What does being a "Liberal" mean? (US)

[footfootfoot]

Originally Posted by BigV

Perhaps you two are not optimists. Perhaps you once were, I don't know. Clearly you both recognize that state of mind. I consider you a couple of the most rational, articulate, intelligent people I know (who are only coincidentally fellow dwellars). You are not optimists--ok. But I have a question for you.

What are you teaching your children? What do you tell them with your words and what do you show them with your actions? Defensive cynicism? Acquisitive greed? To move up by pushing others down?

Something else? I have paid attention to you over the years and I don't find these sentiments consistent with what I have seen you share about your parenting journey. Maybe you're not optimists, but I see hope in the next generation. This is what makes *me* an optimist--Dads like you.

Originally Posted by BigV

I love to hear you think, so take your time. I've already made note of what I seen that you've done. I am interested to hear what your "sincere" response will be and how much distance there will be between those words and your actions to this point.

For the record, when I have to choose between believing one's actions *or* believing one's words, I almost always choose actions.

Originally Posted by lookout123

I don't consider myself an optimist in any way shape or form. I think I'm a realist with a healthy dose of jaded cynicism.

What I try to teach my kids is as follows:
-Your life is your own, so make one you can be proud of
-Don't expect an organization to help you, that's what family and friends are for
-Help those around you as much as you can when they need it, part of real help is showing them how to do it themselves next time
-Shiny badges, nice suits, and perfect smiles aren't equivalent to good. Dirty clothes, surly attitudes, and obvious flaws aren't equivalent to bad.
-Don't ever live in fear, you can only die once and that is inevitable anyway so take appropriate risks while you can and live life to the full

I often quote the following ( I don't know who said it but no one would dispute you if you blamed Mark Twain or Oscar Wilde, though it sounds more like Ambrose Bierce)

"An Optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds, and the Pessimist thinks the Optimist is right."

That sums it up nicely for me, and I don't feel I fit in either camp but sympathize more closely with the pessimist.

I try to show my kids there is no Hope. Hope is profoundly passive and encourages thinking of oneself as a victim or powerless at best. There is only what you do and what you put effort into.



You can hope into one hand and shit into the other and see which one fills up first.

I try to show them that good manners never go out of style

I try to show them how to establish personal boundaries and to stick together with family and friends.

I try to show them how to think and use reason to solve problems, to be forthcoming and honest when they make mistakes or break things, etc. And to own up to their actions even when they might rather blame someone else.

In short, they'll make sucky politicians, lawyers, or wall street tycoons. But they will be people who you would want to have over for dinner or have in your corner in a fight.