Letter: Conservatism best for the country

This is a reply to “Romney claim needs new look,” letter, Sept. 13.

I can see Linda Perkins of Baker enjoys drinking the “Kool-Aid.” Her entire letter was full of the Democratic Party’s “talking points,” all of them we hear every day. I prefer to think for myself and fact-check everything I hear and read.

I have lived through a lot of political history since World War II, and I can compare today’s political talk with all the talk that has worked during my lifetime. So far the conservative ideal has been better for this country, more than all the others. God bless America.

Jim Kelly

retired engineer

Baton Rouge

Comments

1) Comment by wadep66 - 30/09/2012

Folks, there are more than two candidates on every election ballot I've voted on for the past 20 years. You know, you can vote for someone who isn't far right or far left. And guess what, when you do, the mainstream party candidates do their darndest to pick up pieces of that platform to court you to get your vote back. For those who say "I'm not throwing my vote away", please ask yourself: Do you vote for a candidate only if he or she has a chance to win. If so, why? Is it just to gloat later and say "I voted for the winner" or is it so you can continue to sling mud at the other side? There is a lot of kool-aid drinking going on all around the political sphere. I must agree that Mr Kelly's letter made me laugh in that regard. Agree with mygulfbleedswithyou on that one. www.factcheck.org shows clearly that candidates in both parties have elevated lying to an art form.

2) Comment by gvm - 28/09/2012

And your point is?

3) Comment by nimby? - 28/09/2012

on cultural diversity it should be noted areas appreciative of academics , education , whether liberal or conservative , show little diversity ; New England , Utah , North Dakota , Minnesota with a predominate white population . I will also point out the most illiterate , uneducated areas are also predominately white ....

4) Comment by nimby? - 28/09/2012

jedleland , the habit of ellipses began in high school almost 50 years ago with no intent or motive . you either give me too much credit or assume a great deal . this thread is a perfect example of what we've become , enemies with our neighbors , in contempt and suspect of each other . I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition for asking a few simple questions , but no one ever expects the Spanish Inquisition !

5) Comment by gvm - 28/09/2012

@Attila - you state: "no matter how much the 'progressives' push 'diversity'; which by the way, is a codeword for narcissism." Can you elaborate on that? I thought the concept of diversity was geared toward bringing disparate people and points of view into the mainstream.

6) Comment by foldgers - 28/09/2012

Who cares? Really... who? No matter what we think is better for the country, it doesn't matter. It is all up to those in the capital "representing" us. It won't change or get fixed until we get ALL career politicians out and put in people who really care about the country and its people and NOT their pocketbooks.

7) Comment by Attila - 28/09/2012

Before I get raked over the coals...I know I misspelled narcissism.

8) Comment by Attila - 28/09/2012

@legrand: You believe Conservatism is a barrier to economic and moral development. I see Liberalism as a mental disease. You have a right to your opinion, and I have a right to mine. Different strokes for different folks...no matter how much the "progressives" push "diversity"; which by the way, is a codeword for narcissim.

9) Comment by DMJ - 28/09/2012

So your ace in the hole is semantics? You feel good about that? Don't. It's all in the wording. If you use the words "liberal" and "conservative" you get different results than if you use the words "right-wing" and "progressive." Besides, who conducted this poll anyway? And even if the poll were right, that the country is more right leaning than left leaning.... so what? That means nothing in terms of the merits of philosophies. Try again, bub.

10) Comment by Tea_Slayer - 28/09/2012

news alert of agagent, your viewpoint is irrelevant because it doesn't represent nearly as much of the true conservative views as you would would have us think. TPers only make up a small percentage of those calling themselves conservative.

11) Comment by gvm - 28/09/2012

@Agagent: perhaps you should follow your own advice.

12) Comment by agagent - 28/09/2012

News alert for liberals: Your views are shared by about 16% of Louisiana’s population and about 20 or 21% of the population of America. In general almost twice as many people view themselves as conservative. Liberalism dominates in some sectors: media, higher education, public education; arts and entertainment, this comment section, and urban areas? Get out of your bubbles/echo chambers and communicate with people who may have a different view.

13) Comment by jedleland - 28/09/2012

but you know what i wasted 5 minutes writing that post when i could have been doing something else and i got suckered right back in after all these weeks so i reckon im just a sucker too...(do the dots make me seem smart and thoughtful?)

14) Comment by jedleland - 28/09/2012

styles but fails for sure i havent posted here in many weeks and probably wont again but i still read the paper online every day and some of the comments but one thing ive always disliked my whole life is smug self righteousness and superior school-marm condescension and the prior poster is right one commenter has that in spades even down to the transparent use of elipses with every post to suggest wisdom or incomplete thoughts that hold a bit of that great wisdom back. if you need to use a silly gimmick to appear deep and thoughtful then perhaps you aint that dep or thoughtful. baloney i say a cranky old reactionary is as a creanky old reactionary writes and no amount of talking up mcgovern or hilary can mask that. there are conservative people that post here intelligently and lefties too, go see some of the long back and forth on creationism then there are the usual paw-paw suspects out early every single morning saying the same stuff over and over and over and over and over cause they just dont have anything else to do. its as simple as that nothing else to do

15) Comment by nimby? - 28/09/2012

Tea_Slayer , when I don't know I ask questions . Any thoughts?

