2016 Postmortem

napoleon_in_rags

(3,992 posts)

5. Total reductionism.

Wed Jul 24, 2013, 01:40 AM

Jul 2013

You've got to understand, if we reduce all these things to a fight between those who support government and those who are against it, we are surrendering our power to conditionally support government. That power is critical if we want to be able to denounce some government actions (such as the viet nam war) but not others (like social security).

What REALLY stands to discredit government, and indeed destroy it long term, aren't talking points, but rather the actual tangible historical actions of governments. If we become so tolerant of government that it becomes a liability to Americans rather than a benefit, sooner or later it will fall.

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Why Libertarian Organizations Like The Cato Institute Love The NSA Outrage [View all] struggle4progress Jul 2013 OP

I have ALWAYS thought the entire NSA "scandal" has been driven from the RIGHT: discredit government! DontTreadOnMe Jul 2013 #1

Total reductionism. napoleon_in_rags Jul 2013 #5

... think Jul 2013 #7

Perhaps it has escaped you that the "scandal" has a large corporate aspect, and that the rightwing struggle4progress Jul 2013 #9

The civil libertarian agenda isn't necessarily pro-corporate. napoleon_in_rags Jul 2013 #14

While I agree … 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2013 #23

You make some good points there. napoleon_in_rags Jul 2013 #26

You're saying the ACLU is funded by fascists? muriel_volestrangler Jul 2013 #30

No ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2013 #31

It stands for 'American Civil Liberties Union' muriel_volestrangler Jul 2013 #32

OMFG. That's rich. You Mr. Civil Libertarian defender suggest someone should delete (censor) okaawhatever Jul 2013 #33

If by 'the article', you mean the one in the OP, it's a pile of subjective crap muriel_volestrangler Jul 2013 #37

I think u missed my point, and what I see as the point of the article/editorial. I am not saying okaawhatever Jul 2013 #40

Thank you ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2013 #41

The corporate aspect is Booz Allen Hamilton muriel_volestrangler Jul 2013 #29

They absolutely love it. ProgressoDem Jul 2013 #2

I note that Breitbart towards the end of June published a piece by rightwinger Lee Stranahan struggle4progress Jul 2013 #3

Should I yawn before I list non libertarians who are pissed? think Jul 2013 #4

Whoosh! And right over your head it went! struggle4progress Jul 2013 #8

The NSA, the law, or this pointless headline and story? think Jul 2013 #10

"the most insidious strategy of the Koch brothers has been their ability to co-opt social liberals" struggle4progress Jul 2013 #11

and again I yawn and laugh at your juxtapose think Jul 2013 #12

Perhaps if elected Democrats made even a little JoeyT Jul 2013 #21

Now we are siding with the Koch Bros. Jeebus! nt Mojorabbit Jul 2013 #6

not "siding with" but rather "being used by" struggle4progress Jul 2013 #15

Only an idiot would believe that tripe. nt Mojorabbit Jul 2013 #17

Oh, for Christ's sake. Poli-sci 101 everybody. NuclearDem Jul 2013 #13

Libertarian Organizations R paid paths- always lead to a R vote in the end. Sunlei Jul 2013 #16

Who is Shoq? Where do you and Shoq live? Who did YOU elect? Bluenorthwest Jul 2013 #18

I live in NC, and I've worked my butt off for Dems down here for years struggle4progress Jul 2013 #25

Jesus the ignorance of some of these responses to your posting. I love it when civil libertarians okaawhatever Jul 2013 #34

You don't understand the meaning of "freedom of speech" muriel_volestrangler Jul 2013 #38

That is a couple of backflips too far cprise Jul 2013 #19

I reject all criticism of Greenwald because the right and center who engage in it Bluenorthwest Jul 2013 #20

Great article … 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2013 #22

Good comment. Thanks. nt okaawhatever Jul 2013 #35

Good article Andy823 Jul 2013 #24

According to a WSJ poll, Jamaal510 Jul 2013 #27

On other democrat websites and in the press. I don't see near the support for him. The sheer # of okaawhatever Jul 2013 #36

Aha! But what if that's what they WANT us to think? Pholus Jul 2013 #28

The surveillance issue is worth discussing, but not every discussion about it is worthwhile struggle4progress Jul 2013 #39

Very true davidpdx Jul 2013 #42