Do you agree that "The modern conservative is engaged in the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness" ?

[msc545]

[ProbablyClueless]

No, I think that's a fundamentally dishonest mischaracterization of what's happening there.

Because the objection conservatives have is based on their observations that the collectivist solutions haven't worked, and that the people are being stolen from. The solutions have been obscenely expensive, they haven't yielded results, and they always seem to be led by people who happen to get fantastically wealthy for their displays of "empathy."

Studies have actually shown that conservatives do more charitable giving than liberals.

A more apt description might be that the modern conservative rejects the belief that moral superiority comes from being generous with other people's money.

[msc545]

So why is it that they believe that moral superiority comes from stealing other people's money?

[ProbablyClueless]

I guess the answer to that would depend on the exact person and situation you have in mind.

[msc545]

There are many examples but let's talk about businessmen and bankers...

[ProbablyClueless]

Everyone wants to be the hero of their own story... I'm sure they probably have some justification in place about providing a needed service and how what they're doing isn't really stealing.

America has a weird thing where working hard and industriousness is connected with godliness. That's been around since the late 1800s. Maybe even earlier.

[lightbulb27]

that's really deep, I will need another cup of joe to sort through that...

I would say we are deeply and horrifically selfish bunch, not so sure it's just conservatives.

That said, there are some conservatives and non-c whom are not so selfish.

In general, we've lost our way... due to poor social training.

Time to unleash the nuns with hard rulers again...

[Anonymous]

No. They just are tired of having their backs broken. Even Democrats have come to realise that America couldn't go on funding the world while our economy and infrastructure crumble.

[msc545]

The US funds the useless Defense Dept 1 trillion $ per year.

[msc545]

Cut some spending THERE.

[Opinion Owner]

And yet you want to support NATO & Ukraine

[msc545]

You have no idea what I do or do not want.

[Opinion Owner]

You've said it enough times.

[msc545]

I have not. If you think I have quote me directly regarding it.

[msc545]

And post something showing your identity. Right now you have no credibility here because you are anonymous.

[Opinion Owner]

You you are not in favour of nato or us support for Ukraine?

[msc545]

I have mixed feelings regarding NATO. I do not support military aid for Ukraine, even though I think the US started that war. I would support money for peace efforts there, assuming they were genuine.

In the future, if you are going to accuse me of saying something or supporting something, please make sure ahead of time that it is really true.

[Opinion Owner]

Completely MAGA

[Anonymous]

No. I admit my first responsibility is to me and mine. I don't apologize for that, and I don't need to justify it to anyone. If that's selfish, so be it.

[MisterWack]

They don’t need a search, their shield of criticism is ‘The Bible’ because when you defend your unpopular, self centered, and objectively bad policy stances by pretending to side with ‘The Bible’ with it comes ‘God’.

Oh I can’t be a terrible person, I get my orders from God….

Meanwhile, wanting to kill ‘certain inalienable rights endowed by their creator’. Sure, sure.

[Caroline91]

@MisterWack The major fallacy I see here is that there are a whole lot of conservatives who aren't Christian. Christian conservatives are just one part of the spectrum. And there are plenty of Christians who aren't conservatives. Maybe rethink this one, Wacky?

[MisterWack]

@Caroline91 I agree totally with what you said, just saying it in terms of the politicians.
The politicians who are Conservative tend to throw around The Bible / word of God as defense of unpopular policy. Conservative and Christian aren’t mutually exclusive, it is the idea of politicians on The Right doing that not really everyday voters.

[Caroline91]

@MisterWack Thanks for the clarification. 🫠

[MisterWack]

@Caroline91 No problem, Clarification Caroline lol

[DrPepper12]

Perfectly said. Yes

[Sevenpointfive]

no. if you are talking about those in congress. if they're new maybe, but if not then no.

[Dargil]

Modern conservatives are already self assured, just want to be left alone and have multiple guns help leftists do that.

[Sal_Monella]

We don't have to search for that.. Democrats found that decades ago.

[exitseven]

No, that is absurd. Conservatives have nothing to justify., They are not on the right for nothing.

[msc545]

That is true. Actually they are on the right because of their selfishness and their need to justify their selfishness. Most of them understand that it is wrong and have guilt over it.

[msc545]

They need to be able to justify their behaviors of abusing others and stealing from others.

[exitseven]

I worked hard my whole life to make a good life for my family. I will not feel any shame about that. It is quite the opposite.

[msc545]

You should be ashamed only of your lack of compassion and empathy for others.

[exitseven]

I have plenty of compassion, just not for everyone.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Couldn't agree more !!!

[slatyb]

Absolutely true.

[Pterodon]

Nope