How to tell if you're liberal or conservative

[fisher]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/opinion/28kristof.html Op-Ed Columnist
Would You Slap Your Father? If So, You’re a Liberal


By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
Published: May 27, 2009

If you want to tell whether someone is conservative or liberal, what are a couple of completely nonpolitical questions that will give a good clue?


How’s this: Would you be willing to slap your father in the face, with his permission, as part of a comedy skit?

And, second: Does it disgust you to touch the faucet in a public restroom?

Studies suggest that conservatives are more often distressed by actions that seem disrespectful of authority, such as slapping Dad. Liberals don’t worry as long as Dad has given permission.

Likewise, conservatives are more likely than liberals to sense contamination or perceive disgust. People who would be disgusted to find that they had accidentally sipped from an acquaintance’s drink are more likely to identify as conservatives.

The upshot is that liberals and conservatives don’t just think differently, they also feel differently. This may even be a result, in part, of divergent neural responses.

Here's how to tell if you are liberal--

Talk all day long about your empathy and sympathy for others and when the church or salvation army or united way or red cross, etc asks for money to help those in need, you turn the other cheek.

Just look at Biden and Obama's (prior to running for Pres) track record of charitable contributions to see how liberals talk a big talk but don't walk the walk.

It also goes beyond monetary giving. Liberals are also less likely to give of their time and talents than conservatives.

Democrats and Republicans - Rhetoric ... - Google Book Search

http://www.arthurbrooks.net/whoreallycares/excerpt.html

And here is one on Bush and Kerry well before Presidential runs were contemplated.

http://www.joelcomm.com/bush_vs_kerry_who_is_more_comp.html

and here is one on Cheney and Gore.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1615415/posts

So, the empathy/sympathy thing doesn't fly when the rubber meets the road. Rhetoric like Obamas needs to be backed up with action. A lot of hot air is all it is when liberals talk about their big hearts and versus the cold hearts of conservatives. The data doesn't back up the rhetoric. Liberals hate data and facts. No two ways about it- liberals aren't nearly as empathetic or sympathetic as they boast to be.


Or, talk all day long about higher taxes to fund the needs of others like Whoopie Goldberg. But, when new taxes are proposed (like they were in California) they start squawking when it hits them in the pocketbook.

 

[hnooe]

Here's how to tell if you are liberal--

Talk all day long about your empathy and sympathy for others and when the church or salvation army or united way or red cross, etc asks for money to help those in need, you turn the other cheek.

Just look at Biden and Obama's (prior to running for Pres) track record of charitable contributions to see how liberals talk a big talk but don't walk the walk.

It also goes beyond monetary giving. Liberals are also less likely to give of their time and talents than conservatives.

Democrats and Republicans - Rhetoric ... - Google Book Search

http://http://www.arthurbrooks.net/whoreallycares/excerpt.html

And here is one on Bush and Kerry well before Presidential runs were contemplated.

http://http://www.joelcomm.com/bush_vs_kerry_who_is_more_comp.html

and here is one on Cheney and Gore.

http://http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1615415/posts

So, the empathy/sympathy thing doesn't fly when the rubber meets the road. Rhetoric like Obamas needs to be backed up with action. A lot of hot air is all it is when liberals talk about their big hearts and versus the cold hearts of conservatives. The data doesn't back up the rhetoric. Liberals hate data and facts. No two ways about it- liberals aren't nearly as empathetic or sympathetic as they boast to be.


Or, talk all day long about higher taxes to fund the needs of others like Whoopie Goldberg. But, when new taxes are proposed (like they were in California) they start squawking when it hits them in the pocketbook.

Well, it is quite obvious to me that you do not drive a Volvo, much less one that has bumper stickers on it..hummmpfff!:angry: You obviously have NO em-pathy or NO sym-pathy--all you seem to have is plan old pathy.

 

[fisher]

Well, it is quite obvious to me that you do not drive a Volvo, much less one that has bumper stickers on it..hummmpfff!:angry:

Nope--this conservative that does not believe in the hype of global warming actually drives a hybrid--no lie. An old Volvo would kick off way to much carbon emissions.

 

[fisher]

More great indicators of the left not walking the walk but cold hearted conservatives giving without receiving any fanfare (some of the data is redundant but some new faces emerge in this piece).

http://kingsrightsite.blogspot.com/2009/03/hypocrisy-of-liberals-charitable.html

And, a liberal columnist for the NYT chiding his fellow liberals for not walking the walk.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/opinion/21kristof.html

 

[hnooe]

Nope--this conservative that does not believe in the hype of global warming actually drives a hybrid--no lie. An old Volvo would kick off way to much carbon emissions.

Ok, I am starting to like you now! Then, I hope it is because you do not want the oil producing nations to hold us hostage!

 

[fisher]

Ok, I am starting to like you now! Then, I hope it is because you do not want the oil producing nations to hold us hostage!

Say it ain't so.

Definitely a good reason.

I am a conservative, but I do believe in recycling, lower emissions, less plastic in the environment, less pesticides in our food, cleaner water, etc, etc.

But...

I believe we need to drill for oil in the gulf, in ANWAR, off the coast of California and elsewhere and continue to find ways to burn coal more efficiently and cleanly. At the same time, we need to be working hard to expand solar energy use, wind energy, liquid hydrogen applications and even some nuclear energy. It will mean that our Florida politicians and citizens will have to agree to more oil rigs in the gulf, our Masschusetts and other coastal state politicians and citizens will have to agree to big wind turbines just off the coast where wind is consistent and strong and California politicians and citizens will have to live with oil rigs and wind farms off their coast. No one wants IT (whatever IT may be) in their backyard so we get nowhere.

Their is no way to cut the cord on oil and coal in the short or medium term without further damaging our economy. We need a balanced energy approach that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil (and hopefully therefore reduce the amount of money going into the pockets of the muslim extremists that would like nothing better than to wipe out western society and put the entire globe under Sharia law), improve our environment and get our economy growing again.

 

[LuciferSam]

Here's how to tell if you are liberal--

Talk all day long about your empathy and sympathy for others and when the church or salvation army or united way or red cross, etc asks for money to help those in need, you turn the other cheek.

Just look at Biden and Obama's (prior to running for Pres) track record of charitable contributions to see how liberals talk a big talk but don't walk the walk.

It also goes beyond monetary giving. Liberals are also less likely to give of their time and talents than conservatives.

Democrats and Republicans - Rhetoric ... - Google Book Search

http://http://www.arthurbrooks.net/whoreallycares/excerpt.html

And here is one on Bush and Kerry well before Presidential runs were contemplated.

http://http://www.joelcomm.com/bush_vs_kerry_who_is_more_comp.html

and here is one on Cheney and Gore.

http://http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1615415/posts

So, the empathy/sympathy thing doesn't fly when the rubber meets the road. Rhetoric like Obamas needs to be backed up with action. A lot of hot air is all it is when liberals talk about their big hearts and versus the cold hearts of conservatives. The data doesn't back up the rhetoric. Liberals hate data and facts. No two ways about it- liberals aren't nearly as empathetic or sympathetic as they boast to be.


Or, talk all day long about higher taxes to fund the needs of others like Whoopie Goldberg. But, when new taxes are proposed (like they were in California) they start squawking when it hits them in the pocketbook.

I look at empathy as more of a perceptual ability. It is an important skill that conservatives seem to lack. As far as I'm concerned they're impaired, much like someone who's dyslexic.

P.S. I empathize with them.

 

[fisher]

I look at empathy as more of a perceptual ability. It is an important skill that conservatives seem to lack. As far as I'm concerned they're impaired, much like someone who's dyslexic.

P.S. I empathize with them.

I'll bet my charitable contributions and volunteering hands go a lot farther in helping the poor and needy than your smile, empathetic nod and pat on the back. (By the way, along with my money comes a smile, nod and pat on the back).

I'm sure that the needy in your area love your tremendous skill of perception in seeing that they need food or water or other assistance. That skill surely goes a long way in truly helping folks.

Just like a liberal--skirt the issue and facts and try to answer with totally empty rhetoric and put downs.

If it's not TRUE empathy or sympathy that goes into ACTUALLY HELPING people, what is it that motivates these conservatives to give more and volunteer more than their liberal brethren that don't give or volunteer as much. Again, actions speak louder than words.

 

[LuciferSam]

I'll bet my charitable contributions and volunteering hands go a lot farther in helping the poor and needy than your smile, empathetic nod and pat on the back. (By the way, along with my money comes a smile, nod and pat on the back).

I'm sure that the needy in your area love your tremendous skill of perception in seeing that they need food or water or other assistance. That skill surely goes a long way in truly helping folks.

Just like a liberal--skirt the issue and facts and try to answer with totally empty rhetoric and put downs.

If it's not TRUE empathy or sympathy that goes into ACTUALLY HELPING people, what is it that motivates these conservatives to give more and volunteer more than their liberal brethren that don't give or volunteer as much. Again, actions speak louder than words.

This post demonstrates how you're all missing the point about the meaning and importance of empathy. It's simply a facet of cognition. That's what Obama is talking about. He wants somebody with a job skill that somebody like Scalia obviously lacks. A person with empathy merely is able to have a crucial understanding of another's situation. Whether or not he gives a rats ass and is willing to make sacrifices is another story. It's less about caring than comprehension, and competency. Those are the qualities we are looking for in a SC justice, not whether she gives money to charity.

 

[Mango]

Here's how to tell if you are liberal--

Talk all day long about your empathy and sympathy for others and when the church or salvation army or united way or red cross, etc asks for money to help those in need, you turn the other cheek.

Just look at Biden and Obama's (prior to running for Pres) track record of charitable contributions to see how liberals talk a big talk but don't walk the walk.

It also goes beyond monetary giving. Liberals are also less likely to give of their time and talents than conservatives.

Democrats and Republicans - Rhetoric ... - Google Book Search

Who Really Cares • Arthur C. Brooks

And here is one on Bush and Kerry well before Presidential runs were contemplated.

Bush vs. Kerry - Who is more compassionate?

and here is one on Cheney and Gore.

Dick Cheney Donates Millions to Charity

So, the empathy/sympathy thing doesn't fly when the rubber meets the road. Rhetoric like Obamas needs to be backed up with action. A lot of hot air is all it is when liberals talk about their big hearts and versus the cold hearts of conservatives. The data doesn't back up the rhetoric. Liberals hate data and facts. No two ways about it- liberals aren't nearly as empathetic or sympathetic as they boast to be.


Or, talk all day long about higher taxes to fund the needs of others like Whoopie Goldberg. But, when new taxes are proposed (like they were in California) they start squawking when it hits them in the pocketbook.

Interesting. If one looks hard enough, one can find so called "statistics and surveys" to back up their claims. However, I read the chapter about charitable giving in it's entirety and what struck me as interesting was that it pointedly said that Conservatives were more religious, but did not say where the donations were going. For all we know, it could be the religious faction that is railing against gay marriage, to the University producing more Conservatives, or a special interest group.

So while fingers are being pointed as to what party someone is based on some silly tests, the reality is most people will react to certain situations most likely as a product of their environments, how they were raised, and life experiences. Not to mention that based on domestic factors, people are likely to change party affiliations. So, I find all this mind bumbling comparison silly. IMHO.

I'm wondering how this helps to promote partisanship especially in light of the fact that there's even an identity conflict between the Conservative party between neocons and paleocons; One of the reasons why former Conservatives, like myself, feel so displaced.