16) Comment by Tea_Slayer - 28/09/2012

Does anyone ever get the feeling that nimby styles himself as some sort of philosophy professor, posing what he thinks are pointed questions, then waiting for us to fall over ourselves to answer his questions to gain his favor. Any thoughts?

17) Comment by nimby? - 28/09/2012

I was going to make a comment , but I'm sure it would be misconstrued as racist , my sources would be deemed partisan and unreliable . while I agree that New Orleans is the driving force of the region , an area of cultural enrichment , why are so many uneducated ?

18) Comment by DMJ - 28/09/2012

Correlative arguments have become mode celebre for conservatives. They present observation A: New Orleans is a "liberal" city, then they present observation B: there are crime, poverty and crummy schools in New Orleans. Then, without proving causality, or even pretending to try to, they say A causes B, or vice versa. I hate to sound like a snob, but didn't you guys take Logic or Statistics in college? If you made these types of arguments in your research papers or essays, you'd get an F.

19) Comment by ex-louisianian - 28/09/2012

I can think of a conservative but educated state: North Dakota. But people there believe in responsible governance, just as much as their liberal neighbor Minnesota. And to the fellow with bad punctuation (and utter inability to construct a rational argument, as other bloggers have noted): New Orleans is the reason why Louisiana and every state within the Mississippi river valley even exists at all. For its many faults, NO is the preeminent cultural, educational, and, yes, economic engine of this state, and one of the few cities in the US that merits the name. But cities make people "liberal", and everyone knows that that's bad.

20) Comment by Old Man Kensey - 28/09/2012

The first few comments up to rgerals (but not included of course) are right on. Then the silliness starts. This person has the same problem as my mother. She is a dedicated Republican and has been her whole life. Her principals are sound. She just doesn't realize the party no longer follows them. The Republican party has flown to the right. They are no longer an option for anyone that truly likes conservative values.

21) Comment by nimby? - 27/09/2012

why are they uneducated ?

22) Comment by legrand - 27/09/2012

Nimby: Your logic is all wrong. If you want to refute my assertion that education and conservatism are mutually exclusive, then you have to give an example of a place that is both conservative and educated, not an example of one that is liberal and uneducated. You see the importance of education?

23) Comment by nimby? - 27/09/2012

didn't realize this was a game . and who is we . progress , to move forward . if a person chooses not to educate them self , voluntarily limiting their employment opportunities , doesn't contribute to the well being of their family , doesn't make sure their children are fed , clothed , in school, are they considered progressive or conservative ? "One thing is clear: conservatism and education are mutually exclusive" . could we compare the rest of Louisiana to New Orleans , a progressive , democratic city ?

24) Comment by DMJ - 27/09/2012

See, nimby? We can play the correlative/causal game too.

25) Comment by legrand - 27/09/2012

Here are some interesting facts: The states with the highest percentage of college graduates (which highly correlates with the overall education attainment of the population) are Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, which are among the bluest of the blue states. The states at the bottom of the ladder by this measure are Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, all among the redest of the red states. One thing is clear: conservatism and education are mutually exclusive. It is not a big surprise that the only industries willing to make Louisiana their home are chicken farms and the like. No high-tech industry will settle in LA, no educated person wants his kids be taught creationism at school. Conservatism is a barrier to economic (and moral) development.

26) Comment by nimby? - 27/09/2012

DMJ , few words , straight to the point . you're a bright kid , figure it out ...

27) Comment by DMJ - 27/09/2012

Wouldn't know where to begin. Don't know what you're talking about. Random sentence fragments , poor punctuation , disjointed thoughts , non sequiturs

28) Comment by nimby? - 27/09/2012

DMJ , it's easier to blame someone else rather than look in the mirror and bear some semblance of responsibility . would you care to address the issues I've mentioned ?

29) Comment by DMJ - 27/09/2012

It's just as easy to blame liberals, it seems...

30) Comment by nimby? - 27/09/2012

priorities . for what it's worth Salt Lake city took in a number of Katrina refugees . like other cities that did the same there was an increase in crime . in order for progression to work all need to get on board , contribute , "shared responsibility , shared sacrifices" , good words . as long as a segment of society refuses to progress itself , take advantage of opportunities , bear responsibility for itself , contribute to a better society there will be no progress . but it's easier to blame those darn conservatives ....

31) Comment by Chucky - 27/09/2012

Twinkie1cat – for moment there I thought you were describing some Christen churches, and not government.

32) Comment by DMJ - 27/09/2012

Or you could live in Utah. I know which I'd pick.

