If pressed to label myself, I would sort of call myself liberal....I vote mostly Democratic and worked in the Civil rights movement...etc...but I have several positions which, if expressed out of context, would get me labeled conservative.

Example: I oppose "affirmative action laws" usually. But, on the other hand, I STRONGLY oppose attempts to limit the ability of any person or group to compete fairly in the society. I put my butt on the line in Mississippi in the 1960s, and would do it again if necessary, but I can barely contain my rage at some of the blatent, demanding attitudes of some African-American groups who want special privileges forever because of what happened to their grandfathers.

To me, the labels are more useful when the attitudes and motives of a person are apparent. I have a neighbor across the street who hates blacks and uses the "N" word constantly because he believes them as a group to be inferior and dangerous. Now, if a family of poor, ignorant African-Americans with anti-social habits moved into our block, he and I would BOTH dislike it, and be wary of them, but our reasons and reactions might be VERY different!

Likewise, in fiscal matters, advocating or opposing a tax cut can be done for very different motives...there are some pretty strong opinions right now that G. W. Bush is offering everyone a tax cut simply to cater to the rich and make it easier to enhance and protect their position, while giving the masses very little.

The thing is, politicians are getting cleverer about disguising their deeper motives and feelings when they advocate certain positions. Many years ago, racism and hate and selfishness were often openly displayed, and 'conservatives' who based their opinions on hate and bigotry were a lot easier to identify. You can still see some in public positions whose attitudes are very thinly disguised.........Look at Mississippi poilticians now debating whether to ban the Confererate battle flag as an official state symbol! Some of them are groping very awkwardly for high-sounding reasons for their conservative position...and NOT succeeding too well.

I might go on and make the same sort of points about the death penalty, abortion, school prayer, military spending, corporal punishment in schools, court judgements in rape cases, oil drilling in wilderness areas, teaching evolution, special access for the handicapped, penalties for drug abuse...it goes on & on, and it is possible to hold almost identical voting positions on many of these with people with whom you disagree on others.

It ain't easy, folks....look inside yourself and see if you can answer honestly WHY you hold position "X"....

As the old lady said.."Of course it was a just war, my son died in it!"