Is the United States Heading for a Civil War. Conservative vs Liberal?
447380
I highly doubt it....the people that argue the most would run the fastest if bullets were to fly...Don't forget that they are really not that different after all.  Some policy differences, but at the end of the day, they are all rich guys/gals in suits who love to argue.
1153830
Lichtenstein.\n\nNo, only kidding. It's the United States. The country hasn't been so polarized since 1855. If there isn't another civil war in the US before the end of the century I'll be very surprised.
984271
Iraq is just practice for the war they plan to start in America. Now that minorities have more combined votes, the neocons are trying to destroy the US Constitution so they can remain in power. Conservative Christians  and republicans only believe in a democratic republic as long as they are in power and they will destroy it to remain in power. For them, the Constitution is just a piece of paper.\n\n-------------------------------------------------\nwallsatla... -\nLincoln was President 150 years ago and is not relevant to the question. Nevertheless, Lincoln would detest Bush and the neocons - just as America's Founding Fathers would - just as Goldwater would. The Republican party of today is the Democratic party of yesterday - you know...the ones wearing sheets and burning crosses.
883775
It would be civil war, of course.  Liberals can rationalize anything, as long as the target is another American.\n\nEDIT:  Today's liberals are very far removed from FDR.  As to the Revolutionary War statement, that lacks credibility entirely.
916305
Liberals have consistently increased spending less than conservatives over the past fifty years.\n\nAdditionally, over 90% of the national debt has been created by conservative presidents pursuing conservative policies.\n\nThe last balanced budget we had was Bill Clinton.  Before that, I believe it was Carter.\n\nTherefore, it seems clear that the term "fiscal conservative" is actually an oxymoron.  \n\nThe facts are clear:  the true representatives of Fiscal Responsibility are the liberals.
375086
I am a moderate conservative with leaning towards being more liberal for social programs who help children, the elderly, handicapped, etc etc. Fiscally, I lean more towards the conservative end. However, what I am seeing NOW in the United States is that both parties need to more clearly define their positions. I just want to have an honest, hardworking, moral, intelligent president and even more importantly a CONGRESS who will stand up and finally think about OUR people and what is best for the United States and not THEIR special interest groups instead.
424323
Today it is divided up between religious and secular, liberals and conservatives with one still active group of Republicans working like hell to bring back the agenda. Another of the great divisions comes from how much government do the people of America want? Conservatives and Liberals alike want more federal power over the people including academic education curriculum, one school fits all! Health care must be government controlled which will make it part of any partisan campaign for power. The FDA now wants to control our supplements and we gave them that power within CAFTA. The government will direct our length of stay in the hospital without exceptions and these are liberal and conservative desires. Unless we can stop it, how we die will be a part of the federal government’s plans. We all saw Bush’s reaction to the Schiavo case. \n\nWhat did we expect from a man who had never seen a war, never made a success in any business venture or earned a wage in his life? Could he be expected to keep America free from assault, keep our government out of our personal lives and our business proceedings? His campaign managers knew the GOP agenda but did he? Hell yes they need spanked.
78395
A conservative usually tries to keep the system the same. A liberal tries to change things. Generally Republicans tend to be conservative and Democrats tend to be liberal.
856238
I am having a hard time telling the difference is political correctness, welfare, social security, education, and peace the agenda of liberals or conservatives.... I think this country spends way to much time taking care of those who don't take care of themselves.  I am a christian, but if I am going to have to conform to the new world order and become modern and culturally sensitive and think that I evolved from a monkey and that only the strong survive and the week perrish and sometimes its not natural for mothers to give birth because they have other plans then, why not just convert to that dogma and do what I want where I want any way I want as long as I can get away with it because the only person I have to answer to are the authorities and there not that good at their jobs. Why should anyone do anything if there is no design or purpose. If it is all just a big accident of a natural process beyond my control and there is no hope... Why not just live it up and get it over with and take drugs and life support til we can't be kept alive any longer. That is much more natural of a state for mankind in his polluted environment of advancement and civilization.\n\nthe only true christian civilization I have seen in a community in my life time is perhaps Amish people....  try to understand that
802280
we sure are....our country is divided as a whole....i wonder if this just a different type of civil war.....will we find common ground....i honestly dont know....reps and dems right now simply hate each other and it has unfortunately become a tit for tat struggle instead of focussing on what matters....our country...the American people are tired that is for sure and it is just a matter of time what unfolds
516813
Political problems of today can seem somewhat similar to the days prior to the civil war because they are similar issues (we're not talking race here either).  The Civil War was fought over states rights -and the more the federal government wanted to take over or make mandates that the states had to follow, then the more states rebelled - the same thing is happening today.  The federal goverernment is dictating and that is hindering the  states rights which are guaranteed in the constitution.  So the Civil War's legacy is not the cause of the problems today, but the problems today are very similar in nature.  Good observation of your  part.
