Re: [tlug] (OT) The enigma of Japan

[JC Helary <brandelune@example.com>]

On mercredi 10 juin 09, at 17:03, Jonathan Byrne wrote:

> George W. Bush: claims to be a Republican but acted more like a big
> government Democrat.
>
> Barack Obama: at least he's honest about it.
Ok, we are really drifting away from Japanese waters, but I'm curious  
about that expression: "big government" that we see all over the place  
when it comes to US politics.
My understanding (failed as it may be) is that big government =  
surveillance society/police-military state and all the good that comes  
with it, _not_ social welfare.
A cursory look at US history shows that the 2 parties were very active  
from the "beginning" to create the big government that I mean and are  
have never stopped since.
Jean-Christophe Helary