Economics for Liberals
August 24th 2008 05:06
Let me explain something to liberals, because they don’t seem to understand it. Individuals and privately held organizations do everything better than the government can, if the government will stay out of their way. The only exception is law enforcement. I was going to say mail, but that wouldn’t be true. My order from a website last month took 12 BUSINESS days to get here by USPS and crossed the country THREE times. Twice it was less than four hours away from my house and went back to the other side of the country before finally coming to me.
Anyways, I digress. Health care isn’t broken because of the private sector or profit motives or anything like that. There are three major reasons health care has been rising:
1) The rapid pace of technological advancement. Computers brought about the ability to create machines and techniques that SAVE LIVES at an incredible pace not seen since the invention of the microscope. Patients demanded the best care, these new technologies cost money, so hospitals and doctors had to raise fees to cover them.
2) Over-regulation of insurance by the government. Yes, it’s good to make sure insurance doesn’t discriminate against people, but the part that’s killing it is the defining of minimum coverages combined with the law against individuals buying over state lines. This means that insurance companies in many states can’t offer insurance that’s customized to people’s needs, and people buying individual coverage have to buy insurance hiked up by all the minimums. If insurance companies could sell “a la carte” insurance, people could afford it better. If they could shop nationwide (businesses can, individuals can’t), then competition would drive down prices even further.
3) The burden on our hospitals being care providers for illegal aliens. Look in any emergency room and you’ll find half or more of the patients are illegal aliens getting treatment for the flu and other things that even basic insurance would cover for a Dr.’s visit. Our hospitals are overwhelmed by this.
Yes, Dr.’s make a lot of money compared to the average, but if you are going to attract the brightest minds, you have to compete financially with the other jobs they have to pick from. It’s part of the competition.
There are things the government needs to do to protect consumers, and things to protect businesses from consumers, but they have to stop short of impeding free enterprise and competition. Do you really think America got to number one any other way?
As I’ve documented before, the top 1% in America, made up of those who make only $388,806 a year or more, pay 40% of the taxes RIGHT NOW. Tax cuts for the rich? The top 25% of incomes of pay 86% of the taxes, but only earn 68% of the income. The richest 1% paid a share of income taxes almost double their share of income: 22%.
Here’s a great quote from this article:
What makes this country grow and become stronger is the incentive to get rich. It’s there. Early in my work life I was involved in helping to renovate an office complex for my company to move to. I did the network cabling. I asked the foreman on the job how he rose to foreman. He told me that he was the one who always showed up Monday morning, while he often had two different guys every week because the guys from the previous week blew their checks on beer and couldn’t wake up on Monday to show up. He said it was purely that he was dependable and showed up consistently.
And I’ve seen it at every one of the fourteen companies I’ve worked at: the way to improve your position in life, your income, is to do what you’re asked (as long as it’s legal). Work hard, follow the policies and procedures, make constructive statements and give humble advice and you will advance and make more and more money. It’s been consistent. It’s been regardless of race, or sex.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure some people still get discriminated against, but it’s just time to move on if you find that.
What you won’t find in America if Obama gets his way is that incentive any more. Every socialist or communist country has had to open up its markets to come close to competing with the U.S. The Soviet Union, even at its height, was a financial mess barely held up by oil exports. The Chinese didn’t start getting out of poverty until they allowed free enterprise, and that will be the undoing of communism there in the long run (you can’t do business with the free part of the world AND keep all knowledge of it out at the same time).
I have no problem with John McCain owning 10 properties, many of them in his wife’s name and there’s a prenup. I want that too some day and I don’t want my government taking it from him to give it to me, and I don’t want them to take what I’ve earned and give it to others.
John McCain has been proven right. Since the “tax cuts for the rich,” tax revenue has risen, but since spending was not brought under control, when the economy took a hit, the deficit went up. When the economy slows, taxes go down, but government spending is not indexed to that, so deficits go up. It’s not that we aren’t collecting enough taxes, it’s that we are wasting the money we do take in.
