[rabscuttle385]

For too long, both liberals and too many conservatives have attempted to impose on people the government's standards of what is best for them rather than leaving them to their own decisions, merely because those decisions may be mistaken. That is the real legacy of the welfare state as expanded by President Obama and as it has been practiced on a bipartisan basis for the last half century or more: We are, quite simply, less free.

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[IronJack]

those of us who believe in freedom must believe also in the freedom of individuals to make their own mistakes.

Can't be said often or loudly enough.

Paternalism is prison.

[loveliberty2]

Chu's "We are taking away a choice . . . ." violates the very foundations of the Constitution's prohibitions on government power and its protection of the inalienable rights of individuals.

"Our legislators are not sufficiently apprized of the rightful limits of their power; that their true office is to declare and enforce only our natural rights and duties, and to take none of them from us." - Thomas Jefferson, 1816

"No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another; and this is all from which the laws ought to restrain him." - Thomas Jefferson, 1816

[seowulf]

Social Security may or may not be a Ponzi scheme, but it prevents people — especially poor people — from saving and investing for their own retirement in ways that would allow them to build real, inheritable wealth.

Well, that certainly furthers one of the planks of the Communist Manifesto which is, I believe, that there should be no inheritable wealth.

[American in Israel]

I actually see a more sinister effort in the light bulb decree. We here in America cannot make our own light bulbs because it uses the dreaded mercury. The Permits, fees and environmental shackles on anybody that wanted to make compact florescent bulbs makes it an impossibility.

Our incandescent factories are closed by law so China can make the bulbs that are a toxic clean up if they break.

Is this not spread the wealth politics in action? We loose our manufacturing to overseas not because they can build the widget cheaper or better but because we are only allowed to build widgets AND pay fees, environmental reports, taxes and permits. Our Government adds so much additional hidden taxes that the paperwork cost more than the widget does. America is only allowed to participate in the free trade market battle with both our hands tied behind our backs.

So also on the other end, in material supply. We are not allowed to use our own coal or oil, we are forced to buy it internationally. This causes a massive capitol shift to pay for imports and breaks the bank at home. I believe that America is being bled dry on purpose to fulfill the progressive vision of share the wealth internationally, not by incompetent laws, and fools but by very carefully crafted and excused laws, and treason.

[rockinqsranch]

bflr

[ridesthemiles]

Thank you for the reminder to go out & buy more regular bulbs before they can no longer be sold at the end of this year. The curly bulbs give me a headache instantly.