[talmand]

Yes they say it, but the opposing party opposes it. The Democrats most certainly do not wish to run the government as business but as more of a piggy bank that someone else fills each night. Therefore, even if the Republicans wanted to do such a thing they likely cannot.

But, as you say, they haven't been very serious about such an idea for quite a while.

[knowtheory]

That's a pretty unsophisticated understanding of liberal and/or Democratic politics and policies.

The broader point is that nobody actually wants to run the Government like a business (nor is that necessarily a good idea in aggregate). But even at the points where it makes sense for the government to behave in a business-like manner (and there are some), we do not and cannot get our shit together to do so.

[talmand]

Not only is it unsophisticated, it's also a huge over-generalization. Maybe I should have pointed out I was responding in kind.

Although I would say my opinion on the Democrat party is that it is not run by liberals just as the Republican party is not run by conservatives.

As for the rest, I agree.