If we don’t do something about spending, it’s only going to get worse. In all developed nations, the birth rate has fallen way below the death rate and populations are shrinking. That means less taxpayers and more elderly. If we don’t cut off social security to those with more retirement income than they made while working and cut it off for the elderly rich, it won’t survive at all. It takes only two years for the average person to collect all the social security that they paid in, why should a millionaire rich person put any strain on that system. One person I know makes a lot more than Obama’s definition of rich, is still working and making that salary, but is also collecting his social security. No wonder it’s broken.
However, the liberals depend on people they have put on the government teat, and the more they can get on it, the more they consolidate their power. So, they’ll keep trying to add more ways for people to not have to grow on their own, but be dependent on them. And to make sure we don’t do anything they think is wrong, since we’re too dumb to know any better, they’ll block votes, get rid of secret ballots in the workplace (employeefreedom.org), lie, exaggerate and anything else they can.
McCain isn’t perfect, and neither is anybody else. He believes climate change is human caused, when it isn’t (any more than we caused the ice age of the 70s Marxists). He supported the cap and trade bill that would have crippled our economy and brought such corruption as you’ve never seen with certain industries buying favors to increase their caps. Overall, however, he is against raising taxes and for cutting spending and encouraging the market. He will come around on the other stuff. But, unlike “citizen of the world” Obama, he’ll put America’s interests first, right where they belong.
Anyways, I digress. Health care isn’t broken because of the private sector or profit motives or anything like that. There are three major reasons health care has been rising:
1) The rapid pace of technological advancement. Computers brought about the ability to create machines and techniques that SAVE LIVES at an incredible pace not seen since the invention of the microscope. Patients demanded the best care, these new technologies cost money, so hospitals and doctors had to raise fees to cover them.
2) Over-regulation of insurance by the government. Yes, it’s good to make sure insurance doesn’t discriminate against people, but the part that’s killing it is the defining of minimum coverages combined with the law against individuals buying over state lines. This means that insurance companies in many states can’t offer insurance that’s customized to people’s needs, and people buying individual coverage have to buy insurance hiked up by all the minimums. If insurance companies could sell “a la carte” insurance, people could afford it better. If they could shop nationwide (businesses can, individuals can’t), then competition would drive down prices even further.
3) The burden on our hospitals being care providers for illegal aliens. Look in any emergency room and you’ll find half or more of the patients are illegal aliens getting treatment for the flu and other things that even basic insurance would cover for a Dr.’s visit. Our hospitals are overwhelmed by this.
Yes, Dr.’s make a lot of money compared to the average, but if you are going to attract the brightest minds, you have to compete financially with the other jobs they have to pick from. It’s part of the competition.
There are things the government needs to do to protect consumers, and things to protect businesses from consumers, but they have to stop short of impeding free enterprise and competition. Do you really think America got to number one any other way?
As I’ve documented before, the top 1% in America, made up of those who make only $388,806 a year or more, pay 40% of the taxes RIGHT NOW. Tax cuts for the rich? The top 25% of incomes of pay 86% of the taxes, but only earn 68% of the income. The richest 1% paid a share of income taxes almost double their share of income: 22%.
Here’s a great quote from this article:
If Mr. Obama does succeed in raising tax rates on the rich, we'd also wager that the rich share of tax payments would fall. The last time tax rates were as high as the Senator wants them -- the Carter years -- the rich paid only 19% of all income taxes, half of the 40% share they pay today. Why? Because they either worked less, earned less, or they found ways to shelter income from taxes so it was never reported to the IRS as income.
What makes this country grow and become stronger is the incentive to get rich. It’s there. Early in my work life I was involved in helping to renovate an office complex for my company to move to. I did the network cabling. I asked the foreman on the job how he rose to foreman. He told me that he was the one who always showed up Monday morning, while he often had two different guys every week because the guys from the previous week blew their checks on beer and couldn’t wake up on Monday to show up. He said it was purely that he was dependable and showed up consistently.
And I’ve seen it at every one of the fourteen companies I’ve worked at: the way to improve your position in life, your income, is to do what you’re asked (as long as it’s legal). Work hard, follow the policies and procedures, make constructive statements and give humble advice and you will advance and make more and more money. It’s been consistent. It’s been regardless of race, or sex.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure some people still get discriminated against, but it’s just time to move on if you find that.
