Do The Right Thing
Just don't force other people to pay for it:
"Socialism, like the ancient ideas from which it springs, confuses the distinction between government and society. As a result of this, every time we object to a thing being done by government, the socialists conclude that we object to its being done at all." - Frédéric Bastiat
Excellent quote.
I've said several times on blogs that when the left and right argue about a government program, they are making different arguments. The right is arguing against the government doing it. The left argues about whether it's good for it to be done.
This is why the left gets so nasty, while accusing the right of being the nasty ones.
I've never seen it quoted on so well as by Mr. Bastiat.
Trust at April 26, 2010 5:34 AM
A corollary is the leftist claim/assumption that only government can accomplish anything. So, in their view, if government doesn't do it, then it won't get done.
Cousin Dave at April 26, 2010 7:49 AM
But, but, but....Socialism is so much more gratifying to their egos when they can force you to bend to their will.
Feebie at April 26, 2010 10:08 AM
This is how I feel about the school system and social security.. They are both theft and designed to trap people into needing them.. Ask a mom in my neighborhood what the would do if the govt stopped providing their free daycare. They are already starting to bitch about having to do something with their kids for the summer.. I have the urge to mention that these children belong to them and are their responsibility but I don't want piles of shit on my doorstep..
Its good to want an educated public but why do we as a society confiscate the wealth of others to pay for it.. And its not hard to educate your children. And even if you find that it is there are co-ops.. But mercy me what ever would these people do if the had to educate their own children or pay for a private school.
And SS drives people to be irresponsible and not save for their own retirement.. My MIL included.. Hubby and I will have to care for her in her old age. And it will be us. Hubby is the only self sufficient child she produced of her 3.. At least I have a threat on her. I am going to be the one sponge bathing her she had better be nice while it counts..
I personally am trying to figure out if, when the time comes, we will be able to get the 60K+ the government has stolen from us back.. We will never see it in the form of SS I am betting.
These are also the reasons I think the tea party is BS. They want just enough socialism to get their goodies but no goodies for that guy over there. I mean this sincerely. GM and the banks are only doing on a grand scale what the tea partiers, and everyone else, are doing on a personal scale except there is no promise of repayment from the people..
josephineMO7 at April 26, 2010 1:17 PM
Yeah, can we just drop a depth-charge on crop subsidies?
I am not against giving farmers free oney, I just don't want the government to do it.
And how about a torpedo for pensions for military federal employees after just 20 years of employment? Does anyone--anyone--in the private sector get a pension like this?
I am not against these guys getting a fat pensions--I just don't think taxpayers should pay for it.
BOTU at April 26, 2010 3:11 PM
And how about a torpedo for pensions for military federal employees after just 20 years of employment? Does anyone--anyone--in the private sector get a pension like this?
There are several different pension plans for active duty military. The descriptions are here. Prior to 1986 if you served 20 years you would get 50% of your base pay for the rest of your life. After 1986 it was something like 40% at 20 and 50% at 25 years. If you made it to 30 years you got 75%. But to do more than 30 years you have to get a waiver. Apparently it has gotten more confusing since then.
But the sheer number of vets that actually make it to 20 year mark is probably in the 35-40% mark.
I will say that most career fields in the USAF can make it to 20, but after that the going gets tough.
As far as the Army and USMC -- keeping to the standards for 20+ years (especially special forces) will beat your body to a pulp. Of the few special forces retirees I know, you might as well well find a good assisted living home at fifty. They are going to be facing arthritis, joint damage, torn muscles, and various other bodily damage from training just below Olympic level athletes for multiple years.
Now I will argue that your typical GS employee is a different story. But no different than any NEA/AFSCME employee union worker.
Jim P. at April 26, 2010 7:19 PM
The military pays pension at: 50% pay at 20 years. 2.5% for each year served after that. Now as far as reaching the 20 year mark...something like 15% of Basic trainees reach that.
This is also only computed at the "Base Pay". The charts of which are available every year and you simply "halve them".
Red at April 26, 2010 9:59 PM
Brilliant quote.
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at April 26, 2010 11:37 PM
I don't care. I want a tax cut. Let's cut farm subsidies, all rural subsidies, and military pensions. Socialism is bad, and we cannot afford to pay soldiers for 20 years, and then half pay for another 40 years (until they die) to do nothing. Four decades of payments from taxpayers to do nothing.
I want a tax cut, and I want a tax cut now--wipe out military pensions.
Tea Party Hipster at April 27, 2010 10:48 AM
Another corollary of Bastiat's rule is that the left talks as if *nothing* were being done yet. No Medicaid, no food stamps, no Section 8, no SSD...no, we've got a blank slate and have to start helping those poor people! If you point out all the stuff they get now, they turn up their noses and say, WHO could live on that - could you? I couldn't...
More, more, more for the poor!
Sacajewea at April 27, 2010 1:58 PM
Oh, goody. BOTU found another nickname.
Conan the Grammarian at April 27, 2010 7:13 PM
> BOTU found another nickname.
Coney, it was his humorlessness that tipped you off, right?
But can you find any deeper patterns? Was it the "hipster" part, where we feel his resentment –like that of a teenager– that other kids might be having fun at party which he doesn't attend? Or was it his teenage presumption that sarcasm and hurtful shades of sincerity are the coin of the realm, in social discourse, verbal patterns which everyone should be comfortable with?
Or was it something else? Perhaps way he doesn't talk about reducing social support of lefty enterprises, like inner city programs or schools or socialized health care?
Whatever it was, dude, you called him on it. Props. Good spot. Times like this, I think we should all pitch in to pay Amy to run a check on the IP address.
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at April 27, 2010 10:18 PM
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