Talk:Essay:Marry a Conservative

I LOVE the statement that all liberals are unfaithful. My mom and dad have been married for 27 years, and they have never cheated on each other, and have three kids, myself included. --_transResident Transfan^form! 16:00, 15 June 2008 (EDT)

Your comment is ridiculous and takes literalism to a new level. Nowhere does the essay say that all Liberals are unfaithful. However, such are Liberal values by their nature that the likelihood of infidelity, violence, STDs etc is far higher among Liberals than Conservatives. Bugler 16:18, 15 June 2008 (EDT)

"Transfan", you left out one detail: you seem to have trouble reading and/or thinking, as demonstrated by Bugler's response.--Aschlafly 16:31, 15 June 2008 (EDT)

Wow, Andy! LOVE the personal attacks you're dishing out today! --_transResident Transfan^form! 16:41, 15 June 2008 (EDT)

It is good you are easily amused, Transfan, but it would be even better if you expressed an understanding of your own mistake.--Aschlafly 16:44, 15 June 2008 (EDT)

Examples

Will this essay be expanded to include sourced examples, or will it continue to consist of unverifiable anecdotes? Wandering 16:33, 15 June 2008 (EDT)

We're not going to violate anyone's privacy, but there may be examples that are already published elsewhere that could be sourced. Ronald Reagan's first marriage comes to mind.--Aschlafly 16:45, 15 June 2008 (EDT)

Wandering, aren't you going to follow through and post the example of Ronald Reagan's first marriage?--Aschlafly 18:35, 15 June 2008 (EDT)

I'm a bit concerned that such an example could be taken the wrong way, Andy. I've known some liberals to make much of Reagan's rulings as governor of California (particularly his self-admitted mistake of signing a bill that expanded abortion.) Isn't it likely that they'd take the opportunity to twist an example of his first marriage into an attack on the man? --Benp 18:46, 15 June 2008 (EDT)

Not once the details are set forth. I guess Wandering isn't going to follow through on his suggestion, so I suppose I'll have to do this.--Aschlafly 19:04, 15 June 2008 (EDT)

Suggestion...

The vagaries of life that define the contours of one's romantic life are hard to reduce to an aphorism, and I can't help but think that for every example you put up a counterexample could be found. I'll testify for myself that I'm a liberal grad student, and have been in a committed relationship for five years now (we're talking about marriage), but I would never consider marrying a conservative woman. A woman who thinks that her only goals in life revolve around family and the home would bore me to tears; I need a challenge, and my girlfriend of five years has always been great fun to debate and learn from. Her counsel is invaluable to me, and her life as a young professional the source of countless exciting conversations, and a great deal of pride for me, for whatever small credit I can claim in her accomplishments (and she mine).

But that's my choice. Others may see it the other way. I wouldn't reduce my own taste to a generic lesson for the populace, any more than I would try to foist my preference for brunettes on the world either!-AShephard 16:59, 15 June 2008 (EDT)

I would never consider marrying a conservative woman. A woman who thinks that her only goals in life revolve around family and the home would bore me to tears Why think that? There are many, many examples of Conservative women who render your hoary old stereotype a... hoary old stereotype. And giving birth and raising a family at home doesn't require a brain removal, you know. Bugler 17:01, 15 June 2008 (EDT)

Of course not! I know that. But the conservative women I've met - as conservative is defined on this website - seem to think that it does. Submission, and all that. AShephard 17:03, 15 June 2008 (EDT)

Your candid comments are appreciated, but "submission" is a stereotype rather than a conservative value. Many "grad school" relationships do not last 10, 20 and ultimately 50 years of marriage. To the extent one party to the relationship insists on liberal values, there can be lots of unhappiness that follow for both parties to the relationship down the road.--Aschlafly 18:34, 15 June 2008 (EDT)

Thanks for telling me my relationship is going to fail. I didn't know "sniping at your ideological opponents" was a conservative value," but now I guess I do. And I think your aphorism is best reduced to "people should make sure their life goals match, regardless of political persuasion." That seems to be much more accurate, and a lot less needlessly hurtful, no?

As for "submission is a stereotype," let's investigate. Can a "conservative" woman in your mind have a job?-AShephard 18:44, 15 June 2008 (EDT)

Wow, AShepard, you insult conservative women, to which no one takes offense, but woe to anyone who even slightly challenges your views! Perhaps you're right you're better off finding a liberal spouse, because a conservative one wouldn't be able to stand your reactions (and absurd stereotypes)!

Sure, you and wife can have a job, as you obviously expect. And then a child arrives, and there is the issue of who is going to take care of the child. Often liberal women want the man to provide at least half that care, whereupon there is juggling your job with that, and juggling the wife's job with her half. The stress hits fourfold from that awkward arrangement, careers suffer, the child frequently gets sick in group care, nerves start to snap, and the marriage begins to feel the strain. And that's if all goes well! The situation can be even worse if no child arrives, as before long the spouses can grow apart.

It's not a formula for success. I wish everyone the best who tries. I also do my best to let them know what's in store for them so they don't go down a road they'd rather not travel.--Aschlafly 19:13, 15 June 2008 (EDT)

I am a moderate and so is my partner (Moderate in NZ is liberal in the states) and so are many of our friends but we have a wonderful life. Same with our friends also. In fact, we have gotten happier as time goes on. Also, small point, I dont think a liberal would want to marry a conservative. AdenJ 18:38, 15 June 2008 (EDT)