Political Labels - so what's the difference

[BigRedBuster]

JJ sort of beat me to it.

 

My response is that poly sci can get into more of the workings of politics in the country. Really......that probably needs to be learned but it really doesn't get you to a point where you can make educated decisions on the issues.

 

Honestly, the idea above that everyone take economics would at least be a good start.

[TGHusker]

Agree, King, although (and this is a silly little quibble) I'd use the word "responsible" instead of "positive." Too many Americans take the vote for granted, or they see it as a burden. Well, when you aren't a responsible steward of the power you're given, that power is ripe for misuse by someone else.

 

Too many are also lazy, and allow someone else to do their thinking for them. We don't teach or encourage critical thinking in our youth and haven't for generations. That gets us a population unused to and often unwilling to do the brain work it takes to make sound judgments on candidates. They're far more prone to influence than they should be, and we have.... this mess.

Knapp couldn't agree wt you more. It is really a shame that we get such low voter turnout. I heard someone on the radio talk about how we are now 'addicted' to our gadgets - we spend more time following some celeb on twitter than we do in researching issues and candidates. We have all of these 'apps' that we need to keep up with that so many don't bother to concern themselves wt the real important issues of the day. We've become a nation of introspective, narcissistic zombies. Let others do the thinking for you while I tell everyone about my latest event that everyone wants to know about - 'when outside and took a poop today'

[TGHusker]

JJ sort of beat me to it.

 

My response is that poly sci can get into more of the workings of politics in the country. Really......that probably needs to be learned but it really doesn't get you to a point where you can make educated decisions on the issues.

 

Honestly, the idea above that everyone take economics would at least be a good start.

I would agree with this. I had a poly sci minor and that teaches a lot of 'functional' things of gov, party org etc. However, it is economics that people really need to understand and I wish I had a greater understanding myself. What are the ramification of a particular tax policy (progressive income, flat, fair, etc), long term debt vs short term, inflation vs deflation policies, etc

[Junior]

Agree, King, although (and this is a silly little quibble) I'd use the word "responsible" instead of "positive." Too many Americans take the vote for granted, or they see it as a burden. Well, when you aren't a responsible steward of the power you're given, that power is ripe for misuse by someone else.

 

Too many are also lazy, and allow someone else to do their thinking for them. We don't teach or encourage critical thinking in our youth and haven't for generations. That gets us a population unused to and often unwilling to do the brain work it takes to make sound judgments on candidates. They're far more prone to influence than they should be, and we have.... this mess.

Knapp couldn't agree wt you more. It is really a shame that we get such low voter turnout. I heard someone on the radio talk about how we are now 'addicted' to our gadgets - we spend more time following some celeb on twitter than we do in researching issues and candidates. We have all of these 'apps' that we need to keep up with that so many don't bother to concern themselves wt the real important issues of the day. We've become a nation of introspective, narcissistic zombies. Let others do the thinking for you while I tell everyone about my latest event that everyone wants to know about - 'when outside and took a poop today'

 

I disagree with the premise that people are fundamentally any different today than 30 years ago. I'm quite convinced that 30 years ago, the adults of the era were saying the exact same things.

[BigRedBuster]

Agree, King, although (and this is a silly little quibble) I'd use the word "responsible" instead of "positive." Too many Americans take the vote for granted, or they see it as a burden. Well, when you aren't a responsible steward of the power you're given, that power is ripe for misuse by someone else.

 

Too many are also lazy, and allow someone else to do their thinking for them. We don't teach or encourage critical thinking in our youth and haven't for generations. That gets us a population unused to and often unwilling to do the brain work it takes to make sound judgments on candidates. They're far more prone to influence than they should be, and we have.... this mess.

I just caught something you said and am interested. What do you mean by the above highlighted quote?

 

I ask this because I at one time I did a bunch of reading about the difference between our educational system and a China's. I have always been frustrated that people claim they are so far ahead of us in math and science. One thing I remember reading was the thought that China crams data into their heads. They are disciplined to sit and not question what they are being told. You are to learn XYZ by the time you leave. The US is much more about teaching problem solving and questioning the status quo.

 

So, employers have found that educated Chinese people are better at sitting down and processing data while American educated people are much more "bigger picture" type thinkers.

