This is the problem with this discussion. The leftists will lie about what the conservatives really believe and stand for (see above) and the mindless will cheer and follow along (see Tex). Despite what you may have been told or imagined conservatives don't hate "government" but we do mistrust this government and have no use for government that has grown too large and intrusive as it is now. This country would do so much more if the government was cut in half and the second half fired. As for taxes; we understand more than the left I think the value of taxes and the money that comes from our pockets because we spend and donate only OUR money. Leftists like to spend and procure other people's money. We don't like that so much money is floating around that the president can take $100 million dollar vacations on our dime. Or that government departments believe that they can hire Wolfgang Puck to cater office gathering? Or spend $750,000 for rent on a building that they already own. We know (mathematically) that our government would continue to run with only the money collected each month so why do we go into debt billions of dollars when we don't have to. That money has to be paid back at some point and we are the ones left holding the check.
Originally Posted by JD Barleycorn
Wrong!
The problem with this discussion is that people like you are virtually incapable of understanding much of anything. In the first place, I'm not a "leftist." To wackos like you, though, I suppose that almost everyone seems like a lefty. No one said that conservatives "hate" government. But COG is an anarchist, not a conservative. Like many people, I do agree that government has, in a number of ways, become too large and intrusive. But unlike anarchists, I'm not in favor of virtually
eliminating it entirely. Neither are others who don't hang out on the lunatic fringe.
Go back and read post #4 (by LexusLover). I know this may be well beyond your intellectual capacity, but try to understand it this time. Then a few points germane to this topic might dawn on you.
Any sentient individual should have concerns about government intrusiveness, and a robust debate thereon is called for. But lauding Edward Snowden as a patriot and American hero should be considered shamefully embarrassing. Patriots don't defect and/or hand over vital secrets to the likes of China and Russia.
And you actually teach, Barleycorn? If so, that creates quite an unfortunate state of affairs for your students. You're an abject embarrassment to the professoriate.