Why should I vote like you do?

[Prometheus]

I spent most of my life playing music, doing drugs, chasing physical gratification, watching sports, etc... I never wanted to pay attention to politics because I was ignorant.

As a man now in my thirties, I finally see that it was wrong of me for all these years to remain ignorant as such. Politics is, unfortunately, the most important thing to be informed about. I see that now.

This is your chance, whatever your political leanings may be, to truly influence an actual moderate... a nearly blank slate... to perhaps see things as you do. I am ready, curious, and absolutely open-minded. So make your pitch. If your argument is more convincing than anyone else's, then you will have successfully added one more vote to whichever candidate or party you think ought to be voted for. And in reality, it will most likely amount to more than just one, as I will probably end up passing your arguments along to others in my life outside of ISH.

So let's hear it. Why are you right?

[keep-itreal]

https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/956/597/f57.jpg

[ScalsFan21]

Depends what your goals are, really.

Me personally? I'm partial to the idea of giving tax breaks to the richest people and largest corporations, because ultimately it will voodoo its way down to the most needy. As long as we offset it by slashing Medicare, Medicaid, even Social Security, and other programs proven to cultivate sloth. Oldies gotta work longer despite life expectancy dropping for going on 4 years straight now. Gay people should never under any circumstances be allowed to marry; they stand condemned in the eyes of Christ, our Lord.

We reject the 90+ percent of Americans who want universal background checks on gun purchases. Mass shootings are the price of freedom half the time, the other half of the time gun control wouldn't be a solution anyway. Getting back to the Jesus aspect, we also occasionally dabble in separating little kids from their families at the border. As far as the military goes, our great leader Trump increases the likelihood of nuclear weaponry existing in foreign adversaries' hands and then threatens acts of war while pretending he's anti-interventionist to win votes, unless he decides to call it off 10 minutes beforehand.

On the other hand, you have these far left-wing wackos who want to provide guaranteed health insurance to everyone as a right (like in EUROPE, gross), some of them even advocate peace overseas where possible. Disgusting, equal opportunity-wanting sheep who want burger flippers to make a CEO salary that they are. Progressives want to get corporate money out of the political system altogether, allowing for the will of the people to be represented instead of the whims of the all-knowing rich and powerful job creating patriots.

Get on the Trump train while you still can, his approval ratings are sky-high and you definitely don't want your grandkids finding out one day that you didn't get the opportunity to support this man in real time! I recommend Hannity and Mark Levin, just as a conservative starter pack.

#BoltonHaley2028

[Loco 50]

You've determined it's the most important thing for you to be informed about, yet you would allow someone else's filters and biases cloud yours?

The more sources of interference your knowledge is filtered through the more tainted/corrupted it is.

You've got to do your own work to get to where you should be and frankly, this is why the country has been led down a really dysfunctional path. Too many people unwilling or unable to do their own work.

You strike me as smarter than the premise of your thread.

[Loco 50]

Depends what your goals are, really.

Me personally? I'm partial to the idea of giving tax breaks to the richest people and largest corporations, because ultimately it will voodoo its way down to the most needy. As long as we offset it by slashing Medicare, Medicaid, even Social Security, and other programs proven to cultivate sloth. Oldies gotta work longer despite life expectancy dropping for going on 4 years straight now. Gay people should never under any circumstances be allowed to marry; they stand condemned in the eyes of Christ, our Lord.

We reject the 90+ percent of Americans who want universal background checks on gun purchases. Mass shootings are the price of freedom half the time, the other half of the time gun control wouldn't be a solution anyway. Getting back to the Jesus aspect, we also occasionally dabble in separating little kids from their families at the border. As far as the military goes, our great leader Trump increases the likelihood of nuclear weaponry existing in foreign adversaries' hands and then threatens acts of war while pretending he's anti-interventionist to win votes, unless he decides to call it off 10 minutes beforehand.

On the other hand, you have these far left-wing wackos who want to provide guaranteed health insurance to everyone as a right (like in EUROPE, gross), some of them even advocate peace overseas where possible. Disgusting, equal opportunity-wanting sheep who want burger flippers to make a CEO salary that they are. Progressives want to get corporate money out of the political system altogether, allowing for the will of the people to be represented instead of the whims of the all-knowing rich and powerful job creating patriots.

Get on the Trump train while you still can, his approval ratings are sky-high and you definitely don't want your grandkids finding out one day that you didn't get the opportunity to support this man in real time! I recommend Hannity and Mark Levin, just as a conservative starter pack.

#BoltonHaley2028
I missed this the first time around. I predict you won't get much of a response from anyone that this applies to.

You can always tell when you've made a scathing point here because a thread that was previously full of argument dies an almost immediate death.

[Shogon]

I spent most of my life playing music, doing drugs, chasing physical gratification, watching sports, etc... I never wanted to pay attention to politics because I was ignorant.

As a man now in my thirties, I finally see that it was wrong of me for all these years to remain ignorant as such. Politics is, unfortunately, the most important thing to be informed about. I see that now.

