Have you considered listening to what the big bad Democrats are saying,
Yes, I have. They are liars and cheaters, and I don't believe anything they say, unless it is proven true. Same for Republicans.
1. Minority voters are disproportionately unlikely to have an existing photo ID (say, a driver's license.)
This is fucking racist. There is absolutely no evidence that this exists. And that is not the argument when "free government issued ID" is included in the Voter ID laws. There is NO ability loss just because skin color. The fact that you're making excuses as to why skin color actually matters in getting a photo ID (often Free, low cost), when so many other government services and purchasing things like alcohol, opening a bank account, getting welfare, having a job... all requires a photo ID. You're basically saying that skin color matters in ABILITY (and without proof, I might add).. which is patently racist at face value. You are so blinded you can't even see how your view of Race is remarkably... sad.
2. Once enacted, states with Voter ID laws have a habit of erecting roadblocks to make it harder to get them if you live in areas with high minority populations. For example, closing offices that issue driver's licenses.
Strawman and slippery slope fallacy. And Racist. You're making the case that Government is racist (I wouldn't disagree), is an excuse to continue racism in other forms. And You have no facts to actually back up this claim, because there are no Voter ID laws that are actually valid, since "black people are not capable of getting IDs to vote" (See racist point #1)
3. If you've never had ID, it can be - depending on your situation - difficult to meet the criteria for obtaining ID, requiring the gathering of paperwork that most people don't actually keep, and in some cases is - in practice - impossible to obtain.
Bullshit. And fucking Racist. It is so easy to get Voter approved ID, that Illegal immigrants without any form of ID can get Driver's Licenses in many many states. You're saying that a Hispanic person ("undocumented worker") is more capable of getting ID than a black person, do you realize how fucking racist that is?
The fact is, you're making excuses for people based solely upon the color of their skin, and don't even realize how fucking racist that actually comes across when someone actually questions your motivations. Yes, I believe you're unintentionally racist because you think your big heart excuses your racism, because of intentions. Real racism isn't intentional, it is white guilt masquerade of low expectations.
You see, I see black people as FULLY capable of doing anything and everything a "white" person can and does do. Without exception or excuse as to why they don't. Yes, that puts me in a rare situation where I can see the Racism of white guilt throughout the DNC, that perpetuates the myth that black people need white people to help them, because they aren't white.
Hillary lies about what she said. Then she lies about telling lies. And then lies again.
Or perhaps she forgets what she said, after all the brain trauma she's experienced (and used as an excuse for not remembering critical briefings).
AND I guess you didn't see the part where I am not defending Trump. You're defending Hillary is amusing, when it is clear that she is every bit as bad as Trump is, and yet you think Trump is worse.
You mean, like when Bill Clinton said "Make America Great" is racist, even though he used that same exact phrase a number of times during his own presidential campaign?
That, is hypocrisy, because it is actually word for word comparison. Rather than when talking about email servers and health of a presidential candidate, try to change the subject by calling Trump a racist for saying "Make America Great". (actual example)
No, I am not supporting Trump either. Vote Gary Johnson.
Why isn't it a valid argument to allow Comcast to decide how to manage its own network?
The problem with Net Neutrality isn't technological, it is one of lack of choice at the last mile. The monopoly caused by franchise agreements is the actual problem, not what Comcast chooses to do with its network.
IF we break that problem up (I've made a comprehensive proposal before) by pushing the last mile as municipal infrastructure (similar to "streets/roads") all the problems with "net neutrality" that everyone is up in arms about, simply goes away, without a single government regulation.
We have to stop making government responsible for solving the problems created by governments, and taking a step back and addressing the real problem (in this case, last mile monopoly)
3D printing is going to upset a lot of markets. Especially once the 3D printed parts rival commercialize machined parts in quality. I give it 10-15 years.
Here is the thing about lower end unskilled workforce, is that automation always replaces that which can be replaced. Trying to have government, slow and stupid government, fix the problem is probably the worst of the solutions. Yes, it sucks that people are losing their jobs to robots, but when McDonalds can make a hamburger better and more consistently with robots, at a cost that is below Human capital costs, they will. And all the liberals running around wanting to raise minimum starting wage to $15 hour is only going to accelerate that process.
