Only a total cynic could possibly see Rudi v Hillary as a good thing for America 
Both are scary beyond measure - we have no idea of, though we may guess at, the extent of their deviousness and disrespect for morality [and legality]
Warbler, you say you're a Socialist because you put people first. I'm afraid that the very essence of Socialism is that it puts the Group - the common good - before the individual, which is why Leftist regimes the world over have been so murderous and so controlling. I'm only interested in a political philosophy which respects the rights of the individual.
I used to be very involved in Leftwing politics in my youth, now I loathe the Left and all its works. The schisms on the Left are treated as a joke - in fact they are entirely symptomatic of the hatred which motivates many on that side of the plotical spectrum, esp those who seek power. I repsect the personal integrity of those like yourself who cling to the faith, as do many of my own lifelong friends - and in your won case your personal experiences of 84/85 explains a lot; but I fear you are woefully misguided.
As Dr Johnson put it in another context - to work for political power of the Left is "the triumph of hope over experience". History demonstrates that when any Leftist regime gains power, the carnivores soon dispose of the herbivores. Chile was possibly the only exception - for a while, and carnivores devoured that too
Both are scary beyond measure - we have no idea of, though we may guess at, the extent of their deviousness and disrespect for morality [and legality]
Warbler, you say you're a Socialist because you put people first. I'm afraid that the very essence of Socialism is that it puts the Group - the common good - before the individual, which is why Leftist regimes the world over have been so murderous and so controlling. I'm only interested in a political philosophy which respects the rights of the individual.
I used to be very involved in Leftwing politics in my youth, now I loathe the Left and all its works. The schisms on the Left are treated as a joke - in fact they are entirely symptomatic of the hatred which motivates many on that side of the plotical spectrum, esp those who seek power. I repsect the personal integrity of those like yourself who cling to the faith, as do many of my own lifelong friends - and in your won case your personal experiences of 84/85 explains a lot; but I fear you are woefully misguided.
As Dr Johnson put it in another context - to work for political power of the Left is "the triumph of hope over experience". History demonstrates that when any Leftist regime gains power, the carnivores soon dispose of the herbivores. Chile was possibly the only exception - for a while, and carnivores devoured that too
h34r: To put it in racing paralance neither Hillary or Barack are open to much improvement. Both have very loyal and very strong power bases, but they are concentrated disproportionately in the wrong parts of the country and are all over pwering in their own areas. I expect Edwards to come through in due course. If the Dems can win Florida then I think thats 27 votes? Edwards is the only candidate they've got who could do that. Both Hillary's and Barack's vote will naturally gravitate to Edwards. Hilllary might pick up Arkansas, but it's difficult to see Obama having much appeal outside of the his industrial heartlands. I expect him to be the first to fall out of the big three
We proceeded to have a funny kind of debate/ argument as we were scratching round for common ground to fall out on. I couldn't speak to him about New York politics, yet I suspected he wanted my international perspective. On reflection, we chewed as it were for a minute (until I dragged him into very uncomfortable territory) and that was when he moved on.