Don't Assume I'm A Democrat -- Or A Republican
Some guy wrote me on Facebook:
These never ending cuts by the Rethuglicans remind me of what was said about Robert S. McNamara. "He knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing." Millions of Americans and our economy benefit from many needed and valuable programs.
I wrote back:
I'm neither a fan of the Republicans nor the Democrats, who are quite "thuggish" themselves. Suggest you go on my blog and join the debate there. Appreciate your e-mail, but I get mail for a living and need to put my time toward answering requests for advice -- especially since you don't seem to understand my political thinking: fiscally conservative, socially libertarian, personal responsibilitarian. Per Bastiat, just because we don't think government should do something doesn't mean we're opposed to it being done at all.
I often suspect that the people who complain the most bitterly about cuts in social services do only that -- do nothing to try to help people themselves. Can't say for sure -- I know plenty of good people on both sides. But, it's a suspicion of mine. It's a lot easier to wag your tongue than to get off your ass and do something to, say, help people get on their feet. (That's the sort of help I'm interested in giving -- not the kind that enables helplessness for generations.)
If you aren't 8, or naive like you're 8, it should be clear to you in whose interest most politicians act: Not the Republicans'. Not the Democrats'. Their own.
This cynical redistribution of the works of Oscar Wilde must not stand. Lounging would be OK, I suppose.
phunctor at March 16, 2011 4:03 AM
As I keep patiently explaining to way too many people, the Republicans and large Corporations want to keep me poor and keep as much of my money as possible for themselves.
The Democrats want to take a large chunk of my near poverty level wages and give it to the non-working poor.
(I'm in Washington State where we have sales tax but no income tax. I'm fine with that--I don't want state income tax, but there are those who will claim that people who make very little money don't pay taxes, when we actually pay as much into the system as wealthy people in some cases.)
MissFancy at March 16, 2011 7:29 AM
"fiscally conservative, socially libertarian, personal responsibilitarian"...an excellent description! Can I use that?
Aunt Judie at March 16, 2011 8:09 AM
Amy:
Someone blew through USENET on. Politics forum way back in the mid 90s and asked a question I have never forgotten:
"Is your desire to help people so great as to actually help them, or only so great as to force others to do so?"
Richard Nikoley at March 16, 2011 8:13 AM
Sadly, too many folks seem completely unaware that they don't have to be either a Democrat or a Republican. For them, politics seems to be a competitive event in which they have to root for one side, or the other. As such, they are unable to agree that the other side can be right about anything. They, invariably, resort to name-calling (Republithug, Democrap) and cease to really consider the issues at hand.
Al at March 16, 2011 9:04 AM
Amy, well said. Aunt Judie, excellent quote find.
This reminds me of that unfortunate tea party rally where some protesters throw dollar bills at some guy they assume to be homeless, who it turns out actually has Parkinson's. It speaks to how many people seem to think that homelessness, say, is across the board a choice, that everyone can work and everybody on food stamps or welfare is a leech, but also illustrates how many think that throwing money at an issue will make it all better, like some fiscal band aid.
What if, however, the money gets eaten up by politicians' budget cuts or special interests? What if a government employee is embezzling funds to afford a smokin' hot Ferrari on their suspiciously modest salary? What if unethical wastes of skin are faking disability or lack of income in order to get benefits for themselves and in the process deprive others?
Often rather than donating to charity, it can be far more satisfying to get up and volunteer. You get that feel-good feeling of doing something directly, get plastered with thank yous, network with like-minded people in the community, and share you abilities in a common effort to promote the general welfare and give people local to you a hand up. I reluctantly quote Mr. Sheen... WINNING!
Darth Continent at March 16, 2011 9:24 AM
The recent housing and credit crisis exposed the fiscal irresponsibility of large chunks of the American public. How in heavens name can we possibly hope the public to expect fiscal responsibility from their government when they do not expect it of themselves?
"I often suspect that the people who complain the most bitterly about cuts in social services do only that -- do nothing to try to help people themselves."
The problem being that they've bought into the concept that they can stop thinking and acting because the government will and should take care of everything. Before the rise of the American welfare state, private local charities were much more effective in helping the poor than the government ever has been.
AllenS at March 16, 2011 12:19 PM
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