So, you raise the Minimum starting wage to $15/hr, and you displace workers faster than expected due to automated processes (robots) what is your fix for that dear liberals?
The solution is to get government out of economics completely. Let the market, as cold and harsh as it is, sort things out. The fact that it is dispassionate is not a bad thing, as much as the liberals would like you to believe. Because the alternative is to have everything decided by the emotions of the day. (I hope that didn't "trigger" any precious snowflakes)
But hey, when the GOP destroys campaign related servers, I am sure the Justice Dept will be all over that for tampering with potential evidence, in an ironic partisan flip flop.
It is really bad when you can see how obvious the responses would be if certain things were reversed.
It is like when the talking heads on one news program (CNN I believe) described New York City on Sunday as "Sweltering", when it was 78 Degrees out, in an attempt to make Hillary's lie about dehydration seem more legitimate. Obviously they are "pro-Trump".
Because "alt-right" is racist, because... democrats say so?
But Hillary's "Super Predators" and "Bring them to heel" comments aren't. Her (and her husband's) use of Confederate Flags wasn't racist. "Make America Great Again" is racist, except when Bill used it for his campaign.
Here is the problem, as I see it. The most racist thing out there, is the whole DNC platform that expects black people to continue to vote DNC candidates, without so much as even pandering, simply by tossing out the race card over every little thing.
It is obvious that crying Racism is the ONLY thing left the Democrats have with respect to Hillary's campaign. And that is, by itself racist. And the black community is starting to wake up to the pure racism of low expectations that the DNC has of them.
Can't have voter ID laws, because the DNC says Black people can't figure out how to get a free voter ID. But that isn't racist. Can't have single day voting, because DNC says Black People can't figure out how to fill out an absentee ballot or get to the polls on time. But that isn't racist.
IF you simply look at the excuses being made on behalf of black people, they are all telling black people that they are incapable of doing normal activities, simply because... they are black.And I find that extremely distasteful and as fucking racist as anything.
Black people aren't as stupid, lazy, incapable as the DNC is making them out to be. But I am a racist for pointing out how stupid the DNC position is for these people.
NO - I am not voting for Trump, this isn't about Trump, this is about racist DNC positions on how they actually treat black people as a "group" of incapable lazy idiots, who need special treatment and help to do normal things.
You gotta remember, liberals love to justify bad behavior, by pointing to (often unrelated)... bad behavior.
It is as if they are four year olds getting in trouble, and saying "but Billy's Mom lets him drink beer/smoke dope". The problem is, nobody calls it "childish" behavior (which it is), because that is insulting to children.
SJW are all about kneejerking reactions based on emotional responses to certain stimuli. They are as bad (if not worse) than what they tend to be posting. Everything is "Traumatizing" to them. I am not longer sure that they are exaggerating their responses, though that was my initial instinct. Everything seems to be way over the top. Like they will litterally cry over the "best espresso" delivered at Starbucks (or some other local coffee shop) only to do the exact same thing three days later, at another shop. Everything is "best" (cry happy tears) or "worst thing ever" (crying sad hate filled tears of angst).
If you could assure me that there weren't abuses and generational "welfare" recipients....
And I blame government for creating a system of raising the barrier to entry into business so that nobody without "help" can actually start a business. Hell, government shuts down little girl lemonade stands for gawd's sake.
When you're poor, you can't afford the $100 "business license" required to open up a business. Tell me, what that fee actually does, besides tax those that can least afford it and create an artificial barrier to entry into a marketplace?
Yeah, explain to me how we are better off with the increased "entitlement" programs over the last 50 years. Give me a "what we had before" vs "what we had after" in terms of Unemployment, Welfare, food stamps, and especially "poverty". Tell me, exactly, how "progressive" anything has made us better off.
IMHO, the whole "redistribution of wealth" hasn't helped "poor" people at all, and in fact, I would suggest to you that the idea that government has a role in the success economically of everyone, is flawed, and the artificial barriers used by government keeps a lot people from being successful, and even pushes them towards failure, creating a sick dependency of people who need increasing government care, and a government all too willing to keep increasing the care it provides.
