Bleeding-heart liberal do-gooders

**Chris** · 02-07-2004, 11:28

This ill-defined menagerie of meddlers is blamed for much of what goes wrong in our society these days. So much so, that whole arguments on this very forum are built around them, and objections to such arguments can often focus on whether or not they even exist rather than the substantive issue.

So, what do people think? Is there any such thing? What makes a person a 'do-gooder' or a 'bleeding-heart liberal'? Is anyone prepared to stand up and say 'I'm a bleeding-heart liberal do-gooder and proud of it!'?

Ramrod · 02-07-2004, 11:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by towny

Is anyone prepared to stand up and say 'I'm a bleeding-heart liberal do-gooder and proud of it!'?

downquark1 · 02-07-2004, 11:40

I'm a liberal, but if you talked to anyone who knows me they would tell you that they wonder if I have any feelings at all. I am also very pale and sometimes have bad circulation so they maybe symptoms of a 'bleeding heart' but not the kind you are thinking of.

[joke]

Nemesis · 02-07-2004, 11:41

Intersting question ..... I note that the vote isn't "Public" tho'

**Chris** · 02-07-2004, 11:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemesis

Intersting question ..... I note that the vote isn't "Public" tho'

it's the safest way for closet liberals to register their presence on the board without setting themselves up for target practice by the 'nasty' conservatives (small 'c')

Come to think of it, it offers the conservatives a cloak of anonymity too.

**Paul M** · 02-07-2004, 12:35

All "do gooders" should be lined up and shot .......

Mal · 02-07-2004, 12:39

Shouldn't we be proud of do-gooders, as they do good things all the time?

downquark1 · 02-07-2004, 12:47

If conservatives consider liberals 'do-gooders' do they consider themselves 'do-badders' i.e. evil?

**Chris** · 02-07-2004, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by downquark1

If conservatives consider liberals 'do-gooders' do they consider themselves 'do-badders' i.e. evil?

I think conservatives use the term 'do-gooder' with a heavy dose of irony. The implication of the label, I think, is to suggest that blinkered, short-term thinking, though intended to result in good, can actually end up doing long-term harm.

etccarmageddon · 02-07-2004, 12:52

perhaps it's another term for 'busy-body'? and the meaning of "do gooder" is someone who meddles to much.

PESKY MEDDLING DO GOODERS!

Escapee · 02-07-2004, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by towny

I think conservatives use the term 'do-gooder' with a heavy dose of irony. The implication of the label, I think, is to suggest that blinkered, short-term thinking, though intended to result in good, can actually end up doing long-term harm.

I think do-gooders exist, they are in small numbers but are powerfull because they use methods to make people guilty when they expect fair treatment.

We have one in work, he will just shut off when he doesn't like what the vast majority are saying, he will always argue and ask us for proof that people are cheating ie: benefit of people coming into this country for freebies.

The news carried a story about 10% of NHS patients not being entitled to the treatment they are receiving, we were talking about this and he walked away rather than get his views shot down in flames. He also thinks that every single assylum seeker or illegal immigrant is coming into this country to seek work and pay tax! He constantly goes on about how we should help our neighbour and how our taxes should be raised even further to help those less well off.

The real bit that gets me about this guy is how unhelpfull he is to everyone around him, he takes great delight in others who have a problem in the workplace.

Oh, and he's a born again Christian.

escapee ducks

downquark1 · 02-07-2004, 13:00

Quote:

he walked away rather than get his views shot down in flames.

And why not?

**Chris** · 02-07-2004, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Escapee

Oh, and he's a born again Christian.

escapee ducks

/phtannng

Darn, missed, you ducked too quick

I don't know that there's a necessary connection between 'born again Christian' and 'bleeding-heart liberal' - a lot of the liberal types I know are fervent atheists who think the world would be a better place without religion.

Escapee · 02-07-2004, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by downquark1

And why not?

It's just the fact that he's so narrow minded and forms his opinion by listening to the bits he wants to hear.

I think that I am fairly middle on most of the issues that cause these sort of arguments, I can see both sides even if I do not agree.

This guy will only see one side and thinks anyone who doesn't agree with his views is a very bad person.

I think the bottom line is the guy thinks everyone out there is an angel.

downquark1 · 02-07-2004, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Escapee

It's just the fact that he's so narrow minded and forms his opinion by listening to the bits he wants to hear.

I think that I am fairly middle on most of the issues that cause these sort of arguments, I can see both sides even if I do not agree.

This guy will only see one side and thinks anyone who doesn't agree with his views is a very bad person.

I think the bottom line is the guy thinks everyone out there is an angel.

Fair enough. Just if I was in a group of people who opinions differed widely from my own I would probably not participate in discussion due to intimidation.
It would be a bit like and atheist walking into a church and declaring there is no god.