Content tagged with "politics"
The article discusses the debate over the balance between government charity and personal responsibility in providing aid to the economically challenged. It highlights that both liberals and conservatives believe in greater charity and personal responsibility, but their views often fall short due to the varying reasons why people are poor. The author suggests that both sides have created strawmen for each other, and that the issue of who should be given charity and who should not is likely to be resolved in the future.
The document discusses the concept of politics, suggesting that it is fundamentally about shared resources. It suggests that politics is the rules we establish for the sharing of resources, such as resources like sunlight or resources like roads or military. The document also further narrows the definition to the pursuit of fairness in this sharing, but notes that determining fairness can lead to issues of political worldview.
The document discusses the concept of “externalities” in politics and economics, which are side effects of actions that affect a party who did not choose to be affected. It explains that evaluating an externality involves two main aspects: assessing the degree of the externality and comparing it to the benefit provided by the action causing the externality. The document uses the example of an environmental issue like toxic fumes from a factory and an abortion, highlighting the difficulty in agreeing on the degree of damage caused and the benefits provided by these externalities.
Former President George W. Bush has explained his initial reaction to the 9/11 attacks, stating that it was a conscious decision to project calm during the crisis. The author criticizes the obsession with Bush’s reaction, particularly by Michael Moore, and argues that his actions did not suggest he was involved in the attacks.
The document discusses the difference between a focus on the group and an individual, using the example of Neal Boortz’s commencement speech. It highlights the differing views of liberals and conservatives, with the former believing in group rights and the latter advocating for individual rights and protection. The author also notes that while group focus can sometimes be beneficial, this fundamental difference is not often discussed in American politics.
The terms “conservative” and “liberal” have different contexts and can be applied in different ways depending on the issues being discussed. In fiscal policy, conservatives believe in minimal government involvement, while liberals believe in regulation and increased taxation. In social policy, conservatives support traditional values, while liberals support more regulation and less defense spending.
The author criticizes the conservative argument that cutting taxes increases government revenues. They argue that while tax cuts can stimulate the economy, they cannot offset the cut in revenue to the level required to offset the cut in tax revenue. The author cites studies showing that only a small percentage of the revenue loss from tax cuts can be offset by additional growth.
The article discusses the Ukrainian impeachment crisis, focusing on the allegations that Donald Trump withheld military aid to Ukraine in exchange for an investigation into Joe Biden’s son. The author criticizes the Trump Administration’s response, suggesting that political influence in foreign policy is common and that the absence of consequences encourages irresponsible behavior. The author argues that without consequences, politicians are free to engage in illegal behavior, and that this approach is indicative of a lack of objective standards in American politics.
A study from 2005 examined the political representation of U.S. senators among wealthy, middle-class, and poor constituents. The study found that senators were more responsive to the opinions of affluent constituents than to those of middle-class constituents, and that the opinions of constituents in the bottom third of the income distribution had no apparent statistical effect on their senators’ roll call votes. The author expressed concern over the disparities in representation, which could be troubling for those who believe in democracy.
Democratic senators in Wisconsin have fled the state to avoid voting on a union-busting bill sponsored by the governor. This is not the first time Democrats have used this tactic, with Texas Democrats doing it in 2003 to block Republican efforts to redistrict the state. The author argues that this is a threat to representative democracy, as the losing party should participate in the governance process, even if it obstructs vital legislative work.
The document discusses the ongoing debate in the United States about the size, scope, and strength of government. It highlights the concept of states rights, which argue for smaller, more localized government that can better address the needs of the governed. The document also explains the concept of the Federal Government as the Supreme Law of the Land, the concept of the Supreme Court ruling on the issue, and the concept of states’ rights as a check on the federal government.
The document discusses the difference between the statutory and effective tax rate. The statutory tax rate is the tax imposed by law, while the effective tax rate is the percentage of income paid in taxes. The document suggests that the statutory tax rate is just a starting point, and the effective tax rate should be considered for a more accurate picture of the tax burden.
