I was watching something on MSNBC, and some angry Americans were sending in some emails saying that we should be helping our country rather than helping other countries. I am sorry, but that is just selfish, and careless. Especially the incident in Asia. I think it is awesome that our country can go out of their way to help other countries when they are in need. I don't think Asia is capable of doing this by themselves, and they need aid. Some other people were also saying that we should just let them help themselves, and focus on our own country, and stop spending numerous amounts of money.

Hehe, that's funny, a similar discussion has just started in the Tsunami Thread.

How much of your own money did you donate, Vince?

You know, I'm an Isolationist, but with disasters of this calibre, countries could use our aid, definitely. It's the right thing to do.

None, but I don't think that makes me selfish. I am not sending in hateful emails, and saying that we should worry about ourselves.

Well at least the people who are sending those emails are blunt about their selfishness.

So you are calling me selfish now?

No, what I'm saying is that those people have every right to want to spend their money the way they wish to. You, on the other hand, would like them to spend their money they way YOU want to.

On top of that, you're not ready to make the same expense you want them to make.

Sorry, I just had to pull out these pictures.

I understand what you are saying.

so why make a pointless thread about nothing. We all know that there are some people who don't always have you opinion and then you go make a thread about how selfish americans are. I might as well say get the fuck out of my country if u don't like how people are here. It's not a suprise to anybody that people do or don't want to do things especially of America. Land Of The Free. Freedom of Speech. What a waste of time.

Well of course some people are going to say that, you can find some people who believe all different points of view on most issues. But in general many will open their checkbooks and help, Amazon.com has already raised a lot for the Red Cross from donations from customers.

What's so pointless about this thread? You are such a damn moron. At least I don't go into threads, and say why fat people exist, and why don't they excercise, or you don't understand why gay people exist, because women are so beautiful. It's all very ignorant if you ask me.

personal attack, you called costerman2002 a damb moron. So whats with this use of personal attacking does it make you feel better? If so why? Do you think it makes the other person feel bad? It usualy does'nt. whats your reason because Ive seen you do it a lot here at KJs and at BOM as well. Pink its getting anoying. Find another way to vent your anger other than personaly attacking someone please 8)

America is becoming more conservative everyday, and I think if you were to look to the root of basic conservative thought, it is selfishness.

Now, I am speaking in generalities here, but bear with me for a minute. Look at some conservative views and how they have been played out recently:

Who cares about other countries and what they think? We should only care about ourselves.

Why should we spend money on health care? I can afford health care, so who cares about all those people living on minimum wage who can't?

Who cares about the environment? I can make more money by chopping down trees and polluting the atmosphere, so we should loosen environmental controls so me and my rich friends can make more money.

Why should my tax dollars be used to help the poor and underprivileged? Let them help themselves, the greedy bastards!

Civil rights? Hey, I'm not a minority, so why should I care about making sure there is no discrimination in America?

Cibvil liberties? Hey, if people want to protest this country, or if they commit a crime, they deserve everything they get. Who cares? I'll never be in that boat. (NOTE: This is the quickest one that conservatives change their minds on when one of their own is arrested or accused -- see Rush Limbaugh, Oliver North, etc.)

Why should we not haev prayer in schools and the ten commandments posted? Our religious views are the only ones that matter, who cares about anyone else's?

Why should abortion be legal? Our view is that it is murder, so who cares if other people disagree?

Why should we allow gay people to get married? It would make me uncomfortable so that's all that matters.

I could go on, but you get the point.

The thing to remember is that it is a minority of the population who is like this. Don't blame the country on the comments of a few, even if those few include the people running the country.

So, Mike, only liberals are donating to the relief efforts?

I love you Krem. Too much fun.... eh...

Don't try to take what I said to mean "all". In fact, I made it quite clear that I was speaking in generalities. I was talking about the root of just about all conservative views is selfishness. Address that point.

Don't worry, Pink. Krem and others always attack my threads too, probably cause I'm an idiot! :wink: Not that you're an idiot by any stretch, but we must have targets on us. Stay strong, and keep the threads alive!!

There is no point there. I'll be the first to admit that I am a selfish person. So what? I also give money to charity and to the poor when I, not you, make that decision.

Your argument is a strawman. You talk about the issues from your point of view, assuming that it's right. It is possible to care about the environment without supporting the Kyoto protocol. It is possible to be against high taxation while giving generously. It is possible to be against the Affirmative Action while also being anti-racism.

Liberals do not hold the monopoly on righteousness.

You know, that is utterly depressing.

On a personal level, you are correct. As a philosophy by a group, I don't see it. Just about every strongly held conservative viewpoint is based on what is best for "our group" only. For instance, conservatives have historically stood against all civil rights advances (and still do).

So, prove me wrong, not through examples of individual exceptions. Name me some conservative programs that are not based in something selfish. (I'm sure there must be one or two, though I can't think of any at the moment.)

Possibly, but I won't look into it much. You seem to be the new Rusty, constantly having something negative to say about me. *Grain of salt*

But you are saying all this as if selfishness is a bad thing. It is not, in my view. If I don't care of myself, then who will?

As for the rest of your comment, you'll have to define just what exactly you mean by the word "conservative". Will Barry Goldwater/Ronald Reagan brand of conservatism do?