Ending two wars isn't an achievement? Closing GitMo? Introducing comprehensive healthcare reform?

Are you high on the right wing meme themes?

I see the emergence of Bernie and Donald not to be a sign of the remarkable human spirit, but as evidence of the law of entropy in action. Why you can only see the left side of the ledger and not the right seems like selective analysis. — Hanover

First we had G.W. and that resulted in Obama and now we're getting Trump. I just see the pendulum that used to swing slightly left then slightly right swinging a bit more wildly. — Hanover

The political pendulum in the US has been on the right for quite a while. But, one thing I don't understand is the hatred against Obama from particularly the right. I don't recall such reactions even from the left against Bush. Many people simply folded up their political ideology and placed national security as a higher priority than their personal goals (post 9/11)...

Obama has been a great US president. There is no doubt about that in my mind. The favorability of congress amongst the American public as of recently speaks for itself.

But, I have to ask, as you sound Hegelian in these posts. Do you really think that Trump and Sanders are a reaction to Obama or rather the inherent conservatism, as you've pointed out, built into the U.S.' political system?

Yes, he's a big cat. Fat, plumpy, and fuzzy. *Sniff*

You misinterpret what I meant.

The ideology of "communism" was defeated in people's minds with the fall of the USSR. That it happens that socialism is becoming mainstream after all the red scares and propaganda on the issue of "communism" and "socialism"after only twenty-five years is a testament to the remarkable human spirit.

"of various parts of the country ... " presupposes that it was already theirs to begin with... which is not the case.

of various parts of the country, including those won in a defensive war, notwithstanding the fact that some of those — Hanover

But, but, you just contradicted yourself there, Sir.

A while ago at the Hammer museum:


With my fav cat, called "Chudy", which in Polish means "slim" or "skinny", which is far from the truth. Miss him a lot...

Why are people not concerned about this? Seriously?

I find it almost fascinating and at the same time disturbing that more isn't done on such a matter. I'm assuming people think the whole political process would "filter out" such potential psychopaths from power, at least in any democracy.

Disturbing ignorance that can only spell disaster in the end, in my opinion.

I beg to differ with the title of this thread. Bernie isn't out of this race, things are going to go downhill for Clinton soon. Just watch all her e-mails being made public by wikileaks and Republicans pouncing on everything the FBI has to say about the matter.

Many Republicans would rather see Bernie elected than Trump or Clinton so you can expect a lot of shuffling amongst people on who they want in office.

I don't think people realize how bad democracy in America is. We're essentially having dynastic rulers come about, think Bush, Clinton?

As far as Bernie. He already met his goal. I personally don't think he even wants to win the presidency, that would actually be detrimental to his goal of creating a movement. He already has forced Clinton's hand to commit herself to more leftist policies. Clinton is no joke, though; but, is obviously a lesser evil than Trump.

Sure, there are no absolutes. But, you haven't really answered my question. Are psychopathic traits desirable in regards to people in power? I'd think that history has shown that the answer is a resounding 'no'.

Thanks.

This is why democracy is the least of all evils despite the fact that fascism or any sort of dictatorial/coercive central management is the most efficient form of government...

On the other hand "democracy" is always prone or even "under attack" to/from an ignorant and uneducated public, hence the need for an educated public; but, I digress...

M-Theory, you haven't replied yet. Just reminding you. — darthbarracuda

Maybe a misunderstanding; but, I am not M-Theory. I don't have much more to comment on what has been said. I guess not thinking about this in terms of "either or" is what got me out of my previous mindset.

Is that what you're asking? Or are you trying to make a distinction between the Nazis in power and the purer party platform--or more widely, the fascist platform in general--from which they had deviated? — jamalrob

Yes, the distinction between the Nazis in power and the purer party platform is what I am getting at. There is a reason the party platform appealed to so many people. It was highly progressive and obviously socialist in nature. And, again this is apart from the Nazi ideology of uber and unter mensch as well as the propaganda... A much better take on what I'm saying can be found in the book, "Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left, From Mussolini to the Politics of Change" by Jonah Goldberg.

I still haven't gotten to reading that book in totality; but, think it's a novel perspective than the usual finger pointing of the Nazi platform being on the far-right, which it was not...

I think I have said this before and I'm not afraid of saying it again; but, if you leave out the parts about killing all the Jews and invading Poland, what specifically about the Nazi political platform do you disagree with?

Depression, anxiety, and some elements from the subgroup of schizophrenia. All being managed by medication and a strong sense of faith in the power of reason. No suicidal thoughts though (thank-you God).

I wonder if anyone would have guessed(?)