Impossible Politics Options

[Merica]

I just wrote a blog called Impossible Politics [link removed], which discusses my uncertainty about politics in general. I thought some of you here might relate to my ponderings. If you're interested then feel free to read, and I'd greatly appreciate any comments (on the blog page itself, preferably).

In all honesty, I want Obama to rule England. Dude's cool as fuck. Obama, or Bruce Willis.

This post has been edited by Merica: Jul 19 2018, 8:36 am

[gotigrz]

you can have him... obama, that is... bruce is ours. obama is turning this country into communism/socialism so fast it's not even funny. this country was built on capitalism and that's what has made our country so great. you have a dream, you work for it, you get it. now, with obama at the helm, you have a dream, you work for it, everyone else reaps the benefits.

some might see that as keeping the rich from getting richer and letting the poor enjoy what they wouldn't be able to... that sounds good. but, another way to look at is.... it's taking out incentive. no incentive to work hard cause you're gonna have to pay for that lazy slob's health care and cell phone.... and, no incentive for the lazy slob to get off their butt and get a job cause the gov't is gonna take from the hard working wealthy and give to them.

[Sakhmet2]

you can have him... obama, that is... bruce is ours. obama is turning this country into communism/socialism so fast it's not even funny. this country was built on capitalism and that's what has made our country so great. you have a dream, you work for it, you get it. now, with obama at the helm, you have a dream, you work for it, everyone else reaps the benefits.

some might see that as keeping the rich from getting richer and letting the poor enjoy what they wouldn't be able to... that sounds good. but, another way to look at is.... it's taking out incentive. no incentive to work hard cause you're gonna have to pay for that lazy slob's health care and cell phone.... and, no incentive for the lazy slob to get off their butt and get a job cause the gov't is gonna take from the hard working wealthy and give to them.

The "hard-working wealthy" . I don't know whether to laugh or puke. If you think that all people with money earned it through hard work, and that the poor are poor because they don't work hard, you haven't lived in the real world.

I feel sick. Actually sick at reading your ridiculous justification of unbridled greed. Capitalism did not make America great. That is the great delusion promoted by 20th century America in general and still by the Right in the U.S. - something that is actually contrary to the the ideals that really made America.

Everything you've said on other posts show that you don't do your research, you just base your opinions on stereotypes and limited personal experience.

This post has been edited by Sakhmet2: Apr 7 2010, 1:13 pm

[gotigrz]

If you think that all people with money earned it through hard work, and that the poor are poor because they don't work hard, you haven't lived in the real world.

if you think that's what i think, then you haven't read all of my posts. i specifically said that i have no problem with those that need the gov't's help... need it... not those that abuse it. there are tons of those that abuse it, and that is the one's that i have a problem with. period.

Capitalism did not make America great. That is the great American delusion.

this coming from a canadian. well, there is no doubt that the united states of america is, or at least was, one of the greatest countries in the world to live in. that is not debatable. so, if capitalism is the great american delusion.... then tell me what is it, or was it, that made the usa so great?

This post has been edited by gotigrz: Apr 7 2010, 1:20 pm

[thefunkyredcaboose]

"If you think that all people with money earned it through hard work, and that the poor are poor because they don't work hard, you haven't lived in the real world.".....

if you think that's what i think, then you haven't read all of my posts. i specifically said that i have no problem with those that need the gov't's help... need it... not those that abuse it. there are tons of those that abuse it, and that is the one's that i have a problem with. period.
this coming from a canadian. well, there is no doubt that the united states of america is, or at least was, one of the greatest countries in the world to live in. that is not debatable. so, if capitalism is the great american delusion.... then tell me what is it, or was it, that made the usa so great?

You admit you don't know much about anything other than what people tell you, yet you continue arguing in this thread. I just don't get it. And now you are ripping on Canadians??

Define capitalism without looking it up on the internet. I dare you.

[gotigrz]

You admit you don't know much about anything other than what people tell you, yet you continue arguing in this thread. I just don't get it. And now you are ripping on Canadians??

