The Sinister Liberal Agenda....

[dysert]

If I can attempt to answer the OPPOSITE of OP's question.

If I were to discuss what is the GOP's agenda I would say:

GOP believes race and racism is no longer an issue or a minor insignificant issue at best and the case of racism (if there is such a thing) is due to minorities overly using the race card, thus there is no need for affirmative action

GOP believes that empowering the rich/corporations (to include tax breaks, tax shelters, subsidies, etc) is the best way to stimulate and grow the economy and that there will be a trickle down effect that will benefit the lower classes

GOP believes that the problems of greed and corruption are caused by regulation and needless laws, remove regulation and unnecessary laws and the free market will naturally and organically solve all the economic problems of this country

GOP believes that the 2nd amendment is sacrosanct and should not be touched no matter what (apparently this is the only amendment the GOP holds to such high esteem as they regularly snip away at the first amendment)

GOP believes abortion is murder and must be prevented at all costs

GOP believes homosexuality is immoral and harmful to society and homosexuals do not deserve the same rights as everyone else because homosexuality is a choice

GOP believes that the lower class minimum wage types are poor because they did/do not work hard enough and that they had the same opportunity as the middle and upper class to advance up the social ladder, and views any assistance to the lower class as equivalent to socialist hand outs.

GOP believes foreign policy should occur from a position of strength and that America should dictate terms not negotiate

GOP believes Government is inherently bad and must be removed from as many aspects of the economy and the public's life as possible (to even include public schools)

GOP believes the military is essential to National Security and must be well maintained and funded no matter the costs

GOP believes the Democrats are trying to destroy America and they must be opposed on every issue that differs from the GOP party line...

obviously some of the party line is good, some of the party line is debatable, and some of the party line is outright ridiculous

That's a good list. Not that I agree with every point, but it's succinct. So now if you take the opposite of most of those points, I think you'll have a good start on what the liberal agenda is. Is it any wonder that the country is so deeply divided?

 

[childofGod1]

Hollow rhetoric suffices for an explanation to some I suppose.

I'm sure that's true, but I fail to see the connection to my post or the one I quoted. Perhaps you could explain it. I am certain you'll avoid hollow rhetoric in your own explanation.

 

[Thunder Peel]

You also had commentators saying that it was probably a Middle Eastern Muslim. That kind of demonization okay with you?

And yet the bombers had Muslim ties. How many terrorist attacks is the Tea Party responsible for?

 

[Archaeopteryx]

And yet the bombers had Muslim ties. How many terrorist attacks is the Tea Party responsible for?

What a double standard. You're upset over commentators supposedly "demonising" right-wingers, but you're okay with demonisation, so long as it doesn't affect you.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

.

 

[dgiharris]

That's a good list. Not that I agree with every point, but it's succinct. So now if you take the opposite of most of those points, I think you'll have a good start on what the liberal agenda is. Is it any wonder that the country is so deeply divided?

I'm not a super right wing conservative but I pride myself on my ability to get inside the head of my opponents. I used to even listen to Rush Limbaugh if you can believe that. Below is my list of what I think GOP types "think" is the liberal agenda.


Liberals pander to women and minorities because that is the only way they can get enough votes to retain power

Liberals exaggerate minor race and sex issues so they can keep the nonexistent issues of racism/sexism alive to keep women and minorities in their pockets

Liberals abuse the first amendment so they can promote immorality and destroy traditional American values (w TV shows like Will & Grace)

Liberals want to destroy the sanctity of marriage by forcing gay marriage onto the American public

Liberals are anti-Christian and seek to eliminate all Christian influence and or references (like Holiday tree instead of Christmas tree)

Liberals are against the Free Market and Capitalism and believe in Socialism and Wealth redistribution

Liberals believe the military is way too big and the only use for the military is Self Defense and that America should have an isolationist policy

Liberals believe that Foreign policy should involve consensus with the UN and dealing with other States from a position of weakness (talking)

Liberals believe that the rich should be punished with higher taxes

Liberals believe that unions, regulation, and government oversight are the only means of keeping Corporations in check because Corporations are evil

Liberals believe that Government is a force for good and should have a proactive role in managing the Economy and various aspects of society

Liberals believe that abortion and promiscuity should not only be encouraged but should be taught in schools and promoted with groups like Planned Parenthood

Liberals want to use gun control as an excuse to eventually repeal the 2nd amendment and take all the guns

Liberals believe in Global Warming and want to cripple the country with nonsensical environmental restrictions that would destroy the Economy

Liberals believe in Evolution and want to remove anything dealing with God from the classroom.