And, before you accuse me, I am a heartless bastard, who wants Somalia/rolleyes
My "IT" work started when I was in Junior High during the 70's, long before the "bubble". It took Programming classes at the local Junior College while I was in High School in the late 70's early 80's. My college degree is in Finance, as they only had Computer Science as an option, and I didn't want to do "programming" on Mainframes (what that degree meant at the time). I saw the PC (Apple IIe, IBM, Macintosh) for what they were long before they were mainstream and "bubbled" some 15 years later.
Call that privilege all you want, my skin color had nothing to do with it. And, you don't extend privilege by taking it away from people. Privilege is not a bad word, except to progressives who are ignorant of all the privileges they have being born in a first world country, and not some Amazonian Jungle or backwoods Chinese or Indian village.
I never claimed to be a Snowflake, in fact, I pretty much said the opposite. I said I would be fine, unlike so many liberal snowflakes who think that getting a degree in "being offended by their shadow" is somehow going to serve them in life.
And you are a narcissist, since all you can think about is how you are right, and people like you think people like me are nothing more than racist homophobic islamophobic "basket of despicables".
I believe in taxes. I also believe that taxes should be avoidable by everyone, not the privileged rich and the poor. This means, that they are more or less "voluntary". Taxes are regressive, by their very nature.
I am a libertarian, so I am open to all sorts of "taxes" on "sin" (things harmful to society) like drugs and alcohol. In fact, those taxes should be high enough to cover the negative (societal) costs. Or Gas taxes that are used to pay for roads (and transportation) etc. I'll even support Property taxes, provided they go to supporting local infrastructure and government services like Police and Fire (that help Everyone).
I do not want the discussion about "how much" to pay, because that basically assumes that the taxes we pay, are the right of government. They aren't. Taxes collected by threat of government guns (and prisons) is by its nature a hostile act, of the government against the citizenry.
My greater point is that taxes, all of them are regressive, even when they are supposedly "progressive" in structure. (like graduated income taxes). We shouldn't retard valid economic activity by taxing it. At some point, it becomes less beneficial to work, and more beneficial to not work, simply because the benefits of not working is more than working. Emotional arguments about Grandma eating dog food is pandering for confiscatory taxes, and nothing less.
Why not use "Sales Tax (7.25% / CA), Gas Tax (compound taxes), Toll Tax , etc"
OF Those, I would not oppose "toll" tax, as that is completely avoidable for 100% of the people. The rest are "taxes" after the taxes (income) we have already paid.
I am taxed at around 25% federal tax, nearly 10% state tax, that is 35 % of my income gone, before I get home. After that, I pay property, sales, and all sorts of other Taxes and fees. And, I am not even in the top tax bracket.
What I never hear from liberal/socialists is them admit that government ever fails at anything. In fact, that is the first "go to" option for every solution they offer.
I've made this point at least a dozen times this year, the current neo-communist logic goes like this:
"We have to do something, this is something, therefore we must do it"
Nobody ever stops and asks "why do we need to do anything?"
Claiming ignorance of history isn't usually a way to win arguments.
I didn't throw out a stawman in ignorance. If you're going to complain about strawman, why not complain about the original strawman? I only used a strawman (not really, it was a question)
In case you wondered, here it is in a nutshell....
You didn't go to school? Strawman. Schools existed long before Fed Income Tax, You don't walk on sidewalks and drive on roads? Strawman, roads existed, sidewalks existed long before Fed Income Tax You weren't protected by the nations military? Strawman. Military existed, long before the Fed Income Tax You don't shower? Strawman. Showers existed long before Federal Income Tax.
The IMPLICATION (clear) is that we couldn't do ANY of these things without being taxed to death (and beyond), when clearly (some/all) these things existed before there was even a "Federal Government".
And the Federal Income Tax is the ONLY tax levied directly on individuals at the federal level. Combined tax rates (Fed, State, Local, taxes, fees, etc) approaching 50% of income (middle class) is slavery / servitude / feudal, and part of the reason I say "Taxes are regressive, all of them". The rich can avoid them, the poor don't pay them, and the middle class is perpetually stuck paying "their fair share" of them. Cutting Government isn't just appropriate, it is our responsibility. And as long as people like you keep justifying INCREASING taxes for more Government to service increasing debt and increasing liability to the tax payers (i.e. Middle Class) our livelihoods aren't ours.
