Weekly socialist meetings indoctrinating the faithful

[Slartibartfast]

Healthcare
Economy
Unemployment
Budget Deficit
Terrorism
Foreign Wars
Environment / global warming/QUOTE]

Yeah, I am not getting it. However, here is my take on the list.

Healthcare - would continue to suck without government involvement and probably be worse without a real economy to speak of due to a lack of governing rules
Economy - would probably be worse without government involvement in things like manditory education, also there would be no coinage, hence no capitalism, but probably a barter economy at best
Unemployment - would probably be worse without government as a pure capitalistic economy would be highly exploitative
Budget Deficit - this would likely not exist without government budgets
Terrorism - would still exist and probably be worse without enforcement efforts, people would probably be constantly raiding each other for resources
Foreign wars - would probably not exist as much without government creating armies
Environmental/Global warming - would probably not be an issue as society would not be advanced enough to really affect the environment.

I am not sure I would want to live in a mad max style world personally. At least thats how I think life would be without government.

 

[ptif219]

The problem is that some people believe conspiracy theory crap.

Like some people deny the truth

 

[Rightwingnutjob]

Food stamps:
The Food Stamp Program is Effective and Efficient — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities


So a 2% problem rate there.

Medicare & Medicaid:
Fraud statistics


Social Security:
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0309.pdf
DC seems to be the worst state, with 453+165(total: 618) reports of fraud and abuse per 100,000 population (less than 1% problem rate)

Do you believe people need food stamps if they are able to spend them on candy and soda? It's pretty common place at a local dollar store around here. If they're able to waste their stamps on useless junk that won't nourish them, then they shouldn't have food stamps.

 

[Boo Radley]

Do you believe people need food stamps if they are able to spend them on candy and soda? It's pretty common place at a local dollar store around here. If they're able to waste their stamps on useless junk that won't nourish them, then they shouldn't have food stamps.

Why would they be any smarter or have better habits than they normally do? Frankly this thinking is kind of useless. ANd remember, poor dietary stuff is always less expensive than good dietary stuffs. Sadly.

 

[MKULTRABOY]

Corn subsidies...

 

[Rightwingnutjob]

Why would they be any smarter or have better habits than they normally do? Frankly this thinking is kind of useless. ANd remember, poor dietary stuff is always less expensive than good dietary stuffs. Sadly.

If they were honestly hungry and unable to buy food, I don't think they would be squandering their ability to do so by wasting their stamps on a candy bar.

 

[Boo Radley]

If they were honestly hungry and unable to buy food, I don't think they would be squandering their ability to do so by wasting their stamps on a candy bar.

You would be wrong. Completely wrong. Nor do you have to at the moment be completely starving before you ge food stamps. Just a reasonable likelihood that you won't have the money coming up. Unless you actually know the situation, you're likely to read it wrong. As they use to say when I was young, you should walk a mile in someone elses shoes before you act like you know. Hard to do.

 

[Rightwingnutjob]

You would be wrong. Completely wrong. Nor do you have to at the moment be completely starving before you ge food stamps. Just a reasonable likelihood that you won't have the money coming up. Unless you actually know the situation, you're likely to read it wrong. As they use to say when I was young, you should walk a mile in someone elses shoes before you act like you know. Hard to do.

So you think it is appropriate for them to waste tax payer money on candy when we are subsidizing their stamps so they can buy actual food which they supposedly need?

 

[Slartibartfast]

Do you believe people need food stamps if they are able to spend them on candy and soda? It's pretty common place at a local dollar store around here. If they're able to waste their stamps on useless junk that won't nourish them, then they shouldn't have food stamps.

I agree, but thats as easy to solve as changing the stuff on the list.

Like some people deny the truth

Like conspiracy theorists

 

[Dittohead not!]

What's always interesting is those who claim the government is the solution forget that government created the problem in the first place... so why now should we buy into the solutions when they're the responsible party who got us into trouble?

And yes, we elect State representatives and local politicians ... we do not elect Presidents - that's the electoral college. I just want to make sure that nuance wasn't lost here.

The government not doing its job created the problems of the housing meltdown, illegal immigration, the lack of a workable plan to deal with an oil spill in the Gulf and a lot more. The solution is not to eliminate the governemnt, but to correct it and see to it that it does do its job. What we have is a government of the people, but there aren't enough of the people who even understand what the government is supposed to be doing, let alone participate in a meaningful way in that government. The problem is apathy, ignorance, and disafection, along with a fatalistic belief that all government is inherently bad or inherently good. Government, like a lot of things, is what we make it.

 

[ptif219]

I agree, but thats as easy to solve as changing the stuff on the list.



Like conspiracy theorists

Like people that defend Obama

 

[Boo Radley]

So you think it is appropriate for them to waste tax payer money on candy when we are subsidizing their stamps so they can buy actual food which they supposedly need?

