Originally Posted By RoadTrip Where are the Republican Answers? They have controlled the White House and Congress for that past five years, yet it seems that they have been completely unable to solve the many problems facing this nation. Polls consistently show that the nation thinks the country is headed in the wrong direction. The people have looked at the Bush Administration's plans for Social Security and Tax Reform and answered with a resounding NO WAY! The "Licans" (Republican equivalent of "libs") keep saying how the Democrats have no ideas, no plan. Show me a Republican plan or idea that the majority of the people in this country have not REJECTED! Thank God the Licans are a dieing breed. They have had five years and accomplished absolutely nothing. The American people have opened their eyes and seen the truth. The Licans have no idea what the average American wants, and worse yet, they don't even seem to care. Come 2006 people will wonder how the Licans ever came to a position of power in this country in the first place. Thank God they now know enough to keep it from ever happening again.
Originally Posted By friendofdd I agree with much of what you say. However, I also agree that the opposition party has presented no usable plan. Sadly, I don't know what the answer is to improve our situation. The same old, same old with the two entrenched parties, consisting mostly of rascals, will continue us down this road we've been on for decades.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<50 years vs. 5 years.......yeah, that's fair.>> Yes, it IS FAIR. That is the great Lican myth... that they haven't had a chance to influence the direction of this country for the past 50 years. Guess again Bunkie... the Licans have held the Presidency for 30 of the last 50 years. That's 60 percent of the time for those of you who can't do math. During this period of time the Democrats have controlled the White House and Congress for eight years, and the Republicans have controlled the White House and Congress for eight years. So quit drinking the Kool-Aid guys... the Licans have had MORE INFLUENCE over the past 50 years than the Democrats have. You don't like how things have been going? Vote DEMOCRAT!!! You think my stats are wrong? Look it up. I would LOVE some Lican to check me on my facts.
Originally Posted By planodisney Sorry to dissapoint you Roadtrip, but I am not dead, nor many like me. Licans? That is pretty funny!!! I dont know what that is, but if it is someone who doesnt believe in redistribution of wealth through a slave tax, who believes that we must deal forcefully with terrorists no matter what Europe and American liberals say, who believes that the modern liberal party has been hijacked by left wing social groups pushing our country into a morally bankrupt state, who believes that abortion on demand, without a young teenage girl having to notify her parents of a dangerous medical procedure is wrong, who believes that the policies of of the democratic party over the last40 years have enslaved the African American inner city citizens to a life of poverty, who believes that America IS good and almost always stands on high moral ground, and isnt an evil colonial empire like many from your party constantly shout, and who believes that allowing a guy to have a freeking Bible study class in his dorm room at college, even though he is an RA, is perfectly fine and not the downfall of the constitution, then I guess I am that person who you wish was dead. PROUDLY!!!!!!!!!!
Originally Posted By StillThePassHolder It occurs to me that there seems to be more dissent when one party controls both the presidency and Congress. What we need is for one party to have the presidency, the other Congress, and then we'd at least some moderation and compromise around here, rather than what we've got now.