The article discusses the concept of “tax cuts for the wealthy”, arguing that it is often portrayed as evil and that the wealthy actually pay the majority of taxes. It presents data showing that the top 1% of households, despite earning 19% of pre-tax income, paid 39% of all individual income taxes. The author criticizes the notion that the wealthy are exploiters or victims of exploitation, and argues that the wealthy are hardworking individuals who contribute significantly to the economy and society.
The article discusses the stark contrast between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, two neighbors on the same island. It attributes Haiti’s poor economic performance to factors such as a lack of rain, high population density due to French colonial rule, and deforestation during the 19th century. The Dominican Republic, on the other hand, was more attractive to Europeans and developed an export economy, while Haiti was left with a poor environment and a history of slavery.
The Bush tax cuts, including the income and estate tax cuts, are set to expire due to the Byrd Rule, a parliamentary rule that allows senators to block legislation that significantly increases the federal deficit more than 10 years in the future. This rule was adopted in 1985 and allows any senator to raise a procedural objection to legislation that affects the deficit more than a decade out, and if sustained, the provision at fault for raising the deficit is eliminated from the legislation unless a 60-vote majority says otherwise.
The author discusses the concept of drug price controls, referencing the book “Rise of the Robots” by the author. The author suggests that the U.S. is effectively subsidizing lower prices in other countries due to drug companies negotiating prices with national governments. The author questions why this is not more disturbing to Americans, particularly conservatives, and questions whether price controls could be a viable solution.
The ideological divide between conservatives and liberals is primarily about the approach to society. Liberals believe that society can be improved through government intervention, while conservatives believe that societal improvement can only be achieved through individual action. The argument is that humans are inherently flawed and resist coercion, and that government intervention can only prevent mutual destruction.
The article discusses the scandal-ridden tenure of Kwame Kilpatrick, the disgraced mayor of Detroit. It details his alleged misuse of public funds, including an extramarital affair with his chief of staff, the use of city funds for personal vacations, and his alleged involvement in a murder investigation involving a stripper. The article also mentions his alleged assault on a police officer and his alleged involvement with a murder at a party in 2002.
The article discusses the lack of corporate morality, comparing the human connection of ownership in companies like IBM and Blend Interactive to the lack of moral responsibility in large corporations. It argues that corporations, due to their size and the financial market’s evolution, are designed to act in the interests of profit, with the only objective standard being profit. The author suggests that as the number of owners increases, the need for moral leadership and the desire to act for the good of others becomes more remote.
The author discusses their experience with Ron Paul’s book, Liberty Defined, a collection of essays on 50 key issues affecting freedom. They express mixed opinions on Paul’s views, agreeing with some but disagreeing with others, and criticizing his writing style. However, they appreciate a line from the book that emphasizes the need for tolerance and understanding of the imperfections of freedom, and the limitations of government intervention.
The article discusses how personal political philosophy is influenced by how individuals relate to their larger community. It highlights that conservatives view the individual as the prime movers, while liberals see the collective as the prime movers. The article also highlights the differences in political views across different countries, such as the United States, Britain, and Europe, which are influenced by differing perspectives on individual freedom and social solidarity.
There is no one truth about anything. Everything is filtered.
The author expresses frustration over the perceived ostracization of Christian Democrats, who are often assumed to be Republicans in many churches. They argue that theological conservatism and political/social conservatism are separate concepts, and that their Democratic party affiliation does not necessarily mean they agree with all aspects of the Democratic Party. The author emphasizes that their political opinions are based on discernment, not agreement with all aspects of a situation.
The article discusses the politics of getting re-elected, highlighting how politicians respond to incentives and often act against their better judgment. It explains that politicians need the support of their party, a lot of money, and the support of their constituents to take actions that influence their actions while in office. The article also highlights the role of special interests and pork barrel politics in influencing politicians’ actions.