What you won’t find in America if Obama gets his way is that incentive any more. Every socialist or communist country has had to open up its markets to come close to competing with the U.S. The Soviet Union, even at its height, was a financial mess barely held up by oil exports. The Chinese didn’t start getting out of poverty until they allowed free enterprise, and that will be the undoing of communism there in the long run (you can’t do business with the free part of the world AND keep all knowledge of it out at the same time).
I have no problem with John McCain owning 10 properties, many of them in his wife’s name and there’s a prenup. I want that too some day and I don’t want my government taking it from him to give it to me, and I don’t want them to take what I’ve earned and give it to others.
John McCain has been proven right. Since the “tax cuts for the rich,” tax revenue has risen, but since spending was not brought under control, when the economy took a hit, the deficit went up. When the economy slows, taxes go down, but government spending is not indexed to that, so deficits go up. It’s not that we aren’t collecting enough taxes, it’s that we are wasting the money we do take in.
If we don’t do something about spending, it’s only going to get worse. In all developed nations, the birth rate has fallen way below the death rate and populations are shrinking. That means less taxpayers and more elderly. If we don’t cut off social security to those with more retirement income than they made while working and cut it off for the elderly rich, it won’t survive at all. It takes only two years for the average person to collect all the social security that they paid in, why should a millionaire rich person put any strain on that system. One person I know makes a lot more than Obama’s definition of rich, is still working and making that salary, but is also collecting his social security. No wonder it’s broken.
However, the liberals depend on people they have put on the government teat, and the more they can get on it, the more they consolidate their power. So, they’ll keep trying to add more ways for people to not have to grow on their own, but be dependent on them. And to make sure we don’t do anything they think is wrong, since we’re too dumb to know any better, they’ll block votes, get rid of secret ballots in the workplace (employeefreedom.org), lie, exaggerate and anything else they can.
McCain isn’t perfect, and neither is anybody else. He believes climate change is human caused, when it isn’t (any more than we caused the ice age of the 70s Marxists). He supported the cap and trade bill that would have crippled our economy and brought such corruption as you’ve never seen with certain industries buying favors to increase their caps. Overall, however, he is against raising taxes and for cutting spending and encouraging the market. He will come around on the other stuff. But, unlike “citizen of the world” Obama, he’ll put America’s interests first, right where they belong.
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
What never fails to amaze me is that they make all these promises during the campaign, forget about them after getting elected, and still have people stupid enough to vote for the same people with the same promises the next time!
Comment by RubySoho
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And you know nothing about economics. So I'd rather not have you teach me anything thanks.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
It's hard to teach someone who refuses to learn, Jonathan, but you tried.
Comment by RubySoho
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You forget SL, that the rest of the developed world is very liberal by American standards, Australia included. So how on earth can it be the liberals giving you a bad name?
I don't think I need to tell you just how popular Obama is in Europe right now?
I actually have a degree in Political Economy from the University of Sydney. I don't need anyone who thinks that corporations need protection from consumers and who still thinks global warming is a hoax to "teach" me anything.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
You go right ahead and believe in the climate change hoax. Pay lots of money for "carbon off-sets", attend the rallies, elect idiots who will keep the fight against "man made climate change" going, by all means. They'll never say you've done enough, destruction will always be "minutes away", then when it doesn't happen the way they predicted, they want to forget about it and will find a new "immediate crisis" to take your mind off of how you've been duped. At least that's what they've done the last few times, and the liberal geniuses ate it up like candy. Just like you're doing now. have another bite, Ruby.
As for Jonathan being a bad representative of America, no, he isn't. You're probably not the best representative of Australia. John Howard was! And so is Mel Gibson.
Comment by RubySoho
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But I thought you loved Israel!!!
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by RubySoho
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By the way Mel's father, the leader of Mel's whacko Catholic cult thinks the Jews brought down the World Trade Centre. What did Mel have to say about this? "My father never told me a lie".
Hmmm. Apparently his next film is going to be about the Holocaust. Can't wait to see it.
