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Sunday
March 2010
21
Community Blogs
cur-mud-geon: anyone who hates hypocrisy and pretense and has the temerity to say so; anyone with the habit of pointing out unpleasant facts in an engaging and humorous manner
New Politics?
Liberals have, somewhere along the timeline of politics, become Progressives. I presume this occurred as the result of them having sufficiently sullied the popular interpretation of the meaning of the term “Liberal” more that it did as the result of any preference for the new term “Progressive”.
A “Liberal” is defined as one who is not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views or dogmas; as being free from bigotry.
A “Progressive” is defined as one who favors progress or reform, especially in political matters.
Conservatives have, on the other hand, apparently felt no need to re-name themselves. They are still Conservatives.
A “Conservative” is defined as one who favors traditional views and values.
And then along comes the “Populist” and he or she seems despised by both the Liberals and the Conservatives.
A “Populist” is defined as one who is a supporter of the rights and power of the people.
What’s going on here?
What is going on is that the two major political parties are being called out by the people whom they are supposed to represent for the simple fact that both those parties think it is all about them and not about the people.
The “Populists” are obviously having an impact. If that weren’t the case, they wouldn’t have become the lightning rods they are in so short a period of time. It is ironic that the two major political parties have finally found something in common; that ‘something’ is a mutual disgust for these ‘elite-bashing’ typical American citizens.
Just who do these people think they are? Don’t they know that the professional political class is important to the governance of this country? How could they even begin to think they could mount a knowledgeable program for the management of this democracy? Why, where would the ‘institutional memory’ be found with which to properly govern?
Populism isn’t a bad thing. It is the manifestation of the peoples’ awareness that they’ve not been properly served by either political party. It is the manifestation of a growing anger in the general populace that has been cultured over time by the actions, or lack of actions, of the elite ruling class.
Will populism last? Who knows? I suspect that it will last long enough to get some changes initiated in one or both major parties. Of the two major parties, it is most likely that the change that will comfort the populists would sooner occur in the Republican Party than in the Democrat Party, but that is really up to those two parties.
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The Curmudgeon Blog today is titled "Paul Ryan Is A Threat".
Interesting article but I think it is interesting that conservatives and republicans are putting this country into a revolution of sorts. I liked Dr. Drew's article on what is going on in America right now:
“It’s like the French Revolution in reverse in which the workers come pouring down the street screaming more power to the aristocracy.”
Point being, I've never seen a nation before where the middle class is trying to get more money and power to the ruling class like Republicans and Conservatives seem to want.
Hugo Chavez is a "populist", or proclaims to be. He stands up for the rights of the people by taking over private business. I wonder how much of that looting actually goes toward the people vs. going into his pocket.
Please give examples of the Populists you are defending. Thank you.
"Point being, I've never seen a nation before where the middle class is trying to get more money and power to the ruling class like Republicans and Conservatives seem to want."
If any of my students wrote a sentence like that they would get an F, not just for syntax purposes but for lack of coherent thought.
My view of populism is more government solutions and regulations to fix perceived injustices. Isn't that what the Dems are doing today?
It seems to me, the middle class is just trying to keep it's freedom and money from the rich left wing elitest ruling Democrats, intent on ruining our country's economy just to advance their misguided ideological agenda before the November elections.
Mister School, I guess it's a good thing I have a 3.7 cumulative Masters GPA for graduation to support my credibility and not my grammatical shortcomings. I will never understand middle America standing up for sending more of their money to the fat cats and business owners. It seems like most of the brainwashed baby boomers have all seen the same slanderous anti-Socialist videos.
@CSAM
"I will never understand middle America standing up for sending more of their money to the fat cats..." Oh, you had an A going there until you said business owners instead of Government. Grade: F, again.
Your 3.7 is a tragic example of grade inflation or a figment of your imagination. BTW I taught 5th graders. I award you an F in thought and an F in content. You do make a great case for remedial education.
Well that makes me feel better. I would actually care about your opinion if you didn't sound like the children you teach. You must win almost all debates against the fifth graders you teach.
Interesting how you cherry-pick your definitions. Webster's defines conservative as "disposed to preserve existing conditions". Liberal is "favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs". Progressive is "advocating progress or reform, esp in political or social matters". By these definitions, most of you posting on this blog are Liberals!
Mister School, I am hopeful you would identify yourself so I can make sure my children stay out of your class. What a great way to teach and degrade someone for have differing viewpoints. You should be awarded teacher of the year.
Mister School, I am hopeful you would identify yourself so I can make sure my children stay out of your class. What a great way to teach and degrade someone for have differing viewpoints. You should be awarded teacher of the year.
Tags: Political : Quality of Life : U.S.
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