Posted on 10/25/2006 4:21:32 PM PDT by goldstategop
Now if you could get them empowered though a non-corrupt funding source/mechanism to become affordably exposed to those with enough time and energy to act as missionaries.
I had Jehovah's Whitnesses trying to hand me tracts while on my morning constitutional walk this morning!!! I revolted instead of having my usual competitive conversation on my doorstep!!!
I like the mixture of religion and it's missionary zeal with solid conservative politics that retains an arms length between church and state!!! I know that's not what you are promoting, but it's just my personal preference.
It's also a useful conduit when you don't have your own resources and can remain somewhat uncorrupted for a time and dividing of times. Don't worry. These are just idle thoughts, to compliment your well thought out train of thought.
I would suggest that your definition is way too narrow. What you describe might be more appropriately defined as "fiscally responsible," the antonym being "fiscally reckless". By your definition, a "fiscal liberal" would be someone who promotes deficit spending. Frankly, I consider anyone in that category as simply unqualified, not liberal nor conservative.
You wrote: "The problem with coercion is that it doesn't work, because people are very creative in avoiding compliance, making enforcement hideously expensive. The economy loses the productivity of both the supposed skinflint and the enforcer. It loses competitiveness versus less restrictive governance. Coercion simply costs society too much for it to work, even if it were capable of acting impartially (which it isn’t)."
The problem with this argument is obvious. You are asserting that what we already have, and have had since the New Deal, is "coercion".
And America since 1940 has worked splendidly.
We are dramatically more wealthy, and freer as a whole, than we ever were before the New Deal.
We live longer and are healthier.
So is Europe, which installed it's version of the New Deal after World War II.
So is Japan, which did the same thing.
The argument that the regulated free market economy with a strong social safety net "doesn't work" is belied by the fact that it HAS worked, everywhere, including here.
Reagan himself never even attempted to unravel the social safety net, and after talking a bit about Social Security reform swiftly came to the conclusion that the existing system needed to be protected.
That is the problem with the whole "conservative" line of thinking that wants to dismantle the regulatory state. The regulatory state has made us more stable, more prosperous, richer, more long loved, than the laisser-faire free market capitalism that preceded it. By a wide margin.
America is a lot more democratic and free today, too, than it was in the heyday of the unregulated free market.
Actually, ALL of the most advanced and prosperous economies GOT THAT WAY post-Depression and post-World War II with a strong regulatory state overlaid on a free market, and a strong social safety net. States without those things are not as prosperous. Even WITHIN the USA. You can't argue with success. That's the problem with the argument.
I agree with you: "Fiscally responsible" is a better term for Bloomberg, et al.
By your definition, though, the Bush White House and Congress are "fiscally reckless". I don't think you really want to fire them all, as your comment about the fiscally reckless would suggest.
They're fiscally reckless, but there's a war on which we have to win, and that is more important than mere money.
I agree that Rumsfeld should resign, because of his pantywaist, P.C. pathetic "skirmish on terror". We never took the gloves off, and I blame his sorry ass for it.
I wouldn't put the war in the "fiscally reckless" category. I might put the prescription drug program in that category though. ;-)
It was a hoot to watch, but by gum, he sure herded all them FL Seasoned Citizens with his act!!! There is so much, maybe way too much theatrics in politics these days!!!
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