I agree with SV on a number of issue.
Right-wing is not libertarian. Never has been and never will. You can see by how badly Rand Paul is doing. And how often many here disagree with his smaller government, smaller army, less global intervention and truly libertarian ideas have caught on. They don't, plain and simple.
And while all that is happening, Donald Trump is running on a Nationalist platform that is garnering 40% of the electorate. There is nothing "small government" about Nationalism. Nothing.
While I'm not going to be stupid like some liberals and tell you Trump is the 2nd coming of Hitler (that is a huge reach), anyone that doesn't see the political beliefs are based in the same fundamentals is kidding themselves. Personally, I'm fine with a Nationalist running for office. The last decade has clearly led to its rise and there is nothing to be ashamed of on that. But let's call a spade a spade. Almost all of Trumps platform policies are based in Nationalism.
And Cruz, who is running on a traditional American conservatism policy, isn't really this huge advocate for smaller government. He still wants huge military spending and states to have huge leeway in their ability to control the lives of their citizens. And he clearly interprets the constitution in ways he sees to benefit himself, his party and those that think alike with him. It amazes me that Cruz seems to know the law so well thinks passing a law that will protect bigotry behind religious freedom won't mostly be used by non-christians. Any law you pass that protects Kim Davis will be damn well used more by Muslims to practice Sharia that christians against gay marriage. The legal system can't only apply it to Christians and everyone here know that.
But whatever. I'm off on a tangent.
The modern Republican party in the mold of Reagan is not small government. That's for sure. And that's fine, I guess. The days of small government are probably long gone in this country.
I have said this before and I'll say it again. Where Hillary is going to win this election is when she has ole' Bill stand up in front of everyone at the Democratic National Convention and softens all of the so-called super liberal tendencies of Hillary Clinton. She is most poised to use Bill to reach the moderate voters. And while they don't mean **** now, during the primary season, come next November they will be the deciding factor in who governs this country.
While the rise of European politics in the form of Sanders and Trump has been interesting to watch, I still suspect the more traditional American candidates in Clinton and Cruz will end up the nominees. And while Cruz will certainly cause a ruckus and he'll get this entire FOX NEWS board riled up to his cause, I suspect Clinton will win the key states needed for victory in places like Florida, Ohio, New Hampshire, Colorado and Nevada.
As much as you guys want it to be true, you are not going to change the political winds of this country that much. The improving economy is still the biggest force in election politics and there are so many that won't read a damn thing from now until November but will be happy to have steady jobs an okay salary and $2 gasoline and just vote status quo. You all know it's going to happen.
