Ahh! A Liberal!
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- Mobius
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We have liberals and republicans in New Zealand too - but they aren't so extreme as in the USA. The Labour Party (in Government) is a Centre-Left party, while the opposition is Centre-Right.
There's not an awful lot between the two parties really. Oh, except for the tax-and-spend-like-crazy policy and the social engineering of Labour, compared to the tax-less and spend-a-little-bit-less National Party.
It seems odd to me that the dems and reps in the USA should diverge so strongly, because we all know that all forms of extremism is misguided. Therefore, correct policies will lie somewhere between the extremes - and I guess this is what the US parliamentary system is supposed to resolve. But from the outside looking in, it seems like a lot of extreme policies get through the system, without being diluted much by the opposite side.
There's not an awful lot between the two parties really. Oh, except for the tax-and-spend-like-crazy policy and the social engineering of Labour, compared to the tax-less and spend-a-little-bit-less National Party.
It seems odd to me that the dems and reps in the USA should diverge so strongly, because we all know that all forms of extremism is misguided. Therefore, correct policies will lie somewhere between the extremes - and I guess this is what the US parliamentary system is supposed to resolve. But from the outside looking in, it seems like a lot of extreme policies get through the system, without being diluted much by the opposite side.
I think the average American is more center of the rode then we probably appear from the outside. I think its just the media, (Michael Moore, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage), that make us seem so extreamly polarized. They get ratings by rambling like lunatics.
Middle of the rode guy is pretty boring to listen too. Hearing Michael Savage say that liberalism is a mental disease, well, thats entertainment.
I even think your average American politician is middle of the road. They just don't get the same TV spots as someone like Kennedy who says that Iraq is Bush's Vietnam.
Middle of the rode guy is pretty boring to listen too. Hearing Michael Savage say that liberalism is a mental disease, well, thats entertainment.
I even think your average American politician is middle of the road. They just don't get the same TV spots as someone like Kennedy who says that Iraq is Bush's Vietnam.
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I agree. The average American is probably fairly well balanced. But that doesn't mean most Americans are balanced.Gooberman wrote:I think the average American is more center of the road then we probably appear from the outside....
I even think your average American politician is middle of the road....
Books like the one above (and the one roid just gave the link to) just serve to show how extreme people can often be.
Back during my high school and early college years, I thought I was balanced. But now I look back, and see how extreme my opinions were in some areas, mostly because of my child-like blind acceptance of things said by the family and church I grew up in.
I guess one way I tend to measure my balance is by reactions from peers I talk with - the Democrats usually say I'm too conservative, and the Republicans usually accuse me of being too liberal.
But back on topic - even if a parent is ultra-concerned about some kind of "liberal influence", what's with the political caricatures on the cover?
actually i'm pretty sure the "It's Just a Plant" book is quite accurate. i think it's a good idea and will provide a good and accurate education to young kids about cannabis (incl why they shouldn't use it until they are older). it's not a joke or a stunt just take a look at the first few pages (click the page to progress) and try to find fault with it. i can't.Foil wrote:Books like the one above (and the one roid just gave the link to) just serve to show how extreme people can often be.
this "Liberals under the Bed" book however just seems like a stupid stunt. i doubt it's got anything but hate in it.