Comments Posted By funny man
Displaying 91 To 100 Of 492 Comments
BUCHANAN AND HIS 'WHITE MAN'S LAMENT'
Richard,
Comment Posted By funny man On 22.10.2009 @ 18:09
In my mind there are two different things going on here. One is a philosophical debate about how to best make the American society more competitive and fair. There is no reason to believe that a smaller government model wouldn't find sympathy with some black Americans. The other is the political decision by Nixon to use the Southern Strategy to turn a democratic stronghold (Dixiecrat admittedly) republican and that was putting politics before principles. So in my mind once politics enters the arena honesty regarding any race debate leaves because both sides play on voters fear for political gain. However, nothing is set in stone, I have seen the Berlin Wall tumbling down, a German guy landing on the Red Square in Moscow (do you remember in 87?) and yes, seen a black man elected as President of the United States. Given that, I think it is entirely possible significant number of black Americans will one day 'rediscover' the GOP.
Richard,
Comment Posted By funny man On 22.10.2009 @ 13:35
I agree with you that perceptions change slowly. I went to school in Germany which was essentially all white so it never occurred to me that certain fields couldn't be for me because of my race. However, these perceptions are deeply ingrained in the United States. It goes both ways by the way e.g I have never seen a white American woman run the 100 m while our fastest German runners would make the US team. So do the American have a genetic defect once they crossed the ocean? That is also the reason why you would see more Nigerians or Ethiopians in science or engineering because they grew up in an all black society just like me in an all white and nobody told them not to go into certain fields. Just my two cents.
I think some of you are simplifying a little bit when it comes to this issue. I would agree with some of what Eric Holder was saying in that I found (in my limited experience) most white Americans to be very fearful or unwilling to honestly talk about their own prejudices. I used to live in Detroit (city) and just hate it when some liberal suburbanite talks about how to best reform inner city schools when they have absolutely no clue what they are talking about (and would never send their kids there; neither would I). That is also to counter the perception that this behavior is somewhat tied to any party.
Comment Posted By funny man On 21.10.2009 @ 22:40
Black Americans are often quite blunt about their feelings which I as a German don't really have a problem with. So I don't mind when Buchanan at least speaks his mind. At least not the PC crap. However, I also see that many conservatives fall into some sort of hysteria seeing reverse racism, white man's guilt or what have you everywhere. Happily pointing to obvious liberal hypocrisy. Rarely do any, liberal or conservative, ever speak about themselves. I mean, who isn't prejudiced? I am. I'm married to a black woman but when there is a black man with a white woman there is a little guy in my head that says 'this is not right'. Does that make sense? No, but emotions are not always rational. I just wanted to give a little example that some of these perceptions linger in peoples heads. Hm, well maybe it's just because I'm German and Americans don't have these thoughts...
THE DIFFERENT REALITY INHABITED BY THE CONSERVATIVE BASE
Cecil,
Comment Posted By funny man On 24.10.2009 @ 18:07
the reforms started before Tienanmen but were then followed with intense vigor because the CP correctly believed a lot of the then developing middle class would want a bigger piece of the political pie. They would not give it to them so they gave them economic opportunities instead. I'm pretty sure I'm not totally wrong on that.
I'm a conservative and I just don't understand why you keep telling me how liberals think. I mean (most) men want woman etc etc, come on they are just normal folks with a different worldview then ours.
Cecil,
Comment Posted By funny man On 21.10.2009 @ 11:37
I was already around when Deng and the 'Gang of Four' fought for control of the country and I know Deng initiated economic reforms. However, you always say we think this or that about you when in fact it is you who seems to think I have no idea about China. We are just discussing politics you have your opinion I have mine. BTW, isn't this what democracy is all about? Gotta go, keeping my day job (smile)
Cecil,
Comment Posted By funny man On 20.10.2009 @ 21:36
there is a big difference whether an elected or an unelected government passes unpopular measures. The first can loose the next election. After the communists brutally put down the Tienanmen square protests they knew they had to give the educated middle class something to put their energy into; making money. As you know they were pretty successful but you should also know the one thing the Chinese government is really scared about is uncontrollable unrest. There is plenty of small unrest because people their loose land, loose jobs loose freedom without much recourse because there is one show that runs the country. That is not so in the US so I really don't see your connection between China and the Democratic Party. Sure they want to stay in power, kind of the natural state. I mean they want more of a collectivist society and we a more individualistic; and so it goes back and forth. They are just my political opponent but apart from that they are no better or worse than anybody else.
Otiose,
Comment Posted By funny man On 20.10.2009 @ 21:20
higher per capita GDP
Cecil,
Comment Posted By funny man On 20.10.2009 @ 00:15
haven't noticed regular elections in China yet, so the similarities not that glaring to me. Perhaps you can enlighten me. Please also without liberal this conservatives that, doesn't really add anything to the discussion IMHO.
Cecil,
Comment Posted By funny man On 19.10.2009 @ 15:49
I'm neither liberal nor do I not know China. I have been there extensively. I just found it curious that you appeared to be making the case for the Chinese model but didn't like the European model when everything you don't like about Europe is definitely not better in China. Of course I know what you mean but living there you probably noticed a one party system has a peculiar habit of making decisions.
Cecil,
Comment Posted By funny man On 18.10.2009 @ 21:59
what in the world are you talking about? The Chinese still ruled by the communist party are the model for capitalism? At the same time you are against social engineering as in Europe as opposed to? China (I guess really not happening there??!!)? Europeans want their immigrants to learn their respective language as Americans want Mexican immigrants to learn English. Do you have a problem with that?
