[kindlekitten]

listening to Palin's acceptance speech for the VP nomination was the most politically thrilling thing I have heard since; "Mr. President tear this wall DOWN!". after that, pundits, journalists and comedians starting running the show and the election process became one of the most ridiculous 3 ring circuses in memory

Originally Posted by Moejoe

I just don't get it on a human level, how anybody could be refused treatment because of money. It's sickening, degrading, and yes... it's evil. When money comes before human beings then everything is wrong.

medical treatment CANNOT be refused to anyone regardless of race, religion, nationality, income, insurance or lack thereof. you can go bankrupt as a result of receiving medical treatment, and indeed, prior to this financial disaster, the majority of banruptcies were due to medical expenses.

Originally Posted by Ea

There is this thing - very strange - that I seem to be reading between the lines of the more republican/conservative/libertarian USA posters, and that is that you seem to perceive a government as primarily an oppressor - something to be avoided.

You seem to abhor governmental influence and do not trust a government. I don't understand at all.... Do you not vote for a government to act as a government - to rule the affairs of your country? It all sounds quite anarchist to me. You seem to equate government with oppression.

*ship*

To me it's such a me - me - me - individualism that does not take society, the nation, the people into account. I can not percieve it. I don't think I can discuss it, because I can't understand it at all, which I have tried a number of times - I'm sorry.

you are very perceptive. this government was formed on the grounds of fearing and not trusting government. we felt it was our duty to create a government that had very little centralized power, and that we should as a people be allowed to self govern at the local level.

Originally Posted by Crowl

Grizzled old man you might be, but you also seem to be forgetful if you don't remember the ridicule of Bush, Quayle and post-lewinsky Clinton, while you may want to try and portray this as some kind of agenda, the simple fact is that she is being deservedly ridiculed for doing or saying stupid things and as for being a lightweight, feeling like she was trapped by such a substantial question as what papers do you read does seem fairly lightweight.

People aren't threatened by a capable female in this case since she isn't one, she is simply a very lucky person in that her 15 mins of fame have resulted in more money than the reality tv stars that have a similar level (or lack) of merit.

this is yet another case of ridiculing someone or something that you fear. as has been shown (the seeing Russia quote, case in point) the interpreting of quotes by comedians became fact. the woman was not allowed to speak for herself once Tina Fey got hold of her. unfortunately the population allows themselves to let their eyes glaze over when listening to politics, but not when they listen to comedians. this wasn't a political race, this was a ratings race between Saturday Night Live, David Letterman and all the other late night talk shows.

Originally Posted by Harmon

From everything I have read - except for the kind of generalities you just wrote, of course - it appears that Palin was a perfecty capable governor of Alaska. I must have missed the demonstration, perhaps because there hasn't actually been one...


There's not much I can say about a man unable to handle an armed toddler.

here we have one of the few people who actually DOES pay attention to a political speech. and I have to agree.... if you have this kind of a problem with an armed toddler, please make sure you never find yourself alone with an angry cat

Originally Posted by Ea

Everyone pays taxes - not only the rich, the poor does as well. Everyone who has an income pays tax.
.

everyone pays taxes here as well. in fact, at the poorer level, not only are taxes not paid out at tax time, but more often than not there are substantial tax returns issued. as for the wealthiest bracket that quite often don't have an income per-se and for whatever reason are not paying out an actual INCOME tax, they are certainly paying sales tax at levels that the less wealthy are NOT paying. these are people that are buying goods and services and subsequently paying out a great deal of money in a variety of sales and property taxes

Originally Posted by 93terp

Ea,

You are incredibly observant & correct in your observations! You have touched on 2 all-important tenants of conservatives in the US. The first is a famous quote by their St. Ronnie Reagan, "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help'". Another famous Reaganism was "the government isn't the solution, it's the problem". The 2nd important tenant you highlight is the conservative belief in "I've got mine, screw you".

I personally find these beliefs repulsive, ignorant, and shallow.

what Reagan was referring to here is the goal/belief of the republican party that a strong central government is to be avoided and it is this type of government that starts creating problems. this is a very "Jeffersonian" viewpoint and is the goal of a focused and unsullied republican party

Originally Posted by kennyc

Less government. Libertarian is the closest thing we have to a third party...

"Less government" once again, very Jeffersonian. I used to think of myself as republican but do believe that they have lost sight of the forest for the trees. anymore I do not quite know what I am. certainly not a democrat, libertarian? ummmmm I dunno dissaffected republican? probably. I certainly do not vote "the party line"

Originally Posted by 93terp

There are hundreds of pseudos on MR that aren't gender specific. I just think it's insulting to automatically assume that someone is a he if their pseudo is not gender specific. I'm very much a unapologetic proud liberal, but I wasn't insulted due to any feminist positions on female/male equality. Unless you personally know someone on boards/forums like this, the use of "he/she" just seems more appropriate to me. Perhaps desertgrandma just forgot to put the (s) in front of he!

getting yourself all wrapped around the axel on this stumbling block is an interesting windmill to tilt at in this particular conversation