Anybody still think the economy has turned the corner?

[Beans]

Roger that noted.

Once a large enough segment of the population realizes they can have politicians working on their behalf to "spread the wealth around" do you think they're going to give a rats ass about "principles" and Mother Documents? And the power brokers - why would they care any more for these same things? Why bother basing their career on principles and philosophies that are not convenient and require sacrifice and thus risking losing power? They become equally slothful and find it far easier to ensure an ongoing power base by redistributing monies coerced from the hard workers of the so-called middle class.

I mean, in regarding the previous thoughts, who wouldn't want socialism... other than moral, self-actualized, contributing men and women?

When the incremental extension of power comes, it barely pricks the "fun bubble". The income tax? It's only 2% and it only kicks in after you make $1 million. (That's how it all started -- look at what we have now) Pop the cork on another bottle of champagne -- we're having too much fun to worry about this.

Then you have another incremental power-grab. And another, and another, and . . .

Before long you are living under tyranny.

Are you sure you aren't the one who hates America? For the time being you still maintain the right (or maybe it's a privilege, hard to tell in these revolutionary times) to emigrate. "Get out while you still can!!!"

 

[Mr. Blonde]

One Democrat has found the answer!

Guess I could fit this here instead of starting another thread.

Found this humorous and also somewhat infuriating at the same time, I hate when representatives (of either party) waste time and money to put forth gimmicks just to get their name out there.

Really? This is a more pressing issue to be wasting time on than Iraq, Afghanistan, the economy, health care, etc...?

http://biggovernment.com/2009/11/18/finally-a-congressman-with-a-solution-stop-complaining-so-much/

*warning* - biased article

 

[Pepe]

A little off topic but,

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-voegli1-2009nov01,0,825554.story

 

[Flash]

A little off topic but,

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-voegli1-2009nov01,0,825554.story

My last boss, a California ANG flight surgeon, has a day job as a prison doctor for the state. He showed me the benefit package for the prison guards, which included a pension worth 90% of their salary after 20 or 25 years. Goes in line with what the author of that piece says. No wonder they are going bankrupt.......

 

[exhelodrvr]

My last boss, a California ANG flight surgeon, has a day job as a prison doctor for the state. He showed me the benefit package for the prison guards, which included a pension worth 90% of their salary after 20 or 25 years. Goes in line with what the author of that piece says. No wonder they are going bankrupt.......

Yeah, but our weather's great!

 

[Flash]

Yeah, but our weather's great!

I like my seasons, thank you very much! As I anxiously await the supposed blizzard on Saturday, I actually am looking forward to it!

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Do you have any connection to Naval Aviation at all?

Is that a requirement to post on this board now?

 

[Steve Wilkins]

"redistributing monies coerced from the hard workers of the so-called middle class."

You mean taxes?? Uhm that redistribution of wealth coupled with selling debt pays the salaries of the majority of the people on this site.

You're not getting it.

 

[HercDriver]

My last boss, a California ANG flight surgeon, has a day job as a prison doctor for the state. He showed me the benefit package for the prison guards, which included a pension worth 90% of their salary after 20 or 25 years. Goes in line with what the author of that piece says. No wonder they are going bankrupt.......

That is a job I can't imagine many would want. Don't all prisons get PHS docs, or is that just Fed'l prisons?

 

[Flash]

That is a job I can't imagine many would want. Don't all prisons get PHS docs, or is that just Fed'l prisons?

Believe it or not apparently they are sought after mainly due to the benefits, who the hell can beat 90% retirement after 30 years? Plus my former boss hasn't had a standard career, it suits him.

PHS docs are only federal prisons, states staff their own.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Very possible, however "Redistribution of wealth" to me is just a scarier Fox news way of saying "Taxes". We may as well just call it what it is. And taxes do pay for all Federal Salaries.

Yes, let's do call it what it is and what Obama and his administration would like to accomplish. Socialism. But hey, don't take my word for it. Here are just two examples in Obama's very own words.

It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind ya, that they've got a chance at success too. I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.

The constitution is a document of negative liberties, says what the states cant do to you, says what the Federal Govt can't do to you, but it doesn't say what the Federal Govt or State Govt must do on your behalf. And that hasn't shifted. And I think one of the tragedies of the civil rights movement was that the civil rights movement became so court focused I think there was a tendency to lose track of the political and organizing activities on the ground that are able to bring about the coalitions of power through which you bring about redistributive change.

 

[RadicalDude]

Socialism, really? Are we still making this argument?

Socialism:

An economic system in which the basic means of production are primarily owned and controlled collectively, usually by government under some system of central planning.

Government programs which use tax dollars for the public good does not qualify as socialism. Sorry Rush...errr Glenn...err I mean Steve.

 

[Random8145]

Government programs which use tax dollars for the public good does not qualify as socialism. Sorry Rush...errr Glenn...err I mean Steve.

How does one define the "public good?" Tax dollars collected so that the government can perform its overall basic functions (regulate commerce, enforce contracts, provide for the national defense, light and efficient regulation to the degree required, police and firefighters on the local level, etc...) are not socialism.

Collecting taxes to create various government programs that are essentially wealth redistribution (programs which usually just make people more dependent on the government and oftentimes make the problems they are meant to fix worse) IS a socialist concept.

Taxes are a necessary evil, needed to fund government, which is a necessary evil. Taxes utilized for any other purposes (redistributing wealth, "spreading the wealth," etc...) is socialist.

Barack Obama in his inaugural address outlined the most socially-democratic agenda this nation has seen in decades. Why do you think California, New York, and New Jersey are all running the largest budget deficits while having the highest tax rates?

Because of crazy levels of spending on entitlements.

 

[exhelodrvr]

Socialism, really? Are we still making this argument?

Socialism:

Government programs which use tax dollars for the public good does not qualify as socialism. Sorry Rush...errr Glenn...err I mean Steve.

Whether or not the money is used for "public good" has nothing to do with it. It is the extent to which it is done, and how/who makes the decisions, and who/how determines what "public good" is. And Pres Obama is clearly trying to take the nation farther along that road.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Socialism, really? Are we still making this argument?

Socialism:

Government programs which use tax dollars for the public good does not qualify as socialism. Sorry Rush...errr Glenn...err I mean Steve.

You've never read the Communist Manifesto have you?