tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115375869553591839.post66454798064143092..comments2023-10-09T11:23:08.602-05:00Comments on Taking Place: ACORN, Tea Parties, and Militias: the New Conservative GrassrootsRagothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02032216046972764021noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115375869553591839.post-44110085742450681772010-12-05T16:37:09.769-06:002010-12-05T16:37:09.769-06:00Yes, you're right. I'm very happy paying a...Yes, you're right. I'm very happy paying about 20% of my paycheck for health care as it stands now, because I don't have any options. It would be absolutely horrible to have a few more options out on the playing field and actually have some semblance of a free market in health care. I am so glad that the Republicans prevented us from falling down the slippery slope of having a public option that would be non-profit and have as its stated goal, at least, actually delivering health care and insurance. I know I was exceptionally glad when I had to go to an emergency clinic out of state and was thus denied any coverage because it wasn't my PCP. Now, I'd love to be on a PPO, but that would be 30% of my paycheck, and I just really can't afford that one.<br /><br />I'm also happy to know that the Republicans are excited about driving up the deficit with no idea of how to pay for anything. Because, we all know that "spend and spend" is a much better policy than "tax and spend."<br /><br />Frankly, if I made millions of dollars, which I do not, I would be an idiot not to be a conservative and vote Republican every election - they'd totally have my back and let me keep as much of that as I wanted in my bank account. As it stands now, though, I'd much rather pay a little bit more in taxes and actually get something worthwhile from it.<br /><br />I really don't understand the fear of taxes. We're at basically the lowest tax rate ever, and our country is going bankrupt and the economy is crashing while people are crying for more and more deregulation and just letting big businesses do whatever they want. We did have a very similar situation not all that long ago, in 1928...right before the Great Depression. Sadly for Republicans, the times of our greatest economic expansions have also been times of the highest tax rates, especially in the upper brackets.<br /><br />And, if you had actually read anything else on this blog, you'd know that we're not Obama-lovers. I, for one, am extremely disappointed. But that still doesn't mean I'd switch to the greater evil of the conservative side.Ragothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02032216046972764021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115375869553591839.post-13513076888898345112010-12-02T05:15:06.345-06:002010-12-02T05:15:06.345-06:00wow u guys r really idiots, apparently college isn...wow u guys r really idiots, apparently college isn't doing u a whole lot of good. Good luck paying for the taxes and healthcare u idiot-obama loversAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115375869553591839.post-92081869583746521742009-09-22T16:08:41.438-05:002009-09-22T16:08:41.438-05:00Yeah, the free speech issue has given me the chuck...Yeah, the free speech issue has given me the chuckles recently. From the left side of their mouth, they complain that their free speech is being curtailed and that the liberals want to destroy everything and oppress them...from the right side they want to brag that they're the biggest name in news, and that if Obama wants to talk to "the people," he has to go through them...cognitive dissonance never ends.<br /><br />I'm going to go out on a limb and hold Fox at least partially responsible for a lot of what's going on today. Now, whatever whack-a-loon decides go out and do something...yes, they will bear the primary responsibility. But Fox...well, at the very least it's giving some significant winks and nudges in that direction. While Dr. Tiller's blood may not be on O'Reilly's hands, it at least stains his shirt tails a bit.<br /><br />And I've noticed that about the tectonics and classical theories thing. I love looking over that damned sitemeter referral list. I'm going to keep up with the Classical Theories thing as soon as things settle down a bit...i.e., as soon as I actually get some kind of a job around here. What are you up to in the meantime?Ragothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02032216046972764021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115375869553591839.post-9409063185836977062009-09-22T14:38:46.822-05:002009-09-22T14:38:46.822-05:00by the way, you've hit a nerve with the tecton...by the way, you've hit a nerve with the tectonics article and classical theories of religion. Love it!Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622538888041375502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115375869553591839.post-34673001600601760292009-09-22T14:33:39.451-05:002009-09-22T14:33:39.451-05:00It's good to be back, unless you count the job...It's good to be back, unless you count the job applications I didn't submit today and my growing sense of pessimism about the right's ability to be civil. (Too much time reading the right-wing crazies rather than more level-headed, pragmatic conservatives; where are they again?). <br /><br />How did free speech get on the agenda again? It's out of nowhere. Maybe, the conjunction of the rise of more radical conservatives in tandem with Fox News' continual drift into auto-erotic sensationalism will keep free speech on the table. Should we blame Glen Beck for the next domestic terrorist attack, or have held Bill O'Reilly responsible in Dr. Tiller's murder?Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02622538888041375502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6115375869553591839.post-50011257819225957882009-09-21T11:49:37.807-05:002009-09-21T11:49:37.807-05:00Jason, it's always good to read your posts. I ...Jason, it's always good to read your posts. I think you've got about the right of it. The most troubling aspect, in the short term, to me at least, is the repeated line of "watering the tree of liberty" that is popping up on a lot of posters. Exactly the same justification McVeigh used when bombing the Oklahoma City Building. While I will freely agree that some percentage (a number I'm not even going to try to guess at) of the Tea Party movement is made up of people who are solely concerned with government size and spending, it's worrying how much of them seem to be the radical fringe.<br /><br />Anyway, good to hear from you, and I always welcome your contributions.Ragothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02032216046972764021noreply@blogger.com