Thread: Do You Think GWB Hates Al Gore?

Originally Posted by Nord Jim

You're right -- calling liberals "socialists" is not the same thing as calling conservatives fascists -- even assuming that there are such things as "liberals" any more, which I doubt.

Liberals never advocated government control of individual rights or the expansion of government. They do believe that government has a role in some areas where individuals can't get the best results, like health care or environmental protection, but other than that, nada.

On the other hand, conservatives -- and especially neo-cons -- have a great deal in common with fascists. In fact, they adhere to the most central tenets of fascist dogma. (Check here: Economic Fascism )

But, as Alan said, it's really just name calling, which was the subject of my post in the first place. I believe that conservatives would find that they could be much more persuasive if the could avoid such schoolboy tactics.

j

It is amusing, for lack of a better word, that when liberals indulge in "name calling" it is acceptable, yet there seems to be a problem when conservatives do it. In the post I quote above, you lambast me for name calling and use "neo-con" as a pejorative! In fact, I was not rationalizing name calling or even remotely attempting to defend the alledged "name calling." By using such terms as Cabernet Communists, I was employing a literary device known as hyperbole for a specific reason. For further reading on it and other literary devices, Google it.

Modern liberals, as defined by their core set of beliefs, advocate a massive expansion of the federal government and substantial reduction of freedoms. The Social Security Administration is, by any definition, enormous. Tell me, with it on the cusp of insolvency, has the Federal government done a good job preparing for the baby boomer generation's retirement? Would you visit that sort of disaster on our healthcare system? Or would you prefer that healthcare emulate Amtrack? Continually bankrupt and expensive, providing a service few need and most would rather avoid? As for infringing on individuals rights...that I cannot eat foie gras in Chicago or pack heat in Massachusetts is the result of liberal democrat activism.

I will agree that classic liberalism is a rare beast in America these days. Which is lamentable, for it has much to recommend it. Consider this: while many make inaccurate comparisons between JFK and Obama, the simple truth is that JFK has far more in common with Ronald Reagan than he does with Obama.

Originally Posted by ProfessorChaos!

[Modern liberals, as defined by their core set of beliefs, advocate a massive expansion of the federal government and substantial reduction of freedoms.

Sounds an awful lot like those that call themselves conservatives these days, too, except they more than advocate it, they do it!

Am I to belive that there is no fundamental difference between the two parties!

I don't think there's a strong correlation between the two major parties and liberal / conservative principles. Maybe there was in the past, I'm too young to know firsthand

Which Congressmen and/or women are working to reduce the size of the federal government? I don't think there are many even though the fed continues to spend far more than it receives right in the face of a giant national deficit

Originally Posted by ScottS

Sounds an awful lot like those that call themselves conservatives these days, too, except they more than advocate it, they do it!

Agreed! There is little to distinguish Republicans from Democrats and visa versa except on some key issues such as gun control and abortion.

Originally Posted by ProfessorChaos!

Agreed! There is little to distinguish Republicans from Democrats and visa versa except on some key issues such as gun control and abortion.

Well, push comes to shove, Dems want to see abortion remain legal because they believe that's how it should be, and Republican power mongers want to see abortion remain legal so that it remains an election issue that they can use to get the vote from the Christian right. I guess you can take abortion off that short list.

Hey, I just realized that if we can keep this thread open for another two or three weeks, we might well be the last group on Earth that expresses any curiosity at all about what George W. Bush thinks.

Originally Posted by ScottS

Well, push comes to shove, Dems want to see abortion remain legal because they believe that's how it should be, and Republican power mongers want to see abortion remain legal so that it remains an election issue that they can use to get the vote from the Christian right. I guess you can take abortion off that short list.

Are you telling me that the Dems do not use it as a political football? They both use it as a political football, kicking that football back and forth is what keeps us too busy to watch them! As long as you and I are at each others throats ( quite self righteously-check your qoute)their world is good, they can do whatever they want while we are too busy calling each other names. While we are spitting in each others faces, they take turns every four years kicking our stupid a$$e$!

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

While we are spitting in each others faces, they take turns every four years kicking our stupid a$$e$!

Yeah, and its my turn. I'm watching the impeachment hearings on CSPAN now!!!

Originally Posted by ScottS

Well, push comes to shove, Dems want to see abortion remain legal because they believe that's how it should be, and Republican power mongers want to see abortion remain legal so that it remains an election issue that they can use to get the vote from the Christian right. I guess you can take abortion off that short list.

As in many other places with many other things, the government has no business telling us what we can do to or put in our bodies. It is not a political issue, but a personal decision. Those who have co-opted it for political gain have done us and our country a disservice.