The link between Greek membership and social conservatism

[Scandia]

That's ok. Yesterday somebody on MySpace assumed that I was a liberal and disliked George W. and Laura Bush simply because I had an advanced degree. That I would find it "disgusting" that Mrs. Bush used to be a librarian because I was "probably a liberal given your education level".

Whatever. I'm a moderated who usually votes Republican, voted for Bush twice, and admires George W. and Laura very much. I may be opposed to extending the war, but that's not the point.

I cannot believe that someone would automatically assume that I was liberal AND disliked the Bushes simply because I have an advanced degree. Not only that, he was pointing out that I would be disgusted at Laura Bush being a librarian- as in the First Lady, which would have little if anything to do with political persuasion.

I do know someone who fits the sorority girl stereotype in nearly every way- but turns out that she is very opposed to them. She is quite liberal and has given me a hard time about my ideals. Conversely, I fit very few stereotypes, and look how pro-GLO I am.

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by Scandia

That's ok. Yesterday somebody on MySpace assumed that I was a liberal and disliked George W. and Laura Bush simply because I had an advanced degree. That I would find it "disgusting" that Mrs. Bush used to be a librarian because I was "probably a liberal given your education level".

Whatever. I'm a moderated who usually votes Republican, voted for Bush twice, and admires George W. and Laura very much. I may be opposed to extending the war, but that's not the point.

I cannot believe that someone would automatically assume that I was liberal AND disliked the Bushes simply because I have an advanced degree. Not only that, he was pointing out that I would be disgusted at Laura Bush being a librarian- as in the First Lady, which would have little if anything to do with political persuasion.

I do know someone who fits the sorority girl stereotype in nearly every way- but turns out that she is very opposed to them. She is quite liberal and has given me a hard time about my ideals. Conversely, I fit very few stereotypes, and look how pro-GLO I am.

LOL.

[KyleMcGuire1983]

Originally Posted by LegallyBrunette

Damn, I lost my whole first response to this. Anyway, I agree with the general proposition that conservative individuals may be initially more comfortable with the idea of an institution like Greek Life. However, I wholeheartedly disagree with the idea that liberalism somehow equates to irresponsibility and naivete. If anything, in looking at the current administration's fiscal policy, the opposite seems to be true (ex: hemmoragic spending in the face of an enormous deficit). If somehow having a chapter composed of liberals meant huge RM issues and lack of financial stability because of their naivete and unwillingness to impose rules (which is what I took away from the above post), every chapter in every blue state (except for those chapters entirely composed of Republicans) would be in ruin. And, despite what rumblings I've heard from time to time on here about Greek life in the West and North, they are not.

Kyle, please correct me if I've misinterpreted you.

You only halfway misinterpret me. Obviously liberals are not totally irresponsible with money otherwise they'd all be bankrupt...they're only irresponsible with taxpayer money which they see as fun money. Blue State Chapters don't foreclose all the time because their Execs, while possibly Democrats, aren't spending house cash on expensive communal programs without consequences. Of course I never claimed that liberals are totally irresponsible with finances...I merely said it's one of the things that may attract more conservative people. When it's HIS money and he is held accountable for the spending in the SHORT TERM (spend today = no rent money tomorrow type deals) the Liberal is responsible with money on the whole. Although I do think Liberals in general are a bit naive about human nature. I think the average Liberal puts too much trust in the goodness of man and attempts to write off evil as some kind of social illness that has a societal cause.


And you're right the Republicans did an awful job with money management since 2001....instead of doing what they did from 1995 to 2000 they just catered to Bush's every whim. That's one of about three major reasons they aren't in charge anymore. HOWEVER, in general conservatives are most stingey when it comes to spending the communal treasury.

So I'm not saying Liberals are flakey with money....unless it's the public treasury on a grand state/federal scale that they won't have to take the fall for if the poop hits the fan. If the Treasurer or President of a chapter is a Democrat he'll still be responsible because if the finances get funny HE'LL take the immediate blame.

[Scandia]

The extreme conservatives I know are just as turned off by stereotypes of Greek life they associate with liberalism (hardcore drinking and partying, promiscuity, relaxed moral standards)

How do you know my family?

as the extreme liberals are with the aspects they associate with conservatism (sexism/racism, conformity, groupthink).

For the anti-sorority liberal girl, only the first one applies. She IS very much a follower. She and her clique all have major groupthink and cannot stand it when an outsider takes the spotlight away from them. She does not like it when she's not the center of attention.

I very much dislike groupthink and conformity myself, and I'm a moderate.