Quit beating around the bush and make your point. What are you saying: Because the war on drugs isn't as effective as it should be we should give up? I went to a layout at a funeral home last year of a young man in his 20s. He grew up down the street from us. Awful experience.

 

We found an issue I'm more liberal on than you. I find the war on drugs to be a failure and it was something that grew under my favorite president Reagan.

Return to Prohibition? Didn't this country try that once in the 1920s? But your point is well taken. Alcohol certainly can kill and destroy families -- in numerous ways. I'd have to research/ponder further whether making it illegal would be the way to go in view of how ingrained alcohol is in American culture.

 

By the way, here's the official Libertarian Party position on drug use. Go to the last sentence. I would point out to Woodsrider, Ukmustangfan, Lipton Bash that I don't see any distinctions made between heroin and pot concerning the "use of drugs."

 

1.2 Personal Privacy

Libertarians support the rights recognized by the Fourth Amendment to be secure in our persons, homes, and property. Protection from unreasonable search and seizure should include records held by third parties, such as email, medical, and library records. Only actions that infringe on the rights of others can properly be termed crimes. We favor the repeal of all laws creating “crimes” without victims, such as the use of drugs for medicinal or recreational purposes.

 

I believe in personal responsibility its that simple. The government doesn't need to protect me from my own actions. If I fail to make the right decision I only have myself to blame.

We found an issue I'm more liberal on than you. I find the war on drugs to be a failure and it was something that grew under my favorite president Reagan.

So you would have no problem with your next-door neighbors putting up a meth lab? That's the problem with many of these get-the-government-off-my-back positions. They sound good in theory, but then there's the reality of living in such a society.

 

I believe in personal responsibility its that simple. The government doesn't need to protect me from my own actions. If I fail to make the right decision I only have myself to blame.

 

Well, I suppose some could take your statement and say "Why are we paying 100K to families? The soldier was doing his job. If an accountant gets killed while working, does his firm pay his family for travel?"

Fisher House Foundation in MD (which is a private veterans foundation) agreed to pay death benefits to 12 service members families. These service members have perished since Oct 1st. I am ashamed that it took this group to step up to help our military personnel. The government will reimburse this foundation once it is up and running again. It's funny the welfare money coffer is never empty. Please tell me how you would feel if you were trying to get to Dover AFB to meet your deceased family member's body. Please tell me how you would feel when you are trying to make a proper burial service your family member, and the benefits that were promised are not there.

Well, I suppose some could take your statement and say "Why are we paying 100K to families? The soldier was doing his job. If an accountant gets killed while working, does his firm pay his family for travel?"

 

I must be missing something as I don't see that being anywhere in the same universe as advocating for personal responsibility. What am I missing?

Well, I suppose some could take your statement and say "Why are we paying 100K to families? The soldier was doing his job. If an accountant gets killed while working, does his firm pay his family for travel?"

 

Is this directed at me ? I don't see the correlation? The soldier layed his life on the line in combat for this country and freedom . It is our responsibility to take care of their families. I'm against higher taxes but would without hesitation pay more in taxes to take better care of those who protect my freedom . Although I think it would more make sense to cut spending in other areas to help soldiers out .

 

I really don't see the connection. Could you explain it please ?

I must be missing something as I don't see that being anywhere in the same universe as advocating for personal responsibility. What am I missing?

 

For the record not that it matters. Most corporations do have life insurance policies on white collar positions such as an accountant . While it isn't a large sum chances are that accountants family would get some sort of pay out.

 

I must be missing something as I don't see that being anywhere in the same universe as advocating for personal responsibility. What am I missing?

 

Personal responsibility is taking responsibility for one's self, family, etc. (I assume). I don't have a problem with the government providing benefits to these families. But, for just a moment, leave the "emotion" out of it. A soldier is an employee of the government. Why should an employer pay the family of an employee if that employee dies? Why should the employer pay for the travel expenses of that employee's family? Isn't that their responsibility, just as if their accountant family member had been killed doing his job?

