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Conservatives have redefined the word 'socialism' to fit their agenda of shrinking government. There is no 'socialism' (under the word's heretofore conventional meaning, which is a term of economics) in America, but rather America is presently an example of a welfare state that practices regulated capitalism. That is, America's laws use some of the tax receipts received at the Federal level to subsidize members of society who (1) need medical care that they cannot afford, (2) have children but have less than a certain level of income (AFDC, etc.), (3) are elderly and have less than a certain level of income (Social Security), among other groups.
Conservatives believe that the "larger the government" (that is, the more persons employed by the government, or the greater the size of the Federal budget), the less their freedom to make as much money as possible. Their arguments about 'freedom' in general are typically only smokescreens for their preference to live a "might makes right" lifestyle driven by making money. They believe that the very low level of regulation imposed on the nation's private sector in the 1800s is the model for what American society should return to.
If you read the article linked above, you'll see that the notion of a 'welfare state' is not new and might actually be considered to have been invented over 1,000 years ago under a medieval, theocratic regime. Maybe the fact that, by America choosing decades ago to become a welfare state, America is following the leads of other nations, mostly European, is what causes American conservatives to feel that America is less "unique" or less "special" or is "repeating the mistakes of Old Europe," etc.
Last edited by ParkTwain; 03-03-2009 at 03:28 PM..
"Code words" help in politics, so their use and abuse should come as no surprise. A recent Gallup poll helps prove the point. People were asked a question, framed differently but effectively identical:
1. Do you favor or oppose temporary nationalization of banks? Only 37% favored the idea.
2. Do you favor or oppose temporary takeover of the banks? 54% favored the idea.
Conservatives have redefined the word 'socialism' to fit their agenda of shrinking government. There is no socialism in America, but rather America is presently an example of a welfare state that practices regulated capitalism.
Now there's a creative term for ya! Did you just make that up? What in God's name does that mean?
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Originally Posted by ParkTwain
That is, America's laws use some of the tax receipts received at the Federal level to subsidize members of society who (1) need medical care that they cannot afford, (2) have children but earn less than a certain level of income (AFDC, etc.), (3) are elderly and have less than a certain level of income (Social Security), among other groups.
A rose by any other name is still a rose. Socialism by any other name (like for example "progressive" instead of "socialist") is still socialism.
The modern concept of welfare, is by it's very nature, socialist. Always has been. Because we have come to live with it, does not make it any less so, nor does it make it any more palatable.
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Originally Posted by ParkTwain
Conservatives believe that the "larger the government" (that is, the more persons employed by the government, or the greater the size of the Federal budget),
And the more intrusive government becomes...(you may continue)...
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Originally Posted by ParkTwain
the less their freedom to make as much money as possible.
Why do you liberals always think it's just about making "as much money as possible"? It has to do with personal liberty, freedom.
It is about:
Not being told what kind of light bulbs are acceptable for you to use.
Not being told what time of day you can mow your lawn.
Not being told what kind of car you should drive, and being penalized if you want to drive an SUV
Confiscating guns, and making the ammo so expensive as to be unaffordable for some (and that is exactly the idea; that's how "they" (the leftists) will control guns.
The new CPSIA, which is putting a lot of people (many in the "one of a kind" custom clothing design business) out of business, because it requires all products that are intended for, or may be used by, children under 12 to be tested for lead and phthalates, which destroys the product, and is very expensive (Mom/Pop operations cannot afford it, so they are just S.O.L). BMX bikes and other bicycles, ATV's are included (paint etc). This act is so all encompassing and so intrusive it is absolutely absurd, and the politicians that voted for it have not even read it. This has got to stop.
Not being forced to upgrade septic systems at a cost of $35,000 (can anyone afford that?) forcing home values down, because it must be done before a home may be sold, or the buyer has to take care of it. Either way, the seller loses.
Forcing the closure and stopping the construction of economical coal fired power plants, which will raise the cost of electricity for all consumers, which is already nearing the point where the electric bill is more than the mortgage in some areas in the winter season (my area for example)
Stopping all development of our oil resources and the building of refineries [Thanks DEMOCRATS!], making gasoline artificially expensive and heating oil prohibitively expensive. I have not been able to afford the oil to run my furnace (which is only ten years old, a good Lennox that is over 80% efficient) for the last two winters (and we are in NE Ohio), so we are cold in the winter, using a small propane fireplace, and a few electric space heaters, and we keep most of the house at 60 degrees or cooler. Other people I have been told close off part of their home completely in the winter with plastic sheathing to save on heating cost.
Ridiculous restrictions on private property designated as wetlands or other "environmentally sensitive" (sort of an all encompassing term) lands.
Restrictions on hunting, that are creating problems in some areas because the wild game is becoming a problem once again their numbers are allowed to increase, unrestricted.
Need I go on, Mr. ParkTwain?
I'm not a rich guy. I'm self employed and live in an 1860's farmhouse on 11 acres in the country. I really have no desire to be "rich" per se. I don't desire a fancy car, I don't even care about a large fancy house. I love gardening, my two guitars (I could be a collector... I love a fine instrument, and my Alhambra F7c flamenco is my pride and joy), and I love doing Web designing (currently my main source of income is still in the tile trade, which I learned late in life).
But I understand quite clearly what is at stake here.
Conservatism isn't about money, Mr. ParkTwain. It is about my children's, and my grandchildren's future. I want them to have the freedom and liberty that I had when I was growing up, unrestricted by this overreaching current government that is destroying the America our founders bequeathed to us, so that we might hand it down to our children, and their children.
These people (the President, and all our representatives in Congress) have one duty, and that is to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United Sates. They are not their, and do not have the right to change our system of government; to make it socialist.
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Originally Posted by ParkTwain
Their arguments about 'freedom' in general are typically only smokescreens for their preference to live a "might makes right" lifestyle driven by making money. They believe that the very low level of regulation imposed on the nation's private sector in the 1800s is the model for what American society should return to.
You SIR, couldn't be more wrong. And I find your assertions offensive, and anti-American. You may live anywhere in the world you like. If you find this country does not suit you in the form that our founders created it, you are perfectly welcome to live somewhere else.
sorta like calling someone a chimp, hitler, racist, facist, nazis, or murderer right?
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