[antceecee]

There is no blur when it comes to comparing a Liberal Dem to a liberal Republican. The Dems have gone so far to the left they should actually call themselves what they are - Marxists. The most liberal Republican out there does not even begin to compare.
Hence I will be voting Republican, if nothing else to keep the Marxists out of power.

[benjamin032]

Why do we have so many far-left members in both houses, but so few far-right ones? It is easy to point to Pilosi, Clinton, Leahy and others as examples of socialists based on their stated opinions. They want the nanny state and big government, eliminate religions, curb free speech, and increase entitlements. Where are the Reaganites? The true believers in limited government, strong defense, and the influence of Judeo-Christian values? Name one that is a prominent legislator. We, in here and in our lives, may espouse these beliefs, but do we elect like-minded people?

[Badray]

Please tell me, to a degree that really matters, how Bush's compassionate (yes) conservatism (not) differs from socialism.

Under the GOP, the US has slid steadily, but slowly, towards socialism -- the slowly boiled frog syndrome.

I keep hoping that the collective frogs will jump, but it seems that soon there will be a huge supply of frog legs to dine on.

The difference between the parties is only that the dems will turn up the heat and some frogs will get out of the pot that they are so comfortable in right now.

Both parties love big government to enforce what they want and think that it is a good think. I expect that of Democrats. I find it abhorrent in Republicans.

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence - it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master: never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." -- George Washington

It matters not that government is doing what you want. The government large enough to give you what you want is big enough to take whatever it wants.