The word "liberal" and "think" in the same title? Isn't that some kind of oximoron? Hey, just kidding. Seriously though, this sounds more like a propaganda house, rather than a think-tank devoted to helping formulate governement policy. The excuse the liberal guy in this article used to explain the shift towards conservative thought in this country is that it's due to conservatives being better at getting their message out. It probably never occured to him that people may just like and believe that message more than the liberal message (which is...what again?). Is it the message that is shaping public opinion, or is public opinion shaping the (conservative) message? First thing they (the liberals) have to do is be able to articulate what their "message" is, instead of simply bashing the President, other prominant conservatives, and conserativism in general.
As a conservative my beliefs are, in no certain order, as follows:
1) Personal responsibility is the key to happiness and success, not the governement.
2) A woman should have a choice, i.e. to have sex or not. A fetus is a living creature, and only in the case of reasonable danger to the mother should an abortion be performed. (see belief no. 1 above)
3) Laws (even ones I disagree with, like allowing abortions on demand) must be obeyed. Don't like the law of the land? Work to change it, not simply look to the courts to over turn them.
4) Businesses create jobs, not the government. Government economic policies should promote that process, not stifle it.
5) Tax cuts stimulate the economy, in general; tax increases stifle it. It's my money, not the government's...they need to remember that.
6) Parents generally are much better suited to making decisions about their children than the government.
7) The purpose of the Constitution is to limit the power of the Federal Government over the people and the states, not the other way around. It doesn't guarantee either happiness or prosperity, only the chance to pursue it.
8) I'd prefer we work towards taking guns away from the criminals, not law abiding citizens.
9) Chain gangs, public floggings and executions should be brought back. Likewise, prison should be a punishment, not a "rehabilitation" opportunity. Make it unpleasant enough, and it will rehabilitate those who can be rehabilitated.
10) Lawyers are the worst possible people to put in charge of making laws.
11) and most importantly, if you don't vote, then shut up!
There. Any liberals want to take a crack at listing what they believe are the core beliefs of liberalism? Then tell me if any of the nine candidates running for the Democratic ticket support even a simple majority of your beliefs.
