Why Silicon Valley is not the second coming of the Gilded Age

> Little "l" libertarianism has always had a tense relationship with the Republican party

It gets even more complicated when you look inside the party. On one hand you have the "Tea Party" Representatives and Senators elected in the last couple of election cycles. Most of them swing towards little "l" libertarianism (at least fiscally if not socially). Recently, the Republican leadership in the House "fired" most of them from their committee assignments because they won't hold "the party line". The current Republican leadership talks a small government game, but isn't very interested in it. It is rhetoric and not action.

If the scale tips into the "Tea Party" favor (lot of interesting primary action), then I can see actual libertarianism (more fiscal than social) having a home, otherwise I expect the 2016 Presidential primary and convention to be epically nasty. The 2012 convention was a screw the local folks type of affair, but I get the feeling the local folks are gearing for 2016.

> But attempting to have a nuanced discussion of politics in this country is as pointless as it is impossible.

My only comfort in this area is that at least some of things that were said by candidates about other candidates in the election of 1800 cannot be said now.

On the other hand, punditry (by both sides) is just as profitable as it ever was as a spectator sport.

note: For those interested in a deeper look at such things. Look at the build up to the 2014 South Dakota Senatorial race. The amount of non-local manipulation reminds me more of national party bosses than a normal primary season. It might be a bit of an indicator of what is to come for both parties.

Guaranteed every Republican gives more to charity then every Democrat.

Jesus criticized those who give publically -- If a Democrat gives to charity he makes a big deal out of it because he's not like a church-goer who sees everybody doing it.

All these people have built their houses on sand. I'm marveling at what is in store one of these years when they discover God.

God says...

shall they hear without a preacher? 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

10:20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

>> "someone who is economically conservative but socially liberal."

I don't feel like that defines a libertarian at all.

When I hear the word, I think of someone who believes they (and everyone) should have the right to do whatever they like - so long as it does not infringe on anyone else's freedoms or rights.

Yea, in real terms the Democratic party are more right wing than the UK Conservative party.

Yes, exactly. While there are a plenty of hucksters and faux-glamorous hangers-on, there is also an enormous amount of real work being done, both at quiet little startups too busy making something great to bother with publicity, and at large companies, where the engineering talent is sometimes so great that people don’t even notice that it’s there.