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To: Rembrandt_fan
I like how you ask a question and then answer it. Tell me do you still beat your wife? yeah I thought so.

Any way, I'll avoid using Paleoconservative in the future. It had seemed to me to be a negative style so I assumed, like the term neocon, it was originally used disparagingly to describe the ideology of traditional conservatism negatively as “old-fashion.” That is at least how it is commonly used here at FR, especially by those who identify themselves as neocons.

BTW, any movement that calls itself “grass roots,” or that justifies itself as the legitimate voice of the Greatest Number, especially in opposition to the established system, is a "populist movement." In that sense the so called “Conservative Movement” of the 80s-90s was a populist one. It had to be, the modern political system does not favor anything but populism. Indeed, you must claim to be against the establishment even if you are the establishment. Thats why elections often devolve into a mere exercise in voicing dissatisfaction with the current system, what ever it is. The socialists of the 20th century framed the debate, and established the rubrics.

204 posted on 07/24/2006 6:57:22 PM PDT by BarbaricGrandeur
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To: BarbaricGrandeur
Here's Wikipedia's definition of populism: "Populism is a political philosophy or rhetorical style that holds that the common person's interests are oppressed or hindered by the elite in society...Hence a populist is one who is perceived to craft his or her rhetoric as appeals to the economic, social, and common sense concerns of average people."

Don't like Wikipedia? Try Princeton University: "...the political doctrine that supports the rights and powers of the common people in their struggle with the privileged elite."

Now, let's try your definition: "...any movement that calls itself “grass roots,” or that justifies itself as the legitimate voice of the Greatest Number, especially in opposition to the established system, is a "populist movement."

Note the difference. You simply can't make up your own definitions as you go along. Further, I'm fairly widely read on the subject, and cannot recall anyone other than yourself, friendly or hostile to neoconservativism, referring to neoconservativism as a grassroots, populist movement. Among neoconservatives, there has been no effort to cultivate a grassroots following, no appeal to any perceived underclass, no attacks on either a real or fictitious elite.

Think Huey Long. Think William Jennings Bryant at various points in his career. Think Pat Buchanan at any time. Those are populists.

You wrote, "The socialists of the 20th century framed the debate, and established the rubrics."

What are you talking about? What does that mean? What socialists? What rubrics? Give examples. Support your argument(s) with other than vague, malapropistic absolutes.

Your brand of argument may fly where you come from, but wouldn't give a passing grade to a freshman on the community college debating team.
205 posted on 07/24/2006 9:39:54 PM PDT by Rembrandt_fan
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