It's the American Dream, not the American Promise...
I've been meaning to write this for a long time, and given a certain presidential candidate's attitude towards a certain company, I'm finally putting it on paper. Keep in mind, as friends, I value your opinion and would like to hear your thoughts on what I am about to write. Before we start, I would also like to state that I do not agree with the republican stance of forcing judeo-christian values on the American populace (unless ofcourse, if is to prevent harm to another human being). There is no merit in making good choices if you are forced to by law, and I believe everyone has the right to making poor choices that effect themselves, provided an environment is present in which those actions have consequences not necissisarily legal in nautre. I do, however, side with the republicans in almost every other aspect. Here goes:
The other day, I was looking at my paycheck. I am by no means rich, and am the only income earner in our family of three. A third of my 'earnings' (aka pay before taxes, if I 'earned' it, why don't I get to keep it) goes to taxes. Now, I understand the need for defense, roads, and schools... but most of it goes to social security and medicare. This program, designed to provide others with retirement income and medical care. The sad thing is, I pay more in these taxes than I am able to spend on my own family's retirement and heath insurance. Anyway you look at it, that is not right.
Consider this... a friend of mine is a member of a church and told me this story. A family, who had drove themselves into debt and could no longer pay their bills, asked for aid from the clergy. A bishop visited the home and found that the family had many lavish things, which was the casue of the money trouble. The church would only agree to help pay the most necessary bills if they sold their posession other than what was necessary to get by stating that they "support life, but not life styles."
Consider that for a moment. I don't think anyone could deny that everyone has a right to life. Everyone should have a warm place to sleep, enough food to sustain an active life, clothing, and the facilities to take care of ones personal hygene. Every child should be given the same, along with healthcare and a chance to education themselves.
Everything beyond that MUST BE EARNED! As a taxpayer, I have an obligation to support life in America. I should not; however, be supporting a lifestyle. You do not have the right to cable tv. You do not have the right to a dvd. You do not have the right to go out to eat or order pizza. You do not have the right to high speed internet. You do not have the right to buy brand name food.
YOU DO, HOWEVER, HAVE THE RIGHT TO EARN IT! Let people make choices and reap the rewards of good ones.
Half of Americans that vote do not pay income taxes. Soon, the majority of the people who decide where tax money goes, did not contribute to the fund; making it easy to prey on those that do.
While fundamentalism, in any case, is a bad thing... I ask you to consider the following. If taken literally, it is too extreme, but it does make a good point:
No taxation without representation?
No representation without taxation.
I still hvae more ranting to do, but I'll get to it later.
Thoughts?
The other day, I was looking at my paycheck. I am by no means rich, and am the only income earner in our family of three. A third of my 'earnings' (aka pay before taxes, if I 'earned' it, why don't I get to keep it) goes to taxes. Now, I understand the need for defense, roads, and schools... but most of it goes to social security and medicare. This program, designed to provide others with retirement income and medical care. The sad thing is, I pay more in these taxes than I am able to spend on my own family's retirement and heath insurance. Anyway you look at it, that is not right.
Consider this... a friend of mine is a member of a church and told me this story. A family, who had drove themselves into debt and could no longer pay their bills, asked for aid from the clergy. A bishop visited the home and found that the family had many lavish things, which was the casue of the money trouble. The church would only agree to help pay the most necessary bills if they sold their posession other than what was necessary to get by stating that they "support life, but not life styles."
Consider that for a moment. I don't think anyone could deny that everyone has a right to life. Everyone should have a warm place to sleep, enough food to sustain an active life, clothing, and the facilities to take care of ones personal hygene. Every child should be given the same, along with healthcare and a chance to education themselves.
Everything beyond that MUST BE EARNED! As a taxpayer, I have an obligation to support life in America. I should not; however, be supporting a lifestyle. You do not have the right to cable tv. You do not have the right to a dvd. You do not have the right to go out to eat or order pizza. You do not have the right to high speed internet. You do not have the right to buy brand name food.
YOU DO, HOWEVER, HAVE THE RIGHT TO EARN IT! Let people make choices and reap the rewards of good ones.
Half of Americans that vote do not pay income taxes. Soon, the majority of the people who decide where tax money goes, did not contribute to the fund; making it easy to prey on those that do.
While fundamentalism, in any case, is a bad thing... I ask you to consider the following. If taken literally, it is too extreme, but it does make a good point:
No taxation without representation?
No representation without taxation.
I still hvae more ranting to do, but I'll get to it later.
Thoughts?