I personally object to the tacit (implied) notion that our income isn't ours, that it is government's and that we are "allowed" to keep some of it to live off. Our income is ours, 100% of it. Period. Implied contracts are non-binding, and I object to others deciding how much of MY income is mine.;)
Lastly, Using Ignorance (not knowing those things existed before taxes approached 50%) to win an argument isn't something I would recommend.
Your argument is that because Government does some services, that it should be doing more and more and more and more.. regardless of the effectiveness of those services?
1) We had schools, roads, sidewalks, military, showers... all before we were taxed at rates approaching 50%
2) We don't need to pay taxes in the range of 25% - 50% (and more!) so that the government can tell us how we are supposed to live (beyond Schools, roads, military...)
People like you piss me off, because for you, it is "all or nothing" (I am surprised you didn't bring up Somalia) binary choice, with NO actual thought. Those "tax dollars" we are paying are increasingly going to service debt (19 Trillion dollars), and tied up in "entitltement" programs that have done little to actually help anyone. We've spent the last 50 years on the Great Society and are either worse off, or not any better than we were 50 years ago, and yet, there are millions more enslaved to "Government Services" (and democratic party politics).
Indeed, what has "government" ever done for us, beside take our hard earned money and give it to bureaucrats to skim 50% off the top for "administration", who then use their power and influence against the people they are supposed to serve.
You're 100% accurate and didn't actually insult me (even though you thought you did). This is a world economy, driven by world economics and world politics. Just because you're offended by it, doesn't make it less true. Cheaper is right, Middle aged is right, Middle Class is right, IT is right.
But unlike you, I actually have a plan for when I am outsourced. I will not be traumatized by it, as I fully expect it. I'll be okay because I have the foresight to see it coming. My skills are unique, and aren't all in the IT basket.
The interesting thing is, you offer me nothing but insults, which is what I expect for idiots who think they are right about everything, who actually know nothing at all. YOU my friend are the one that is easily replaced. I am unique in this world, there is only one me. Narcissistic and all;)
And don't worry about me, I'll be fine. You on the other hand, are dependent upon the slave masters of government for your well being, since you seem to think that Government is there to lead you. You get what you pay for.;)
The reality of life is that it isn't always easy to just "move" if you have a family or other circumstances.
Well, if you're talking about the people who are traumatized by chalk marks, I can see your point. OR you can suck it up and deal with it. Of course it isn't easy.
Here is a tidbit from my father, a wise man. "Easy things are not valued, because they are easy. Hard things are valued, because they are rare" When Everyone has something, its value is replaceable by the next person's version. When EVERYONE has a college degree, then that degree is worth less because it isn't rare.
Do the things that are hard, because those things have intrinsic value.
Whining about things being "hard" is one of the greatest crippling things, and why people like the UC system are outsourcing. Americans (I am one) are an entitled spoiled brat. It is why places like India are starting to kick our asses. And Liberal Politicians, rather than see the problem for what it is, are trying to protect the snowflakes from the heat of reality by passing more laws and regulations that ONLY serve to empower themselves.
Their grave is already dug, it isn't personal, it is just business.
I will not be digging my own grave. And anyone wanting me to put me in one, is likely to end up there first, or with me.Life is a bitter struggle to survive, and I plan on thriving (not just surviving). If this ever happened to me, I'd walk out, take as many of my colleagues as I can, and hope to hell that the idiots at the top get fired for their short sighted thinking.
We elect them. Just take a look at our top two Presidential Candidates.
Humans are evil, some more so than others. The good ones cannot compete with evil ones, because they have lines they will not cross, giving an unfair advantage to the evil ones who will win at any cost. It is also part of the reason I am a Libertarian, who views most government activity with disdainful eye.
Slashdot Mirror
Have you considered listening to what the big bad Democrats are saying,
Yes, I have. They are liars and cheaters, and I don't believe anything they say, unless it is proven true. Same for Republicans.