And how did this turn into a post about Mel Gibson? You can still like him if you want. But we think he is a whack job.
Comment by RubySoho
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Comment by S.L.
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Comment by Jonathan Biviano
Politics Realm
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You know, this president that Europe doesn't seem to like has done more to fight AIDS in Africa than his Democratic predecessor.
And don't lecture me about your college credentials. I probably took just as much in getting my B.A. in Political Science.
Why do you think, Ruby, that America leads the world economically? Why is oil indexed on the dollar? Liberals in this country want to point to the last two years as George Bush's legacy, when if you look at the last eight years we've grown economically at a record pace. Name one country with a socialist or communist economic structure that has had the growth of incomes that the U.S. has over the last fifty years. It's an abuse of statistics to pick a bad period and not look at the long haul. They taught that at my 150 year old university, the proper way to use statistics. Housing prices have fallen in the last two years, but since 2000, even with the recent drop, American homes are worth, on average, 50% more than they were. That's right, a 200,000 dollar house in America is still worth $350,000. Yes, some people had bad timing and bought that house for $400,000 in January of 2006, but if they hold on to it, that value will come back. People lost their shirts on paper in the collapse of Google and Yahoo stocks in 2000, but if they held on to it, they are back to value at least.
The jealousy of Europe that we've refused to hamstring ourselves with silly Kyoto protocols (which don't include the largest "offenders") and other Socialist rules, drives this hatred. Did you know that so far, worldwide, 2008 has been the coldest in over a decade? Did you know that Oregon's summer, in terms of temperature, is going to last about 6-8 weeks, versus the normal 12? Did you know that this year, Chicago has had way below average number of days above 90 degrees? So, while Europe cuts their puny contribution to the "carbon footprint" and China and India's footprint continues to explode, and the Democratic National Convention makes a 70 Million pount carbon footprint on Denver, we will continue to dominate economically and watch the climate cycle go back around to so cold liberals are warning about an ice age again, like they did in the 70s.
Our economic fundamentals are sound, we had some markets expand too fast with too many people getting in over their heads, but overall we've still got the strongest economy in the world.
And no country, not one, GIVES, not loans, GIVES more money to other countries to help with humanitarian and political stability. GIven all of this, it's just jealousy. Canada's citizens come here for health care because our doctors are better. Many of our doctors will quit if we nationalize health care, because they'll be forced to do things they don't agree with, like euthanasia and artificial insemination of lesbians (and that's not hate. If somebody has a personal problem with doing that, they should have a right to send them to a doctor that will do it. It's called choice, something liberals want to remove when it doesn't suit them). How many good Dr.s has Europe lost?
And talk about arrogance, to think that you, because you went to some college, know better than the economists at the Wall Street Journal, or the thousands that have come out and stated that Barack's tax plans would be devastating to our economy. I'm not saying what I post out of my own knowledge, I'm summarizing what people smarter than me are saying.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by RubySoho
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Let me explain something to liberals, because they don’t seem to understand it
and then start crying at me because your feelings are hurt because I am not enarmoured of your economic knowledge? Poor baby.
Here is a tip. When you say things like:
"The burden on our hospitals being care providers for illegal aliens. Look in any emergency room and you’ll find half or more of the patients are illegal aliens getting treatment for the flu and other things that even basic insurance would cover for a Dr.’s visit. Our hospitals are overwhelmed by this".
Then you had better provide some evidence if you want people to think you know what your talking about. Otherwise we are liable to think that you are just a racist. Take a look in any hospital emergency room? Really? That's how they taught you to argue at college? Be honest, if you put forward that sort of argument on a term paper, what would your professor have said?
Honestly, do you mean to tell me that you think it is OTHER countries and not the US that is cheating when it comes to free trade? Why do you think these farmers in Seoul were protesting the importation of US beef? Your country tries to kill the economy of every country it trades with. That's why you grow at their expense. Take also the case of these rice farmers in Thailand.
Those are links by the way. You know links that provide evidence for my statements.
And as for your president. Holy moly. Can you say borrow and spend? You realise your next president is going to spend the next four years cleaning up after him?
