From: dos@major.panix.com (Dave O'Shea)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.rush-limbaugh
Subject: Re: The "L" word
Date: 25 Dec 92 01:12:22 GMT
Organization: Spaceley Sprockets, Inc.

mam@jcnpc.cmhnet.org (Mike A. McAngus) writes:

> : >   "When is say 'liberals'[ed. orig in italics], I certainly don't
> : >    mean openhanded individuals or tolerant persons or even Big
> : >    Government Democrats.  I mean people who are excited that one
> : >    percent of the profits of Ben and Jerry's ice cream goes to
> : >    promote world peace."
> : >            -- P.J. O'Rourke  "Give War a Chance"
> : >
> 
> I view liberalism as, essentially, the belief that the old ways are not usefu
> and new ways must be tried.  Under this example, Ben Franklin and Mikhal 
> Gorbechev were liberals.  Liberalism is time and culture dependent.

Well.. Great, but almost every government social program has been a huge
fiasco from the beginning, yet I don't see any of the folks who call
themselves "liberals" suggesting that perhaps it's time to try something
different.

> I classify myself as a liberal and hold to the following beliefs:
> 1) Civil liberties are important to the point where every care must be taken 
> criminal trials so that innocent people are not wrongly convicted.

(And we all know that the exclusionary rule protects a lot of
law-abiding citizens!)

> 2) Tax exemptions for all religious income and property should be repealed.

You won't get any big argument from me on that one. The first tax bill
to arrive at Our Lady Of Perpetual Motion might show 'em that maybe all
those social programs they support actually *do* cost something!

> 3) Only charitable organizations that directly benefit the poor should remain
> tax exempt.

Ah. And of course, we'll use your definition of what "help the poor"
really means - so that a lawyer who swamps the legal system with briefs
to prevent psychotic derelicts from being committed retains his
tax-exempt status, whereas an organization that fights for the right of
people to defend themselves from aforementioned psychotics would no
longer be tax-exempt. Amazing how convenient a simple tax ruls can be
when you decide who fits the particular Procrustean Bed on a given day.

> 4) Tax deductions for political contributions should be eliminated.

Better yet; let's just eliminate the politicians - the resulting
decrease in air pollution would probably even make the Sierra Club folks
happy.

> 5) The country should go to a year-round school calendar.

Cripes. The public school system already pretty much trashes the minds
of kids - why let them finish the job?

> 6) The Electoral College should be done away with.

Does this involve firing politicians? I'll go with it. :)

> 7) Abortion should remain safe and legal.

Abortion certainly is legal, but it's hardly safe if you're a baby. I
don't expect abortion to ever be illegalized in this country, but women
really should be informed as to the full nature of the porcedure they're
requesting.

> 8) Anyone who is invited to speak anywhere should be allowed to be heard, and
> any disruptive elements should be removed from the venue.

Hmm.. You obviously have something in mind, but I can't figure out
exactly what; almost every case I read of involving hecklers or harassed
speakers involves a "conservative" speaker..

> 9) Homosexual activity should not be deemed a crime.

No argument.

> 10) Gays should be allowed in the military.

--
Socialized medicine: Health care with the compassion of an IRS auditor, the
intelligence of a DMV employee, and the cost control of the Pentagon.