Thing is national defense is one of the things that the Government is supposed to do, not run car companies and the health system. This goes all the way back to the Bible, 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. The "servant" BTW is the Goverment. Your statment, "The Republicans maxed out the credit card," If the Repulicans maxed it out, the Democrats blew it out of the water! All the stuff you wrote after, well provide some proof? And I am pretty sure there were some Dems in that mess too.....didn't even Obama get some of that money?
"Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have. The course of history shows us that as a Government grows, Liberty decreases." -Thomas Jefferson
Bull, Bush did his best to grow the government, same as the administration before that and the current one. The Bush party was neoconservatism, not what the republican party used to be about and not what it will be about in the future if this nation has any hope.
Which spending spree is that? The one Bush started to bail out the financial institutions? Or, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Exactly what spending spree are you referring to? Too bad about Sweden being a failed state. Just how successful is our "free enterprise" health care system? We pay more than any other nation, but the results are not as good. Corporate sponsored health care is not working for us. It makes our corporations less competitive in the world market. One of GM's major problems was the cost of health care benefits. You've bought into the myth that you can have something for nothing. Strong national defense means big government (the military is part of the government, after all) and taxes to pay for it.
And the rest of Europe, and Korea, and Saudi Arabia, and... Now there is a way to balance the budget. What are the chances of getting paid? :lol:
It's easy to have a "socialist paradise" when somebody else it beating off the bullies... on their dime.
Well let's ask: Is Sweden a Socialist country? Answer per Wiki: No. Since about 1935 Sweden has had a social democratic economy, with high, redistributive income tax and general welfare benefits (even when under conservative governments). However, the Swedish economic model, which has been similar to other Scandinavian countries and therefore are called the "Scandinavian model", is not entirely socialistic, since the goal has been to create a welfare state, not a state with collective ownership. It's not a dictatorship either, but the conservatives in Sweden are very moderate if you compare internationally. Large private-owned companies from Sweden is i.e. IKEA, H&M and Ericsson. Private companies can never be incorporated within a socialist state. Clearly they are not Socialist but not exactly my cup of tea either... Some how I don't believe that the thousands upon thousands of American soldiers who have fought in wars sense this country began, were fighting for the "Swedish way of Life" either. No, they fought for the AMERICAN way of life that our forefathers envisioned, one where an individual willing to put his mind and back into it, could achieve anything he wanted. Not one that redistribited wealth, one where beaucrats decided what your hard earned dollars would be spent on and who deserved it. Please read the Constitution and for what it stands for. If at that time one doesn't like it, I'm sure they will be welcomed with open arms by the countries that share their beliefs.
Considering all the benefits they receive, I'd be more than willing to pay 49% tax. One of my good friends recently moved out there and absolutely loves it.
Thats great for him, but I still want the most control over what is MINE. So what does he get? A little apartment when he retires? What? If an American has the desire and fortitude to do something and has control over his or her own money, I guarantee you they will live a better retired life than ANY government can provide for free. What I still don't get is how you can compare a country that is smaller than Los Angeles to the whole United States? I don't get it?
I have no idea what he gets as he's just there for gradschool. I was just saying that from an American's perspective, he really loves the society out there. Swedes receive free education, health-care, paid parental leave, a comfortable pension program (even better if you have a high white collar position). Their roads, cities, and public transportation are kept at a high level. Their real-estate tax is much lower than most places, and they don't have to deal with the annoying inheritance taxes or wealth taxes which is a nice benefit as well. The problem with your comparison is that SOME people are able to make the money to retire comfortably and with proper health care. In Sweden, it's provided for anyone who has spent time working within the system. Huh? I didn't make any comparisons. Why so aggressive?:confused5:
It's really not about republicans or democrats. It's about progressives and the Marxist message, which in my opinion is not right or wrong but just plain evil. We can yammer all day about who did what to whom, but if any elected official endorses any legislation that hinders our liberties and our freedoms as stated in the Constitution we need to work to have them voted out. Then we can address all this other stuff. But while we fuss about who spent what money on what war or what bank the progressives continue to whittle away at our freedoms. Tea anyone?
First I want to say I'm sorry if I come off to aggressive :blush2: When I said "you" in this statement, "What I still don't get is how you can compare a country that is smaller than Los Angeles to the whole United States?" I meant overall not just you. But in your other statement, "the problem with your comparison is that SOME people are able to make the money to retire comfortably and with proper health care. In Sweden, it's provided for anyone who has spent time working within the system." See I don't believe someone should get anything if they don't deserve it, or work for it. As in tips, if a waiter gives me bad service, guess what, he gets a bad tip. Yea he is still working, but if he just goes through the motions he shouldn't be rewarded extra for it. I don't know this "provided for anyone" just reeks of socialism?
it does reek of socialism...you could put your time in the system and a horrible job...but still get paid the same as someone who busted their ass?no i think you should be compensated for the work you put in....not just showing up...this country was founded on busted our asses to get what we want in life...it should never be handed to you...
All I know is that if the tax rates continue to climb, I'm going to stop being one of the "providers" and start being one of the "consumers"... since there's no upside in "providing". But I'm sure there will be plenty of "providers" willing to bust hump for no upside so I can continue to live my groovy Swedish lifestyle! And with all the spare time I'll have, I'll learn to speak Arabic, just in case.