33) Comment by nimby? - 27/09/2012

or you could live in New Orleans , a progressive , democratic controlled city ; no crime , no poverty , no corruption , great schools , etc.

34) Comment by free_market - 27/09/2012

I consider myself a conservative and do not mind helping those in need through charity donations, etc. That being said, I do not feel it is the government's place to take my tax dollars to support those who have never contributed and refuse to try to do so. Everybody has to do their fair share.. There are exceptions, as we all know, disability being the main one. There is no personal responsibility anymore, and that is the root cause, on top of that the sense of entitlement "you have that, I want that, too" is firmly entrenched in the mindset. If you want an Iphone, get a job and go buy one, I shouldn't have to fund the gov't programs that give you one.

35) Comment by twinkie1cat - 27/09/2012

Conservative ideals, huh. Racial and sexual orientation discrimination, big business unregulated, religious dominance, crappy schools, poverty, wars, women as subjugates to men and inability for people to get decent medical care. Yeah conservative values bring us lots of wonderful things, don't they ?

36) Comment by DMJ - 27/09/2012

Seriously though, looking out for oneself and looking out for others should be the twin pillars of political action in a civilized society, in my opinion. You can't do one without the other.

37) Comment by DMJ - 27/09/2012

I once heard or read something to the effect of: conservatism is best for the individual; liberalism is best for society. I think there's a lot of truth to this. Society cannot thrive without responsible individuals and individuals cannot thrive without a healthy society. At least, that's what Karl Marx said in the Communist Manifesto, which I read every night before bed. lol

38) Comment by [e-mail] - 27/09/2012

Conservatism is the philosophy that most people (unless they're a zillionaire) have to use to properly run their own lives; liberalism is what they have to adopt when they decide to run the lives of other people who are not so astute as themselves.

39) Comment by Chucky - 27/09/2012

Tea_Slayer – Wish it was so, but I think the machines are to big and will run the country passed my life time, till then do what you can and be as true to self as possible.

40) Comment by Mygulfbleedsforu - 27/09/2012

It's just funny that someone who co-opts the terms "Kool-aid" and "talking points" and uses "fact-check" and "conservative ideal" and ends with "God bless America" would be communicating about thinking for himself. Just saying.

41) Comment by Tea_Slayer - 27/09/2012

Chucky, you may not believe it but we arent too far off in our views. Registered independent since I was 18 and have voted for candidates from both major parties. My question is: Why do we even need politcal parties? Let each candidate stand on his own platform...

42) Comment by lovemykids - 27/09/2012

Thanks for the comment Chucky. What we need in this country is a third and maybe even a fourth viable political party. The Republican party has moved so far to the right that it is scary. The Democrats have no backbone.

43) Comment by Chucky - 27/09/2012

I am pro abortion rights but also pro gun rights, I am for Gay rights but also do not like how our welfare system runs, I am for solar and wind power but believe in drilling for oil also, believe in capitalism but like communes, do not like pants hanging down but like hiphugers and mini skirts, would like marijuana to be de-criminalized but believe drugs are a problem, Believe in public nudity but also privacy, and the list goes on. As Aristotle said ' All thing in moderation ' the pendulum swings and I find my self voting one year for conservatives and the next of liberals only so that we can keep a balance Am independent voter that believe 'if it harms none ( even yourself ) do as you please ( yet I believe in euthanasia )) . Think this is my longest post yet.

44) Comment by Bighug - 27/09/2012

Ten years ago I described my political views as Conservative. Not now. I haven't changed, but the Republican Party has shifted way to the right. I agree with gvm and chem.

45) Comment by chem - 26/09/2012

Conservatism today means going back to the 1600s. I'll pass on that.

46) Comment by gvm - 26/09/2012

In fairness, I should also add that my repudiation (refudiation in Palin- speak) of modern-day conservatism does not constitute a wholehearted embrace of Liberalism either. I don't think it's possible for any sane person to honestly say that he or she is one or the other in every instance - it should be a function of the issue. American politics has devolved into an unfortunate and vicious cycle of name calling, lies and sophomoric hissy fits. Most of our "leaders" in the Congress have world views similar to what I think a cat would have, it that. Arrogance and an intellectual vacuum in that institution does not bode well for the country. Regrettably, these characteristics seem to be firmly embedded in the Tea Party/GOP.

47) Comment by gvm - 26/09/2012

In theory some aspects of conservatism may, in fact, be good for the country, but not as practiced by today's so-called conservatives. The sheer depth of the lunacy on the right is breathtaking. Never have I witnessed such chaos in a mainstream political party. I'm used to politicians stretching the truth most of the time but the Romney/Ryan cabal is not only pushing the envelope - they've destroyed it. Their entire campaign is built on a series of lies, each one seems to be more improbable than its predecessor. My favorite is the "cut taxes, create jobs" one. Problem is, no one seems able to present data that backs it up. The only good thing about all of this is that all of their hyper-partisan lies are going to cost them the election. Geaux R-squared!!!