Define capitalism without looking it up on the internet. I dare you.

from what i understand, capitalism is where you can work where you want, sell what you want, for the price you want to sell it, make as much money as you can... but, you will pay taxes on what you sell and what you have. i know it goes A LOT deeper than that, but the main thing is that the gov't doesn't tell you what you're gonna do with your business or how you're gonna run it.

so, did i get it right?

[FishOutaWater]

Here is a summary of the Healthcare Reform law based on a quick Google Search. It's hard to argue with any of these things, except maybe the madatory coverage thing, but I guess that is necessary, like the way they require all drivers to get car insurance.

IMMEDIATE
* Provides a $250 rebate to Medicare prescription drug plan beneficiaries whose initial benefits run out. This closes the 'donut hole' that crushes most seniors with medication expenses.

* Businesses with fewer than 50 employees will get tax credits covering up to 50% of employee premiums.

* New plans must cover checkups and other preventative care without co-pays.

* Insurance companies can no longer cut someone when he or she gets sick.

* Insurers must now reveal how much money is spent on overhead.

* Any new plan must now implement an appeals process for coverage determinations and claims.

* New screening procedures will be implemented to help eliminate health insurance fraud and waste.

* The bill establishes a temporary program for companies that provide early retiree health benefits for those ages 55‐64 in order to help reduce the often-expensive cost of that coverage.


AFTER 90 DAYS
* Provides immediate access to high-risk insurance pools for people who have no insurance because of preexisting conditions.

AFTER SIX MONTHS
* Bars insurers from denying people coverage when they get sick.

* Prevents insurers from denying coverage to children who have preexisting conditions. Children, not adults yet.

* Bars insurers from imposing lifetime caps on coverage.

* Requires insurers to allow young people to stay on their parents' policies until age 26.

2011
* Requires individual and small group insurance plans to spend at least 80% of premium dollars on medical services. Large group plans would have to spend at least 85%.

2013
* Increases the Medicare payroll tax and expands it to dividend, interest and other unearned income for singles earning more than $200,000 a year and joint filers making more than $250,000.

2014
* Insurers prohibited from denying adults coverage for preexisting conditions

* Provides subsidies for families earning up to 400% of the poverty level to purchase health insurance.

* Requires most employers to provide coverage or face penalties.

* Requires most people to obtain coverage or face penalties.

[gotigrz]

fish, all of that sounds fair... but, what about what they're not telling you. this is the beginning of the end of the usa being a democracy.

but, honestly, it seems that capitalism is the gov't ruling your life while trying to make you feel free, and communism/socialism is the gov't ruling your life and not even trying to hide it. ha ha....

[iateyourcookie]

fish, all of that sounds fair... but, what about what they're not telling you. this is the beginning of the end of the usa being a democracy.

but, honestly, it seems that capitalism is the gov't ruling your life while trying to make you feel free, and communism/socialism is the gov't ruling your life and not even trying to hide it. ha ha....

There's an idea that suggests that it's better to remain quiet and be thought an idiot, rather than speak and remove all doubt.

You, sir, are an idiot.

The idea that "your" taxes are being spent on providing medical benefits to people paying less taxes is flawed. You do not own your taxes. Allow me to emphasise that point; it's important.

You do not own your taxes.

It's a concept thrown around by the media here, as well, that "taxpayers dollars" are being spent (apparently inappropriately, more often than not) on this or that. Shits me to tears.

Gotigrz, your taxes are a portion of your income that belongs to the government to provide for the betterment of your country. Simple. Any sense of ownership, or belonging, is misguided at best. And when the Federal Reserve is injecting money into the economy as fast as they can print it; it is just ridiculous for you to suggest that the meagre amount of tax that you personally pay is being grossly misappropriated in supporting low income earners or those without the advantages of employment. And I say this as someone who currently pays more in taxes than most here would earn.

I believe that America became the great nation that it is (or arguably, was) because of a collective entrepreneurial spirit and a common desire to create that greatness in the so-called country of freedom. Tell me, if you can, how restricting access of healthcare to its people is what a country needs to become great, or even maintain greatness? Instead, today, there is an entitlement mentality; everyone wants what everyone else has, and heaven forbid that "your" taxes are being spent to someone else's advantage.

That's not embracing a capitalist perspective, mate.

Nor is it good for your country.