Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
This morning I was awoken by my alarm clock powered by electricity generated by the public power monopoly regulated by the US department of energy. I then took a shower in the clean water provided by the municipal water utility. After that, I turned on the TV to one of the FCC regulated channels to see what the national weather service of the national oceanographic and atmospheric administration determined the weather was going to be like using satellites designed, built, and launched by the national aeronautics and space administration. I watched this while eating my breakfast of US department of agriculture inspected food and taking the drugs which have been determined as safe by the food and drug administration.
At the appropriate time as regulated by the US congress and kept accurate by the national institute of standards and technology and the US naval observatory, I get into my national highway traffic safety administration approved automobile and set out to work on the roads build by the local, state, and federal departments of transportation, possibly stopping to purchase additional fuel of a quality level determined by the environmental protection agency, using legal tender issued by the federal reserve bank. On the way out the door I deposit any mail I have to be sent out via the US postal service and drop the kids off at the public school.
After spending another day not being maimed or killed at work thanks to the workplace regulations imposed by the department of labor and the occupational safety and health administration, enjoying another two meals which again do not kill me because of the USDA, I drive my NHTSA car back home on the DOT roads, to my house which has not burned down in my absence because of the state and local building codes and fire marshal's inspection, and which has not been plundered of all it's valuables thanks to the local police department.
I then log on to the internet which was developed by the defense advanced research projects administration and post on freerepublic.com and fox news forums about how SOCIALISM in medicine is BAD because the government can't do anything right.
And before half lifes depended on government to control or regulate everything described in your OP, we as a society were the most innovative and fastest developing nation on the planet. We were able to provide a positive budget, while government provided the defense necessary for us to continue our capitalistic free trade. We had a solid middle class and a hard working populace which was paid fair wages in a competitive market.What happened since then?
And before half lifes depended on government to control or regulate everything described in your OP, we as a society were the most innovative and fastest developing nation on the planet. We were able to provide a positive budget, while government provided the defense necessary for us to continue our capitalistic free trade. We had a solid middle class and a hard working populace which was paid fair wages in a competitive market.What happened since then?
Well, what you're talking about happened as recently as 10 years ago and didn't really have anything to do with government interference.
Under Clinton we were the epicenter of innovation and development with regard to the Internet and the entire IT industry. Hopefully, with the steady leadership of Obama, we can be the epicenter of the renewable energy industry in much the same way.
Also, in the 1940s, government comprised over 30% of GDP. Today it's around 6%. So, let's be careful about celebrating some mythical "free market" era.
Only in America do we stand on a publicly funded sidewalk, outside the social security office and complain about government "taking over our lives."
And there you are using a computer made by a corporation, posting on a privately owned website, wearing clothes made for profit, and acting like people think there are some things the government sucks at are fools.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcarlilesiu
And before half lifes depended on government to control or regulate everything described in your OP, we as a society were the most innovative and fastest developing nation on the planet. We were able to provide a positive budget, while government provided the defense necessary for us to continue our capitalistic free trade. We had a solid middle class and a hard working populace which was paid fair wages in a competitive market.What happened since then?
To be fair, much of the 30s-80s were more regulated than it is now and government controlled a larger percentage of the GDP. Although this was mostly in regards to things such as labor laws, zoning laws, and finance regulation, so there has been a net improvement in many regards.
However, my main concern is not so much regulation per se, but rather what is being regulated. The f--kers who want to regulated pro sports, sugar, tobacco, video games, and so on anger me a lot more than someone who wants to restructure banking laws.
Last edited by Reads2MUCH; 01-01-2010 at 10:13 PM..
Reason: edited for deleted material
Only in America do we stand on a publicly funded sidewalk, outside the social security office and complain about government "taking over our lives." Stoopid teabaggers.
That was sooo funny.
If you would just think about what you posted.
Publicly funded sidewalks are mandated by the town or municipality in which one lives. (Operative word "mandated") In fact I just had sidewalks replaced a few years ago... and guess what!? I was assessed for the repairs, IT'S ON MY TAX BILL! I paid for it!
Social Security (mandated)! Does anybody ever have a chance to refuse to participate in this forced TAXATION?
So I'll complain as much and as often as I want to, regarding Gov't intrusion into my life....thank you very much!
Margaret Thatcher, the great conservative PM of England is quoted as saying,"The trouble with Socialism is that eventually you run out of Other Peoples Money"!
Last edited by Reads2MUCH; 01-01-2010 at 10:14 PM..
Reason: edited for deleted material
Well, what you're talking about happened as recently as 10 years ago and didn't really have anything to do with government interference.
Under Clinton we were the epicenter of innovation and development with regard to the Internet and the entire IT industry. Hopefully, with the steady leadership of Obama, we can be the epicenter of the renewable energy industry in much the same way.
Also, in the 1940s, government comprised over 30% of GDP. Today it's around 6%. So, let's be careful about celebrating some mythical "free market" era.
Your cherry-picking history and "liberal effect and cause", doesn't work for me.
Maybe it's just my distaste for the "cause and effect" of the NAZI's (National Socialist Party...) during WWII
Well, what you're talking about happened as recently as 10 years ago and didn't really have anything to do with government interference.
Under Clinton we were the epicenter of innovation and development with regard to the Internet and the entire IT industry. Hopefully, with the steady leadership of Obama, we can be the epicenter of the renewable energy industry in much the same way.
Also, in the 1940s, government comprised over 30% of GDP. Today it's around 6%. So, let's be careful about celebrating some mythical "free market" era.
LOL @ you talking about the size of government while our country was engaged in the largest military engagement in our countries small history.
Ok, I can do this too.
In 1944, with all of this massive spending by our government, how did our per capita GDP look? It wasn't good. This must be evidence that a large central government didn't work and hurt the economy. Right?
And there you are using a computer made by a corporation, posting on a privately owned website, wearing clothes made for profit, and acting like people think there are some things the government sucks at are fools.
Awesome.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
