The Lost Cause

Please excuse me for being a bit confused.  But now, as I was recently confronted by a colleague of mine, “I didn’t know you were so liberal”, that bothered me and I questioned myself and my political beliefs because I consider myself a moderate Republican.

So, without further ado, please allow me to provide some information that may bring forth some understanding and light to the matter of “liberal” and “conservative”.

liberal | ˈlib(ə)rəl |
 
adjective 1 willing to respect or accept behavior or opinions different from one's own; open to new ideas:• (in a political context) favoring policies that are socially progressive and promote social welfare.  2 relating to or denoting a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise:
 
noun1 a supporter of policies that are socially progressive and promote social welfare.  2 a supporter of a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise: classical liberals emphasized the right of the individual to make decisions, even if the results dismayed their neighbors or injured themselves. 

 
conservative | kənˈsərvədiv |
 
adjective 1 averse to change or innovation and holding traditional values: 2 (in a political context) favoring free enterprise, private ownership, and socially traditional ideas.
 
 noun 1 a person who is averse to change and holds traditional values: 2 a person favoring free enterprise, private ownership, and socially traditional ideas. 
Normally, these two terms are associated with our two political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans.  As I was taught, the liberals were Democrats and the conservatives were to be Republicans.  When I examined these two definitions provided by Webster’s Dictionary, I noticed a big similarity.  Both parties favor democracy and free enterprise.  With a stretch, it could also be argued both parties favor civil liberty and individual rights, because in our political scheme of things, the value of the individual is paramount.
  
Just ask yourself how many times have you heard the statement “Every single vote counts” which certainly emphasizes the importance of the individual in our country.
In a perfect world, both liberals and conservatives would work in concert on behalf of the country even though political philosophies may be a bit different.  Yet we know this isn’t a perfect world and that isn’t happening.
  
There is a concept that is essential to the success of any democracy.  That concept is described by the term, “loyal opposition”.  So, just what is “loyal opposition”?

The concept permits the dissent of the minority party necessary for a functioning democracy without fear of being accused of treason.
As Michael Ignatieff, a former leader of the loyal opposition in the House of Commons of Canada, said in a 2012 address at Stanford University:
"The opposition performs an adversarial function critical to democracy itself… Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

In essence, the minority party, the party that is not in control of the House or the Senate or both, is required to present ideas contrary to the majority party as a way to create meaningful law.  This holds true even for the government of the United States.
Our elected officials have lost the concept of loyal opposition.  In fact, both parties have resulted to insults, innuendo, falsehoods, and other methods to widen the abyss between the two parties, and to make their respective parties, “the one that is correct”.  It is the attitude “If you aren’t with us, you are against us”, and quite frankly, that does no one any good.
  
To take this element of division to the extreme, when Nikki Haley dropped her campaign for the Presidency, Trump made the statement the MAGA movement didn’t need her supporters and they weren’t welcome in the MAGA camp.  So where do those Republicans who supported Haley send their support?  Home?
  
Our nation of people is greatly divided about politics and have reverted to name calling instead of meaningful discourse.  As it is now, I have seen several references of Democrats as “fucktards”, “libturds”, “demo-rats”…the list goes on.  As for the Republicans, the references are just as bad.  Conversations cannot be held regarding the state of the nation in a civil manner unless it is liberals talking to liberals and conservatives talking to conservatives.

A Republican President, Abraham Lincoln made the statement “A house divided against itself cannot stand”.  Even though Lincoln was referring to the issue of slavery, I am of the opinion this statement is relevant today.  As long as our political parties cause an abyss in our government to be as deep as the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean, our nation will continue to flail about and the two parties will be counterproductive to the people of our country.  Most importantly, little to nothing will be accomplished in a bi-partisan manner within our government.
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It's okay not to agree with the current state of the government for whatever reason, but we have got to keep it civil.  AND revisit the idea of loyal opposition.  We are all Americans.