This is your chance, whatever your political leanings may be, to truly influence an actual moderate... a nearly blank slate... to perhaps see things as you do. I am ready, curious, and absolutely open-minded. So make your pitch. If your argument is more convincing than anyone else's, then you will have successfully added one more vote to whichever candidate or party you think ought to be voted for. And in reality, it will most likely amount to more than just one, as I will probably end up passing your arguments along to others in my life outside of ISH.

So let's hear it. Why are you right?

You still haven’t “arrived.” You’ve leveled up but you’re not quite there.

None of this shit we argue about matters... it’s just entertainment, really.

The only thing that matters is monetary policy and the Jews at the federal reserve devaluing the value of our currency to the point that our collective wealth is consistently being extracted and used as a means of oppression.

The rest of it is just a scenery of shit for the public.

Our country has fallen.

[Shogon]

https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYnD6aSawYLKdyrkR3EamuywLhcddGrjsAVS5Y4mp7VPt/Thomas-Jefferson-Quote-for-the-Fed.png

[TheMan]

https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYnD6aSawYLKdyrkR3EamuywLhcddGrjsAVS5Y4mp7VPt/Thomas-Jefferson-Quote-for-the-Fed.png
Looks like Jefferson never actually said that...

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/bank-shot-2/

[Prometheus]

[QUOTE=Shogon]You still haven

[Prometheus]

You've determined it's the most important thing for you to be informed about, yet you would allow someone else's filters and biases cloud yours?

The more sources of interference your knowledge is filtered through the more tainted/corrupted it is.

You've got to do your own work to get to where you should be and frankly, this is why the country has been led down a really dysfunctional path. Too many people unwilling or unable to do their own work.

You strike me as smarter than the premise of your thread.

I believe if one considers all arguments with equal parts skepticism and openness, it can never be to one's detriment to have more dialogue. If you're full of shit, then I won't hold on to what you say.

[Patrick Chewing]

If open borders, higher taxes, more abortions, and gun confiscation appeals to you, then you vote Left.


If you want the government to leave you the **** alone and protect your borders, then you vote Right.

[DukeDelonte13]

Be objective and don't get your news from modernchirstiangunlover.com or vegantrailwalker.com whatever.

At the end of the day our system is balanced in a way that America will never go crazy right or crazy left.

I just vote for whatever candidate has a serious plan to rectify our healthcare situation.

a 1-5% tax swing either way for the middle class isn't going to make or break the country. Abortion will always be legal. Social programs will always exist. People will always be able to buy guns here.

The issues that most people get psychotic about are really non issues that just serve as a distraction to things that really are variable and really do matter.

[ItsMillerTime]

If you want the government to leave you the **** alone and protect your borders, then you vote Right.

Unless you're a woman, or black, or Mexican, or Muslim, or poor.

[Patrick Chewing]

Unless you're a woman, or black, or Mexican, or Muslim, or poor.


You'll have to explain how the government does not leave these people alone.

[Prometheus]

If open borders, higher taxes, more abortions, and gun confiscation appeals to you, then you vote Left.


If you want the government to leave you the **** alone and protect your borders, then you vote Right.

You're just using this as a platform to reiterate your own leanings... of which every one of us is already aware.

You might actually be able to impact my thinking if you can manage to elaborate your opinions and provide more nuance.

As of right now, you might as well be screaming your name into an empty room.

[RRR3]

Unless you're a woman, or black, or Mexican, or Muslim, or poor.
They don’t count to Patty

[Patrick Chewing]

You're just using this as a platform to reiterate your own leanings... of which every one of us is already aware.

You might actually be able to impact my thinking if you can manage to elaborate your opinions and provide more nuance.

As of right now, you might as well be screaming your name into an empty room.


The Left is crazy.


How's that for nuance?

[Prometheus]

The Left is crazy.


How's that for nuance?

How so?

[ItsMillerTime]

You'll have to explain how the government does not leave these people alone.

How about you educate yourself, Patrick. I don't have the time to sit here and write out Kblaze essays with links and sources.

Women's rights are being stripped in conservative states. Actual US citizens with the proper documents and paperwork are being thrown into border patrol stations with illegal immigrants. Muslims are under constant attack from this administration, did you forget about the Muslim Ban™?

Your head is firmly stuck in the sand and your extreme views make you impossible to reason with. Go read a fvcking book.

[Patrick Chewing]

How so?


I'll pick on Eric Swalwell cause he was the craziest of the bunch in my opinion.


That time Eric Swalwell threatened to go nuclear on gun owners. Literally. (https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/that-time-eric-swalwell-threatened-to-go-nuclear-on-gun-owners-literally
)


[QUOTE][I]In November 2018, the California congressman defended his support for an

[Patrick Chewing]

How about you educate yourself, Patrick. I don't have the time to sit here and write out Kblaze essays with links and sources.

