With all this Obama talk -- I found this cool site...

Originally Posted by Ankesh

But you have to understand that if the society doesn't try to balance itself by trying to bring equality some of the time, it will break down.

Your passion is good TW. But you have to try to figure out how to make the best of things when the society tries to go the equality way for some time. Instead of spending all your energy in talking about fairness and just getting frustrated. The time for fairness will come too.

Are you saying don't kick the rapist in the shins?

You seem to be advocating 'equality.' That's a nice ideal, I agree. But, the only way to make it a reality is through artificially synthasized FORCE.

And where should that FORCE come from? The govt.? What exact SHAPE should the 'equality' take? Who decides what's 'equal' or to what degree everyone should be 'equal?' Congress?

Are people who object to being FORCED to give up what they have (because things aren't 'equal' enough), "GREEDY?"

Is it GREED that has made some 'have' more than others?

If so, I ask you (or anyone who makes the 'greed' argument) -- what couch do you have at home? Is it the cheapest couch there is? Do you REALLY need a couch at all? There are people who don't even have ANY couch, you know. Wouldn't you be less 'greedy' if you were to take the money you spent on your couch, and give that $$ to someone else who doesn't even have FOOD?!? How about your TV -- do you have a tv? In fact, if you own ANYTHING that is not BARE MINIMUM, aren't you being 'greedy?' If you have more than even ONE other person does, aren't you enjoying your 'riches' at the EXPENSE of another citizen? Aren't YOU a part of the UNequality 'problem?'

Where does the attempt to FORCE equality on REALITY (which is always -- naturally -- UNequal) end?

It's a spectrum -- and a slippery slope.

Not to mention the crimp such artificial FORCES have on human nature. Why should I try to do 'better' (excel) when I know the govt. will make me equal to everyone else whether I excel OR NOT?

It is not the role of the govt to change market realities in arbitrary (or ANY) ways!

Yes, the constitution can go through changes -- changes to make it more STABLE in its ONE PROMISE -- and that promise is very SPECIFIC... the gov't shall be LIMITED.

Obama seems not to want to play the chess game to make the game better -- he wants to kick the whole table over and start another game that isn't even chess at all. He wants to change (or subvert) the entire BASIC intent of the FOUNDATION of the nation. And that basic promise is [or, is SUPPOSED to be], again, LIMITED govt. He's not headed toward that end of the spectrum at all. He's barelling as fast as he can toward the other end of the spectrum. I pray it's not going to work -- and he will be stopped (politically) or slowed down A LOT. If not, he will RUIN the country for DECADES to come, imo.

-- TW

Apply caution, think out of the box and who really knows...

Just maybe Obama...

These uncertain Global economic times are Full of interesting money making opportunities if you're a Thinker who's into a little Risk taking...

Remember, waking up each morning Definitely has it's Risks too..

Poll: Obama's rating at all-time high
NBC/WSJ poll shows gap between popularity of president and his policies
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29493021

Obama Says Now May Be Good Time to Invest in Stocks...
http://www.google.com/search?q=Obama...fficial&tab=nw

Phil

Originally Posted by Phil

Obama Says Now May Be Good Time to Invest in Stocks...
http://www.google.com/search?q=Obama...fficial&tab=nw

Phil

Right! Buy stock in whatever companies the government is about to invest in.. then sell as soon as the taxpayer money pushes the value up.

The Wall Street Journal published a scary article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123629969453946717.html

Mr. Obama's $3.6 trillion budget blueprint, by his own admission, redefines the role of government in our economy and society. The budget more than doubles the national debt held by the public, adding more to the debt than all previous presidents -- from George Washington to George W. Bush -- combined.

The cost of transitioning to Communism seems to be pretty steep. Sorry I don't have answers to all our countries problems, but I would say that maybe not making things worse would be a good start. Deficit spending that exceeds that of every President in our history combined?!? Just the though of that is mind boggling.

Perhaps letting the economy run it's course would be a better solution. Necessity is the mother of invention - entrepreneurs, business owners, anyone with ambition will find products and services to meet current needs, and will grow and provide jobs, income, and grease the wheels of our economy. It seems like a stupid idea to take away any incentive for people and businesses to make money (ie: much higher taxes), and instead try to make trillions of dollars trickle down from the White House to lower government institutions hoping that some of it will eventually make it to job creation at some level.

Sorry, now you've got me ranting. I just hope we survive the next 3 1/2 years.

[Ankesh]

Are you saying don't kick the rapist in the shins?

I don't know where I ever said that.

You seem to be advocating 'equality.'

No I don't. I'm not advocating equality.

I tried to explain *why* a stable society swings towards equality from time to time. But I don't think I'm doing a good job of it. And its a tough thing to do - because when it comes to religion and politics - people - including me - always seem to hear what they want to hear.

I tried to give the same amount of ink to equality as to fairness. But yet you thought I'm advocating equality.

If I'm advocating anything - I'm advocating balance.