Liberal Forum

RichClem » 25 Jul 2014 3:48 pm » wrote: Well gosh, let's put it to a simple test. Did the Soviets have a thriving economy? Goods including those reasonably difficult to manufacture that could compete with ours?

Did we build them factories? Provide them a fleet to ship their goods? Welcome their slave made goods into our market without taxes and with no regard for the advantage of slave labor and zero environmental standards or workplace safety regulations?

I don't think we did - or they would still be a thorn in our sides. Of course, you disagree. In your world, all we had to do was sacrifice our own economy for theirs, and they would see the light about capitalism - as you imagine China to have done.

RichClem » 25 Jul 2014 3:48 pm » wrote:
The US has been hurt almost entirely through our own bad policies; the expansion of government, particularly federal law and regulations.

Bad policies like helping our next global antagonist? Expansion of federal power like torture chambers and whim-wars without congressional declaration as required by the Constitution that you ballyhoo while ignoring?

RichClem » 25 Jul 2014 3:48 pm » wrote:Most of which was done by Democrats, especially Obama.

Yeah - we'll have to visit the memory hole and purge our memories of Bush kid. I seem to remember him asserting the right to arrest Americans on mere suspicion, hold them in secret locations subject to torture, deprive them of counsel or a day in court or the opportunity to face their accuser or the right to remain silent and not give evidence against themselves. That SEEMS like a slight growth in federal power - one I can remember you defending, but never disavowing.

Would you like to disavow those actions here, now?

Bush was the first person I ever heard use the term, "unitary executive." In essence, the phrase means, "I'm the decider. If I do it, that makes it legal. If you don't like it, blow me."

That might have sounded dashing and heroic to you, coming from Bush. But he passed the unitary torch, and suddenly your seem less sanguine, kid.

Rights are ceded with excuses and populist rhetoric, but regained only with blood. Go ahead and cry for the rights you so willingly tossed like so many stones to slow the threat of terrorism. You won't get them back in your lifetime. They are gone.