Women's rights are being stripped in conservative states. Actual US citizens with the proper documents and paperwork are being thrown into border patrol stations with illegal immigrants. Muslims are under constant attack from this administration, did you forget about the Muslim Ban™?

Your head is firmly stuck in the sand and your extreme views make you impossible to reason with. Go read a fvcking book.


Of course you don't cause you're full of shit as usual.

Women's rights are not under attack and there are more Muslims in this country than ever before. Everything you said is completely false. You're not even educated enough to have a civil and educated discussion about the real issues at hand here which are about abortion and having a temporary ban on travel from countries which are on the terror watch list.

You're just a drive-by shouter with your window down with no substance.

[RRR3]

Climate change is why you should vote for Democrats. If you care about the future of this planet, you need to vote for the major political party that takes this issue at least somewhat seriously.

[stalkerforlife]

If you're white and you love yourself...

Republican.

Libs want to erase the white man.

It's really that simple.

[stalkerforlife]

And would you ever want to be associated with a party that RRR3 loves?

Hell to the no.

[Patrick Chewing]

Libs want to erase the white man.




It's already happening.


http://pa1.narvii.com/7006/72c5ad1b9d53ccc6859bd6dcb4b7ffbe3cf7a030r1-320-134_00.gif

[SomeBlackDude]

Libs want to erase the white man.

It's really that simple.

has nothing to do with libs.

it's just the circle of life.

empires rise and fall.

can't be on top forever.

the age of the white man is coming to a natural end.

bet you the egyptians, the romans, t-rexes all thought they'd be kings of the world forever.

wrong (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRmc9IPGmiA)

[RRR3]

And would you ever want to be associated with a party that RRR3 loves?

Hell to the know.
I don’t love many Democrats. I love AOC for sure tho.

[stalkerforlife]

has nothing to do with libs.

it's just the circle of life.

empires rise and fall.

can't be on top forever.

the age of the white man is coming to a natural end.

bet you the egyptians, the romans, t-rexes all thought they'd be kings of the world forever.

wrong (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRmc9IPGmiA)

I'm stacking arsenal and minions as we speak.

The fight continues...

[Prometheus]

t rexes :lol

[stalkerforlife]

And come to find out, even though I'm a loser, I'm a leader.

I've got an entire college campus to teach and the internet.

We won't give up.

[Loco 50]

I believe if one considers all arguments with equal parts skepticism and openness, it can never be to one's detriment to have more dialogue. If you're full of shit, then I won't hold on to what you say.
Fair enough and I fully agree. I wish more of us held ourselves to these standards. Understanding why someone is presenting information to you is a step that many of us overlook for some reason. It's important to understand others' motivations.

[Shogon]

Looks like Jefferson never actually said that...

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/bank-shot-2/

Quite right. My apologies. However... he did say...


And I sincerely believe, with you, that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies; and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.

It's not the exact same thing, but it's close enough.

[Shogon]

What do you mean?

You went from not caring about political discussion due to selfish reasons, to...

Now you're at the stage where you care about it and "nothing is more important."

The stage you've yet to arrive at is...

You can't do anything to make real change unless you're going to become an activist and EVEN THEN most people don't want to hear what you have to say because they've already made up their minds a long time ago and they're just arguing beliefs and disregarding facts.

Additionally, the power over the money supply being corrected and changed where it is governed by no man would solve almost every single political issue we have today. All of this bullshit military spending and endless wars and endless welfare state all stem from the the government's control over its people via the money supply. The IRS was never intended to exist by the founding fathers and should be abolished. And funnily enough the government isn't even in control over the money supply. Private central bankers are, lmao.

As much as I personally am not driven by wealth, I also recognize that wealth is just a fancy and hidden way for saying power. Power over the people.



None of this matters. Political discussions are absolutely meaningless. Some days I want to kick my own ass for even participating in them, but most days I just engage for the lulz. There is nothing of value to be had here except for entertainment.

[ILLsmak]

Politics is still bs. It's a sham. It's good to be informed about one thing : what the people you vote for will actually do opposed to the shit they talk. Sometimes that's hard. Like if you want conservative justices, voting for Trump was smart.

I think democracy fails when we get too involved in other people's choices. The key is to pick what will benefit you the most without totally shafting someone else, then ideally if our representatives fight for our values and compromise correctly , we have a proper govt where we get what we need

So I'm not right. I do think you have to respect my vote and respect the govt once the voting is done.

You should be able to grow to appreciate your chosen representation enough to where you can still protest and push them to do something within their means that will benefit you/your family.

But we're all whiny bitches who think we are enlightened and that other people who vote for their own interests are wrong or, worse, morally lacking. You can disagree with what's happening but don't put that on the people. That's democracy in action

-Smak

[Hawker]

Depends what your goals are, really.

