Another thought or two on this subject:

People like to generalize by saying that conservatives are primarily motivated by self-interest, whereas liberals are more likely to consider the interests of others as well. I like to think that we need to see that as we populate more and more of this world, self-interest and the common-good become more and more entwined. Protecting the rights of people who have different sexual preferences than our own should help to bolster our own rights to make choices. But that isn't always true. If I own a two-flat and choose not to rent the upstairs to a gay couple, I do not have that right under the law. If this a good thing or not? Am I trying to protect my children from a life-style of which I don't approve or am I clinging to an outmoded standard of morality that no longer applies in this world? Who makes the call?

In the movie "Defending Your Life", Albert Brooks makes an interesting case about the purpose of life in this realm. As I understand it, the goal is to overcome our fear and to trust in love. That is how you move on. That is also the progression in the Christian Bible - old testament God = Fear and new testament God = love.

I like the idea that letting go of fear benefits us, yet I teach my children to be afraid of strangers, to not jump off tall things, to slow down etc. So obviously there is fear that serves a purpose and simplistic answers won't fit.

To tie this ramble back to our original discussion, are you a conservative out of the fear of change, or for the love of the world as it is? Are you a liberal out of the love for your fellowman or the fear of losing your rights and freedoms? Are you a good witch or a bad witch?

There are good and bad reasons to try to maintain the status quo, just as there are good and bad reasons for advocating change. And the results or our actions rarely get us 100% of what we wanted, needed or anticipated. So I will apply what I know to the choice at hand and hope for the best. And today you might call me a conservative SOB and tomorrow a Liberal navel-gazer. But please don't call me inconsistent - maybe you just aren't seeing the logic that is at work.