Not necessarily profit driven, compensation driven. The compensation need not be monetary. It could be an individual's drive to succeed and the success itself is compensation. It could be driven by a desire to help others and the good feeling it gives oneself is compensation. It could be driven by knowing that your faith calls you to improve things, knowing that you are doing God's work is compensation enough. We think of compensation as profit only, that is not what I mean when I say altruism does not exist. People help others because there is something in it for them be it a psychological, emotional, religious, spiritual or monetary.

 

 

 

The government exists to protect rights to pursue profit and individual gain, but it also allows an individual to work for the betterment of others if they so choose. Just mandating others to do the same by law as citizens is extreme and infringing on individual liberties, even if it helps others.

 

This is not true under the social contract theory

 

Who determines "costs" to society? Is there a collective group that says "this isn't good fr society, thus it must go?"

 

elections and our duly elected representatives

 

I think "conservative" and "liberal" Christianity have their place as long as they aren't legislated in some overt or backdoor manner.

you mean like laws against gambling, drinking, same sex marriage, don't ask don't tell

 

 

I don't see why you shouldn't. What say do/should I have in who/what you marry and how many?

 

GLBT people do not have the choice to marry whom they wish in Kentucky and many other states

 

No, it really out to keep its ugly head out of both.

 

women't choice??

 

One is essential, the other is not. Conflict is part of human nature, as your studies of history should have clearly illustrated to you. Nothing will ever remove that from our nature. Being prepared to defend ourselves in the event someone else decides to give in to that aspect of their nature is prudent.

the IRAQ war was essential.

 

Health care is a perk, not a necessity. Why does sales tax include soda but not milk? One is considered a necessity the other is not. National survival trumps national comfort.

 

what if I disagree on whether or not it is perk. Interstate highways are a "perk" and yet we pay taxes to build them. Health and comfort are vastly different.

 

The free market cannot abridge our rights without us allowing them to. A government can easily grow to monolithic proportions and restrict freedom. I would rather sacrifice a little comfort for all then lack of opportunity for all.

the free market can absolutley abridge our rights - child labor, the iron law of wages, SLAVERY. It is absolutely clear that the government has done more to protect individual rights than the free market has.

 

 

It can be, yes. It can drive individuals to succeed. Not everyone makes it but not everyone should. Life is hard and success should not be a guarantee. If you work hard and improve your situation then more power to you. If you are born into wealth and your situation is already great, then you are a lucky individual (note I didn't say "blessed" as that would be idiotic).

 

Frankly I don't want wealth equality. Should someone who has worked years to get their M.D., D.V.M, Pharm D., D.M.D or PhD make the same as the guy who sweeps the streets? I think not and that is one of the reasons I do not like the idea of wealth redistribution.

 

If we could come to a common ground and find better ways to improve access to education so that the paths are more open to all to improve their situations I would be willing to discuss that. However anything like that should be paid back eventually in full. No handouts, just help in the expectation of eventual recompense.

 

Even so, that is a bit much in my opinion.

 

 

 

I think so.

 

When wealth disparity becomes too great you end up with a revolution, like we had in 2008. You should then expect changes in the government. The pendulum has swung.

When wealth disparity becomes too great you end up with a revolution, like we had in 2008. You should then expect changes in the government. The pendulum has swung.

 

That's the good news. What do most pedulums do after they swing to one side?

That's the good news. What do most pedulums do after they swing to one side?

 

Agreed, so wouldn't the better thing be to work together to make the swings less radical.

When wealth disparity becomes too great you end up with a revolution, like we had in 2008. You should then expect changes in the government. The pendulum has swung.

 

Which I guess you could say is far better than the Revolution of 1917 in Russia. :thumb:

Which I guess you could say is far better than the Revolution of 1917 in Russia. :thumb:

 

BOLSHEVIK!!! I always feel like I am cussing when I say that word, especially if I do it quickly and under my breath.

 

I would say the revolution of 2008 was very similar to the one in the U.S. in 1800.:ylsuper:

The "honest questions" seemed a little sarcastic to me. Off course or not, it's my take. His post looked like he was insinuating that conservatives are greedy, self serving people. Wrong or not, that's how I read into it.

 

Conservative & Liberal views are too far apart to argue about IMO. What's the point? Who's going to change their mind, ACE, Me? I don't think so. I was just defending MY conservative beliefs. Whether or not you, ACE or anyone else believes the way I do makes no difference to me what so ever.

 

Personally, I'm here FOR the discussion, not just to spout my own personal, static opinions. If all I wanted was someone to sing my own chorus, I would discuss politics on a one dimensional site. There have been instances where discussions on here have caused me to reconsider a position and even change it.

me too:ylsuper:

Agreed, so wouldn't the better thing be to work together to make the swings less radical.

 

I can't remember a bill swinging as radical as this one. Hopefully it never happens again.

I can't remember a bill swinging as radical as this one. Hopefully it never happens again.

 

The thing is, this is not so radical. There are regulations, a mandate, and the goal of universal care. A radical swing would have been the public option.

Personally, I'm here FOR the discussion, not just to spout my own personal, static opinions. If all I wanted was someone to sing my own chorus, I would discuss politics on a one dimensional site. There have been instances where discussions on here have caused me to reconsider a position and even change it.

 

Personally, I couldn't care less why anyone is on here. I'm here to spout, spew or discuss my static or static free opinions in any way I want without expecting a single response. I even enjoy needling people that disagree with me. I've paid my membership, and as long as freedom of speech exists in this country and BGP allows it, that's what I'll continue to do.

The thing is, this is not so radical. There are regulations, a mandate, and the goal of universal care. A radical swing would have been the public option.

 

Regulations and mandates are things that MIGHT lead us directly to a single payer public option. In the past BHO and Barney Frank have said they would like to see a single payer system. Many democrats that voted for this bill were reluctant just because there was no public option in it.............Yet.

Regulations and mandates are things that MIGHT lead us directly to a single payer public option. In the past BHO and Barney Frank have said they would like to see a single payer system. Many democrats that voted for this bill were reluctant just because there was no public option in it.............Yet.

 

As I said, vote in November and it will not swing that far. therefore it is not too radical. Isn't democracy GREAT.

As I said, vote in November and it will not swing that far. therefore it is not too radical. Isn't democracy GREAT.

 

 

 

I've always voted in the past. I hope some candidates come out of the woodwork worthy of going to the polls for. At this time I don't see a worthy conservative republican/democrat to vote for. Any suggestions?

As I said, vote in November and it will not swing that far. therefore it is not too radical. Isn't democracy GREAT.

 

Did you have the same opinion when the Republicans were in power and will you have the same if in November the Democrats are swept out of power?

 

And ironically, some of the things that you complain about in the first place are put into power by people putting their voting power into affect and working democracy. And yet you have complained about them.