Full Version: Obligatory introduction
Greetings to all, and thanks for reading my introduction post.
I am a native of Texas, currently living in Austin. I describe my politics as "left-leaning libertarian"--left on social issues, right on economic ones. Since I focus more on social issues, I've defined myself as "slightly liberal," but understand that I have no intrinsic preference for either the left or the right.
The reason I enjoy national politics, and political debate in particular, is that the sides taken are often illustrative of fundamental questions of value. I study ethical philosophy, currently favoring the utilitarian model; part of which is the notion that a person is happiest and most productive when given maximal freedom in which to find ways of interacting with his society. That freedom is something I value, but other people value other things, and I find that many questions of politics boil down to competing values. Do we favor international harmony, or national security? Should we support artistic freedoms, or stable communities?
Those conflicting values can leave two countrymen questioning each other's patriotism, when both love their country equally. It is all too easy to threaten a set of values one does not share, and it is too much to ask that we all agree on which values are best. But decisions can be made that appeal to different sets of values, or at least do not offend one or the other, and so it is important to understand the crux of an argument that is not one's own.
So if your politics differ from mine, you are why I am here. I will be probing into what you find important, testing your values, comparing them to the situations at hand. If you are open to common ground, I will find it. If you think the evidence makes this impossible, bring it on; one of us is bound to learn something.
Thank you for your attention, and know that I await you in the forums.
I am a native of Texas, currently living in Austin. I describe my politics as "left-leaning libertarian"--left on social issues, right on economic ones. Since I focus more on social issues, I've defined myself as "slightly liberal," but understand that I have no intrinsic preference for either the left or the right.
The reason I enjoy national politics, and political debate in particular, is that the sides taken are often illustrative of fundamental questions of value. I study ethical philosophy, currently favoring the utilitarian model; part of which is the notion that a person is happiest and most productive when given maximal freedom in which to find ways of interacting with his society. That freedom is something I value, but other people value other things, and I find that many questions of politics boil down to competing values. Do we favor international harmony, or national security? Should we support artistic freedoms, or stable communities?
Those conflicting values can leave two countrymen questioning each other's patriotism, when both love their country equally. It is all too easy to threaten a set of values one does not share, and it is too much to ask that we all agree on which values are best. But decisions can be made that appeal to different sets of values, or at least do not offend one or the other, and so it is important to understand the crux of an argument that is not one's own.
So if your politics differ from mine, you are why I am here. I will be probing into what you find important, testing your values, comparing them to the situations at hand. If you are open to common ground, I will find it. If you think the evidence makes this impossible, bring it on; one of us is bound to learn something.
Thank you for your attention, and know that I await you in the forums.
Good intro and it's always good to see another libertarian join. I look forward to hearing what you have to say. Welcome.
CP
CP
Welcome to America's Debate. That is a nice intro. Looking forward to your contributions. 
QUOTE(ConservPat @ May 10 2007, 11:03 PM) 
Good intro and it's always good to see another libertarian join. I look forward to hearing what you have to say. Welcome.
CP
CP
Thanks. Also, hooray for Ron Paul.
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