there was once a time in this country where a man could and would look at the world around him and the life he had and say "thank you God. Now I can take it from here."
But now, the masses - including you - look at the world and say "I don't want opportunity, I want security."
It's a basic ideological difference. I'd rather live in a world where people are responsible for themselves. If an individual fails, it's on them, not the government. But that isn't the way it is anymore.
That's an expected assumption you're making about me seeing how you view things in black and white, when actually very few things are black and white, particularly when people are involved. It also makes sense that you would make mythological statements about our country's past and that people were so full of responsibility and strong work ethics. I do want opportunity, and I'm fully aware where my opportunity came from. I have a sense of what was created individually by me, my ancestors, my community, and my government. All of those factors played a role in my opportunity and success. I don't go around thinking everything I've done is a result of my individual hard work and that's it. Individual responsibility falls along a continuum, but continuums are hard to grasp in a black and white world. There's strong sense of individuality in our culture, but it doesn't mean it's real. P.S., it sound like you may be blaming the government for your business struggles, based on what you posted earlier in the thread.[/quote]
those were all merely examples. I am not a business owner. I am a student about to graduate with a political science and journalism degree. Right now, yes, I am as poor as poor gets.
I don't know how to articulate how i feel very well, but that's just it. When I look around and see nationalism dieing and an exponentially expanding government and it scares me.
And it really comes down to taxes. History says any great empire has crumble shortly after taxing its ppl beyond 25 percent of the nations gross domestic worth. In 1960 we were at 33 percent.
So Im not saying government shouldn't have any roles in our lives, just not nearly as big of a role as it plays now.[/quote]
Federal tax looks around 15% of gdp, with total tax about 28%. There might be a correlation (low I'm sure) with taxes and crumbling empires, but correlation isn't causation, and the sample size of fallen empires is probably too low to draw firm conclusions on why they collapsed. People look back at history and grab at isolated pieces in order to build their argument, but then leave out other factors. Being scared just makes you susceptible to manipulation by fear mongers. America's version of nationalism needs to die. It's arrogant and gets us into wars.
You have to separate out what your problem is with government. Is it high taxes, the role it plays in our life through laws and regulation, or expanding government through budget increases? Again I come down to this: if you want lower taxes, what do want cut from the budget? And how much would that cut save?
[/quote]
I agree with you that those who confuse nationalism with imperialism tend to lead the US into policing the world. Which leads me to your question what i would cut.
Id cut the defense budget and get our troops out almost all of the 135 countries we have soldiers in.
RC, SoDak 1998 - KC 2000 - Council Bluffs IA 2003 - Fargo ND 2003 - St. Paul MN 2003 - Alpine Valley 2003 - St Louis MO 2004 - Kissimmee FLA 2004 - Winnipeg 2005 - Thunder Bay 2005 - Chicago 2006 - Grand Rapids MI 2006 - Denver CO 2006 - Lollapalooza 2007 - Bonnaroo 2008 - Austin City Limits 2009 - Los Angeles 2009 - KC 2010 - St Louis MO 2010 - PJ20 Night 1 - PJ20 Night 2
That's an expected assumption you're making about me seeing how you view things in black and white, when actually very few things are black and white, particularly when people are involved. It also makes sense that you would make mythological statements about our country's past and that people were so full of responsibility and strong work ethics. I do want opportunity, and I'm fully aware where my opportunity came from. I have a sense of what was created individually by me, my ancestors, my community, and my government. All of those factors played a role in my opportunity and success. I don't go around thinking everything I've done is a result of my individual hard work and that's it. Individual responsibility falls along a continuum, but continuums are hard to grasp in a black and white world. There's strong sense of individuality in our culture, but it doesn't mean it's real. P.S., it sound like you may be blaming the government for your business struggles, based on what you posted earlier in the thread.[/quote]
those were all merely examples. I am not a business owner. I am a student about to graduate with a political science and journalism degree. Right now, yes, I am as poor as poor gets.
I don't know how to articulate how i feel very well, but that's just it. When I look around and see nationalism dieing and an exponentially expanding government and it scares me.
And it really comes down to taxes. History says any great empire has crumble shortly after taxing its ppl beyond 25 percent of the nations gross domestic worth. In 1960 we were at 33 percent.
So Im not saying government shouldn't have any roles in our lives, just not nearly as big of a role as it plays now.[/quote]
Federal tax looks around 15% of gdp, with total tax about 28%. There might be a correlation (low I'm sure) with taxes and crumbling empires, but correlation isn't causation, and the sample size of fallen empires is probably too low to draw firm conclusions on why they collapsed. People look back at history and grab at isolated pieces in order to build their argument, but then leave out other factors. Being scared just makes you susceptible to manipulation by fear mongers. America's version of nationalism needs to die. It's arrogant and gets us into wars.
You have to separate out what your problem is with government. Is it high taxes, the role it plays in our life through laws and regulation, or expanding government through budget increases? Again I come down to this: if you want lower taxes, what do want cut from the budget? And how much would that cut save?
[/quote]
I agree with you that those who confuse nationalism with imperialism tend to lead the US into policing the world. Which leads me to your question what i would cut.