[BigRedBuster]

Agree, King, although (and this is a silly little quibble) I'd use the word "responsible" instead of "positive." Too many Americans take the vote for granted, or they see it as a burden. Well, when you aren't a responsible steward of the power you're given, that power is ripe for misuse by someone else.

 

Too many are also lazy, and allow someone else to do their thinking for them. We don't teach or encourage critical thinking in our youth and haven't for generations. That gets us a population unused to and often unwilling to do the brain work it takes to make sound judgments on candidates. They're far more prone to influence than they should be, and we have.... this mess.

Knapp couldn't agree wt you more. It is really a shame that we get such low voter turnout. I heard someone on the radio talk about how we are now 'addicted' to our gadgets - we spend more time following some celeb on twitter than we do in researching issues and candidates. We have all of these 'apps' that we need to keep up with that so many don't bother to concern themselves wt the real important issues of the day. We've become a nation of introspective, narcissistic zombies. Let others do the thinking for you while I tell everyone about my latest event that everyone wants to know about - 'when outside and took a poop today'

 

I disagree with the premise that people are fundamentally any different today than 30 years ago. I'm quite convinced that 30 years ago, the adults of the era were saying the exact same things.

 

What is kind of funny is that the kids from 30 years ago that were driving their parents crazy with their liberalism are now the parents that are appalled by their kids liberalism. (yes...I know another generalization but something I have witnessed many times in my life)

[The King]

Didn't everyone take some type of American Government or Political Science in High School?

 

I believe government, yes.

 

I think Political Science is a lot more than "American" government though...

 

I agree that more educated voters and people being aware of the issues would help immensely. However, I don't know if a "poly sci" class would serve that purpose. Where does the curriculum come from? Who is teaching it and what predispositions do they have? I took poly sci at UNL and much of it took the form of indoctrination rather than honest, positionless, education.

 

Refer back to that post that I made, and I think I stated that it wouldn't work because of how it would be taught. However, sorry for going off topic, but these questions I have highlighted are more an indictment of our educational system and why it needs to be fixed. For instance, if we privatized education, ideally it would raise the quality of our education and filter out the bad seeds. The person who is teaching it, and their "personal" viewpoint would take a backseat to the curriculum. If you have a well-rounded curriculum, it is certainly harder to slant your teachings one way or another (note that I said it is harder to do so). By privatizing it, competition would cause the best curriculum to come forth, thus giving the best education - once again, this is all under ideal conditions. In my opinion (from the 2 universities I have attended) is that Political Science should not teach you what to think or what/who is best, but how to think and why it is best (in YOUR opinion). Obviously, finding professors who allow this to happen are...few and far between, at the moment.

[The King]

Agree, King, although (and this is a silly little quibble) I'd use the word "responsible" instead of "positive." Too many Americans take the vote for granted, or they see it as a burden. Well, when you aren't a responsible steward of the power you're given, that power is ripe for misuse by someone else. Too many are also lazy, and allow someone else to do their thinking for them. We don't teach or encourage critical thinking in our youth and haven't for generations. That gets us a population unused to and often unwilling to do the brain work it takes to make sound judgments on candidates. They're far more prone to influence than they should be, and we have.... this mess.

Knapp couldn't agree wt you more. It is really a shame that we get such low voter turnout. I heard someone on the radio talk about how we are now 'addicted' to our gadgets - we spend more time following some celeb on twitter than we do in researching issues and candidates. We have all of these 'apps' that we need to keep up with that so many don't bother to concern themselves wt the real important issues of the day. We've become a nation of introspective, narcissistic zombies. Let others do the thinking for you while I tell everyone about my latest event that everyone wants to know about - 'when outside and took a poop today'

I disagree with the premise that people are fundamentally any different today than 30 years ago. I'm quite convinced that 30 years ago, the adults of the era were saying the exact same things.

Agree, King, although (and this is a silly little quibble) I'd use the word "responsible" instead of "positive." Too many Americans take the vote for granted, or they see it as a burden. Well, when you aren't a responsible steward of the power you're given, that power is ripe for misuse by someone else. Too many are also lazy, and allow someone else to do their thinking for them. We don't teach or encourage critical thinking in our youth and haven't for generations. That gets us a population unused to and often unwilling to do the brain work it takes to make sound judgments on candidates. They're far more prone to influence than they should be, and we have.... this mess.