Liberals believe in cloning and stem cell research and see nothing wrong with experimenting on unborn children.

Liberals believe in wealth redistribution and that the rich should pay for everyone else's entitlements

Liberals believe that the Government should provide Socialist Healthcare to all

 

[Blackwater Babe]

Sad fact is, I doubt many of the people who use phrases like "liberal agenda" could actually describe the difference between an actual liberal and conservative. And that will be true, as long as people take their lead from pundits who spoonfeed them mush about the differences being in wedge social issues, rather than the actual economic/government models the terms actually mean.

 

[Blackwater Babe]

GOP believes the Democrats are trying to destroy America and they must be opposed on every issue that differs from the GOP party line...

While we're discussing inflamatory rhetoric, this is another thing I've always wondered... When people say Obama et al want to "destroy America", what do they actually mean? Are they seriously saying they think Democrats want the country reduced to a smoking ruin, or that they will merely reduce it to a smoking ruin through misguided good intentions? I guess I can understand that last point of view, but to hear some of the people who use terms like "Democrats want to destroy America" they sound like they really believe Obama and the rest actually want to see the political, social, economic and military collapse of the USA.

 

[variant]

While we're discussing inflamatory rhetoric, this is anotger thing I've always wondered... When people say Obama et al want to "destroy America", what do they actually mean? Are they seriously sayong they think Democrats want the country reduced to a smoking ruin, or that they will merely reduce it to a smoking ruin through misguided good intentions? I guess I can understand that last point of view, but to hear some people who use terms like "Democrats want to destroy America" they sound like they really believe Obama and the rest actually want to see the political, social, economic and military collapse of the Usa.

It's not the literal America that liberals would be destroying but rather an idealized version of America that either probably never existed.

 

[dgiharris]

While we're discussing inflamatory rhetoric, this is anotger thing I've always wondered... When people say Obama et al want to "destroy America", what do they actually mean? Are they seriously sayong they think Democrats want the country reduced to a smoking ruin, or that they will merely reduce it to a smoking ruin through misguided good intentions? I guess I can understand that last point of view, but to hear some people who use terms like "Democrats want to destroy America" they sound like they really believe Obama and the rest actually want to see the political, social, economic and military collapse of the Usa.

I've never really thought about this... Let me think about this a bit... this is what I come up with as a first approximation...

When human beings believe something, we regard that something to be true-- that belief becomes part of us. When someone believes differently than we do, we interpret their argument as an attack against our belief which we interpret as an attack against our very person.

It is very rare (as evident in this forum) for people to acknowledge the merits of someone else's arguments. The stronger or more passionate your belief in something, the more that something is a part of you. Acknowledging that your belief is wrong is synonymous with cutting off a limb. So the reptile part of your brain fights for its very survival and aids in your inability to accept that you may be wrong.

This somehow links to the fight or flight response as well as the cognitive "shut down" of your higher brain functions. The argument is now a matter of survival. So any emotion that will aid in your survival surfaces with the most prevalent one being anger.

If I believe that "X" is good for the country and you believe that "X" is bad for the country, then by you arguing against "X" I conclude that you must not have the country's best interest at heart. In fact, by you arguing against "X" it is now clear that you are trying to hurt the country. The more you argue against things I believe in, or the more you push for things I feel are bad for the country, the more certain I am that you are trying to destroy the country...

the above is a rough first crack at answering your question. After I think about it more, i'll be better able to articulate my thoughts on the matter...

 

[dgiharris]

It's not the literal America that liberals would be destroying but rather an idealized version of America that either probably never existed.

I'm not so sure.

I honestly think that when people say, "Bush / Obama are trying to destroy America" that on some level they actually honestly sincerely wholeheartedly believe what they are saying...