Really Long Link
In 2000 US National Debt stood at $5.7 trillion. Which was $2.4 trillion LOWER then projected when Clinton assumed office. Today the US National Debt stands at $9.6 trillion. Oh yeah, Dubya, great economic manager that he is, managed to almost double tthe debt. And you cons have the absolute nerve to try and teach liberals about managing economics? Are you for real?
Really Long Link
Why do you think Clinton won in 1992? After Bush's wild popularity post-Gulf War? With his record breaking approval ratings? Beacuse of the economics. It's the economy, stupid! Haha. Remember that? There is a reason Democrats win elections. Because your war mongering Repubs spend your country to the brink and you NEED the liberals to come in and fix it. Then you can rain hate on them even after they have saved your arses.
And if you are getting your info from the Wall Street Journal and summarising what they are saying, then don't you think you should cite that? Otherwise you are just a plagariser. Or didn't they teach you that in college either?
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Your Political Economy degree has obviously left you with some sort of brain damage for you not to understand that 9/11 and then Katerina, and the War on Terror, and a series of natural disasters all around the world have put a strain on our economy. The ridiculous notion that ethanol made from corn would be a good idea and bring down gas prices didn't work either (and Pres. Bush didn't invent the idea, Ruby. He was foolish enough to let a bunch of liberal idiots talk him into going along with him.) Another reason our economy is having a slow spell is the price of fuel and the refusal of the LIBERALS to allow more drilling while they whine along about "saving the world" by keeping our prices painfully high.
Enjoy the arrogance of the ignorant, Ruby, it fits you so well.
Comment by Jonathan Biviano
Politics Realm
Marriage Bits
Stop and think for a moment. Say you sold kangaroo meat to the person down the street. Say they were your best customers. Would you destroy their incomes and try to ruin his "economy." No. Neither do true conservatives in the U.S. It's the liberals who put up the tarriffs and try to destroy free trade under every trumped up condition they can to keep getting the financial and person support they need from unions to stay in office. Read my earlier post about Nancy "No Votes so I can get my way" Pelosi and killing free trade pacts negotiated in good faith.
Bush doubled the debt because he didn't combine the tax cuts with spending cuts. It's why McCain voted against them. Then there were no spending cuts, throw in a war, Katrina, and the burst in the housing market, and boom, you got it. Remember that America was in a recession when Clinton left office, a real one, with negative growth for two quarters. We haven't experienced that yet.
I am very upset about our national debt, but MOST of that debt is from "entitlement" payments, including Social Security to millionaires. But again, rather than doing what's best for America, Liberals won't even do common sense things to reduce spending.
And since you don't live in America, let me explain why Bush 1 lost. It had nothing to do with his successful war. It's that he said "Read my lips, no new taxes," then raised taxes. The middle didn't trust him anymore because of that broken pledge, and you need the middle to win. And raising taxes and fighting the war was all Bush 1 did. He is former CIA and he served as President with almost as much secrecy about what he was doing. So, he appeared to be doing nothing but raising taxes.
Clinton had so much success because he was forced to govern reasonably by a strong Republican majority in the Senate and House after his wife tried to do universal health care. Again, trying to do it in secret killed that.
But then, you Australians know so much more about American politics than an American Political Science graduate from the University rated "Best in the West" who was actually here.
And I do cite them when I quote it, I just build the link. You see the link colored words in the sentence above my quote? And it's not plagiarism when you're just expressing an economic philosophy garnered by reading all of them. I don't quote them without giving them credit.
Comment by RubySoho
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You guys play the same old tune completely oblivious that it is putting you at odds with the rest of the developed world. Kyoto, Climate Change, Abortion, these are all areas where are are leaving you behind and still you whine about a return to the glorious, fictional past. We are looking to find new sources of renewable energy- you want to keep drilling. We want to minimise our effect on the planet, you want to destroy your own great wilderness in Alaska. The Democrats have just experienced a marathon presidential nomination campaign between a black man and a woman whilst Republicans like Anne Coulter want to take the vote away from women. And still you guys bleat on about how its the liberals who give you a bad name. Why don't you try reading some international newspapers and online journals once in a while, so you can see how the rest of the world really views you?
