Is being a bleeding heart a bad thing?

unsure

At times it is.

Bad, because this type always expects the rest of us to foot the bills for their little crusades.

A "bleeding heart" also implies compassion and empathy for other human beings. Empathy and forgiveness for others is also the foundation of civilization. ... and as some great teacher once said without mercy there can be no justice. In this sense, "bleeding hearts" are the foundation of civilization and the law.

A "bleeding heart" also implies an inability to make tough decisions for the common good. For example, a "bleeding heart" may argue against the death penalty without considering the implications...specifically, a father whose daughter was raped and killed is entitled to see her rapist put to death....if the state is unwilling to provide this justice, the father may be inclined to deliver that justice himself. By ignoring such laws of human nature and the need for "tough love", the "bleeding heart" may cause greater harm than their good intentions.

To care for those less fortunate is the foundation of all law. And when the term "bleeding heart" refers to these feelings it is a good thing. On the other hand, a "bleeding heart" can also lead to incredibly stupid decisions....e.g., consider the war in Iraq. Certainly the people in Iraq were being abused by Saddam and his sons....but did that mean the US should send its troops into Iraq? IMO no and George Bush Jr's "bleeding heart" got this country into trouble.

I'll tell you what I say to the hateful CONS that use it to bad-mouth people who are concerned about their fellow man--"I'd rather go to my grave with the label of a bleeding heart liberal than as a cold & heartless CON."

It means posturing for your own gratification. It's not the real thing.

Now that's the good kind! Very pretty.

I love the wild ones too. I used to pick them for my mother when I was a little girl.

it's good to care about people, unless you are a selfish pig of a person.

It is the reason why that everyone has been misdirected in our political views lately. The utmost important thing is the economy right now. If it fails, America is gone. Then you'll have a fat chance in hell of getting any other power that moves in to give us our freedoms back ever again. Wake up, that stuff is backburner material in the face of todays real problems.

This is exactly what it is. Thank you.

Very welcome, thanks for letting me share.

life gets tough. you just need to learn to let it go, everything happens for a reason, no matter if its for better or worse! karma will get those bastards

When your depressed i mean

Bleeding heart doesn't take logic, reason or thought into the equation. Too often a bleeding heart will act in short-sighted way.

Exactly!

http://livinglikejessie.files... pretty plant

depend on how you knew this person been in your life..of course it bad and sometime scar your mind the memories is still there can't forget but gotta get on move on..it hardest part for person who really bleeding heart..

It's mostly just annoying and it's a terrible way to live.

It's neither. It depends on the context. If you're a left wing bleeding heart, it's not good because left Wing economic policies don't work. If you're a right wing bleeding heart like me, then it's a good thing because empathy is a very good trait to have.

i think it has irrationally obsessive connotations

To show compassion is fine, but to act as though every thing you hear is a national tragedy and "omigod ya gotta do somethin' right NOW", that's unrealistic.