Rockpile233

I hear you, but I was saying "active" in a way to differentiate between agnostics. I always thought atheists "actively" declare the lack of a higher power as opposed to the agnostic who doesn't believe, but grants they don't know for sure. I didn't mean it as atheists actively tell you nothing is there, but rather that their denial is more declarative. Yes though, bashing religion is not a characteristic of atheists in general.

The part that has bothered me is the logical increase to elderly out of pocket costs once you remove the mandate. The majority of that demographic leans to the right. There really aren't many great options for the republicans.

I think the person you are describing has a whole different thing going on just taking the form of Christian bashing. Atheism is really just an active disbelief in all religion or higher power. An atheist could still govern life under a moral philosophy rather than theological purpose. To my understanding of theology, Christians who see an atheist acting as a moral example can still understand God to be acting through that individual and deserve compassion. I think the behavior you describe is misassociated with atheism.

Another Trump gem. The wiretap that wasn't really a wiretap.

An attitude that needs to be obliterated all around Washington these days.

Completely agree.

Can't argue with the logic of wanting to go for it while Brady is still around. Aggressive moves for sure.

I am a registered democrat and fall to the left on almost every issue, but have felt very alienated by the people and tactics of my party. I'm at a crossroads.

Come on...even if you love the job Whaley is doing, saying he has exceeded expectations is laughable.

Yes I suppose that's fair. I was simply using it to illustrate a point that both our money and private business capital is used all the time to offer rights even to people that aren't paying in. I understand the issue of availability/options and find that to be an interesting conversation, but I would say the majority of people against socialized medicine don't use these issues to argue their point (potential lack of innovation is another key one) and rather rage against paying for people they view as "lazy" or "losing the competition."

It's Friday and I'm not in the mood to bash my head against the wall, but I do understand where you are coming from. I would like to clarify I'm a proponent of socializing the insurance. The doctors would not be government workers. The ACA is clearly not working for a great many people and the way it was passed was BS. But since I subscribe to that vision I would apply lessons learned to make changes rather than go back the other way. To be honest, the GOP bill is evidence to me of a growing bipartisan acknowledgment of all people needing access to affordable insurance . I was honestly surprised.

When applied to your right to clean air and water, which is extremely costly to execute in both the private and public sectors, your argument fails. And you are speaking to someone who is not poor and a "victim" of rising premiums.

You've got me that it's inconsistent not to throw unwavering support towards these seemingly similar issues, but honestly I do believe in some individual responsibility in the community. Housing, sustenance, don't carry some of the costs some conditions carry. You are going to have a completely destitute group in any theoretical setting. So perhaps it's inconsistent, but I wouldn't support this. In regards to healthcare it's sociaized medicine with everybody paying into it. Until majority public support is behind this and everyone owns and has a vested interest in it succeeding will it work. Right now we don't have that support and the methods for running it through alienated a lot of people.

Not the point, I want people to have access to healthcare without having to declare bankruptcy from the debt.

"To promote the general wellfare..." I believe heathcare should be a right in this country. All I can do is vote for candidates who share this vision who will then gather necessary support to enact this into law. I don't support anyone who trys to slip anything past anybody. Clean air and water is also a right that takes a tremendous amount of labor and tax money to execute.

Now that I looked up the context the left bashing crowd uses "triggered" in... Peezy is soooooo triggered right now

Get up and make more money and then you too can afford a personal bodyguard.

Did you miss the part where I granted reforms are needed across the board to deal with the waste you've properly identfied? You don't even really need to raise taxes just don't cut them for everybody. Also, once again I donate to charity instead since it is more efficient TODAY. Stop trying to turn everything into an emotional argument.

I'm in sales for a mechanical contractor. When I have to get involved in public sector work the experiences prove how inefficient and redundant jobs seem to be.

This was actually a great response, but what you may view as weakness in Goku I view as inner strength.

We're onto something here Joe. I do hold a philosophy of higher taxation across the board. BUT I think how and where to spend that money are the real interesting conversations.

I haven't figured out whether I like you or not, but I see you at least attempt to point out the hypocrisy of various sects. Peezy, you seem a little high strung I think you need a safe space.

Nehh, would rather give to charity it's far more efficient. Problem is healthcare for all requires more than charitable donations.

You are misreading me, but no big deal. I'm not focused on individualism at all and roll my eyes at the majority of my self-important peers, who do in fact reflect your argument. I make six figures and believe I should be taxed much higher. If you cut my taxes, I will give more to charity. If I need more money I'll go out and make it, but feel bad for people unwilling or unable to do that. None of this is really contrary to capatalism either although it may appear so on the surface. My standard of living will still be higher. I feel for the working poor though and understand their anger, but likening it to slavery is a little much. The democrats deserved to be checked for ignoring these people.

Are you saying me specifically? I would still be very unimportant relative to the larger machine. But I also have insurance and would like others to as well.