Comments for THE NEW MODERATE

Comment on Dickens at 200: a Birthday Tribute by Pat Riot

Pat Riot — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:41:09 +0000

AMAC, I say your comparison of marriage and government is allowable. They’re reviewing it upstairs in the booth. OKay the Ref is trotting out onto the field:

“The poster obviously recognizes the differences between government and marriage, but also sees the similarities of opposing viewpoints worked out to a solution via compromise. The ruling on the field stands.”

Other comparisons that can be helpful include “the family unit” (diverse characters cooperating toward peace, prosperity, and quality of life), as well as “the neighborhood” that includes public concerns (and regulations) and private concerns (freedom).

Unfortunately it’s been “the War of the Roses” with the Pubs and Dems.

Comment on Abortion by Carol D

Carol D — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:20:53 +0000

I fully agree with your post (except I think extending the deadline for rape and incest to 5 months is a little confusing… don’t those people know by the end of the first trimester that they have been raped and are pregnant? I don’t understand the extension). Here’s the real problem I have with it, though. You assume that the “radical left” believes anything different than your stated belief here. I think those are the laws that have been in effect for as long as abortion has been legal and the only people I know of who are proponents of loosening that standard are fictional characters in the minds of the religious right. I know many people that today would be considered the extreme left (and I know quite a few people, my own conservative relatives included, who believe I am extremely liberal) but we’re really just middle of the road liberals who didn’t change with the times as the right (and most specifically the religious right) have tightened their grip on America over the last 30 years or so. I completely consider myself to be moderate, leaning a little to the left, but as I said, many people perceive me to be radical, mostly because I follow the issues and I get furious with what those on the hard right are doing to America and how no one seems to be stopping them as their extreme values are imposed on the rest of us. The radical left you allude to… there may be a few (mostly anarchists and perhaps a few environmentalists who have been driven over the edge because their numbers are so small and they have such little power against the corporate interests), but for the most part they are boogeymen invented by the hard core on the right so they would have arch enemies to rail against. Fictional characters painted with ridiculous false claims from the right to create a backlash that gains sympathy for their own extreme views.

In fact, I agree with almost everything on your blog–all your positions on most issues–but these days those beliefs are called radical left by the right. So I guess I’m confused. I am glad that you are reclaiming the name “moderate” for your views, but I don’t think the right would agree.

Comment on Dickens at 200: a Birthday Tribute by AMAC

AMAC — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 05:00:47 +0000

Motzart’s problem might have been more attributed to his stage mom of a father!

Comment on Dickens at 200: a Birthday Tribute by AMAC

AMAC — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:58:21 +0000

Nice title. Sound’s like an alternative rock band.

Comment on Dickens at 200: a Birthday Tribute by AMAC

AMAC — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:56:11 +0000

That’s true. I was cursed with stunningly handsome features, sharp wit, and an unwaivering intellect. No wait, that’s what I wanted…

Comment on Dickens at 200: a Birthday Tribute by AMAC

AMAC — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:52:04 +0000

Some nice discussion, and much more of the same (from guess where). I have been very busy and have had to limit my blogging activities! Some very interesting disclosure. Asperger’s, huh. I have a cousin with a mild form of asperger’s. Rigidity, obsession, lack of empathy, and lack of sympathy were the characteristics we were told to expect. It makes sense now. My cousin is young, but has been a perfectly capable adult, so far. I expect she has a similar similar level of asperger’s to you, Dave. It does help to understand you, though. Thank you for sharing. Unfortunately, I am a rather boring person. I believe in the power of compromise, so long as it doesn’t come at the expense of my conerstone values and principles. That is what has made my marriage succesful! I know that making the comparison between marriage and government is a stretch (or is it?), but compromise is important. I don’t want either party to have ultimate control (that’s why I am against lifetime judicial appointments), but I don’t want gridlock in our government.

Also, to comment on qualities of libertarians, I do believe people are basically good. I also believe that all people are not qualified to make certain decisions. When people seek out (intentionally) those people in order to legally exploit them, it should be a crime. Predatory lending is just the most recent example of this issue. Regulations are needed to protect these citizens not from themselves, but from those that seek to exploit them. I can give myriads (to use your word) of examples that call for regulation (in my mind) but we both know that it would be unproductive.

I just had a minute and wanted to voice an opinion. I work in the public school system and believe it is very important to maintain a balanced and fair attitude towards anything political. I don’t think that I should influence young impressionable minds with my opinions and or bias. I would rather use math to train students in logic and reason so that they may make their own informed opinions/decisions. That is why I like to come to this site to let out some opinions. Thanks, Rick. Good story. I hope to be more active in the discussion in the future.

P.S.
Hi Ian and Priscilla. I miss communicating with you two also!

Comment on Dickens at 200: a Birthday Tribute by Ian CSE

Ian CSE — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:45:40 +0000

Dave, you get what you get from the genetic lottery. Choosing genes is as impossible as choosing parents. Mozart also had a peculiar brain and odd sets of habits and talents. Ah, to be Mozart, I’d take it.

Aspbergers makes you an extraordinary, interesting, and odd duck. As we noticed!

Comment on Dickens at 200: a Birthday Tribute by Asmith

Asmith — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:25:18 +0000

How long do millionaires stay millioniares ?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-66H5nKXvqJE/Tyamj6QP6iI/AAAAAAAAE6M/MvMKtboU7Us/s1600/Millionaires-Chart-Web-11-17-11.png

How long do billionares stay billionaires

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tbRz-QsisVc/T0Orm2http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-66H5nKXvqJE/Tyamj6QP6iI/AAAAAAAAE6M/MvMKtboU7Us/s1600/Millionaires-Chart-Web-11-17-11.pngEDnzI/AAAAAAAAE_U/7KW4PnXmhwY/s1600/billionaire-decay-function-1992-2008.png

Comment on Dickens at 200: a Birthday Tribute by Asmith

Asmith — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:00:09 +0000

And what is happening to English tax revenues as a new 50% levy on the wealthy kicks in ?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/tax/9097219/50p-tax-rate-failing-to-boost-revenues.html

Comment on Dickens at 200: a Birthday Tribute by Asmith

Asmith — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:38:48 +0000

I never have a bad day, the world revolves around me and is ordered as I wish – but for those pesky progressives masquerading as moderates,

I have no friends relatives strangers etc. to ruin my day – I have aspburgers and keeping the snakes and whoppers at bay keeps me to busy.

The castle walls may have crumbled by the progressive Nee Moderates have been crushed by their Trojan rabbit.

I don’t read the newspaper – unless they are on Al Gore’s inter-tubes.

The Patronymic is clearly wrong I am a greedy, penny pinching Scott, not a Pinko Russian statist,

And as compromise is a article of faith for moderates, it is only fair you meet me half way.
Since I am now leaning towards pure anarchism – half way would be Rob Paul.

You may not return to your regular activities as progressive you are obligated to save me from myself for the good of society.