RE: virus: political memes

Gifford, Nathan F (giffon@SDCPOS3B.DAYTONOH.ncr.com)
Wed, 19 Aug 1998 08:58:06 -0400


The memes I see on this thread are the filters we choose to interpret
events. In other words ... spin. The arguments ----------
The TThe I see between "conservative" and "liberal" are in my
mind symptoms of the same infection. I would contend that the political
system "corrupts" by its nature. To remain "pure" in politics is to be a
iconoclast. If you accept this then representative democracy becomes an
exercise in self-evaluation. You must choose what issues are important to
you and vote accordingly.

My personal opinion is that the blow jobs, campaign contributions,
etc. etc. are small potatoes compared to the lowering of capital gains, the
underfunding of social security, or the defunding ... I mean reform ... of
medicaid. To see what I mean I recommend talking to people in their 50's
about their future. Here on the edges of the rust belt a lot of them are
getting laid off with minimum pensions and medical benefits. Again it is
my opinion <based on books like America: Who Pays The Taxes by Bartlett &
Steele and Take The Rich Off Welfare by Zepezauer & Naiman> that it is a
concerted effort by all politicians that is hurting these people.
Ironically they are as empowered as any group in the political arena. Its
memes that hide where our tax money is actually being spent - despite the
ready availability of this information - that keep the current group of
hypocrites and confidence men in office.

Number one issue for 1999? Flag burning of course.