Why Do Liberals Reject Personal Responsibility? You Take Unnecessary Chances

[KittyWampus]

why should others be forced to foot the bill?

In Europe, some countries hold people financially liable for starting fires. In the US it basically doesn't seem to matter how stupid or absent minded you are with things like electric appliances etc,

SUV drivers go out and buy cars that are not crash compatible and yet don't have to pay more for car insurance. I am basically subsidizing assholes who might kill me if they hit my car.

It seems many DU'ers are so intent on the Common Good and seeing the Big Picture that they lose sight of things like personal responsibility.

That's all I'm saying.

[Quantess]

1. Liberals don't all reject personal responsibility.

Speak for yourself.

[bryant69]

5. In fairness, there's clearly plenty at DU that do

If you don't, than bully for you. But many seem to.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Quantess]

20. Okay, so that's your opinion of

people who are vocal about Israel.

My point is, liberals are not cornering the market on "rejecting personal responsibility". It is equally a neo-con trait, although, their slacking occurs in different aspects of personal responsibility.

Has it ocurred to anyone that the environment is something each of us need to take personal responsibility for? How about the personal responsibility to stay informed and educated? The personal responsibility to eat healthy foods, to reduce your likelihood of illness? The personal responsibility of using birth control?

Sorry, I'm not really sure what your point was, again.

[bryant69]

23. That's fair enough, since I seem to have lost the point to yours as well

Bryant

[rurallib]

2. I totally do not understand what you are talking about

I take responsibility for all that I do. Unlike a certain appointed leader.

[SheilaT]

3. I hardly think

liberals reject personal responsibility. Are the insurance companies who've decided not to charge SUV drivers rates compatible with their crash statistics liberal? Wow, I never would have realized.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

4. Completely and totally untrue.

We have a civil trial system in place, so if you burn down someone's home, they can sue you for damages and you WILL be held responsible for it.

SUV drivers DO pay a lot more in car insurance.

You know not what you speak. Furthermore, few of these instances you mention have little to do with liberals specifically, but more about the government and country as a whole.

[xchrom]

6. why do people tell well known lies about liberals?

just sayin.

[devilgrrl]

33. No shit! I'd like to know when everyone here turned into Randites.

Bunch of assholes.

Now go kick your dog.

[xchrom]

36. you nailed it -- and it's disgusting.

i feel about randites like a feel about pat roberston and bill o'lielly.

[lumberjack_jeff]

7. Let's give this topic the attention it's worth.

The rescue costs are difficult to quantify, because so much of it is volunteers, but let's call it $75,000.

The Iraq war costs $11 million per hour. The cost of the rescue was dwarfed in about the time it took me to compose this brief post, about four minutes

We've bigger fish to fry.

Oops, that last sentence put me over the top.

[BoneDaddy]

11. Exactly

The focus this is getting and the reaction it is invoking are absolutely ridiculous.

[devilgrrl]

34. Agreed. Gee, I hope no GI's have to be rescued in Iraq!!!!

After all, they knew the risks going there! :sarcasm:

[nashville_brook]

8. i thought insurance co's were raising SUV rates for just this reason...

[BoneDaddy]

9. Don't confuse personal responsibility

with having compassion and doing what it takes to save lives.

I am all for personal accountability. Does that mean I let a woman and her child die in a house fire because she left the stove on? NO.

Are you perfect? Do you take responsibility for every single one of your actions? NO, of course not. You are human.

Was it poor judgement not to bring a GPS and enter into a 100 mile per hour storm, Absolutely.

Does it mean these unfortunate men deserve ridicule, mocking or abandonment? Absolutely not.

[Cameron27]

39. Nicely said :-)

[Caoimhe]

10. Why Do Morans Pose Questions That Have No Merit And Do Nothing But Perpetuate False Stereotypes?

?

[rman]

14. Good question

"personal responsibility" a distortion of what it used to mean, a RW meme according to which such things as feeding and clothing the poor is wrong because by doing that the poor will never learn to personally take responsibility for their lives.

Specifically the broad sweeping statement "Liberals reject personal responsibility" is what one can expect to hear on a FOX TV talk show - not on a liberal forum.

[Quantess]

21. Yes. What a steaming pantload.

:thumbsdown:

[Tyo]

12. When the wingnut mantra is,

"no one could have foreseen (fill in the blank)"? Please. Some folks need to work on the beam in their own eye before whining about the mote in mine.

[Ellis Wyatt]

13. Are you referring

to hikers getting lost and having to foot the bill due to personal responsibility?

Or are you talking about not giving healthcare to people need it because they are deemed fat, smokers, lazy and don't get checkups?

Similar to not offering significant social services to people who can't get a job that pays them sufficient wages because you feel they didn't pay attention in in public school, didn't make the most of their free education while some others at the same school did, and therefore don't have any marketable tangible skills, you feel have probably just scraped by at whatever jobs they have performed, and therefore their companies have no reason to promote them or raise their salaries because they are easily replaceable?

