus dollars. A research team was identified one pull of the "short straw" later.

Initial findings suggest that the enormous range of moderate/independent beliefs result from a single factor - low iq. Unable to grasp simple concepts, most moderates forego politics altogether. The smarter ones (a very small subset) may form a rudimentary understanding of a topic and thus become single issue voters. The awe that stems from understanding a simple concept compels some to expand that concept into a rudimentary, naive worldview. Unable to grasp the inherent complexities of the world, these people become libertarians, or join political parties named after their favorite color.

Although stupid and unable to debate the important topics of the day, the moderate/independent nonetheless enjoys participating in online discussions where they bounce from thread to thread "enlightening" the masses with the same, droll observation that yes, "BOTH parties do it." While those on the other side of the bell curve roll their eyes, the moderate/independent relishes in having made the exact same point for the 1000th time. Never quite convinced that the others are as impressed as he by the fiercely independent caracature invented to hide his flaws, he smiles to himself thinking, "if only they could see my tattoos!"

Moderates are smarter than you say....if it wasn't for people who can see good points in both arguments, we would be ruled by the extremists.
It has been done, badly. You either think the way the govt tells you to think, or get sent of to re-education centers. If you are too vocal, and are thought to be a threat to the party running things, you might just disappear.
Or would you like to see President Limbaugh and Vice President Beck running things?
 
that is as stupid as saying I got top grades because my professors awarded A grades to top students.

That's exactly what happens. You enter a school built by someone else, learn curricula decided by someone else, taught by someone else, and receive grades from someone else according to standards determined by someone else - and the only reason your grade is based on your performance rather than how much money you or your parents pay the school is that it's public or subject to public accreditation.

Sure, you could learn the same things without anyone's help, but it would be a lot harder to convince other people to hire you or invest in your ideas if all they have is your word or a worthless diploma you bought rather than worked for. You'll just have to come to terms with the fact that your accomplishments depend on the support of a social infrastructure, and that the price of that infrastructure is paying taxes at a level sufficient to support it in return.
 
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How can liberalism be associated with a fear of change? Liberals promote change. Haven't you seen the conservative bumper sticker "You can keep your change, I'll keep my guns, money and freedom"?

A bumper sticker, no matter the content, does not convince me that one group trumps the other. Again, more generalizing and the boxing-in one group you disagree with.

We could argue the semantics here, but you would probably be afraid to change your mind.:2razz:

It seems to me when our President stands up and tells our Latino citizens not to vote for the Republicans that the real fear of change isn't stemming soley from conservatives.

All change is not always good.
 
All change is not always good.

change for the sake of change sucks.

one of the local politicians here has an add bashing the change motiff.

he asks:

"what is the change my opponent wants to make?"

our taxes are among the lowest in the nation...does he want to change that?
our economic growth is in the top 10 in the nation...does he want to change that?
our schools are among the best performing in the region...does he want to change that?


damn good campaign ad.
 
QED. You can pout and act like what I said is unfair, but I think we both know it isn't. I'm not saying any given conservative is necessarily a bad person, but conservatism is an ideology that arises from morally, emotionally, and intellectually crippled minds who would rather blame the people they step on than do something constructive.


What is referred to as conservatism in America (not to be confused with the European version), is an ideology that recognizes certain fundamental facts: one of the most important being that nothing is free, especially government handouts; and that somebody has to pay for everything; and that the well of gov't freebies is only so deep.

It's called reality.

I'm terribly sorry if that rains on your parade.
 
What is referred to as conservatism in America (not to be confused with the European version), is an ideology that recognizes certain fundamental facts: one of the most important being that nothing is free, especially government handouts; and that somebody has to pay for everything; and that the well of gov't freebies is only so deep.

It's called reality.

I'm terribly sorry if that rains on your parade.

Tax cuts have to be paid for...
Wars have to be paid for...
Subsidies to those who don't need them have to be paid for...

Everything costs something, if not now, then later.

I would hope that conservatives and liberals both agree with that...
 
The Liberal gene... yet another fascinating example of how harmful mutations can subsist in a species, contrary to the old Darwinian adage that "only the strong survive"

So... It appears that liberals were correct all along in asserting and insisting that "Liberalism is NOT a mental disorder"... it's really more of a genetic disorder.

High risk groups - women, blacks, and effeminate men - are all urged to get tested.

LOL, wow, I spit my soda all over my monitor.. :)

Tim-
 
Moderates are smarter than you say....if it wasn't for people who can see good points in both arguments, we would be ruled by the extremists.
It has been done, badly. You either think the way the govt tells you to think, or get sent of to re-education centers. If you are too vocal, and are thought to be a threat to the party running things, you might just disappear.
Or would you like to see President Limbaugh and Vice President Beck running things?
I doubt most moderates are the type that spend much time weighing arguments or thinking about issues. I expect most would describe politics as boring and would have trouble naming their Senators, much less their party affiliation. When it comes time to vote, the choices they make are not derived from knowing issues so much as picking up on general trends or the mood of the nation. Moderates are the type of people who are quick to point out how dumb O'Donnell is, but can't provide a single example why.

Of course that's all just my opinion, based off personal experience.
 
I doubt most moderates are the type that spend much time weighing arguments or thinking about issues. I expect most would describe politics as boring and would have trouble naming their Senators, much less their party affiliation. When it comes time to vote, the choices they make are not derived from knowing issues so much as picking up on general trends or the mood of the nation. Moderates are the type of people who are quick to point out how dumb O'Donnell is, but can't provide a single example why.

Of course that's all just my opinion, based off personal experience.
You are probably right, most moderates don't need to think about the issues. But it is because they have enough education to see the obvious, which is better than far left liberals and/or their conservative counterparts. People who make up the fringe of their parties are often loud and obnoxious, but lacking in good judgement.
and I can't believe anybody thinks O'Donnell is smart. The things she has said over the years is proof enough that she ins't smart enough to keep her dumass opinions to herself...
If she wins, it is just another indication of how low our standards have become since we elected BushLight. And I say we because I voted for him, twice. There is just no atoning for that, I will just have to carry the shame to my grave....:(
 
How can liberalism be associated with a fear of change? Liberals promote change.
Yes, change for the sake of change.

It doesn't matter what direction a Liberal heads, the arrow always points to "progress." :D

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I wonder if there's a gene that makes people want to argue in pointless generalizations and sweeping strokes
 
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