Some people are Intelligent, Curious about things, Think about the "Big Picture"...and are Progressive...
The rest are deluded crackpots...dupes, dopes...just don't read much, watch a lot of TV...or are not too smart because they don't need to be...
Most real philosophical "conservatives"...would today be called "liberals"...or libertarians...like Ron Paul.
Most actual "conservatives" today would be called "fascists"...or proto-fascists.
What more is there to know...? Its just a matter of "we thinkers" ...verus..."me thinkers.... Greed or the Common Good... America is a very divided and devisive nation...
Like the Euro and the Bubblebee...it should not be able to "fly"...
That is all there is between the two political philosophies...
The "me thinkers" are not always wrong...they have their "uses"...sometimes Greed IS Good...sometimes there needs to be more self interest...but there are limits...its a Ying-Yang thing... Greed that destroys the nation is not good... Offshoring, Cash Hoarding, and money printing to save the rich...are rampant now...
The total welfare nanny state will encourage dependance as a "way of life"...but the redistribution function of "welfare" keeps the lower "roots" of the economy well watered...and helps with the "Multiplier Effect" higher up... In short...Welfare is good for rich people...because poor people can buy things...
Unlike now where a Dismal Depression has sunk the economy...