[Bluerthanblue]

15. Why do human beings always look for someone to blame ?

shit happens- to all of us-

and Yeah, -

sometimes it seems like we ask for what we get-

but the terrifing reality that is the KEY to living

is understanding that no matter how 'safe' we try and live our lives

things will happen that cause grief, pain and death.

And may 'cost' more than any $ in the world can ever recover.

But shall we all live in panic rooms? fight pre-emptive wars? walk on egg shells?

waiting for the next shoe to fall?


I've spent the 'best' part of my life dealing with PTSD-

always one breath away from meltdown

better to die living, than to live a dead life.



Danger is relative.

and we are all related.

[sweetheart]

16. who needs responsibility when we have laws

People should just do as they are told to do, and there should be books of laws for
every minute of life, and police who watch every moment of it all issuing citations for
potential crimes nearly commmitted.

Laws are better than responsibiltiy, as then people can rest confortably in total amorality,
a pool of cheap labour for whatever imperial crime the mass media wish to dream up.

Pooled risk is a sort of responsibility, but sold out choices can never be returned.
Its no longer a choice not to smoke, its a crime,
its no longer a choice to be poor, its a crime,
Its no longer a choice to wear seatbelts, its a crime,
its no longer a choice to sell glass pipes on the web, its a crime,
Its no longer a choice to visit cuba, its a crime...

and on and on... the nanny nazis are selling out choice to rather be robot sheeple.
They like being a robot sheeple 'cuz its simpler, black and white, and people who choose
their own lives are luddites, anachronisms.... sheep like other sheep... they are less
threatening as they all bleat on the hill together waiting to be fleeced.

[chervilant]

17. About responsibility

Taking personal responsibility is something Bush and many of his followers wouldn't recognize if it grew legs, then climbed up and bit them on the butt. The fiasco "honoring" Rumsfeld is a prime example of their hubris. In fact, I have noticed that, especially with Rove as a key player, this administration excels at accusing others of behaviors or misdeeds which they themselves exhibit in spades. This is called 'externalizing responsibility.' Your particular accusation, posted here on DU, seems to be another instance of externalizing responsibility. Do you recognize this in yourself?


By the way, the mere existence of this site and it's many members is a prime example of liberals taking personal responsibility. I would love to spend my days writing and making art, but I find myself challenged to actively protest what has been done to this nation by this criminal administration. I--and many others like me--will not stop until Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, Rove, et. al are no longer a threat to this nation.

[Quantess]

22. Thank you!

Welcome to DU!:hi:

[SmokingJacket]

18. I had a friend who died in an avalanche some years ago.

He was doing what these guys are doing: winter mountain climbing.

I adored the guy -- I still feel terrible pain at what the world lost with his death -- but I'm also angry at him for taking such a huge risk just to enjoy himself on the weekend. He made his wife a widow and his parents will grieve the rest of their lives. He *knew* it was dangerous. I think it's a shitty thing to do to your family -- it's suicidal behavior that's socially sanctioned.

No big rescue needed for my friend -- his pal saw exactly where he went under.

But if helicopters had to be sent out, dogs, etc., I would feel strongly that he should pay for it.

[Bluerthanblue]

29. is it possible-

that your friend was someone you adored, in part because he lived life as he did?
Not necessiarily because of his "in your face" risk taking living- but as part of the package that was him?

Part of grief is anger- and we seek a place to put that anger- too often, it lands on the very person we are grieving.

We all cheat death every day SmokingJacket- while playing russian roulette is kind of stacking the deck, activities that in retrospect seem incredibly foolish, are frequently ones we take far more 'care' doing, and do safely and successfully time and time again.

My 13yr old nephew used to go snorkeling, snowboarding, and challenged the elements in many recreational activities.

He was hit and killed while crossing the road on the way home from getting a haircut.

I'm glad he lived with the gusto he did. And I miss him like hell.- we all do- it's been 14 years now- and the hole that he left in life will never be filled. But his life was a bright light in a dark world-

I hope you find comfort-

I wish we all had happily ever afters. But that isn't living.

peace,
blu

[xultar]

47. But in avalanche zones they can't send helicopters. I even heard that in the situation

on Mt. Hood. There were certain places in this S&R they couldn't go because of avalanche and they didn't.

[Bridget Burke]

19. Why do so many non-Liberals worship Their Tax Dollars?

And keep voting for Bush--who has never demonstrated one jot of Personal Responsibilty in his wasted life?

Personally, I do care for the Common Good & try to see the Big Picture. Most of my tax money being is being wasted in Iraq--to do evil. I don't begrudge the small change being spent on social programs, education or the environment.