Id cut the defense budget and get our troops out almost all of the 135 countries we have soldiers in.[/quote]
I say cut 100 to 120 billion a year from defense, for starts. I see we can agree on some things.---
I really think people always have more in common than not. It's just language gets in the way and creates a bottle neck on thoughts, especially when trying to communicate between people. Even now, I am finding it difficult to find the right words.
but could just be a side effect of far too long of a weekend.
RC, SoDak 1998 - KC 2000 - Council Bluffs IA 2003 - Fargo ND 2003 - St. Paul MN 2003 - Alpine Valley 2003 - St Louis MO 2004 - Kissimmee FLA 2004 - Winnipeg 2005 - Thunder Bay 2005 - Chicago 2006 - Grand Rapids MI 2006 - Denver CO 2006 - Lollapalooza 2007 - Bonnaroo 2008 - Austin City Limits 2009 - Los Angeles 2009 - KC 2010 - St Louis MO 2010 - PJ20 Night 1 - PJ20 Night 2
Ron Paul! Revolution! Bring us back our Constitution!!
RC, SoDak 1998 - KC 2000 - Council Bluffs IA 2003 - Fargo ND 2003 - St. Paul MN 2003 - Alpine Valley 2003 - St Louis MO 2004 - Kissimmee FLA 2004 - Winnipeg 2005 - Thunder Bay 2005 - Chicago 2006 - Grand Rapids MI 2006 - Denver CO 2006 - Lollapalooza 2007 - Bonnaroo 2008 - Austin City Limits 2009 - Los Angeles 2009 - KC 2010 - St Louis MO 2010 - PJ20 Night 1 - PJ20 Night 2
so who will be carrying Ron Paul's torch as he exits from the arena?
Who is the new talent?
I really like VINNY GOOMBA"S words ... ALWAYS
I hope the new talent will have a chance to bring real change because this disillusionment
our country is beginning to feel will either bring more apathy and tuning out or more anger
and agression. Neither of which makes for 'the pursuit of happiness'.
so who will be carrying Ron Paul's torch as he exits from the arena?
Who is the new talent?
I really like VINNY GOOMBA"S words ... ALWAYS
I hope the new talent will have a chance to bring real change because this disillusionment
our country is beginning to feel will either bring more apathy and tuning out or more anger
and agression. Neither of which makes for 'the pursuit of happiness'.
And that's what I want to vote for.
Honestly it won't be immediate, but it won't be only one person. There are thousands and thousands of young people who support Dr. Paul. Some will keep those beliefs throughout their life, some won't, but they are the future of the changing of the Neo-Con nonsense that is part of the destruction of this country. They are the future. I am excited when I here about kids interested in the system and changing it. Not changing in the sense that they want to give everyone everything...they just want a fair shake. There are ways you can get there...One of them is realizing our money isn't sound and needs to saved....if you don't save the dollar, you cannot save medicaid, social security, medicare, or anything else for that matter...part of saving the dollar is realizing that the FED is part of a system set up by government to rig the money.
that’s right! Can’t we all just get together and focus on our real enemies: monogamous gays and stem cells… - Ned Flanders
It is terrifying when you are too stupid to know who is dumb
- Joe Rogan
so who will be carrying Ron Paul's torch as he exits from the arena?
Who is the new talent?
I really like VINNY GOOMBA"S words ... ALWAYS
I hope the new talent will have a chance to bring real change because this disillusionment
our country is beginning to feel will either bring more apathy and tuning out or more anger
and agression. Neither of which makes for 'the pursuit of happiness'.
And that's what I want to vote for.
having little Paul waiting in the wings is huge. Rand is more articulate and well spoken and doesnt carry the baggage his father does. and he is just as incorruptible. Vote Paul - 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024......etc
RC, SoDak 1998 - KC 2000 - Council Bluffs IA 2003 - Fargo ND 2003 - St. Paul MN 2003 - Alpine Valley 2003 - St Louis MO 2004 - Kissimmee FLA 2004 - Winnipeg 2005 - Thunder Bay 2005 - Chicago 2006 - Grand Rapids MI 2006 - Denver CO 2006 - Lollapalooza 2007 - Bonnaroo 2008 - Austin City Limits 2009 - Los Angeles 2009 - KC 2010 - St Louis MO 2010 - PJ20 Night 1 - PJ20 Night 2
Comments
That's an expected assumption you're making about me seeing how you view things in black and white, when actually very few things are black and white, particularly when people are involved. It also makes sense that you would make mythological statements about our country's past and that people were so full of responsibility and strong work ethics. I do want opportunity, and I'm fully aware where my opportunity came from. I have a sense of what was created individually by me, my ancestors, my community, and my government. All of those factors played a role in my opportunity and success. I don't go around thinking everything I've done is a result of my individual hard work and that's it. Individual responsibility falls along a continuum, but continuums are hard to grasp in a black and white world. There's strong sense of individuality in our culture, but it doesn't mean it's real. P.S., it sound like you may be blaming the government for your business struggles, based on what you posted earlier in the thread.[/quote]
those were all merely examples. I am not a business owner. I am a student about to graduate with a political science and journalism degree. Right now, yes, I am as poor as poor gets.