1. Minority voters are disproportionately unlikely to have an existing photo ID (say, a driver's license.)
This is fucking racist. There is absolutely no evidence that this exists. And that is not the argument when "free government issued ID" is included in the Voter ID laws. There is NO ability loss just because skin color. The fact that you're making excuses as to why skin color actually matters in getting a photo ID (often Free, low cost), when so many other government services and purchasing things like alcohol, opening a bank account, getting welfare, having a job ... all requires a photo ID. You're basically saying that skin color matters in ABILITY (and without proof, I might add) .. which is patently racist at face value. You are so blinded you can't even see how your view of Race is remarkably ... sad.
2. Once enacted, states with Voter ID laws have a habit of erecting roadblocks to make it harder to get them if you live in areas with high minority populations. For example, closing offices that issue driver's licenses.
Strawman and slippery slope fallacy. And Racist. You're making the case that Government is racist (I wouldn't disagree), is an excuse to continue racism in other forms. And You have no facts to actually back up this claim, because there are no Voter ID laws that are actually valid, since "black people are not capable of getting IDs to vote" (See racist point #1)
3. If you've never had ID, it can be - depending on your situation - difficult to meet the criteria for obtaining ID, requiring the gathering of paperwork that most people don't actually keep, and in some cases is - in practice - impossible to obtain.
Bullshit. And fucking Racist. It is so easy to get Voter approved ID, that Illegal immigrants without any form of ID can get Driver's Licenses in many many states. You're saying that a Hispanic person ("undocumented worker") is more capable of getting ID than a black person, do you realize how fucking racist that is?
The fact is, you're making excuses for people based solely upon the color of their skin, and don't even realize how fucking racist that actually comes across when someone actually questions your motivations. Yes, I believe you're unintentionally racist because you think your big heart excuses your racism, because of intentions. Real racism isn't intentional, it is white guilt masquerade of low expectations.
You see, I see black people as FULLY capable of doing anything and everything a "white" person can and does do. Without exception or excuse as to why they don't. Yes, that puts me in a rare situation where I can see the Racism of white guilt throughout the DNC, that perpetuates the myth that black people need white people to help them, because they aren't white.
They don't need our help, they are fully capable.
Hillary lies about what she said. Then she lies about telling lies. And then lies again.
Or perhaps she forgets what she said, after all the brain trauma she's experienced (and used as an excuse for not remembering critical briefings).
AND I guess you didn't see the part where I am not defending Trump. You're defending Hillary is amusing, when it is clear that she is every bit as bad as Trump is, and yet you think Trump is worse.
You mean, like when Bill Clinton said "Make America Great" is racist, even though he used that same exact phrase a number of times during his own presidential campaign?
That, is hypocrisy, because it is actually word for word comparison. Rather than when talking about email servers and health of a presidential candidate, try to change the subject by calling Trump a racist for saying "Make America Great". (actual example)
No, I am not supporting Trump either. Vote Gary Johnson.
Which party are you complaining about? Because from where I sit, both the D and R parties are ... guilty of that charge.
And ... I rest my case !
Why isn't it a valid argument to allow Comcast to decide how to manage its own network?
The problem with Net Neutrality isn't technological, it is one of lack of choice at the last mile. The monopoly caused by franchise agreements is the actual problem, not what Comcast chooses to do with its network.
IF we break that problem up (I've made a comprehensive proposal before) by pushing the last mile as municipal infrastructure (similar to "streets/roads") all the problems with "net neutrality" that everyone is up in arms about, simply goes away, without a single government regulation.
We have to stop making government responsible for solving the problems created by governments, and taking a step back and addressing the real problem (in this case, last mile monopoly)
3D printing is going to upset a lot of markets. Especially once the 3D printed parts rival commercialize machined parts in quality. I give it 10-15 years.
buggy whip manufacturers that went out of business. Where are they?
Making whips for the S&M crowd?
Yes, it is a niche market, but so is everything else that has been replaced by automation ;)
Here is the thing about lower end unskilled workforce, is that automation always replaces that which can be replaced. Trying to have government, slow and stupid government, fix the problem is probably the worst of the solutions. Yes, it sucks that people are losing their jobs to robots, but when McDonalds can make a hamburger better and more consistently with robots, at a cost that is below Human capital costs, they will. And all the liberals running around wanting to raise minimum starting wage to $15 hour is only going to accelerate that process.
