SCOTUS Healthcare Ruling

[3inSlugger]

Not offended at all. I would say that the Cold War is not over, but that it is now an internal conflict, as opposed to a Foreign Affairs issue. To your point, I think a key point to the issue is that we avoid a clear delineation in order to avoid 'alienating' the fence-sitters, when the fence-sitters are a core part of the problem. They need to pick a side and unass the fence. The most well known fence-sitter was Chamberlain and we know where that went. If it upsets the anti-freedom Statists to be called Communists, well, then, that makes me very pleased. McCarthy, while a conflicted individual, may very well be proven mostly right if we continue our downward spiral.

But you can't make up your own definition and use it while expecting people to understand you don't really mean Mao/Stalin/Marxist Communism. Communism was so much more than socialism or just statism.

It involved inciting the proletariat to overthrow the bourgeois. In other words, Communism is evil and violent little brother of socialism. What socialism accomplishes by lies and obfuscation, Communism accomplished by force.

Statism is just the concept that the government knows best and can actively participate in the market by controlling companies and people. It is a broad brush stroke for a very very dangerous concept.

 

[sanjuro893]

Statism, Marxism, authoritarianism..... who cares WHAT we call it? Why don't we call it WRONG? UNACCEPTABLE? RIDICULOUS?

 

[WTJ]

What a tired old canard. Democrats = Communists/Socialists/marxists. This week. Next week they are facists.

Really need a new tune.

Well, I tried the Dem Party fave, The Internationale, but it made my skin crawl. However, I'm sure it will be a hit with your campers. Rmemeber, I draw NO distinction between Fascists and the other three mentioned. You can add it to the list of freedom killers. You can add the Republicans if you wish.

 

[3inSlugger]

I agree Sanjuro...but when we walk around calling the POTUS a Communist, we lose credibility with anyone not already aligned with our beliefs.
I convinced a friend of mine to not vote for Romney or Santorum with the Statist argument. He had never thought that neo-conservatives are just as statist as the most liberal Democrats.

 

[WTJ]

But you can't make up your own definition and use it while expecting people to understand you don't really mean Mao/Stalin/Marxist Communism. Communism was so much more than socialism or just statism.

It involved inciting the proletariat to overthrow the bourgeois. In other words, Communism is evil and violent little brother of socialism. What socialism accomplishes by lies and obfuscation, Communism accomplished by force.

Statism is just the concept that the government knows best and can actively participate in the market by controlling companies and people. It is a broad brush stroke for a very very dangerous concept.

Possibly, but the human nature of those attracted to anti-freedom doctrines will always drive the worst-case scenario where power is involved. OR, your average Socialist is a Commie serial-killer without a gun, if you will. Therefore, I choose to not make the distinction. Actually, the term Do-Gooder is more akin to Statism.

 

[3inSlugger]

Possibly, but the human nature of those attracted to anti-freedom doctrines will always drive the worst-case scenario where power is involved. OR, your average Socialist is a Commie serial-killer without a gun, if you will. Therefore, I choose to not make the distinction. Actually, the term Do-Gooder is more akin to Statism.

If want to advocate lying and twisting words and their definitions as a valid way of making your point and bringing people over to your side, so be it.
Doesn't sound like a way to soundly convince and convict anyone however.

 

[WTJ]

I agree Sanjuro...but when we walk around calling the POTUS a Communist, we lose credibility with anyone not already aligned with our beliefs.
I convinced a friend of mine to not vote for Romney or Santorum with the Statist argument. He had never thought that neo-conservatives are just as statist as the most liberal Democrats.

While you may not like the word, does the definition fit? Words exist for the purpose of accuracy. No one likes the word idiot, for example, but does anyone deny that idiots do exist?

And no, I am not calling anyone here an idiot.

 

[Hobbes]

 

[3inSlugger]

While you may not like the word, does the definition fit? Words exist for the purpose of accuracy. No one likes the word idiot, for example, but does anyone deny that idiots do exist?

And no, I am not calling anyone here an idiot.

It does not fit....but I'm off to be a prole and work my azz off. I'll be back later...nice talking to you WTJ.

 

[WTJ]

If want to advocate lying and twisting words and their definitions as a valid way of making your point and bringing people over to your side, so be it.
Doesn't sound like a way to soundly convince and convict anyone however.

I am no longer, and I wonder if I ever was, idealistic to believe that I can bring anyone to my side. I really am not trying to make a point. I consider it to be stimulating thought. If one doesn't do his own research and form his own opinions, then that person just becomes another follower.

I contend that the use of symmetrical tactics is absolutely permissible. Lies and truth are the fodder of philosophers. I seek facts. I don't care to convince or convict anyone. I simply do not have that much faith in humans.