Well Phil you are certainly entitled to your opinions as am I.
I believe the forces of government are far more benign than you might, that is clear.
Originally Posted by Bartman1963
Indeed. When people are asked what sort of group has been responsible for most deaths throughout human history, a common response is religion. My answer is governments (although,
sometimes the two can overlap).
Mr Jacksons race is only important given the context, the discussion of whether or not he believes in slavery and or theft as a positive, and would advocate for such. I believe that stating a black American in Congress is in favor of slavery and theft to be outlandish, specious and yes Orwellian.
Originally Posted by Bartman1963
"Orwellian" would be more like ignorance is strength, war is peace, doublethink, etc. To claim that a black man advocating labor without compensation is not endorsing a
form of slavery, and using his race as evidence against such, does not classify as Orwellian. If anything, it's ironic. His race is completely irrelevant to me, our nation's history notwithstanding.
I would argue that receiving an education is a necessity. Not a right one is born with, but certainly one that our country needs us to have and to use. In so far that many "rights" we have are born of necessity (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness to name a few) I would say there is a adequate, no, better than adequate argument to be made that education is indeed a right. One that should not be infringed.
Originally Posted by Bartman1963
I wouldn't argue that education is a necessity per se. People will receive both education and training simply by living (Often times, training is more economically rewarding than education). Furthermore, schools are not the only venue to receive education. I do believe people have the right to pursue education. In American history, some slaves were forbidden to learn to read and write; that was wrong. However, if people expect to receive education for "free," then someone along the line must labor without just compensation. A person doesn't have the right to make another person teach them; they don't have the right to make a writer produce a textbook; they don't have the right to make a person labor in order to pay for these things via taxation.
I won't bother arguing over whether or not you think such services should be provided by the government, as that is pointless. I do ask you to acknowledge that people
will have to labor without compensation to provide these things, no matter how noble or needed they may seem. This is not opinion, it is fact. The opinion is whether or not the end justifies the means.
There are excellent examples of ignorance and immorality among our politicians of both parties. I totally agree with you.
Originally Posted by Bartman1963
Amen. Most people just want to use the government to dictate to others according to their values. My position is that people shouldn't have the right to dictate to others. Lest someone say that is by my values, my position is the absence of force, rather than the initiation of force.
As to whether or not he is a fool...well...he is young, very idealistic, and is in search of a way to get a sound byte on the evening news. Some politicians are willing to say foolish things in order to get on the air. Apparently he is one of them.
Originally Posted by Bartman1963
I still say it's foolish, but it's not like he's the only one.
Lastly...really? You wrote papers while drinking? That makes me laugh because I am reminded of the "Family Guy" episode where Peter could play the piano really well, but only while buzzed, or outright drunk.
Originally Posted by Bartman1963
State dependency. That's why some people play pool better after having some beers, so long as they don't drink too many. There's a peak.