Quote:
Originally posted by sgtclub
Stick to the topic. I have already conceeded that Bush is a fiscal liberal. The point we were discussing is whether Kerry is a liberal, which you don't want to concede for some reason.
|
I believe you have conceded two things:
(1) Bush is a fiscal liberal (and I believe other conservatives on the board have conceded this in the past); and
(2) Kerry is not a liberal in the Roosevelt/New Deal sense.
Frankly, I've always viewed the "L" label that Bush is trying to pin on Kerry to be point (2).
Now, my view: the prevailing perspective of the Democratic party today, with Kerry right in the mainstream of Democratic thought is that yes, there are things we would like government to do and we see a role for government in helping people. At the same time, we will help the most people through keeping the economy going and exercising fiscal discpline (Kerry's statement in the debate that in putting together his plan he has cut back on what he wanted to do because of fiscal restraints) and through empowering others rather than expanding government.
Health care, for example. Kerry is explicitly rejecting a single payor system or a socialized healthcare system, but is suggesting that legislation specifically authorizing the creation of purchasing pools for pharmaceuticals (not necessarily run by the government, by the way) can help, as can opening enrollment to the government's own health care program to the public (with cost dependent in part on ability to pay).
You're going to say it's liberal because it involves government. I'm going to say it is an attempt to practically solve a problem in our country with the participation of government, and that it is a far cry from a New Deal style social security entitlement program or from a government owned business like the post office.
So, Kerry's a Democrat, just as Clinton was. Is he a liberal? Well, tell me what a liberal is - nonperjoratively.