So, you raise the Minimum starting wage to $15/hr, and you displace workers faster than expected due to automated processes (robots) what is your fix for that dear liberals?
The solution is to get government out of economics completely. Let the market, as cold and harsh as it is, sort things out. The fact that it is dispassionate is not a bad thing, as much as the liberals would like you to believe. Because the alternative is to have everything decided by the emotions of the day. (I hope that didn't "trigger" any precious snowflakes)
destroyed it completely.
But hey, when the GOP destroys campaign related servers, I am sure the Justice Dept will be all over that for tampering with potential evidence, in an ironic partisan flip flop.
It is really bad when you can see how obvious the responses would be if certain things were reversed.
It is like when the talking heads on one news program (CNN I believe) described New York City on Sunday as "Sweltering", when it was 78 Degrees out, in an attempt to make Hillary's lie about dehydration seem more legitimate. Obviously they are "pro-Trump".
Because "alt-right" is racist, because ... democrats say so?
But Hillary's "Super Predators" and "Bring them to heel" comments aren't. Her (and her husband's) use of Confederate Flags wasn't racist. "Make America Great Again" is racist, except when Bill used it for his campaign.
Here is the problem, as I see it. The most racist thing out there, is the whole DNC platform that expects black people to continue to vote DNC candidates, without so much as even pandering, simply by tossing out the race card over every little thing.
It is obvious that crying Racism is the ONLY thing left the Democrats have with respect to Hillary's campaign. And that is, by itself racist. And the black community is starting to wake up to the pure racism of low expectations that the DNC has of them.
Can't have voter ID laws, because the DNC says Black people can't figure out how to get a free voter ID. But that isn't racist.
Can't have single day voting, because DNC says Black People can't figure out how to fill out an absentee ballot or get to the polls on time. But that isn't racist.
IF you simply look at the excuses being made on behalf of black people, they are all telling black people that they are incapable of doing normal activities, simply because ... they are black.And I find that extremely distasteful and as fucking racist as anything.
Black people aren't as stupid, lazy, incapable as the DNC is making them out to be. But I am a racist for pointing out how stupid the DNC position is for these people.
NO - I am not voting for Trump, this isn't about Trump, this is about racist DNC positions on how they actually treat black people as a "group" of incapable lazy idiots, who need special treatment and help to do normal things.
You gotta remember, liberals love to justify bad behavior, by pointing to (often unrelated) ... bad behavior.
It is as if they are four year olds getting in trouble, and saying "but Billy's Mom lets him drink beer/smoke dope". The problem is, nobody calls it "childish" behavior (which it is), because that is insulting to children.
SJW are all about kneejerking reactions based on emotional responses to certain stimuli. They are as bad (if not worse) than what they tend to be posting. Everything is "Traumatizing" to them. I am not longer sure that they are exaggerating their responses, though that was my initial instinct. Everything seems to be way over the top. Like they will litterally cry over the "best espresso" delivered at Starbucks (or some other local coffee shop) only to do the exact same thing three days later, at another shop. Everything is "best" (cry happy tears) or "worst thing ever" (crying sad hate filled tears of angst).
If you could assure me that there weren't abuses and generational "welfare" recipients ....
And I blame government for creating a system of raising the barrier to entry into business so that nobody without "help" can actually start a business. Hell, government shuts down little girl lemonade stands for gawd's sake.
When you're poor, you can't afford the $100 "business license" required to open up a business. Tell me, what that fee actually does, besides tax those that can least afford it and create an artificial barrier to entry into a marketplace?
Yeah, explain to me how we are better off with the increased "entitlement" programs over the last 50 years. Give me a "what we had before" vs "what we had after" in terms of Unemployment, Welfare, food stamps, and especially "poverty". Tell me, exactly, how "progressive" anything has made us better off.
IMHO, the whole "redistribution of wealth" hasn't helped "poor" people at all, and in fact, I would suggest to you that the idea that government has a role in the success economically of everyone, is flawed, and the artificial barriers used by government keeps a lot people from being successful, and even pushes them towards failure, creating a sick dependency of people who need increasing government care, and a government all too willing to keep increasing the care it provides.
