tony1158 wrote:

SNIP a lengthy cheap shot at the Right because the Left got its
rearend handed to it by the Public this week...

Well, I'm no Republican, but this deserves an equal time rebuttal.
(For the record, I am Libertarian in political view, and find the
Right and Left about equally silly. The Left is just far more
offensive about their silliness...)

To be a Democract/Liberal in 2004 you have to believe:
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- That you're smarter than 'most folks' who just "don't get it"
when in fact they DID get it ... and rejected it out of hand.

- That the Western democracies, that have fostered more freedom for
more people, in more places than any other other form of government
in human history, are actually responsible for most of the Evil on
the planet ... not the tin pot dictators, strongmen, and vile
terrorist bilge that inhabit the UN and a good part of the world.

- That wealth is evil and rich people need to be spanked and
oppressed ... unless the wealthy person in question is a
Liberal political candidate.

- That business, which employs people and picks up the majority of the
tab for all your dearly held entitlement programs, is dangerous
and must be monitored closely ... but Congress Critters that
consider 20 hours a busy week, are the Great Hope for improving our
economic circumstances.

- That government - a demonstrably incompetent and corrupt institution -
is a better instrument for people's health, wellbeing, and old age
than personal choice and responsibility.

- That Michael Moore tells the truth without exception and George
Bush lies without exception.

- That people who do not live in the major urban areas are simply not
sophisticated enough to make decisions like voting on their own.

- That Free Speech is OK so long as you agree with it, but Right Wing
speech is Evil and must be supressed, especially on college campuses.

- That the Constitution must be vigorously defended ... except for the
pesky parts like the 2nd Amendment, States Rights, and the true
Federalist form of governance envisioned by the Framers.

- That Western art and culture are inferior, but murderous African
tribalism should be celebrated as "true" culture because it has
interesting Folk Dancing.

- That Gay Marriage should be celebrated and encouraged, but that
Heterosexual Marriage is an optional anachronism beneath
sophisticated folks like yourselves.

- That trial lawyers, courts, and juries are better judges of what
constitutes proper medicine than doctors.

- That every problem must have a utopian solution no matter how much
this is at odds with Reality and observed human history.

- That Yassar Arafat is (was) a "Freedom Fighter" but the US Military
is an Imperialist threat to world stability.

- That a mistake in judgement is the same thing as a lie ... except when
it's made by one of your own ... then it's Sound Policy

- That national sovereignty is an anachronism much better replaced with
a giant corrupt bureaucracy filled with political parasites like the UN.

- That every human problem is someone's fault, but never the fault
of the individual making a bad judgement.

- That France and Germany are invaluable allies, but the UK, Israel,
and Italy are pernicious dangers to world peace.

- That people of deep religious faith are a danger to Liberty, but
unshaven, hung over, and debauched rock stars are beacons of
appropriate morality.

- That people must be punished for hurting each others' feelings.

- In short, that you, the elite Thinking Classes, simply know what's
good for everyone else if they would simply resign claim to their
wealth, autonomy, liberty, and decision making to your safekeeping.


You want better choices next time? Then the Left and Right had better
get together on a few, very important issues that will lead to both
better political candidacy and the presevation of Liberty. To whit:

1) 1 Term limits for the House (4 years), Senate (6 years), and Presidency
(6 years).

2) A Constitutional Amendment affirming the Electoral College but requiring
the Electors to vote in proportion to the popular vote in each state.

3) An agreement to de-Federalize American political and public life. A
strong reaffirmation of State's Rights that would allow each of us to
live in the State that is most reflective of our personal values.
If MA wants Gay Marriage legalized, and GA does not, so be it. Let the
culture wars be fought in the arena of ideas wherein people live where
they want and how they want, not at the direction of Politicans of any
stripe.





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Tim Daneliuk
PGP Key: http://www.tundraware.com/PGP/