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Messages - Rush

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12061
Spin Zone / Re: Can someone explain how anyone could endorse socialism?
« on: April 26, 2017, 01:04:20 PM »
Quote from: bflynn on April 26, 2017, 10:38:02 AM
Intelligent Moderate?  You think about your positions?

A thought on the original topic - Socialism is doomed to be defeated by the forces of economics.  Under socialism, everyone is basically equal, so every person has an equal claim on resources.  However there will never be enough to go around, so not everyone can have what they want.  The result must be shortages and therefore misery.

Ergo, socialism is an inferior system.

Intelligent moderate, maybe.  I do think about them, in fact, I endeavor to apply logic, facts and reality before I decide on my position on an issue, and it can change if I get new information. For example, I used to be for capital punishment. Then I found out about corrupt prosecutors and a high rate of innocent people being put to death in my state as a result of those prosecutors, so I became against it, in that context.   But in principle I am for it.  It's just that I figured out that, like in so many things, government can be stupid, corrupt and wrong when it tries to do something, and I feel strongly about protecting the innocent from wrong convictions.

Actually, I am in favor of capital punishment at the point of the crime's commission. In other words, by the would-be victim. And it should apply to any crime of personal assault of body or property.  For example, that flash mob train robbery the other day. The riders should have been armed and should have mowed down those thugs, rather than turn over their wallets and cell phones. So I have no problem with death as a penalty for crime. But whether I would vote for or against the death penalty in the context of our criminal justice system, would all depend. Is DNA technology significantly advanced that the conviction of innocent people has drastically been reduced?  Are there safeguards against corrupt prosecutors?  I don't know, I'd have to look at it when it was put before me.

So what do you call that?  You can hardly call it "moderate" when I advocate blasting to Hell a 14 year old trying to grab my purse, as my ideological position. That's pretty extreme. But since I cannot tell you how I'd vote on the issue, would you say I'm on the fence, or technically moderate on the issue?

I agree with your statement about socialism.

12062
Spin Zone / Re: Can someone explain how anyone could endorse socialism?
« on: April 26, 2017, 07:19:42 AM »
Quote from: Gary on April 25, 2017, 03:12:27 PM
So where will y'all go to find that political satisfaction?  I can understand it when your choice of Party/President doesn't turn out as promised.

The President isn't disappointing me at all so far.  As for the party, I've never really been a Republican ideologically. I vote with them because in general, they are less destructive to the country than the Democrats.

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Libertarian?  Maybe they don't have cookies, but do have pot!  ;)

Yes the Libertarian party probably aligns more closely with me than any of the other major parties. But lately I've not liked calling myself a libertarian.  For one thing, I disagree with the party's position on some issues, and for another, a lot of people calling themselves "libertarian" are socialist libertarians which is a contradiction in terms, and really just another version of communism.

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Possibly a centrist Republican/Democrat?  That way you can criticize both sides (and take heat from both sides)??

Both sides are richly deserving of criticism. 

But I don't like the term centrist.  There are two ways to be a centrist and they are completely different. Say there were only two issues.  You could be a centrist by being undecided, or apathetic, or completely compromising, on both issues. Or you could be a centrist by being extreme right on one and extreme left on the other, and taking the average would put you in the center.

My position on any one issue could be anywhere.

12063
Spin Zone / Re: Can someone explain how anyone could endorse socialism?
« on: April 25, 2017, 11:06:27 AM »
Agreed. I'm done with the Republicans.

12064
Spin Zone / Re: Hannity Goes After Debbie Schlussel
« on: April 25, 2017, 07:04:53 AM »
Quote from: EppyGA on April 24, 2017, 07:11:05 PM
A great monologue by Hannity tonight.

Dang I'm sorry I missed that. Hannity can be fantastic sometimes.

12065
Spin Zone / Re: BULLSHIT
« on: April 25, 2017, 06:59:15 AM »
Untrue. In Texas it is legal to shoot someone for robbery, burglary, and other thefts of personal property. You may shoot them in the back as they're running off with your hubcaps.

I love Texas.