And, before you accuse me, I am a heartless bastard, who wants Somalia /rolleyes
My "IT" work started when I was in Junior High during the 70's, long before the "bubble". It took Programming classes at the local Junior College while I was in High School in the late 70's early 80's. My college degree is in Finance, as they only had Computer Science as an option, and I didn't want to do "programming" on Mainframes (what that degree meant at the time). I saw the PC (Apple IIe, IBM, Macintosh) for what they were long before they were mainstream and "bubbled" some 15 years later.
Call that privilege all you want, my skin color had nothing to do with it. And, you don't extend privilege by taking it away from people. Privilege is not a bad word, except to progressives who are ignorant of all the privileges they have being born in a first world country, and not some Amazonian Jungle or backwoods Chinese or Indian village.
I never claimed to be a Snowflake, in fact, I pretty much said the opposite. I said I would be fine, unlike so many liberal snowflakes who think that getting a degree in "being offended by their shadow" is somehow going to serve them in life.
And you are a narcissist, since all you can think about is how you are right, and people like you think people like me are nothing more than racist homophobic islamophobic "basket of despicables".
I believe in taxes. I also believe that taxes should be avoidable by everyone, not the privileged rich and the poor. This means, that they are more or less "voluntary". Taxes are regressive, by their very nature.
I am a libertarian, so I am open to all sorts of "taxes" on "sin" (things harmful to society) like drugs and alcohol. In fact, those taxes should be high enough to cover the negative (societal) costs. Or Gas taxes that are used to pay for roads (and transportation) etc. I'll even support Property taxes, provided they go to supporting local infrastructure and government services like Police and Fire (that help Everyone).
I do not want the discussion about "how much" to pay, because that basically assumes that the taxes we pay, are the right of government. They aren't. Taxes collected by threat of government guns (and prisons) is by its nature a hostile act, of the government against the citizenry.
My greater point is that taxes, all of them are regressive, even when they are supposedly "progressive" in structure. (like graduated income taxes). We shouldn't retard valid economic activity by taxing it. At some point, it becomes less beneficial to work, and more beneficial to not work, simply because the benefits of not working is more than working. Emotional arguments about Grandma eating dog food is pandering for confiscatory taxes, and nothing less.
Why not use "Sales Tax (7.25% / CA), Gas Tax (compound taxes), Toll Tax , etc"
OF Those, I would not oppose "toll" tax, as that is completely avoidable for 100% of the people. The rest are "taxes" after the taxes (income) we have already paid.
I am taxed at around 25% federal tax, nearly 10% state tax, that is 35 % of my income gone, before I get home. After that, I pay property, sales, and all sorts of other Taxes and fees. And, I am not even in the top tax bracket.
What I never hear from liberal/socialists is them admit that government ever fails at anything. In fact, that is the first "go to" option for every solution they offer.
I've made this point at least a dozen times this year, the current neo-communist logic goes like this:
"We have to do something, this is something, therefore we must do it"
Nobody ever stops and asks "why do we need to do anything?"
Do you have any citation for taxes below 25% being enough to pay for all the things we share and take (rightfully) for granted in our lives?
http://crypticphilosopher.com/...
Claiming ignorance of history isn't usually a way to win arguments.
I didn't throw out a stawman in ignorance. If you're going to complain about strawman, why not complain about the original strawman? I only used a strawman (not really, it was a question)
In case you wondered, here it is in a nutshell ....
You didn't go to school? Strawman. Schools existed long before Fed Income Tax,
You don't walk on sidewalks and drive on roads? Strawman, roads existed, sidewalks existed long before Fed Income Tax
You weren't protected by the nations military? Strawman. Military existed, long before the Fed Income Tax
You don't shower? Strawman. Showers existed long before Federal Income Tax.
The IMPLICATION (clear) is that we couldn't do ANY of these things without being taxed to death (and beyond), when clearly (some/all) these things existed before there was even a "Federal Government".
