[headsonpikes]

Every economic system has its strengths and weaknesses. Liberals tend to think that the best economic system is capitalism tempered with some socialism, such as in medical insurance. But we've got no illusions that that's a perfect system either. Every economic system can and will be abused by those who know how to work it.

Let me be frank.

IMHO, your posts demonstrate a naivete about the possibility of melding free human action with socialism in any guise.

To me, the clear evidence of history is that the state has the skills and power to kill and destroy, but not to nurture or create.

But that's okay - that's all I, as a conservative, can ask the state to do!

It's you guys who have the problem of reconciling the sordid realities of the human experience wth your 'ideals'.

[Visiting Liberal]

Here's a puzzle for you, then. If the state only has the "power to kill and destroy," why exactly are we in Iraq at the moment? We seem to be engaged in a nation-building exercise using the tool least suited to the task - i.e., the state.

Now, as it stands I actually agree with you on some levels. However, I firmly believe we, in this country, have succeeded in creating the best possible state, as it's the first to be by, of, and for the people. The worst thing that could happen would be if that stopped being the case.