Even the liberals are getting mad now

[mmorris]

... but obviously promote a certain ideology. ..
As far as the Economist is concerned, I wonder if you have ever really read it to say it is "Very Right Wing". LOL ..However, If you really read it you would see they have very balanced political news articles. Heck, they even endorsed John Kerry ... In fact, most would consider the magazine one of the most balanced of its kind due partly because of its London publication.

I think it is a good idea to read different veiws rather than search out only those that agree with your own . Makes for a more broad world view I am sure you would agree.

What is the 'certain ideology' that democracynow promotes? I would not comment on the Economist if I had not read it. I would not consider their political news articles 'balanced.' I lived for ten years in London while taking post-graduate degrees at the London School of Economics and have traveled extensively in the world, and so my views are, I think, more `worldly' and less American-focused. John Kerry is actually quite conservative.

[scottthomas]

Well then, I guess we just disagree on our definitions of conservative and liberal. No problem, we both obviously can agree that we like discus.

[GlennR]

Well then, I guess we just disagree on our definitions of conservative and liberal. )

I think that is part of the problem. It seems that "conservatism" covers a very wide range of views, some of which are fundamentally opposed but these internal differences are ignored for the common goal of "being against the "Liberals".

Churches tend to support the Conservatives mainly on "right to life" and anti-gay issues, which are considered moral issues. But Christianity is based on the belief of being generous and helping the needy, which is a social issue that the Conservatives are against. I feel the 2 party system leaves Christians in a predicament between their moral views and their desire to help.

Having only the Republicans and the Democrats to choose between is a frustrating situation for many Americans. We are forced to support "the lessor of two evils", which simply means we end up making huge compromises about many issues that we feel strongly about. Special interest groups pay to get what they want, and the rest of us are just along for the ride.

I noticed that the spending freeze will effect everything except the Medicaid, Homeland Security, and the Pentagon. (I think that was what I heard?) That sure seems to freeze spending on a lot important things. Personally, I don't understand why the military can't learn to defend us "on a budget"? I mean we're fighting relatively poor terrorists, who don't have a navy or an airforce. How many nuclear subs & aircraft carriers do we need to buy right now? Also, why can't we "bluff" a bit on some of this ex$pensive stuff. I mean who'd really know how many planes, ships, missles, and even soldiers we really have?

It just seems like the terrorists are costing us TRILLIONS on a shoestring budget. Why do "Conservatives" support pouring money on the Pentagon like it's nothing? Why is our new Democratic president doing it? China doesn't seen to care, but why should they waste their money when we will?

It's just a shame that we spend more on fighting people than on helping people. I doubt many of Americans would actually support the ratios if it were presented to them as such.

$100 for Bullets & $10 for Beer and Burgers....

[scottthomas]

It seems that "conservatism" covers a very wide range of views, some of which are fundamentally opposed but these internal differences are ignored for the common goal of "being against the "Liberals".

I dont quite understand this statement. Conservative or liberal is not a political party or a single idea. A person may hold valid liberal views on some issues and conservative views on others without being in contradiction. Ive never met anyone who holds all liberal or conservative views. (even politicians) I for one, dont form my ideas or beliefs just to "go against liberals or conservatives" Different opinions and ideas makes life interesting and yes often complicated.

[mmorris]

Having only the Republicans and the Democrats to choose between is a frustrating situation for many Americans. We are forced to support "the lessor of two evils", which simply means we end up making huge compromises about many issues that we feel strongly about.
Personally, I don't understand why the military can't learn to defend us "on a budget"? I mean we're fighting relatively poor terrorists,
Why do "Conservatives" support pouring money on the Pentagon like it's nothing? Why is our new Democratic president doing it? China doesn't seen to care, but why should they waste their money when we will?



$100 for Bullets & $10 for Beer and Burgers....

I agree with your basic premise, with perhaps a few comments: We have third-party and independent candidates, most notably the Green Party. The Democratic Party has spent a lot of effort and, no doubt, money, convincing those of us on the 'true' left that we are wasting our vote by not voting for the Democrats. As I said before, I tell them I am wasting my vote on the Democrats.
We aren't fighting terrorists. No Afghanis were involved in 9/11; no Iraqis were involved in 9/11. It's all about the oil. Afghanistan is not on the list of nations sponsoring terrorism. The US wants to put a pipeline route through Afghanistan from the Caspian Sea. Corporate interests determine policy, and the military/industrial complex is incredibly powerful. We have a military force that is essentially as powerful as all the military forces in the world combined. Necessary? Of course not. So who profits?

[terps]

The Chavez nightmare in Venezuela.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...n_AboveLEFTTop

"To the short and brutal list of life's certainties, let us add that socialism invariably leads nations to economic ruin. Latest case in point: Hugo Chávez's "Bolivarian" Republic of Venezuela.

Earlier this month, the Venezuelan strongman moved the official U.S. dollar exchange rate to 4.3 bolivars to the greenback from 2.15. At a stroke, he wiped out the savings and purchasing power of the very working-class people he purports to represent, most of whom have barely been getting by. News of the devaluation instantly sent the country—where consumer prices had already risen by 25% in 2009, according to official figures—into a panic, with consumers standing in line to stock up on goods before prices rose.

Mr. Chávez next decreed that he would fine and even arrest any merchant caught adjusting prices, eliding the fact that Venezuela imports nearly everything and exports only oil. Now Venezuelans have the Hobson's choice of either complying with the diktat, which means shortages, or disobeying it, which means inflation.

Yet no sooner was one catastrophe of "21st-century socialism" inflicted on Venezuelans than Mr. Chávez unveiled another. On January 12, the government instituted a series of rolling blackouts due to an electricity shortage that had been building for months. Ostensibly, the reason for the shortage was a drought that had left water levels at the country's huge Guri Dam—the source of more than 70% of its electricity—at critically low levels. But that is a function of the government's failure to maintain the dam and build additional capacity."

Read the whole article.