Me personally? I'm partial to the idea of giving tax breaks to the richest people and largest corporations, because ultimately it will voodoo its way down to the most needy. As long as we offset it by slashing Medicare, Medicaid, even Social Security, and other programs proven to cultivate sloth. Oldies gotta work longer despite life expectancy dropping for going on 4 years straight now. Gay people should never under any circumstances be allowed to marry; they stand condemned in the eyes of Christ, our Lord.

We reject the 90+ percent of Americans who want universal background checks on gun purchases. Mass shootings are the price of freedom half the time, the other half of the time gun control wouldn't be a solution anyway. Getting back to the Jesus aspect, we also occasionally dabble in separating little kids from their families at the border. As far as the military goes, our great leader Trump increases the likelihood of nuclear weaponry existing in foreign adversaries' hands and then threatens acts of war while pretending he's anti-interventionist to win votes, unless he decides to call it off 10 minutes beforehand.

On the other hand, you have these far left-wing wackos who want to provide guaranteed health insurance to everyone as a right (like in EUROPE, gross), some of them even advocate peace overseas where possible. Disgusting, equal opportunity-wanting sheep who want burger flippers to make a CEO salary that they are. Progressives want to get corporate money out of the political system altogether, allowing for the will of the people to be represented instead of the whims of the all-knowing rich and powerful job creating patriots.

Get on the Trump train while you still can, his approval ratings are sky-high and you definitely don't want your grandkids finding out one day that you didn't get the opportunity to support this man in real time! I recommend Hannity and Mark Levin, just as a conservative starter pack.

#BoltonHaley2028

That's not what equal opportunity is - that's equal outcome.

And it makes no sense for corporations to not make political stances when the government is allowed to regulate them.

And the jesus stuff...lol. This isn't the Bush and McCain republican party anymore.

[Loco 50]

And it makes no sense for corporations to not make political stances when the government is allowed to regulate them.

It makes perfect sense when you understand that the stance a corporation holds now not only nullifies, but supersedes the average citizens' needs.


And the jesus stuff...lol. This isn't the Bush and McCain republican party anymore.
:oldlol: Tell the evangelical/Christian coalition that and let's see how quickly you lose the next election.

[Hawker]

It makes perfect sense when you understand that the stance a corporation holds now not only nullifies, but supersedes the average citizens' needs.

Says who exactly?



:oldlol: Tell the evangelical/Christian coalition that and let's see how quickly you lose the next election.

That coalition holds very little power culturally. It's the liberals/leftists telling people what they can and can't say these days.

I remember bush saying some stuff how Gold told him to end tyranny in Iraq. That isn't going on these days. Being christian and being christian and using it for political reasons are two different things.

[Loco 50]

Says who exactly?

Tobacco Lobby -RIP - protected companies long after it was known they were cancer causing

Pharma - :confusedshrug: Addictive potential? Opioids harmful? What opioid epidemic? Drug pricing?

Oil - carbon emissions? Problematic? pffft

Coal - see above, plus the bonus of Coalworker's pneumoconiosus or the "black lung."

Telecommunications - f your privacy

Health insurers - f your health

Banks - :roll:

Corn, sugar, etc etc etc etc etc

You mean to tell me all that money they're investing is for naught?:eek:

Damn Hawker, why don't you go help these poor companies out since they're not getting their money's worth.




That coalition holds very little power culturally. It's the liberals/leftists telling people what they can and can't say these days.

Don't know why you're bringing up culture, when I'm talking votes.

https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/political-ideology/conservative/


I remember bush saying some stuff how Gold told him to end tyranny in Iraq.
I'm not sure even Trump is capable of going that far. Bush was different in that he was a true believer.


That isn't going on these days.
Oh? Isn't it now? Only in so much as the horse is incapable of bringing those words to his mouth himself for the most part.

https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Donald-Trump-Spiritual-Biography/dp/0062749587

https://www.facebook.com/PresidentsPrayerTeam/

https://www.npr.org/2019/02/07/692491459/at-national-prayer-breakfast-trump-pledges-i-will-never-let-you-down

https://www.al.com/living/2018/08/why_evangelical_christians_sup.html


Being christian and being christian and using it for political reasons are two different things.
So you're saying it's a con. Wonder how many true believers out there would take offense to that?

Better not bite the hand that feeds Hawker, even Trump knows that much.

[egokiller]

Quite right. My apologies. However... he did say...



It's not the exact same thing, but it's close enough.

Apparently not close enough as it caused someone to purposefully misquote what he said and try to pass it off as an actual quote. :lol

[Prometheus]

You went from not caring about political discussion due to selfish reasons, to...

Now you're at the stage where you care about it and "nothing is more important."

The stage you've yet to arrive at is...

You can't do anything to make real change unless you're going to become an activist and EVEN THEN most people don't want to hear what you have to say because they've already made up their minds a long time ago and they're just arguing beliefs and disregarding facts.

Additionally, the power over the money supply being corrected and changed where it is governed by no man would solve almost every single political issue we have today. All of this bullshit military spending and endless wars and endless welfare state all stem from the the government's control over its people via the money supply. The IRS was never intended to exist by the founding fathers and should be abolished. And funnily enough the government isn't even in control over the money supply. Private central bankers are, lmao.