12066
Spin Zone / Re: BULLSHIT
« on: April 24, 2017, 03:54:06 PM »
But they're CHILDREN.   Can you imagine the outcry if someone had used a firearm against them?  We are supposed to just let them get away with robbery.  They are ENTITLED as a matter of fact, to be SAFE while they commit their crimes. That's today's PC world.


12067
Spin Zone / Re: DNC Chair - I didn't think it could get any worse than Debbie Wasserman Schultz
« on: April 24, 2017, 09:51:17 AM »
“Republican leaders and President Trump don't give a sh-t about the people they were trying to hurt,”

Just one more example of projection.

12068
Spin Zone / Re: Can someone explain how anyone could endorse socialism?
« on: April 24, 2017, 09:27:52 AM »
I don't think there is a way to achieve this. Our civilizations are always in flux and always seem to peak with excellence then go downhill until they are destroyed and replaced by something else. I don't mean to sound so pessimistic myself, but people are simply too STUPID to do those things.  Seriously, people in general are deeply stupid and cannot understand for example, why minimum wage laws lead to job loss. And they are not getting any smarter, if anything we are getting more and more stupid by the generation.

12069
Spin Zone / Re: Average temperature
« on: April 24, 2017, 08:47:15 AM »
Quote from: LevelWing on April 24, 2017, 08:24:54 AM
I'm not saying I agreed with it, I'm just saying how they ruled. They ruled based on the issue at hand.

Oh I understood you didn't agree with it. :)

12070
Spin Zone / Re: Why Is It OK with Liberals For Progressives to Violently Attack Conservatives?
« on: April 24, 2017, 08:20:25 AM »
Quote from: YouOnlyLiveTwice on April 24, 2017, 08:12:52 AM
That's spelled T r u m p.

T - to
R - ramp
U - up
M - man's
P - prosperity

12071
Spin Zone / Re: Average temperature
« on: April 24, 2017, 08:13:59 AM »
Quote from: Anthony on April 24, 2017, 07:55:07 AM
For the most part, I am safest in my home.  I have locked doors, and windows, a security system, and other things to protect me.  I also have the advantage of knowledge of my environment.  When I leave my home, I am more at risk, even in my vehicle, which if used properly can keep you safer, and even act as a deterrent.  However, when leaving home, we are more at risk.  Do I live in fear, and have paranoia about travelling, or leaving my home?  Not at all.  I often travel without a firearm due to work realities, travelling to other states that don't have reciprocity, airlines, etc.

The Constitution does not limit the right to bear arms to your own home.  Only liberal/progressive courts have done so.     

Exactly, it is not logical.  I think they do it because of emotion - fear of being around someone armed - or the political way to gradually erode our 2nd amendment right.

12072
Spin Zone / Re: Why Is It OK with Liberals For Progressives to Violently Attack Conservatives?
« on: April 24, 2017, 07:38:13 AM »
Quote from: Anthony on April 24, 2017, 05:41:05 AM

How about we find new, and innovative ways to effectively accommodate people on this Earth instead of killing them?  Do you not believe in Human intellect, nor Human inspiration, and innovation?  The problem with the Left is that they believe humans are the entire problem with Earth.

Probably the best way to curb the explosive population growth is to free up economics so all nations prosper. People tend to have fewer children the richer they get.  I think it's got something to do with meaning. Very poor people don't get meaning and purpose from a career, but if you can't do anything else significant, you can always have children.  I didn't come up with this, there is research to support it.  They don't just do it for the welfare checks.

Maybe liberals are working from the wrong end, trying to push abortion and birth control programs for the poor. Maybe they need to support free market enterprise, loosening regulations, etc., everything that brings back small business and upward mobility.

12073
Spin Zone / Re: Average temperature
« on: April 24, 2017, 07:28:02 AM »
Quote from: LevelWing on April 24, 2017, 07:20:39 AM
They said nothing about concealed carry. This case is about whether or not citizens should be allowed to carry concealed weapons in public places.

According to this line of thinking I have a right to defend my life inside my own home but when I'm out and about I shall be prey. Never made sense to me.

