Comments on: America’s Socialist Future: Martin J. Sklar vs. John B. Judis

By: Don Rhudy

Don Rhudy — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:01:39 +0000

When Mark Levin wrote Freedom and Tyranny, he very thoughtfully used the word Statist to lump anti-democratic and anti-republican ideologies and their offshoots under the one label. Communism, Socialism, Progressivism, Corportism, Imperialism, Liberalism, Nazism, etcetera ad infinitum all are subsumed by Statism. The fact is—a fact he underscored brilliantly—there are only two genuine alternatives: liberty and tyranny.

By: The Historian

The Historian — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:29:38 +0000

LEFT COMMING UNGLUED
What conservative media bias?

http://greensrealworld.blogspot.com/2009/06/ej-everleft-journalist-dionne-author-of.html

By: Yehudit

Yehudit — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:36:28 +0000

When can we see Sklar’s article/letter itself?

By: somercet

somercet — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 18:57:37 +0000

Mr Radosh, thanks for an interesting article. You remind me of a Bob Brown I used to know, who was about the only intelligent leftist I’d ever met. While I am rather anti-left, I would that all leftists were as thoughtful and honest as yourself. Thank you.

By: HonestJon

HonestJon — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:30:35 +0000

30. Praetorian:

From National Journal: “The post-World War II historical average for a midterm election in a president’s first term is a loss for his party of 16 House seats and a wash in the Senate.”

And, “This election’s overarching dynamic will probably be whether voters are happy with the country’s direction and the leadership of Obama and congressional Democrats, or whether voters will want a check on the president’s far-reaching agenda.

Given the state of the economy and the administration’s aggressive moves in the financial and auto sectors, as well as its pursuit of health care reform and cap-and-trade energy proposals, voters will have plenty to mull over. They are unlikely to be ambivalent by the end of next year. Voters sought change in 2008, and 2010 will determine whether the results of the past two years were what they had in mind.”

http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/cr_20090606_3396.php

A good article all around.

regards

By: Praetorian

Praetorian — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 07:33:15 +0000

HonestJon wrote: “The public doesn’t want government run healthcare. WE do want the reform thereof.”

I would disagree with this also. Obama certainly made his intensions well known with regard to the way he wanted to reform our healthcare system during the election. What he talked about then is what is being proposed now, so he is delivering on his promises and what the people voted for. The “government run” boogeyman won’t fly because it doesn’t have wings. No matter what kind of healthcare system you have there WILL be controls be it government or private. If you read about the healthcare plan it seems to be very much like the healthcare system in France or Germany. If we get that we will be very lucky as they have the best healthcare in the world. See article.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92419273

“All get older and more conservative.” I’m not sure I agree with that either. Certainly my parents and grandparents seem prudish to me in some ways (the sensible shoes, etc.) but as far as politics are concerned they couldn’t imagine ever voting for a Republican and people like Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck are viewed as low class trash or snake oil salesmen to the ignorant. In fact, they seem to get more liberal as they get older! They taught me everything I know!

By: JaneJim

JaneJim — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 06:45:01 +0000

Banks have huge debts, but they’re getting a helping hand from the federal government. If you have overwhelming debt–perhaps from bad investments, or maybe a job loss, a medical crisis or just plain overspending–you’re probably on your own. Check the website http://obamadebthelp2009.blogspot.com
to see if they can help. I am glad I did read it before I talk to my CC company and it helped – Jane Jim, California

By: HonestJon

HonestJon — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:32:35 +0000

30. Praetorian: The public doesn’t want government run healthcare. WE do want the reform thereof.

I was incorrect and you are right that the party in power normally loses seats in Congress (and not control) during midterm elections. However, there are many “blue dog” democrats that could side with the Republicans in a cinch.

Ahh, it’s all perceptions. Being perceived as the party of old white guys is silly. It will be proved to be silly as soon as a few Hispanic or black conservatives start making their voice heard. I may be wrong that it will happen as quickly as I related previously, but it will happen. Many blacks are conservatives and so are many Latinos, but most of both groups are young. Give it a little time and those minority groups will probably end up voting for the party which best represents them. Just give it a minute…

The rest of your post rebuts my gut feeling with your gut feeling. Touche. “…energetic young liberals and progressives…” All get older and become more conservative…

“Obama will most certainly be a two term president…” Your opinion. It’ll be decided by voters.

“…after the GOP screwed it up…” Again, your opinion. Many factors were involved concerning the economic hardships that we are now living through. The truth will come out eventually.

regards

By: Will

Will — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 01:21:23 +0000

Our government was set up with a two party system,and will never work with only one. The drastic thing is it’s being run by one,and so liberal,we’re comiting suicide.

By: rotto

rotto — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:32:37 +0000

When they (the radical leaders) have made the populace ready and greedy to receive bribes, the virtue of democracy is destroyed and it is transformed into a government of violence and the strong hand. For the mob, habituated to feed at the expense of others, and to have its hopes of a livelihood in the property of its neighbors, as soon as it has found a leader sufficiently ambitious and daring… produces a reign of violence. Then comes tumultuous assemblies, massacres, banishments, re-divisions of land.

Polybius – circa 150 BC