Now we're all the way to Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week?

That's some kinda wierd unreasonable universe y'all have here… §;o)

kornbelt888: If by ideologue you mean someone that prefers liberty to socialism, then sure.

Zachriel: If by ideologue you mean someone who poses false dichotomies, then sure. The Netherlands is a open economy, and the home to a wide variety of businesses, both large and small. Nearly all modern economies offer some form of universal health care and remain competitive.

I didn't mean to imply that the Netherlands is totally socialistic and the U.S. is not. The US has plenty of socialism, and the Netherlands, as you say, "is home to a wide variety of businesses." I was merely claiming my guilt as an libertarian ideologue who prefers liberty to socialism, and since the Netherlands has more socialism than the U.S., naturally I would prefer the U.S. more, and would like to see socialism decrease here. All things considered, I think I'm a lot happier here than I would be in the Netherlands.

Funny thing about that. Iraq didn't have anything to do with the attacks of 9/11.

I never claimed it did. Gotta get past the excluded middle complex.

In fact, Rome's port of Ostia was burned by pirates in 68 BCE, shocking the Roman public. The Senate was cowed into a vast consolidation of power by Pompey who then invaded non-involved countries. By 49 BCE, Caesar had crossed the Rubicon.

Beware of opportunists. They come in all shapes and sizes and from all parts of the political spectrum.

Bradford: As opposed to terrorist attacks on Rome itself and their equivalent of Twin Towers?

Funny thing about that. Iraq didn't have anything to do with the attacks of 9/11.

In fact, Rome's port of Ostia was burned by pirates in 68 BCE, shocking the Roman public. The Senate was cowed into a vast consolidation of power by Pompey who then invaded non-involved countries. By 49 BCE, Caesar had crossed the Rubicon.

Bradford: Pretty scary except for those millions of Americans who daily exercise their right to criticize and incur nothing more than imaginary political myrtrdom in return for their efforts.

That's right. The average Roman citizen went about his business.

Pretty scary except for those millions of Americans who daily exercise their right to criticize and incur nothing more than imaginary political myrtrdom in return for their efforts.

Heh. I see I wasn't the only one who was amused at just where the story/example conveniently ended.

Fascism? Really.

Meanwhile, the Jews are restless. There are reports of terrorist attacks against peaceful caravans and Roman outposts.

As opposed to terrorist attacks on Rome itself and their equivalent of Twin Towers?

This, after the benevolent Romans have provided all the benefits of modern living; aqueducts, roads, trade, military protection. They must be religious fanatics.

Did these religious fanatics murder themselves and innocent civilians in order to live in forever with a caravan of heavenly virgins?

Some Romans advocate patience. After all, most Jews are not revolutionaries.

Neither are most Muslims.

Others advocate strong action, even to raze Jerusalem to the ground. But few question the right of the Romans to make decisions for the benefit of others.

As in making decisions for defeated enemies Germany and Japan which now practice democratic forms of government foreign to them prior to US occupation.

Those that do are accused of disloyalty. Lists are drawn up.

Pretty scary except for those millions of Americans who daily exercise their right to criticize and incur nothing more than imaginary political myrtrdom in return for their efforts.

I liked your last comment. It might have been a bit too subtle for some. However, I would like to be proven wrong.

Off-topic

Bradford: I believe Raevmo introduced the term fascist into the thread"¦

If we want to draw a historical parallel, I might suggest an analogy with the late Roman Republic would be more appropriate. Events and opinions in Rome strongly influence the lives of other nations, while the Romans become increasingly isolated from those nations under their dominion. This power tends to corrupt the Republic, while its citizens become increasingly docile when leaders invoke threats to the established order.

Meanwhile, the Jews are restless. There are reports of terrorist attacks against peaceful caravans and Roman outposts. This, after the benevolent Romans have provided all the benefits of modern living; aqueducts, roads, trade, military protection. They must be religious fanatics. Some Romans advocate patience. After all, most Jews are not revolutionaries. Others advocate strong action, even to raze Jerusalem to the ground. But few question the right of the Romans to make decisions for the benefit of others. Those that do are accused of disloyalty. Lists are drawn up.

kornbelt888: If by ideologue you mean someone that prefers liberty to socialism, then sure.

If by ideologue you mean someone who poses false dichotomies, then sure. The Netherlands is a open economy, and the home to a wide variety of businesses, both large and small. Nearly all modern economies offer some form of universal health care and remain competitive.

kornbelt888: At any rate, the US health care system has gotten more expensive, but it has hardly "failed."

Millions of Americans receive substandard medical care due to lack of insurance. The biggest problems are delayed treatment, and overuse of emergency care.

There is also a significant structural problem for the insured. Instead of shared risk, insurance companies become profitable by removing those with the greatest need from their insured, and by refusing expensive care whenever possible.

I believe Raevmo introduced the term fascist into the thread"¦

Not in this thread.

Here's something from today's Krugman column in the NYT:

Not long ago, a young Ohio woman named Trina Bachtel, who was having health problems while pregnant, tried to get help at a local clinic.

Unfortunately, she had previously sought care at the same clinic while uninsured and had a large unpaid balance. The clinic wouldn't see her again unless she paid $100 per visit "” which she didn't have.

Eventually, she sought care at a hospital 30 miles away. By then, however, it was too late. Both she and the baby died.

You may think that this was an extreme case, but stories like this are common in America.

According to a recent estimate by the Urban Institute, the lack of health insurance leads to 27,000 preventable deaths in America each year.

Funny how some get all worked up about protecting unborn life, but don't give a damn about it once it's ex-uterus.

The choice is European-style "socialized medicine" or US-style "social darwinism". It's a no-brainer.