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Author Topic:   When Fascism Comes To America
nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


(4)
Message 4 of 303 (906673)
02-15-2023 8:40 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Phat
02-15-2023 7:30 PM


Re: First Some Definitions
Looking rationally at this definition, I think it is silly to accuse the Left of being Communist, at least in the US. Socialism is another matter.
It is also silly to accuse the left of being socialist. The left is a broad group. Yes, there are some socialists. But there are more pragmatists.
Which leads me to ask, how does a guy get ahead? Must I be content to run with the pack and merely get my quota??
You are letting your imagination run wild. You get ahead by means of a good education and a good work ethic. Where's the problem?
Socialists seem to insist that everyone agree on socialism and that private property, free enterprise with less government oversight, and economic distinctions be minimized.
That's more of your imagination running wild. Most of the left would like to see equal opportunity, which is not at all the same as equal outcome.
Oh, by the way, you do not believe in free enterprise. If you truly believed in free enterprise, you would be praising the shoplifters for being so enterprising.
I don't like the idea that being of, by, and for the people is not really One Nation under God, but, rather, One nation under freedom of relativism and secularism.
Christians often attack relativism. However, they are oblivious to their own relativism. Christianity is relativist.

Fundamentalism - the anti-American, anti-Christian branch of American Christianity

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Phat, posted 02-15-2023 7:30 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


(3)
Message 24 of 303 (906782)
02-16-2023 3:50 PM
Reply to: Message 3 by Phat
02-15-2023 7:54 PM


Re: Phat begins new thread
They need to learn to keep up through personal initiative rather than handouts.
I will admit it. I benefited from handouts.
The government paid most of the cost of my education (elementary, high school and undergraduate). That enabled me to have a good career. I have since paid a lot in taxes, and I'm sure that I have paid far more in taxes than was in the subsidy.
But it was a bit unfair. My education was subsidized by the Australian government, but my tax payback went to the American government.

Fundamentalism - the anti-American, anti-Christian branch of American Christianity

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by Phat, posted 02-15-2023 7:54 PM Phat has not replied

  
nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


(3)
Message 58 of 303 (907541)
02-25-2023 11:55 AM
Reply to: Message 56 by Phat
02-25-2023 9:51 AM


Re: What Is Deregulation
...so im still trying to understand what deregulation even means.
Here's an example. We could drop the laws against shoplifting. That would be a kind of deregulation. I mention this example, because shoplifting is something that bothers you.
If we dropped the regulations against shoplifting, then the stores would have to hire more people. So this kind of deregulation would actually help provide more jobs.
For Republicans, regulations are seen as rules that restrict what the wealthy can do. Deregulation means giving the wealthy more freedom to increase their wealth. But the Republicans would never reduce regulation that restricts the poor, which is why they are always talking about "law and order".
For Democrats, regulations are seen as rules to provide a level playing field. So if you want to restrict shoplifters from ripping off store owners, then you should also restrict the wealthy from ripping off ordinary consumers. For Democrats, deregulation should be limited to removing old laws and rules that are no longer useful.

--> -->Fundamentalism - the anti-American, anti-Christian branch of American Christianity --> -->

This message is a reply to:
 Message 56 by Phat, posted 02-25-2023 9:51 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


Message 131 of 303 (908140)
03-08-2023 8:55 AM
Reply to: Message 130 by xongsmith
03-08-2023 3:03 AM


Re: Tax The Working & Save The Planet
and Phat - WhyTF did you give this piece of shit a cheer?
That tells you more about Phat than you wanted to know.

--> -->Fundamentalism - the anti-American, anti-Christian branch of American Christianity --> -->

This message is a reply to:
 Message 130 by xongsmith, posted 03-08-2023 3:03 AM xongsmith has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 132 by Theodoric, posted 03-08-2023 8:57 AM nwr has seen this message but not replied
 Message 133 by xongsmith, posted 03-08-2023 5:07 PM nwr has replied

  
nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


(1)
Message 135 of 303 (908149)
03-08-2023 7:14 PM
Reply to: Message 133 by xongsmith
03-08-2023 5:07 PM


Re: Tax The Working & Save The Planet
Phat needs a dope-slapping with wet noodles upside his face.
I just ran into this:
QAnon continues to thrive in the heart of the Republican Party
Phat believes in some of these ideas about spirits occupying people. So he may be susceptible to this kind of qanonsense.

