by J.M. Schell

Created on: August 18, 2008

In this political season, Americans may be hearing the bromide, "there are no differences between these guys and the others!"

Hogwash. While it's true that once they get to D.C., many politicians are happy to be buddy-buddy with the enemy, many others are not. And the ideals between left and right, liberal and conservative, Democrat and Republican are separated by a huge, growing and today, virtually impassable chasm. And we're not talking necessarily about the loony left and loony right (though on one side of the chasm the loons may be the mainstream).

Once upon a time, while left and right were vehemently divided on many issues, they were not divided on the primary issue of protecting and building America. Today, on issues from the economy, to the environment to energy, to foreign affairs, the left and right in America are indistinguishable from warring cultures, utterly foreign to one another. One side seems intent upon ripping down and destroying America, is eager to air any and all American dirty laundry, and unable to move out of the past. The other is desperately (and often failing) attempting to introduce some level of rationality to the issues of the day while trying to maintain America's primacy in the world. Both are separated by this chasm and one side is working very hard to widen it in order to strengthen it's power and control.

It would be bad enough if this were just politicians, screaming at each other across the aisle in Washington, D.C. Through advocacy education and media systems, intent on convincing every American to think the "right" way, virtually anyone in the country who is paying attention is radicalized: either you are with us, or agin' us! On any issue of importance, there is no longer any common ground, no room for compromise and no indication the problem will ever get better.

Some of the differences between American Liberals and Conservatives. See if you can tell which is which!

1.The collective The individual
2.Wallow in the past Look to the future
3.Blame Forgiveness
4.Quotas Merit
5.Failed Keynesian economics Evolving modern economics
6.Command economy Demand economy
7.Regulations Markets
8.Social coercion Volunteerism
9.Welfare Charity
10.Social programs Individual responsibility
11.Wealth redistribution Wealth creation
12.Environmental purity Environmental responsibility
13.Equality of species Pass the steak sauce!
14.Masculize women,
feminize men Vive la difference!
15.Self-esteem Competition
16.Foreign aid Foreign investment
17.Equality of outcome Equality of opportunity
18.Hope for peace Peace through strength
19.Coercive government Limited government
20.Emoting Thinking
21.Capital punishment
is murder Murder is murder
22.American inferiority American primacy
23.Slogans, platitudes,
screeds & bromides Reason, rationality,
logic & thought.

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