Interesting points, Bartholomew.

When I moved back to Wyoming, after ten years in New England, the Democrats here turned their noses up at me, declaring me an Eastern democrat i.e. WAY TOO liberal for their tastes. First I'd ever heard of such a thing...since I grew up that way, in the West, I naively thought "a Democrat is a Democrat is a Democrat." Boy, did I learn! It is quite often difficult to tell Dem and Rep apart here and, in fact, the libertarians and others have taken to calling all "Republicrats."

I believe anything which because a cause or political movement for conservatives is generally driven by fear for the personal status quo/self. It may be couched in terms of saving a fetus; perserving tax breaks, etc., but if you follow those to their root cause, you will find fear. Fear of loss of control, loss of status quo, fear of diversity in all ways.I am NOT saying all conservatives are a bunch of paranoid ninnies just that FEAR is a powerful motivator.

I also believe liberals can be motivated by fear, but I think in general, that fear encompasses more than themselves. They are more likely to be concerned for the rights/safety of others, too.

Yes, I know this may sound simplistic: plenty of people whom I consider to be conservatives work together to ensure each other's rights. An example of what I am trying to say is there are many liberals who would work to ensure gay and lesbians may marry whomever they wish, regardless of thier own sexual preference, so that, if heterosexual, they are campaigning in a true alruistic sense. As a contrast to that, I would opine conservatives who campaign to limit a woman's right to choose, are motivated by their own control over someone else, reagrdless of their gender.

Okay, that's enough hot buttons. The recognition of fear as a motivator has come as a result of my six years in Wyoming working for human rights and to promote diversity. Humans are basically fearful of anything new or unknown. If we can addres the fears, of all *sides* it is my hope we can all balance it out, together (notice I did NOT use that overused term "meet on common ground"**BG**!) Now....that sounds like a pretty liberal stance to me and I am proud to be consider so, but I am sure that comes as no surprise to you all.*G*

Good thread, Rick, thanks.

katlaughing