[quote=pri_dk][quote=bearishgurl]pri_dk, I’d just like to ask you a couple of $64M questions. Of course, you are free to choose to answer them . . . or not.
1. Are you against “big government” and all their “socialist programs” i.e. health and human services, etc?[/quote]
In general, no. And you know this. I actually am a strong believer in basic economic safety nets. But more for humanitarian reasons than for economic ones. They serve a humanitarian purpose, but come at a cost. And one of those costs is that they limit innovation. But I believe that committing a small portion of our resources toward protecting the needy is a worthwhile trade.
I also believe in strong government regulation for the purposes of consumer safety, environmental protections, etc.
But I am completely opposed to any system where the majority of economic activity and the allocation of capital is controlled by government bureaucrats.
In short, I actually understand the difference between socialism and capitalism, just like everyone else here that has a basic grasp of world history and economics.
[quote]2. Have you or any member of your immediate family ever benefited from any Federal or State programs at little or no cost to you??[/quote]
That’s an idiotic question. We all benefit from the government and we all pay taxes. I benefit, but I pay the costs as well.
Well, I did get a scholarship from the US Army “at no cost to me” – well except for those summers I spent crawling around in tick-infested woods of North Carolina and jumping out of airplanes in 100 degree Georgia heat or winter weekends spent freezing in the woods…
So are all government employees receiving their entire salary “at no cost to them?”
And now that you know about my “free ride,” how does this information alter the facts of this debate, or any debate, in any way?
[quote]I’ve been wondering this for awhile now …..[/quote]
Keep wondering, and don’t lose hope. Maybe someday you’ll get some ammunition to use on personal attacks against me or my family.
Although you do represent the bottom of the barrel for the Piggs, there’s always a chance that you’ll be able to lower the bar even further.
I have no doubt you’ll keep trying.[/quote]
Yes, I DO “know this,” pri_dk. I have no reason to “attack” you but I do find most of your posts about your perception of the role of all levels of government in all our lives (and its employees who make it function) to be somewhat disingenuous.
Ahem … your answer is trailing off, here. This makes we now want to ask you the $128M questions.
pri_dk wrote on March 8, 2012 – 11:58am.:
…The reason I have so much time during the day is that I choose to end my career early so that I could take care of my severely disabled son….
3. pri_dk, was your son disabled all or most of his life, and if so, who, besides his parents, have assisted him throughout his life? As you know, there are several public “safety nets” in place at all levels of government to assist “severely disabled” children and adults.
In other words, has your son received any public special education, rehabilitative services, speech therapy, transportation services, day school, medical equipment and/or devices, etc, over the years which cost your family little or nothing and/or was NOT covered by a private insurance plan? Does he receive social security benefits? If so, has he ever paid any FICA into the “system?”
4. If yes to any of the above, do you think any of the “bureaucrats” who rendered services to your son over the years have been “innovative” with him while he was in their class/care and also deserving of their pensions after 30 yrs of faithful service?
Help me find my way out of the “bottom of the barrel,” pri_dk, and shed some light on why you feel as you do about government’s role in society and the value of its employees. Inquiring minds want to know :=]
