Two columns from 2 liberal rags, the New York Times and The Washington Post.

Then: a column from W.P coulumnist William Raspberry.

  And to tell the truth, I might have let this period of national mourning pass without a sour note. But I was in Mississippi when I heard the news of his death, and it came just one day after a white Mississippi newspaper editor proudly handed me a copy of the Philadelphia, Miss., paper, the Neshoba Democrat.

Philadelphia, county seat of Mississippi's Neshoba County, is famous for a couple of things. That is where three civil rights workers -- Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman -- were murdered in 1964. And that is where, in 1980, Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan chose to launch his election campaign, with a ringing endorsement of "states' rights."

It was bitter symbolism for black Americans (though surely not just for black Americans). Countless observers have noted that Reagan took the Republican Party from virtual irrelevance to the ascendancy it now enjoys. The essence of that transformation, we shouldn't forget, is the party's successful wooing of the race-exploiting Southern Democrats formerly known as Dixiecrats. And Reagan's Philadelphia appearance was an important bouquet in that courtship.

 The link to the complete article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39345-2004Jun13.html

 From the NYT:

  How's this for compassion? Mississippi has approved the deepest cut in Medicaid eligibility for senior citizens and the disabled that has ever been approved anywhere in the U.S.

The new policy will end Medicaid eligibility for some 65,000 low-income senior citizens and people with severe disabilities — people like Traci Alsup, a 36-year-old mother of three who was left a quadriplegic after a car accident.

The cut in eligibility for seniors and the disabled was the most dramatic component of a stunning rollback of services in Mississippi's Medicaid program. The rollback was initiated by the Republican-controlled State Senate and Mississippi's new governor, Haley Barbour, a former chairman of the national Republican Party. When he signed the new law on May 26, Mr. Barbour complained about taxpayers having to "pay for free health care for people who can work and take care of themselves and just choose not to."


 The link to complete article is below.

This may be a shock but I was a Democrat 30 years ago.  And my goals are the same now as they were then.  End racism, end poverty, etc. etc.
The free market is the only way to do it.  Socialism does not work very well.  The factors of production cannot be controlled by a government.  China dropped it and so did India and almost overnight the middle class expanded..  In 1975, China was one or two steps away from mass starvation; today, they have over 100 million people making over 20,000.00 per year.  India scrapped Centalized planning for the free market in 1995 and their middle class expanded exponentially practically overnight.
Pollution- look at all the old communist countries(they had horrible pollution).  Pollution is waste and waste is inefficient.  If your inefficient, your competition will beat you.
A fantastic book:  Free to Choose, by Rose and Milton Friedman

The fallacy of your argument is you are comparing the most advanced country in the world, in almost every aspect of human endeavor, with two miserable third world countries.

When a country reaches a level of advancement, development, and maturity, then a move towards social programs and egalitarians thoughts is necessary.  Look at Nordic countries.  You ought to compare the U.S. with Norway, Netherlands, and Denmark, not with India.

I would undertand if you are a Republican because you have become wealthy (wealthy means = you have paid off your mortgage, and have at least $10k/month after tax without the need to work, with no child at school), and not a memeber of minority.

The fellow who shines my shoes, is a 62 year old white man, in abject poverty, and a Republican!  Less than 1% of the population, if they use their brains, and self interest, could rationaliy explain why they are Republicans!  At least the current version of GOP.

Even Bill Gates is a Democrat, so there is  a lesson here.

And it twice the size of New Jersey!!  What a great comparison.  Also to note, never once in their history have they taken a military force into another country to crush the Huns, Kill Tojo or Nix the Nazis.  Almost all political parties are either tied to unions or the Church. Hmmm  They're also very independant.  Even though they have never been successful in reppeling an invading force, they were liberated once by some American GI's and currently fall under the protection of NATO.  Their military budget is almost 7 Billion $$ out of a overall budget of 135 Billion.

QA, the guy that shines my shoes does pretty well.  He owns his own home (central Orange County, CA average mean home value over 300K), is elderly (not sure of age - white hair - black guy), raised three kids (shoe shining), two through college, has remained married to his first wife for over 45 years, has one of the best attitudes I have ever enjoyed, enjoys his life and is a republican too.  And guess what, has never taken a penny from any government agency, and tells just about anybody who will listen!

He has always shined shoes, he is very good at it, takes great pride in it, why would you diminish the value of a shoe shiners job?
 
If your shoeshine man is in "abject poverty", maybe you should increase your tips or suggest he raise his fees!  You know being the world traveled successful businessman you claim to be, give the poor guy some marketing tips.  Or would  you prefer that he was sucking on the teat of society receiving welfare?

BTW, European socialism is imploding under the weight of an aging population, it is failing and to say otherwise is just intellectually dishonest!  You can read about it almost daily in any one of the European newspapers you tout here when they support your anti-American theme!


-- Modified on 6/15/2004 3:08:38 PM

Would you kindly enlighten me, and explain what is the "anti American theme" that I espouse to?

Is it when I object when a member of your tribe [a Republican of today] delightly holds two poor third world countries as shining example for the most advanced country in the face of the earth?

