To think that being Tory doesn't make you thick?

[RainbowSheep]

Ok, my family are all very liberal (I mean my parents, aunts & uncles, who incidently have all had lots of money & opportunities throughout their lives). Their parents (who were poor working class) were more conservative as are me and my brother, who are both pretty poor. We recently had a family get together where I was told by my uncle (university lecturer) that Tories were unitelligent and I was beginning to sound like an idiot for having conservative views... I don't think I am particularly right wing.

A great paper here from Jonathan Haidt (a brilliant moral psychologist) about why left-wingers and right-wingers don't understand each other.

It's worth a read whichever side you identify with, as it gives a perspective from outside the political debate on why both sides believe they have a persuasive moral argument, and neither side can see the other's point of view.

It's more angled towards the US Left/Right debate but still relevant.

I personally think anyone who has certain right wing views lacks intelligence. Tories are not progressive and their policies are uncaring and unenlightened. Just my opinion.

And by intelligence I don't mean unable to do well academically. There are different kinds of intelligence.

Tbh I despise tory values. And what I despise most are people who think supporting tory policies makes them aspirational (vomit)

'I personally think anyone who has certain right wing views lacks intelligence. '

Sure, but presumably you also think that anyone who has 'certain left wing views' lacks intelligence too? Or was Stalin spot on?

'ooooh it's all getting very political on MN at the mo..........and I think the lefties are winning...........all very back foot there on the right'

Hmmm. Not so much on this thread I'd say. But since I'm guessing you aren't apolitical, it's good that you imagine the opposition wrong footed. It isn't, though.

I'm sure most liberals today don't think like Stalin. I suppose using the terms left and right wing does not necessarily help since the BNP is right wing too and I'm sure most tory voters wouldn't want to be associated with them.

What I've noticed a fundamental difference in how tories think. For example, to them there are two categories of people - The Non-Scum (them) and the Scum. The Scum are on a different plane of existence so who gives a shit if their standard of living is unbearable?

And I do think that lacks intelligence, yes.

see it's all defense, a sure sign of feeling insecure

It's the 'I'm alright Jack'-ness of some people that makes me frothier than ever - exemplified so well by the comment ^^ about not wanting to give up their skiing holiday.

Selfish, inconsiderate and insulting, IMO.

Can I have a slice of pie, btw?

Very interesting, Manatee.

So they are, as we said so long ago, thick. Some of us have evolved beyond the last three, or indeed understand that a fair and consistent application of the first two, leads to the embedded inherence of the last three (all right, maybe not the sex one).

From Harry:

"I'm a Tory. We are wealthy enough to have skiing holidays and ponies and a nice house. We also paid over 100K in tax last year.

You know what, I think that to suggest we give up that skiing holiday on top of the tax we pay is unreasonable, unfair and is never gonna happen.

When you pay that amount of tax, you get to decide whether you ski or donate, until then be bloody thankful that enough of us do pay."

You know, words have actually failed me up until now.

So I am genuflecting in Harry's direction, displaying grovelling gratitude that there are people like you in this country for us all to admire.

'What I've noticed a fundamental difference in how tories think. For example, to them there are two categories of people - The Non-Scum (them) and the Scum. The Scum are on a different plane of existence so who gives a shit if their standard of living is unbearable?'

Stop right here. You've 'noticed' fuck all. Tories do not think like this - this is left-wing propaganda fed to you by twats who think you aren't smart enough to 'notice' that kind, caring, intelligent people could take an alternative approach to Whole Society improvement. And they've done well with you.

Some Tories think like that. Just read the threads on MN for a start ...

Lemon, I wish I lived in Fairyland where you live. Is it pretty there? Are there pink trees and unicorns and candyfloss for all?

Mind you, I do like the Tory MPs who go and seig heil on skiing holidays. They're kind of sweet.

It's a shame you can't argue your point without sounding so insulting LD, I am entitled to my opinion - I make no apologies if you don't like it.

I am sure it is easier for you to think I've been brainwashed (sigh)

Some left wingers think some tories people are scum (see this thread!).

We're discussing whether stupid or immoral people can hold political views. Rather, we're discussing whether voting Conservative actually deems you thick or immoral. And it doesn't, since their are smart moral people who do vote Conservative, obviously.

Stop Press!

Proof positive of terrible thickness: Burley, a Tory MP, KNEW HE WAS BEING FILMED GIVING NAZI SALUTES AND DRINKING TOASTS TO THE THIRD REICH AND THOUGHT IT WAS FINE.

Thick thick thick beyond all thickness

And really really nasty

. And it doesn't, since their are smart moral people who do vote Conservative, obviously

Ooooo Another oxymoron for my collection.

Name three.

Come on, just three "smart moral Tory voters"

It's much nicer to think that someone holds the views they have because of a lack of intelligence rather than because they are scum.

I find it odd that so many conservatives claim to be christians.

Stop Press. Pol Pot knew he was in charge while 2 - 5 million people died in the name of left wing thought. Pretty nasty I'd say.

But that wouldn't make me assume that everyone on the left was thick and nasty because that would be to fail to understand politics.

Pol Pot

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Where are the three smart morals?

LD - you're not doing much to disprove this theory are you really?

You think bringing up Pol Pot willl acutally convince us that tory policies are fine (shrugs)

Sorry, PR, you misunderstood. I thought that bringing up a high profile individual guilty of some quite serious mistakes would illustrate that this doesn't in fact disprove or prove the morality of either the political theory of either the left or right.