Talk Elections

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/29/most-support-dadt-end-but_n_789122.html

Yeah, so out of touch.

That's all adults.  Among teabaggers it's only 38%.

Always helps to RTFA, you know.

I know.

So you're saying that a 20-point deficit between teabaggers and normal people is not a sign of them being out of touch?  (I assumed your initial statement was sarcastic.  That's your usual delivery.)

The Tea Party isn't taking a stance on the issue.  People who call themselves members of the Tea Party may be opposed, but the Tea Party organizations aren't exactly focusing on DADT.

Nobody in this thread, the article, or the Pew poll has thus far claimed otherwise.

20 points difference on a politicized issue is not a lot. This thread has been such a disappointment.

I know... just a preemptive note.

And there's an even greater gulf between Democratic partisans and the general public on affirmative action.  Your point?

As well as a greater rift between hard-left progressives -- like the kind who support slavery mandatory national service -- and the public.

As well as a larger percentage of Democrats are pro-choice than the general public.

A 20% difference isn't really a lot. It'd be strange, in a two-party system, if people in one party shared the views of the average voter.

Because we all know that gay issues are the only ones the American public really cares about.  And they are the most important priority, ahead of the economy, jobs, taxes, the deficit and everything else.

Umm, it's the right wing who usually support conscription ::)

Most cases I can think of its more often the left supporting conscription. Lincoln, Wilson, FDR (started the first peacetime draft), LBJ.

Here are a few other countries with conscription:
Bolivia
Moldova
China
Russia
Venezuela
Pretty much all of N. Africa
Brazil
Vietnam

There are some right-wing countries that use conscription, but they are in the minority. 

Who includes Lincoln or Wilson on the "left wing"? Or most of Northern Africa, Brazil, or Russia for that matter.

Ok, ignore the others for a moment, please explain how Wilson was right-wing? And please do not just say because he was racist.

He might not be "right wing" but he's certainly not "left wing".

Wilson was both an enemy of the radical left and a conciliator to it at the same time. A staunch social conservative and a stark raving populist at the same time.

I wouldn't call him right-wing either, since I don't subscribe to the popular version of the right-left bit of fun, but its really just a question of what sort of model for the right-left dichotomy you are using. The typical one in use by rightists today ignores too much of the actual origins of the dichotomy.

Uh...most people who support conscription in the US tend to be economic leftists.

Protip: If you're going to make such an incredibly subjective claim like that, please at least provide some details and/or evidence to back it up. If you want some advice, PM me.

Rahm Emmanuel, Charles Rangel, Internet liberals?

Cite?

I'm an economic leftist, and I disagree with all of those on at least 60% of economic issues.

I didn't say all economic leftists support compulsory national service.  I'm saying that supporters of compulsory national service tend to be leftists.

Define national service... just curious :)

It was Jimmy Carter who pardoned the draft dodgers.

Jimmy Carter was the guy who brought back selective service registration after it had been indefinitely suspended, over the opposition of people like Senator Mark Hatfield.

Therefore, Jimmy Carter is an evil fascist warmonger!

Being forced by the government to dig holes, plant trees, or pick up garbage for two years, for example.

Fair enough - I think Kathleen Kennedy-Townsend's community service component of HS graduation was a good thing... a few hours here and there helping others is hardly fascism (especially since they chose how they did it). Then go off to college and think 'hey, helping others is a good thing' or 'hey... it's MY time, I can return to being a selfish prick now'

I have volunteered for years, it's a great thing to do... but you really shouldn't be forced-forced.