Oldshooter
The left thinks the right is misguided. The right thinks the left is misguided.
We all like to think we're on the correct side
That's the nature of partisan politics - I think the republican party represents big business and I will not vote for big business.
There's a lot of room for agreement though. Liberals and conservatives can agree on things.
As to being a liberal gunowner/hunter
To half of the gunowners, guns are the means and symbolism of freedom and defense.
To the other half, they own guns because they hunt. It's an interest in pursuiting game that's important, not the gun itself. If they didn't hunt, they probably wouldn't own a gun.
I fall into the second half. That's a rarity to see that large section of gunowners on hunting forums simply because they're just not that into it. They shoot 1-2 times a year and hunt maybe 3 days a year. Me, I shoot only enough to confirm the gun's zero and hunt just about every weekend (we have a summer squirrel season here in missouri).
That's all I'm going to say about that topic --- I'm done with that.
The terms like "enemy combatants" come about because of the legal ramifiations of international law in regards to war because we are in their countries fighting an organized enemy. We are in a war and Geneva should apply in my opinion.
The present admin do call terrorists terrorists. Again, certain statements are so twisted to make the left (and right) look stupid when that accusation is simply not true...
Cabin4
No, I don't argue the math at all.
I don't think we're paying too much tax though. Middle income earners are paying about the right amount and those in certain situations have plenty of chances at deductions and credits. Would I like to lower them - yes. We can start with getting rid of the tax breaks for the rich and reverse it. Going back to oldshooter, that's the difference between the two parties. One wants tax breaks for the rich, one wants tax breaks for the middle class.
Compared to the rest of the world, we aren't paying too much taxes though. One could argue the world as a whole pays too much taxes, fair enough.
I agree the role of government is the primary debate we're having.
Should the government control heathcare - yes because the private section has raped patients for far too long (beyond the premium upfront prices). Will this involve raising taxes, probably, but not anymore than what most are paying in premiums now.
Should we have social security despite most companies offering some type of retirement plan - yes
Should we have unemployment benefits - yes and we should hope we never have to use it (I'll agree there's much reform needed in this system)
Should the government bail out struggling companies - in general, no.
I think the stimulas bills were needed despite the waste by both sides (obvouisly we both wish wastefull spending isn't happening).
In general, if a company does something stupid they should just go out of business. In the case of banks and the auto industry in 2008-2009, I think the bail out was needed. If certain industries fail, the destruction caused will be too much to overcome. We were very close to that and I'm not sure we're out of the woods yet.
But no, as a general practice we should not be bailing out companies.
As I have said several times, both parties enjoy pissing away money on pork and pet projects. I'm in favor of publically funding elections - when it comes right down to it, it should cut pork spending tremendously because I don't owe you any favors because you donated X dollars to my campaign.
There is much reform needed here; I think you'll agree with that.
Finally, the federal deficit has to be brought down. Hopefully the bulk of the bailouts are over; I think they are. As I said, I think they were needed and may still be needed. When the storm is over, we should begin the long step to balance the deficit.