Im proud to be un-American. Count it as rubbish. Being all things to all people for the gospel sake.

[RDKirk]

The Lord helps those who help themselves. Don't think for a minute there aren't wealthy taxpayers who would take your benefit away if they could.
And RD, I agree no politician is perfect--but occasionally one can be so imperfect as to be a catastrophic choice.

I'm trying to figure out which one is less likely to jack up the country beyond recovery in four years.

One will flood the government with Marxists, the other will flood the government with fascists.

I haven't decided yet which would be less recoverable.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

I'm trying to figure out which one is less likely to jack up the country beyond recovery in four years.

One will flood the government with Marxists, the other will flood the government with fascists.

I haven't decided yet which would be less recoverable.

Biden will continue neo liberal politics. Who are the fascists Trump will put in positions of power? For any Trump presidency to be successful he will need to purge the existing beuracracy in order to effectively rule. I don't think he has it in him though.

 

[Fantine]

By "Marxist" I'm assuming you mean Socialist.

The only two legislators I know who call themselves "Democratic Socialists" are AOC and Bernie. And, TBT, we could enact every supposed "socialist" program they are proposing and still be far less socialist than most of the countries of Western Europe (you know, the ones who are always listed as the happiest places on earth in the studies.)

When conservatives call a program like the Affordable Care Act--which is so tied to for-profit insurance and private industry it's nowhere near as affordable as it should be--"socialism," I almost think it would be like calling a bakery cake "dog food."

There is far too much labeling by people who know less than nothing about the product to believe that when a conservative calls Biden (let's say) a Socialist they know what they're talking about.

On the other hand, there are progressives who have called Trump a fascist. But read his interview with TIME Magazine (transcripts are available with direct quotes). They call him a fascist because when he describes his proposed policies and programs they are a pretty good match to what fascism actually is.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

.

On the other hand, there are progressives who have called Trump a fascist. But read his interview with TIME Magazine (transcripts are available with direct quotes). They call him a fascist because when he describes his proposed policies and programs they are a pretty good match to what fascism actually is.

Define fascism here as applies to Trump and what kind of fascism he is using

 

[RDKirk]

By "Marxist" I'm assuming you mean Socialist.

The only two legislators I know who call themselves "Democratic Socialists" are AOC and Bernie. And, TBT, we could enact every supposed "socialist" program they are proposing and still be far less socialist than most of the countries of Western Europe (you know, the ones who are always listed as the happiest places on earth in the studies.)

When conservatives call a program like the Affordable Care Act--which is so tied to for-profit insurance and private industry it's nowhere near as affordable as it should be--"socialism," I almost think it would be like calling a bakery cake "dog food."

There is far too much labeling by people who know less than nothing about the product to believe that when a conservative calls Biden (let's say) a Socialist they know what they're talking about.

On the other hand, there are progressives who have called Trump a fascist. But read his interview with TIME Magazine (transcripts are available with direct quotes). They call him a fascist because when he describes his proposed policies and programs they are a pretty good match to what fascism actually is.

No, by Marxist I mean people who are sold into Critical Theory ideology of one kind or another: Critical Race Theory, Critical Gender Theory (Radical Feminism), Critical Queer Theory, and a few other Critical Theory variations. DEI is, for instance, based on Critical Theory...they say so. Read their curriculums. It's not a secret, it just requires reading their seminal documents. Critical Theory is just ivory tower Marxism...and the Critical Theorists say so openly as well. They've merely removed the economic aspects of Marxism so that the basic concepts can be applied to other areas.

I'm not calling Biden himself a Marxist, nor am I calling Trump himself a fascist, but those are the people who are finding shelter under their respective umbrellas.

 

[Fantine]

Since these are college level. even graduate level subjects (despite red state attempts to say kindergarten teachers are indoctrinating 5 year-olds) most people haven't studied them enough to be well-versed (and that includes me). TBT, kindergarten teachers are so busy conducting stranger drills and pancake drills for fear of school shooters I am surprised they have time to indoctrinate children.

 

[RDKirk]

Define fascism here as applies to Trump and what kind of fascism he is using

Classical fascism--as defined by the theorists of fascism themselves when they invented it--involves three concepts:

1. Mythological nationalism: The creation of a national mythology in which one people group is the basis, heart, and heir to the nation, formerly perfectly pure, but now adulterated and needing new perfection. In Nazism, these are called the Volk. This is considered a spiritual characteristic embodying not only the living of these people but also their dead ancestors.

