BUSH QUIT GOLF FOR IRAQ

[Leslie Anne]

Could you explain why, please?

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Could you explain why, please?

Was that directed to me? I say a lot of things people may question, so please let me know what I need to explain (if you're talking to me).

[Leslie Anne]

Sorry.
Yes, I was asking you, Shiner, to explain why you think that Drolefille's comment was a "dangerous sentiment."

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Sorry.
Yes, I was asking you, Shiner, to explain why you think that Drolefille's comment was a "dangerous sentiment."

I think it is a dangerous sentiment because I perceive it to be an argument for economic equality and social engineering. This is beating a dead horse for me, but I think the anti-enterprise instincts of many American liberals are very dangerous for this country.

I don't believe the government should work to ensure we're all financially equal. I certainly don't believe the government should do this at the expense of one segment of society. Whenever the government decides to take something from one citizen on the rationale that "they don't really need it," I get pretty concerned.

[Leslie Anne]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I think it is a dangerous sentiment because I perceive it to be an argument for economic equality and social engineering. This is beating a dead horse for me, but I think the anti-enterprise instincts of many American liberals are very dangerous for this country.

I don't believe the government should work to ensure we're all financially equal.

Thank you for your response, Shiner.

Of course, I can't speak for Drolefille (and she'd probably strangle me if I tried to) so I can only offer my own perspective on her response. Nate said that people should get an education. The response was that not everyone can afford an education. Then there was a sarcastic comment about the government helping and what a catastrophe that would be.

I do not believe that anyone here is suggesting pure economic equality. I certainly am not. There is, however, an argument to be made that increasing the potential for economic security (not equality) is good for any society.

You also might be surprised to find that most liberals (including myself) are not anti-enterprise at all. I think you're taking general ideas and forcing them into extremes that aren't actually a reality.

[nate2512]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

Thank you for your response, Shiner.

Of course, I can't speak for Drolefille (and she'd probably strangle me if I tried to) so I can only offer my own perspective on her response. Nate said that people should get an education. The response was that not everyone can afford an education. Then there was a sarcastic comment about the government helping and what a catastrophe that would be.

I do not believe that anyone here is suggesting pure economic equality. I certainly am not. There is, however, an argument to be made that increasing the potential for economic security (not equality) is good for any society.

You also might be surprised to find that most liberals (including myself) are not anti-enterprise at all. I think you're taking general ideas and forcing them into extremes that aren't actually a reality.

My only argument is that if we let people settle in on the government spoon feeding them, they will take it and nothing will change. There is no reason that probably 90% of Americans can't go to college or take an apprenticeship to learn a trade. They aren't giving people much motivation to further their education. I don't mind helping a few people, but completely supporting able bodied workers because the minimum wage isn't high enough when there are plenty of jobs that pay over minimum wage but people are too lazy to take them, that's ridiculous. Hell, even Wal-Mart pays over minimum wage.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

You also might be surprised to find that most liberals (including myself) are not anti-enterprise at all. I think you're taking general ideas and forcing them into extremes that aren't actually a reality.

I think you're right, in that most liberals certainly wouldn't claim to be anti-enterprise. However, when a large portion of the left (as is the case) advocates for some form of "undoing" with regard to the results of a an enterprise economic system, I consider that an assault on free enterprise.

You could make the argument that our economic system envisions some amount of governmental leveling, but I have doubts that I would share that perspective.