Originally Posted By itsme So we have one party with bad ideas, and the other with no ideas. Go back through time and it would probaly always be whoever controls has the bad and the minority has none. Politics/politicians are like jumbo shrimp, its a word that doesnt really make sense.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I dont know what that is, but if it is someone who doesnt believe in redistribution of wealth through a slave tax, who believes that we must deal forcefully with terrorists no matter what Europe and American liberals say, who believes that the modern liberal party has been hijacked by left wing social groups pushing our country into a morally bankrupt state...>> Yes, that is what you believe. I am pretty well aware of that. But what are Republicans going to do to change things? How are they going to change society to eliminate the demand for abortions? Sure, you can make them illegal but that won't eliminate them. Only eliminating the demand for them will do that. How do Republicans propose to do that? You say that Democratic policies have enslaved inner city Blacks to a life of poverty. Republicans ALWAYS say that. It is not true. LBJ's Great Society programs served to reduce Black poverty in America from 55.1% in 1959 to 22.7% in 2001. That is NOT failure. What do Republicans plan to do to improve on that? Republicans always talk about what they BELIEVE. Fine. What are they going to DO? <<Licans? That is pretty funny!!!>> You like that huh? Me too. I decided that if I had to listen to "lib" and "socialist" all the time there needed to be a catchword for the other side. I like Licans. I also decided that after months (years) of reading WE posts about how the Democrats have no ideas and are a dying party, I'd put the shoe on the other foot. Talk is cheap. It is easy to make bold and confident accusations and then let the other side sit back and squirm. The Democrats have let the Licans shape the debate for too long now. They must go on the offensive. The Democrats are accused of having failed policies. That is just not true. FDR's New Deal and LBJ's Great Society were both tremendous successes in reducing poverty in this country and providing greater opportunities for all. Democrats should stand up and show how their policies have NOT failed, that in fact they have advanced America like no other body of legislation has. Please... tell me what Republican effort in the last 100 years has had the impact that those two programs had. I eagerly await the Lican response.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer Road Trip, the GOP does have ideas. They generally revolve around giving more to those who already have more and giving less to those who already have less. Who cares about blacks in the inner city? They don't have any ideas on how to reduce poverty because they don't think it's a problem. The crime rate is a problem, but not poverty. It doesn't affect them. They just want to reduce the amount of welfare money being paid out, but they don't care if poverty is eliminated. The tax dollars spent on poverty are the problem, not poverty itself. Their entire economic and political plan is based on the consolidation of wealth and power.
Originally Posted By planodisney I disagree with you on New Deal and Great Society!! I think that wellfare reform passed by congress and signed byClinton has has a HUGE impact on getting people off of wellfare and into jobs. Look at the percentage and number of minorities who have home ownership under this administration. I think alot of that has to do with getting people off of wellfare and out of poverty. Hey, I am with you RoadTrip on put up or shut up, but you have to admit that Democrats are a stumbling block to almost every republican idea. Social Security Investment accounts would revolutionise Social Security, but the Democrats, instead of being concerned about what is best for the nation, take the route of scarring people to score some political points. Doesnt Britain already have the investment accounts to a great success? I dont think that ONE party has a monopoly on all of the good ideas, I just agree with the Republican phylosophy on government and disagree with the Democrats who want us to look for ma and pa government for all of the answers to lifes problems. Anyway, maybe you should patten that whole Licon thing, it might work out big for you!
Originally Posted By patrickegan The stumbling block with socialism is the parasitic segment of the given society.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer I think the wealthy who draw significant benefits while not paying back into a community are also parasites. They, like the poor, draw their sustenance from the middle class.
Originally Posted By patrickegan I hear this nonsense all the time, put your money were your mouth is and move to the ghetto. With your commitment to your fellow man you can show the underprivileged firsthand what education and hard work can bring.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer >>I hear this nonsense all the time, put your money were your mouth is and move to the ghetto.<< So poor Americans only live in the ghetto? >>With your commitment to your fellow man you can show the underprivileged firsthand what education and hard work can bring.<< I think it's also important to show them that they aren't forgotten and they aren't trash.
Originally Posted By patrickegan So poor Americans only live in the ghetto? No, but a lot do. “I think it's also important to show them that they aren't forgotten and they aren't trash.†How do you do that, by telling them there not smart/good enough to make it without a handout or a special program? I have the Republican answer, quit whining and get a job! People come here from overseas with the disadvantages of little formal education and speaking very little or no English. They start businesses and send their children to college to get educated. The undeniable fact is that if you’re willing to work hard you can make it in America! People ride inner-tubes across the open ocean for a chance to live a good life in this country.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer >>I have the Republican answer, quit whining and get a job! << So if you are in a position to hire someone, you'll choose the former welfare recipient over the person who already has a job, right?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I have the Republican answer, quit whining and get a job!>> I'm sure they would love to. They just need: 1) A livable minimum wage so they can earn more than their childcare costs. or 2) Subsidized childcare and healthcare so they can provide for their family at the current minimum wage. If you come through with either of those I think you would see the number of people on welfare drop dramatically. Are YOU willing to put your (tax) money where your mouth is? Over the long-term childcare and healthcare subsidies until a person has been in the workforce long enough to learn a living wage are a whole lot cheaper than long-term welfare and incarceration costs.
