(Untitled)

[xxxmetalpunkxxx]

Well, i had entertained the thought of posting my views concerning current events, but i concluded that would be pointless. I'll just be vague and general like the majority of others like to do, pretending i'm proposing a specific and fool-proof guideline for government and life in general. I'll just say that i'm just as unhappy with Obama as i

Comments

[notanavragelosr]

all right, first, I agree that politican's can't be trusted on their word.

second, I'll be the first to say that our government needs reform top-to-bottom. maybe not a complete rewrite, but reform (like 6 year terms for senators? that's a bit much).

anyways, yeah, elections having to do with the executive branch are important. no argument there. But there are two other branches. The system of checks and balances isn't perfect, and it isn't often used to great effect. But it is there.

So I guess I'm saying what I've always said: if the White House administration is pissing you off, don't just be pissed at them. Get pissed at Congress, too. They have the authority to grant and limit presidential power. Give them a kick in the ass to actually make them USE that authority!

A good example would the the War Powers Act. Congress successfully put a check in place to make sure that the commander in chief of the military didn't just go off and do whatever the hell he wanted. But it's a reactive check. Gotta put some pressure on

[xxxmetalpunkxxx]

Oh i'm with you all the way, i just didn't bring up congress because the presidential election is the news of the hour. I have little to no faith in the large part of the government. When you have an institution that is absolutely saturated with corruption, an idea like checks and balances is little more than a joke. I firmly believe that the whole system needs to be torn down, and redone. No one can 'fix' the current government. There is no one person that is fucking the whole thing up. There is no one person, or two or three or a dozen, that you can remove and everything would be right as rain. Scrap the whole thing. Scrap the 2, 3, 400,000 dollar a year paychecks. Scrap the three figure incomes paid to congressmen who work 1/3 of the fucking year. As far as term length, that really doesn't bother me. If you get somebody good in there, keep them there for as long as they stay good. If you get someone bad in there, don't re-elect them, or get them out sooner. The general public has been lead to believe, be it through influence or

[notanavragelosr]

yeah, the salaries are outlandish. Espeically at the federal level, where they get paid an obsene amount and everything's paid for.

Sorry, Mr. President, but we provide you with a house, a line of cars, a security service, domestic help, food, and a fucking jet, you don't need a six-figure salary on top of that.

[xxxmetalpunkxxx]

Exactly. I absolutely believe people deserve to get paid for the work they do. But it's just like any industry; you only get money if people are buying your product. If your product is shit, you don't make any money. The government has put itself into unreal debt, and is now helping to sink the rest of the economy. If you ask me, that's a pretty shit product.

THEY TEEK AER JAERRRBS!!!!

[frieko]

Disclaimer: I agree that welfare is out of control. However, your argument is crap.

I refuse to financially sponsor another person or persons

I refuse to financially sponsor your use of public roads and schools and defense. I refuse to let you reap the benefits of hundreds of years of science and engineering. I refuse to let you reap the benefits of all the people who fought for our country before you were born.

We stand on the shoulders of giants. None of us would have jack squat if other people didn't share the dividends of their labor.

You don't deserve what you've been given! Nobody does. If you think there should be less welfare then fine, I agree. But if you want a country where people don't get anything they haven't worked for, then feel free to leave. Because this isn't one of those countries and it never has been.

Re: THEY TEEK AER JAERRRBS!!!!

[amyisyellow]

Yeah, I've got to echo Adam on both points. Welfare needs a huge overhaul. I don't even want to talk about it because I'm in too good of a mood to have that bring me down

Re: THEY TEEK AER JAERRRBS!!!!

[xxxmetalpunkxxx]

well, like Adam said, your taxes are in things like roads, schools, defense, and even science and engineering. I don't know how they do it in good ol Canada, but my job here in the good ol US of A helped me pay for medical and dental insurance, and helped me fund a 401k for retirement (which is good since there will be no social security money when i retire).
As far as Obama goes, call me negative, but good intentions count for shit when they don't end in tangible results.

