Any FJingerites with conservative opinions?

[Claddagh]

I'm mostly in the middle politically. Both sides have things I agree and disagree with.

For me, it's injustice and cruelty that angers me more than anything.

[rollmeover]

In some things I am conservative. I am pro-life, which seems to be seen in America as very conservative, but when it means more than just being against abortion it takes you into pretty liberal company - when I'm being active against war and the death penalty, it often shocks the people that I'm with that I am also against abortion and euthaniasia. But because I am anti-globalisation and interested in lots of social justice causes, I guess I often am taking everything on a case by case basis, rather than being wholly liberal or wholly conservative.

[YPestis]

I am the OP and I'm (once again) late to my own thread. I wanted to clarify a couple of things.

I used education as an example of what I find myself at odds with my compared to my more liberal friends. However, I did not intend for the debate the center around education. That said, it's nice to read thoughtful opinions on this issue.

I forgot that we have an international audience on Free Jinger and I apologize for confusing those international readers who may think I'm referring to "conservative" with a capital C. I am American and when we say "conservative", it means a certain set of political stances on certain issues. This typically means being "pro" traditional values. People who identify with social conservatism in our country tend to view the world through religious eyes and want to "return" to some of the old values believed lost. This could mean banning gay marriage, advocating pro-life policies, increasing punitive punishments for offenders including the death penalty. The list goes on. I'm generalizing, off course. But the idea is that those advocating this are people who view the current trend of social liberalization as a negative.

Interestingly enough, social conservatism in the US also means having a bootstrap mentality and support for reduced government involvement in social welfare programs. There's more stress on personal responsibility and less on government programs to reduce poverty. I think this type of social conservatism is also linked with a pro-business ideology in that private enterprises are seen as superior to anything government provides. In that way, my support for public education could be construed as liberal.

The fundies we walk about are the most right wing of social conservatism and very much a fringe element.

With all that said, I understand political ideology is far more complex than can be defined by a simple term. Many people in the US share elements of both conservative and liberal values. People vote based on which political party most closely aligns with their belief system. That's why I started this thread, to see some of that political complexity among Jingerites.

I hope that clarifies things.

[PennySycamore]

I don't have a conservative bone in my body. I'm a dirty, fuckin' hippie and have been for almost 50 years. (I started early!) I've always said that I was the only Communist in my sixth grade class. It would be fine with me if they'd ban all guns, but then i'm a pacifist. I am neither for nor against homeschooling or even unschooling if it's done right.

[Ramona]

when I'm being active against war and the death penalty, it often shocks the people that I'm with that I am also against abortion and euthaniasia.

I found it really odd when I saw people making assumptions that those who are pro-life would also be pro-death penalty.. I was thinking wtf? because to me, that's odd. I'm mostly pro-life and I am very definitely against the death penalty - right from the start you have the chance that an innocent person could be convicted of a crime that he/she didn't commit. That risk right there puts it right off the table as an option, as far as I'm concerned. Anyway yeah .. I had no idea (until further reading) that so many of the fundie pro-life folks were also pro-death penalty. They come at it from a religious sanctity of life angle, so why doesn't that apply to the other end? (and that makes me wonder.. would those same people be against self-chosen euthanasia too? I'm okay with that, as long as the wishes of that individual are being followed -- we don't want people choosing to put down their grandparents. ;)

[formergothardite]

Religious anti-choicers are usually just pro-fetus, that is why they are for the death penalty and don't give one shit about a kid once it is born.

I'm pro-choice, pro-euthanansia and anti-death penalty.

[pixydust]

I am a staunch Republican. While I do believe in equal marriage rights, the legalization (or decriminalisation) of marijuana, and consider myself agnostic, that's about where the liberal pow-wow ends for me.

I don't believe in handouts. Im not a fan of people expecting the system to step in and pay for their out-of-wedlock children that they cannot afford. I don't think throwing money we dont have at major issues is going to get us anywhere. I support the second-amendment. I think that people should complain less and work harder.

I also think that since I dont have thousands of posts, all of my opinions will be ripped apart and I will be called a shit-stirring troll. I don't much care what anyone on an internet message board thinks, though. People asked that we lurkers be more vocal - and these are only my viewpoints. I would never try to push them on anyone else.

