Wealth Transfer

That's the phrase we liberals need to start using to describe the U.S. military presence in Iraq and Medicare "reform," among other things. Also the Administration's attempt at Social Security "reform," although I agree with Paul Krugman when he argues that the true goal of movement conservatives is to dismantle the system, because they ideologically oppose it.

We can't have people thinking that government can actually improve their lives or anything, because those in power are interested in holding on to it. People might start thinking that all kinds of change and progress are possible, including food and medical care for all and even world peace. Which would really fuck up the economy, and run counter to the transformation of our country into a third world consumer plantation.*

(This isn't my idea; I borrowed it from Bill Hicks. Even though he died more than a decade ago, these catchphrases are more relevant than ever.)

As my husband pointed out to me, where there's a plantation, there's always a big house. A movement conservative is one who intends to live in it.