Your debating skills betray that you never attended college, much less studied “Poli-Sci 101″, so stop impersonating those who have.

I have a better reference for you “The Book of Isms (Capitalism, Communism, Fascism, Socialism, Libertarianism), 11th Edition”, which clearly defines these ideologies, their similarities / differences, their roots, progressions and demises, so know exactly what I am talking about on this subject.

He does.

This is the same person who has called democracy an “error” and who has pronounced himself in favor of a one-party rule, and a strong, authoritarian leader.

His fascistic rants are all over ThinkProgress…

It’s not just you. There is absolutely NOTHING appealing about this woman. May be why she has been single all her life.

If the “public opinion is wrong” according to who? To the Decider guy?

If you don’t think that public opinion should matter in setting policy, then you are not in favor of a democracy, you are in favor of a dictatorship. You do see the difference, don’t you?

1. An opinion poll results reflect facts: A fact is simply an observable and measurable phenonemon. A properly conducted poll will measure the attitudes of a particular population of people concerning an issue or belief. Thus, we know that the majority of Iraqis believe that killing American soldiers is acceptable. These feelings are a fact and an important fact to take into consideration in developing our foreign policy. It does not matter whether in fact it is wrong for insurgents to kill US soldiers. It is their opinion which creates more insurgents or terrorists. Opinion polls showed that a majority of Americans believed that Saddam had WMD even after the teams sent to Iraq had proven that fact to be false. Strong opinion did not suddenly create WMD in Iraq. However, it was a fact that a large number of Americans were either uneducated or misled concerning a very basic fact upon which continued support for the invasion of Iraq had been based.

2. Opinion polls should not change sound policy: Actually, it depends upon what policy you are talking about. The US must recover from the hatred that has arisen against it in the Middle East. The US has seen its “favorability” ratings continue downwards ever since its invasion and occupation of Iraq. Terrorism and insurgency only works with the support or tolerance of the populace in the area concerned. Turkey, which had the strongest approval ratings for the US (90%) now has the vast majority opposed to the policies of the US. Our misguided policy to disband the Iraqi military and De-Baathification of Iraq led to adverse public opinion as to the credibility of the United States and its motives in invading Iraq. Sounds like these opinions should have been listened to and incorporated in our administration of Iraq.

3. Polls only indicate a snapshot in time and should be ignored: We always hear this from those who are supporting a failed policy. However, there are very important policy considerations arising from a continued trend in public opinion. The longer a trend goes on, the more reliable it is as an indication of the mood of the people. In a democracy, such long term trends and the arrogance of a government ignoring the public concern is indeed troubling. Indeed, we saw a significant change in the congress due to the shift of public opinion. I doubt that the next president will be elected by supporting the Bush policy.

4. Huck’s statement about the United States foreign policy are true. The administration has had a bunker mentality. Indeed, its shrill, if not hysterical insistence that anyone who disagrees with their policy wants the US to lose, supports the terrorists or hates the country. Retired Generals and retired diplomats from previous Democratic and Republican administrations have noted the inability of this administration to exhibit intellectual curiosity on essential foreign policy issues or willingness to invite a diversity of opinions in discussions.

The US has gone it alone. Look at the alliance during Desert Storm and compare that to the pathetic “coallition of the willing.” Yes, the US has moderated some of its foreign policy positions, but only because of the constant rebuffs that it has received from other countries.

So Condi, if we are not “going it alone”, tell us who we are going with. Who is backing us up. Who is defending us? Who will be there if we need help. I’m pretty sure the answer to all those questions is no one.

NOW it’s not a go-it-alone policy? That implies that it once was… and the current state of affairs is due to that policy, whether currently in place or not.

The US has a representative form of government, INTENDED as a buffer to changing public opinion. This government does NOT respond to opinion polls, but DOES respond to ELECTIONS. In 2006, through hype, hiding of Reid and Pelosi, and ballot box stuffing in major cities, you managed to take a majority in both the House and Senate. Since then, they are now polling lower than any Congress in history, but haven’t changed their behaviours, so you see, ONLY elections matter.

Sooo…. Get out of your missile proof limousine and join the throngs of people in the streets of the world cheering your policies.

Comment by StratRat — December 21, 2007 @ 2:21 pm

This is a remarkable statement, StratRat. Public opinion in the South opposed desegregation, and it was clearly wrong.

We do indeed elect representatives. We are a Republic, not a Democracy.

Paying no attention to public opinion is as bad a leadership style as paying too much.

Comment by Frank M

But public opinion cannot be ‘wrong’. If it is our considered opinion, then it is correct. It is up to our employees to change course and match up with that opinion – not work against it.

BTW – In America, we don’t elect ‘leaders’. We elect representatives. Leader is a word used by authoritarians to force a class structure on the people. Our representatives work for us – we don’t report to them.

Comment by Frank M — December 21, 2007 @ 2:07 pm

Ooooh, look at the shiny lure!

Thanks for stalking me just the same, though. It’s a delightful (secular)holiday treat. Maybe there is a Santa, after all.