Re: THEY TEEK AER JAERRRBS!!!!

[amyisyellow]

Well, in Canada everyone pays into the tax system, and the government covers your health care. I don't get any of that because I'm still a US Citizen (and will remain so because I do love America even if I don't like it all the time). Plus, I'm a freelancer, and for most of my career I will probably be working short contracts that won't provide me with insurance either. Even in the good ol US of A. What I'm saying is, I don't see how the health of a nation's citizens is any different than roads or schools or defense. But suddenly you toss the phrase "Universal Healthcare" out there, and suddenly everyone freaks out that you're a socialist. I'm sorry, but Doctors in Canada can make up to $300,000 a year, and they help everyone. That doesn't sound like socialism to me, that sounds like a fucking good idea.

[xxxmetalpunkxxx]

your argument, i'm afraid, is crap. all of those things are paid for, NOT GIVEN. You HELP pay for roads and schools and defense. But hey, SO DO I. You are completely comparing apples and oranges. These things are examples of people working together, or paying together, in exchange for something that benefits them. As far as science and engineering, as soon as you make something i need, feel free to deny me, assuming you still live in a country that allows you private property, or things like intellectual rights. Being as you haven't fought for our country before i was born, YOU neither the right to grant nor deny me said benefits

[frieko]

Except that most of the people that get government aid DO work, or are at least laid off/retired. which puts it into the category of things that are cooperative like roads and schools.

And believe me when I say, if there were anyplace better, I would strongly consider moving there.

The EU has a higher standard of living than the US, ANDD it's more socialist! That's gotta chap your ass and/or completely invalidate your argument.

[xxxmetalpunkxxx]

well, neither really. I was born an US citizen, and i wish to stay that way. The EU doesn't really concern me. It is my belief that if the principles of my points were followed, the US would have a higher standard of living. There will always be lazy and worthless people of course, but hey, i can dream like an Obama/McCain supporter, can't I?
Also, you are not recognizing the distinction i draw between people get SUPPLEMENTAL aid, collect unemployment, or social security, and those who collect full support, and give nothing back. Those in the first category either work and pay back into it, or have paid into it while working their whole lives. There is a very big difference. This also ties to my point that the government has used, abused, and destroyed such programs as those that require you to give as well as take.

[frieko]

Okay, I can pretty much totally agree with that viewpoint. If LBJ came back to life and saw how bad they've fucked up the Great Society he would pretty much shoot himself.

It would please me to no end if they made you work at McDonalds in order to collect welfare. Amy, didn't they try that? How did it end up?

[z_eraser13]

I told you this is exactly what was going to happen Weston when you said something about making a post like this. Adam and Amy where going to argue and it wasn't going to resolve anything, I can see the future.

[frieko]

remember that time i like to argue over the internet without regard for what position i have to take

[z_eraser13]

I know, but you guys upset me and the fighting makes me cry

[xxxmetalpunkxxx]

I never go into it presuming to reach a resolution. I, as I know Adam does, just enjoy a good e-brawl. But, I just kinda appreciate if, you know, those that join know what they fuck they're talking about, is all.

[notanavragelosr]

all right, I have to chime in on one more thing:

I fucking hate how people can abuse the unemployment policies set in place.

On paper, it's great. People get shit on, and there's help to get them by until they track down a new job. Or, in my Dad's case, there's help to live on and help to get further educated to track down a new job

[frieko]

yeah, that's bs

alex didnt davey collect unemployment from your mom

Yea

[kenny74311]

I don't like the willingness they have to do so. You know Jeff from pur conversations i have done everything in my power and have successfully set it up so when i am home in the summer i have a full time job to go back to. So i can keep making money. I have received ui benefits and let me tell you, nothing against the ones who need it. But unemployment is a joke, it isn't honest money at all, how can you feel accomplished at all from that.