What side are you on in America's Cultural War?

2019-06-24T11:18:12-04:00

While I live in Illinois my wife's family has a lake house in Wisconsin and as such we make frequent trips from the suburbs of Chicago to the rural farmlands of Wisconsin. In doing so its rather evident there is a cultural war going on - one side promoting liberalism the other conservatism. As a result there is a wide degree in diverging ideology in a rather short distance. In Wisconsin I can buy fireworks and rifles over the counter yet in Illinois both are prohibited yet in Illinois pretty soon you will be able to buy pot and over stay your visa with impunity - regardless of federal laws. Where do you stand as well what do you think will be the result of such conflicting laws and ideologies in close proximity to each other?

While the article is old it just helps to reinforce the narrative of an long on going battle between states, urban and rural areas and the left and right.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Culture-Wars-Wisconsin-vs-Illinois.html

Culture Wars: Wisconsin vs. Illinois

Their governor is trying to ban unions. Our ex-governor is begging to be sent to prison. How can two neighboring states have such different political cultures?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 24 at 2019 11:21 AM

2019-06-24T11:21:41-04:00

I'm on neither side of the fence.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 24 at 2019 11:29 AM

2019-06-24T11:29:40-04:00

Neither. You're a bit lost in the weeds in your question demonstrating that you have been duped by the Left who have been hiding behind the gentle-sounding label "Liberal". It's a canard. I'm a liberal and a conservative. I'm a liberal in that I love liberty and a conservative in that I want to preserve the Constitution which was designed to preserve individual liberty (primarily by limiting government). The real conflict is between Leftism (communism/socialism) and Rightism (limited government and individual liberty). Why would so many Americans be tempted by the siren song of the Left? Simple. They fear the personal responsibility that comes with individual liberty. How will this conflict be resolved? Sadly, I have come to the conclusion that it is already resolving itself. Those who seek paternal (large, overbearing) government to take responsibility and provide for them, are migrating to major metropolitan areas and electing those who will provide what they need. Those who value individual freedom migrate to those places, mostly rural and suburban America, where they can live free. Maybe we should simply allow all to make their own choices and limit the centralized government to those key functions such as "establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity"...

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jun 24 at 2019 11:32 AM

2019-06-24T11:32:12-04:00

Things are not as clear cut as some would have you believe.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jun 24 at 2019 11:33 AM

2019-06-24T11:33:17-04:00

I can't give you a solid answer. I self-identify as a small government, free market, strict Constitutionalist, typically considered conservative positions. On some issues I'm very liberal. Not because I approve of the conduct (example: recreational pharmaceuticals). If someone wants to use illicit drugs and handicap themselves in a competitive world, I say go for it. But don't expect me to provide a safety net. And if they don't use responsibly, eventually harming someone else (example: DUI with injury) expect no mercy.

Response by SPC Chris Bayner-Cwik made Jun 24 at 2019 11:33 AM

2019-06-24T11:33:58-04:00

For me. It depends on the issue.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Jun 24 at 2019 11:48 AM

2019-06-24T11:48:03-04:00

Personally I think it's a great thing that states have such varying laws. To be fair, I also love the fact that we have a split congress and hope it stays that way indefinitely. While I think some of the politics has become a little too divisive, I also feel that this a period of growth and change for America as a whole. People are trying out different things, what works, what doesn't.

I don't look at either side too negatively. While I think some of the ideas of the left are really reaching, infinite genders, blowing off laws regarding illegal aliens, I think some are great, the legalization of drugs (lets be honest here, the drug war has been a spectacularly expensive failure).

The right only practices fiscal conservatism when democrats are in power and turned on the president when he tried to get us out of Syria, but they are trying to stop the huge problem at the border (tons of child and human trafficking) as well as loosen up burdensome regulation.

What we are seeing is the result of free flowing communication and ideas. Yeah, some are extreme, but that's ok. Hence why freedom of speech is #1 right along with freedom of worship. What I would like to see is actual freedom of the press, because what we have right now is not a free press, they are being given scripts, not news.

TLDR: conflicting ideology is a good thing, helps the country grow.

Edit: I always have a hard time with the question, are you conservative or liberal. It really depends on the topic, question or idea.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Jun 24 at 2019 1:35 PM

2019-06-24T13:35:08-04:00

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." - I find myself thinking on these words more and more each year. Strip me down to nothing, and my first loyalty is to God. I make mistakes, and sometimes... I just out-and-out disobey because I'm human. All the same, I can't support it if my God is opposed to it.

I also love my country.

I come from pretty humble "roots"; Dad was riding on the back of a cotton sack out in West Tennessee at the age of five. I've never cared much for the "socially elite"; most have done nothing for me but constantly try to block me from pursuing my idea of "happiness""... but a whole lot of men fought and died so that I have the right to try, and I make the best of it. I don't need a million dollars, but I sure don't want someone telling me I have what I have just because my immigrant ancestors came from Scotland and Ireland, rather than somewhere else. I don't "hate" anyone because they believe in different things, I just can't support ideas or actions I believe to be morally wrong without trading my soul in the process. I don't want to harm a living soul, but I'd be naive to assume there aren't others wishing to harm me...and then surrender my right to defend myself and those I love when they come. I "get" why some people are angry... but think it's dangerous to judge by the group.

I don't think everyone with an "R" after their name is right, or everyone with a "D", a fool- but I reckon all the Republicans want is money...I'm not sure that the Democrats don't want something far more valuable.

Because of all of that, I'm with the "Right", even though I often believe we can, and should do better for ourselves.