[davisfh]

"Speaking as a profoundly independent voter, classifying all-or the majority-or even an exceptionally high percentage of Democrats as " communists " is about as silly as picturing typical Republicans as "fascist, racist homophobes" the way a few, very vocal left-wingers do. "

Yes, you're right. The majority of the democratic voters aren't communists. They're just camp followers.

We only worry about the camp followers because they are the ones who put the communists into office. They (the camp followers) understand that they can use the government as an instrument of plunder and don't hesitate to do so. And the Democrat leadership fully understands how to keep the camp followers in their camp. Government largess at the productive taxpayers' expense.

[genefromjersey]

One of the reasons I remain independent is the simple fact Republicans have been ( historically ) just as avid to buy votes with the use of tax dollars : something that started in the days of Greece and Rome, and that has never lost popularity.

Me ? I believe in reasonable compassion - can't seem to help myself there !

When compassion becomes a cottage industry for giver and recipient, and well-meant assistance becomes an "entitlement", and when entitlements are used to buy voting blocs,compassion ceases to be anything but self-interest.

Unfortunately, I can remember when Wendell Wilkie ran against Franklin Roosevelt - and can also remember Wilkie tried to out-do Roosevelt in the special offers department ; but didn't quite have the charisma to win over the voters. I can remember Tom Dewey trying to look more like Santa Claus than Harry Truman, etc., etc.

'Tain't party label that makes the difference !