<p>Dadx nailed it - the Democrats pushed many conservative Democrats who will not go for many left-wing causes. Notice how no Democrat was saying how they want to register firearms or confiscate pistols, for example?</p>
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<p>As far as I can tell “San Francisco values” mosty consist of a devotion to cable cars, sourdough bread, Rice-a-Roni, and disdain for Southern California. Funny thing is, in the Bay Area Pelosi is not regarded as the Wicked Witch of the Left that so many Republicans fear and hate. She’s viewed as much more of a progessive yet practical leader, tempering the far left wing excess and focusing on getting the job done more than simply fighting ideological battles.</p>
<p>I think that’s the point, though. A “moderate Democrat” in San Francisco is still way to the left of most of the country, geographically and politically. (Not a problem for me, but I don’t expect the Foxes to lay off it.)</p>
<p>""Nancy Pelosi is a committed secular progressive who embraces San Francisco values. Those are: a massive federal government that dispenses entitlements paid for primarily by affluent Americans. That is called income redistribution, or the shorthand: “tax the rich.”</p>
<p>YES! (pumps fists in the air.) ;)</p>
<p>Stay the course.</p>
<p>I did not leave the Republican party, the party left me. It headed further and further to the right with the social agenda, primarily descimating individual rights to privacy. I watched with chagrin as the party kept trying to legislate values and morality and meddle in my personal choices and shoved their right values down my throat. I did not want my political party to be dictated by religious ideology. It was NOT fun to be a republican any more. This election showed me that I am not alone. Many, many republicans feel desserted by their party. Hopefully, future candidates will stop believing that their “base” is led by Pat Robertson, Rush Limbaugh and a host of other far-right ideologues. The Dems should also take note…most of America is somewhere in the center and pandering to the far left is only going to get them tossed out again in the next go-round. Like him or not Lieberman is a prime example…</p>
<p>"That is called income redistribution, or the shorthand: “tax the rich.”</p>
<p>ANd who decides who is rich? Who gave anyone the right to redistribute income? Income is not wealth, it is earned by people getting up and going to work every day. My husband is a garbage man and I’m a lowly administrator, but together we make a lot of money. He has a six-day work week in the elements, battling rats and bugs, and I have a sixty-hour work week. We made this choice for our family and are grateful to go to work every day and earn an honest living. It makes me crazed that people think they have the right to take what we earn. As if someone else needs it more or is entitled to it.</p>
<p>blucroo - I haven’t left the Republican Party…but I’m not voting straight Republican anymore. I voted for Perry for governor, for Kay for US Senate and against Dan Patrick for Texas Senate…</p>
<p>For once, I think I agree with you on something. Your assessment of the extremes in both the Republican Party and Democratic Party is spot on. Both parties need to figure out what most Americans want…and the majority of Americans who find extremism reprehensible need to SPEAK UP.</p>
<p>It’s not Republicans or Democrats who are evil… both should realize that their common enemy is EXTREMISM.</p>
<p>And I do like Joe Lieberman…a lot.</p>
<p>Zooz,</p>
<p>Don’t be so sure it will be you. That’s what you’ve been told to scare you in a certain direction. It’s like the elimination of the estate tax stuff. Unless you have millions ( and that’s millions with a heavy “s” on the end) you’re not going to feel much if any. And even if you had millions with the heavy “s”, there are dozens of ways to minimize tax obligations. </p>
<p>Heck even W. Buffett spoke on pbs the other day about taxes. Things are already in place that if he wanted to, he would never have to pay a dollar in taxes again. There have always been ways for people to minimize taxes, you just have to use them. Wait and see. Then maybe we’ll complain together.</p>
<p>“Who gave anyone the right to redistribute income?”</p>
<p>That’s what corporate socialism does. Who’s talking about “rights”? It’s standard issue.</p>
<p>But why just “income”? Corporate socialism expropriates ASSETS, and then makes income on those assets. Why would one leave illicitly gained assets untouched, and simply tax the income from them? I mean it is wonderful that we’ll be able to tax the income from Ken Lay’s estate and all…</p>
<p>Opie we make over $200k per year. We ALWAYS get hit.</p>
<p>I"m with you, zoosermom. What right do the Dems (AKA Socialists) have to decide who is “rich”? If H wants to work the hours he does, make great money and leave it to our children and grandchildren, why should it be taxed not once, but twice? I fear that Charlie Rangel will now do what he’s always wanted to, repeal everything that GW has done tax break-wise. Good bye 529’s, etc…</p>
<p>dke, I had that nightmare last night too. I am really afraid that this will all hit as my daughters are in college. We simply can’t afford to pay that and a multi-thousand dollar tax hit. I’m not asking anyone to give me anything, just to leave me in peace to work hard and provide for my own family as I see fit.</p>
<p>JHS, those who have tried to use Pelosi as a voodoo doll are going to be seriously compromised after the country watches her as Speaker for a year. I’ve watched her navigate the Democratic caucus, which is akin to trying to herd a collection of long-tailed cats in a room full of rocking chairs and she’s not nearly the caricature of “San Francisco liberal” that Republican candidates and the Faux News noise machine would have you believe.</p>
<p>Aw, shucks! I LOVE her the way Faux Gnus portrays her.</p>
<p>Stay the course.</p>
<p>ZM, yes, I realize that many who have six figure household incomes believes that economic might makes right, e.g., let them eat cake. (N.B., not in urban SoCal, where a lower six-figure household income makes you middle middle-class.) I don’t enjoy paying taxes. I’d enjoy the effects of not paying them even less.</p>
<p>Did someone say GNU? <a href=“http://www.gnu.org/[/url]”>http://www.gnu.org/</a></p>
<p>mini! Are you a nerd, too? 
I have a book for you…</p>
<p>TD…a self-styled Pirate: a pirate down-on-his-luck the style that longs for more government assistance.</p>
<p>Sounds like pirating in the 21st century is something more akin to pan-handling.</p>
<p>That, Captain, is no bodice-ripper–and worse, that is no fun. You wouldn’t by chance be a Democrat would you?</p>
<p>“ZM, yes, I realize that many who have six figure household incomes believes that economic might makes right, e.g., let them eat cake”</p>
<p>Economic might? I live in NYC and we’re not mighty by any stretch of the imagination. Hardworking middle-class, non-college-educated people.</p>
<p>TheDad you are just too nasty with this comment
I’m pretty sure that zoosermom lives in NYC, which is even more expensive than So Cal. I don’t think she’s ever made any comment which would convey the idea that “might makes right.” Those of us in a higher income bracket, paying full fare, don’t feel rich.</p>
<p>Now that Speaker PE<em>LO</em>SI has so much power, I think you should protect your babies.</p>
<p>Stay the course.</p>