i pose one question

[Goldensilence]

that i've been thinking about for a while...

what has conservatism brought us?

any progress?

any big thing to prop up their case upon?

anything that has furthered the cause of humanity?

[napi21]

1. No, but that's not their goal. n/t

[Broken_Hero]

2. nothing...

nothing that i have seen, except a huge rift in american life, culture and politics....well, i have to be fair, they might have done something good/positive, and perhaps i'm not aware of it...so, if they have, let me know.

[flordehinojos]

3. they have brought us a world of anally retained people, that's what

[Erika]

4. Conservatism under today's label has brought us

a banana republic worshiping the fundies God.

[Straight Shooter]

5. "A conservative is a person who, despite having two good legs,

is incapable of moving forward."

I don't know who originally said it, but it's the absolute truth. Frankly, I don't know why they're called conservatives, anyway. They waste everything.

[Marr]

6. A check for $300.

Of course, increased gas prices alone will swallow that. Cuts in services make it worse, as do harsh bankruptcy laws, no health care, the undermined domestic labor market, etc. And then it really only a loan anyway, and the $300 will be payed back.

So... less than nothing.

Republicans, cynics that they are, realize there are plenty of people out there who are selfish enough to sell out their country and their neighbors for a little tax cut. They also know those people are stupid enough to think they'll actually get to keep the money.

[unpossibles]

7. 2 things

1 - shaking me out of my brief complacency with politics-as-usual

2 - trickle-up economics. We get poorer; they get richer.

On the bright side, the local thrift stores have better stuff as the "conservatives" can afford to buy new now and get rid of their old stuff to write off their taxes.

[shockingelk]

8. Under Eisenhower ...

The top tax rate was like 90%.

The EPA was founded under Nixon, who many claim as our last liberal president.

[RaleighNCDUer]

9. That's why they venerate Reagan.

When the perfect storm of the Afghanistan War, the Solidarity movement and the internal rot of the soviet system combined to bring down the 'evil empire', Bonzo was president so they claimed that it was he who did it. It would have happened anyway, possibly even marginally earlier because they dug in their heels at his attacks. But nevermind that.

It's all they've got, and they're sticking with it.

That's what * is trying to do in Iraq; emulate his idol. Of course, he's fucking it up because Reagan never did it in the first place, so copying him would never work.

It's dangerous to believe your own propaganda.

[Richard Steele]

10. Nothing. They have FOUGHT all the "progress" they have ever seen.

My old sig line was a quote from George McGovern:
"Nothing inspiring has come from the conservative mind
since the age of John Adams"

And it's true. Not only have conservatives never initiated
any sort of "progress", they actually fought tooth and nail against
every one of the following "loony liberal" ideas:

The American Revolution
Abolition of slavery
Women's right to vote
Rural electrification
Child-labor laws
The "pure food and drug" laws
Collective Bargaining laws
Equal rights for non-caucasians
Workplace safety laws
Environmental protection laws
The interstate highway system
The Social Security system
Medicare
Medicaid
Taxpayer-funded public schooling
Alternative Energy
The Public Broadcasting System

I could go on, but you get the idea.

EVERY SINGLE THING which made this country the envy
of the world was conceived and executed
by people who were labelled as "liberal".

And they had to fight long and hard,
every step of the way, against the folks who
called themselves "conservative".

[B Calm]

11. All progress this country has was achieved by liberals dragging

cons who had their heels stuck hard in the mud.

[Clintmax]

12. Absolutely nothing...

except of course the hugest budget deficit EVER!