[Twodees]

The segment of American people who "want some of it" do so because because they realize that applying for whatever's being doled out is the only way they'll ever get any value for being robbed of the means to provide for themselves. The majority show me no signs at all of being in favor of socialism. The majority of Americans I know will still do without before begging any level of government for anything. What you're saying, stripped to its essence is that the majority of people are imbeciles who embrace what you oppose because they lack your superior discernment. Malarkey, ma'am. It's wrong to blame all this on the American people. Saying that we've done this to ourselves and that we get the government we deserve is Hassayampa. This has been done to Americans by a bunch of amoral politicians who won't follow the rules laid out for them. Your argument and that of tex, who claims that there is no conservative base are as far off as one can be, IMO. Remove the insane level of taxation and regulation and people will begin to handle things on their own again. Robbing everyone of a quarter of what they make, and leeching away a third of the economy with regulatory controls then triumphantly pointing out how the impoverished public will ask for the pittances offered by the welfare state is disingenuous to put it mildly.

[Roscoe]

Most people send their children to public schools.

[Amelia]

The majority show me no signs at all of being in favor of socialism.

Actually, the majority of Americans think the major priorities of the Federal government, after the war on terrorism, should be education, health care, and social security. You might not like it, but there it is.

The majority of Americans won't SAY they are in favor of socialism, but they WILL say those are their top priorities for the FedGov.

The majority of Americans ARE social conservatives, but I'm not sure that they are economic conservatives.

What you're saying, stripped to its essence is that the majority of people are imbeciles who embrace what you oppose because they lack your superior discernment.

No, I'm saying they have a different view of the function of government. I do get the distinct impression that you feel those who disagree with you are imbeciles. But debating based on your feelings is a liberal tactic, is it not?

Saying that we've done this to ourselves and that we get the government we deserve is Hassayampa. This has been done to Americans by a bunch of amoral politicians who won't follow the rules laid out for them.

Like it or not, most of it has done with the approval of the American people, or there would have been such an outcry it would have necessarily been reversed.

Remove the insane level of taxation and regulation and people will begin to handle things on their own again.

That would be nice. I'd like to go back to the original idea that unless one paid taxes, one could not vote. It would remove at least some of the incentive for some people to vote for politicians who supported government redistribution of wealth.