I was watching a history channel program on Benjamin Franklin when the historian was asked where politically Franklin would be to if he were alive today.  He  gleefully announced that he would be in a blue state, a member of the party of tolerance.  I personally think Franklin would abhor both parties.  I am reminded of a life long politician that was asked to describe his political philosophy.  He said he entered Congress as a liberal and years later departed as a conservative even though he had not changed his views.  Lincoln once said he would free all or none of the slaves if either would save the Union (The Emancipation Proclomation freed only those in states at war with the north).  Similar are many of our politicians today who choose positions calculated only on attaining or retaining office (i.e. increasing their net worth and/or power).  

    While many conservatives are deserving of the label "compassionless", it is not fair to label them that solely because they disagree with a government program designed to achieve a commendable goal.  Neither is it fair to label all liberals "patronizing", but many liberals in their arrogance assume others are incapable of making coherent decisions and must be spoon fed by government, and in this same manner they are also intolerant of others' ideas and programs designed to solve the same problem(s).  We the public would be better served if our politicians from both sides of the political spectrum would learn to listen to and debate logically others' thoughts and ideas.  

    I have heard it said that one has no heart if one is not a liberal when young, and no brain if not a conservative when old.  I adhere to this in that I still care, but I do not believe we can look to government to solve the myriad problems we face.  The answer lies with the individual.  Each of us must be more caring, more commpassionate, and yes, more loving to all others.