As much as I personally am not driven by wealth, I also recognize that wealth is just a fancy and hidden way for saying power. Power over the people.



None of this matters. Political discussions are absolutely meaningless. Some days I want to kick my own ass for even participating in them, but most days I just engage for the lulz. There is nothing of value to be had here except for entertainment.

Thank you for clarifying. I do think you are right.

So would you say Peter Joseph is correct about the Federal Reserve, but a total quack when it comes to 9/11, right? Not trying to argue. Just here to listen right now.

[Shogon]

Thank you for clarifying. I do think you are right.

So would you say Peter Joseph is correct about the Federal Reserve, but a total quack when it comes to 9/11, right? Not trying to argue. Just here to listen right now.

I don't know who Peter Joseph is but I'm assuming(perhaps mistakenly) that he's big into conspiracy theories and I don't care to engage in conspiracy theories any longer... I was big into that stuff in my teens... YouTube videos can make quite the impression on young kids...

Take the moon landing for instance... hotly debated, but I know for a fact we went to the moon(as much as someone can ever really know anything), and I know this because, the scale of cover-up required would have to be global. How anyone could think the Russians and Chinese wouldn't touch themselves just to the mere idea of exposing that we never landed and walked on the moon is beyond me.

I'm sure we don't have the entire 9/11 story, of course we don't, but that doesn't suggest the U.S. government planned it and carried it out, lol. There's a lot of leaps in logic as it pertains to that line of thought. LOTS. The scale of cooperation required to cover up any of those three towers being brought down by controlled demolition is tantamount to covering up the lack of moon landing, heh.


If anyone thinks that the federal reserve central banking system is anything other than a scam by elite wealth, I'm all ears, but I mean... lmao...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jekyll_Island_Club

[Prometheus]

I don't know who Peter Joseph is but I'm assuming(perhaps mistakenly) that he's big into conspiracy theories and I don't care to engage in conspiracy theories any longer... I was big into that stuff in my teens... YouTube videos can make quite the impression on young kids...

Take the moon landing for instance... hotly debated, but I know for a fact we went to the moon(as much as someone can ever really know anything), and I know this because, the scale of cover-up required would have to be global. How anyone could think the Russians and Chinese wouldn't touch themselves just to the mere idea of exposing that we never landed and walked on the moon is beyond me.

I'm sure we don't have the entire 9/11 story, of course we don't, but that doesn't suggest the U.S. government planned it and carried it out, lol. There's a lot of leaps in logic as it pertains to that line of thought. LOTS. The scale of cooperation required to cover up any of those three towers being brought down by controlled demolition is tantamount to covering up the lack of moon landing, heh.


If anyone thinks that the federal reserve central banking system is anything other than a scam by elite wealth, I'm all ears, but I mean... lmao...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jekyll_Island_Club

He created the film "Zeitgeist" which got big in the late 2000s. It had three main parts... the first part addressed Christianity, the second part addressed 9/11, and the third part was all about the scam of the Federal Reserve. Correct or incorrect, it's a good watch. Even if you only agree with a third of it.

[Shogon]

He created the film "Zeitgeist" which got big in the late 2000s. It had three main parts... the first part addressed Christianity, the second part addressed 9/11, and the third part was all about the scam of the Federal Reserve. Correct or incorrect, it's a good watch. Even if you only agree with a third of it.

I'll take a look but I'll probably skip anything about Christianity and likely the 9/11 stuff as well.

[Prometheus]

I'll take a look but I'll probably skip anything about Christianity and likely the 9/11 stuff as well.

Jc why you would skip the christian bit since you're atheist

[Hawker]

Tobacco Lobby -RIP - protected companies long after it was known they were cancer causing

Pharma - :confusedshrug: Addictive potential? Opioids harmful? What opioid epidemic? Drug pricing?

Oil - carbon emissions? Problematic? pffft

Coal - see above, plus the bonus of Coalworker's pneumoconiosus or the "black lung."

Telecommunications - f your privacy

Health insurers - f your health

Banks - :roll:

Corn, sugar, etc etc etc etc etc

You mean to tell me all that money they're investing is for naught?:eek:

Damn Hawker, why don't you go help these poor companies out since they're not getting their money's worth.



Don't know why you're bringing up culture, when I'm talking votes.

https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/political-ideology/conservative/

I'm not sure even Trump is capable of going that far. Bush was different in that he was a true believer.

Oh? Isn't it now? Only in so much as the horse is incapable of bringing those words to his mouth himself for the most part.

https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Donald-Trump-Spiritual-Biography/dp/0062749587

https://www.facebook.com/PresidentsPrayerTeam/

https://www.npr.org/2019/02/07/692491459/at-national-prayer-breakfast-trump-pledges-i-will-never-let-you-down

https://www.al.com/living/2018/08/why_evangelical_christians_sup.html

So you're saying it's a con. Wonder how many true believers out there would take offense to that?

