Liberals vs Conservatives? Is it real or Memorex?

Liberals vs Conservatives? Is it real or Memorex?

First, let's figure out what Conservatives and Liberals have in common.

Both are Americans
Both have fought and died to protect this countries freedom
Both belief in the Constitution
Both view the Constitution differently
Both take campaign contributions from questionable sources
Both at one time or another have lost their way
Both have had good public servants and bad
Both breathe air and drink water (some like to drink bottled water on air more than others)


Okay so what makes up the two parties?

Conservatives are about 90% white and mostly men.

Liberals are 50% white with a racial mix along national averages, more women than men.

What are the Religious Differences?

Conservatives attract mainly Protestants (54%) and 18% of white Catholics.

Liberals seem to have no discernible set religion attracting support from all.

Presidential differences post WWII?

Conservatives have had 28 years in office.

Liberals have had 25 years in office (at the completion of President Obama it will be 28).

Conservatives have had two Presidents Shot at.

Liberals have had one President assassinated.

Conservatives and Liberals have had one President each impeached but Conservatives had one resign and the same get pardoned.

Conservatives are the only party to have a President be found guilty as a International War Criminal.

Liberals are the only party to of had a President that was a peanut farmer.

So it's fair to say both parties have had their ups and downs.


Where do the two parties sit ideologically based on a scale model gauged from the last 100 years?

Conservatives have rapidly been moving to the far right since 2000 with spikes in movement around 1976 and 1984, an extreme jump in 2008 and 2010. Only 2% of the Republican party openly refers to themselves as moderate.The combining of the Tea Party and Libertarians with the GOP has somewhat skewed the make up of the party. Prior to the spike in 1976 the party was fairly moderate with the only notable exception being McCarthy, who went on to be despised by most and later hailed as an idiot.

Liberals have slowly moved back toward the center since 2000 which is where they spent most of the past century. Liberals seem to be comprised of 3 basic groups, moderates, progressives and others (green, ultra liberal). The Liberals seem to enjoy support from Independent voters and supporters on most issues.  

The future of the two parties at a glimpse

Conservatives, after losing most all recent congressional elections and the Presidential election they have embarked on a plan to redefine themselves as a party that is more accepting to all. Unfortunately the plan statistically is driving away more than it is gaining. Since the party is mostly white and the population of America is no longer continuing to be a white majority it is difficult to see any future success at any level without properly addressing that fatal flaw. In addition the redefining of districts seems to of had a negative effect due to the fact that so many in the new districts were not registered to vote but now are registering in uncommonly high numbers and are not registering as members of the GOP. A prime example of this just happened in South Carolina with a Democrat who was the sister of a comedian getting 45% of the vote in a heavy Republican District. Conservatives in the past have seemed to enjoy a strong showing in rural areas, however the rural areas are very populated by Hispanic and Black voters too, who had not registered but now are. Unfortunately the path for the Conservatives seems bumpy unless they find a way to compromise within their own party and with others.

Liberals seemed to of learned their lesson the hard way, going too far in one direction got them left out of the decision making arena in 2010. By maintaining a more moderate view, supporters have registering in record numbers as Democrats and Independents. Recent polling shows women, who make up the majority in our country, want a woman as President and want that woman to be a progressive moderate. Women also are actively looking for and winning seats in congress and at state levels too. 2012 appears to be the start of the Female Progressive Moderate Movement. If this trend continues, and it would appear nothing will change it, by the year 2020 we will have a Woman as President, a majority of women in congress and 40-50% of state legislatures run by women who are progressive moderates. I am not one for redefining words, so the Liberal party might want to think about dropping the whole Liberal name and go with Progressive Moderate.

Where does this leave us as Americans?

Many don't like to admit what I have just written about, they would rather be polarized and only see things from one side. This country has never been one for strict ultimatums or no win scenarios. Luckily we are a "think outside the box" kind of people. The reality is America is not white, we are every color. America is not protestant, it is every religion including no religion at all. While others preach doom about the others party, I see a bright future for all of us. I see a country that will finally get around to living up to the dream of our founders! If you can't tell by now, the country will end up being moderate which is right where it should be. Think about a swinging pendulum, yes it swings back and forth but in the end it stops in the middle. One part of me wishes they would quit bickering but another part of me wants them to just get it all out of their system. It's kinda like two people standing at a bus stop arguing with each other so intently that they don't see the bus is passing them by. Don't worry we will stop the bus and let you get on as long as you both promise to behave!


But Hey! What do I know! I'm just a plumber!