What do you consider yourself?

[Ridgerunner]

Catholic first, certainly.

Used to be considered a liberal.

Now I’m considered a conservative.

I haven’t changed.

The liberalism of my youth morphed into moral libertarianism and fiscal insanity.

 

[Immacolata]

Catholic first, certainly.

Used to be considered a liberal.

Now I’m considered a conservative.

I might fall under this category: I don’t consider myself either party (I don’t particularly care for the subject of politics, to be completely honest), but, only a few years ago, I considered myself a diehard liberal (my words verbatim). Now I would likely be labeled “conservative” because of my pro-life beliefs, although I consider myself a moderate Democrat with ideals in line with the teaching of the Church. I distance myself from those who advocate abortion (although many of my friends I have had are pro-choice), and I found myself particularly sad (albeit not surprised) to read of President Obama voting against the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act while he was in the Illinois senate. I am not certain where exactly the Democratic Party began to advocate abortion, but I believe some time after the death of John F. Kennedy. I agree (somewhat, as I said, politics is not a particular interest of mine) with his political viewpoints, as well as the viewpoints of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson.

 

[jmcrae]

I am a liberal in the very traditional sense of believing that everyone has the right to fulfill their God-given potential in life, through access to education, health, housing, assistance for disabilities, peaceful coexistence, etc.

I have no idea how someone can consider himself a “liberal” who thinks that abortion is okay at any stage of human development, or who thinks that homosexual “marriage” is okay. These both fly completely against equal opportunity for all and peaceful coexistence.

 

[laircy]

I refuse to identify with any group that does not fully describe me, as a Catholic, but I often find myself agreeing more with conservatives.

 

[GreatergoodGod]

Conservative on general as to how things are done.

 

[johnmann]

I think people should really consider the fact that the Church really has more to agree with the Right than it does with the Left. What are some of the most core issues of the Church? Life and family. These are critical to everything from our understanding of salvation history to our beliefs on human sexuality. Which wing is popularly known for advocating abortion and destabilizing traditional family structures? The Left. Which one has had philosophies outright condemned by the Church (socialism, communism, Marxism)? The Left.

So far the Church has only criticized the Right when it’s gone into excess (capitalist/corporate greed, declaring war at the push of a button etc). It’s like when I see the Church and the Right, I see Pope Francis trying to put a wild doberman on a leash. It only seeks to restrain, not put down. When I see the Left, it’s all non-negotiable. I see our Pope having a need to really set up a fence and say, “No.”

I think people should really consider the fact that the Church really has more to agree with the Left than it does with the Right. What is one of the most core issues of the Church? Social justice. This is critical to everything from our understanding of salvation history to our beliefs on human dignity. Which wing is popularly known for advocating every man for himself? The Right.

On excess vs. non-negotiable, excess is no less condemnable. Otherwise, you can reach absurd conclusions. Suppose one candidate wants to go to war with Canada to capture its oil. The other candidate does not but lied about his age. Truth is non-negotiable. Who do you vote for?

 

[johnmann]

I’m what used to be called a “compassionate conservative.” I believe in free markets and generous welfare.

 

[The_Curt_Jester]

None of the above.

Democrats and Republicans are two wings of the same bird. Liberal is out for obvious reasons and conservatives are only yesterday’s liberals.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I think people should really consider the fact that the Church really has more to agree with the Left than it does with the Right. What is one of the most core issues of the Church? Social justice.

Social Justice, if you actually read at least one document pertaining to that subject, IS based on life and family. And ironically, I remember at least one document on Social Justice reiterating the Church’s opposition to Marxist and socialist policies. Face it john, the Left has a lot more beef with the Church (and that’s not even considering the fact that Social Justice has been the card played to advocate abortion and questionable family structures).

On excess vs. non-negotiable, excess is no less condemnable. Otherwise, you can reach absurd conclusions. Suppose one candidate wants to go to war with Canada to capture its oil. The other candidate does not but lied about his age. Truth is non-negotiable. Who do you vote for?

Red herring.