I don't know how to articulate how i feel very well, but that's just it. When I look around and see nationalism dieing and an exponentially expanding government and it scares me.
And it really comes down to taxes. History says any great empire has crumble shortly after taxing its ppl beyond 25 percent of the nations gross domestic worth. In 1960 we were at 33 percent.
So Im not saying government shouldn't have any roles in our lives, just not nearly as big of a role as it plays now.[/quote]
Federal tax looks around 15% of gdp, with total tax about 28%. There might be a correlation (low I'm sure) with taxes and crumbling empires, but correlation isn't causation, and the sample size of fallen empires is probably too low to draw firm conclusions on why they collapsed. People look back at history and grab at isolated pieces in order to build their argument, but then leave out other factors. Being scared just makes you susceptible to manipulation by fear mongers. America's version of nationalism needs to die. It's arrogant and gets us into wars.
You have to separate out what your problem is with government. Is it high taxes, the role it plays in our life through laws and regulation, or expanding government through budget increases? Again I come down to this: if you want lower taxes, what do want cut from the budget? And how much would that cut save?
[/quote]
I agree with you that those who confuse nationalism with imperialism tend to lead the US into policing the world. Which leads me to your question what i would cut.
Id cut the defense budget and get our troops out almost all of the 135 countries we have soldiers in.
That's an expected assumption you're making about me seeing how you view things in black and white, when actually very few things are black and white, particularly when people are involved. It also makes sense that you would make mythological statements about our country's past and that people were so full of responsibility and strong work ethics. I do want opportunity, and I'm fully aware where my opportunity came from. I have a sense of what was created individually by me, my ancestors, my community, and my government. All of those factors played a role in my opportunity and success. I don't go around thinking everything I've done is a result of my individual hard work and that's it. Individual responsibility falls along a continuum, but continuums are hard to grasp in a black and white world. There's strong sense of individuality in our culture, but it doesn't mean it's real. P.S., it sound like you may be blaming the government for your business struggles, based on what you posted earlier in the thread.[/quote]
those were all merely examples. I am not a business owner. I am a student about to graduate with a political science and journalism degree. Right now, yes, I am as poor as poor gets.
I don't know how to articulate how i feel very well, but that's just it. When I look around and see nationalism dieing and an exponentially expanding government and it scares me.
And it really comes down to taxes. History says any great empire has crumble shortly after taxing its ppl beyond 25 percent of the nations gross domestic worth. In 1960 we were at 33 percent.
So Im not saying government shouldn't have any roles in our lives, just not nearly as big of a role as it plays now.[/quote]
Federal tax looks around 15% of gdp, with total tax about 28%. There might be a correlation (low I'm sure) with taxes and crumbling empires, but correlation isn't causation, and the sample size of fallen empires is probably too low to draw firm conclusions on why they collapsed. People look back at history and grab at isolated pieces in order to build their argument, but then leave out other factors. Being scared just makes you susceptible to manipulation by fear mongers. America's version of nationalism needs to die. It's arrogant and gets us into wars.
You have to separate out what your problem is with government. Is it high taxes, the role it plays in our life through laws and regulation, or expanding government through budget increases? Again I come down to this: if you want lower taxes, what do want cut from the budget? And how much would that cut save?
[/quote]
I agree with you that those who confuse nationalism with imperialism tend to lead the US into policing the world. Which leads me to your question what i would cut.
Id cut the defense budget and get our troops out almost all of the 135 countries we have soldiers in.[/quote]
I say cut 100 to 120 billion a year from defense, for starts. I see we can agree on some things.---
I really think people always have more in common than not. It's just language gets in the way and creates a bottle neck on thoughts, especially when trying to communicate between people. Even now, I am finding it difficult to find the right words.
but could just be a side effect of far too long of a weekend.
so who will be carrying Ron Paul's torch as he exits from the arena?
Who is the new talent?
I really like VINNY GOOMBA"S words ... ALWAYS
I hope the new talent will have a chance to bring real change because this disillusionment
our country is beginning to feel will either bring more apathy and tuning out or more anger
and agression. Neither of which makes for 'the pursuit of happiness'.
And that's what I want to vote for.
Honestly it won't be immediate, but it won't be only one person. There are thousands and thousands of young people who support Dr. Paul. Some will keep those beliefs throughout their life, some won't, but they are the future of the changing of the Neo-Con nonsense that is part of the destruction of this country. They are the future. I am excited when I here about kids interested in the system and changing it. Not changing in the sense that they want to give everyone everything...they just want a fair shake. There are ways you can get there...One of them is realizing our money isn't sound and needs to saved....if you don't save the dollar, you cannot save medicaid, social security, medicare, or anything else for that matter...part of saving the dollar is realizing that the FED is part of a system set up by government to rig the money.
It is terrifying when you are too stupid to know who is dumb
- Joe Rogan
having little Paul waiting in the wings is huge. Rand is more articulate and well spoken and doesnt carry the baggage his father does. and he is just as incorruptible. Vote Paul - 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024......etc