(October 7, 2013 at 12:04 am)Raeven Wrote: I never pigeonholed you one way or another. I spoke of Republicans in a general sense, never said you identified with them. That said, I consider Libertarians as just immature Republicans who haven't been through enough in life to understand the importance of the role of government in a civilized society. Ayn Rand sounds like a good idea... when you're 14. When you figure out that bad things happen to good people every single day, you begin to appreciate social safety nets and how only government can facilitate them. I say this as a fully self-sufficient business owner who has never taken a government handout in my life.
How has the government shafted you lately? Taxes are at historical lows. How have they invaded you? Is your phone tapped?
Me, I personally know my representative in the House and I like him, think he's doing a fantastic job against all odds. I wouldn't have his shitty job for anything. I watch him and both my State Senators like a hawk. You want a different government? Get involved and make it your own. That's what I do.
ETA: I'm not bagging on you personally. I just get so tired of hearing people complain about government and not getting terribly involved in it. Maybe you do, I don't know.
I agree with you if what you mean that corporate interests are far too involved in our politics. That's been happening -- and not with very much subtlety -- for the past 30 years at least. I'd like to see Citizens United fully done away with. I want to see Glass-Steagall reinstated. I want more oversight and corporate money entirely out of our politics. Hell, I want campaign funds to be funded federally with no ties to any interests at ALL. It'll never happen, but hey -- even liberals can be idealists.
Is my phone tapped? With recent NSA revelations, not sure...I don't talk on phones much anyways, but here on the Internet...well, I do have some paranoia. Not much, but a healthy wariness imo.
As for the libertarian mention, I have to work with the present. I consider myself fiscally conservative and socially "government, fuck off". The fiscal conservatism comes from growing up without much money OR government assistance. IOW, I was taught that the only one who would provide for me was me. We are all products of our upbringing no matter how much we try to deny it.
Finally, as for taxes, if the federal government had remained within constitutional constraints, we'd pay much less.