 

Again, I don't have a problem that they DO receive the benefit. I just can see where the situation counters the "personal responsibility" credo, especially when it is used to harshly decry other social programs. In a way, it's every man for himself.....unless you meet some subjective criteria...then government benefits are OK.

Personal responsibility is taking responsibility for one's self, family, etc. (I assume). I don't have a problem with the government providing benefits to these families. But, for just a moment, leave the "emotion" out of it. A soldier is an employee of the government. Why should an employer pay the family of an employee if that employee dies? Why should the employer pay for the travel expenses of that employee's family? Isn't that their responsibility, just as if their accountant family member had been killed doing his job?

 

Again, I don't have a problem that they DO receive the benefit. I just can see where the situation counters the "personal responsibility" credo, especially when it is used to harshly decry other social programs. In a way, it's every man for himself.....unless you meet some subjective criteria...then government benefits are OK.

 

You evidently are not from a military family. There are currently over 100 personnel from KY serving in Afghanistan. I guess it is every man (or woman) for their self. Thanks.

Personal responsibility is taking responsibility for one's self, family, etc. (I assume). I don't have a problem with the government providing benefits to these families. But, for just a moment, leave the "emotion" out of it. A soldier is an employee of the government. Why should an employer pay the family of an employee if that employee dies? Why should the employer pay for the travel expenses of that employee's family? Isn't that their responsibility, just as if their accountant family member had been killed doing his job?

 

Again, I don't have a problem that they DO receive the benefit. I just can see where the situation counters the "personal responsibility" credo, especially when it is used to harshly decry other social programs. In a way, it's every man for himself.....unless you meet some subjective criteria...then government benefits are OK.

 

Wow! Are you serious? An accountant works in an office. A soldier works in a war zone. Slight difference.

Personal responsibility is taking responsibility for one's self, family, etc. (I assume). I don't have a problem with the government providing benefits to these families. But, for just a moment, leave the "emotion" out of it. A soldier is an employee of the government. Why should an employer pay the family of an employee if that employee dies? Why should the employer pay for the travel expenses of that employee's family? Isn't that their responsibility, just as if their accountant family member had been killed doing his job?

 

Again, I don't have a problem that they DO receive the benefit. I just can see where the situation counters the "personal responsibility" credo, especially when it is used to harshly decry other social programs. In a way, it's every man for himself.....unless you meet some subjective criteria...then government benefits are OK.

 

So then should it be left to the deceased individual and his/her family to foot the bill for their body to return home from where they die?

Personal responsibility is taking responsibility for one's self, family, etc. (I assume). I don't have a problem with the government providing benefits to these families. But, for just a moment, leave the "emotion" out of it. A soldier is an employee of the government. Why should an employer pay the family of an employee if that employee dies? Why should the employer pay for the travel expenses of that employee's family? Isn't that their responsibility, just as if their accountant family member had been killed doing his job?

 

Again, I don't have a problem that they DO receive the benefit. I just can see where the situation counters the "personal responsibility" credo, especially when it is used to harshly decry other social programs. In a way, it's every man for himself.....unless you meet some subjective criteria...then government benefits are OK.

 

Sorry, still not understanding. As to your example, as an accountant I would demand the same benefits only at the point where my job puts my life at risk to the same extent as military life does. To not put that element of danger into your equation makes zero sense to me. I do not consider putting your life at risk to be "some subjective criteria".

So far we've gotten three knee-jerk responses to rockmom's thoughtful analysis. C'mon, folks, let's try harder, shall we?

So far we've gotten three knee-jerk responses to rockmom's thoughtful analysis. C'mon, folks, let's try harder, shall we?

 

...I just asked a question. I thought it was a pretty honest and straightforward one. I understand the point rockmom was trying to get to. I was just taking her logic a step further and asking her to clarify. When does that personal responsibility start/end?