There are plenty of others like myself out there who probably dont have the guts to say how they feel for fear of disagreement.

Its good to see other right-wingers out there, though I knew you were there all along. :)

It's not your opinions that make you seem like a shit stirring troll, it is saying that we will rip apart your opinions because you're a noob. I'm on my.phone right now, so u could have 1 post or 10,000..... I wouldn't know, and I don't really care. Your opinions are yours and that is fine. You don't want people to think that you are a troll? Don't assume we will disagree for a stupid reason, I'm a socialist, so I have plenty of legit reasons to disagree with you.

*this post was made without my mod panties on....these are my opinions and are nit necessarily endorsed by Free Jinger

[Seven Severn]

I'm very, very liberal with one exception: I think English should be made the official language of the U.S. If you cannot read, write, and speak (unless there's a physical issue) standard American English after three years of residence then, sorry, you're going back where you came from. You are free to speak your native tongue in your home, when you're out with your friends, standing in line to vote, whatever. But all signs, gov't. documents, all job applications, every everything will be in English and you will conduct your business in English. Period. Your native tongue will not be accommodated. Also, in that three years, I'm asking for competency, not fluency. Fluency takes more time, but I would expect people to constantly be striving for it.

In regards to education I'm quite radical in my liberalism: I want all private schools and homeschooling to be made illegal. I want everyone to have to buy into the public school system. We have the tiered system we have today because the wealthy can buy their way out. If the wealthy are forced to become invested in the public school system then things are bound to improve. What I want is complete equality in education. Those students with special needs, whether below or above average will have those needs met within the system. Teacher education programs would be rigorous and weed out those not up to the task. A graduate degree would be required of all teachers. Essentially, what I want is the Finnish system imposed on the U.S. and it will never happen. Not ever.

[LilacLover]

I have a slight conservative lean. I think the government spends too much on BS and not enough on improving the economy. However, I support gay marraige and don't believe in taking away the right to choose, even though abortion makes me kind of sad. I don't like associating myself with either party, they both have an ugly side. I vote based on my opinion of individual candidates, not which team they play for. I guess I just identify me as me. Not as left or right, but as kind of a science nerd who likes reality TV, animals, crafts and reading.

P.S. I don't have a gun but I do have some pretty potent pepper spray.

[SamuraiKatz]

I support same sex marriage, safe affordable birth control, universal health care, public education and legalization/taxation of marijuana.

I support equal rights and full access to society for all persons.

I think the safety net needs to be strengthened rather than shredded. The last four or five years has been hell for a lot of people

I do not support the death penalty as it is now applied. I don't believe prisons should be run by private corporations. Keeping prisons full becomes a profit motive and that is the antithesis of justice.

I think that all financial institutions should be heavily regulated. There is no such thing is as "too big to fail"

I think our electoral process should be free of corporate peddling and influence.

I think religion is a personal private matter and government/laws should not be made to impose the religious views of any one group. The same crowd screaming no Sharia Law is the same crowd say Jesus says every egg is a baby.

I also view conservatives as the party of war. I hear people say. We lost Vietnam or Korea or Iraq. Really? I didn't know our country owned those lands. As a military brat, I've had enough war to last me ten life times

Short answer: I've spent too many years living in a Bible Belt red state. I'm female, in a same sex relationship and atheist/agnostic. The Republican party conservatism has nothing to offer.

ETA Additional thoughts

[GolightlyGrrl]

I support same sex marriage, safe affordable birth control, universal health care, public education and legalization/taxation of marijuana.

I support equal rights and full access to society for all persons.

I think the safety net needs to be strengthened rather than shredded. The last four or five years has been hell for a lot of people

I do not support the death penalty as it is now applied. I don't believe prisons should be run by private corporations. Keeping prisons full becomes a profit motive and that is the antithesis of justice.

I think that all financial institutions should be heavily regulated. There is no such thing is as "too big to fail"

I think our electoral process should be free of corporate peddling and influence.

I think religion is a personal private matter and government/laws should not be made to impose the religious views of any one group. The same crowd screaming no Sharia Law is the same crowd say Jesus says every egg is a baby.

I also view conservatives as the party of war. I hear people say. We lost Vietnam or Korea or Iraq. Really? I didn't know our country owned those lands. As a military brat, I've had enough war to last me ten life times

Short answer: I've spent too many years living in a Bible Belt red state. I'm female, in a same sex relationship and atheist/agnostic. The Republican party conservatism has nothing to offer.

ETA Additional thoughts

Are we the same person? I pretty much agree with everything you wrote.

[lilwriter85]

I consider myself mostly liberal. There is one ongoing controversial issue here in the U.S. that I don't have liberal stance on.

[lilwriter85]

I agree with the vast majority of this. I am a libertarian as well and own guns. I have serious issues with our current welfare system and abuse. Unemployment is one thing, especially in this economy, but in my line of work I see far too many people that have never worked a day in their lives, spend their time smoking pot and watching TV. I'd cut that shit off.

My uncle is a retired welfare case worker and over the years he mentioned people like that. Sometimes he felt like quitting. I agree, welfare abuse needs to be dealt with.

[Violet]

I have mostly liberal leanings, although politics bore/confuse/scare the hell out of me, so I tend not to get too involved if I can help it.

I am pro-choice, and pro-euthanasia but also support decent palliative care. (Basically I want people to have the right to choose how they end their lives.) I'm against the death penalty - firstly what kind of pyschopath must you be to be able to execute murderers (usually psychopaths) in cold blood? I'm sorry it does not sit right with me, the whole "a life for a life" idea. I don't understand the love of guns in the US and do think they should be banned.

Education, oh education. I don't really agree with homeschooling. A friend of mine who was a missionary kid (pretty fundie, come to think of it, although fundie lite by US standards) was homeschooled during her last year in Turkey - she didn't like it and didn't actually have any English lessons for a year because of the online programme they used - her teacher didn't bother checking up on her or anything so she didn't do the work. I guess the only time I'd be for homeschooling would be if illness or something kept the child from regularly attending school, in which case I'd want proper tutors etc. I'm not sure about my stance on private schools, I'm a bit of an inverted snob in that respect. A lot of people who went to my uni went to private schools and it landed them in the same top university that my hard work and state school education landed me. University here is entirely private, I think? Although we have student finance - basically tuition fee and maintenance loans, plus means-tested grants. It's not perfect (as in the maintenance loan does not cover my rent, so the Bank of Mum and Dad have to chip in...) but we do have something at least.

I'm also pro-NHS, for all its fault, the fact that I don't have to pay for healthcare/insurance is brilliant.

[Minerva]

I'm a socialist and I don't think I have a single conservative belief.

However I work for a capitalist, and not even one who tries to be "responsible" or whatever. He treats us like shit and I've never even tried to unionize despite having many co-workers who would be on board. I think I'd also feel guilty if I started working for the government or for a union because I've internalized one too many idiot complaining about how "dey're stealin our hard-earned money!" I use a lot of academic jargon when talking about the politics of oppression and all that, which can exclude the people who should have the biggest say.

Oh wait, here's one. I'm not sure I can get behind fully legalizing hard drugs like heroine. I'm all for anything that can demonstrably help people with addictions get un-hooked, though, which means I can't support a blanket ban, either. I'm not in the "weed is always completely harmless" crowd, either, though I don't call that conservative so much as common sense. I am still fully behind legalizing it.

I didn't realize there was a partisan aspect to the question of education. I think the traditional method works for most kids, and a small minority need something different, either because they have special needs or a radically different style of learning. I don't think it should be on parents to provide their kid with an education just because they are in this minority, though I don't see why they should be stopped if they want to, so long as they meet certain criteria and can't get away with SOTDRT.

[O Latin]

I used to be very conservative, and I still tend to think of myself that way, although if I think about my opinions on individual issues, I realize I've gotten a lot more liberal over the last few years. I do think there should be one single income tax rate for everyone (except those below a certain income level), but I would also support things like universal health care and I realize the money for that would have to come from somewhere, so I realize that my ideal would not necessarily translate into a functional reality.

I do think that religion is generally a good thing (although my own personal religious beliefs are leaning more and more toward agnostic, I think), and I don't mind a certain amount of religion in the public realm, so I suppose that might be a more conservative opinion

My thing with education, which I don't think is necessarily liberal OR conservative, is that a) I think it should be a lot more difficult (or, failing that, there should be more options for advanced students), and b) while I generally agree with the OP that most people can become reasonably proficient in any subject if they work at it, not everyone is going to go into a STEM field, and that is okay. The world does still need writers and musicians and political scientists and history teachers and students who feel they are better suited to one of those areas should be encouraged just as much as the science-y types, as should students who want to pursue something that does not require a traditional college degree.