Or supporting rescue operations--for anyone who needs to be rescued.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

24. compassion...maybe we should make a law saying that

SUV drivers should pay more insurance...and people who climb mountains need to take life insurance/accident insurance..

but while some guy is lost in the mountains its very UNliberal and UNcompassionate to say let him freeze and die.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

25. "There is no safety in the cosmos." - Alan Watts

[geek tragedy]

26. The risk of death isn't enough responsibility? eom

[Warpy]

27. Perhaps you should tune out the right wing and focus on what's

really going on in the world. Your post smacks of the type of "conventional wisdom" one finds on Pox News.

Those SUV owners do pay more in car insurance, as do pickup truck and momvan owners. Yes, your insurance has gone up a bit to subsidize them, but they're paying the lion's share of the increase. Car insurance companies can and do write policies based on risk. That means vehicle weight, driving records, and the driver's age are all factored in.

Besides, when was the last time you saw some hog of a Hummer with a Democratic sticker on it?

Your example was an extremely poor one.

[bowens43]

28. Your post is nonsense.

Liberals certainly do NOT reject personal responsibility.

[Hamlette]

30. some states do charge for rescue

my son broke his leg while biking in the back country. A rescue team had to go get him out. Not a large operation, a four wheel type vehicle could drive right up to where he was which was only about a 30 minute to an hour drive from town. We received a bill for over $1,000. Which we promptly paid.

Found out later many people don't pay and they don't sue if you don't pay. I was shocked as I was so grateful for them helping my son.

[Norquist Nemesis]

31. The only people I've heard say Liberals reject it

are the Cons. And, by the way, I haven't seen anything that says the climbers or their families WON'T have to foot any or all of the bill.

Frankly, the $$$$ are the last thing to be thinking about right now.

[xultar]

44. Plus no one here knows if they don't have rescue insurance. To early to discuss $$$

when we should be concentrating on saving their lives.

[lakeguy]

32. well, if you want to compare apples to apples...

you take some examples from europe but then call the DU community as a whole, liberal. i would guess that if you compared the politics and politicians supported by DU to those in europe, the group would be moderate to slightly conservative.

so, why do moderates and conservatives reject personal responsibility? seems the liberals over in europe have no problem with it...

[hotdoggie]

35. Why Do Liberals Reject Personal Responsibility

Exactly WHAT are you talking about?

[Quantess]

40. I think he's referring to the climbers on Mt. Hood, but I'm not sure.

[NewJeffCT]

45. Welcome to DU

And, I'm not 100% sure what the OP is talking about, either, but I believe the topic of the week has been the lost mountain climbers.

[slackmaster]

37. I drive an SUV and have a spotless driving record

If your car isn't "crash-compatible" with mine, I suggest your best strategy is not to drive like an idiot.

Why should I have to pay higher insurance rates because of someone else's poor driving habits?

[sniffa]

38. does this mean i'm supposed to go work now?

i'd much prefer to sit at home coLLecting government handouts.

[lukasahero]

41. Why do *you* deal with myths rather than fact?

"In Europe, some countries hold people financially liable for starting fires" In the US we do too - it's called the crime of arson and it is punished rather severely.

"SUV drivers go out and buy cars that are not crash compatible and yet don't have to pay more for car insurance" - Sorry but bullshit. "if you are an SUV owner or considering purchasing an SUV, you will need to understand that you will pay more for your auto insurance than if you own a smaller vehicle." http://ezinearticles.com/?SUVs-and-Auto-Insurance---Is-Bigger-Really-Better?&id=100889

[xultar]

42. It has nothing to do with personal responsibility. It has to do with people

helping one another. Simple.

[mondo joe]

43. You mean like climbing Mt Hood? Or having unprotected sex? Or living in NO?

Which is personal responsibility?

[treestar]

46. The MSM distorts it all, too

The MSM might well ignore these climbers and focus on the plight of some poor family in NYC, for example, and everyone would want to help them.

And it would cost way more, but be for basic necessities.

We let the MSM yank our chains and turn these three hikers into the three most important people in the world, the most piteous and the biggest victims, but we don't realize that the MSM is only focusing us on them and there are plenty of people getting hurt in other places and under circumstances for which they are less personally responsible, and for whom we would bear the cost, but might ask people who do extreme things to insure themselves against it.

[EstimatedProphet]

48. Why? Because those people have a place in society

Because their lives mean something.

Because we all are demeaned if we treat them not as people, but as red ink.

People are worth more than their incomes and what they can put into the economy, or take out of the economy. They have families and friends who miss them, and want them around. They're worth more than their incomes.

That's how I feel about it. That's why I'm a liberal, and not a Randroid.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

49. I'm going to lock this.

Do not post "flame bait" discussion topics. While there is no clear line regarding what constitutes flame bait, the moderators have the authority to shut down threads which they consider too rhetorically hot, too divisive, too extreme, or too inflammatory. Please use good judgment when starting threads; inflammatory rhetoric does not normally lead to productive discussion.

best,
wakemeupwhenitsover
DU Moderator