America: The Nanny State
16 total reviews
Comment from JMRoland
Hi Spiritual Echo,
In this essay favoring the Libertarian Party, you have touched upon several areas of government which are in need of repair, overhaul and/or removal. True, we are overburdened by too many laws and far too many petty and costy restrictions. How nice it would be to return to the early days of our Republic-to the halcyon beginnings where freedom (at least for white males) and absence of taxation once stirred Thomas Jefferson to rhapsodize with pen and ink over the New Nation. The Founding Fathers certainly tried to construct a fail-safe system of checks and balances and protection of liberties in the Constitution. But it didn't last very long, did it? Utopias never do, because the greater portion of mankind continue in their unregenerated, un-Christian state. Which is why, sadly, we are constrained to build prisons and overburden the courts with the end results of sin.
Some of the Libertarian Platform points are worthy of attention. They ought to be tried-in a modified form. Who wouldn't want to see an end to the income tax? And a modified form of drug and prostitution legalization might be possible-it would not be a great moral advancement, but look at the failed Prohibition experiment. The elimination of mandatory conscription can work, up until borders are overrun and/or war declared. The gold standard could work if perhaps a silver standard were introduced also to bolster the backing, since we have frittered away a lot of our gold by allowing foreign nations to raid the (mining) cookie jar. The list goes on.
But here is the danger we face right now in the upcoming election: If The Libertarian Party runs Ron Paul as a candidate for President, he may very well take enough votes away from the GOP to insure a win for Obama.
And here is the danger we face if the Libertarian Platform were adopted as is without moderation: There are elements in our society who would like to take the reins of government and set up their own agendas. Notably among these are the Muslims.
So freedom is wonderful, but there are a lot of wolves out there waiting to take us down. Here is one scenario: Cancel a huge number of restrictive laws, cancel minimum wage, cancel welfare & Social Security. You would then get huge street marches, followed by rebellions, lootings & burnings, followed by a sneak rebel (probably Muslim or Marxist) takeover of the government. Then kiss all your freedoms goodby and get set for the choice- renounce your religion/politics and become a Muslim/Marxist, or die.
My final take on your ideas about Libertarianism: Moderation in overhauing your platform & don't encourage Ron Paul to run this time around. If he does, we could very well get four more years of Obama and become, at the very least, mired more deeply in social-welfareism.
JMR
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2012
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Hi Spiritual Echo,
In this essay favoring the Libertarian Party, you have touched upon several areas of government which are in need of repair, overhaul and/or removal. True, we are overburdened by too many laws and far too many petty and costy restrictions. How nice it would be to return to the early days of our Republic-to the halcyon beginnings where freedom (at least for white males) and absence of taxation once stirred Thomas Jefferson to rhapsodize with pen and ink over the New Nation. The Founding Fathers certainly tried to construct a fail-safe system of checks and balances and protection of liberties in the Constitution. But it didn't last very long, did it? Utopias never do, because the greater portion of mankind continue in their unregenerated, un-Christian state. Which is why, sadly, we are constrained to build prisons and overburden the courts with the end results of sin.
Some of the Libertarian Platform points are worthy of attention. They ought to be tried-in a modified form. Who wouldn't want to see an end to the income tax? And a modified form of drug and prostitution legalization might be possible-it would not be a great moral advancement, but look at the failed Prohibition experiment. The elimination of mandatory conscription can work, up until borders are overrun and/or war declared. The gold standard could work if perhaps a silver standard were introduced also to bolster the backing, since we have frittered away a lot of our gold by allowing foreign nations to raid the (mining) cookie jar. The list goes on.
But here is the danger we face right now in the upcoming election: If The Libertarian Party runs Ron Paul as a candidate for President, he may very well take enough votes away from the GOP to insure a win for Obama.
And here is the danger we face if the Libertarian Platform were adopted as is without moderation: There are elements in our society who would like to take the reins of government and set up their own agendas. Notably among these are the Muslims.
