Quote:
Originally Posted by Mkelcy
I can see that. Why would anyone respect a president who, for example, wants to see middle class Americans given a shot at decent wages and living conditions, who believes in education and passing on to our children a planet that's still viable, who respects the fundamental rights of all Americans to marry, serve in the armed forces and be treated with respect, and who thinks that it's not moral to balance the budget on the backs of the elderly through cuts to medicare and social security?
Yes, so much more reflective of American values to gut the safety net (and the promises made over the last 50 years) so we can give tax breaks to the obscenely wealthy and allow capitalists to flourish at the expense of both the country and its citizens.
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I was just going to ignore this response because it's really more of a flame than a discussion of the issues. So far this thread has remained a fairly simple posts of peoples beliefs without rebuttal.
I don't think 'most' people want to see the gutting of the entitlements that hard working, tax paying Americans need. What I do think 'most' Americans would agree on is that many of these programs have become far too liberal and out of control. Obama Phones is just one tiny example of what most folks would think is "over the top".
So, the way America works is that we usually have to have a great debate. Then we can expose the weaknesses - throw around some ideas - radical on the left and right - and come back to a consensus with something that works for most.
Where we are in those debates (on many fronts) reminds me of the old hippie days with the girl putting a flower in the end of the barrel of a soldiers rifle. Obviously two quite opposite sides I'd say.
Here's my - to use your statement about gutting social programs - idea on Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid. Rather than just raise taxes on everything and everyone... how about we modify these payouts in a reverse of paying taxes - in other words - the more you make - the less you get - and the less you make the MORE you get? Why should I get SS and Medicare etc -- I'm a 1% guy. I don't need these programs - and I'm perfectly happy NOT receiving them regardless of the fact that I've paid in. I have a buddy that gets SS and he opened up an auto deposit / auto pay account just so his check pays the lease on his Mercedes. To me - that's just plain wrong.
It is, however, equally wrong that my niece collects $600 a month because she had a baby out of wedlock that has a defective arm. His arm is just mildly deformed - and he's had 3 or 4 FREE surgeries in order to correct it. She's been getting this monthly payment since the day he was born. Does she put it into an account so he'll never have to work? Does this money come with ANY strings attached at all? NO... it's just pissed down a rat hole every month and looked at as "FREE MONEY" to spend. THAT IS WRONG and is the type of thing that needs to be stopped.
I'm a democratic republican. What I'd like to see happen is that people like me - the rich guys you hate - be denied SS etc -- and I'd like to see it go to REAL NEEDS of people that are barely getting by. BUT I don't want to see mine going to people like my niece.
Now -- what tax paying people are PO'd about is that they feel their money is WASTED. And rather than just being forced to pay add infinitum - they'd like to force a discussion and see some REAL changes to these "programs" BEFORE they just blindly send more dough into the waste pit called Washington DC.