 

[variant]

I'm not so sure.

I honestly think that when people say, "Bush / Obama are trying to destroy America" that on some level they actually honestly sincerely wholeheartedly believe what they are saying...

Whether they mean it or not, you have to get a clear picture of what they mean when they say "destroy America".

 

[Blackwater Babe]

I'm not so sure.

I honestly think that when people say, "Bush / Obama are trying to destroy America" that on some level they actually honestly sincerely wholeheartedly believe what they are saying...

If you look back to the way people discussed "Obamacare", as though it was the Democrats dearest wish to reduce the US to a Stalinist wasteland, it brealy does seem like to some people "they want to destroy the country", is more than just a colourful turn of phrase.

 

[Savior2006]

Yes, there's an agenda. What many conservatives are frustrated with is the media, Hollywood, journalists, and reporters slanting their stories and their work to reflect liberal values while also demeaning conservatives and anyone else to doesn't hold the same worldview. Just look at how they mercilessly attacked Bush for gas prices, drone strikes, and spending, yet Obama has doubled all of these areas and suddenly they're no longer upset. They refuse to report about it and will instead only report on anything that makes him look good and anyone who opposes him to look bad.

There are many out there on the drone strikes alone.

Three key lessons from the Obama administration's drone lies | Glenn Greenwald | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

Obama administration lied about drone targets - Salon.com

An Inside Look at the U.S.-Pakistan Feud Over Drones - TIME

Outrage at CIA's deadly 'double tap' drone attacks - Americas - World - The Independent

Controversy Surrounds Increased Use of U.S. Drone Strikes | PBS NewsHour

And I also have to comment on Fox News. Personally, I don't give a crap if they are biased toward the right. What I care about is them claiming to be "Fair and Balanced" when its obvious even to many conservatives that they aren't. It's hard to take conservatives or Republicans seriously when they crow on and on about how they desperately want "just the facts" and then regularly tune into a network that gave us priceless gems such as this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_vmQrTi3aM

 

[Lucy Stulz]

What is it? I mean this in all seriousness. I consider myself a moderate, having many liberal views on domestic policy and many conservative views on foreign policy. I keep hearing pundits and posters alike speak about a "liberal agenda" or even a "progressive agenda". I don't know if these are the same, different, or whether they overlap in some way because I don't know what these agendas entail.

Example: An associated press story contains some information that conservatives disagree with and I hear a conservative say, "See? This is proof the media is part of the liberal agenda!". I never actually hear what the so-called agenda is. Please reply with a detailed description of the agenda...not some vague answer like, "Everything Obama has done since being elected." That kind of answer isn't useful at all. Thank you!

The liberal agenda is manifold.

1. It is largely focused on helping conservatives hyperlink youtube videos in online discussion fora

2. The complete and utter destruction of KKKapitalism. This has largely been very successful as the dems have overseen the complete collapse of the stockmarket which is now at historic highs

3. The complete displacement of the Constitution.

4. The demand that the gop rely on unprescedented levels of political procedural gimmicks to subvert the will of the electorate has helped move the overall agenda of destroying the basis f the republic that the liberals have backed consistently

 

[WalksWithChrist]

What is it? I mean this in all seriousness. I consider myself a moderate, having many liberal views on domestic policy and many conservative views on foreign policy. I keep hearing pundits and posters alike speak about a "liberal agenda" or even a "progressive agenda". I don't know if these are the same, different, or whether they overlap in some way because I don't know what these agendas entail.

Example: An associated press story contains some information that conservatives disagree with and I hear a conservative say, "See? This is proof the media is part of the liberal agenda!". I never actually hear what the so-called agenda is. Please reply with a detailed description of the agenda...not some vague answer like, "Everything Obama has done since being elected." That kind of answer isn't useful at all. Thank you!

(there isn't one)

 

[WalksWithChrist]

First Book I mentioned has to do specifically with the Obama Presidency and uses sources to back up what is stated in the book.

The 2nd Book is concerning the mainstream media, it is a follow-up of Bernard Goldberg's first book...