Waste? Certainly I have my views on what they should spend money on. I suspect ten people would have ten different lines and views. And I even suspect some criticize you on your choices. However, that all skips the point. Given choice, everyone wioll mmaken a questionable choice sooner or later. But doing so doesn't mean there wasn't a need. You simply reach the wrong conclusion.

 

[Dittohead not!]

Waste? Certainly I have my views on what they should spend money on. I suspect ten people would have ten different lines and views. And I even suspect some criticize you on your choices. However, that all skips the point. Given choice, everyone wioll mmaken a questionable choice sooner or later. But doing so doesn't mean there wasn't a need. You simply reach the wrong conclusion.

When they're spending their own money, they can make all of the poor choices they like. When they're spending mine, it's another matter.

It would be better to give food to the indigent rather than money. That way, we know that the money is spent on food, not on frills.

 

[Boo Radley]

When they're spending their own money, they can make all of the poor choices they like. When they're spending mine, it's another matter.

It would be better to give food to the indigent rather than money. That way, we know that the money is spent on food, not on frills.

To how you feel, that may be true. But choices don't get any better just because it is your money. Your choice is either to restrict their ability to choose, or live with poor choices. It's foolish to believe they everyone will suddenly make the choices you would or want.

Also, how much would cost to hire people to deliver food? Cheaper than money and food stamps? I suspect it would be more expensive for a couple of reasons: 1. good food costs more than junk and 2. you add another paid employee.

 

[Dittohead not!]

To how you feel, that may be true. But choices don't get any better just because it is your money. Your choice is either to restrict their ability to choose, or live with poor choices. It's foolish to believe they everyone will suddenly make the choices you would or want.

Also, how much would cost to hire people to deliver food? Cheaper than money and food stamps? I suspect it would be more expensive for a couple of reasons: 1. good food costs more than junk and 2. you add another paid employee.

Then, let's restrict their ability to choose. If they want to make their own choices, then they can earn their own money and quit depending on charity.

 

[Groucho]

Then, let's restrict their ability to choose. If they want to make their own choices, then they can earn their own money and quit depending on charity.

Well, they are already restricted. I suppose you could argue to remove candy from the list.

From Division of Public Assistance - HOW TO USE YOUR FOOD STAMPS

food items that CAN BE purchased with food stamp BENEFITs

All food or food products meant to be eaten by people.

Vegetable seeds and food producing plants, roots, and trees. Also, seeds and plants to produce spices and herbs used in cooking foods.

Items considered "health foods" like wheat germ, brewers yeast, and seeds packaged to be eaten by people.

Baby formula, diabetic and diet foods.

Items used in preparing or preserving foods such as spices and herbs, pectin, and shortening.

Snack foods like candy, potato chips, chewing gum, and soft drinks.

Meals prepared for and delivered or served to elderly or disabled food stamp recipients if the public or private organization is authorized to accept food stamps.

Distilled water and ice, if labeled "For Human Consumption".


items that CANNOT BE purchased with food stamp BENEFITs

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

Nonfood items such as soap, toiletries, cleaning products, paper products, cooking utensils.

Items not meant to be eaten by people such as laundry starch, pet foods, seeds packaged as birdseed, and decorative dye; items for food preservations such as pressure cookers, canning jars and lids, paraffin freezer containers and wrapping paper.

Therapeutic products such as vitamins and minerals in any form.

All health aids such as aspirin, cough drops or syrups, and other cold remedies, antacids, and all patent medicines.

Items used for gardening such as fertilizer and peat moss.

Prepared hot foods and hot food products sold in grocery stores, that are hot at the time of sale and ready to be eaten immediately.

Any prepared food (hot or cold) sold and meant to be eaten at the store.

 

[Boo Radley]

Then, let's restrict their ability to choose. If they want to make their own choices, then they can earn their own money and quit depending on charity.

I have less problem with that. But be aware there will be disagreement on that limit, and no matter where you limit it to, someone will complain that it doesn't go far enough.

 

[Geo Patric]

gee ziz.

yer bitchin because poor folks eat candy on your dime?

food stamps account for an infinitesmal amount of federal spending.

no one contributes more than a few dollars a year feeding the poor. the national average for recipients is $68.00.... a week... for a family of FOUR!

sick. it is just sick to whine about feeding people.

geo.

 

[Khayembii Communique]

When they're spending their own money, they can make all of the poor choices they like. When they're spending mine, it's another matter.

It's not your money.

 

[jambalaya]

Right.

Because, as you know, Jesus wanted everyone to take care of each other and help each other and he specifically said "Oh, except if you form a democracy and control the government, then of course, screw them all." It has to be in there someplace.

Even in a democracy we, as in the ordinary citizens, are capable of taking care of our fellow citizens without the governments involvement. But of course that doesn't happen as much these days because we now rely so much on the federal government to do it and have our pockets picked so much by the government we can't afford to act on our own. Not to mention the great political divide that causes us to work against each other.