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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Fangorn who wrote (358034)	2/12/2003 11:21:55 AM
From: Neocon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

Not so bad, although a lot of conservatives love rock and roll, are not terribly prudish, and see few movies they would itch to sensor. The ultimate difference between libertarians and conservatives is that conservatives accept the idea of the common good, and look to the institutions of government to promote it. In instances where the common good would be enhanced by deregulation and lower taxes, conservatives promote those policies. In instances where the common good is enhanced by "socialization", that is, spreading the costs of desirable things, such as fire stations and roads, conservatives will support those policies. In instances where there is substantial controversy over what conduces to the common good, for example, liberal or restrictive immigration, they will fight amongst themselves. The difference between liberals and conservatives is that liberals are ambitious social engineers, and basically have a problem with prevailing institutions and cultural norms. Conservatives dislike social engineering per se, and mostly support prevailing institutions and cultural norms. That does not mean that they are against all reform, but respect most of their heritage. Reactionaries, of course, are a different matter, and tend to be radically alienated......

To: Fangorn who wrote (358034)	2/12/2003 12:50:59 PM
From: DuckTapeSunroof	Respond to of 769670

Interesting opinion piece... although a little weakly argued on the 'morality' question... A good wrap-up though: "Although libertarians tend toward an annoying optimism, no reasonable observer would venture a prediction on the winner of the conservative-libertarian debate. The outcome depends crucially on where societies ultimately fix the locus of coercion between liberty and authority for politics, and between tolerance and conformity for culture. One can imagine, though, how discouraged F.A. Hayek must have felt in 1944 when he sat down to write "The Road to Serfdom." Now, few doubt that Hayek has won and that the economic argument has been settled in favor of free markets. What remains is the battle over politics and culture. One down, two to go."