--> -->Fundamentalism - the anti-American, anti-Christian branch of American Christianity --> -->

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
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nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


(1)
Message 145 of 303 (908173)
03-09-2023 10:00 AM
Reply to: Message 141 by Phat
03-09-2023 8:50 AM


Re: Tax The Working & Save The Planet
If so, I could counter that by showing how the peanut gallery is part of the communist/socialist agenda.
You are still completely clueless about what "socialism" and "communism" actually are.

--> -->Fundamentalism - the anti-American, anti-Christian branch of American Christianity --> -->

This message is a reply to:
 Message 141 by Phat, posted 03-09-2023 8:50 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


(1)
Message 146 of 303 (908176)
03-09-2023 10:49 AM
Reply to: Message 143 by Phat
03-09-2023 9:00 AM


Re: Grinding America Down
Watch this movie.
Grinding America Down
I watched the first few minutes. If I take it to be a parody of right wing insanity, then I can laugh at it.
I do wonder how you could possibly misunderstand things so badly that you take it seriously.

--> -->Fundamentalism - the anti-American, anti-Christian branch of American Christianity --> -->

This message is a reply to:
 Message 143 by Phat, posted 03-09-2023 9:00 AM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 147 by Phat, posted 03-09-2023 12:41 PM nwr has replied

  
nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


(3)
Message 148 of 303 (908226)
03-09-2023 1:10 PM
Reply to: Message 147 by Phat
03-09-2023 12:41 PM


Re: Grinding America Down
I know the evil that is communism and socialism.
No, you don't. You are quite clueless about both.
You watch two minutes and dont even care to know your enemy.
I watch around 15 minutes. It is a riot of insanity.
You dont bother to learn why my side is wrong.(If in fact it is.)
Your side is wrong because it ignores facts and evidence.

--> -->Fundamentalism - the anti-American, anti-Christian branch of American Christianity --> -->

This message is a reply to:
 Message 147 by Phat, posted 03-09-2023 12:41 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


(1)
Message 154 of 303 (908310)
03-10-2023 9:25 AM
Reply to: Message 152 by Phat
03-10-2023 1:42 AM


Re: Grinding America Down
I won't ever soften my stance regarding communism.
I don't recall anyone here advocating for communism. What we object to, is the conflating of Democratic policies with communism.
The Chinese Communist Party is the greatest threat to human existence since nuclear weapons.
The Chinese Communist Party existed before there were nuclear weapons. And, under Mao, it was arguably worse than it is today.

--> -->Fundamentalism - the anti-American, anti-Christian branch of American Christianity --> -->

This message is a reply to:
 Message 152 by Phat, posted 03-10-2023 1:42 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


Message 190 of 303 (908444)
03-15-2023 6:02 PM
Reply to: Message 185 by Phat
03-15-2023 11:46 AM


Re: China Has More To Lose Than Anyone Else
Jesus said: Love your neighbor;
Phat said: It's all about me, me, me, me.

--> -->Fundamentalism - the anti-American, anti-Christian branch of American Christianity <-- <--

This message is a reply to:
 Message 185 by Phat, posted 03-15-2023 11:46 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied

Replies to this message:
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nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


(5)
Message 197 of 303 (908543)
03-16-2023 1:45 PM
Reply to: Message 193 by Phat
03-16-2023 9:40 AM


Re: China Has More To Lose Than Anyone Else
Im simply concerned about my retirement. Arn't you?
No, I'm not concerned about retirement.
This is partly because it is too late for me to be concerned. And it's partly because I did plan for retirement starting with my first full time job. It's called "long term planning". I'm not sure why, but conservatives and libertarians seem to not be good at that.
The Wealthy stole the American Dream from the rest of us.
But you vote for them. Maybe you should be angry at yourself.

