What do republicans want?

[RobinFinderson]

I appreciate a smart opposition party, and I also appreciate fiscal conservativism, but what the heck do Republicans want?

They don't want to raise taxes in good times or bad, but they had the better part of eight years to demonstrate that they aren't serious about cutting spending.

They hate socialism, but their favorite spending area also happens to be the most socialistic and expensive program we have -- the military.

They don't want to get out of Iraq but they can't tell us what conditions would need to be met before we can get out.

They can't decide if we should continue saving the banks (socialism) or let them collapse along with our economic system (destitute capitalism).

Hell, they can't even figure out if they are for or against gay marriage (which is a sign of progress).

So what do republicans want? Besides everything and nothing?

[byu71]

I appreciate a smart opposition party, and I also appreciate fiscal conservativism, but what the heck to Republicans want?

They don't want to raise taxes in good times or bad, but they had the better part of eight years to demonstrate that they aren't serious about cutting spending.

They hate socialism, but their favorite spending area also happens to be the most socialistic and expensive program we have -- the military.

They don't want to get out of Iraq but they can't tell us what conditions would need to be met before we can get out.

They can't decide if we should continue saving the banks (socialism) or let them collapse along with our economic system (destitute capitalism).

Hell, they can't even figure out if they are for or against gay marriage (which is a sign of progress).

So what do republicans want? Besides everything and nothing?

What do the democrats want. They want to raise taxes in both good times and bad times. They are serious about raising spending.

They love socialism. Not only the military, but health care, energy, banking. You name it, they want to control it.

They want to get out of Iraq and Gitmo, but aren't real sure about how to do it. They want to get more into Afganistan and Pakistan, but aren't sure of what the outcome is they want. They would like to aplogize to everyone for America.

Hell, they can't even figure out if they are for gay marriage.

So what do the democrats want except to control everything and everybody.

[YOhio]

I appreciate a smart opposition party, and I also appreciate fiscal conservativism, but what the heck to Republicans want?

They don't want to raise taxes in good times or bad, but they had the better part of eight years to demonstrate that they aren't serious about cutting spending.

They hate socialism, but their favorite spending area also happens to be the most socialistic and expensive program we have -- the military.

They don't want to get out of Iraq but they can't tell us what conditions would need to be met before we can get out.

They can't decide if we should continue saving the banks (socialism) or let them collapse along with our economic system (destitute capitalism).

Hell, they can't even figure out if they are for or against gay marriage (which is a sign of progress).

So what do republicans want? Besides everything and nothing?

I can tell you what I want as a Republican.

I'm not opposed to a progressive tax or even a short-term across the board increase, but it must correspond to a real decrease in spending. Meaning program, department and entitlement kills, not temporary cost-cutting.

A return of the balanced budget amendment, or at least a statutory requirement that forces extraordinary measures for deficit spending.

I would like a phase-out of Iraq forces over the next 18 months, but would like to see permanent bases established in Iraq and Afghanistan that have quick response capabilities. Sorry mindful.

That's it for now.

[TripletDaddy]

I want, what they want, and every other guy who came over here and spilled his guts and gave everything he had, wants. For our country to love us as much as we love it. That's what I want.

[RobinFinderson]

Sure, but what the Democrats want is actually a plan:

What do the democrats want. They want to raise taxes in both good times and bad times. They are serious about raising spending.

We have crumbling bridges, broken freeways, and decrepit levies that support both our economy and our national security. Yes, we want to fix them (increased spending) and yes we want to pay for it (increased taxes).

We have failing schools that are going to raise up a generation of know-nothings, which will in turn endanger our national security and economic competitiveness. Fixing the schools is part of a plan (spending) that will require money (taxes).

We have a military that has been stretched too close to its breaking point. Our most expensive area of socialized public expense is getting more expensive as: A). Fewer people are willing to join, so we have to increase compensation and benefits to fill the ranks. B). The switch to private contractors who do the jobs our rank and file soldiers used to do is costing us WAY more than the old socialized system (remember when Beetle Baily would be punished by Sarge by having to peel potatoes? How long do you think it has been since one of our soldiers has had to peel a potato?).

They love socialism. Not only the military, but health care, energy, banking. You name it, they want to control it.