Here I'll give something to start with:
Daily Telegraph
that's a link to a survey conducted by a British newspaper. But I'm sure you'll just say that all Europeans are ignorant too. Ignorance is not disagreement SL. Ignorance is when you refuse to read about other points of view. And that's something you Republicans have mastered. That's why you refuse to listen to lliberals and cry about how how they hate freedom, or hate America, or are just stupid because they don't view things the way you do.
That's okay. Keep crying. We'll just move into the future without you. Oil is over SL. Get used to it.
Oh and as for Sydney Uni being "a very liberal university", maybe you should ask your hero John Howard? He studied there too.
Comment by RubySoho
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2. You did not give a link to any of the major "points" you made. I saw the link for the quote but what about your other claims?
3. Trying to prove a point by telling people to "go look in a hospital emergency room" is not logical. Neither is saying "corporations do everything better than the government" WITHOUT PROVIDING ANY EVIDENCE TO BACK UP YOUR STATEMENTS!
So please don't congratulate yourself on your logic.
4. I've had it with the both of you. There is a very good reason why so many people think Americans are stupid. I don't think I need to tell you what that is.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
And I didn't call you any names, Ruby. All I did was suggest that you enjoy the arrogance of ignorance because you're so good at it. Mentioning an attitude isn't name calling, dear. And isn't it interesting how you went to the same school as John Howard, and came away with so little...
I'm not going to provide any links for the following points, Ruby, because each of them is both well known and common sense. There are not links to common sense. It's either there or it's not.
1. "Oil is over, drilling is a waste." That's the liberal position. Really? So where is the replacement? The liberals seem to "think" that their precious wind, solar, and whatever are up and running and ready to take over the energy needs of the world at a moment's notice. Of course, they don't want "windmill orchards" in their line of sight. The Kennedy family is all for wind power, except where it might mess up their pristine view.
2. "Natural gas is better than oil." Says Nasty Pelosi. Huh? Isn't natural gas found WITH oil? Always was before. That's because natural gas is also a fossil fuel. Take a quick look outside, folks. How many fingers does it take to count the vehicles you see that are powered by natural gas? Better yet, just count the big trucks that don't run on diesel. Everything you buy to eat, all your appliances, all your clothes, your shoes, your computers got to you by truck. Shall we just keepp upping the cost of running the trucks until you can't afford the things they bring you?
3. "You want to destroy a wilderness for oil." Right. Like one glob of chewing gum would "destroy" a football field. The drilling site is one very tiny piece of an enormous area.
4. "It would take years to get the newly drilled oil to market." It could take a few years, true. But during those years we could be coming up with new sources, too, like maybe Helium 3. The wind, solar and whatever won't be ready to give anything more than token energy for years, too. And how about nuclear? One minor accident back in the 60's and one stupid movie about an accident that never happened, are keeping liberals away from both drilling off-shore and nuclear technology.
5. And finally, Ruby dear, you say America is being "left behind" the rest of the world. Well, as they kill their own babies, ruin their economies to satisfy Kyoto, and bankrupt their people for "carbon credits", I'm quite content to stay behind where reason still lives.
Comment by Jonathan Biviano
Politics Realm
Marriage Bits
Wind Turbines Killing Bats
Nazi like enforcement of recycling
Pelosi thinks we're stupid
If you wanted to provide enough electricity to keep Manhattan lighted up at night, you'd have to convert the entire state of Connecticut into a giant wind turbine farm.
Should read this one.
I do have a problem with people saying I can't speak authoritatively because I'm not quoting other people. Who are they quoting? What makes them better than me? I've been a student of politics and economics for over 20 years, going from being a leftist liberal to an evangelical conservative.
Just got smarter as I got older.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by RubySoho
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Evangelical conservative. Give me break. No-one who believes the Bible is the literal word of God gets to lecture me on reason and logic.
And It's not about "quoting other people". It's about providing examples and demonstrating why your point of view is the correct or at least the most viable one. You are not doing this Jonathan. You are simply making statements and expecting us to accept them for no other reason than it is you making them.
That make work for you ultra-cons. But it just does not cut it in the real world.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief