#~~say Something Nice~~# (5)

[rebel_conservative]

I just got my Conservative Party Membership Card in the post

 

[*Starlight*]

^ is proud to be conservative

 

[rebel_conservative]

of course.

^ is proud of being crazy?

 

[*Starlight*]

^ should know that I don't know... and that makes me even more crazy. But I like being liberal.

 

[rebel_conservative]

what is good about being liberal...? please enlighten me.

I am really glad I grew out of that phase...

 

[*Starlight*]

^ was liberal once, but grew out of it...

If you explain me what's good about being conservative, I'll tell you why I think being liberal is better.

 

[rebel_conservative]

you operate on the precautionary principle, you will not be cavalier. you will make small and sensible changes that are easily reversed if it does not work out as imagined. if you make changes, they are for a specific purpose, rather than just for the sake of it. you believe in tradition, that in our traditions we have the inherited knowledge of mankind. you don't accept the silly idea of cookie-cutter government; you understand that there are differences between people and that some solutions will work in one country, but not in others. because of this, you believe in self-determination and nationalism. as a conservative, you believe in liberty, and you want the government out of our lives, you accept that people know better than bureaucrats. you believe in de-centralised government that is responsive to the people, rather than the other way around. you don't believe in social engineering, you see the the government reflects the population, it is not there to cajole, push or coerce them. you believe that people should not be dependent upon the government, and that this is a very unhealthy situation for all concerned. you reject the abdication of our responsibility to the government. because you reject rationalist grand plans, you are able to make rational policies. because you are not emotional, you can see through pathetic responses and make the right decisions. you believe in actually doing something that works, rather than what just looks good. you accept that you have the take the hard decisions. you believe in protecting the public and victims of crime, not the criminals. you believe in liberty and freedom, that our rights are negative by definition and that the government does not grant rights. well that's a start I guess...

 

[*Starlight*]

^ just gave me a very detailed description of conservatism... wow! And should know that I don't know much about politics... I'm liberal in the sense that I believe in equality of all humans and that everyone should be allowed to live their life in their own way, without being bound by traditions and social norms, as long as they don't harm anyone else... Well, at least that's a very general description. If you ask me some more specific questions, I'll answer.

 

[rebel_conservative]

^ should know that I don't know much about politics... I'm liberal

lol, specific question then... k
what should be done about aid/debt relief for African countries?

 

[*Starlight*]

Please, ask me a question which is not about politics Or try to explain your question in detail... [sign]I'm Stupid! [/sign]

 

[rebel_conservative]

lol, well, should the West cancel the debts of African countries? and should Western governments be giving more aid to African countries? and why?

 

[*Starlight*]

^ I think yes... most of the African countries are very poor.

 

[rebel_conservative]

yes... you are a liberal...

giving more aid and cancelling debts is actually a very stupid idea. the main reason African countries are poor is corrupt government, as well as a lack of rule of law, no property rights etc. giving more aid and cancelling debts will make things worse, it will give more money to the corrupt regimes and they will spend it on weapons to oppress their citizens and their enemies, they will spend it on aircraft and airports that are not needed, they will put it in private bank accounts, they will spend it on foreign holidays, they will build mansions for themselves.

[also, the West could stop stealing African skilled workers, doctors and nurses etc. the West should open its agricultural markets to Africa, allow them to trade their way out of poverty.]

 

[*Starlight*]

^ you're right... but the Western countries should give them some money and make sure that the money doesn't go to the corrupt governments, but to normal people... if that's possible, I don't know!

 

[rebel_conservative]

I agree. if the governments are going to give aid, then they should give it to Oxfam, Christian Aid, medicine sans frontiers, etc so they can spend it on the ground.

 

[rebel_conservative]

 

[*Starlight*]

^ agrees with me, even though I'm a crazy liberal! Yay! Have a nice day too.

 

[rebel_conservative]

.

 

[*Starlight*]

^ can ask me another question, but if it has anything to do with economy, I probably won't answer!

 

[rebel_conservative]

* asks a question about the economy