Obama announces total Iraq troop withdrawal

[Philboid Studge]

ubs wrote

Oh good! You can explain how that works then cause I'm pretty sure libertarian and alleged fascist, Victus, thinks there is no overlap.

Of course he doesn't. That's one reason why labels are silly. But here: I'm a civil libertarian (a card-carrier of many years), just like Glenn (and Noam). I'm also a "socialist" but only to the extent that I think a state can and should assure its folk some minimum of food, shelter, and clothing, sufficient to preserve health and the capacity to work. (This includes health care; indeed the case for the state's helping to organize a comprehensive system of social insurance is very strong. Don't you agree?)

[ubs]

Philboid Studge wrote

(This includes health care; indeed the case for the state's helping to organize a comprehensive system of social insurance is very strong. Don't you agree?)

Should I understand that you approve of our current healthcare system?

Tying healthcare to work is, in my humbler than Jesus* opinion, the new feudalism. It's the number one reason that people don't hang their own shingle.


*Ever notice how he insists on having his name capitalized? Not that I would presume to object.

[Philboid Studge]

ubs wrote

Should I understand that you approve of our current healthcare system?

Tying healthcare to work is, in my humbler than Jesus* opinion, the new feudalism. It's the number one reason that people don't hang their own shingle.


*Ever notice how he insists on having his name capitalized? Not that I would presume to object.

If by 'our' you mean the US, certainly not. Merika has been an abject failure in this regard. I agree that tying health insurance to employment* is fucked up, but I think the problem is really the insurance. When a 'producer' has the incentive to withhold the very service they're selling, the outcome won't be good for the consumer.

*Although I benefited from this phenomenon early in my professional career by foregoing the insurance and taking the extra cash. Shirley you're not opposed to a system that offers these kind of choices?

**Perhaps Jayzus H Christ capitalizes because He considers investment in Him a long-term cost ?

[ubs]

Philboid Studge wrote

If by 'our' you mean the US, certainly not.

Yes "our." Are you planning to give up your citizenship?

Philboid Studge wrote

Merika has been an abject failure in this regard. I agree that tying health insurance to employment* is fucked up, but I think the problem is really the insurance.

I agree, but I thought universal coverage was what you were advocating.

Philboid Studge wrote

*Although I benefited from this phenomenon early in my professional career by foregoing the insurance and taking the extra cash. Shirley you're not opposed to a system that offers these kind of choices?

Not I, but the young immortals (as they are referred to in 'the biz') are a sweet fruit that was just plucked by Obamacare. In other words, you couldn't get away with that now.

[Philboid Studge]

ubs wrote

Yes "our." Are you planning to give up your citizenship?

I'm a citizen of the world. The universe, actually. Wait, make it the multi-verse...

I agree, but I thought universal coverage was what you were advocating.

Multi-universal coverage.

My principal point there was about labeling, but now that we're into it, I think we can agree that there are needs which the market does not satisfy, and health care is among them. That doesn't mean I'm a socialist, does it?

Not I, but the young immortals (as they are referred to in 'the biz') are a sweet fruit that was just plucked by Obamacare. In other words, you couldn't get away with that now.

Well, until 2014 you can.

[DyingStrong]

Irreligious wrote

I don't think so. Those who loathe Obama will continue doing so, no matter what he does.

You are right, in part, I do not like the guy, and doubt I ever will. In fact, I don´t like any politician, dems, reps, libs, none in the USA, none in Mexico, none in the EU, none in the world. They are all a bunch of liars and thieves, including Ron Paul. Yes, he says beautiful things (in fact, I agree with everything he says, one hundred percent) sure, but do some research and you will find out that he received one million dollars from the KKK (go to the stormfront website, they love RP!)

I truly think that politicians are exactly like religion leaders: corrupt, abusers, liars and manipulators of the masses; and anyone who believes that there are honest politicians in the world, is as mentally dimmed as the religious person who believes there are honest religious leaders.

I know some of you are going to attack my point of view with your smart philosophical arguments, or you might ignore my comment. But I do not care. Trash me if you want. That is what I truly think:

POLITICS AND RELIGION: Only sheep need a shepherd (RAF slogan)

[ILOVEJESUS]

Simply power corrupts. I truly believe this. You only have to look at how the EU is being handled at the moment to see how personal agendas get in the way of doing anything particularly effective. At least dictators are clear in their tyranny and self promotion. This is why I have severe Libertarian sympathies, though not as extreme as some here. Technically I should be in charge, of the multiverse and all within it lol.

[Philboid Studge]

Irreligious wrote

I don't think so. Those who loathe Obama will continue doing so, no matter what he does.

The only thing that might quiet his relentlessly vocal critics some is if the unemployment rate drops to Clinton era levels, but that ain't likely to happen. Otherwise, all Obama's really got going for him now (apart from his perpetually sunny disposition in the face of withering rebukes) is a comparatively weak field of Republican candidates vying to succeed him.

But, you're right that this deal was sealed under President George W. Bush. However, that doesn't mean Obama couldn't have fucked it up and given his critics even more ammunition. So good on Obama that he hasn't.

[DyingStrong]

ILOVEJESUS wrote

Simply power corrupts. I truly believe this. You only have to look at how the EU is being handled at the moment to see how personal agendas get in the way of doing anything particularly effective. At least dictators are clear in their tyranny and self promotion. This is why I have severe Libertarian sympathies, though not as extreme as some here. Technically I should be in charge, of the multiverse and all within it lol.

You already have a rival: me! I think that I could do a better job than you guiding the world. I would be a very nice dictator.

[ILOVEJESUS]

Then we should run election campaigns to be elected dictator. Lol

[DyingStrong]

ILOVEJESUS wrote

Then we should run election campaigns to be elected dictator. Lol

You are sweet, ILJ. To become a dictator I do not need the plebe votes, I will just take power over the countries, abolish Constitutions and make my own rules.

[Sternwallow]

Would-be dictator, fair warning, don't fight a land war with Russia in the wintertime.

[Kate]

[Irreligious]

DyingStrong wrote

I truly think that politicians are exactly like religion leaders: corrupt, abusers, liars and manipulators of the masses; and anyone who believes that there are honest politicians in the world, is as mentally dimmed as the religious person who believes there are honest religious leaders.

I know some of you are going to attack my point of view with your smart philosophical arguments, or you might ignore my comment. But I do not care. Trash me if you want. That is what I truly think:

POLITICS AND RELIGION: Only sheep need a shepherd (RAF slogan)

I wouldn't trash you, DyingStrong. You are entitled to feel how you feel.

I would just remind you that there are also people who dislike journalists (liars, muckrakers and too politically liberal); lawyers (thieves and inherently dishonest); law enforcement officers (violent, facist and racist); physicians (incompetent and greedy); teachers (lazy, greedy and potential pedophiles); car dealers (thieves); sales clerks (rude and lazy), etc.

Any group of professionals/workers can be tarred with a broad brush based on a few (or more) unpleasant encounters with representatives in those fields, and they often are.

We could just cut to the chase and decide that people, in general, are scum, if it satisfies our need to judge others harshly.

[ILOVEJESUS]

DyingStrong wrote

You are sweet, ILJ. To become a dictator I do not need the plebe votes, I will just take power over the countries, abolish Constitutions and make my own rules.

I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.......