Originally Posted by waynet

so let me get this right. Only conservatives love America and god only loves conservatives. That is just plain stupid and an insult to the American people.

No, you are half-right. God probably loves misguided liberals.

Originally Posted by villagegolfer

What is the collective will of the people? Tell us. Liberals do not love this country. Liberals want to chang this country into a mirror image of Europe. If liberals love europe so much, why don't they relocate? Liberals love America is a joke.

You can criticize my politics all you want; deride my liberalism; discount my beliefs; even call me any names you want. BUT DON'T TELL ME I DON'T LOVE MY COUNTRY!!!!!!!! In the words of Keith Olbermann, you sir, are an idiot.

Originally Posted by harbor53

We (you and I) trust the government to protect us from foreign threats - to monitor our food and water - to guide our airplanes in flight - as well as regulate our nuclear plants. The "government" is not a "they" - it is an "us."

Now, maybe you don't like yourself. I can understand that. Nevertheless, we live in one of the most wonderful countries on earth. Hopefully, we are all working together to keep it that way and even improve it. I guess as I age, I become more of a love it or leave it kinda guy. You don't like the government here - vote to change it - but, it you think that this grand experiment in democracy isn't up to your standards - I sure there are a bunch of other places where you might feel the love more.

You can't profess love for this country and hate the collective will of its people.

For too long, liberals have allowed themselves to be branded as anti-American. Nonsense! I love my country and I am willing to pay more in higher taxes and shared sacrifice to ensure my child will continue to enjoy the blessings of its dream.

Harbor

I just have always loved that dichotomy "love it or leave it". People who offer it as a solution are obviously saying your wrong and I'm right, its my way or the highway and by the way don't even attempt to enter into a cogent discussion because it may disturb the world as I view it.

Originally Posted by DaleMN

You can criticize my politics all you want; deride my liberalism; discount my beliefs; even call me any names you want. BUT DON'T TELL ME I DON'T LOVE MY COUNTRY!!!!!!!! In the words of Keith Olbermann, you sir, are an idiot.

No, you've got it backwards. We're not saying you don't love your country, we're saying you're "the idiot". Please try to keep up.

Originally Posted by Richie Lion

No, you've got it backwards. We're not saying you don't love your country, we're saying you're "the idiot". Please try to keep up.

Richie, I have watched you for years be like a playground bully that never misses the opportunity to hit someone in the back. What are you like face to face?

Originally Posted by DaleMN

You can criticize my politics all you want; deride my liberalism; discount my beliefs; even call me any names you want. BUT DON'T TELL ME I DON'T LOVE MY COUNTRY!!!!!!!! In the words of Keith Olbermann, you sir, are an idiot.

Ah, ridicule. Alinsky would be proud. When you want to change the principles that make this country great and want to make it like a mirror of Europe, then yes, you don't really love this country. Get it??

Originally Posted by The Villager II

Richie, I have watched you for years be like a playground bully that never misses the opportunity to hit someone in the back. What are you like face to face?

I bet Ritchie is the kind of guy I would enjoy playing golf with and having a few brewskies. I know where he stands and I know he will not try to change my way of thinking but he will not be afraid to give his opinion while he looks me straight in the eyes. I know that I can trust him and I know he will watch my back. I know he is a hard working guy who really loves his country and does not want to change it for the worse. I know he has deep roots in the meaning of conservatism and he is very wise.

I know all these things because I have lurked here a long time and I have never met the man.
I also know he is not an idiot.

Originally Posted by villagegolfer

I bet Ritchie is the kind of guy I would enjoy playing golf with and having a few brewskies. I know where he stands and I know he will not try to change my way of thinking but he will not be afraid to give his opinion while he looks me straight in the eyes. I know that I can trust him and I know he will watch my back. I know he is a hard working guy who really loves his country and does not want to change it for the worse. I know he has deep roots in the meaning of conservatism and he is very wise.

I know all these things because I have lurked here a long time and I have never met the man.
I also know he is not an idiot.

Sounds like the stuff loving relationships are made of. I do agree with what you say, but with him, he uses whatever it takes to make folks angry and not whatever it takes the get them to understand. Childish in my opinion. I am a conservative myself, but don't agree with the Glenn Beck approach to explain my position. Just a thought.
No offense meant.

No offense taken. I do know that he has alot of patience because he has been called alot of things and he tries to retaliate with wit and he usually don't call people names. I respect that.

Originally Posted by villagegolfer

Ah, ridicule. Alinsky would be proud. When you want to change the principles that make this country great and want to make it like a mirror of Europe, then yes, you don't really love this country. Get it??

And what are those principles? Protect the rich at the expense of the poor, disabled and disadvantaged? Work or we don't care if you die? If you can't afford health care...too bad? If you can't afford an education, wallow in ignorance? If you don't believe in what I believe in you don't love your country? It's either your way or the highway?

I was raised to believe that the measure of a society (country) was how they treated the least among them. Our beliefs are so far apart they will never reconcile. Frankly, I feel a bit sorry for you.

Originally Posted by DaleMN

And what are those principles? Protect the rich at the expense of the poor, disabled and disadvantaged? Work or we don't care if you die? If you can't afford health care...too bad? If you can't afford an education, wallow in ignorance? If you don't believe in what I believe in you don't love your country? It's either your way or the highway?

I was raised to believe that the measure of a society (country) was how they treated the least among them. Our beliefs are so far apart they will never reconcile. Frankly, I feel a bit sorry for you.

America has many opportunities for people who really want to work for them. America still distributes a way too high percentage of freebies for the lazy and no-goods. Many people come here for the advantages that they do not have in their native country. People come here with nothing and make good fortune.
Education? Don't make me laugh. Any bright student who studies and applies himself will get scholarships. The problem is the more money we give public education, the worse it becomes.
You sir, are an idealist. A socialist who thinks everybody is equal. We are not equal. We have the right to pursue happiness and that is all. And I think that is a great right!!!

Originally Posted by villagegolfer

As far as I know, there has never been a centralized government that has ever been successful....

Ummm, China isn't doing too badly.

They're doing well enough to finance their own dramatic economic growth and have enough left over to finance a big chunk of our government spending.

Originally Posted by The Villager II

Richie, I have watched you for years be like a playground bully that never misses the opportunity to hit someone in the back. What are you like face to face?

He was the one who called someone an idiot and when I put it back to him, you call ME out? Are you kidding me?

Whenever you want to see me face to face, let me know.

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

Ummm, China isn't doing too badly.

They're doing well enough to finance their own dramatic economic growth and have enough left over to finance a big chunk of our government spending.

China's not doing too badly? How about asking the vast bulk of the Chinese people how they're doing. Start off with asking the child laborers.

Seriously VK, this has got to be the worst examples of a country to admire I've ever heard. I'm thinking maybe a number of years living as a Chinese peasant would change your opinion, and have you screaming on your way back to the U.S.

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

Ummm, China isn't doing too badly.

They're doing well enough to finance their own dramatic economic growth and have enough left over to finance a big chunk of our government spending.

When you say "China" are you talking about their average citizen or their government? Your a riot Mr. K.