Will wonders never cease ...

[1StrongBlackMan]

For the past couple of years, I have engaged in a lot of back and forth with a conservative poster at my local rag's online comment section. We argue economics on the regular, with him being a "free-market", "small government", anti-keynesian, and me being just the opposite. We have always had spirited fact-based debates, with me linking to Krugman and a host of other credentialed left-leaning economist, and him linking to Hayak and other austrian school economists.

Well, one of the threads today was about the right being re-invigored by medicare voucherization. Imagine my surprise when he responded to my post calling for allowing any person buying into medicare at any age, with his announcing "after much research and soul searching" ... he is now in support of a single-payer system that would provide something similiar to the current level of healthcare offer found with medicare/VA, and allowing for the purchase of a supplemental plan for those that wish to purchase more.

I asked him jokingly whether he was in the cohort that has been abandoning fox news of late. I was ever more shocked that he admitted to not having listened to or watched fox, hannity, beck, limbaugh or any other right-wing outlet since the election ... he now gets his news via network news, the BBC, Christian Science Monitor and the intertubes.

There IS hope for America.

[JI7]

1. maybe one of those old time conservatives who are mostly dead now like William H Buckley ?

[rosesaylavee]

2. Thank you.

I know it's just one person but it still gives me hope that reason will win out over fear and hate.

[Jamaal510]

3. Uh-oh. Sounds like he might be ready to cross over to our side.

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[Cha]

4. Sounds rare in the first place to have a

fact based discussion with a conservative poster. Good on ya for hanging in there, 1Strong..and I can imagine how thrilled you are about his "soul searching"!

And, an ex faux viewer! I really like people like him who are capable of breaking out of their thought patterns that were ingrained!

[1StrongBlackMan]

16. There are some conservatives ...

out there that are just as disgusted with the anti-intellectual/anti-academic majority of the "modern day gop" as those of us on the left. And like it or not, Hayak makes some compelling arguments, if one accepts certain premises ... and economics is based on assumptions ; some are just better supported, than others.

[alittlelark]

5. I have a friend who stopped all Faux after the election as well

We texted each other on election day... he knows I'm far left and was asking me why I wasn't worried that my guy wouldn't win. I told him that I had looked at the polls and had no real concern. He said he had done the same thing. That night he was despondent and asking me how I knew. I told him "I don"t watch Faux". He hasn't since then.

[starroute]

6. There are solid conservative reasons for supporting single-payer

It relieves businesses of an increasingly intolerable burden and makes them more able to compete with firms in other countries that do not have the same need to provide private insurance. It makes the United States more able to compete for foreign firms to locate operations here. And it makes it easier for people of an entrepreneurial spirit to give up their jobs and strike out in businesses of their own.

All three of those points ought to make it attractive to anyone who really cares about an open, innovative system of free enterprise. It's only the ideologues who were brainwashed by 50 years of rabid anti-communism who think differently.

[freshwest]

11. ^^^There it is^^^

And it unleashes a person to follow their own real talents, Sounds like liberty and freedom to me - the real thing, not the pre-packaged Koch brothers version.

[1StrongBlackMan]

13. I know ...

I am an HR Professional and have asked business owners why they don't support a single payer scheme, as the healthcare savings will go directly to their bottom-line, i.e., into their pocket.

The only honest answer I have ever received was in contrast to your final point ... employer provided healthcare insurance serves/has served (before ObamaCare) as a "handcuff" for employees.

[treestar]

7. Not that Fox had much credibility before

But it did with some. Rove's little meltdown showed how far from reality they were willing to go.

[grantcart]

8. This is how its done

This is how it was done in Canada.

Keep up the good work.

[1StrongBlackMan]

14. Agreed ...

Many on the left should take heart, as most "cultural shifts" occur over time ... in frustratingly slow steps.

[Hekate]

9. Well done you.

You give me some hope!

[lexw]

10. The brainwash is wearing off.

[sigmasix]

12. lots of fox viewers claim to give it up

I remember a lot of fox "news" viewers that claimed they stopped watching the channel after the 2008 election-they know it is immoral- but they still secretly watch it- at least some GOP supporters have acknowledged the fact that right wing media is bad for America. Fox "news" is like the WWE- anyone that thinks it's real must be willfully stupid or suffering from a serious organic personality disorder.

[1StrongBlackMan]

15. True ...

But the funny thing is ... There are so few that will admit to have EVER watched fox or listened to rush; but every one of them (I guess by happenstance) can quote them, chapter and verse ... including the grammatical errors and ackward phrasing.

[sigmasix]

18. teabagger information sources

I know a teabagger that believes monopolies are good for the American economy and consumer. He always claims that he doesnt use fox or rush anymore, but seems to always bring up the same talking point memos being waved-around by them. This teabagger is a family friend that really wants people to respect him for his intelligence and "maverick" ideas. We love him and try to ignore the willful stupidity he displays whenever he brings up politics. Imve always thought it important to teach my children to respect the beliefs of others- having respect for teabaggers is asking too much though.

[Cha]

17. Their ratings have gone done since

the 2012 Election so somebodies are giving it up.