Better not bite the hand that feeds Hawker, even Trump knows that much.

That first rant is some high school shit. "omg big companies so mean. Creating jobs so mean. Creating stuff I buy so mean. Feeding people so mean"

Doesn't give you the right to regulate them. That's called taxation without representation.

The republican party is not a party based on pining for votes for christianity anymore. I agree - it's a con. I don't actually believe Trump is religious like I didn't believe Obama was either.

I did think Bush was and you admit Trump doesn't go as far as him - you're proving my point.

They simply don't have the cultural and political power anymore but people on the left still like to think so otherwise their stereotypes and arguments don't work anymore.

[Shogon]

Jc why you would skip the christian bit since you're atheist

I never proclaimed to be an atheist. That's something you've ascribed to me. I have professed with my lips and at times believed in my heart (so I thought) that I am a Christian. And I want it to be true. But I don't know. I don't desire to get into a length discussion on this.

[Prometheus]

I never proclaimed to be an atheist. That's something you've ascribed to me. I have professed with my lips and at times believed in my heart (so I thought) that I am a Christian. And I want it to be true. But I don't know. I don't desire to get into a length discussion on this.

I gleaned it from something to the effect of "is this not all one great big nothing and death is the end" that you said. Seemed straightforward. nbd man, do your thing :lol

[Shogon]

I gleaned it from something to the effect of "is this not all one great big nothing and death is the end" that you said. Seemed straightforward. nbd man, do your thing :lol

It's a lifelong struggle that I have not come to terms with one way or another.

[stalkerforlife]

It's a lifelong struggle that I have not come to terms with one way or another.

You're too smart to think there isn't a God.

[Shogon]

You're too smart to think there isn't a God.

What I've found is that thinking about eternity, regardless of what the reality is beyond this life, is horrifying.

There are so many ****ed up things about this world it's hard to even fathom the idea of an infallible and omnipotent God. It's pretty contradictory, no?

Save the Biblical explanation. Been there, done that.

[Prometheus]

I just want to thank everyone who has and will respond to this thread.

I am a trickster, and 99% of my posts/threads are for crafting covert agendas. I am usually not what I appear to be... but this one is completely genuine. This place has a mixed bag of thinkers and I am honestly just trying to extract opinions through which to sift.

I appreciate and love you all. Especially stalker and shogon.

Haven't yet read every word... busy day over here, studying for the FM exam, taking care of my sick girlfriend, playing Catan with my mother and watching the debates. But I will read everything.

[Loco 50]

That first rant is some high school shit. "omg big companies so mean. Creating jobs so mean. Creating stuff I buy so mean. Feeding people so mean"

You asked a basic question. I gave you a basic answer. There are solutions to creating jobs, creating "stuff", and feeding people while not shitting on the environment excessively and taking advantage of people. Money can be allocated towards restoring the environment and workers can be properly taken care of, all while balancing the need for profit. Sometimes you like to play obtuse which makes the conversation feel dishonest.


Doesn't give you the right to regulate them. That's called taxation without representation.

Disagree. When corporations profit off public/natural/human resources then they must repay a fraction of what they take. Fair is fair. Otherwise, it's leeching. I find it amusing how much credit/reward you feel these entities are
entitled to for creating a tradable good.

Highschool indeed, I'd argue it's the golden rule that should have been a requirement to advance to first grade. Play nice with others and share the profits that you all worked for. Entitlement and limitless greed argues otherwise. Guess some of us deserve so much more, eh?




They simply don't have the cultural and political power anymore but people on the left still like to think so otherwise their stereotypes and arguments don't work anymore.
You're correct on the cultural aspect and wrong on the political aspect, but it's unimportant to me. I don't care about what the "left" think. You often extrapolate your own ideas onto the rest of your base as a whole or what you perceive to be the "left" as some kind of unified entity. That's a mistake on your part. The Christian conservative base makes up a vital percentage of your base and the "left" or the "liberals" are a dysfunctional amalgamation that are difficult to unify or pin down on anything which is the conservative are able to pull off elections. It's certainly not by outnumbering your opponents.

I've had discussions with you before. You sometimes speak vociferously about issues that I can tell you don't have much first hand experience in. That's fine, that's your decision. Thankfully, it's not as severe a problem as 6 or Patty Cakes, which is why sometimes I engage, but it can make having a productive conversation difficult.

It'd be best to read up on topics but you've got to diversify your sources. It often feels like I'm getting a lecture from the libertarian jr bible when we talk.

[stalkerforlife]

Same thing for me, OP.

I have always hated politics and still do, but I never talked about them or took sides until the last couple of years.

I want so badly to not talk about them, but there's a deep seeded need to fight for what I think is right.

It's so damn frustrating; I want to ignore it all like I used to, but something won't let me.

I guess having children and wanting the best future for them pushes me to engage in this BS.

I'm just so f ucking sick of blacks.

