Opinion Talk

By Jerry

June 5, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

More taxes, more handouts. Does anyone prize liberty and responsibility anymore?

By Scooter

June 5, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

Well of course they have merit for those who believe in the infinite powers of government. Medicare is an overly expensive boondoggle - if its “free” people have no reason not to exploit it. So, it’s a boondoggle that needs reforming, but dems will expand it instead. However, it makes government more powerful so democrats love it, no matter the costs.

The consumption tax thing seems to simply be another way for government to spy on our personal finances, what’s new. The FairTax seems very similar but provides individuals with near anonymity and reduces the ability of lobbyist to manipulate our tax code.

Tuition assistance for retirees? The elderly have money if they were responsible in their working years and if they want to do those things they can spend their own freakin money. Just more government manipulation of private individuals to spend their golden years caring for the products of the nanny state, “Mother America” if you will.

This is all typical dem stuff, intrude government into our finances and use other peoples’ money to provide. All of which makes government more powerful, nothing new!

By Ray

June 5, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

Anyone in GA over 65 can enroll in any college or university that is state sponsored tuition free without assistance from the feds. This type of program is available in a number of states that realize that older people have something to offer after retirement. We don’t need another federal program to do this for us.

By T

June 5, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

Sounds decent. Why not?

By Buzzer

June 5, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

Seems like handouts to me - When will they encourage people to take care of themselves. All they are producing is lambs not people. Since when has the government actually done anything that EVERYONE IS HAPPY WITH? Never, so all they are creating is another mess and a brain drain. You tax those that work hard, they will leave. These are the same folks that encouraged biofuels and lots at the mess they and congress have created. No new ideas only handouts so they can keep the people dumb and under their control. The USA is doomed if these polices are enabled as China and India are about to take over. Just look at the Business Week list of top Global 100 companies. We used to have over 70%, nownow all we have is 33% - Watch out as the number gets lower and we “depend” on the government ot bail us out - Ha Ha !

By T

June 5, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

Still dont see a down side.

By The Truth

June 5, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

T, The reason you don’t see a down side is because you have the IQ of a carrot.

By Avery

June 5, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

People who refer to “handouts” tend to overlook the fact that people have bad luck or make mistakes.

For example, take someone who worked for what eventually became Enron for 30 years and had their retirement plan invested in only Enron stock. This is an investing mistake (non-diversification), but should we have a society where a single mistake dooms you to poverty your entire life?

This was maybe not the best example, but people tend to call them “handouts” until a disaster strikes them personally.

By Lone Ranger

June 5, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

A ‘Progressive Consumption Tax’? Sure, let’s muck up the tax code even further! It’s not like anyone can figure it out anyway.

By Fred

June 5, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Bad luck. Mistakes. Poor judgement. Irresponsibility. I’m all for a society that creates a safety net, but government has proven over and over again that it’s one of the most inefficient providers of help in times of need. The average government benefits program has an administrative overhead of 30%-40%, the kind of figure that would get any private charity or corporate benefits package shut down as a cover for outright thievery. Every ‘handout program’ adds another impenetrable layer of bureaucracy that is slow, unfeeling and ultimately unaccountable to you or anyone else for their actions. When was the last time you had a good time at a government office?

Fact is that should you ever get yourself in real trouble, you’re going to find much more help from family, friends, church and charity than you will the government. Ask anyone in New Orleans.

By T

June 5, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

lol, that was great. Your right. Lets just keep things the same. Its working so far, right.

By T

June 5, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

Oh, lets ask one of the people who are about to be laid off from Chevy, because of plant closures. I wonder what their retirement is going to look like. Wonder what it is going to feel like as a loyal American when you have to spend your savings on the costs of living. Pray that they do not have children. Well, I guess you can send your kids through college, keep your home, keep adequate medical coverage, while your unemployed or a Walmart greeter. You are right. I am wrong. We have plenty of bridges for them to live under and lots of dumpsters to find food in.

By Fred

June 5, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

Ultimately, you are responsible for your own fate. Grow up already.

By Copyleft

June 5, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Conservatives insist that government can’t do anything right… and given the opportunity, they’ve certainly proved it!

How about we elect somebody with a bit more of a productive attitude, hmmm?

By Buzzer

June 5, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Handout is a handout - We are referring to the usual suspects. Sure, everyone has a story to tell, but again your example of Enron - They should have diversified, gotten the right financial advice etc. Again it boils down to responsibilty - even then things may go wrong - but that means you have to pick yourself up, maybe with some help, but not on a continuous basis.

By Buzzer

June 5, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

Hey leftie,

Who has the majority in the house etc. Look again and ask your buddy Pelosi why she is such a failure. You are right we do need to vote in more productive people.

By Token Gringo

June 5, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

Consumption tax? Umm, why not just go with a sales tax? Less fraud that way.

By Token Gringo

June 5, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

What kind of idiot only invests in one stock for an entire retirement? Are people really that stupid? Please. If there actually was such a person, they should not be allowed to have a job nor reproduce. Talk about pitiful!

By Token Gringo

June 5, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

Something bad happens and Americans stick out their hands and look to government to solve it. Folks, government was not intended to be a handout machine. Government was intended to provide for the common defense and arbitrate disputes between the states. Of course this has evolved over the years and since we continue to elect people who know they won’t have to deal with the consequences 50 years down the road, simply seek “feel good” short term solutions while solving nothing and conditioning its citizens to expect to get something for nothing. Hurricanes happen and that’s why insurance exists, not government. The people who take the government handouts now expect to live the good life all for no effort in exchange. It’s never enough. What is the incentive to work when they will pay you not to work? If the handouts dried up tomorrow, some would not change, but I’d be willing to bet none would go hungry. If you are hungry in America today it’s because you are too lazy to find a handout. Soup kitchens, shelters, Welfare, government housing, etc. Wonder if any of those people would find a better job if we made them pick up trash off the highway or clean graffiti off their neighborhood to get their handouts. Why we could even train them to provide a community daycare in the housing projects so that the others could go “earn” their handouts. Personal responsibility has to come into play somewhere. Handouts may be necessary as a TEMPORARY condition, but never should it have been allowed to become a lifestyle. Regardless, tax and welfare reform must happen soon.
I’m still proud to be an American, and no matter who wins in November, I always will be, even if I don’t agree with their politics. It’s time America, stand up on your own two feet.

By Token Gringo

June 5, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

Let’s ask the consumers of Chevy, who apparently are unwilling to spend the money to buy the overpriced vehicles that Chevy produces. Some of that price is union labor. Where’s that great union now that those guys are getting laid off? Nowheresville. If those getting laid off cannot learn a new trade then they will reap what they have sewn.

By Think it Overs

June 6, 2008 5:10 AM | Link to this

Medicare is already projected to be bankrupt in 2080. Who’s going to pay for all this long term care for those who failed to buy their own insurance? Who’s going to pay for all this socially meaningful retraining? There aren’t enough “rich” people on the planet to fund all this stuff - the money will come from the paychecks of those who get up every morning and go to work. I lost a lot of money in the 2000 stock crash, is the government going to fix that for me, too? Whaaaa, I want my mommy.

By Copyleft

June 6, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this

Think It Over, please take your own advice. “Who’s going to pay for it?”

Why, the choice is clear: either we, the public, pay for it through a sensible and cost-effective national healthcare system…

OR, we the people STILL pay for it much less efficiently through emergency-room costs and a complete absence of preventative care. You know, what we’re doing right now, which costs WAY more than a nationalized system will.

Good question—although I doubt you anticipated the answer.