Is labeling someone a liberal or a conservative a cop out?

1. 71

   rhamsonposted 15 years ago

   The practice of labeling people as aligned with a certain mindset seems to be a popular way of marginalizing the individual and has a tendency to change the gist of the conversation or debate.  Is this fair to both parties involved and is it the recipe to end a free expression of ideas without bias?

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      rebekahELLEposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      not sure it's a cop out. some people identify their lifestyle with that label. I try to see the person and not their affiliation... sometimes though, that becomes almost impossible when you have someone living on the fringes who refuse to see or listen to anything but their own beliefs and opinions.
      
      labels on good for buying food.

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      Poppa Bluesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Is it fair? Well apparently the Obama justice department thinks so since they overruled the overwhelming majority of a small town to leave party affiliation off the candidates ballots!
      
      http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/200 … isan-vote/
      
      Personally I don't see a problem with labels. We use them everyday. It's a way to frame thoughts in context and provide a degree of understanding. Of course in any debate a common tactic, especially when one has a weak argument, is to change the subject. More recently the term racist has been used to describe tea party protesters and others that have voiced opposition to Obama's policies.

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         rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         I don't know how you could not see a problem with the labeling bias that is applied to a person when involved in a discussion.  The person it is applied to has to prove or disprove things that should not be related to the topic being debated.  I personally try to not react to someone calling me one or the other because it is a waste of time to defend either label when applied to the subject.  But I find that the person doing the labeling is set to prove the label and mindset through out the discussion rather than remaining focused on the topic.

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            Poppa Bluesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            Well it's only a problem if the label is used as the bassis for an argument. If someone is liberal and the discussion is on health care I wouldn't argue they are for it because they are liberal, however knowing that they are liberal actually adds to the understanding of why they would support.
            
            At the same time if the discussion was to answer the question "why do you have liberal views", I wouldn't expect the answer to be "because I am a liberal".
            
            So again it all depends on the context of the conversation or debate.

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2. 60

   tksenseiposted 15 years ago

   Of course it's "fair." Some people are liberal and some conservative. Nothing unfair about it unless someone is labeled something he is not.

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      rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      But is it fair to the argument when you label ones views as academic to their label and gloss over the details of the persons argument.

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      rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Doesn't that create an adversarial atmosphere rather than an expressive one?

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         tksenseiposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Too bad. If people are made of glass they shouldn't engage in discussion in the first place.

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            rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            I don't think that the point you make is germain to the conversation because it has nothing to do with feelings but that of bias that is created from the labeling process.  Tough guys are immaterial to the intellectual objective exchange of ideas.

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3. 74

   Uninvited Writerposted 15 years ago

   Yes it is...

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4. 87

   Len Cannonposted 15 years ago

   There's nothing wrong with using a term to describe yourself or another's viewpoint.  The problem is when people decide that all people on a particular end of a spectrum share the same beliefs and the same reasons for these beliefs. Also, stigmatizing the terms is coutnerproductive.

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5. 74

   Uninvited Writerposted 15 years ago

   I consider myself a liberal...however, I have other views that probably don't fit into that little box that some assume fits all liberals.

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6. 66

   Mishaposted 15 years ago

   I am always against reducing a person to a label. But some labels definitely can be useful when you don;t know the person well, as long as you remember they are just labels

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7. 71

   Jeffrey Nealposted 15 years ago

   No, it's not a cop out, but the thing to remember is everyone is an individual. 
   
   Len and Misha have already said it better than I can.

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8. 61

   Helen Caterposted 15 years ago

   You are what you are. lets not put into pigeon holes.

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9. 63

   prettydarkhorseposted 15 years ago

   maybe we can only say at the most, or most of the time...
   
   most of the time I am a liberal like that because we decide on most issues differently at times but there is a tendency for you to cling towards an ideology most of the time,

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10. 62

    DennisBarkerposted 15 years ago

    I don't see how we can use labels to describe other people without an accurate definition of the terms to begin with.Are we talking about economics or attitudes to social issues, religion or politics. Each has a spectrum of opinion and attitude and the language being used can be misinterpreted without a clear definition and context.

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11. 0

    Madame Xposted 15 years ago

    Labels have certain definitions that some like to move about at will. But Len and Misha have said it very well.

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12. 59

    Fugitive From Nowposted 15 years ago

    A lot of people use labels to dimiss a thought they disagree with, for example if I label myself pro life the pro choice crowd calls me conservative and tells me to shut up, and if I say I'm against capital punishment the same pro life crowd I labeled myself as will call me liberal and tell me to go back to Africa, but if I'm in an African American community and I say I don't support affirmative action I'll be called an uncle tom and be told to drop dead.

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       tksenseiposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Why? The death penalty is pretty prevalent in Africa.

