I support expansion where it helps people and I support shrinking government where it doesn't. I think we should bring all of our soldiers home and stop wasting billions of dollars maintaining military bases all over the world. I think a poor person working 60+ hours a week for minimum wage should have access to healthcare, and I really don't care how they get it as long as they do get it. I think ignoring poor people is extremely selfish and irresponsible. I support raising taxes on people that surplus millions of dollars a year, and lowering taxes for the middle class and below. I think the banks should be held accountable for their crimes, and I think that accountability should involve a lot more than fines. I think the war on drugs is a senseless waste of taxpayer money that is being used to militarize the police in response to growing discontent, and I also feel the drug war is largely responsible for black communities not flourishing. I could go on and on and on, but I feel what I've said is adequate.
Fair enough. Got something to work with and - thank you. I need the distraction.
Expansion where it helps people. I am not going to argue against a safety net. Never used it myself, but know way too many people who have needed it. Preference is for that to be done by private charity rather than compulsion, but a lot of folk are pretty tight with the old wallet today (o blame, you need be with the current system).
Bringing the soldiers home - not one single argument. Those guys have done more, seen more and suffered more than most can imagine. Get their asses home until they are really needed.
The wasting billions of dollars - you know money flow is global? Those dollars eventually come back, with interest from permanent bases. (Not talking about the horrific waste currently going on in the 'Stan draw down - that is a different kettle of cod.)
The working poor getting healthcare - who is going to argue? Not one single person here would. They are working, trying to get their foot on the ladder and at the shaky stage where a single illness, a bad fall or a pregnancy can blow them back into poverty and dependency. Come on - we want to hold the ladder for people to climb, not pull it out from under them. Someone doesn't wants to climb, instead wants to wait for an elevator - EFF them.
The taxes thing? Tell me this. Why should I pay 60% because I happened to have a good idea or good luck or spent years honing a rare skill? You are penalizing me for not taking a data entry job and sticking with it until I keel over? How, exactly, is that fair?
Banking accountability - agreed with one extra word you didn't use. Transparency.
The war on drugs - lets do it properly. Users get ignored or light fines. Dealers get shot, no appeal. If it is a war, treat it as such. It would be over in 4 months.