Marxism

Hate to rain on your parade Buz but most Islamic countries are the antithesis of socialist-minded culture(s) (with exception of perhaps Syria ). They are mainly theocracies, dictatorships or monachies which are bound to Islamic Law (Sharia).What is amazing is that you and other Christian extremists push for the US to be a theocracy which is exactly what many of the most notorious Islamic countries institute (i.e. Iran) and which have some of the most extreme, intollerant and oppresive regimes on the globe.If you are going to make ridiculous prophecies at least back them up with a little knowledge.

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One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous. - Carl Sagan, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection"You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep seated need to believe." - Carl Sagan"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World

Hmm, you don't think ensuring equitable and adequate health care for all human beings can be derived from the statement above?Edited by DevilsAdvocate, : No reason given.

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One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous. - Carl Sagan, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection"You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep seated need to believe." - Carl Sagan"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World

Ok, I can accept that. Can you define what you mean by "direct welfare" and where this applies i.e. concrete examples.Also, we the people are in essense the government. We determine what kind of government we want to be governed by and who represents our interests. Therefore when you say that people "steal from the government" in essense we are stealing from ourselves are we not?As far as I knew we were still a constitutional democratic republic in which we choose our elected representatives. If you do not like how we are spending our money than by all means elect representatives that you think reflect your values and encourage others to do likewise.

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One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous. - Carl Sagan, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection"You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep seated need to believe." - Carl Sagan"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World

I guess I have yet to hear her explain in detail what this "stealing" actually is. All I have heard are generalities i.e. "direct welfare", whatever that means.

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One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous. - Carl Sagan, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection"You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep seated need to believe." - Carl Sagan"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World

You have yet to provide any concrete examples of this occurring. Please I am all ears. Provide an in-depth analysis of just one example of this occurring. How does this occur? How do you know whether money comes back into the system or not. For example, let us take welfare. How do you know that these very same individuals who receive welfare benefits do not later because of the benefits of the system, prosper and put money back into the system.Sure there are abuses. There are abuses with EVERY government system in the world. The problem is with the equitable (the same across the board) enforcement of rules and guidelines not usually with the rules and guidelines themselves. This happens because we are human and are subjective and emotional in our decision-making process. Does that mean we stop providing aid and support to people and regions of the world in desperate need?If you do not like the way this money is spent than you have several choices:a. you can elect new representatives that support your views
b. you can move to another country that provides a lot less welfare programs Because many of us do not call this stealing, we call it taxation which funds our government (local, state and federal) and to fund programs (many of which are funded by the State as well as Federally) which better American society. Than God and Jesus were theives because they both commanded "redistribution of wealth".

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One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous. - Carl Sagan, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection"You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep seated need to believe." - Carl Sagan"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World

But we do expect something in exchange for welfare:a. US citizen or legal resident w/ SSN
b. work requirements i.e. applying for jobs, etc (per state requirements)
c. educational requirements i.e. going to college, etc (per state requirements)etc.Do I think the welfare system get abused. Of course. But I look at the benefits (getting people to a point where they can sustain themselves) vs the costs (people abusing the system) and the benefits more times than naught outweighs the costs.BTW, TYPING IN BOLD AND ALL CAPITOL LETTERS DOES NOTHING TO GET YOUR POINT ACROSS, IT JUST MAKES YOU LOOK IMMATURE, IRRATIONAL AND HAVE NO CONTROL OVER YOUR EMOTIONS.Hope this helps.Edited by DevilsAdvocate, : No reason given.Edited by DevilsAdvocate, : No reason given.

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One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous. - Carl Sagan, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection"You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep seated need to believe." - Carl Sagan"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World

So all these million dollars we pay to countries in Africa like Ugaunda to help reduce the number of people dying of AIDS and maltruition including tens of millions of children, according to your philosophy we should cut this monetary aid off since there is no direct exchange of services involved. Correct?Literaly, tens of millions of innocent children and adults will die as a result of your worldview.Thank God you don't run the country.

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One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous. - Carl Sagan, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection"You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep seated need to believe." - Carl Sagan"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World

The problem is that we do not define this as stealing whereas you do. Why? Because most of us understand where our money goes and who it helps. Why would we be calling it stealing if we know where it is going. We are the ones that elect the representatives who determine where this money goes. If we don't like where this money goes than we elect someone else who represents our views. This is what is called a constitutional democratic republic government system. Is it perfect? No, but it works and has one of the best success stories of any government on the planet.The question is, regardless of what you call it, stealing, etc. Are you going to push for stoping this aid, foreign or domestic, because you think it is immoral ? And why would helping other people less fortunate than ourselves be immoral in the first place?????? Is it not stated in your own Bible that God expects us to help our neighbor aka the Golden Rule. Even the Israelites instuted a form of welfare at the command of God:

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One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous. - Carl Sagan, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection"You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep seated need to believe." - Carl Sagan"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World

You got to be fucking kidding me! You are receiving federal aid and SS and you have the fucking gaul to say that the government is stealing money from the people to give it to, get this, hypocrites like you!!You are the epitome of hypocracy Faith.I am not really suprised since my uncle, an avid listener and worshiper of Rush Loudmouth and Crazy Beck, denounces welfare and government assistance while at the same time he is a recepient of SS and other types of federal and state aid.I have just resigned myself that people like you are: Edited by DevilsAdvocate, : No reason given.

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One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous. - Carl Sagan, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection"You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep seated need to believe." - Carl Sagan"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World

And what have you paid in Faith to receive HUD subsidies? Is that not a form of welfare??

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One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous. - Carl Sagan, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection"You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep seated need to believe." - Carl Sagan"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World

How long did you work to before you started receiving SS? I can almost guarantee the amount you get from SS is probably more than what you put in, unless you have been working full time for more than 20 years.

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One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous. - Carl Sagan, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection"You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep seated need to believe." - Carl Sagan"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World

It is the government which is giving you HUD and SS money to you, probably more than what you ever put into the system.

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One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous. - Carl Sagan, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection"You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep seated need to believe." - Carl Sagan"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World

Now I am thinking you are:a. a troll
b. a delusional schizophrenicYou deride the government for "stealing" money from honest tax payers (aka people like me) to give to "non-deserving" people like you. Your irrationality astounds me.

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One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous. - Carl Sagan, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection"You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep seated need to believe." - Carl Sagan"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World

Than stop taking HUD and SS money and move somewhere that does not have welfare systems i.e. Saudi Arabia.Edited by DevilsAdvocate, : No reason given.

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One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous. - Carl Sagan, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection"You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep seated need to believe." - Carl Sagan"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World

It was a joke. You have to quit taking yourself so seriously.Honestly I am a pretty nice guy (at least my 5 year old daughter and my wife thinks so . I just think you take this way to the extreme and it makes you look nuts.I have no idea who you are or what type of person you are. We only see a limited perspective of your persona. People on the intranet are going to take you at face value.If you want to discuss this rationally than you need to slow down and think about what you are actually saying before going ape-shit on here with your ALL CAPITOLS, which amounts to screaming.Seriously, this is just a discussion board. Nothing to get bent out of shape about.Edited by DevilsAdvocate, : No reason given.