Here is what I honestly think. I am not saying this to be mean or cause an argument. when I apply PURE motives to liberals and conservatives, here is what strikes me.

Liberals: Seem to be academic types (Professors, students) who really want to help people and make things better. They tend to believe in the goodness of people and seem to trust a persons word maybe more than they should. In this respect, they come off as sometimes naive or letting thier righteousness cloud thier reality. Liberals tend to believe that those "less" fortunate than them need thier help whether these people want it or not. They tend to believe that the its the governments role to provide not just for thier safety, but for thier well-being, livlihoods, and general lifestyle. They tend to have more of a "world view" of things even if it is to the detriment of thier own country. They see themselves as citizens of the world rather than Americans. They believe that any problem can be solved by throwing money at it. They believe in more government programs and higher taxes. They tend to have a less strict view of what constitutes right and wrong. They tend to use class warfare as a political weapon.

Conservatives: Seem to be made up of more "Salt of the earth" type people. They have strong work ethics and a strong sense of morals. This moral code sometimes leads them to be close-minded and set in thier ways. They believe that the only way a person can truly be helped is to help themselves. Sometimes this can be to the detriment of those that actually need help, but it also means that they try to make it an environment where one can help themselves. (Liberals tend to use this against conservatives by telling minorities they are having things taken away from them. Conservatives think that the only way they will get ahead is to force them to become less dependant on Uncle Sam.) They believe that the government should do three basic things; keep the peace(enforce the laws), defend the population(from outside attack), and promote the general welfare of the populace(IE the general infrastructure). This does not mean be a welfare state. Conservatives do not believe that it is the governments job to provide or create jobs. They are sometimes portrayed as heartless, gung ho, flag-wavers who want to wear thier guns (preferably for shooting liberals and minorities).

Both liberals and conservatives care. Liberals are the permissive parent, conservatives are the strict parent. What it all comes down to is how do you want your child (The USA) raised. You cant be too permissive, and you shouldnt be too strict. But you do need to know when is the right time to be either. Right now we are a child that has been allowed to run wild, in a nieghborhood of wild children. Daddy needs to come home and lay down the law.