A View From DU Very Political

[lucille]

I thought some of you may be interested in an outside view of your President. It is from a lecture given by Malcolm Fraser, a once conservative Prime Minister. He has turned around completely.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/how-the-west-got-lost/2007/10/25/1192941242971.html

[DaveM]

An old friend who was a near-fascist (she called herself "conservative", but it didn't fit at all), was fond of saying that "a conservative is a liberal who has been mugged". Given that the concept of separating ideas into "liberal" and "conservative" is so terribly overused these days (not to mention extremely limiting), what would be the proper term for a conservative who has endured seven years of George Bush?

[Kath of the Guitar]

I think we should have a party the day he leaves office!
Good job chook! ;) :p

[Bat]

An old friend who was a near-fascist (she called herself "conservative", but it didn't fit at all), was fond of saying that "a conservative is a liberal who has been mugged". Given that the concept of separating ideas into "liberal" and "conservative" is so terribly overused these days (not to mention extremely limiting), what would be the proper term for a conservative who has endured seven years of George Bush?


....Rich??

[lucille]

"a conservative is a liberal who has been mugged".

Dave, I used the word conservative, because our "right" wing party (currently in office) is called The Liberal Party - confusing eh? All of them need to be mugged IMHO :D


....Rich??

Zachary Bat;)


a party

Party, party, in Florida - I'll be there Chook :p There doesn't have to be a reason!

If you are interested in Aussie politics Malcolm Fraser assumed his position as Prime Minister because Betty Windsor sacked the Labor Party PM (Gough Whitlam) - the only time in history a PM has been sacked by a monarch.

[DaveM]

Lucille, any time one starts using the words "liberal" and "conservative", you're going to end in confusion. As best as I can tell, "liberal" is something you call someone and intend it as a dirty name. "Conservative" is something you call yourself with some sort of misplaced pride. Actual deeds or politics have very little to do with it.

One thing I have noticed is that "liberal" ideas appear to be those currently blasted by self-proclaimed "conservatives". However, within a few ideas, they will espouse the very same ideas, and claim to have invented them besides.

[lucille]

I agree Dave. The Liberal Party is a dirty word and a dirty party, and far from the true meaning of liberal. I am a member of the Green's who haven't a chance in hell, but they are very likely to hold balance of power in the upper house this time round, and their support grows.

[Oak Kitten]

Bat, you are, as always, succinct, witty and on point. Touche.

I would concur with most of his remarks, except I think that he an a lot of other people ascribe way too much influence to the religious right or "values voters" as they are presently being labeled. Bush and other conservatives pander to the religious right especially with Presidential Primaries in the offing. But if you look at the track record, they very seldom get anything substantive out of Republican administrations in terms of policy. They are just used for their votes and discarded, because once a candidate gets elected he/she must (yes, even GW though probably less so than any other candidate) take into account the rest of the electorate. Look at their present dilemma - of the current crop of GOP candidates - they can't find anyone to rally behind. Huckabee would be closest to their views - but he has a snowball's chance in hell. Even though Mitt Romney will promise anything to anyone to get a vote - they are not buying his particular brand of snake oil - not to mention the fact he is a Mormon. :eek:

So the religious right in this country has succeeded in marginalizing themselves by tying themselves to the Bush Administration. One of the few good things this administration has accomplished with its breathtaking capacity for incompetence and ineptitude.

Oak

[Bat]

Bat, you are, as always, succinct, witty and on point. Touche.

Oak

thank you, Oak::::::bowing:::::
I might return the compliment with your excellent observation, to wit::D:

"So the religious right in this country has succeeded in marginalizing themselves by tying themselves to the Bush Administration. One of the few good things this administration has accomplished with its breathtaking capacity for incompetence and ineptitude"