Are We Separated by an Abyss
Obviously as a Conservative I am familiar with that viewpoints goals and methods of completion. I would really like to just pose a series of questions and ask Liberals for some of their suggestions as to solutions for these issues. Again, I know well what Conservatives want to do and their manner of achieving these goals, so I will not represent any point-of-view. I am just going to pose the questions. No tricks, no leading questions, no "So, do you still beat your wife?" type stuff. Just honest questions so maybe we can begin to talk to each other and cease our screeching in each other's direction.
For the purposes of brevity we cannot address social issues. I believe we should address economy, taxes, energy, foreign policy and defense in this discussion.
Here we go:
Economy - How do we continue to grow it at the present status of low interest rates, low inflation and high employment? Is there some as yet un-tried measure that would distribute income across a wider arc while maintaining solid growth? How can we help the less fortunate be less so without an income re-distribution model that has negative growth?
Taxes - Considering the fact that government receipts go up as tax rates go down, how do we further increase government income? History shows the budget is never cut, only the rates of growth are cut. We must continue to increase revenue without raising tax burdens. Is a flat tax or national sales tax a better system?
Energy - Should an event of global import occur that drastically raises world oil prices, should we tap and pump our own oil as much as practicable? Can we afford to incentivize energy alternatives? If so, how?
Foreign Policy - Should the UN remain? If so, do they have the legal authority to order "actions" in certain situations? If they should have such authority, how should such measures be implemented? Can they authorize force, and if so how is it determined who will provide needed forces? Should we remove our forces from the sovereign territory of other nations?
Defense - Should we reduce our global military footprint? Is "defense only " an acceptable and successful military posture? Is preempting a reasonable doctrine? Is a draft a reasonable answer to readiness and economic fairness in who serves in the military?
I think the above list is sufficient to get the ball rolling. Ideally EVERY Liberal should weigh in on this. Use the comments section to address one or all of them as you see fit. If you have to post 5 separate comments, by all means, I would love that much input. Regardless of the answers received, the more who participate, the better. More folks replying means more dialogue, and that's a good thing. Thanks to all who join the discussion.
Published by Snidely Whiplash
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13 Comments
Post a CommentDeez, sorry to hear about the company, but as you have been a union worker, you obviously forgot that your union forced auto makers to provide unsustainable benefits packages, which the makers had to add to the cost of producing cars. In other words they passed those costs to us, the consumer. Retirement packages for these auto workers were like something a ceo would get. It nearly bankrupted GM. I work for a GE company and if and when I retire from here, I wont get nearly the money and continued benefits that auto workers got. Anyway I think unions suck, they have run its course, as in F.I.S.T.(remember?) Now I consider them an extortion organization.
Mr. Deez. Your economic outlook is flawed. On the one you are saying we need better paying jobs across the board, then on the other hand you say we can't compete with china. Do you know why we can't compete with china? It's because we are pricing ourselves right out of the curve. Our unions have artificially inflated labor rates. Check out the auto industry. There are people making $25 per hour to install 2 screws on a tail light, while in china a worker gets .25cents to make sneakers. Minimum wage jobs are not meant to be career moves, only as additional income or a stepping stone to better paying jobs, and while I'll admit some of your answers were good, but I would hardly consider you a conservative.
Oh, and one more, Mark...if we did adopt a no tariff, no quotas, no exceptions trade policy (as we are on the way to doing) the only thing that will still be made in America in five yaers will be BigMacs. Hong Kong was worked becuase it has been the gateway from China and the east to the west and its markets. We don't have the manufacturing or the labor pool to compete at that level any more.
If Alaska was "drilled drilled drilled" it equals a one year U.S. supply - not really a problem solver, just a moneymaker for oil companies. SL..I mean Don..what's up? As for me, I'm one liberal always ready to - oh, what's a good metaphor..climb the mountain of neo-con ignorance to shed the light of liberal truth on all who will bask in it..Oh, and for the U.N...it prevented a world war over Korea, possibly another of the Suez Canal, stopped genocide in the Balkans and put those fractured states on the way to a good future, I could go on..
Economy: We should adopt Hong Kong's view of trade - no tariffs, no quotas, no exceptions.
Taxes: FairTax Now!
Oil: Alaska - Drill, Drill, Dril!!!
Foreign Policy: UN is a joke. If it were a funny joke, that'd be OK, but...
Defense: No draft. Don't need anybody who doesn't wanna be there. Takes brains and fortitude.
Good Job, Jim! You, too, Deez. It's really hard to get a liberal into a serious debate. It must be rough for them to defend the indefensible.
Good Job, Jim! You, too, Deez. It's really hard to get a liberal into a serious debate. It must be rough for them to defend the indefensible.
I just stumbled across this site. Interesting stuff. I'll be back.
The liberal silence is almost deaffening, isn't it?
Great article and excellent questions for comparison!