The fundamental contradiction with Republicans in power:

[EstimatedProphet]

Government is by definition a public interest. It is management of public goods. How do you run apublic interest based on self-interest?

[mikeytherat]

1. Republicans like to say, "Government doesn't work."

Then they get elected and prove it.

mikey_the_rat

[EstimatedProphet]

3. Yeah, basically

I know my OP was a no duh statement, but I think sometimes the meaning can get lost.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. My Friend's Been Saying That For Years

Basically he's saying what you said. "Why would you want people running the gov't when they say gov't is bad at everything?" is his basic theme. They don't make a qualifier that they could do it better. They simply rail that private industry is ALWAYS better and gov't is no good. And like you said, they try hard to prove it.
The Professor

[mikeytherat]

7. Prof, they don't NEED to try - they have an innate ability to f**k up

It's something they are born with - like fish swimming or birds flying.

mikey_the_rat

[ProfessorGAC]

9. Yeah, You're Right!

I didn't mean to imply that they are making an effort. I wouldn't even think such a thing! But, i think it might be part and parcel that someone who thinks they can only do it wrong are going to do it wrong!

Long time no chat, Mikey.
The Professor

[mikeytherat]

11. It's quite an amazing feat - one I wish we study scientifically

instead of having to live through.

El Presidente is the most amazing example of this. I swear that a cloud of negative karma follows that boy around like dust follows Pigpen. I have always believed that if a project, any project, has a projected chance of success of 99%, as long as that 1% chance for failure involves GWB in any way, shape, or form, the project is doomed to failure (and I'd bet serious money on that outcome). He truly is the Anti-matter Midas - everything he touches turns to shit.

mikey_the_rat

(edited for typo)

[ProfessorGAC]

6. Dupe

.

[sweetheart]

2. royal families and tyrants have done it across history

They don't see any public interest, only their own in a public not rebelling.

[neoblues]

4. Self AND Corporate interests...

Government of Republicans by Republicans for Corporations and the Wealthy.

[Zero Division]

8. They run it for the interests of the powerful in the guise of public interest.

Look how the sell things like social security privatization or their Medicare prescription drug benefit plan. These programs are exactly that, programs created to look like they favor the public interests that are really just sops to the Republicans' powerful financial benefactors. I've always thought the Republican motto should be "For the benefit of the few to the detriment of the many".

[tanyev]

10. They run on a platform of getting rid of government and then many

of the people who vote for them are horrified when that actually starts happening.


:shrug: