WHAT DO YOU THINK OUR GOVERMENT SHOULD BE DOING??

Myway sent me this link overnight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfz2XDXaeqc

quote:

Originally posted by unabashed

i think taking care of the good ol USA problems before medaling in other world crap...

Regarding the original question that asked about acting in other parts of the world while our own house is not in order ...

The answer is both nuanced, and somewhere in the middle.
I have a whole lengthy rant about what a problem tiny-minded "black & white" thinking creates, but I'll spare us for the moment.

Consider just these 2 aspects of our interaction with the rest of the world that are related to this:
(point #1 being positive for acting around the world ... point #2 being positive for directing our energies toward things here at home)

1) In international relations ... "Hard Power" verses "Soft Power" ... and our government's current near total lack of interest in, or use of, soft power ... and the ridiculous mess that *not* having our thumbs in other countries pies by using soft power, has gotten us into.

2) Strictly, the financial cost of the war.
Take even just half of the amount we're spending on the war, and consider what we could be doing with that money!

So, what could we be doing with half a Trillion dollars??????
... infrastructure like bridges (ahem) ... a massive revitalization of the country's public education system ... working to defeat substance abuse ... medical research on cancer and other diseases ... firmly establishing alternative energy in this country ... butressing the Social Security system ... securing our southern border ... the list is absolutely enormous.
It's enough to make you cry.
(As if things weren't already)

Like I say, neither yes nor no ... neither black nor white.

Sonny, the problem isn't what COULD they do with that money, but rather what they WOULD do with it. There's plenty of money to do all the noble things you suggest, but that's not what congress does. Instead, they build bridges to nowhere, they grab as much pork as possible for their own districts, and hold out their grubby hands for ever more money.

quote:

Originally posted by UncleVic

Myway sent me this link overnight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfz2XDXaeqc

Uncle Vic,
Thank You for Sharing. I sent this to everyone on my contact list. I hope everyone else did also.

quote:

Originally posted by Poverty Pete

Sonny, the problem isn't what COULD they do with that money, but rather what they WOULD do with it. There's plenty of money to do all the noble things you suggest, but that's not what congress does. Instead, they build bridges to nowhere, they grab as much pork as possible for their own districts, and hold out their grubby hands for ever more money.

That's certainly a reality, Pete.
Actually, what we could be doing with the money pre-supposes that our government could even get out of its own way and *approve* the use of funds for those other societal needs.

In realistic terms ... whether we are spending a Trillion dollars on the war, or on domestic programs ... with those sums we are "writing checks" on our grandchildren that they will not be able to pay.

Admittedly, in the administration of such wide reaching programs there is going to be some pork and waste that slips thru the net ... but as none of those items I listed (public education etc) are "nickle and dime" stuff, there would hopefully be less room for tacking on nonsense to the appropriations.

quote:

Originally posted by Poverty Pete

Sonny, the problem isn't what COULD they do with that money, but rather what they WOULD do with it. There's plenty of money to do all the noble things you suggest, but that's not what congress does. Instead, they build bridges to nowhere, they grab as much pork as possible for their own districts, and hold out their grubby hands for ever more money.

Reminds me of a joke sent to me the other day from a local Republican politician (for the record, I am an independent)....some of you, try not to take too much offense (you know who you are.)

The Differences Between Conservative & Liberal politicians:

A simple lesson illustrating the difference between the two parties.

Mitt Romney and Hillary were walking down the street when they came to a homeless person.

The Republican, Mitt Romney, gave the homeless person his business card and told him to come to his office for a job. He then took $20 out of his pocket and gave it to the homeless person.

Hillary was very impressed, so when they came to another homeless person, she decided to help. She walked over to the homeless person and gave him directions to the welfare office. She then reached into Romney's pocket and got out $20. She kept $15 for her administrative fees and gave the homeless person $5.

Now, do you understand the difference?

Unabashed,
YOU STARTED THIS!
You're like the kid who starts a fight and then backs out and let's everyone else duke it out!

quote:

Originally posted by Foodbme

Unabashed,
YOU STARTED THIS!
You're like the kid who starts a fight and then backs out and let's everyone else duke it out!

I'm not sure of his intentions (other than getting spirited discussion going), I know you mean it figuratively Foodme ;-) ...but I don't really think this qualifies as a fight.

quote:

Originally posted by Sonny Funzio

quote:

Originally posted by Foodbme

Unabashed,
YOU STARTED THIS!
You're like the kid who starts a fight and then backs out and let's everyone else duke it out!

I'm not sure of his intentions (other than getting spirited discussion going), I know you mean it figuratively Foodme ;-) ...but I don't really think this qualifies as a fight.

Yeh! Figuratively, that's it! A SPIRITED Debate!

I removed some posts from this thread.

If you're emotions won't allow you to be impartial my suggestion is don't post in political threads. I (or other moderators) may continue to remove posts as we monitor this thread.

The thread starter was posing a question about OUR govt. and specific actions you believe they should undertake.

Not your personal feelings tempered by political leanings.

I don't give a rats backside how you vote or how you "feel" about representation at any level.

But the rules of this forum will be maintained.






Now...carry on.

More removed...

We tried.

Nuff said.