Chastity Rings - Political Derail

[Strangler Lewis]

Along the lines of Alex's post, I think the liberal and conservative trust/distrust of government are about equal, depending on what is being discussed. Both sides fear that the government will intrude on the particular freedoms that they hold dear. Both also trust the government to discharge certain goals that they value. For example, liberals trust the government to help the poor. Conservatives trust the government to demonize them and incarcerate them at alarming rates.

I believe both are correct. Private charitable activity could not come close to supplanting government welfare and food stamp programs that keep people from starving in the streets or turning to crime. By the same token, draconian sentencing laws and the prison industrial complex do a far better job at keeping the poor in their place than random acts of private violence ever could.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

For example, liberals trust the government to help the poor. Conservatives trust the government to demonize them and incarcerate them at alarming rates.

As another example, conservatives trust the government provide for the common defense. Liberals think that burying their head in the sand and weakening our military is preferable.

I say that in deepest sarcasm in response to the moronic statement quoted.

[innerSpaceman]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I say that in deepest sarcasm in response to the moronic statement quoted.

And yet the person you quoted is initimately familar with our criminal injustice system ... while you, I assume, are not.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

And yet the person you quoted is initimately familar with our criminal injustice system ... while you, I assume, are not.

You miss my point. I did not take his statement as regarding the criminal justice system alone, but as far more reaching in a condemnation of conservatives that are apparently by definition in support of imprisoning the poor for being, well, poor.

I am not intimately familiar with the justice system. I am, however, familiar with numerous conservatives and am one myself.

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I am not intimately familiar with the justice system. I am, however, familiar with numerous conservatives and am one myself.

I'm not intimately familiar with the justice system either. I'm on the outside.

One doesn't have to be a criminal defense expert to see my point. One need only pay attention to the tone of conservative opinion pieces or conservative talk radio, which, I admit, may not provide a 100% accurate sample. To my mind, issues of criminal justice, immigration reform, etc. should be approached with sadness, humility and pragmatism, not the righteous indignation and self-congratulation that one so often hears from the right.

If a parallel is needed, I would also agree that those on the liberal side take too much unreflecting pleasure in advocating higher taxes on "the rich."

As I've said before, government is a devil with two penises.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

One doesn't have to be a criminal defense expert to see my point. One need only pay attention to the tone of conservative opinion pieces or conservative talk radio, which, I admit, may not provide a 100% accurate sample.

Um, yeah. Judging political parties by listening to talk radio is like judging science by watching the "Health and Fitness report" presented by the evening news. I don't think all conservatives are like Ann Coulter, same way I don't think all liberals are like Michael Moore.

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

I don't think all conservatives are like Ann Coulter, same way I don't think all liberals are like Michael Moore.

This is what I get for being polite. Yes, they are. I think politicians and pundits on both sides of the aisle consistently pander the perceived desire of their constitutents to see somebody f***ed over. The different constituencies simply identify different persons/classes as "the other" in whose throat the boot of government should be firmly dug.