"It is absolutely always good to consider both sides. But just going with your comments I do have to ask, is there any chance you may have had your mind made up prior to hearing the other side? "--Gregg

I've been a liberal all my life, so there is that. On the other hand, back when there were such individuals as moderate Republicans, I regularly voted for them. I've read, listened to, and watched conservative commentators as they've swung harder to the right and it has made me more certain than ever that their values are not in line with mine. I'm all for personal responsibility, fiscal responsibility, order and justice, and many of the issues they pay lip service to, but mostly what I see beyond the lip service is a disdain for the "little people" (thank you, Leona Helmsley), overweening greed, and a lust for war that defies all reason. If you can point to a conservative writer who doesn't embody those "values," I'd be happy to read her/his work.