I haven't read through all of this thread, but here's how I've set it in my mind, and done fairly well. First off, the words aren't true opposites, but politically they are near antonyms.

Conservative: Prefers legislation to set standards of behavior.
Liberal: Prefers people having the choice to do whatever they want.

Republicans tend to be socially conservative, and economically/environmentally liberal.
Democrats tend to be socially liberal, and economically/environmentally conservative.

It's still a little shady as the other meaing of the word conservative is to adhere to long standing traditions. This is not an antonym of liberal, but rather progressive, and implies a judgement of whether the current legislation is moral and/or beneficial.

Some examples:
Socially Conservative: legislating against recreational marijuana use
Socially Liberal: no legislation on recreational marijuana use so long as it involves consenting adults and no dangerous activities (i.e. driving).
Economically Liberal: no legislation against outsourcing
Economically Conservative: legislating a maximum price a landlord can charge for rent
Environmentally Liberal: no legislation regarding a farmer's pesticide use
Environmentally Conservative: a government program that monitors an endangered species' population

Within each party, there are many different viewpoints. The true presidential voting happens during the primaries, when each party elects a candidate. This is when the major focus of a party can shift. We'd have a completely different Republican party on our hands now if McCain had won the primary against Bush in 2000.

Also, the two parties aren't set in stone, there are many smaller third parties roaming around. While their presidential candidates are usually ridiculous longshots, every once in a while they produce something fairly strong (Perot, Teddy Roosevelt in 1912) and their presence can definitely be felt at pretty much every level lower than the national. A few states have independant governors and Vermont has an independent senator.

I think I may have actually met my first "Liberal" person this last trip.

Sure, you are saying, "Orph you prolly met 1,000's of them already" But I never gave it any thought till this thread TBH.

Occasionally, I give rides home to fellow delivery people who work for the same company I do. If we deliver to the same location, tis usually convenient to do so.

Anywho's, to make a long story short, We talked about numerous things throughout the day, and except for one topic only, he told me flat out "you're wrong" "you're mistaken" or my favorite "You're strange"..

I have never in my life met anyone who actually said those things to me. NOT because I haven't been wrong, but because what we talked about, I was POSITIVE that I was indeed correct.

For instance.. We came out of a restaurant, there was a big painted section that said "NO PARKING" painted on the asphalt. I said to him "I guess if you park ON the words, you can claim you didn't see it" .. He said "Whats the problem? Why is it bothering you?" I said, "Because, you're not supposed to park there, it would not be marked otherwise if you were".. he looks at me funny and said "Did you want to? Were they in your space?" I said "Nope, didn't even occur to me to park there, it said not to" he says, "But, how is it, them parking there bothering you?"

The conversation continued until I actually had to tell him to drop it because he just kept going in circles..

To me, it wasn't an issue of someone parking in the wrong area. It was a symptom of things in general.. The "Its all about ME" syndrome.. The world is becoming more and more about people only concerned with themselves, or WORSE.. If it doesn't directly effect you, mind your own business.

It wasn't a complete loss, we both agreed that racism is evil.. But I actually had to tell him that my riders are only allowed to tell me I am wrong 5 times per ride or they walk... he shut up.

/ rambling.

A dick he may be, but... How many here have said the same thing of me? Especially those whom I just met?

Its truly hard to say "He's a dick" and know for certain that they truly deserve the title. Think yourself Master Cass. You used this word on me... More than once. " SRC="images/smiles/sad.gif">

*shrugs*

I am almost sure that some here still think me in such a light, but at least they have some reason now.

? quoting Orpheus

You used this word on me... More than once.

Yeah, but never while riding in your truck.