Civilization has always been about deciding what to 'socialize' and what to leave in the hands of the people. We realized long ago that if folks and industries are allowed to specialize, the economy does better. We allow broader specialization and greater entrepreneurial freedom by socializing some enterprises -- roads, education, police, fire, military.

Most of the rest of the world believes there is a competitive edge to socializing medical care. If they are right, would it be an important enough principle to give up the rest of American privilege so that our working people can continue to be free to go bankrupt every time there is a catastrophic illness in the immediate family?

Anyhow, I want socialized medicine, as do many liberals, but I still don't see it happening in DC.

They want to get out of Iraq and Gitmo, but aren't real sure about how to do it. They want to get more into Afganistan and Pakistan, but aren't sure of what the outcome is they want. They would like to aplogize to everyone for America.

Agreed. It is a mess over there and people don't seem to understand anything. The American people don't understand why we are there.

Hell, they can't even figure out if they are for gay marriage.

We are FOR gay marriage, but we are unwilling to lose elections for it, so we say otherwise. I don't like it, but that is the way it is.

So what do the democrats want except to control everything and everybody.

Society is something that can be shaped and designed. The free market often has incentives to do terrible things. Democrats like the free market, but seek to eliminate the incentives to do terrible things. Republicans call that a desire 'to control everything and everybody.'

[Coach McGuirk]

Democrats like the free market, but seek to eliminate the incentives to do terrible things.

Seriously? Drink some more kool aid. Both parties are power mongers in their own special way. Dem's don't seek to eliminate anything, same for the elephants. The two party system is busted.

[landpoke]

Not your question, but this republican leaning independent wants what YoHio wants plus a more libertarian stand on everything that doesn't have to do with defense or spending.

As for what the republican powers that be want, well it's pretty simple: The opposite of whatever the democrats propose.

[byu71]

Society can be shaped and designed. One way is through market forces. Yes, when you have market forces you have bumps and bruises along the way. Corrections come because things get out of wack. Oversupply, overdemand. In essence it is my opinion that a democratic society is itself a "market force". The market decided the republicans screwed up and now the dems. get their shot.

Another way society can be shaped and designed is by the "elite" doing what is best for everyone else. I would rather take my chances with market forces than let folks like Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Barak Obama decide what is best for society in all things. You say I am exaggerating, well what of significance do they not want to get their hands on?

What present day society controlled government do you point to and say, that is who we want to be like.

[PaloAltoCougar]

I want, what they want, and every other guy who came over here and spilled his guts and gave everything he had, wants. For our country to love us as much as we love it. That's what I want.

I want Rambo V (currently in pre-production for a 2011 release) so that I can laugh again as I did at that wonderful line.

[RobinFinderson]

What present day society controlled government do you point to and say, that is who we want to be like.

How about the ones with lower crime, higher literacy, cleaner air, lower infant mortality, lower suicide rates, longer longevity, and less drug addiction?

Freedom seems to mean something very different to liberals and Republicans.

[byu71]

How about the ones with lower crime, higher literacy, cleaner air, lower infant mortality, lower suicide rates, longer longevity, and less drug addiction?

Freedom seems to mean something very different to liberals and Republicans.

Ok, give me the name of the country that has all of those.

[beefytee]

I want, what they want, and every other guy who came over here and spilled his guts and gave everything he had, wants. For our country to love us as much as we love it. That's what I want.

LOL.

Rambo really is an eloquent speaker, isn't he?

Even at 10 years old, I was rolling my eyes at that.

[TripletDaddy]

I want Rambo V (currently in pre-production for a 2011 release) so that I can laugh again as I did at that wonderful line.

How will you live until Rambo V is released?

[CardiacCoug]

How about the ones with lower crime, higher literacy, cleaner air, lower infant mortality, lower suicide rates, longer longevity, and less drug addiction?

Freedom seems to mean something very different to liberals and Republicans.

I hate those statistics. Everything on your list except for cleaner air has nothing to do with government and everything to do with prevailing cultural norms in many parts of this country (both urban and rural).

Increasing government spending is not going to make Americans lose weight, give up their guns, work harder in school, or give up drug use. If we turned this country into Cuba, there would be a huge reduction in traffic deaths and gun deaths -- our average life expectancy would probably go way up because these are the things that cut people down in their teens and twenties.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

How will you live until Rambo V is released?

I can't live, if living is without Rambo.