The 3rd Book I mentioned, I actually have a copy of the book, and I went through Sean Hannity's bibliography section that listed sources and started digging them up on my own, I actually found that in some instances he was understating the issue.

Look you asked a question as to what people are referring to when we're bringing up the liberal agenda, I gave you some sources to go through.

I can't force you to read through them, but I think I provided you a way to look at things for yourself, whether you choose to take the time to investigate is your own decision.

Here's a counter-book.
What Liberal Media? - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Al Franken covers the same stuff and is way funnier. I definitely recommend him instead.

 

[WalksWithChrist]

Yes, there's an agenda. What many conservatives are frustrated with is the media, Hollywood, journalists, and reporters slanting their stories and their work to reflect liberal values while also demeaning conservatives and anyone else to doesn't hold the same worldview. Just look at how they mercilessly attacked Bush for gas prices, drone strikes, and spending, yet Obama has doubled all of these areas and suddenly they're no longer upset. They refuse to report about it and will instead only report on anything that makes him look good and anyone who opposes him to look bad. They accuse conservatives of being biased with Fox News but never criticize CNN, ABC, NBC, MSNBC, CBS, PBS, and NPR for leaning significantly to the left. Apparently it's wrong for the right to have their own news network but the left should have as many as they want with no penalty. People want facts, not spin and indoctrination. Liberals won't admit it but those networks have been a mouthpiece and campaign tool for the Democrats for decades. Republicans got tired of getting nothing but negative coverage and decided to finally use talk radio and Fox to give people the other side of the story that the major networks will no longer broadcast. I just want the facts so I can make up my own mind, not a talking head telling me what I should believe or who I should vote for.

What's sad is that many of these people believe there's nothing wrong with what they're doing. They see nothing ethically wrong with claiming to be fair while slanting their work to praise more taxes, gay rights, abortion, more government, strong regulation, and gun control. The very celebrities who speak out against the "evil 1%" are the 1% themselves. Those that accused Bush of lying won't call Obama on his own lies and broken promises. The liberal agenda that many of us are tired of is the idea that they can never be wrong or report on party members who act improperly, all while looking down on middle-class Americans who hold traditional values. They mock Christians and traditionalists ceaselessly while holding themselves up as the party of tolerance and understanding.

I've done my own research and paid close attention to this over the years. The more I look into it the more I'm appalled at the double standards and those who see nothing wrong with it.

More and more liberals don't pay much attention to any of those sources. I am (mostly...mostly liberal that is...still have some conservative values) one of them. I grab my news from different sources via Google News or even Facebook. I know people who work in media/politics right and left, so I get some good stuff on a fairly regular basis.


One left example is Kenneth Quinnell, a college buddy of mine.
AFL-CIO Now
Another is John Stemberger, who I went to church with and he was a mentor and still is a friend.
Florida Family Policy Council

Keeps things interesting! That's for sure.

 

[Wolseley]

Surely you don't mean that the media has been "fawning" over Obama for decades....he hasn't really gotten much press before his first campaign to my knowledge.

No, but the media has had a leftist slant for at least the last 45 years; Walter Cronkite's reporting on the outcome of the Tet Offensive in 1968 did more for the North Vietnamese Army than Jane Fonda's anti-aircraft gun picture ever did. I remember Sam Donaldson's outright hostility towards Ronald Reagan in the 1980's. The liberal bias of American media is no secret; it's been right out there in plain sight for anyone to look at. The problem is that most people can't see the bias; they believe what mass media tells them and take it more or less as Gospel truth, when it's nothing but spin. Cronkite was known as "the most trusted man in America", when he was anything but.

 

[Ana the Ist]

The liberal agenda is manifold.

1. It is largely focused on helping conservatives hyperlink youtube videos in online discussion fora

2. The complete and utter destruction of KKKapitalism. This has largely been very successful as the dems have overseen the complete collapse of the stockmarket which is now at historic highs

3. The complete displacement of the Constitution.

4. The demand that the gop rely on unprescedented levels of political procedural gimmicks to subvert the will of the electorate has helped move the overall agenda of destroying the basis f the republic that the liberals have backed consistently

Is this post meant as satire/sarcasm? It's hard to tell when you start with, "The liberal agenda is manifold"