Why are you a Democrat/Republican?

[Zero Sum 305]

Like I said, a annoying little...

[Zero Sum 305]

I agree with you on that. I do not know the overall facts, but just by my interview with this young lady I will stand by my perception that she is far from conservative. Like I said this is my own personal opinion based on my experiences...of some cases I do know pretty well the circumstances. I think this is another case as with a lot in politics we can agree to disagree....

Leech and bottom feeder is probably enough in my opinion. The political affiliation, even in the opposite (productive member of society) is fairly irrelevant unless you can prove that its the motivation for such a behavior.

Where I believe some American Liberals have utterly dropped the ball on though is allowing themselves to follow policies that do not 'teach the people to fish' but rather, 'hand out the fish to those who do not want to fish.' if you really think about it, if many American Conservatives were that concerned about the state of the nation from that dichotomy, they'd have deeply legislated for programs to teach the former, not the latter. And they have not for the most part. I wonder why. In the long run, if conservativism from an economic perspective was fed by behavior of true personal responsibility, what a better recruiting tool for the conservative cause than to push for a more responsible society? Its boggling.

Instead we have punitive efforts that further polarize people away from them.

[Vi-Jay 218]

Because following our species' departure from the cave, there is a need for government. As countries develop and societies and economies evolve, the role for government typically doesn't decrease. Recognizing that there is a valid role for government, one also has to recognize that the functions such government carries out need to be funded.

If you don't like government and prefer a country without one, I suggest you book a trip to Mogadishu and take a look at what a country without a functioning government looks like. They don't feed the beast, they starved it. And what a paradise that made for them.

OK. For the most part, I agree with you. May I ask another question please. What do you think about the size and revenue needs of our gov? Too big, too small just right?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Sounds cool. I mentioned I wrote him a while ago but no answer. It would be awesome having some fellow city dweller to laugh at all the shenanigans we come across here from time to time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukeHdiszZmE

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

OK. For the most part, I agree with you. May I ask another question please. What do you think about the size and revenue needs of our gov? Too big, too small just right?

There are many things that the federal government can cut back on. Surely there are redundancies within an organization of that size. Surely we do not need to spend more than the rest of the world combined on defense. Surely there are programs that have little, if any actual benefit. Conversely, there are areas that we have fallen behind on - education, research, infrastructure and, yes, some social services such as universal health care.

Now, in the balance, I think that there is a good amount of money that can be saved. The federal government currently has outlays of 24% of GDP. Over the last few decades, the outlays have averaged something more in the 20% - 21% range. That would mean that there should be annual budget savings of around a half a trillion dollars anually that can be realized. Half of that can be had by bringing the defense budget back to the 3% of GDP it was back in 2000 (that's 100 billion saved) and by bringing to an end our engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan (that's 160 billion savings). Then there's a lot of that "Homeland Security" bureaucracy that was built that I think we can safely scrap to achieve some good savings.

Next, we look at the receipt side of the ledger and realize that we're way below the historical average in terms of tax receipts (14% of GDP vs. the usual 18%-19%). So close some loopholes, bring back the proper tax rates, look at SS caps, certain deductions - be innovative to make it happen. You can't finance 20% of GDP outlays with 14% of GDP collections.

[Zero Sum 305]

You should be in government, MBD.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

You should be in government, MBD.

Not gonna work. Common sense takes you further in the private sector but crushes you in public service in this country.

[Zero Sum 305]

Not gonna work. Common sense takes you further in the private sector but crushes you in public service in this country.

I was going to say "as long as you kept your wits and sense about you."

Maybe you can be scared into doing it if you go to a few Tea nut rallies and think of your new Governor and new Senator.