Will the anti-government liberals ever make a comeback?

[Mr. Illini]

As conservatives trend toward a more right-libertarian stance and liberals trend toward a more pro-government populist stance, I wonder (and cry) over what will happen to the anti-government liberal faction.

I'm thinking along the lines of the hippies, or, if you are familiar, George Carlin.

I consider myself to be a moderate liberal, but one that is also skeptical of government. I'm not very keen on the type of liberalism that puts full faith and trust in government to fix everything. I do believe in public healthcare but I don't believe in a massive state because I acknowledge what is right in front of all of our faces --- government can be bought by the rich and used against the rest of society.

So I ask, where has the anti-government liberal gone, and will they make a comeback and take back their party? Perhaps when the GOP takes the Presidency again, or perhaps not in this era? Thoughts?

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

When there's a Republican in office.

[courts]

no but support for so called 'small government conservatism' (whatever that is) is literally dying off

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

When there's a Republican in office.

This, basically.

[Cassius]

no but support for so called 'small government conservatism' (whatever that is) is literally dying off

It's pretty much the traditional ideology of the right (at least in the English speaking world) that simply keeps re-emerging in different forms.

[courts]

no but support for so called 'small government conservatism' (whatever that is) is literally dying off

It's pretty much the traditional ideology of the right (at least in the English speaking world) that simply keeps re-emerging in different forms.

lol no

[Cassius]

no but support for so called 'small government conservatism' (whatever that is) is literally dying off

It's pretty much the traditional ideology of the right (at least in the English speaking world) that simply keeps re-emerging in different forms.

lol no

So, when has the traditional ideology of the right been supportive of expanding the size of the government in all forms, as opposed to very selectively.

[courts]

no but support for so called 'small government conservatism' (whatever that is) is literally dying off

It's pretty much the traditional ideology of the right (at least in the English speaking world) that simply keeps re-emerging in different forms.

lol no

So, when has the traditional ideology of the right been supportive of expanding the size of the government in all forms, as opposed to very selectively.

implying 'the right' uses that language outside of the us. also the main reasons for that language (re: race) are still largely specific to the us even if 'welfare chauvinism' is somewhat of variation on that. obviously i'm no leftist either. or it should be obvious, i'm not sure if you know me

[Deus Naturae]

When there's a Republican in office.

This, basically.

[Napoleon]

When there's a Republican in office.

[badgate]

George Carlin freaks me out.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Defining one's ideology as "anti" or "pro" government is utterly stupid.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The left may be going pro-gov't but it is most certainly more elitist than populist at this juncture for one thing.


Keep in mind that after the defeat of McCain, the party was seen as going the Mike Huckabee route. Then Obama came along and the party firmly reasserted itself in a more libertarian direction.

no but support for so called 'small government conservatism' (whatever that is) is literally dying off

It's pretty much the traditional ideology of the right (at least in the English speaking world) that simply keeps re-emerging in different forms.

lol no

So, when has the traditional ideology of the right been supportive of expanding the size of the government in all forms, as opposed to very selectively.

Prior to the Progressive Era, Conservatism was defined as being a more pro-gov't movement as necessitated by the environment at the time (wilderness, pirates, natives, no bridges on any major rivers etc, mob rule and the anarchy of the French Revolution) in opposition to Classical Liberals (think Hamilton/Adams versus Jefferson).

[Ban my account ffs!]

Einzige?

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Einzige?

My second thought.

[H. Ross Peron]

Defining one's ideology as "anti" or "pro" government is utterly stupid.

[Indy Texas]

As conservatives trend toward a more right-libertarian stance and liberals trend toward a more pro-government populist stance, I wonder (and cry) over what will happen to the anti-government liberal faction.

I'm thinking along the lines of the hippies, or, if you are familiar, George Carlin.

I consider myself to be a moderate liberal, but one that is also skeptical of government. I'm not very keen on the type of liberalism that puts full faith and trust in government to fix everything. I do believe in public healthcare but I don't believe in a massive state because I acknowledge what is right in front of all of our faces --- government can be bought by the rich and used against the rest of society.

So I ask, where has the anti-government liberal gone, and will they make a comeback and take back their party? Perhaps when the GOP takes the Presidency again, or perhaps not in this era? Thoughts?

It's not a trend, it's what happens when we live in a polarized country full of hacks. The party out of power is going to be the "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism!" party and the party in power is going to be the "Stand by our president/Why do you want America to fail?" party.

[Cryptic]

Defining one's ideology as "anti" or "pro" government is utterly stupid.

[Mordecai]

As conservatives trend toward a more right-libertarian stance and liberals trend toward a more pro-government populist stance, I wonder (and cry) over what will happen to the anti-government liberal faction.

So I ask, where has the anti-government liberal gone, and will they make a comeback and take back their party? Perhaps when the GOP takes the Presidency again, or perhaps not in this era? Thoughts?

Have you not heard of Democracy Now, Code Pink and the Green Party? I think it's very telling that you conflate liberals and Democrats, it shows how skewed your view here is.