Chip
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒ&
I guess freedom really is all about money, isn't it?
Because socialism isn't?
I guess freedom really is all about money, isn't it?
At what point does it stop being your money? Are all the employees of the banks that received government bailout money beholden to you?
Employees of government contractors? The contractors themselves?
How many times does the money change hands before you no longer hold sway over the people that have received it?
This is very educational. I guess freedom really is all about money, isn't it?
I dunno, some people here make a big deal about government encroachment on their freedom, but I guess if you receive a government paycheque, the notion of individual freedom goes right out the window.
Funny how that happens.
That sort of statement seems to be said quite often by people who have no skin in the game. People are quite willing to spend money freely and easily as long as it isn't THEIR money being spent. You fail to see the difference between "money" and the product of one's own hard labors to produce and earn that "money". The "freedom" part comes into play by the application of who has discretion over what is being done with MY money. If it is not me, then no, I do not have the "freedom" of that discretion. Someone else does. Where is my "freedom" in that equation? You equate "freedom" with someone taking money from someone who earned it and giving it to someone else who did not earn it? How is that "freedom"?
What does the bolded even mean?
And you describe taxes as being forcibly taken from you. Am I correct in concluding, then, that you consider taxation to be theft? If I remember correctly, you are a big proponent of Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground. Why not defend yourself the next time the taxman comes to steal your property?
If it is for anything other than what is authorized by the US Constitution, YES!!!Nova_C said:... Am I correct in concluding, then, that you consider taxation to be theft? ....
With a 400% trade surplus with the US and nationally defended by the US and UK the whole country of Canada is basically on "assistance". Tough to wean that level of dependency so defending it and a socialist/Marxist world view become second nature. :shrugs:Oh, you're describing socialism. Wait, that one is just "You do what we say."
Some good points Michael.I think there should be some distinction between those who receive 'handouts' and those who receive 'assistance'. Not everyone who receives assistance is trying to get a 'free ride', and not everyone with a job is 'earning' a living, or improving the economic structure of our country, IMO.
I believe it mostly comes down to one's ambition to reach a form of independence for themselves, which sometimes has little to do with what job they may (or may not) have, although I would certainly concede that those without jobs make up a majority of the burden, financially, in this country. But I know plenty of people with 'jobs' that suck the life out of their fellow employees by doing little as possible, having miserable attitudes, and yet, for one reason or another, are able to find plenty of handouts that aren't technically issued by the governments benefits programs. Those folks would sadly make it easier on their tax paying counter-parts if they were on the couch with a bag of chips and a six pack.
I know this will probably get flamed with an "at least they have a job!", and I understand that point. They technically pay taxes. However, I would argue that one who has a little assistance on their way to independence is significantly more beneficial to the overall well-being of this country, than those who get off their shift of doing nothing and act as though their role as an American is done. Some people are born with conditions, or live in conditions, that make it very difficult to simply tighten the boot-straps and achieve financial independence. Yet they live their lives with a sort of ambition and determination that is most 'American'. So not everyone should be so easily grouped or labeled.
All I'm saying.. it's easy to judge. Some judgements are very correct, and the older I get, the more I can understand and appreciate the conservative's/libertarian's perspective. This country is full of people who would rather sit on their aces in front of a TV and drool, than create their own reality of success. But I believe it goes (somewhat) both ways. And for all of the assumptions made about those receiving assistance, there is very little (if anything) discussed about those who epitomize 'handout', just because they have an employer. And for me, the "American Dream" is equally tarnished by those people. They contribute equally to our current state of fat-and-happy, which reflects poorly on all of us as Americans, and slowly it brings us all down, no matter how you slice it. We won't flourish as a nation until all of us are held accountible equally for our lack of creativity and innovation.
With a 400% trade surplus with the US and nationally defended by the US and UK the whole country of Canada is basically on "assistance". Tough to wean that level of dependency so defending it and a socialist/Marxist world view become second nature. :shrugs: