Ladies, Do you think of America as the "Land of the Free?"

[Blues Fairy]

It has become almost axiomatic that conservatives tend to have a strong faith in God, while, liberals tend toward atheism.  There are exceptions, such as yourself.  It would seem that such people might encounter difficulties finding a complete match.  Do you and your husband match on both counts?  How difficult was it for you to find each other?

Yes we match on both counts.
I don't think it's difficult to find someone matching these criteria if the primary thing you look for in a person is a logical mind and clear reasoning.  Chances are, he'll be conservative, and chances are, he'll be an atheist. 

[Boethius]

The collapse of the USSR didn't have that much to do with your misguided hero.  Chernobyl, Afganistan, and the inflexible dinosaurs who were in control did a lot more to forge the collapse than ANYTHING Reagan did.  It would have fallen even without his moronic evil empire rhetoric.

It would have collapsed, but I do think Reagan hastened the demise of the Soviet Empire.  The Evil Empire speech did resonate, at least with Kyiyanins.  Reagan also worked with Pope John Paul II, and the latter's role, particularly in getting Solidarnosc moving, is very important.

Chernobyl', Afghanistan, and the "dinosaurs" had nothing to do with it.  Yeltsin can be credited with a lot, because he actually believed all the crap about "glasnost" and "perestroika".  Had Yeltsin not controlled the RFSFR's KGB, the coup may have succeeded.  But, people were tired of living under totalitarian rule.  If Muscovites had not heeded Yeltsin's call to take to the streets, there likely would have been a big clampdown.

[Boethius]

Yes we match on both counts.
I don't think it's difficult to find someone matching these criteria if the primary thing you look for in a person is a logical mind and clear reasoning.  Chances are, he'll be conservative, and chances are, he'll be an atheist. 

HAHA.  Evidently, you haven't met many Jesuits.  Or Jesuit trained professionals.

[Ronnie]

HAHA.  Evidently, you haven't met many Jesuits.  Or Jesuit trained professionals.

Blues Fairy obviously doesn't realize just how special she is.   

[Lily]

Wow.  I didn't realize we had so many "ladies" on this forum.

Exactly, Show Time

The author apparently wanted to hear the women' opinion on the subject, but got a number of reaction from men

For instance, I find the topic a bit too compex and complicated for me personally.
Hope that kind contributions from Boethius and Blues Fairy satisfy the post originator to some extent.

Please, if you feel that some moderation is needed, PM me. I am not going to read this thread that thoroughly.

[Ronnie]

Thank you Lily.  I hope the exam went well.  You might ask Boethius to complete her profile.  I didn't know she was a RW.

The original question has been only somewhat answered by the three ladies.  Your answer is an honest abstention and Blues Fairy and Boethius seem to well understand the pernicious effects on freedom that a socialist ideology imposes.  They have seen and lived both sides, they know of which they speak.  But most importantly, they understand.

If Blues Fairy will indulge me for waxing philosophical/spiritual but I believe that in the universe there are two great forces;  one seeks to compel our compliance with good and honorable norms (providing for the poor, protecting the earth, etc);  the other that seeks to encourage our voluntary compliance with the same norms.  Some of us who may give only a superficial glance will say, "Well, they are either one fine - they have the same purpose."  Ay, there's the rub, I say.

When the woman complains to a man, "you don't bring me flowers" so he brings them the next day, does she still feel flattered?  

Do the poor who receive benefits coming from the government (which in turn extracts a toll from the better-off), feel valued and respected?  And, do the better-off feel good about the arrangement?  

The answer to these and other like questions is obvious.  Only when there is the option of refusing to give can giving feel rewarding and the gift be received with grace.  Such is the greatness of freedom and free agency and why it is a natural law, unbending in the winds of time.  

If I seem harshly disposed toward the actions of our leaders or late, it is because they are working against the natural law and against very principles our forefathers well understood and laid down in our Constitution.  Here, I will borrow a parcel of words from perhaps the greatest speech ever given by any man at any time:

....different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope that it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen, if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. - Patrick Henry

So ladies, those of you who have immigrated the United States have come to a nation of destiny, a city on a hill, inhabited by the few, but watched by all the world.  You and your children have become part of those few.  You are the newest guardians of liberty and defenders of tranquility.  It's imperative that you understand the forces, both foreign and domestic, that have arrayed against this city and indeed, the world, and defeat it before it first deceives, then overwhelms, then binds.  It is your solemn duty to resist and prevail.

[SANDRO43]

they are working against the natural law

What 'natural law' are you referring to, St. Thomas Aquinas's ?

[Boethius]

You might ask Boethius to complete her profile.  I didn't know she was a RW.

I am not a RW.  I am a Canadian of Ukrainian descent, lived in Kyiv (during part of the Reagan administration), and at that time, married a Soviet citizen.  It was very odd, because Ukraine is a very macho society.  Before my marriage, I was officially treated as a foreigner.  After my marriage, I was officially treated like my husband's wife.

My politics are centrist, by Canadian standards (which is left by American standards).  My social views are liberal although I am personally (i.e. in my own life), very conservative.

[Lily]

Wow, Boethius, it is a surprise for me that you are Canadian, eh?

What city are you in? May be you will be so kind to complete your profile?

Your contributions are greatly appreciated!