Why is Orange County Still Republican? (Lincoln: health insurance, find a job, pharmacy)

[happ]

America elected a dumb man to lead our nation for 8 yrs & now we reap\ weep the harvest [a bankrupt U.S. weakened & depleted] thanks to Republicans. And that is why the GOP is dead in California

[CMartel2]

Originally Posted by happ

America elected a dumb man to lead our nation for 8 yrs & now we reap\ weep the harvest [a bankrupt U.S. weakened & depleted] thanks to Republicans. And that is why the GOP is dead in California

Um, the Democrats were right there voting for the spending increases along with the moderate Republicans in Congress. And further, the President has precious little to do with the national budget, which is set by Congress. He could veto it or sign it. That's it. See Artile I, Section 9 of the US Constitution about that one.

The President does produce a budget and suggestions for the perusal of Congress (see the Budget and Accounting Act), but in every year I can remember, Congress exceeded that budget quite easily, including 2007 and 2008, under the Democrat-controlled Congress.

We also see the lovely Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, which definitely lead to more massive budgets and deficits. We may thank which political party for that one? Hint: Nixon was in office when it was passed--the intent being to limit his powers.

And as for being weakened and depleted, seems to me it's hard to talk about that as a reason for the death of the GOP given the nation's worst budget problem in California with the current little deficit the state has... Seems like Tom McClintock would have been a heck of a better choice of governor than Awhnold. As would a Republican controlled legislature.

But what do I know? For the record, I'm not a big Bush fan. The man didn't fulfill the other side of being an economic conservative, and that would be to reign in spending. One of the reasons I wanted the GOP represented by Mitt Romney in 08, but so it goes...

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by sean283

But, I am highly liberal/democratic.

Not exactly. You're a highly liberal democrat.

There's nothing democratic about taking my money that I worked hard to earn and giving it to those who didn't.

[BRinSM]

just remember that part of the reason why the good ole US is such a great place to live is because of the fact that the government helps out the poor. all you have to do is visit a country in central america to see what the us would look like without any kind of social welfare programs. yes it sucks that some of the money i work for goes to people who didn't earn it, but i'll take that over living in a 3rd world country.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

i'll take that over living in a 3rd world country.

I've lived in three of them; four if I count Santa Monica.

I have no problem helping out others in need through no fault of their own. I do, however, draw the line at those who break our laws then expect a hand-out and consume services we are paying for.

[youngmoney]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

just remember that part of the reason why the good ole US is such a great place to live is because of the fact that the government helps out the poor. all you have to do is visit a country in central america to see what the us would look like without any kind of social welfare programs. yes it sucks that some of the money i work for goes to people who didn't earn it, but i'll take that over living in a 3rd world country.

The reason why countries become rich is NOT because they steal from the rich. It is because the countries operate under two of the most powerful forces known to man; freedom and fairness. Freedom is important because it allows one to do anything they want. If they want to be rich they can work for it. This is where fairness comes in. Fairness is the level playing ground. I don't care if you are BLACK, WHITE, BROWN, Muslim, or Buddhist! Rich or Poor! Everyone has an opportunity to succeed. That (in my opinion) is what has made America the greatest nation on Earth!

[nickdahammer]

This handout talk reminds me of the Chrysler VP who told a reporter he is having trouble adjusting to things like waiting in line at the airport for a flight in coach; or not having someone to drive him around. Wasn't it George Putnam who said 'there's more than enough hypocrisy to go around'?

What I object to is Congress 'mis-allocating' (sounds like something Bush would say) my money away from infrastructure improvements, OSHA, education, Veterans Affairs, and on and on. I think the last 8 years has demonstrated that a loyal opposition is vital if we are going to make any progress or make anyone's standard of living improve. The Dems dropped the ball. I hope the Reps don't do the same.

[AnUnidentifiedMale]

Originally Posted by youngmoney

The reason why countries become rich is NOT because they steal from the rich. It is because the countries operate under two of the most powerful forces known to man; freedom and fairness. Freedom is important because it allows one to do anything they want. If they want to be rich they can work for it. This is where fairness comes in. Fairness is the level playing ground. I don't care if you are BLACK, WHITE, BROWN, Muslim, or Buddhist! Rich or Poor! Everyone has an opportunity to succeed.

Under a pure capitalist system, there will be poor people. It's important to at least have a social and economic safety net for those who can't make it on their own. No one's getting rich off of welfare.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by AnUnidentifiedMale

No one's getting rich off of welfare.

Yes, a safety net is important and you're quiter right, most aren't getting rich on welfare, per se, but plenty have become wealthy providing them services or cheating or abusing the system. Meanwhile, it's all contributed to the economic woes our country faces.

[AnUnidentifiedMale]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Yes, a safety net is important and you're quiter right, most aren't getting rich on welfare, per se, but plenty have become wealthy providing them services or cheating or abusing the system. Meanwhile, it's all contributed to the economic woes our country faces.

I'll take the loss on welfare cheaters over the Iraq War any day. I wonder how much is really lost from abusing the welfare system versus the money that has been spent on wars over the last few years.