From: breinhar@access.digex.com (Robert B. Reinhardt)
Subject: Re: big government conservatives
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, Maryland USA
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 01:41:04 GMT

In article <farenebt.714787499@craft.camp.clarkson.edu> farenebt@craft.camp.clarkson.edu (Bri Farenell) writes:
>Liberals generally favor big government in economics. They believe that
>government should promote economic equality and justice. Conservatives do not.
>They subscribe to the "Survival of the fittest" theory. This is what
>conservatives base their "big govt" attacks on.
>
>In reality, conservatives also promote big government but in a much more 
>offensive way. Conservatives believe in telling grown adults what
>is right and wrong. Censorship is a prime example. They are telling me what
>I, an adult, can or cannot buy. They don't know me or my values (actually,
>if I don't have the same values as them, they think I don't have any at all).
>Their distaste for homosexuality is another example. As long as two people have
>sex in the privacy of their own homes (or wherever), it's none of anybody's
>damn business whether it was two men, two women or one of each. Their action
>is not affecting the rights of anybody else. Conservatives try to legislate 
>their personal moral code. Not liking homosexuality is one thing but when you
>try to have it or things pertaining to it banned, you're crossing the line
>by infringing on privacy rights. Privacy rights are unlimited, IMO, until they
>start infringing on someone else's; only then is there (should there be)
>controversy. Homosexual acts done in the privacy of one's own home is not
>affecting anyone. Heterosexual acts, which could result in pregnancy, actually
>could have a much bigger affect on others because if a pregnancy occurs, it is
>possible that social services money might be eaten up as a result (which is not
>to say that only the poor have pregnancies); you don't here calls for a ban
>on heterosexual acts. (sorry for the sidetrack)
>
>The conservatives believe in less govt in economics but more govt in personal
>decisions. So the next time you here a conservative rambling on about the big		
>government policies of the liberals, just remember that a) it's the pot
>calling the kettle black and b) at least liberals trust the individual adult
>to make his or her own decision.
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>BRI FARENELL	is a liberal, card-carrying member of the ACLU
>CLARKSON '95	     
>FARENEBT@CRAFT.CAMP.CLARKSON.EDU
>
>When two people CHOOSE to have sex, they CHOOSE to accept the consequences
>of their actions. (yes, there is such a thing as a pro-life liberal. Please 
>send flames to the above address)	
>
> 						
>
>		
>

Yes, and the difference between the two parties primarily, is which
special interest groups fund and groom their respective leaders.  For
example, democratig SIG are usually people-oriented such as labor,
civil rights, feminists, etc.  While republican SIGs are big business
and the religious elite, etc.

What you have is the republicans, i.e. big business wants less gov't
meddling in economics, translated to mean less regulation from price
controls to labor relations so that they can reap more profit and
ream more ordinary people.  At the same time the religious elite
wish to press their holier-than-thou self-image upon everyone else
in order to boost themselves and their directives.

The democrats want more regulation intended to preserve individual
rights, and expand them, to basically help people.  It is very
factous and seemingly disoriented because it is made up of many
more smaller vocal groups that sometimes are dissassociated among
themselves.

Basically, both are for big government, or to bend government to
serve their purposes.  I am not a member of either party because,
I prefer to analyze and vote upon each issues separately and
very much dislike being a "good soldier" for causes I don't even
support.

---Rob
-- 

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                                 Robert B. Reinhardt
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Newsgroups: talk.politics.theory