The U.S. is in a road which can ONLY end in eventual despotism......

[Saint Marcus]

The Democrats seem increasingly to be far left liberals, way out of step with the average American.

::

only in America...

The Democrats in the US are as far left as Pim Fortuyn was.

Face it, besides the Greens and perhaps some other insignificant parties...you don't have left wing parties. None. Let alone "far left". You have right (democrats) and far right (republicans).

[oedo]

I still don´t understand it. you believe Michael Moore is a liar because he is (said to be) a socialist and he is fat?
is this what you call substantial arguing?

oh, and I haven´t the slightest idea, who Rush Limbaugh is or who he was. I read this name several times here already, maybe someone can explain, who this infamous person was.

[Al B. Sure!]

Marcus:

America was colonized by Puritans and gained its independence following a major protestant religious revival in the 1750's and 60's. Also, from the second half the 1800's until the first half of this century is generally considered by historians to be another religious revival and the emergence of Mormons, Pentacostalists, a born-again Christian movement, etc. Since the 80's with the Christian Coalition, some think the American tendency to have religious revivals constantly is being repeated.

The thing is that the groups that are 'leftists' in America (aside from wealthy liberals) are union members who consistently are very religious and conservative on everything that don't involve their wages hence union members voted in huge numbers for Reagan and probably had a fairly good showing for Republicans in the past few years.


thanks

[RGBVideo]

I'm watched as you emotionally lost it.
Have you considered a counselor of some kind ?

I agree with Slow, you've been 'losing it' during the last few weeks.

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by oedo
I still don´t understand it. you believe Michael Moore is a liar because he is (said to be) a socialist and he is fat?

No, Michael Moore is not what I would call a liar, but he is a slavering, ideologically-driven nutcase who is so concerned with what he wants to be true that he has lost all perspective and ability to objectively analyze. Thus, Michael Moore's opinion on politics is at best comic relief.

On the plus side, he is funny, like when he ran that Ficus tree for US Congress. I couldn't stop laughing for the rest of the day after seeing that one.

oh, and I haven´t the slightest idea, who Rush Limbaugh is or who he was. I read this name several times here already, maybe someone can explain, who this infamous person was.

Rush is like Michael, except where Michael is far left, Rush is far right. They are both excellent examples of how dogmatic ideology-worshipping can cause you to lose touch with reality.

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by HershOstropoler
No, the real problem is the increasing nationalism and militarism, coupled with an ever more authoritarion view of government, while corruption and cronyism runs rampant. As Sandman said, you can have a semi-authoritarian regime while formally keeping the constitution in place, and that's the way it is heading.

Nationalism: perhaps, but we've always been that way. The flag-waving after 9/11 that still continues is just a revival, not a real change. Please see the cold war for further reference.

Militarism: So far, I believe Clinton has been part of more military actions than Bush. A single war is hardly proof of militarist sentiment.

Authoritarian: Don't make me laugh.

Corruption: Most of the corruption scandals I hear about are from the Europeans... we don't have it that bad, and the problem of corruption is hardly endemic to America. Please remove your blinders.

[Inverse Icarus]

if we're on a road that only leads to despotism, why bother b1tching? after all, we're already on the road.

[Al B. Sure!]

frankly, i dont give a damn... despotism is over-rated... Rome went from a republic to an empire and reached the height of its glory and a height in world peace...

hell, make Bush emperor now! why we got to wait til the end of the road?!

but for real though... whats with the use of the word despot? as some people here have said, there could be in the future a wildly popular man who assumes a dictator-like level of power... but his power would come directly from the masses... a despot by definition is one who reached his position my military control or birth, not through his popularity with the people.

[Ned]

Originally posted by MRT144


compassionate conservatism is also an out and out lie. theres nothing compasionate about being convservative.

Ah! The fox cried to the chickens, "Don't trust the good shepard."

MRT144, the problem with you far left liberals is that you either are the most mendacious liars in history or you actually believe your own propaganda.

[Ned]

It is strange that big-government liberals and European socialists who want the government to own and control everything are concerned that the US is heading towards despotism when it elects a Republican who is trying to cut taxes not only to restart the economy, but to reduce the power of the Federal Government.

[Al B. Sure!]

Ned:

nah it is generally true that Republicans try to shrink bureaucracies but they do increase the size of the military... i think big gov't liberals are disturbed that the military is growing causing some supposedly dictator-like problems... it could make sense. a huge bureaucracy does not directly destroy people's rights in the same way a huge army could potentially do.


thanks

[Sandman]

Since there's no clear line where big business ends and government begins in America, cutting taxes to big business will have no effect on the size of the real government.

[Nubclear]

Originally posted by Ned
It is strange that big-government liberals and European socialists who want the government to own and control everything are concerned that the US is heading towards despotism when it elects a Republican who is trying to cut taxes not only to restart the economy, but to reduce the power of the Federal Government.

Try searching up TOTAL INFORMATION AWARENESS, a new program introduced by the Department of Homeland Secuirty.

OH! Speaking of which......The Department of Homeland Secuirty actually made the government BIGGER (and consequently, less efficent)!!!!

MRT144, the problem with you far left liberals is that you either are the most medacious liars in history or you actually believe your own propaganda.

An ad hominem which has no supporting statements or argumentive evidence.

How typical of you, Ned

[Sava]

Ned...

[Ned]

Originally posted by Tassadar5000


Try searching up TOTAL INFORMATION AWARENESS, a new program introduced by the Department of Homeland Secuirty.

OH! Speaking of which......The Department of Homeland Secuirty actually made the government BIGGER (and consequently, less efficent)!!!!



An ad hominem which has no supporting statements or argumentive evidence.

How typical of you, Ned

Tass, Last point first. I was responding to a bald statement from MRT that Bush was lying about compassionate conservatism. He did not support his statement. I did not support mine - for the same reason.

On the second point, how consolidating disparate, uncoordinated government agencies under one department so that they can better coordinate makes the US government inefficient is hard to understand. I need some concrete examples or anecdotes. Do you have any.