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          Fugitive From Nowposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          The line is sarcasm, but each line was meant to reflect how one label leads to others that aren't true.  What are other labels that can be associated with Pro life- conversative-republican-right-wing-racist so I used the phrase to basically say do you see where all of this labeling leads.  Which is no where.

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13. 59

    Rayalternatelyposted 15 years ago

    Labels make it easy not to think too hard. It's easier to dismiss the views of a <insert label> as they're bound to be wrong. It would certainly be a start if we thought of each other as individuals.

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14. 93

    Bibowenposted 15 years ago

    We all use labels to categorize people. They are necessary shortcuts. However, there are times when we should not use them. Wisdom is knowing when to use them and when to put them aside. For example, for close friendships, they're probably destructive in the long run.

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15. 69

    wyanjenposted 15 years ago

    There is nothing wrong with assuming a what person's opinions are based on whether they are liberal or conservative.
    
    That is not the same thing as applying a label though. The most passionate people will surprise you with a different point of view from time to time.
    
    Putting somebody in a box in an insult. Doing such a thing to somebody is a sign of ignorance because it shows that you can't or won't think deeply enough to understand something beyond a broad and simple label.

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    1. 71

       rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       My point precisely!

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16. 0

    sneakorocksolidposted 15 years ago

    I think labeling by issue is more appropriate. The only time it applies to a group is when a group acts as a block that only votes one particular way or holds one particular view.

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       rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       But don't you think that by labeling something you create a bias in your mind and speak to to it rather than allowing the idea being expressed to come to fruition?

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          sneakorocksolidposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          I agree with you that rational mind should investigate and make an informed decision and give a person or idea a chance before closing the door. I moderate my opinions to fit my beliefs what I feel is right.
          
          Abortion, typically, a liberal position would be 'on demand'.
          A conservative position may be to outlaw it completely. My position is abortion is ok for rape, incest, or for the life of the mother when determined by an appropriate medical authority. So the previous two positions could be clearly labeled but mine might be a little tougher.

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          1. 71

             rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             I think that is a valid point and a takes some individual fortitude.  I think I speak more to the crowd that throws labels up as walls whether they be positions or individuals and create division before they understand the conversation.  Thayt is the argument I make against labeling.

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                sneakorocksolidposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                I would have to agree with you. If the purpose is to draw lines in the sand then they are not helpful.

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                   Madame Xposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                   Not nesso - sometimes it becomes imperative to draw a line over which one cannot go.

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17. 67

    awareposted 15 years ago

    yes

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18. 60

    tksenseiposted 15 years ago

    If someone can't handle an "adversarial atmosphere" then they are not prepared to engage in a discussion. Such people mistake banal affirmation and  handholding for discussion.

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    1. 71

       rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       And some people consider an adversatial atmosphere misdirection for as a validation of their postion.  The result is a baseless argument under the guise of some implied authority.  In other words why the games?

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19. 57

    C.J. Wrightposted 15 years ago

    When using the terms to describe a person's views, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Its accuracy is dependent on the person’s perception. However when it’s used to describe the actual person it is an abstraction. It is often simply done to reduce the person to a set of opinions, ones the labeler may not share. It's easier to replace the person with an abstraction when you intend to insult or ridicule....

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20. 49

    Virat77posted 15 years ago

    I think a label should only be labeled on someone when they themselves label themself it, otherwise it's a subtle form of name calling and oversimplication on someone.  Example, is Jon Stewart a liberal?  I would say no, because on more than one occassion when called one, he didn't go along with it.  Also, he has shown to make fun of everyone, not just conservatives and has shown an ability to judge things by his own mind, not from the liberal handbook of what liberals believe.  It can be  frustrating when speaking from my mind, genuinely,and someone comes along and tries shove me and what I'm saying into some kinda box and call me a liberal.

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21. 66

    Greek Oneposted 15 years ago

    Yes it is

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22. 0

    Poppa Bluesposted 15 years ago

    I look at it like this, labeling someone instantly gives that person my view of their beliefs and at the same time establishes for that person a frame of reference to construct any response. If anything a label promotes understanding, for example if someone used the "N" word on me I would instantly know they were racist and any response from me would have to be framed in that context.

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23. 60

    William R. Wilsonposted 15 years ago

    The connotations of the words are important. 
    
    If you think that all liberals are overeducated snobs who've never worked hard then labeling someone a liberal will not help you have a conversation with them. 
    
    Likewise if you think that conservatives are all racist neanderthals. 
    
    People are people.

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24. 0

    Poppa Bluesposted 15 years ago

    Of course that is the image that the left wants to project onto conservative since it serves their purpose to establish a Utopian socialist society under an oppressive central authority. I for the life of me can't understand why anyone would advocate for such a system, but needless to say that is what the left these days are advocating and Obama with the democrats are leading the charge.