So freedom is wonderful, but there are a lot of wolves out there waiting to take us down. Here is one scenario: Cancel a huge number of restrictive laws, cancel minimum wage, cancel welfare & Social Security. You would then get huge street marches, followed by rebellions, lootings & burnings, followed by a sneak rebel (probably Muslim or Marxist) takeover of the government. Then kiss all your freedoms goodby and get set for the choice- renounce your religion/politics and become a Muslim/Marxist, or die.
My final take on your ideas about Libertarianism: Moderation in overhauing your platform & don't encourage Ron Paul to run this time around. If he does, we could very well get four more years of Obama and become, at the very least, mired more deeply in social-welfareism.
JMR
Comment Written 15-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2012
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Your response makes me wish we were sitting over coffee and trying to sort through the issues and potential solutions. A very learned response. I am not a political advocate for the Liberatarian party and if we were chatting I'd agree with you that modeation is key, but it's time to start carving awaysome of the trivia that tramps down progress or for that matter survival.
I could write a speech, if someone would pay me as well as the speechwriter's that abound these days or at least share a debating team that would argue that government, regardless of party, has very little time to do any housekeeping. It's easier to to plough ahead rather than simplify.
There is a strong argument about all the views I have expressed that would suggest anarchy could prevail. Quite frankly, look at the energy and the passion wasted on homosexual debates. But these ridiculous sidebars, this wasted passion is exactly the kind of road block that obstructs even well meaning governments and politicians from being able to achieve anything.
I'm not sure if this was your contest initiative, but raising the issues can do nothing but bring enlightenment to those who are swimming in apathy.
Sometimes I wonder whether the spin doctors deliberately throw out smoke bomds to incite the moral thrashings.
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Hi again, Spiritual Echo,
A coffee conversation would be nice. No, I didn't enter this one, but you are right-raising the issues and trying to bring enlightenment is a good idea- I am glad you did enter and get some minds to thinking. Speaking of waste- have you ever seen such terrible waste of taxpayers' dollars? I am thankful the news media do bring some of these issues before the public. I think the Congressional Sessions should be televised daily with an overview of those present, and lobbyist activity should be monitored as well. I also think the stock market should advertize to the public and encourage small stock portfolios. Solid companies with dependable dividends are a viable source of income, not a wicked playground of the super-rich. Capitalism is a good thing. Socialists spoil the fun of moderate risk and healty competition.
Again, thanks for your perceptive and well-constructed essay. I enjoyed the read.
JMR
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Keep in touch. ingrid
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ok
Comment from Cumbrianlass
I am so impressed, Ingrid. What a well-informed person you are. This is exceptional. I don't have a six, but it deserves one. A great write, intelligent, challenging, controversial, perhaps, certainly worthy of discussion, and I'm sure you'll get some interesting feedback.
Unlike Democrats(,) who seek to control economic activities(,) or the Republicans(,) who want control of social consumption with their moralizing
Pierre Trudeau, a Canadian Prime Minister once stated, "The state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation." It is an International truth. - Suggest, for more impact, a line break:
Pierre Trudeau, a Canadian Prime Minister once stated, "The state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation."
It (or, maybe 'That?) is an International truth.
Even Obama(,) during his State of the Union address(,) spoke about incentives to bring manufacturing back to America
but who is paying for this promise (?)
As we encourage these young people to fulfil()
Watching the candidates strut and debate in this election year is like watching the Osmond's old TV show; I'm a little bit country, I'm a little bit rock and roll. - Brilliant.
Well done, my friend. Av
PS: Just thought I'd share - I'm not submitting that story (Maggie's Pony) to the contest. It's got away from me, and will be too long. Started another today that I am very excited about. Much more my thing! Probably post it later.
Av
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2012
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I am so impressed, Ingrid. What a well-informed person you are. This is exceptional. I don't have a six, but it deserves one. A great write, intelligent, challenging, controversial, perhaps, certainly worthy of discussion, and I'm sure you'll get some interesting feedback.
Unlike Democrats(,) who seek to control economic activities(,) or the Republicans(,) who want control of social consumption with their moralizing
Pierre Trudeau, a Canadian Prime Minister once stated, "The state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation." It is an International truth. - Suggest, for more impact, a line break:
Pierre Trudeau, a Canadian Prime Minister once stated, "The state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation."
