Comments on: Glimmers of Hope in the CA Special Election: The Vote Heard Around the World

By: Dat Nguyen

Dat Nguyen — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:54:02 +0000

Dan, I think you’re missing the gray and moderate zone here. Not all “liberals” thought the Tea Parties was a “right-wing conspiracy”. Network news sometimes just want to stir people up and get ratings. Most people I know thought the Tea Party was a very patriotic expression of concern for national interests. I am also concerned about the way our government is spending tax dollars. In these difficulties times, we are forced into uncomfortable policy maneuverings that should give anyone who is even mildly risk averse goosebumps.

The point here is that just because someone does not cling to the right all the time or the left all the time, does not make them inconsistent or wishy washy in their positions. Maybe they are just consistently in the middle … and I believe that is where most Americans lie. Yes, the extremes always make the loudest noise and take the most attention … but I believe most people are concerned about the basics in life.

To any extent … I appreciate your perspectives and passion to drive America in the right direction. It is the same spirit that drove many Americans to vote for Obama. The complexities of the world means there will always be different views … but if “rise of reason” is a genuine name … then rational reasoning should unite people at some common grounds. Cheers.

By: Dan Moody

Dan Moody — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:06:11 +0000

Dat, it was just over 1 month ago, on April 15th that people around the nation gathered at what they called “Tea Parties” to show their distaste for taxes, and to send a message to the government that it was time to stop the rampant spending which would ultimately put the United States government in the same position that the California government is in today.

On that day, April 15th, liberals across the country (including their news station – CNN) were bashing these Tea Parties as “conservative” propaganda trumped up by the vast right wing conspiracy, funded by deep-pocketed right-wing individuals and corporations.

So, why is it that when people went to the streets, that this was just some massive right-wing conspiracy and foolish, but when liberals in CA vote along the same lines as those who protested on April 15th, the ideas expressed on the April 15th now become “common sense” ideas?

It seems to me that there are some inconsistencies. Either the ideas that out-of-control spending is wrong and that high taxation is bad for the country are products of the vast right-wing conspiracy, or they are common sense. You can’t have it both ways.

By: Dat Nguyen

Dat Nguyen — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:56:14 +0000

Oh come on, Dan. People of at every political spectrum (liberal or conservative) have common sense. When times are good, we may have different ideas on what to do with the money. But when times are bad, everyone have common sense to see that balance budgeting and cuts are necessary. You make it sound as if these “liberals” are always bent on taxing everyone and somehow it’s a miracle that they managed to grasp the concept of a balanced budget and sacrifice.

At the core, most Americans I know are practical common sensed people. Although there are exceptions, most people are not so bent on enlarging social programs or so bent on enlarging national security programs that they fail to see the common national interests. I respect the American people for that, and that is why I have faith in our political processes.

This article, though educational, highlights to me the degree to which you over simplify and cartoonize folks with more liberal and progressive ideology. For me, even though I don’t agree with overly conservative ideologies, I also don’t think they are incompetent of passing common sense initiatives.