I think you need to be far more specific and concise and as to your theory of why the Soviet Union collapsed. Are you saying that one day all Soviet people just woke up and thought, "Oh this socialist ideology just doesn't do it for me"? OR was it a far more complex set of circumstances including capitalist societies beating out socialists in a more prosperous standard of living and Desire for a higher level of personal liberty/autonomy?
Living in Canada I'm a conservative. But I think if I lived in the US I'd probably be a liberal. *L*.. it's funny but your liberals are closer to our conservatives.
Excellent point! Which is why I check in on all of them and try to glean "The Truth" in amongst all the blatant attempts they all make to promote their own political agendas. I also listen to/watch The Daily Show, Bill Maher and Rush Limbaugh. But only one of these has the gall to claim to be "Fair and Balanced", when they so obviously aren't.
I agree politicians; both Democrat and Republican have been elitist, liars, corrupt, un-true to their own political philosophy, and pander to special interests. That’s why citizens need to think long and hard about the people they vote for. Too often, voters are swayed by peer pressure, celebrity & slick personalities, great speeches, good looks, talk rather than action, and candidates with little real experience in business and industry, etc. Although, the original post is meant to be a bit tongue & cheek and provocative: It is also meant to provide strong important contrasts in ideology which is necessary for a clear understanding of conservatism vs liberalism. Don't confuse this with being divisive – the two political philosophies are different and that's the role of democracy to decide which will drive Gov't. Obviously one's perspective will vary on which country you live, moral viewpoints, life experiences, etc. Overall it is issues of Gov't corruption, waste, & uncontrolled spending, the re-distribution of wealth, the expansion of the welfare/nanny state, the expansion of an intrusive Gov't, loss of personal freedom, liberty & autonomy, higher taxes, non-accountability, personal responsibility, etc. all concern me greatly and affect my life… and that's why I bother.
What you've suggested, here, Zackman, illustrates my point: too many Americans are focused on ideologies, and dichotomies they think exist, such as liberal/conservative, capitalist/socialist, etc., etc. The emphasis is on sharpening these distinctions, and drawing the battle lines, instead of solving problems. One of the things I used to think was true of Americans, but don't any longer, was that they were eminently practical people: now, I see many of them as eaten up by ideologies of one sort, or another, with the social contract which is required for any society to function smoothly and efficiently, broken. As for why the Soviet Union collapsed, I think it was poorly led, and ideology had a lot to do with it. When their economy began to contract, in the early nineteen seventies- and continued to contract, for another twenty five years- their ideology gave them no appropriate answers as to how to respond. One of the challenges now facing America is a financial system which no longer functions in the people's best interests: it is dominated by financial institutions that operate on no principle but the bottom line; and, as often as not, make their fortunes off others' misfortunes. Ideology is preventing this problem from being adequately addressed.
it's a scary thought that there are a lot of voters out there that vote because their parents voted a certain way or along race, religion and gender lines. I remember seeing interviews with some women on the street after the last election saying that they would vote for Palin for president just because she was a woman. Very scary.
True enough... however they are voting.. is what people would say.. I didn't vote and have heard over and over that I should. When I say there isn't anyone I agree with or trust who is the lesser of two evils..I'm told well vote anyways for anyone... just doesn't make any sense to me. At the same time I can't complain about who is in power.