The author, a liberal, expresses his frustration with political commentators, particularly Bill O’Reilly, Glenn Beck, Keith Olbermann, and Rachel Maddow, for their influence on the polarization of opinion and the predictability of leading cable news channels. He criticizes these commentators for their divisive behavior, their lack of empathy, and their tendency to take one side or the other, regardless of the merits. The author questions why society has surrendered its opinions to these commentators, despite acknowledging that their sides are not always right.
The author expresses skepticism about the ability of the human race to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, despite the overwhelming evidence suggesting it is caused by human activities. They suggest that the most efficient approach may be to accept climate change and adapt to its effects, rather than trying to reduce emissions. The author acknowledges the need for global cooperation to address the issue, but concludes that this is unlikely to happen.
The author expresses frustration over people praising or condemning the Supreme Court for its decisions, arguing that the Court should be blamed for its interpretation of the Constitution. They argue that the Court should not be allowed to think for itself, and that taking sides with or against the Court is an admission that the Court fails in its central role of impartial interpretation. The author suggests that if this is the case, the Court should be abolished.
The author argues that it’s disingenuous to attribute the welfare of the country at a specific time to the sitting president, due to the complexity and slow-moving nature of the U.S. economy. They argue that the U.S economy is likely the second most complex in the world, with numerous potential inputs, processes, and outputs, which make direct correlation impossible. The author questions whether four or eight years of a presidential administration is enough for a president to enact policies that have a significant effect on the U.S economic, and suggests that the economy is not as nimble and immediate as people like to believe.
The document discusses the concept of marriage as a contract, a romance, and a spiritual institution, and suggests that over the next 20 years, the government may decentralize its focus to the contractual, legal aspect of marriage, possibly replacing it with “civil unions” or “domestic partnerships.” This shift would strip away the romantic and spiritual aspects of marriage, leaving it more in the hands of individuals and their churches. The author acknowledges that this shift may disappoint some, but predicts that it will eventually lead to the legalization of gay marriage in all states.
The Republican party has emerged as the “Christian” party in politics, possibly since the 1960s, as the public face of American religion turned right and political allegiances and religious observance became more aligned. This shift occurred as issues like abortion and homosexuality became more prominent on the national political agenda, and church attendance became the primary dividing line between Republicans and Democrats. The article suggests that the change occurred in 1964 when the Republican convention decided to become the Christian party to take control of the country, and that being a Democrat is often equated with being “Godless”.
The author expresses concern over the process of passing the health care bill in Congress, arguing that 51% of votes is insufficient for such a significant legislation. They compare the situation to a church hiring a new pastor, where a church would proceed with a two-thirds majority if a third of the congregation disagreed with the choice. The author criticizes the Democrats for pushing the bill through, citing the Republicans’ obstruction and the Democrats’ belief that this is their only chance to pass it.
The article discusses the importance of political labels such as “conservative” and “liberal” for politicians to get elected. It explains that voters prefer to categorize things easily and want to know how a politician will handle future issues, which is why they prefer a political party to an individual candidate. The article also highlights the difficulty of non-aligned candidates getting elected due to the difficulty in identifying with their own philosophy.
The article argues that any meaningful debt reduction plan must include cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, which currently make up 41% of federal spending. It also mentions that defense should be included in this discussion, as foreign aid and wasteful government regulations will not significantly reduce the deficit. However, the article notes that significant majorities of Americans, across all age groups and ideologies, oppose significant cuts to these programs, indicating that taxes will likely rise.
The author suggests that the U.S. economy requires a significant number of Americans to be irresponsible with their money, as their irresponsible spending helps keep the economy functioning. They argue that if these Americans were to become more responsible with their money, the economy would collapse. The author suggests that if the wealthy were to pay more in taxes, it might be better for them to do so, as it would allow the middle and lower class to continue their irresponsible behavior.