Quote:
Originally Posted by Excaliber
You know, some of my friends think I'm pretty nuts for helping some of the folks I do. The only reason I bring it up here is to illustrate some points. Generally speaking, most folks are uncomfortable talking about it.
But charities can only do so much. Some of these problems have to be addressed on a National scale, as troubling as that is.
I clearly see the parallels between Rome and the USA as put forth in that film Tom posted. I to worry that we will become out of balance, do TO much. You could make a strong case we have all ready reached that point and are moving beyond it.
However, we need to hear opposing views to find that balance point. Because most of the Lounge is hard right, I feel compelled to offer that opposing view, hard left. But to tell you the truth, sometimes I have hard time believing some of what I post as well. 
Checks and balances, that is the game. |
You asked earlier, what social programs would you throw out. Simple, ALL that have no strings attached. From time to time people do need help. When they do, The Government can help in COORDINATION with charities and churches. But HELP, not lifetime, no strings attached, SUPPORT, like we have now. A RESCUE program not a way of life. Help in a limited way and for a limited time. Today we have millions that receive free health care [odd isn't it] They receive food, clothing and shelter, and money and in exchange they have to contribute NOTHING. In fact its one of the insane liberal laws that says we cannot require the leeches to put forth an effort in their own behalf. It supposedly 'demeans' them. What is truly demeaning is supporting a grown adult for life. At the very least their support should have the requirement that they get educated as a MUST. Not just attend schooling but achieve minimum standards. Demanding, but much more likely for them to learn to support themselves, WITH PRIDE, than any Gov. unlimited, lifetime support program. And WORK, those "jobs Americans won't do," can be done by those sucking on the Gov. teat.
Social Security could be set up to reflect the actual return on the money invested. All it takes is computor power and we have that. Each year each worker would get a report on how much they , personally, have contributed and how much its grown. Then they'd KNOW, they will need more to live on. The original idea was for SS to be a help, not the total retirement. The reports could be biannual or even quarterly, increasing the pressure for all to provide better for themselves. The reports could extrapolate to retirement time and show the income expected according to the mortality tables.
Big Government providing, weakens everything about us personally and our society, and our way of life.
Can the US self destruct? GM was once the worlds largest company.
More auto related, in the 50's, one shock absorber company enjoyed well above 90% of the total shock business in the US. By the 70's one of those little companies that was sharing the little market the big company left, had grown to the point that their profit exceeded the total sales volume of the "former" large company.
As it happens to companies, it can happen to nations that ignore reality.