Republicans claim that Democrats worship government, and that they willingly sacrifice freedom in favor of big government. Many democrats seem to think of Obama as a paternal figure, at least, and perhaps an anointed priest. Then again, the Republican adoration for the president and government intrusion, and government power was nothing less than religious fervor during Bush’s reign. And they still go weak in the knees when Reagan’s name is mentioned aloud.
Republicans claim that they want a smaller, less powerful government, then gorge military and law enforcement with every dollar and every honor that they can. While screaming about how dangerous big government is, Republicans are desperate to provide inexhaustible resources to the parts of the government that actually have the ability to take your freedom.
While proclaiming how much they love individual liberty, Republicans side with the government every time government agents beat or shoot some suspect. Liberty loving Republicans will curse the government for prohibiting dumping toxins in a river, then claim “He should have complied!” is a good enough reason for the government to kill a person.
From where I sit, it looks like both Democrats and Republicans love big, powerful government. Both parties want to give more money and power to the government, they just have different agendas for how the government should use those resources.
I don’t think I could disagree more that the military is the part of government with the greatest ability to take your freedom away. I know ‘who’ serves in the military, I’m not worried at all about them ‘pulling’ on the American people. Bureaucrats, on the other hand, are actively working every day to eat away at your freedoms. I also can’t believe you went with ‘the Republicans want dirty air and water’ canard.
You are making an attempt at a straw man argument there. I didn’t say “Republicans want dirty air and water”. Republicans do (and should) complain about regulatory overreach. On the principle of free markets, and/or as a result of a cost/benefit analysis, republicans sometimes fight environmental regulations that could provide actual environmental protection. I am not criticizing that. I am criticizing a group of people who says that they believe in limited, restrained government, yet never fails to give more money and power to the two forceful elements of the government. We both agree that bureaucracy and regulation are a frightful theft of liberty. But without law enforcement, those regulations are just suggestions. Republicans do not show any willingness to cast a shadow of doubt or any form or restraint on those armed government branches that turn regulations into force and violence.