It (or, maybe 'That?) is an International truth.
Even Obama(,) during his State of the Union address(,) spoke about incentives to bring manufacturing back to America
but who is paying for this promise (?)
As we encourage these young people to fulfil()
Watching the candidates strut and debate in this election year is like watching the Osmond's old TV show; I'm a little bit country, I'm a little bit rock and roll. - Brilliant.
Well done, my friend. Av
PS: Just thought I'd share - I'm not submitting that story (Maggie's Pony) to the contest. It's got away from me, and will be too long. Started another today that I am very excited about. Much more my thing! Probably post it later.
Av
Comment Written 15-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2012
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You know, you are continually such a good spirited edditor/reviewer and I appreciate it very, very, much. now if they new my postal code, but you're right, I look forward to the feedback.
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HA! The well-informed Canuck. You go girl!
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Trust me, there was googling involved.
Comment from forestport12
This was a fantastic explanation of the Libertarian Party and you summed it up well. You started out presenting both sides of the two party system and showed how they both use government for their own causes. This could be an article written an sold to a publication, in my humble opinion. I especially liked the quote from Abraham Lincoln.
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2012
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This was a fantastic explanation of the Libertarian Party and you summed it up well. You started out presenting both sides of the two party system and showed how they both use government for their own causes. This could be an article written an sold to a publication, in my humble opinion. I especially liked the quote from Abraham Lincoln.
Comment Written 15-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2012
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Yes and if anyone discovered my zip code...well...
hanks for the accolade. I do enjoy my essays and relish a good political play pen. Thanks again.
Comment from Janie King
Well, you've definitely pointed out several of the major issues this country and its people are dealing with..we never get to vote for the best man for the job, he doesn't have enough money to run for the office. Good piece. God bless.
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2012
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Well, you've definitely pointed out several of the major issues this country and its people are dealing with..we never get to vote for the best man for the job, he doesn't have enough money to run for the office. Good piece. God bless.
Comment Written 15-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2012
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Imagine writing an essay about the money trail of politics... The shame is people rarely vote for the man or woman, but a party and that is shameful.
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my dad was adament about all of us kids understanding we had to vote for who was best for this country, regardless of party. It's just sometimes neither are worth much. God bless.
Comment from Realist101
Well, I could not agree more...wish I had a ten for this...Powerfully written Ingrid. BRAVO for telling it like it is. GOD. I hate government...if you only knew...if they can do what they've done to my family and get by with it, (for now)...lol! >:/ well...I just get so angry. I saw no spags and this was a great article...I hope all who read this will WAKE UP! LOVE, Susan
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reply by the author on 15-Feb-2012
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Well, I could not agree more...wish I had a ten for this...Powerfully written Ingrid. BRAVO for telling it like it is. GOD. I hate government...if you only knew...if they can do what they've done to my family and get by with it, (for now)...lol! >:/ well...I just get so angry. I saw no spags and this was a great article...I hope all who read this will WAKE UP! LOVE, Susan
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Comment Written 15-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2012
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If they only kne my postal code.....
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OH they do Ingrid...they do. :( S.
Comment from TriciaDiaz
Well written essay. You have done an excellent job in clarifying the Liberatarian platform.
This sentence could use some work - it's confusing: "While Republicans pound their Bibles and preach family values, our ancestors needed to believe in family, to use the strengths and determination of each member to light a fire that would become 'The American Dream.' " YOUR REWORK OF THIS SENTENCE MADE IT READ MUCH EASIER!
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reply by the author on 15-Feb-2012
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Well written essay. You have done an excellent job in clarifying the Liberatarian platform.
This sentence could use some work - it's confusing: "While Republicans pound their Bibles and preach family values, our ancestors needed to believe in family, to use the strengths and determination of each member to light a fire that would become 'The American Dream.' " YOUR REWORK OF THIS SENTENCE MADE IT READ MUCH EASIER!
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 15-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2012
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Good call. I redid the sequence and hopefully it is now clear.
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I reread your post and changed my rating to 5 stars - nice job revising it!
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Thanks for your help.