Rob Roy, I totally understand the point of view that democracy probably isn't the answer, and i might agree with that, but its what we have now, a democracy is supposed to work for the people, it can be debated that we willingly chose to be where we are, but i truly believe that isn't the case. the rich are staying filthy rich and the poor man working hard isn't getting any richer.
it can be debated that we willingly chose to be where we are. in fact, i can even concede it for the sake of argument.
now, we face the choice of where we want to be. how we want to move forward.
that is what i have in mind when i call myself a progressive, although to be fair a sizable share of my views could be defined as such.
if people do not consent to be taxed, they have the right to 'petition the government for a redress of grievances' and change it.
but i bet if you asked enough people, you'd hear way more often than not that people do consent to being taxed by and large, but would just like to be taxed less.
they understand they are part of a greater whole.
Now on a more broader point of view, yes i do understand that most people are living comfortably as they are but what about social security? im 21 and I definitely know im sure as shit not going to see any of that money that's been coming out of my paychecks since i've been working, 14years old. What about the benefits of all those people who are working FOR the people. they are going to lose their right to VOTE on their benefits.
44 years from now will be 2055. social security will still be solvent by any projection at that point, and will pay you out 3/4 benefits or so (again by most projections).
one thing we could do is lift the cap above $106k (i also favor raising the retirement age, which would not be considered a 'progressive' view), either of which would mean you still get full benefits.
i also think that allowing people to draw into ss at an earlier age at a progressively reduced rate would help. that would provide people the incentive to save for their own retirement (which we all should be doing anyway).
Until someone comes up with a better idea on how the people can help people with or without government, i fear I'll never see the day when we change to a different way of life as a species.
really we all got robbed and we all don't know it (if you live in america)
you get robbed just about everywhere by the definitions of the rube cult leader with the persecution complex. the only question is how.
it's not that i am against the private sector so much, it is that i have not seen any examples of how the private sector alone, without any type of public sector (the government), can provide as much as or more than the private sector alone.
after all, the only end of any business is the bottom line. returns to shareholders. making money in any way they can get away with.
any reasonable person, no matter their disagreements on size and scope of government, can reasonably agree that some type of governance is needed, and needs to be paid for somehow.
if ruberoy wants to name me some examples of great, successful societies that prospered without some form of governance financed in some way through 'extortion' (ie, taxes), be my guest. put up or shut up.
but the poll now is what it is.