1043536
You can make the same argument about the Conservatives being stuck in the 50's.  Each faction (Cons and Libs) are stereotyped into a certain ideology that is compared to a way of thinking or political movement of a past era.  I consider myself a moderate Republican.  As such, I have as much in common with the far left as I do with the far right.  To me, both factions are "behing the times".  We live in a rapidly changing world and Liberals need to realize, just as Conservatives do, that their views and ideology are no longer embraced by the majority of the country. \n\nAnd just to add a comment, Conservatives want your money just as much as Liberals...the difference is that Liberals want to give it to the poor and/or less fortunate via government programs wheras Conservatives want to give it to the poor and/or less fortunate via religious institutions.  Same goal, just different ways of doing it.
1177446
I believe your hypothesis is flawed. Do you watch the news, read the newspaper, read blogs, political books,etc? Yep, you must believe what you are hearing. Where do you live? Do you think that the news might be biased where you are? When have you last heard a BBC newscast, or watched Al-Jazzerah? \nWhat is your definition of Progressive? If it is the Teddy Roosevelt definition, then you adhere to a more classical conservative approach. If you are comparing yourself to modern liberals, then you just need to call yourself that.\nU.S. politics is not divided, just people don't care about the close similarities they share. Even most Political Scientists believe there is an increased volatility in the world democracies, but they ain't asking the right questions. \nInstead of trying to label yourself, why not ask yourself why you believe what you do, and how important those beliefs are.\nIf your definition is hoping for change, then no, conservatives and pregressives are exactly the same. why do you believe conservatives don't question thier leaders? Who do you think are conservatives leaders anyway? Do you think people currently in elected positions are conservative?\nI am not trying to be insulting, just when labels start getting thrown around, it narrows the scope of a question beyond any redeemable answer, and just becomes an opportunity to posture. If you really want to find answers, open up a bit more.
1043666
Hmm..I am a liberal, yet I have never killed a baby, ran from a fight or saved a seal.  Liberals are not anti military, the idea that they are is ludacris.  In the last two elections we put forth decorated war veterans, General Wesley Clark a long time serviceman is a Democrat.  Conservatives wlected a veritable draft dodger president, and lied and said that a Vietnam vet who lost both legs and arm fighting for his country(former Georgia senator Max Cleeland) supported terroists, just to win his senate seat.  Liberals believe in fighting the good fight, not the pointless one that needlessly puts brave men and women in harms way.  As for hugging trees, those who look at the scientific data in terms of health effects and global warming and don't put the environment at the forefront are simply put, foolish.
989812
Lost cause. It will never be united. However, a civil war is impossible too. Most liberals don't even have the balls to bring up the FACT that the republicans have been literally stealing (yes, there's a reason CONservatives have been adamantly opposed to paper ballots) the elections. \n\nDemocracy is eroding and many people just don't care. Those losing their jobs, health care, etc, still haven't figured out who the right people are to vote for, much less how to participate in a civil war. \n\nNice thought though
1178387
Good question!  I'm not sure, but it would seem that liberals are taking over the Democratic party and making it too far left for most conservative people that are still Democrats and many Republicans have taken a far right stance because it's becoming predominantly conservative and moral.  It's not a good reflection of either party too far either way and it's sad.
252462
conservatives like to talk, liberals take action...\n\nTHANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!