Liberalism Vs. Conservatism

With all the drama going on in the election process this year, with all the conjectures that Obama's and Hilary's liberalism will destroy America's principles, McCain is too liberal to be a republican and won't defend conservative standards, I can't help but think about the roots of those two words. Liberal and Conservative. Surprisingly enough, when the first "Liberal" party was formed it was just that, simply liberal in its means. It is the same case for the first conservative party. Through the years, however, most everyone has gotten caught up in the details and most self-proclaimed conservatives, or liberals for that matter, are actually a surprising mixture of both.
I don't believe in modifying my beliefs for every situation. I believe in having a sound set of principles that can then be applied to different circumstances.

So, what am I? I am a moderate. I think that it is narrow minded to be too conservative and foolhardy to be too liberal. Having too much of one or the other slows progress and slowly starves society.

Progress is like a garden and opportunities are the plants. Each plant is different, but all can bring forth nutrients and life. The catch, however, is that the garden needs continual attention. Each plant has different needs for soil, water, and sunlight. There are three general options for the care-taking of this garden.
Option1: Look ahead. You realize that you have a limited supply of water and soil so you give as little as possible to each plant. The results however are swift and sorrowful, for you quickly see that your precious garden is withered and mostly dead.
Option2: Look behind. You realize just how far you have come and that, with todays technologies and opportunities, there is no need to have the same worries and inhibitions as the people of yesteryear. So, since you see that there is so much to be had now, you give freely of your water and soil to your plants. At first they are doing well. So why not give them more? And more? Surely the extra water and soil will only help your plants. Your zeal, however, has turned against you. For instead of a healthy vibrant array of fruits and vegetables, all you have made is a swamp with little parasites breeding and swarming.
Option3: Look to the present: You realize that you have come far to get to where you are, and that there is also so much yet to be had. So, you put on your gloves and get to work giving each plant exactly what it needs, and pretty soon you have a pretty impressive garden.

If you didn't already guess, Option1 was about being too conservative, Option2 too liberal and Option3 being both conservative and liberal in healthy doses.

Think on this a while. If you can, leave a comment about how you feel about this. I'm fine with being totally wrong so don't be afraid of offending me, but criticism that is fair and constructive is always nice. This is all still a learning process for everyone, especially me.