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RE: What does it mean to be a "democrat"?
November 14, 2016 at 5:24 pm
(November 14, 2016 at 5:09 pm)Neo-Scholastic Wrote: One thing that Democrats do seem to have in common is the belief that greater authority should be centralized in the federal government. I don't know why exactly someone would see that as desirable. It seems to invest more power in a smaller number of people.
Lol, despite the lip service to small government, the Repubs are for the exact same thing, just of a different flavor.
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RE: What does it mean to be a "democrat"?
November 14, 2016 at 6:24 pm
In my country, being a democrat means you support democracy over dictatorship, it's that simple!
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RE: What does it mean to be a "democrat"?
November 14, 2016 at 8:57 pm
(November 14, 2016 at 5:09 pm)Neo-Scholastic Wrote: (November 14, 2016 at 3:18 pm)Whateverist Wrote: That seem less true of Republicans - conservatism is generally about preserving traditional institutions. I'm not convinced that the Democratic party has any such central theme binding it together. But it is important to note the traditional institutions they seek to preserve are those that serve the wealthy and there is nothing merit based about who is wealthy despite the tales they like to tell.
One thing that Democrats do seem to have in common is the belief that greater authority should be centralized in the federal government. I don't know why exactly someone would see that as desirable. It seems to invest more power in a smaller number of people.
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I take your point, but the thinking is that at least that small number of people we're investing that power in are answerable to us, unlike corporations.
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RE: What does it mean to be a "democrat"?
November 14, 2016 at 9:10 pm
(This post was last modified: November 14, 2016 at 9:12 pm by The Grand Nudger.)
Dems are corporatists too. The notion that they aren't is window dressing. That's how "we're consolidating the market for our preferred private prison provider" get's translated to "we're getting rid of private prisons" when speaking to the base.
Sure, the other guys are shameless shills, but a shill is a shill, to me.
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RE: What does it mean to be a "democrat"?
November 15, 2016 at 3:40 pm
(November 14, 2016 at 8:57 pm)Whateverist Wrote: I take your point, but the thinking is that at least that small number of people we're investing that power in are answerable to us, unlike corporations.
Not to entirely dismiss your point, I'm just thinking out loud now for the sake of discussion. Corporations and big businesses do have power which seems to me to be a different kind of power than governmental authority. A company cannot fine you not buying their product or throw you in jail for not owning their stock. They can and will seek to dominate their markets and drive away competition. And they do have accountability to their investors and customers. If they are inefficient they lose investors. If they make shitty products people won't buy them.
There is of course a role for governments to preserve market access and efficiency. They also have a place in protecting the public against fraud, hazardous products, and pollution. And guard worker safety, etc. By way of contrast, the government can pick and chose favorites. Agencies can tailor regulations to benefit some businesses at the expense of others. They can reduce the value of your land with the stroke of a bureaucratic pen. In short, a big business can limit your opportunities but a big government can take what it wants by force. IMHO
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RE: What does it mean to be a "democrat"?
November 15, 2016 at 3:46 pm
(This post was last modified: November 15, 2016 at 3:49 pm by Whateverist.)
There is more to fear from governments but perhaps less reason to fear it. But I don't think governments intend to do that and I especially like the ability we have to make them show us all their books and records (assuming they don't delete them of course). With governments the harm tends to be unintended consequences. With business failing to inflict harm when fiduciary advantage is at hand is seen as a failing, so the harm when it comes is on purpose in the service of the almighty buck.
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RE: What does it mean to be a "democrat"?
November 15, 2016 at 3:49 pm
(November 15, 2016 at 3:46 pm)Whateverist Wrote: I especially like the ability we have to make them show us all their books and records (assuming they don't delete them of course).
Like e-mails on private servers...
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RE: What does it mean to be a "democrat"?
November 15, 2016 at 3:50 pm
(November 15, 2016 at 3:49 pm)Neo-Scholastic Wrote: (November 15, 2016 at 3:46 pm)Whateverist Wrote: I especially like the ability we have to make them show us all their books and records (assuming they don't delete them of course).
Like e-mails on private servers... ![Big Grin Big Grin](https://atheistforums.org/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Indeed.
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