Quote:
Originally posted by Botnst
Probably the biggest problem is one of definition. If we use Rush Limbaugh's definition, then "liberal" = most Democrats = insatiable desire for greater gov spending, larger gov, greater centralized control of all aspects of life, etc. If you use the present-day folks who self-describe as liberals it wouldn' tbe a lot different from Limbaughs definition except of course, Limbaugh entwines the thing with lots of unfortunate descriptions and extreme examples of those goals, run-amuck.
But not all centralization runs amuck, not all large gov programs are bad, not all spending is wrong, etc. So a modern-day self-described liberal would provide plenty of examples in which gov services were good, spending was good, control was good, etc. Nixon was the last president who believed that way and worked effectively toward those goals. Like Clinton, Nixon genuflected to the demigods of his party, but generally ignored them.
Clinton said all the things Democracts like to hear, but was the most effective Reaganite since Reagan, much more a conservative fiscal Republican than either Bushies. Clinton also did a good job of stopping growth of fed employees (may itty-bitty agency hasn't had a new position since 1994). Instead, the fed has gone to contracting or devolution of services entirely to the private sector.
Bot
|
I lot of what you give Clinton credit for was actually due to the Republican controlled Congress. Spending and the accompanying growth in the government, has to originate in the House. Newtie and company halted the growth of government, not Clinton. Clinton's ambition was to be the president who would accomplish the Holy Grail of Democrats for the last 80 years, universal health care. Unfortunately instead of going for a simple single-payer system he and his wife came up with one of the most convoluted plans ever seen, an incredible big-govenment boondoggle that helped lead to the Democrat's defeat (and end of the Democrats dominance of Congress since 1933) in 1994. Clinton swang right after that because the electorate had done so.
On the other hand, Clinton did exactly what the Democrats elected him to do - he vetoed any attempt to curtail the great social programs of Roosevelt and Johnson, and vetoed any attempt to limit a women's right to choose.
The vast majority of democrats are not classic big government liberals. They simply want a society where government acts as a referee in class disputes, protects the environment, and conducts foriegn policy in a moral manner - while also recognizing that the rich are not the only ones who deserve a decent life in the short time we all spend on this planet.