An Unbridled Fingerpoint

Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Where Do I Need to Be Set Straight?

Photo by Wetsun

Once we realize that imperfect understanding is the human condition, there is no shame in being wrong, only in failing to correct our mistakes.
- George Soros

I’ll be the first to admit that I am right most of the time. However, in the rare instance I am wrrrr…wrrrr…wrrrooooonn… [excuse me] not right, I want to know it, so I can fix it.

Really that’s what this site is all about: exploring the other side of issues by arguing what I disagree with. There are some pretty obvious topics that jumped out at me where Conservatives have been cast as heartless. A few that I already plan on tackling are:

• Addressing Poverty
• Minorities Concerns
• Taxes

I would like your suggestions.
For my Liberal friends, what do Conservatives just not get?
For my Conservative friends, what do you “not get” about the Liberal mindset?

How I Got My Heart of Stone

How did I get my heart of stone?
Photo by ch1mp

No one quite knows the reason.
It could be perhaps that his shoes were too tight.
It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right.
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
- Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas

I have been indoctrinated.

I admit it. From the time that I was born, I have been raised with a specific worldview. Primarily, I believe what I believe because I was raised that way and I vote the way I vote because I was raised to vote that way.

Have my ideals been challenged? Definitely. Have I defended my views? Absolutely. But being challenged and defending a worldview when it has been so thoroughly ingrained doesn’t necessarily indicate that you have evaluated and internalized those values. After all, “talking points” are called “talking points” for a reason.

Why do I believe what I believe? Maybe it is because my shoes are too tight! Or worse! Maybe, because I have been raised in such a callous, greed-driven, privileged environment, I am actually heartless? Let’s look at the factors that contributed to my values. Which elements give credence to the criticism that I have been brainwashed, or at least, have a very limited perspective on the world?

In fact, for fun, lets give some ratings to see how I score. Negative points for factors that, according to my Liberal friends, typically promote close-mindedness, indoctrination, and a limited worldview. Positive points for factors that, again, according to my Liberal friends, typically promote open-mindedness, critical thinking, and an expanded worldview.