--> -->Fundamentalism - the anti-American, anti-Christian branch of American Christianity <-- <--

This message is a reply to:
 Message 193 by Phat, posted 03-16-2023 9:40 AM Phat has not replied

  
nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


(3)
Message 243 of 303 (909647)
04-07-2023 1:19 PM
Reply to: Message 240 by Phat
04-07-2023 12:06 PM


Re: Grinding America Down
Wiki:
The book outlines, and gives examples of, a number of American grievances with PRC policies such as:
Intellectual property theft
Chinese Communist Party infiltration of domestic society and institutions
The erosion of domestic political and economic institutions
Unfair and unequal trade practices
Chinese espionage in the United States
Foreign investment manipulation
Debt trap diplomacy and the Belt and Road Initiative

Let's look at those:
Intellectual property theft
Much of this isn't theft. It is US businesses outsourcing to cut costs, and giving the intellectual property to the Chinese to enable that outsourcing. And I do blame conservatives for the outsourcing, for putting profits ahead of people.
I'll note that the Chinese have never respected intellectual property. Obama's Trans Pacific Partnership was dealing with this. But Trump cancelled that.
Chinese Communist Party infiltration of domestic society and institutions
Do you really think that USA doesn't infiltrate societies in other nations?
The erosion of domestic political and economic institutions
As far as I can tell, the main culprits here are the Republicans who have been attempting an ideological takeover of the courts.
Unfair and unequal trade practices
Again, this has to do with outsourcing and Trump's cancelling of the Trans Pacific Partnership.
Chinese espionage in the United States
Do you doubt that there is USA espionage in China (and many other places)?
Foreign investment manipulation
Again, this is because of Republicans pushing deregulation too far.
Debt trap diplomacy and the Belt and Road Initiative
The debt increases when Republicans are in control.

--> -->Fundamentalism - the anti-American, anti-Christian branch of American Christianity <-- <--

This message is a reply to:
 Message 240 by Phat, posted 04-07-2023 12:06 PM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 251 by Phat, posted 05-23-2023 7:51 AM nwr has seen this message but not replied

  
nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


(3)
Message 266 of 303 (910914)
05-25-2023 8:42 PM
Reply to: Message 265 by Phat
05-25-2023 8:32 PM


Re: Fascism is here
Phat in Message 265 writes:
They really need to quit pushing CRT.
Who's the "they" here. Perhaps you are referring to DeSantis, who is pushing false charges of CRT. And yes, that is divisive.
And yes, we have every right to criticize people who push a divisive agenda -- people like DeSantis, Trump, Abbott and Phat.

--> -->Fundamentalism - the anti-American, anti-Christian branch of American Christianity <-- <--

This message is a reply to:
 Message 265 by Phat, posted 05-25-2023 8:32 PM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 274 by Phat, posted 05-27-2023 6:50 PM nwr has replied

  
nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


Message 275 of 303 (910945)
05-27-2023 7:13 PM
Reply to: Message 274 by Phat
05-27-2023 6:50 PM


Re: Fascism is here
Phat in Message 274 writes:
What you (militant progressives) DONT have the right to do is make up fancy theories and attempt to shame or silence people through trying to be morality cops and by using the cancel culture narrative.
Bad pronoun usage -- I'm referring to that "you". I am not a militant progressive.
The fact is that they do have that right. It's the right of free speech and the right of assembly. It is there in the constitution.
And you have the right to disagree with them and to express that disagreement. Personally, I disagree with them, but I also disagree with the way that some Republicans are trying to deal with it.

--> -->Fundamentalism - the anti-American, anti-Christian branch of American Christianity <-- <--

This message is a reply to:
 Message 274 by Phat, posted 05-27-2023 6:50 PM Phat has not replied

  
nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


(2)
Message 281 of 303 (910954)
05-28-2023 1:27 PM
Reply to: Message 279 by Phat
05-28-2023 12:37 PM


Re: Singling Theo Out
Phat in Message 279 writes:
Basically, my initial gripe was directed at the way that younger society is being taught these days.
Do you even know how they are being taught.
I have grandchildren in school, so I at least get some inkling of what they are taught.
In a nutshell, what I fear (logical or illogical might I be) is that the same ideas that we debate here will become mainstream and that students will be taught that it is politically correct to oppose religion(beliefs) and embrace an attitude akin to atheism and secular humanism.
Most teachers try to be neutral about religion. They understand that the first amendment (the establishment clause) requires that. I very much doubt that the schools are teaching them to oppose religion.
Religion(Christians, particularly) are increasingly being portrayed as ignorant rubes whose beliefs are grounded in fantasy.
I very much doubt that this is happening in the schools.
However, it may be what people see on social media. It's a bit hard to avoid noticing that many Christians are in fact behaving like ignorant rubes.

--> -->Fundamentalism - the anti-American, anti-Christian branch of American Christianity <-- <--

This message is a reply to:
 Message 279 by Phat, posted 05-28-2023 12:37 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
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