Good Old Neon Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 They don't have constitutional rights. As is usually the case, reality, and the law, is far from black and white. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Obama wants to halve the budget deficit by end of first term. Now that would be a feat. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090222/ap_on_...wh/obama_budget Of course, he wants to start with cutting defense spending. One of the few things the federal government should spend actually spend money on. As is usually the case, reality, and the law, is far from black and white. Not in this instance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mountain bed Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Of course, he wants to start with cutting defense spending. One of the few things the federal government should spend actually spend money on.I'll respectfully disagree with you, orange. We already spend more on defense than every other country in the world combined - and it's been that way since WWII. Not to mention that the defense industry has been the source of more waste and graft than one can imagine. There's at least 50 BILLION dollars that has just disappeared in Iraq....50 billion, man. That would have paid for SCHIP completely and had a good 10-15 billion left over. Just for an example. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I'll respectfully disagree with you, orange. We already spend more on defense than every other country in the world combined - and it's been that way since WWII. Not to mention that the defense industry has been the source of more waste and graft than one can imagine. There's at least 50 BILLION dollars that has just disappeared in Iraq....50 billion, man. That would have paid for SCHIP completely and had a good 10-15 billion left over. Just for an example.,Yeah, we need to buy the latest model tank so we can dump the old and unused ones in the ocean. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I'll respectfully disagree with you, orange. We already spend more on defense than every other country in the world combined - and it's been that way since WWII. Not to mention that the defense industry has been the source of more waste and graft than one can imagine. There's at least 50 BILLION dollars that has just disappeared in Iraq....50 billion, man. That would have paid for SCHIP completely and had a good 10-15 billion left over. Just for an example. Don't get me wrong. There is money to be cut from defense. It just always seems to be the first thing mentioned, which always strikes me as a little odd since defense is part of the federal government's actual responsibility, as opposed to many other unnecessary and wasteful government programs (a lot of which are in this new stimulus bill). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mountain bed Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I think the first thing that needs to be done is to put defense in the actual budget. This constant "emergency funding" that comes up is a thinly veiled excuse for no oversight and unlimited cash layout. And I am well aware of the necessity of defense, but it just seems to be so far out of proportion to other pressing concerns. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MrRain422 Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Our defense could be bolstered considerably by pulling a ton of money out of the Pentagon and handing it over to the State department. Diplomacy can make us safer than bombs any day of the week. Certainly money needs to be spent on keeping the country safe and secure, but I think a lot of those in power have a rather limited scope of what sorts of things can make the country safer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Good Old Neon Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Not in this instance. I Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Good Old Neon Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Don't get me wrong. There is money to be cut from defense. It just always seems to be the first thing mentioned, which always strikes me as a little odd since defense is part of the federal government's actual responsibility, as opposed to many other unnecessary and wasteful government programs (a lot of which are in this new stimulus bill). And yet a six pack of box cutters, a five dollar value, nearly brought us to our collective knees. Conservatives claim that throwing money at a problem rarely makes it go away, and yet that is exactly what they continue to ask for via defense spending, quite possibly history Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Perhaps next time, rather than go through all that fuss, they could just stop by Via Chicago and ask your opinion, if they haven Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dondoboy Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 And yet a six pack of box cutters, a five dollar value, nearly brought us to our collective knees.God, I hate that argument. Its not only not true, but has the added benefit of lending legitimacy to the senseless act of a truck load of lunatics. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 They were lunatics, but calling their act senseless seems to me to be another case of sweeping-it-under-the-rug-edness. The American people really need to understand the motives of those motivated enough to fly planes into our skyscrapers. That does not mean condoning them in any way. If we don't understand their motives, how are we going to effectively argue against them? Muslims are not stupid. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dondoboy Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 They were lunatics, but calling their act senseless seems to me to be another case of sweeping-it-under-the-rug-edness. The American people really need to understand the motives of those motivated enough to fly planes into our skyscrapers. That does not mean condoning them in any way. If we don't understand their motives, how are we going to effectively argue against them? Muslims are not stupid.I don't think I was calling anyone stupid. I certainly wasn't trying to. And I'm not so sure that understanding someone's motives whose hell bent on killing me is really something I feel is necessary. If someone is about to kick the hell out of me, I'm not going to stop and ask him why he wants to beat the hell out of me. I'm going to fight. Its almost funny that the original post I responded to and this post I'm responding to smack of the same kind of world loving, hand holding liberalism that makes me embarrassed to be a liberal. You can't actually think there was any legitimate sense to that act. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I don't, but I also don't think a purely ass-kicking solution is going to work in this case. Afghanistan is tougher than Vietnam. Pakistan is this close to becoming a failed state. We have to fight the ones who are too far gone to see the light and convince everybody else that terror is not the solution to their problems. Diplomacy is not weakness. Thinking a military solution is the whole enchilada is mental weakness. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dondoboy Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I follow you. I think there is an inherit Americanism to that knee-jerk, Samuel Adams approach to just kick the guts out of anyone who dares mess with you and your way of life. At the same time I understand the need to attempt to find a way to survive in a world with many versions of the truth and justice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Good Old Neon Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 God, I hate that argument. Its not only not true, but has the added benefit of lending legitimacy to the senseless act of a truck load of lunatics. Not true, how so? The largest, most technologically advanced, well funded military and intelligence gathering agencies in the history of the universe (insofar as we are able to determine) were rendered obsolete and powerless against a small group of well educated, willful, yet equally misguided individuals. We can devote every single tax dollar collected to creating an even more advanced military and intelligence gathering bureaucracy, and yet they will always pale in comparison to what can be accomplished through good old fashioned education and diplomacy, well, at least if we want to avoid erasing ourselves from the map entirely. If you feel as though I Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dondoboy Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Not true, how so? The largest, most technologically advanced, well funded military and intelligence gathering agencies in the history of the universe (insofar as we are able to determine) were rendered obsolete and powerless against a small group of well educated, willful, yet equally misguided individuals. We can devote every single tax dollar collected to creating an even more advanced military and intelligence gathering bureaucracy, and yet they will always pale in comparison to what can be accomplished through good old fashioned education and diplomacy, well, at least if we want to avoid erasing ourselves from the map entirely. If you feel as though I Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lamradio Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 This pretty good. It basically explains the stimulus, and how pointless it really is: Stimulus Payment Info. "This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format: Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment? A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers. Q. Where will the government get this money? A. From taxpayers. Q. So the government is giving me back my own money? A. Only a smidgen. Q. What is the purpose of this payment? A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy. Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ? A. Shut up. Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely: If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China . If you spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs. If you purchase a computer it will go to India . If you purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico , Honduras , and Guatemala (unless you buy organic). If you buy a car it will go to Japan . If you purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan . And none of it will help the American economy. We need to keep that money here in America . You can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball game, or spend it on prostitutes, beer and wine (domestic ONLY), or tattoos, since those are the only businesses still in the US Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ZenLunatic Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Mortgage Plan just plain bad. http://www.cnbc.com/id/29331920 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ZenLunatic Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 This pretty good. It basically explains the stimulus, and how pointless it really is: Stimulus Payment Info. "This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format: Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment? A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers. Q. Where will the government get this money? A. From taxpayers. Q. So the government is giving me back my own money? A. Only a smidgen. Q. What is the purpose of this payment? A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy. Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ? A. Shut up. Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely: If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China . If you spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs. If you purchase a computer it will go to India . If you purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico , Honduras , and Guatemala (unless you buy organic). If you buy a car it will go to Japan . If you purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan . And none of it will help the American economy. We need to keep that money here in America . You can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball game, or spend it on prostitutes, beer and wine (domestic ONLY), or tattoos, since those are the only businesses still in the US This is pretty good but you have to also mention how the money from the stimilus will benefit the irresponsible people the most, thus encouraging this behavior. Let's keep bailing the bad business out! In America, we dont work for money, we just print it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 The Stimulus Payment is different from the Stimulus Package, no? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Basil II Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 This pretty good. It basically explains the stimulus, and how pointless it really is: Stimulus Payment Info. "This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format: Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment? A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers. Q. Where will the government get this money? A. From taxpayers. Q. So the government is giving me back my own money? A. Only a smidgen. Q. What is the purpose of this payment? A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy. Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ? A. Shut up. Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely: If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China . If you spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs. If you purchase a computer it will go to India . If you purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico , Honduras , and Guatemala (unless you buy organic). If you buy a car it will go to Japan . If you purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan . And none of it will help the American economy. We need to keep that money here in America . You can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball game, or spend it on prostitutes, beer and wine (domestic ONLY), or tattoos, since those are the only businesses still in the US Post of the day!!! -Robert Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Smith Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 This pretty good. It basically explains the stimulus, and how pointless it really is: Stimulus Payment Info. "This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format: Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment? A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers. Q. Where will the government get this money? A. From taxpayers. Q. So the government is giving me back my own money? A. Only a smidgen. Q. What is the purpose of this payment? A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy. Wasn't this what the Gdub crew was promoting everytime they raided the treasury? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 This pretty good. It basically explains the stimulus, and how pointless it really is: Stimulus Payment Info. "This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format: Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment? A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers. Q. Where will the government get this money? A. From taxpayers. Q. So the government is giving me back my own money? A. Only a smidgen. Q. What is the purpose of this payment? A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy. Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ? A. Shut up. Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely: If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China . If you spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs. If you purchase a computer it will go to India . If you purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico , Honduras , and Guatemala (unless you buy organic). If you buy a car it will go to Japan . If you purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan . And none of it will help the American economy. We need to keep that money here in America . You can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball game, or spend it on prostitutes, beer and wine (domestic ONLY), or tattoos, since those are the only businesses still in the USI will use my stimulus money to get my car fixed, so I can remain employed. My mechanic is American. We cool, Lou Dobbs? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I will use my stimulus money to get my car fixed, so I can remain employed. My mechanic is American. We cool, Lou Dobbs? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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