[Loco 50]

Same thing for me, OP.

I have always hated politics and still do, but I never talked about them or took sides until the last couple of years.

I want so badly to not talk about them, but there's a deep seeded need to fight for what I think is right.

It's so damn frustrating; I want to ignore it all like I used to, but something won't let me.

I guess having children and wanting the best future for them pushes me to engage in this BS.

I'm just so f ucking sick of blacks.
Way too obvious. Only gonna get bites from the white guys that pretend to be black guys here.

[highwhey]

Way too obvious. Only gonna get bites from the white guys that pretend to be black guys here.
:oldlol: pretty much

you can be sure its the same circle jerk crew he runs with too.

[ILLsmak]

To stay on my soap box, the real most important thing is personal relationships and controlling what you can in your life with your own hands and will. The idea that these douchebags are going to change or are even capable of changing life on a personal level is luls.

I hope your politics stage ends with an epiphany. Not trying to sound like an elitist dick but you don't wanna end up thinking politics is so important. You'll end up brainwashed and calling your friends uneducated on the issues.

Let's help each other. Let Washington be the assholes they want to be.

-Smak

[qrich]

You should vote for the candidate YOU believe in.

[Hawker]

You asked a basic question. I gave you a basic answer. There are solutions to creating jobs, creating "stuff", and feeding people while not shitting on the environment excessively and taking advantage of people. Money can be allocated towards restoring the environment and workers can be properly taken care of, all while balancing the need for profit. Sometimes you like to play obtuse which makes the conversation feel dishonest.

Disagree. When corporations profit off public/natural/human resources then they must repay a fraction of what they take. Fair is fair. Otherwise, it's leeching. I find it amusing how much credit/reward you feel these entities are
entitled to for creating a tradable good.

Highschool indeed, I'd argue it's the golden rule that should have been a requirement to advance to first grade. Play nice with others and share the profits that you all worked for. Entitlement and limitless greed argues otherwise. Guess some of us deserve so much more, eh?

Yet you don't name any of those solutions and it's simply your opinion that it's ok for corporations to not have a political stance. There are people with families and those trying to get their career started working for corporations - not evil people rubbing their fingers together figuring out how to screw the average citizen. That's the caricature you're presenting. You can have all that you're asking for while at the same time giving corporations the ability to make political statements. Fair is fair.

And they are profiting off of public/natural/human resources and in return you are receiving a good. That's the trade off. The "sharing off profits" is unnecessary as a result otherwise the "tradable good" would never been incentivized to create in the first place. The individuals are "taking" the good - not the corporations. What they "repay" is in investments, CAPEX and OPEX that stimulate the economy.


You're correct on the cultural aspect and wrong on the political aspect, but it's unimportant to me. I don't care about what the "left" think. You often extrapolate your own ideas onto the rest of your base as a whole or what you perceive to be the "left" as some kind of unified entity. That's a mistake on your part. The Christian conservative base makes up a vital percentage of your base and the "left" or the "liberals" are a dysfunctional amalgamation that are difficult to unify or pin down on anything which is the conservative are able to pull off elections. It's certainly not by outnumbering your opponents.

I disagree with you on this - I don't think the republican party is joined together purely by christian conservatives. It's other issues. It's a false representation purposely perpetuated to continue to make christianity jokes. It's mainly 40+ year old people that still think this stuck in the bush era.



I've had discussions with you before. You sometimes speak vociferously about issues that I can tell you don't have much first hand experience in. That's fine, that's your decision. Thankfully, it's not as severe a problem as 6 or Patty Cakes, which is why sometimes I engage, but it can make having a productive conversation difficult.

It'd be best to read up on topics but you've got to diversify your sources. It often feels like I'm getting a lecture from the libertarian jr bible when we talk.

You just spout feel good, generic platitudes and disparage corporations and private companies like they offer no value in the real world. Like they don't employ people. Your medical devices you use for your job are from corporations as well as pharmaceuticals. There's no balance coming from you. It's extremely predictable and you make statements while offering no backing and just say, "you just don't understand." Like you're offended because I asked you to state your reasoning.

[Loco 50]

Yet you don't name any of those solutions and it's simply your opinion that it's ok for corporations to not have a political stance. There are people with families and those trying to get their career started working for corporations - not evil people rubbing their fingers together figuring out how to screw the average citizen. That's the caricature you're presenting. You can have all that you're asking for while at the same time giving corporations the ability to make political statements. Fair is fair.

I don't think I stated they should have no power. There needs to be some semblance of balance. Currently corporations have a much stronger influence over our politicians than citizens do.

Solutions are simple. Lower profit margins. Invest in community. I can only speak to details concerning my profession. We have our own powerful lobby that has to be used to hold people accountable. It isn't currently doing that.

Yes, corporations provide jobs and some even offer adequate enough pay that people can make ends meet. Others don't.