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    1. 71

       rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       As usual it has been proven that one can't push past the bias and negative stereotyping that is attributed with it.
       
       The bias you have expressed is at the root of the problem and keeps the two sides from coming to any agreement.  The result is what you have now.  A polarized congress knowing that the way to get things done is to eliminate the others input and vote accordingly while you can.
       
       The same thing is almost assuredly going to happen with Obamas Supreme Court appointment.  Knowing that the 2010 elections will bring in a small but effective GOP majority, Obamas best effort to offer any balance with a candidate of choice will have to be made now while the democrats can push it through.
       
       It really is a shame as the bias you continue to offer sets this whole mindset in motion.

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          Poppa Bluesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Yes I am biased, I admit it, I am biased towards freedom! I don't like government, it has a long history of corruption and inefficiency and ineffectiveness and yes I am opposed to anyone, or group that thinks differently. I think government continues to expand beyond it's charter and assume powers not granted to it and it uses  the "general welfare" and "commerce clause" of the constitution to justify it's reach. I believe there is a group of people that support the government take over of society and will stop at nothing to promote it, and I view such people as the enemies of freedom. There is nothing you or anyone else can say to change my mind and there's plenty of evidence to support my view and that's my view. I'm not trying to hide it and I'm not ashamed of it.

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             rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             The only problem with your bias is that it applies to ideals and not people.  You seem to wish to group people in one or the other as how it applies with your take on the motives and not the conversation.
             
             Bias in any form is counterproductive in any debate as to how objective thought and action can take place.
             
             It is easy to be right but the pride of bias fuels misdirection and only frustrates productive effort.

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                Poppa Bluesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                There is no such thing as objective thought! We are all biased! Isn't it better to reveal those biases than to pretend they don't exist? Doesn't doing so make for a more meaningful conversation? I think it does. I don't think it's easy to be right, but you'd better have a damn good justification for taking my freedom if you want to convince me that you're right.

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                   rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                   I really think that bias shows itself to be more stubborn and a mindset that is less open to new thought.  The reason being that it assumes certain truths to the individual that cannot be revisited.  These very truths may be at the basis for the misunderstanding that is at the root in opposition to the understanding needed for a breakthrough.
                   However small these truths may be, they build on each other to form conclusions that may have some bearing on the individuals opinion.
                   
                   Admitting a bias up front tends to group a person into certain mindset that they may not subscribe too.

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                      Poppa Bluesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                      A bias is simply a direction from a reference, it has nothing to do with a mindset or being open minded or closed minded. It electronics a voltage is either plus or minus as measured from a reference point, ground or zero. It's not possible to be completely neutral, or at zero and still possess the energy to do work, nor is it possible to be completely neutral and have no opinion and accomplish anything, because at that point, you simply don't care.

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                         rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                         From Wikipedia:
                         Bias is a term used to describe a tendency or preference towards a particular perspective, ideology or result, when the tendency interferes with the ability to be impartial, unprejudiced, or objective.[1]. In other words, bias is generally seen as a 'one-sided' perspective. The term biased refers to a person or group who is judged to exhibit bias. It is used to describe an attitude, judgment, or behavior that is influenced by a prejudice. Bias can be unconscious or conscious in awareness. Having a bias is part of a normal development. Labeling someone as biased in some regard implies they need a greater or more flexible perspective in that area, or that they need to consider more deeply the context.
                         
                         Candy coat how you wish, it still refers to a preconcept, and while exposing that early in any discourse "lays ones cards on the table" it distracts the conversation away from its purpose.  An open exchange of thoughts or ideas without the unnessasary side stepping.

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                            Poppa Bluesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                            No it actually supports what I said. Bias is a distance from a neutral position, we like to characterise politics as to the left or the right, but in order to be left or right of something there has to be a middle. We refer to those far left or far right as extremists. If you're in the middle, you have no opinion or you don't care.

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                               rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                               Are you sure you think thats what bias means.  Looking it up in the thesaurus there are a number of references that coincide with the meaning of bias. Prejudice, partiality,unfairness, preconceived notion, foregone conclusion, favoritism, predisposition, preconception are but a few. None of which go along with your offering.
                               
                               Impartiality is the antonym of bias and describes more clearly what you propose is the definition of bias.
                               
                               I wish I could look at the world in your right and wrong perspective.  It would save a lot of explanation and grief.  Wait a minute that is why we are in the state we are in.
                               
                               I have never refered to you in any other way than another individual.  I have never accused you of extreme anything.  I prefer to have an open minded expression of ideas with you but you insist on labeling me when I ask or offer information.  I can only assume you don't know how to do this without attacking.  It is a shame as I think you have a core grasp on issues and are well informed albeit misdirected at times.

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    donotfearposted 15 years ago

    Hey, you are what you are. Simple.

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    AdsenseStrategiesposted 15 years ago

    YES

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