1) One of my children asked me today what was the difference between Democrats & Republicans. I began explaining that Democrats are for bigger government (government should solve what ails us) and Republicans are for smaller government (individual should solve what ails him/her).

2) Then I clarified, it's not really about Democrats and Republicans, because some people have just always identified as one or the other automatically, without even really thinking about it. It's really a matter of liberal thinking vs. conservative thinking.

3) Liberals believe we should change SOCIETY, through social justice, etc.—to make a better world for individuals. Conservatives believe should each change OURSELVES, as individuals, through personal responsibility—and the world will automatically change for the better.

4) This is because liberals focus on the GROUP. But the group doesn't even exist really... it's actually just multiple individuals. This is why “Be the change you want to see in the world” makes sense. You can't control other people. You can only control yourself.

5) Liberals tend to make everything equal, with no “ideal”s and “less-than-ideal”s... everything MUST be equal. Beautiful and ugly are equal. Intact and broken are equal. Able-bodied and disabled are equal. Righteousness and sin are equal. This way self-control isn't necessary.

6) If you disagree that all is equal, liberals get angry. Because generally, liberal thinkers want to avoid the pain that comes naturally with ugliness, brokenness, disablity, sin. If you hold that ideals are good—despite the inequality and unfairness of life—they may punish you.

7) But it isn't healthy to deny the FACT that beautiful is better than ugly; intact is better than broken; able-bodied is better than disabled; righteous is better than sinful. It leads to a debased life to make everything equal.

8) And in the end, ugly can become beautiful, broken can become intact, disabled can become able-bodied, sinful can become righteous—ONLY if we admit one state is ideal and the other is not. Otherwise, how can we STRIVE to better today than yesterday?

9) Self-control is a beautiful concept. It implies resisting temptation to sin; but also controlling SELF instead of controlling OTHERS. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Gal 5:22-23)
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