2 a: disposition in politics to preserve what is established b: a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change; specifically : such a philosophy calling for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs (as retirement income or health-care coverage)

3: the tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change”

“Fascist :
1: often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition

2: a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control “

Keep listening to the right, the left, the center…keep pondering those complex issues. The rest of us dumb (neo? lol, I guess, whatever.)conservatives will look to you for guidance and strength. Until we can be the full recipients of your guiding light, we will just have to vote what we know. And what we know is John McCain is soft on immigration, wrong on tax cuts, and on and on and on. But you keep trying, you beacon of hope, you King of the (middle of the)Road.

Is that what it means to be a conservative? The accusation of “Liberal” is taken to include moral relativism, but it seems that to be a true conservative you have to be something of a facist.

If we could only find a uniform to fit Rush Limbaugh,
hey, we’d be all set.

Tim–Thanks for your comment. In one sentence to Brian, you have summed up why political deliberation geared toward successful policy as the Founders intended it is so difficult to achieve in this day and age. If you equate protecting American values with making verbal attacks that are as ill-reasoned as those you think you are refuting, please do so, as it’s your right. Or you can step away from the straw man argument and engage your fellow American on the complexities of each and every issue. There is much, much more to political debate than two minutes of so-called pundits promoting a nice, compact narrative on CNN or Fox News.

I read, I watch and I listen to the right, the center, and the left, and all the views in between. I am skeptical of what I hear, and I don’t take questionable evidence that serves my purposes as the gospel truth simply because it agrees with my ideological views. I have a job and a family that keep me very busy, but because this matters to me, I find ways to ensure that I get a wide variety of information from a wide variety of sources before I draw my conclusions. These issues are complex, and they take time, but if you love America, it’s worth listening to America.

And please don’t demean yourself by accusing me of being a Communist sympathizer or immoral atheist simply because I disagree with you. I love America, I’m quite happy here, and I’m engaged in working to make it a better place through inclusion, not insults. I welcome you to join me.

Jonathan

You don’t like John McCain because he is a real conservative and not an Authoritarian or Neoconservative. Mad at him for voting against a Tax-Cut bill that increased our deficit? Mad at him for trying to clean up the flow of money from special interests so that the peoples voice is actually heard? Mad at him for being occasionally moderate instead of just creating an atmosphere where nothing gets done in Washington?

Oh please, the only reason that you don’t like him is because he is exactly what a stereotypical conservative really is: Honestly, fiscally conservative, not beholden to special interests, and with a resume that says, “been there, done that” instead of “found a way out”.

“Some racist put false information out there trying to bash Obama.” – oh, you mean Mrs. Clinton and her machine.

“But you guys have never heard of separation of church and state anyway” – and you would just rather we outlaw religion, right?

“(Bush has ruined this country)” – Well, there’s the door…See ya…enjoy your stay in (insert socialist country here). If you would rather stay and join in the discussion without name calling, wild exaggerations, and blanket statements of victimhood, I’ll be glad to debate you.

“Numerous military and intelligence personnel have argued that such techniques impair our ability to garner good intelligence.” …and many others argue that it DOES garner good intelligence, the L.A. Library tower plot is a prime example. On this one issue, I actually UNDERSTAND McCain’s feelings on it. I don’t agree with them, but I understand them.

Look, if he wins, what can I do? I can hope he doesn’t raise our taxes, doesn’t ignore the border issue, doesn’t stop our use of tactics such as water boarding. I wouldn’t be able to stomach punching that chad, however. He doesn’t have my vote.

I do not understand your logic.

You’re right about the zip it thing. It’s a classic ‘Logical Fallacy’

It would follow that only dentists can talk about teeth, teachers about education, and nutritionists are the only ones who can discuss food etc.

It’s an invalid grounds for disqualification for speaking on any subject.

I’ve spoken about the moon and even the Sun, though I’ve never been to either personally!

Colonel Neville.