Posted by Joe on August 10, 19100 at 00:02:31:
In Reply to: Actually Joe... posted by The peddler of old dreams on August 09, 19100 at 22:09:41:
This is definitely a conservative country, and in the classical Burkean sense, it always has been. Compared to most any other industrialized nation, we have the least enthusiasm for government or idealistic social schemes. Even our Democrats must run as moderates, whereas our conservatives (Reagan, Bush Jr., Cheney) run as unabashed conservatives. Real liberals (Mondale, Dukakis) get creamed routinely on the national stage.
I already posted that two out of three people consider themselves somewhat or very conservative. If you poll Americans on just about any major issue, you will find a clear conservative slant to this country. The death penalty is supported by 70% of the population, national health care is dead in the water, privatizing social security is very popular, reforming welfare and granting school vouchers are both winning political issues. Tax cuts are always popular as are deregulation and increased defense. Yes, some people vote for shallow and stupid reasons, but even this arguably reflects a lack of interest in government, which is a somewhat conservative view. Liberals are generally interested in little else.
Joe