Conservatives Love Freedom, But Not For Their Opponents

One double-standard I see on the right

Photo by Jacob Morrison on Unsplash

“I just love freedom.”

That’s something my Dad likes to say. My parents are pretty conservative, and in my opinion they’re good people who are a little misguided or ignorant about a couple things.

Aren’t we all?

The last few days that I’ve been here I’ve heard them talk about their love of freedom and liberty. I’ve heard them talk about the Declaration of Independence and how it’s a great document (which I agree, it is).

Specifically, they love the bit about “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

I agree with all of that. People should have the freedom to do what they want to do within reason. But here’s my problem: I can’t help but notice a glaring double-standard with their love of freedom and liberty.

They’re huge fans of freedom when it aligns with their worldview, and they’re not huge fans when it doesn’t.

I’ll give an example.

Guns. They pretty much believe people should have the right to go and buy any type of gun if they so desire. Okay, let’s just give them that one. Freedom, right? People should have the freedom to go buy weapons that can blow someone’s brain out in…