New Orleans rebuilding request...something to think about

Simple math plus Census data | Aug. 23, 2006 | Unknown

[Uncle Sham]

"Is it your position that there should be no man made barriers or protections against nature anywhere? No seawalls on the coast? No dams to hold back water? No barriers or walls of any kind to hold back landslides or rockslides? Just blow em all and let nature take it's course?"

He's simply saying that he knows everything, that's all. River rat and Joan Kerry are smarter than us. They would never live someplace that is threatrened by nature such as San Francisco to earthquakes, or Sacramento which is surrounded by levees protecting the entire city from spring floods. They are smart. We are dumb. Live with it.

[WatchOutForSnakes]

Hey Uncle Sham! Good to hear from you. I wondered if you were still around. Gets frustrating doesn't it?

[econjack]

I disagree. First, I didn't give willingly. I gave because, if I didn't, I'd get some all-expenses paid vacation in a federal prison. Second, if you read the constitution or related book (e.g., An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution by E. Cary Brown, or something similar) you'll find that there are no provisions in it that allow for the federal government to be in the insurance, banking, loan, postal, energy or a host of other businesses. Assuming this is a republic of laws, I feel the federal gov't has stepped into areas where it doesn't belong and, hence, I reserve my right to complain about it.

[Uncle Sham]

You had better get ready for the truth. The truth is that all of us are being robbed left and right by an uncontrollable monster called the U.S. government. It's not going to change one bit, regardless of how you feel about "your" money or how I feel about "my" money. Get used to it, or be prepared to take heart pills for the rest of your life. Remember, once they've stolen it from you, it isn't "yours" ever again.

[Uncle Sham]

I don't frustrate easy but some of these posters really do push the limits. Don't let em get to you. Our lives are bigger than this forum. :-)

[econjack]

First, there are responsibilities of the federal gov't that deserve public support...things economists call social overhead capital; often those things the private market cannot, will not, or should not provide (e.g., national defense, a legal system, etc.) I don't mind paying for those. It's where the federal gov't infringes on those things the private sector can provide that makes me think the federal gov't oversteps its bounds.

Second, I refuse to think that I am disenfranchised from the Republic and its processes. While you and I may be "a lone voice in the wilderness", each of us can voice dissent and collectively have an impact...I believe that. I think the Fair Tax proposal and its discussion is evidence of that. To say: "It's not going to change one bit" is to give up without trying...something I'm loathe to do and I hope others feel the same. Perhaps, someday, you, too, will change your mind.

[Uncle Sham]

"Perhaps, someday, you, too, will change your mind."

I did. I used to be just like you. The constitution is toilet paper, don't you understand? They take it out now and then to make you feel warm and cozy, then they ignore that it even exist.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Post #15 totally nailed it

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Moving all the jews in Israel to Wisconsin or Montana would also fix the mid-east crisis. And attaching wings to frogs would prevent their asses from hitting the ground when they jumped. And placing everyone with HIV on the moon would cure the AIDS crisis.

Wow, strawman arguments. I'm impressed!

[econjack]

I used to be just like you.

No, I really don't think so, or you wouldn't have given up. But then, I don't think you have given up, either. Otherwise, why would you be posting on this site?