12074
Spin Zone / Re: Can someone explain how anyone could endorse socialism?
« on: April 23, 2017, 06:40:36 AM »
Quote from: Little Joe on April 23, 2017, 06:18:16 AM
Yes, that would be hard to believe.  You can't be serious.

Yes, the poor get a "prebate", which sound like an entitlement, but as you correctly pointed out, EVERYONE gets a prebate.  So how could it be unfair?
And consider that the prebate essentially removes the need for any sort of welfare?  Just think about that for a moment!  Our current entitlement system is so bloated, innefficient and out of control it numbs the mind.  Nobody will be going down the the 7-11 to sell their food stamps or WIC vouchers for half price to buy booze and cigarettes.  They will just buy it with their prebate money and the scammers get none of it (except for the usual wayts that fools find to part with their money).

Right now, many employers pay illegals under the table to avoid payroll taxes.  With the fair tax, there are no more payroll taxes.  Workers get to keep what they are told they are earning.  Most of the incentive to hire illegals evaporates right there by helping to equalize pay.  Illegals don't get the prebate.

As I said earlier, otherwise intelligent people can always come up with some objection to any sort of tax plan.  But I really can't figure out how you can think that this plan would be anywhere near as unfair or cumbersome as the current tax code.  Yeah, the Canadian and European "VAT" are incomprehensible to the point that no one has any idea how much tax they are paying.  Our current tax code is what gives the Federal Government most of it's control over our daily lives and what gives politicians such great power, and which gives the rich, who can afford an army of tax accountants, such leverage.  But that is why it will never happen.  The all powerful politicians and lobbyists for huge companies are afraid of it because it actually does help level the playing field for anyone.

I don't disagree with you and if it were put to a vote I'd probably vote for it.  My concern isn't so much what is proposed, it is more what compromises and changes would be made along the way.  Suppose for example, welfare is NOT stopped?  Now they're getting welfare AND the prebate.  And of course the rate can always be raised, just like income tax. But unlike income tax, there will be no way to shelter from it.   And that would apply to everyone, not just "the rich".  It's supposed to start out at 23 percent, but that's inclusive, it's actually 30% which is pretty high to begin with. For me to be comfortable with it, I'd want a Constitutional Amendment locking the rate.

For that matter, if there is no Constitutional Amendment revoking the income tax, there is nothing stopping the Feds from later on, adding back an income tax on top of the consumption tax.

I guess it's not the Fair Tax plan per se I mistrust, it's the implementation down the road.  People seem to think it offers some sort of protection from the abuses of DC, but that's a fantasy; there is no real protection.  The problem isn't so much our income tax system, as it is how it's been distorted and grown in a malignant way.  I don't see how the Fair Tax would be much more immune to the same thing, in the long run.

12075
Spin Zone / Re: Fox's Ted Baxter FIRED - Not Fake News
« on: April 23, 2017, 06:27:45 AM »
Quote from: EppyGA on April 22, 2017, 07:25:32 PM
It's all about how you react to the charges.  Herman ended up bowing to the pressure and the rest is history.  O'Reilly supposedly paid out big dollars which equated to "guilty".  Look at the women that came out of the woodwork on Trump after the Billy Bush audio tape.  He brushed it all off and got elected President.

Yes, Trump did a good job of treating it like the petty distraction it actually was, and putting the focus back on the issues. I think it was a bit of a miscalculation to try that with Trump anyway, when his opponent was Hillary, with her behavior after what Bill did.  It was easy to turn the tables and make it hurt Hillary just as much. 

I personally turned it around on Hillary with my young niece. This was her first presidential election and she was undecided. When the Trump charges came out she was aghast, naively buying the "outrage", and declaring she now wouldn't vote for Trump, but when I educated her on the Clintons' past, I think that was the nail in the coffin for Hillary as far as she was concerned.  I'm pretty sure she went third party, but her vote didn't go to Hillary.  I know I'm not the only person who brought up Bill's dallyings when they tried that shit on Trump.  I think it backfired badly.

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