Politics
Out of context: Reply #573
- Started
- Last post
- 33,769 Responses
- tommyo0
TBO,
Thank you for those posts. You and I are actually much closer in opinion than you or I probably had realized previously. I know that what I believe is not very popular on this board. Which is fine by me. The main reason why I do come here to post is to possibly open up the air waves in this thick cloud of Obamaohmygodjaculation. I think the part that separates our ideals is our general faith in Government as an institution. I simply believe that giving the government too much (if any) access to our lives is a huge no-no. You need to look no further than something as simple as cigarettes. I grew up in the Regan era and as a small boy I remember being on airplanes full of smoke, or at least that's the way I remember it. Then when I was in Jr High I remember when they banned smoking inside restaurants near where I lived in Sacramento. The reason was that other, more health conscious people, didn't want to be around it. Then it was banned in public areas. Somewhere along the lines it was taxed because of the overarching health costs that smokers might incur and pass on to the state. Then it was taxed again, and again, and again. Now we've got people pushing for taxes on potato chips and sodas here in California, how long before those are deemed worthy of substantial taxing due to the potential costs of obesity? This, to me, is way way way too intrusive. It's a slippery slope and how long before the government is not controlling what we shouldn't do...but they're telling us what we can do. Sounds Orwellian I know. But really, chips and sodas are now on the same examining table cigarettes were 20 years ago.
Now, what happens when our government is in charge of our health. Not just potential problems that may arise and cost the state money. Doesn't that give them even more access into our daily lives because, well, they're paying for it.
Yes I'm more aligned politically as a Libertarian. Their philosophy fits my ideals and goals in terms of my relationship with my government. I don't want my government to have any more power than deemed necessary. Protect me from others who aim to do direct harm to me (which means no preemptive bullshit wars). Keep my cost of living low. I can and will do the rest. I'll reveal something about me that's a little bit personal. My family is actually fairly wealthy. But, I was raised and still live without the benefits of, or access to any of that wealth. My family raised me to do it on my own. The only time I have ever borrowed money was to buy an old truck to drive, and the first time I asked for the loan I was denied. Finally, I had to ask my grandmother to charge me interest for the loan and she relented...she charged me 2 points more than the current bank rate. I paid everything in full, principle, interest and a late fee. How this relates? I don't want a government to 'help' me do anything. If I had let my family pay for all the thing I've accomplished on my own then who knows who I'd be today. I don't have much if any faith in our government, I don't trust them to do the right thing, and can you really blame me? It's not a Republican and Democrat thing either. Sure the last 8 years has been flawed to say the least, and you're right about what Carter said, I think that was one of his finer moments. We do need to make the tough choices as a country and we did then too. But allowing Government into our lives means that you have to trust them to work in your interest. I don't. Instead what I see are PR firms making these guys as likable as possible, candidate branding, analysts working on what issues will get the most votes, lobbyists, milllllions and milllllllions of dollars spent to get elected, and corruption. It's silly and absolutely shameful that we all put up with it...or you know, show how active we are by slapping each other on the backs in a graphic design forum.
I'm not a rich man, I do alright though and I make my way. I'm also a diabetic who pays around $150 a month for my insulin. I've been living without health coverage for over 2 years now. I just got into my family's company health care plan but I had to work for them just to get it, just like any other employee. Personally I'd love to have free health care, but A) I don't believe in giving the government control over my health and B) I don't think it's financially a smart thing for our country to commit to. Oh and the important part...it's not fucking free. It's more like 'We're not going to show you the bill Health Care.'
Our politicians today look inward and not forward. Make re-electionable (new word) decisions and not long term decisions based on what's good for this country. So TBO, in conclusion I do agree with a lot that you have written. I didn't address the things in which make us similar, but expanded upon thing that I believe, after reading a lot of your posts, make us unique.
- I think we've just dawned on an era of Long Posting™tommyo
- interesting. i am also a libertarian and dislike both candidates and parties. as sad as it is, i may abstain from voting.sputnik2
- Wooo hooo I have a new friend in sputnik. :)tommyo
- w00t! i try to stay out of this thread given how one-sided and belligerent some can be about this subject.sputnik2
- p.s. i come from a socialist country, hence my aversion to anything resembling such a thing.sputnik2
- tommyo - I am a passionate dick when it comes to politics. Don't take anything personally...TheBlueOne
- ...I love a good drag out blowout political argument and then grabbing a beer...TheBlueOne
- ..and I do miss honest-to-god conservatives...TheBlueOne
- Sputnik, I know exactly what you mean about the unification in this place. I think swimming up river is fun though. hehetommyo
- TBO, I always hate writing about this stuff online because of the lack of tone. But trust me I haven't taken anything ...tommyo
- personally. I appreciate other points of view almost as much as I like grand standing on an issue I feel strongly about. :Ptommyo
- i actually really enjoy TBO's opinion and point of view. he's one of the few exceptions to the leftist rule here. carry on, TBO!sputnik2
- I'm more post-leftist than leftist....TheBlueOne
- Likewise. TBO does bring up great points of view (every once in a while... ) :Ptommyo
- damn internets and their lack of tone...TheBlueOne