m, it really doesn't make any difference. GW isn't any different than any other President since Ronald Reagan. Demo and Repub alike. Americans are ignorant about politics in general and are so easily mislead. Easier to believe what they are told instead of doing their homework.
I describe Dean as "ultra-left" because he is in favour of big government - based on what is written on his website, and reports of his speeches & policy positions taken from my Bloomberg. I don't use the Wall Street Journal or Fox News, or view opposition to the Iraq war as "left-wing". As for your claim that 50% of Americans share Mr Dean's political convictions - I'm betting hard cash that you're wrong. If the bet comes in, I will give you the choice of which vintage of Dom Perignon I should buy with the winnings.
All it takes is a political discussion to bring out the crack pots eg lefties. What are socialists doing on this site anyway? Isn't capitalism the root of all evil? Shouldn't you be out at a WTO protest or promoting diversity somewhere? Crack pots.
Winston: Here's hoping you post more frequently in Chit Chat. These commies are so prevelent around here it's like being in Red Square.
Ok, then you are fascists. This is nonsense, but that is the level of discourse. After years of right wing blather on the AM dial and now FOX news to spoonfeed propaganda to the mindless zombies, this is what we've come to. A democracy in decline, with most Americans too lazy to think for themselves. The radicalism of the 60's worried me, but not like this. It's the beginning of the end. The question is how long and slow will the decline be? The 'pure capitalism will save the day' crowd is so full of BS. Everyday we are given evidence of the corruption and fraud that happens when government abrogates it's responsibility to oversee the markets. http://www.inthe80s.com/sandl.shtml Look at the money pouring into the coffers of the Republican party and tell me that it isn't dangerous to have such influence from special interests. Maybe it all seems dandy...until it starts impacting you. If you are among the wealthiest Americans then no worries, but for the rest of us it is ominous. m
"Look at the money pouring into the coffers of the Republican party" And look how much the Democrats received when Clinton was in office. That's because the folks with the money aren't going to throw it away. They back who they think will win. Be it a Democrat or a Republican...... that's politics. By the way, those radicals of the '60's found their way to the Democratic party and convention. If that wasn't a mess! Playing party politics is for those willing to be part of the problem instead of part of the solution.
Quote from MackieMesser: Ok, then you are fascists. This is nonsense, but that is the level of discourse. After years of right wing blather on the AM dial and now FOX news to spoonfeed propaganda to the mindless zombies, this is what we've come to. A democracy in decline, with most Americans too lazy to think for themselves. Maybe the conservative agenda would be more palatable if we had deep, philosophical spokesmen like Al Franken, Michael Moore, and Barbra Striesand. Instead we're stuck with ordinary folk who think that the rights of the un-born are sacrosanct, who believe in the continuation of second amendment rights, who choose not to be serfs for the government by being forced to dedicate 6 months of wages per year to pay taxes. The radicalism of the 60's worried me, but not like this. It's the beginning of the end. The question is how long and slow will the decline be? The end of terror, the end of Rogue nations, the end of alleged allies acting in cynical self interest allowing religious fanatics to kill innocent civilians. Yes, let's hope it's the end. The 'pure capitalism will save the day' crowd is so full of BS. Everyday we are given evidence of the corruption and fraud that happens when government abrogates it's responsibility to oversee the markets. http://www.inthe80s.com/sandl.shtml I suggest you update your reading. You're stuck in the 80's dude. The total taxpayer cost of the S&L bailout was 123.8 bil. ONE TENTH of your inane articles estimate. You think that's big? Just wait until the next down turn in real estate when the FDIC needs to be bailed out. Will the damage be primarily due to fraud, or will the real culprit be American's voracious appetite for mortgage debt. http://www.fdic.gov/bank/analytical/banking/2000dec/brv13n2_2.pdf Look at the money pouring into the coffers of the Republican party and tell me that it isn't dangerous to have such influence from special interests. Maybe it all seems dandy...until it starts impacting you. If you are among the wealthiest Americans then no worries, but for the rest of us it is ominous. I don't know about you, but I'm not rich. That doesn't mean I need be a pawn in the jealousy and self hatred of class warfare. When you say "special interests", do you mean the Trial Lawyers Assn, the NEA, unions that represent the TWO MILLION employees of the FEDERAL Government. The Democrats thrive on special interests.
The 'class warfare' phrase gets thrown up every time someone points out how wealth and power are corrupting America. They'll eat your children...figuratively at least. m
On a spiritual level the unbridled pursuit of money and power is clearly destructive to society. But what makes you think that Sam Waksal's any more greedy than the coke dealer down the street. Or isn't the union worker making a G a week greedy when he complains that his job is going overseas allowing a formally destitute third world economy to gain a foothold in the global market? Or isn't it greed that makes teachers complain about low wages yet the average urban teacher makes more money than the average salary of her students parents? The point Mackie is that greed is as old as the hills and unfortunately an intrinsic characteristic of the human condition. Government is the LAST enity that should be arbiter of standards imposing "appropriate" greed. With 2% interest rates you will need 2 million at retirement to compete with a public employees average pension. Now you tell me who's becoming the "ruling class."