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MasterJaguar01 -> What ever happened to REAL INTELLIGENT Political debate? (6/12/2011 4:22:46 PM)
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As I look back on politics in the US, over the last 10-15 years, I see the following:
1) Very loud Republicans saying absolutely ridiculous things (including revising history to make their point).
2) Very loud Republicans constantly attacking Democrats (especially Obama). (Regardless of what Obama says or does)
3) Democrats occasionally calling B.S. on #1, and #2, and identifying it as such
4) Almost NO real political debate of substantive ideas
5) RE #3, I notice the following:
**** A) To a Republican, anyone who disagrees with them is a liberal
**** B) All Republicans who tow the party line are "Conservatives"
**** C) To a Republican, Liberals can't win an argument against a "Conservative", so their tactic is to refer to the "Conservative" as stupid (Ann Coulter has played this card many times)
Here is my analysis:
1) There some good and some bad liberal ideas and some good and bad conservative ideas. The problem is, we rarely get a chance to really debate them.
2) Being Conservative <> Being Stupid
3) Republicans <> Conservatives. Not even close. Republicans come in two flavors: 1) The elite corrupt corporatists (i.e. the Koch Brothers) 2) The woefully ignorant that blindly spew the Republican corporatist line (i.e. Michelle Bachmann, John Boehner). True Conservatives preserve freedom, are fiscally responsible, and support an efficient, streamlined government that effectively represents the people. I haven't seen a Republican since Eisenhower who comes close (perhaps with the exception of Ron Paul) For Ms. Coulter... It's not that "liberals" call "conservatives stupid to win an argument. It is anyone with any common sense calling these faux-conservative arguments "stupid".
An example of Republican myths that conservatives know have been debunked:
A) Tax cuts for high income earners create jobs / High income earners are "job creators". Anyone who knows how capitalism works knows how absolutely absurd this is. A thriving economy creates jobs. A greater demand for goods and services creates jobs. No intelligent business owner hires ANYONE just because they saved a few percentage points on their personal income tax. Further, investment in business (expansion, new FTE's) is in itself a tax SHELTER.
B) Unregulated capitalism leads to a thriving economy. - SIGH. Conservatives know, that unregulated Capitalism cannibalizes itself (i.e. banking/housing, oil/gasoline). Conservatives know that Anarchy is a failed system. Our freedoms END when we infringe on other's freedom. (i.e. When we create secret exchanges to sell oil derivatives, we destroy our economy, and infringe on everyone else's freedom. When government gives away land to oil companies and subsidize them so they can drill for oil and sell it on the world market, we destroy our economy and infringe on everyone else's freedom). FREE MARKET CAPITALISM NEEDS APPROPRIATE REGULATIONS TO KEEP IT FREE!!!!!
4) There is a legitimate debate as to the role of government as a whole, and in various situations. There is a legitimate argument for smaller government (where it makes sense). The problem is, the intelligent conservatives have been drowned out by the Republicans.
The Democrats are by no means, the answer to our problems. Although, the more intelligent among them are primed for an intelligent debate. They just have no one with whom to debate.
My .02
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