I read the Conservative vs. Liberal one. I do buy his deconstruction of thinking patterns. Too bad both sides are so confused about/using the false analogy of the government being everyone's "parents". Gag.
The primary function of a family with children is to educate and socialize the children -- especially in this analogy. I'd say that the children (citizens) do not need to be, and in fact -- should NOT be, "educated" by the parent (government) in this case.
Yes, the 2 main functions of a government are to enforce the laws that prevent citizens from harming one another, and to work to prevent any outside forces from harming the citizens. But I'd say that's about where it ENDS. The government-as-parent analogy extends the responsibilities of the government over citizens much much farther. I'd say it was to the detriment of society as a whole.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2004-06-08 01:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-06-08 01:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-06-08 05:37 pm (UTC)The primary function of a family with children is to educate and socialize the children -- especially in this analogy.
I'd say that the children (citizens) do not need to be, and in fact -- should NOT be, "educated" by the parent (government) in this case.
Yes, the 2 main functions of a government are to enforce the laws that prevent citizens from harming one another, and to work to prevent any outside forces from harming the citizens. But I'd say that's about where it ENDS.
The government-as-parent analogy extends the responsibilities of the government over citizens much much farther. I'd say it was to the detriment of society as a whole.
no subject
Date: 2004-06-09 09:13 am (UTC)Anyway you'll never get people who believe in a bogeyman in the sky (which is most of america) not to see govt-as-parents....