Knapp couldn't agree wt you more. It is really a shame that we get such low voter turnout. I heard someone on the radio talk about how we are now 'addicted' to our gadgets - we spend more time following some celeb on twitter than we do in researching issues and candidates. We have all of these 'apps' that we need to keep up with that so many don't bother to concern themselves wt the real important issues of the day. We've become a nation of introspective, narcissistic zombies. Let others do the thinking for you while I tell everyone about my latest event that everyone wants to know about - 'when outside and took a poop today'

I disagree with the premise that people are fundamentally any different today than 30 years ago. I'm quite convinced that 30 years ago, the adults of the era were saying the exact same things.

 

Oh, I'd have to say fundamentally we have changed significantly over time - maybe not noticeably over the last 30 years, but they've changed significantly. I'd like to seeactual debates on actual issues; not a bunch of people bitching about gay marriage or abortion or some sh#t like that.

[JJ Husker]

 

What is kind of funny is that the kids from 30 years ago that were driving their parents crazy with their liberalism are now the parents that are appalled by their kids liberalism. (yes...I know another generalization but something I have witnessed many times in my life)

 

Not to derail the thread but this hints at a point I was making in the other left/right topic. When I was a kid, I remember knock down dragout arguments between my dad and brother about the length of his hair. Of course my parents wanted it cut shorter and he, being a teen in the late 60's/early 70's wanted it longer. Flash forward 30-40 years, I have never once had the hair discussion with my son. He has worn it very long at times (when he was playing hockey that was the thing with hockey players for some reason) and he has worn it quite short. I've got bigger, more important things to be concerned with than hair length. But, this is a simple example of how conservative values (short "clean cut" hair) have given way to a more liberal acceptance. Pretty much however anyone wants to wear their hair nowadays is considered fairly acceptable. Now those big ass ear hole rings are another story.....

 

I don't doubt that many of todays parents are appalled by their kids liberalism just as our parents were. What I find amusing is that my son seems to be quite conservative even two years into his college career. He seems to love arguing with the liberal professors and others in his college classes. So, at least in this case, I am not appalled by his liberalism but rather somewhat surprised by his conservatism.

[tschu]

Political labels. Hm, how about this. Pick which of these two healthcare plans sounds best to you:

 

Barack Obama's socialist "Obamacare"

Mitt Romney's conservative plan for Affordable, Quality, Accountable Health Care

[walksalone]

1. Progressive (is this just a modern day term for liberal?)

2. Liberal

3. Socialist

4. Neo-Conservative

5 Conservative

6. Constitutional Conservative

7. Libertarian (Is a libertarian the same as the old classical liberal: "Classical liberalism is a political philosophy and ideology belonging to liberalism in which primary emphasis is placed on securing the freedom of the individual by limiting the power of the government" http://en.wikipedia....ical_liberalism ( the bold & underlined is not true of today's definition of a liberal)

 

All these created merely to help the media and arm chair politico's figure out who to blame...

[strigori]

 

What is kind of funny is that the kids from 30 years ago that were driving their parents crazy with their liberalism are now the parents that are appalled by their kids liberalism. (yes...I know another generalization but something I have witnessed many times in my life)

 

Not to derail the thread but this hints at a point I was making in the other left/right topic. When I was a kid, I remember knock down dragout arguments between my dad and brother about the length of his hair. Of course my parents wanted it cut shorter and he, being a teen in the late 60's/early 70's wanted it longer. Flash forward 30-40 years, I have never once had the hair discussion with my son. He has worn it very long at times (when he was playing hockey that was the thing with hockey players for some reason) and he has worn it quite short. I've got bigger, more important things to be concerned with than hair length. But, this is a simple example of how conservative values (short "clean cut" hair) have given way to a more liberal acceptance. Pretty much however anyone wants to wear their hair nowadays is considered fairly acceptable. Now those big ass ear hole rings are another story.....

 

I don't doubt that many of todays parents are appalled by their kids liberalism just as our parents were. What I find amusing is that my son seems to be quite conservative even two years into his college career. He seems to love arguing with the liberal professors and others in his college classes. So, at least in this case, I am not appalled by his liberalism but rather somewhat surprised by his conservatism.

Facial hair and tattoos would be another giant change, even over the last 15 years. I remember jobs having no facial hair rules, and no visible tattoo rules. In high school, the job I had would send people home for 5 o'clock shadow. And those have all pretty much gone away.