And the Federal Income Tax is the ONLY tax levied directly on individuals at the federal level. Combined tax rates (Fed, State, Local, taxes, fees, etc) approaching 50% of income (middle class) is slavery / servitude / feudal, and part of the reason I say "Taxes are regressive, all of them". The rich can avoid them, the poor don't pay them, and the middle class is perpetually stuck paying "their fair share" of them. Cutting Government isn't just appropriate, it is our responsibility. And as long as people like you keep justifying INCREASING taxes for more Government to service increasing debt and increasing liability to the tax payers (i.e. Middle Class) our livelihoods aren't ours.
I personally object to the tacit (implied) notion that our income isn't ours, that it is government's and that we are "allowed" to keep some of it to live off. Our income is ours, 100% of it. Period. Implied contracts are non-binding, and I object to others deciding how much of MY income is mine. ;)
Lastly, Using Ignorance (not knowing those things existed before taxes approached 50%) to win an argument isn't something I would recommend.
Your argument is that because Government does some services, that it should be doing more and more and more and more .. regardless of the effectiveness of those services?
1) We had schools, roads, sidewalks, military, showers ... all before we were taxed at rates approaching 50%
2) We don't need to pay taxes in the range of 25% - 50% (and more!) so that the government can tell us how we are supposed to live (beyond Schools, roads, military ...)
People like you piss me off, because for you, it is "all or nothing" (I am surprised you didn't bring up Somalia) binary choice, with NO actual thought. Those "tax dollars" we are paying are increasingly going to service debt (19 Trillion dollars), and tied up in "entitltement" programs that have done little to actually help anyone. We've spent the last 50 years on the Great Society and are either worse off, or not any better than we were 50 years ago, and yet, there are millions more enslaved to "Government Services" (and democratic party politics).
Indeed, what has "government" ever done for us, beside take our hard earned money and give it to bureaucrats to skim 50% off the top for "administration", who then use their power and influence against the people they are supposed to serve.
I reject your simplistic view, as incomplete.
You're 100% accurate and didn't actually insult me (even though you thought you did). This is a world economy, driven by world economics and world politics. Just because you're offended by it, doesn't make it less true. Cheaper is right, Middle aged is right, Middle Class is right, IT is right.
But unlike you, I actually have a plan for when I am outsourced. I will not be traumatized by it, as I fully expect it. I'll be okay because I have the foresight to see it coming. My skills are unique, and aren't all in the IT basket.
The interesting thing is, you offer me nothing but insults, which is what I expect for idiots who think they are right about everything, who actually know nothing at all. YOU my friend are the one that is easily replaced. I am unique in this world, there is only one me. Narcissistic and all ;)
And don't worry about me, I'll be fine. You on the other hand, are dependent upon the slave masters of government for your well being, since you seem to think that Government is there to lead you. You get what you pay for. ;)
Not the original poster, but I am a Libertarian.
The reality of life is that it isn't always easy to just "move" if you have a family or other circumstances.
Well, if you're talking about the people who are traumatized by chalk marks, I can see your point. OR you can suck it up and deal with it. Of course it isn't easy.
Here is a tidbit from my father, a wise man. "Easy things are not valued, because they are easy. Hard things are valued, because they are rare" When Everyone has something, its value is replaceable by the next person's version. When EVERYONE has a college degree, then that degree is worth less because it isn't rare.
Do the things that are hard, because those things have intrinsic value.
Whining about things being "hard" is one of the greatest crippling things, and why people like the UC system are outsourcing. Americans (I am one) are an entitled spoiled brat. It is why places like India are starting to kick our asses. And Liberal Politicians, rather than see the problem for what it is, are trying to protect the snowflakes from the heat of reality by passing more laws and regulations that ONLY serve to empower themselves.
Their grave is already dug, it isn't personal, it is just business.
I will not be digging my own grave. And anyone wanting me to put me in one, is likely to end up there first, or with me.Life is a bitter struggle to survive, and I plan on thriving (not just surviving). If this ever happened to me, I'd walk out, take as many of my colleagues as I can, and hope to hell that the idiots at the top get fired for their short sighted thinking.
See North Korea for example. It isn't poverty, it is politics.
We elect them. Just take a look at our top two Presidential Candidates.
Humans are evil, some more so than others. The good ones cannot compete with evil ones, because they have lines they will not cross, giving an unfair advantage to the evil ones who will win at any cost. It is also part of the reason I am a Libertarian, who views most government activity with disdainful eye.