2. Organicism: The concept that the individual wills of the citizens of that nation (in Naziism, the Volk) are to be subsumed into a single national will. This was the concept displayed in Leni Riefenstahl's "Triumph of the Will," meaning the triumph of the national will over that of the individual.

3. Absolutism: The concept that the national will can be embodied and expressed by a single individual, what the Nazis called the fuhrerprinzip, a single inspired leader.

This is the MAGA ideology.

 

[HopeSings]

So if it came to a choice between Satan and God you'd be neutral? How far do you extend this neutrality? How far do you chose to not be part of the world? Have you given up eating? Given up relationships?

I avoid the enemies traps. Thus I'm apolitical.

 

[HopeSings]

Since these are college level. even graduate level subjects (despite red state attempts to say kindergarten teachers are indoctrinating 5 year-olds) most people haven't studied them enough to be well-versed (and that includes me). TBT, kindergarten teachers are so busy conducting stranger drills and pancake drills for fear of school shooters I am surprised they have time to indoctrinate children.

I have God's spirit or the mind of Christ.

 

[FireDragon76]

I'm saying that God supplies Christians needs.

Yes, but he does so through earthly means. This is what we used to call in my Lutheran church a "sacramental worldview". In a modern context, participation in the political process is part of social responsibility, and therefore not optional, according to ones specific aptitudes and vocations.

 

[HopeSings]

Yes, but he does so through earthly means. This is what we used to call in my Lutheran church a "sacramental worldview". In a modern context, participation in the political process is part of social responsibility, and therefore not optional, according to ones specific aptitudes and vocations.

So in your view I'm a sinner because i don't have an option. I must engage in politics or im a sinner to you. Politics divides us. It's not holy.

 

[HopeSings]

Yes, but he does so through earthly means. This is what we used to call in my Lutheran church a "sacramental worldview". In a modern context, participation in the political process is part of social responsibility, and therefore not optional, according to ones specific aptitudes and vocations.

Luther was unwise to turn God's house of prayer into a divided house of democrats and Republicans who don't abide in Jesus as one heart and mind

 

[FireDragon76]

Luther was unwise to turn God's house of prayer into a divided house of democrats and Republicans who don't abide in Jesus as one heart and mind

Luther didn't do that, people in general do that. Divisions are inevitable as long as we live in a fallen world. But that doesn't mean we aren't responsible for participating in civil society.

 

[HopeSings]

Luther didn't do that, people in general do that. Divisions are inevitable as long as we live in a fallen world. But that doesn't mean we aren't responsible for participating in civil society.

Civil society of politics are not the mind of Christ

 

[FireDragon76]

Civil society of politics are not the mind of Christ

The mind of Christ involves caring for our neighbor, one way we do that is participating in civil society and working for the common good.

 

[FireDragon76]

So in your view I'm a sinner because i don't have an option. I must engage in politics or im a sinner to you. Politics divides us. It's not holy.

If you don't have an option, then it's not part of your individual vocation.

We are all sinners. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

 

[HopeSings]

The mind of Christ involves caring for our neighbor, one way we do that is participating in civil society and working for the common good.

I don't feel the love in division. We deceive ourselves

 

[FireDragon76]

I don't feel the love in division. We deceive ourselves

Being a Democrat or Republican (or Independent) in politics doesn't require one to be tribalistic.

 

[Richard T]

I'm proud to be American. Live overseas for a time and you likely will be too. Admittedly it is going downhill. But the passport gets you just about anywhere, the standard of living is still relatively good and America still stands against injustices. America, through God holds much of the world together. Without the USA freedoms would be at great risk. America has been part of God's salt for the world. Perfect no, but far decent than other large countries or regions.

What would the world be like without America? (just to name a few)
Taiwan would be taken over.
the Philippines would be encroached on.
The global food supply could be endangered.
Innovation would be stifled
the free exercise of religion suppressed
Israel would be in far more serious danger.
The entire monetary system would be far worse.
the move to a global government would be so much stronger.

There might come a day when America is really falling short but for now the obligations and privileges still stand for the most part. God bless those that fought for our liberty and created a Constitution that has worked far better than most. I can see where a short-time view seems to see America struggling, but there is quite a bit of the core left. Of course a Christian puts God first, and America's failing to a point can be blamed on churches not on politics. God makes any nation great. People just have to follow.

 

[HopeSings]

Being a Democrat or Republican (or Independent) in politics doesn't require one to be tribalistic.

Christ isn't divided.