[darareaksmey]

I am pretty far left. I have pictures of myself from back in the day putting red flowers on Karl Marx's grave in Highgate cemetery; my right-leaning roomie at the time saved them and swore that she would have them published if I ever ran for office. As it happens, I wouldn't run for office if my life depended on it; and that old roomie is now a Democrat.

The one issue that I am sorta conservative on is punitive damage awards. I think they are a windfall for the plaintiff and I think they are arbitrarily awarded, and I would support reasonable legislated limits on them. I've thought long and hard about it, and deity knows I don't have any great love for the mega corps who've been the movers and shakers behind such legislation. I think damages awards ought to reflect actual damages, past and future; and any punitives should be limited to a small percentage of the actual damages and should include payment of the plaintiff's legal fees.

[BravaAmica]

Are we the same person? I pretty much agree with everything you wrote.

QFT

So, no, this FJer doesn't have many conservative opinions.

[jaynie]

I've been trying to think of something on which I've even middle of the road since I saw this thread this morning, but I can't :lol: . I try to be pragmatic and think about what works well, what is fairest to the most people, what science and research support -- but most of the time this has just made me even more left wing. My aunt (a daily fail reading tory) says I have problems with the so-called Nanny state, but I don't really see how the few problems I have (the ones that are legitimate and not made-up sensationalistic journalism) make me less liberal.

I *am* less revolution-inclined than I used to be, though. More of a "convince people and progress gradually leftward" type. Unless the theocrats in the USA start winning too much ground, in which case, break out the red flags and give me a crash course in guerilla warfare. :lol:

Oh wait, here's one. I'm not sure I can get behind fully legalizing hard drugs like heroine. I'm all for anything that can demonstrably help people with addictions get un-hooked, though, which means I can't support a blanket ban, either.

This is something I've been thinking about lately. It's fairly easy to say that it's hypocritical for tobacco and alcohol to be legal but not marijuana, and that legalizing pot would likely be more beneficial than harmful. And I tend to think LSD and ecstasy should be legal, because again, both are generally less harmful than alcohol (problems with ecstasy tend to be due to impurities, so it has a really bad reputation). But harder drugs are somewhat more difficult. How do you say "legalize crystal meth" when 98% of people who try it once will be hooked and suffer severe health consequences as a result? But by the same token, what good does it do to charge someone with possession of a drug they can't function without? And there are problems with an unregulated product, like I mentioned with ecstasy, that compound the potential problems. Plus synthetic drugs spring up more quickly than they can be criminalize, so laws seem more like addressing the symptoms rather than the cause. I'm currently toying with the idea that selling should be illegal but not purchasing/possession, that rehab programs should be easily accessible, and perhaps, that selling impure drugs should carry a stiffer fine. But the real problem is that we've got a significant number of people who are compelled to start using herion, etc, in the first place, and that's much harder to address.

[Minerva]

Anyone who's ever criticized Hellatrix is right-wing, so quite a few of us might as well own up.

[StacyW]

I'm very, very liberal with one exception: I think English should be made the official language of the U.S. If you cannot read, write, and speak (unless there's a physical issue) standard American English after three years of residence then, sorry, you're going back where you came from. You are free to speak your native tongue in your home, when you're out with your friends, standing in line to vote, whatever. But all signs, gov't. documents, all job applications, every everything will be in English and you will conduct your business in English. Period. Your native tongue will not be accommodated. Also, in that three years, I'm asking for competency, not fluency. Fluency takes more time, but I would expect people to constantly be striving for it.

In regards to education I'm quite radical in my liberalism: I want all private schools and homeschooling to be made illegal. I want everyone to have to buy into the public school system. We have the tiered system we have today because the wealthy can buy their way out. If the wealthy are forced to become invested in the public school system then things are bound to improve. What I want is complete equality in education. Those students with special needs, whether below or above average will have those needs met within the system. Teacher education programs would be rigorous and weed out those not up to the task. A graduate degree would be required of all teachers. Essentially, what I want is the Finnish system imposed on the U.S. and it will never happen. Not ever.

