Replies to post #96493 on Tornado Alley (PROG)

[GEO928]

wall_russ.....yes, you're correct....both Dems and repubs are equally guilty...

The only point of disagreement I have with you is to blame it all on progressives and liberals. That's nonsense on its face and a leftover of hanging around with too many brainless right wing rabble rousers, lol.

My "attack" upon the Dems & progressives is twofold....

1) they are the one's in admin. & congressional power at this moment in time....so, when speaking of current events and the current crisis, they are the natural target....

2) I see a big difference between the way in which the Repubs and Dems govern.

the Repubs are stereotypically associated with "mainstream America" and portrayed as a group of stodgy old white guys sitting in leather chairs at the "club" or on the golf course cutting deals. There is a modicum of truth in that observation....HOWEVER, the major difference is that the Repubs govern from the "top down". That is to say, they are accused (and, IMO are guilty) of creating the "big deals".....schmoozing with big business....oil, pharma, resources, etc.

However, I find that approach, though not desirable, tolerable....because it does not impact us as immediately or blatantly....it's more of a trickle down effect. In other words, the public gets screwed a little more gently....with a little more finesse.

For, example, gas prices impact us at the pump....and, the other energy costs are "hidden" in the cost of goods and services....like "out of sight, out of mind". While this is not to be condoned, my point is that psychologically it is more palatable to the average man on the street because we can wade through this mire via alternative choices i.e, we can buy a more economical car....and, we have other consumption althernatives.

the larger point, is that the deal making does not psychologically impact our percieved liberty/freedom.

the Dems, on the other hand, govern from the "bottom up". You are a member of the Democrat party if you feel disenfranchised from mainstream America. the Dems have always been focused at the "people level"... this is especially noticeable over the last decade or more. They are increasing focused upon the "collective" and demonstrate more and more Marxist concepts.

Now, with the vilification of capitalism and wealth generation and a more unabashed & concerted effort to redistribute the wealth, much of the American population is left with a queazy feeling....add to that, the cost of social programs which impact people directly on their tax returns and a whole psychology is born which screams "our freedom" is being taken away....because choices are limited.

Bottom line, the Dems policies are more "in your face"...and, because one's perception is a person's reality, the Dems are much more offensive to the American psyche.

this is a centrist nation....when you win a vote by 51%, whether it's a popular election or a congressional vote, that's a heck of a lot of people who "disagree" with you....so, you can't (either left or right) win political battles based on 51% and believe you've captured popular support.

right now, the Dems are too far left.