Posted on Jun 24, 2019
SPC David S.
981
24
15
3
3
0
69126a7
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
Avatar feed
Responses: 7
CPT Jack Durish
5
5
0
Edited 5 y ago
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"...
(5)
Comment
(0)
Maj John Bell
Maj John Bell
5 y
Kind of makes me desire the City State. When they can't feed themselves we will own their ass (Gross over-simplification, but its fun to let the mean streak see daylight once in a while.)
(2)
Reply
(0)
PVT Kenneth Krause
PVT Kenneth Krause
5 y
Spot on! I could not agree with you more. Thank you Captain. I salute you Sir.
(2)
Reply
(0)
SPC David S.
SPC David S.
5 y
Not necessarily duped just not showing my cards. Personally I feel liberalism/progressive is about to get choked out by socialism.
(0)
Reply
(0)
CPT Jack Durish
CPT Jack Durish
5 y
SPC David S. - "Liberalism" (as I define it) cannot coexist with Socialism. Progressive/Leftism is socialism/communism.
(2)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Marc W.
2
2
0
Edited 5 y ago
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.
(2)
Comment
(0)
SPC David S.
SPC David S.
5 y
Yes the topic being discussed has a lot to do with where one stands. As well agree different ideas doesn't always reflect better or worse just a different perspective or approach that needs to be considered.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
Maj John Bell
2
2
0
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.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close