I think the public school system should accommodate a wider range of students but I don't think private schools should be outlawed. There are different "schools of thought" with regard to education, and what if my preference isn't what the public school system offers? And no matter how good the public school system is, they can't provide the optimum environment for every single child. I have 3 kids, and at different times each one was in a private school because of their particular need at the time. The default in our family, however, was the public school system.

[Miggy]

Very left. I was a member of the Democratic Socialists while at uni. Now a member of the Greens. I still support many of the policies of the Democratic Socialists but I have found more satisfaction working within a party that has some success politically. I could NEVER vote for either the Labor or Liberal parties as I consider them both to be fairly centre in their policies. The American right - wow - they just terrify me. I resent the impact they have on Australian politics when in power in the US. (Can somebody please explain to me why Australians are fighting in Iraq? Several of my friends, Iraqi citizens, have been killed and the only reason I can offer for us being there is "because Dubya said jump and Johnny Howard said how high".)

The big three:

# Abortion = I've had one myself and don't regret it for a minute. Definately support.

# Homosexuality = That would be my brother and he deserves exactly the same rights that I have. He is a really good person; kind, gentle, generous, loving. Why can't he marry his partner? It won't change anyone elses life. It won't destroy the "traditional" family or devalue man/woman marriage or anything else conservatives like to argue.

# Guns = Pacifist. I would never own one and I don't believe there is ever a need to shoot another human being. i do not object to other people owning guns for use in sport and/or hunting but I believe there should be very strict rules controlling what guns can be kept and who can use them.

So, no, I don't think I hold any conservative opinions.

[wild little fox]

None here, except some gun rights. People should be able to have guns, just not all the crazy hoarding! The access to semi-automatics and large capicity clips is very disturbing to me. my family we have three hunting rifles and that is it. That is enough for three people.

[lilwriter85]

Is anyone else here against illegal immigration or have some issues with it? That is the controversial issue I mentioned in a previous post, I decided to ask about it.

[karismanic]

Treading cautiously as a newbie here... :)

I'm actually surprised that a couple of FJites have conservative opinions -- I thought I was the only one. :) I probably identify best as a conservative libertarian since I believe in a small government and personal responsibility/autonomy. But I do have some opinions that make me not fit in with my super-conservative friends:

I favor states deciding themselves about the legalization of marijuana. I see alcohol as a much more dangerous substance, so why not allow marijuana if it's used responsibly (of legal age, no driving under the influence)?

I see the need for some kind of health care reform to make insurance more affordable the unemployed/underemployed. My husband went through two years of underemployment, and health care costs are insane here in the US. I'm just not sure about a single-payer government system. I'd rather see inter-state insurance company competition and some federal guidelines to give people with preexisting conditions some options in the marketplace.

I don't think the government should legislate morality -- therefore, I'd rather the government be out of the marriage business. I'd rather everyone be able to obtain a government civil union with their partner and leave "marriages" to be a service conducted by local faith communities at their own discretion.

Most conservatives (and our beloved fundies) are all about prayer in public schools. Me? Not so much. I am a religious person, but allowing prayer in public schools means providing equal time and access to every faith. That's just too cumbersome, takes away from instruction time, and undermines the religious decisions parents have already made for their families.

As for education, I'm okay with public schools -- attended them, even. However, I've seen what high-stakes testing and "teaching to the test" have done to lower standards here in my state, so I strongly support school choice initiatives -- both within the district (magnet programs, charter schools) and outside (vouchers). I'm cool with homeschooling and am actually considering it when the time comes for my child -- but done more within a co-op environment to have more access to socialization and extra-curricular activities.

So...abortion...that's hard. It's such a difficult and sad situation for any woman. I personally would not terminate a pregnancy, but I also believe in people having the autonomy to make their own decisions. I would rather society come up with better solutions to prevent unwanted pregnancies -- availability of cheap/free contraception and an improved foster/adoption system.

Otherwise, I'm a small government kinda gal who thinks the best solutions happen locally with input and oversight by the citizens personally affected.

No matter what conservative opinions I have, it doesn't change my feelings on the dangers of patriarchy and religious abuse -- the reasons I come here to FJ to read the latest and gawk and snark with the rest of you. :)