Joe Bagadonuts
Well-Known Member
[MENTION=3085]Red[/MENTION] I've read some Toqueville stuff. It's been a long time. I'll take a look at the stuff you posted. It looks like a huge article. What, specifically, did you want to discuss about it?
[MENTION=3085]Red[/MENTION] I've read some Toqueville stuff. It's been a long time. I'll take a look at the stuff you posted. It looks like a huge article. What, specifically, did you want to discuss about it?
I only consider myself a conservative (though not necessarily republican) because I believe in very cautious and calculated change that needs to be measured, adjusted, and tweaked appropriately.
I'm going to be unplugged until next week so this will probably be my last post for a while. I'm sure I'll find myself thinking about this stuff quite a bit, though. I admire your willingness to consider all sides of the issue. I never imagined you'd be taking the conservative position in this conversation. While I'm away I'm going to see if I'm capable of arguing the liberal side. I'm not sure I am. I think there's some merit to the idea that conservative and liberal brains work differently.Sorry, we don't have to discuss it specifically. I just thought it was throwing light, for me, on the unconstitutional turn our government took with FDR's New Deal, and, in my youth, Johnson's Great Society. Just trying to see if I could better understand why I think the way I do, and expose myself to different thinking. So, really, it was something that I needed to read more then yourself. I look at the conversation as, in part, Americans trying to understand each other, and I guess I thought Tocqueville was a good follow up to reading the Constitution. And, in thinking of Americans trying to understand one another, I did think, well, who really knew us better then he? So, just wanted to share that with you; no more then that. You strike me as a thoughtful individual. I just wanted to expose you to one of the most insightful commentators on the American character, if you were not already familiar.
I've heard this narrative plenty.
Explain what was done, specifically, to target blacks.
Please don't become that guy, dala.
I think "conservative" in America means people who believe in keeping our Constitutional form of government, and respecting our human rights.
"Liberal" has been hijacked by globalist advocacy to mean the opposite of the general old meaning: a "Liberal" is somebody who really wants to control you. As in govern you, essential the opposite of democratic governance.
Thought provoking and interesting read. Thanks to the contributors.
I'm going to be unplugged until next week so this will probably be my last post for a while. I'm sure I'll find myself thinking about this stuff quite a bit, though. I admire your willingness to consider all sides of the issue. I never imagined you'd be taking the conservative position in this conversation. While I'm away I'm going to see if I'm capable of arguing the liberal side. I'm not sure I am. I think there's some merit to the idea that conservative and liberal brains work differently.
Regarding Toqueville, he has a lot of great sounding quotes, but it seems to me like a lot of them don't really jive with many of the others. These issues are complex so I guess that's to be expected.
The idea that a form of government like ours was eventually going to result in more and more social programs was predicted even by some of the founding fathers. It's easy to understand why this happens, especially if segments of the population quit dreaming the American Dream. You really can't blame people who don't see a way to improve their lives for voting in politicians who promise social programs. The irony is that every time we implement a social program we give up a little bit more freedom in exchange for security, and doing so makes it just a little bit harder (and less logical) for an increasing segment of the population to chase the dream. America, without the dream, simply won't work.
I believe Thomas Jefferson said that every nation needed a revolution every couple of generations. If not, that's a quote my dad often attributes to him. It feels like we're on the verge of a revolution of sorts (hopefully more ideologically than physical). The success of the Sanders and Trump campaigns sure point to that. It's going to be fascinating to see where things go from here.
I don't believe the differences are as stark as people generally believe.
For example: It's equally as insulting to a conservative to be considered uncaring of people in need as it is insulting to a liberal to be accused of wanting only big government and freebies for everyone.
The problem is largely hyperbolic partisan and media driven messages that drive wedges between otherwise mostly like-minded people.
I only consider myself a conservative (though not necessarily republican) because I believe in very cautious and calculated change that needs to be measured, adjusted, and tweaked appropriately.
Whether fair or not, I typically feel liberals speak of things in more sweeping and far-reaching change. Maybe I'm wrong.
As I've said many times, I don't consider myself pro or anti either party or that party's candidates, per se.
But a Romney message resonates better with me than does a Hillary or Obama (or Bernie).
I'm shocked anyone would use the war on crack for political advantage, whether for party line push, "war on drugs" cliches, libertarian mumbo jumbo or what have you.
That was one of the best accomplishments this country has seen in the last 30 years. We fought through an escalation of extremely violent crime rates and reversed it. Crime has been in decline ever since the war on crack. You really want to argue that it was racist to save black women from the violent rape and murder culture? Such a shameful take in trying to build some talking point advantage.
"Government is not the solution to our problem government IS the problem" ~ Reagan
He admits he is part of the problem and then declares war (an un-winnable one at that) on a huge population of his own people? (War on drugs was reagans big thing iirc)
Seems kind of dumb to me.
A rising Crime rate in the 80s started dropping after the war on drugs?
You're fact-free rhetoric has honestly brought you to the point where you're not even worth engaging anymore. And I'd bet you don't even believe this stuff, you're just trying to rile ppl up.
*yawn*