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Rhinoqulous wrote
Really? Puppies were the only thing brought up in this thread?
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Puppies, based on the extent of the discussion, seem to have been the most popular by far.
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Rhino wrote
I seem to recall a few other things suggested prior to Stern wanting "objective value" placed on not torturing puppies and pushing this thread off-topic for seven pages... So, you sanctimonious prick, care to comment on the 19 other things brought up besides Animal Cruelty?
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Ok...
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Rhino wrote
1) Abolishing Term for Life for British Bishops in Parliament
2) Disestablish the link between the Church of England and the Head of State
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3) Laws akin to Truth in Advertising for Religious Claims
4) Outlawing the teaching of Creationism and Intelligent Design[/quote]
Negligible effect on human welfare.
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Rhino wrote
5) Campaign donation reform
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Limits freedom of speech.
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Rhino wrote
6) Tax system reform
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To make it more progressive.
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Rhino wrote
7) Term limit reform
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Marginal effects.
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Rhino wrote
8) Abolishing Capital Punishment
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Entirely worthwhile, but affecting a relatively limited number of people.
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Rhino wrote
9) A Flat Tax
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Entirely worthwhile, but I'm not sure the efficiency gains would be that big.
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Rhino wrote
10) Taxation of Churches
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Worthwhile, but not much revenue to be had (i.e., inconsequential).
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Rhino wrote
11) Outlawing For-Profit Military and Prisons
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Worthwhile, but unlikely to have major effects (prisons being the end-point for what are typically dysfunctional systems).
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Rhino wrote
12) Abolishing Vice Laws
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Extremely worthwhile.
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Rhino wrote
13) Eliminating the notion of Corporations as Persons
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No obvious effect if they are still recognized as legal entities.
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Rhino wrote
14) Eliminating Super PACs
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Limits on political speech.
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Rhino wrote
15) Reformation of Telecommunications Laws
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Regulating the internet.
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Rhino wrote
16) Universal Health Care
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More free stuff for people in the top 25% of the worlds' income earners. Very high priority.
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Rhino wrote
18) Drug Law Reform
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Very worthwhile, especially in the US.
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Rhino wrote
19) Marriage Law Reform
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Worthwhile, but affects only a small percentage of the population directly.
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Rhino wrote
And finally, as a 20th policy suggestion (by a non-libertarian) we get Nationalization of Animal Cruelty laws.
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Doesn't even affect people.
So my point stands. Given 5 policies to work with, almost everyone chose some combination of "free stuff for rich people", "I hate corporations!" and "Quick, let's help this relatively small group I sympathize with!". Oh, and "I like puppies!".
For all the brow beating about not caring about the poor that goes on on these forums, given the choice of their five most cherished policies, most here went along with a series trivial options with dubious effects under the best of conditions. No one lifted a finger to help the poorest on the planet.
But it's all worth it - just as long as the puppies are safe. Right?