For those we lost, We will not forget 09/11/2001 “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
— The Continental Congress, July 4, 1776

“The task of statesmanship has always been the re-definition of these rights in terms of a changing and growing social order.”
— Franklin D. Roosevelt (Commonwealth Club Address, 1932)

“Roosevelt was wrong! The principles laid down in the Declaration of Independence are the principles of individual liberty. Our unalienable rights, given to us by God are given to us as individuals. Our rights do not come from society or the government, and they cannot be redefined by politicians. The nature of these rights carries with it the implication of individual responsibility, without which we surrender them.”
— Perri Nelson, November 6, 2008

Framing the terms of the debate

Published Thu, Feb 1 2007 8:17 PM
Technorati Tags: Democrats

Recently there was a big stink about the use of the word "democrat" in the state of the union address. Apparently democrats objected to it.

I suppose it comes down to something that seems to be common when we talk about the democrats and the left in general. They want to choose the terms we use.

That makes sense in a way. If you choose the words, you can influence the way people think. They've chosen to call themselves the "democratic" party, as if only they believe in democracy.

Now that Hugo "I smell sulfur" Chavez' supporters have helped to clear up a misconception I've had most of my adult life, I guess I can see their point. After all, "socialism is democracy" according to the socialists in Venezuela. And all this time I thought that the two were pretty much mutually exclusive.

I was obviously wrong. If you look at the major goals and ideals behind socialism, you'll find that they nicely dovetail with the democratic platform.

I don't believe in socialism, despite the fact that it exists. So I guess, I don't believe in democracy, at least not the way they do in Venezuela, or apparently in the democratic party.

No wonder they get upset over "ic".

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