And they are profiting off of public/natural/human resources and in return you are receiving a good. That's the trade off. The "sharing off profits" is unnecessary as a result otherwise the "tradable good" would never been incentivized to create in the first place. The individuals are "taking" the good - not the corporations. What they "repay" is in investments, CAPEX and OPEX that stimulate the economy.

Nah, if you are damaging the environment in making that good it falls under your care to make reparations. If your workers suffer on the job due to hazardous conditions that your corporation profited from then it's your duty to take care of your workers healthcare costs.

The "tradable good" would have been created because there was a market for it. You have a buyer, you have a market. Disagree. Especially in healthcare where it's vastly different. You know you have a market when developing a drug. It's ensured. It's outright greed that is keeping drug prices and some medical device prices high. They alter the patent ever so slightly to keep them from expiring. Nothing overtly beneficial, just stupid gimmicks like gel coating or extended release. Medical devices same story. Add a new useless gizmo so you keep the patent and keep your desired price point. Greed. Half the time the new gizmo breaks so the patient has to get another one. Nevermind that the addition wasn't of any increased benefit in the first place.

R&D costs are constantly grossly overestimated. I've worked in that industry as well. I've seen it first hand. Don't even need to have that convo.


I disagree with you on this - I don't think the republican party is joined together purely by christian conservatives. It's other issues. It's a false representation purposely perpetuated to continue to make christianity jokes. It's mainly 40+ year old people that still think this stuck in the bush era.

Didn't say purely. I linked you to a credible poll that gave clear numbers indicating that the conservative party is predominantly Christian. They retain a lot of power. Not all, perhaps not even the most influential anymore, but significant.



You just spout feel good, generic platitudes and disparage corporations and private companies like they offer no value in the real world. Like they don't employ people. Your medical devices you use for your job are from corporations as well as pharmaceuticals. There's no balance coming from you. It's extremely predictable and you make statements while offering no backing and just say, "you just don't understand." Like you're offended because I asked you to state your reasoning.
Of course corporations hold value and offer vital services. This is a public forum on a basketball website. Are you asking me to get into the nitty gritty details of numerous industries for an audience of one? I gave a few examples above that are problematic in the medical industry.

Hospitals are a whole nother level of corruption in overbilling, underinforming patients, performing unnecessary procedures,etc etc that are caused by greed and protected by lobbies and the politicians they feed. As in above, I'm not arguing hospitals have no value. C'mon now, we're getting pedantic here.

Finally, the reason I am sounding so extreme in opposition of corporate influence on politics is because the balance has tipped so far in their favor.

People are suffering needlessly. This angers me greatly. When patients die because they can't afford f'n insulin because of patent gimmicks I get f'n pissed. This is why I say you just don't know. You don't know unless you either work in this field or actively seek out those stories or have someone in your circle that has suffered. I don't do it to lord over anyone like I have some secret knowledge. It also doesn't help me personally to talk about shit to an audience of one like this because the anger that if fuels is frankly unhealthy. Risk to benefit ratio is not high enough.

Were I on a forum of public health officials then yeah, I'd discuss more because I wouldn't have to go into unnecessary background information because it's already known. Not trying to offend at all.

I think that was a much more productive exchange. I hope I clarified some and apologize for not going into more detail earlier. I mistakenly thought you were being facetious.

[BarberSchool]

Depends what your goals are, really.

Me personally? I'm partial to the idea of giving tax breaks to the richest people and largest corporations, because ultimately it will voodoo its way down to the most needy. As long as we offset it by slashing Medicare, Medicaid, even Social Security, and other programs proven to cultivate sloth. Oldies gotta work longer despite life expectancy dropping for going on 4 years straight now. Gay people should never under any circumstances be allowed to marry; they stand condemned in the eyes of Christ, our Lord.

We reject the 90+ percent of Americans who want universal background checks on gun purchases. Mass shootings are the price of freedom half the time, the other half of the time gun control wouldn't be a solution anyway. Getting back to the Jesus aspect, we also occasionally dabble in separating little kids from their families at the border. As far as the military goes, our great leader Trump increases the likelihood of nuclear weaponry existing in foreign adversaries' hands and then threatens acts of war while pretending he's anti-interventionist to win votes, unless he decides to call it off 10 minutes beforehand.

On the other hand, you have these far left-wing wackos who want to provide guaranteed health insurance to everyone as a right (like in EUROPE, gross), some of them even advocate peace overseas where possible. Disgusting, equal opportunity-wanting sheep who want burger flippers to make a CEO salary that they are. Progressives want to get corporate money out of the political system altogether, allowing for the will of the people to be represented instead of the whims of the all-knowing rich and powerful job creating patriots.

Get on the Trump train while you still can, his approval ratings are sky-high and you definitely don't want your grandkids finding out one day that you didn't get the opportunity to support this man in real time! I recommend Hannity and Mark Levin, just as a conservative starter pack.

#BoltonHaley2028LOL Bolton on any ticket / not lol

Ask ourselves how in the hell a psycho like John Bolton is created ?