The ideological divide

I am an optimist, and so I believe most people want what is best for them and for those around them. Lately as I have had discussion with friends on certain political topics, like health care, I noticed we truly do want the same thing but differ entirely on how to get it.

Recently a friend sent this to me, I am not sure who wrote it but it explains this difference better than I can.

“The Difference: If a conservative doesn't like guns, they don't buy one. If a liberal doesn't like guns, then no one should have one.

If a conservative is a vegetarian, they don’t eat meat. If a liberal is vegetarian, they want to ban all meat products for everyone.

If a conservative sees a foreign threat, he thinks about how to defeat his enemy. A liberal wonders how to surrender gracefully and still look good.

If a black man or Hispanic is conservative, they see themselves as independently successful. Their liberal counterparts see themselves as victims in need of government protection.

If a conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation. A liberal wonders who is going to take care of him.

If a conservative doesn’t like a talk show host, he switches channels. Liberals demand that those they don't like be shut down.

If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church. A liberal wants all churches to be silenced and God removed from public view.

If a conservative decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it. A liberal demands that his neighbors pay for his.” –unknown

We cannot govern happiness or peace. The proper role of Government is to allow law abiding citizens more liberty and choices, and to protect that liberty. I have found that great happiness and joy come from going through struggles and then overcoming those struggles on my own, with only the Lords help. Too often we want to deny people that opportunity to struggle and grow by giving them what they need right now. This is not a place for government, but a place for religion and charity.

It seems to me that the left and many of the progressive movement want to diminish the responsibility of churches and charities and in turn make it the responsibility of government to take care of those in need. In my own personal review of history I believe that has never been effective and has cost the lives of countless people.

“Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem." Ronald Reagan