Thank you for your very thoughtful and reasoned reply. Although I've been reading this thread since its inception, I only recently signed up as a forum member, so I've been a bit leery of jumping into a heated discussion with folks who don't yet know me. Seems I needn't have worried.
At least in the Canadian context, my politics are pretty centrist. There's a fairly short list of areas in which I believe government has a legitimate or necessary role (health and welfare do make that cut) but a much lengthier one of things that I believe should remain as private or personal matters. So depending on the topic, I sometimes find myself agreeing with socialists, other times with libertarians. I do strive (not always successfully) to maintain an open mind ... and I greatly admire those who actually manage to do so.
What I was joking about was Mr. Stein makes a comment about what Obama's done in the country and someone disregards what he has to say about that because they don't like what he has to say about his other beliefs.
Based on what happened in connexion with "Expelled", Ben Stein's beliefs are 'You pay me, and I'll say whatever you want me to say." The Groucho Marx approach "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." ... "The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made."
Based on what happened in connexion with "Expelled", Ben Stein's beliefs are 'You pay me, and I'll say whatever you want me to say." The Groucho Marx approach "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." ... "The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made."