I don't always share your views, but have respect for you, because I know you do try rationalize and justify certain things, much like how Spinoza rationalized relegion.  So, please don't take the following comments in any wrong way.

Patriotism is not the same as approving everything that our President does.  Here is a famous quote from an ex-president:

In 1918, Theodore Roosevelt said, "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."

perhaps annoying, rude, lazy, smartass, irritating who knows, but egotistical?  I don't understand how you could come to that conclusion.  The chickenshit part is what?  Because I hide behind the handle I've used since at least 5 years? like you and everyone else who "hides" behind whatever name the choose for themselves on this board?  Boy, shall I post my name, addy & phone number so you can send me a nasty letter?  Are you calling me chickenshit so I can verbally and anonymously puff my chest out for being challanged by you? Are you looking for a response so you can stomp up and down about if you were in my face I'd shit my pants and take the beating of my life?  Are you a bad boy with a lot of hostility?

Sweden has a negative GNP.  And the young adults have at some time or another dreamed of moving to the USA.  Germany has high unemployment and super high taxes.  PLUS- This may seem harsh but it's not.  IF YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO FIRE SOMEONE, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO HIRE SOMEONE WITH NO EXPERIENCE AND GIVE THEM A SHOT AT A JOB. If it does not work out, you can can them. God knows I've been canned from jobs more times than I can remember.

Clinton took a game plan from Jessie Jackson and went after Microsoft big-time.  More and more companies are catching on to Jessie's shake-down scam and are standing up to him. Less and less money for Rainbow!!!! Ha ha ha

Maybe the 62 year old is a Republican becuase he has pride enough to try to provide for himself...

The problem with your post is that what you are saying is if you are poor, you should naturally be a democrat because they will tax the rich and give you stuff (free services, etc). So whatever happened with the concept of personal responsibility? The Democratic party has forgotten that concept even exists...

Ask GW and admin. They will not admit ANY of their faults. Are they Democrats?

Old buddy, look at a few things:

- Average life expectancy

- Quality of life

- Standard of living

Any of the countries I proposed as the role model, beat India hands down.  And there is a good reason these countries have developed the wonderful qualities.  The GDP even may be dropping, but that is a characteristic of highly developed economies.

If you had a choice of living/working in Sweden, and India, which one would you choose?

Your honor, I rest my case.

I will grant you there are a few very rich people in India, but that is characteristics of the developing nations

Awesome Dude--  26 years ago, my head was exactly where yours is!!!! And I mean exactly.  And my goals now are exactly as they were 38 years ago when I was sitting in an 8th grade social studies class!  On the journey, I discovered a few things.
I believe you'll follow thru so I'm going to make the request.  Please get your hands on Milton and Rose Friedman's book,  Free to Choose.   It is kind of dry but very readable.  Zero quantatative econometric formula.  All theory and understandable.
It's in print so Barnes & N. can order it if they don't have. Libraries should have it.  If it doesn't convert you, you'll at least know where I'm coming from.
Now, I'll butcher a saying- If your under 30 and not a democrat, you have no heart; if your over 40 and still a democrat, you have no brain.  hehehehe Just kidding.

They just don't apologize for things they have not done wrong...

You do not think lying is wrong?

Get real. They have not admitted a single mistake and they have made dozens of them. Even when they are confronted in public they will not admit them.

Again, do your own research, I will not waste my time with you trying to refute known facts.

What lie???  Spit it out!!!

What a great tactic you have!!
"He lied, He lied" I'm just not going to bother proving it!!

If you don't want to bother proving it, I will not bother believing it (like most Americans).

Did he get bad intel, maybe? But where is this lie everyone keeps referring to. Keep pushing that though, and GWB will definately enjoy another four years

Just because you refuse to listen to facts  does not mean they (Bush & admin.) are not lying. It has been proven time and again. Most recently with Cheneys lies and the 9/11 commission. Look at things with an open mind and you may realize the lies they have (Bush and admin.) been telling US.

Do some research the facts you will find are very revealing.

More wide statements and NO FACTS. What comments Cheney made that are lies, and I thought we were talking about Bush?

I've said it before, I guess I'll have to say it again...

Everyone on this board has pretty strong opinions, and that's great, but if you want to post accusations and state things as fact, the responsibility to back these claims lies on the one made it, NOT THE ONE WHO READ IT. I have been called out several times to back up my statements and have done so.

Bottom line, if you are not willing to back them up, then the logical conclusion is YOU CAN'T BACK THEM UP. That would qualify you as a liar, a term you LOVE to try to apply to Bush.

yet you constantly ask for proof.  

The fact is Cheney and Bush and the entire admin LIED!

You cannot prove me wrong. Which leads me to the conclusion you have done some research, found the proof they lied, and are embarassed that you are wrong yet again.

Generally I am very careful on this board to post my opinions. I was called out one time to back up a post I made, which I did!
If I have said something that you feel is more than opinion and want proof, BRING IT ON!!!

It is not my job to disprove your half-truths. If you make a statement like the one above, be ready to back it up. Since you have not done so here, I can only assume you do not have the proof.

-- Modified on 6/27/2004 10:19:04 AM