Warszawa wrote:

TomatoPie wrote:

Grotewold wrote:TP just out of curiosity has your view on Republican economic principles changed?

Not much. I'm still very much a free market conservative. I think the minimum wage is a harmful canard that hurts the people it's designed to help. I prefer less regulation and the notion of a 70% marginal income tax rate is simply a tool for class warfare. I still think government programs need better design to help citizens become self-sufficient rather than depend on a government check.

I was on the fence about the Trumpy tax cut. It's good to cut business tax rates because that makes us more competitive with other nations. I do believe that grows the economy. I was against cutting tax rates for the richest Americans. There is an optimal rate of taxation that best balances growth and tax revenues. It's above where we are now but it's below 50% marginal rate at the top.

Having said that, I've softened on some issues, most notably health care. While I still think Free Market WIthout Government Interference would provide optimal health care at the lowest cost for 85% of Americans (and free/subsidized health care for the other 15%), I can't see it ever happening. Even though it's government dollars driving the health care cost spiral (just as it's doing to college tuition), I'd be fine with a "Medicare for all" approach. It's suboptimal but better than the current mess.

And I've long been libertarian-liberal on most social issues.

I will be voting for Democrats unless it's Bernie v Kasich or something similar. I will be voting for Democrats until the ugly racism of Trump is washed out of the GOP, which means I'll be voting Democrat for the rest of my life.

What Trump did was to expose the GOP. I truly felt - like Max Boot - that most conservative principles are the best path to prosperity for all Americans. Now I see - including in lifelong friends - that they embrace the GOP out of greed and racism.

I’m ok with class warfare

jamiethekiller wrote:TP, do you think people can ever become self sufficient when they're trying to dig out of a hole(economic, systemic, etc..)

Among other suggestions, the Coast Guard Support Program's "Managing your finances during a furlough" pamphlet suggested that service members pick up a babysitting gig, hold a garage sale and serve as a "mystery shopper."

“While it may be uncomfortable to deal with the hard facts, it’s best to avoid the 'hide your head in the sand’ reaction," the sheet said. "Stay in charge of the situation by getting a clear understanding of what’s happening.”

TomatoPie wrote:

jamiethekiller wrote:TP, do you think people can ever become self sufficient when they're trying to dig out of a hole(economic, systemic, etc..)

Yes.

Upward mobility was more common in America before the Great Society.

I do believe in social safety nets. I do believe that we have a collective responsibility to take care of those who cannot - for whatever reason - provide for themselves. But I also think we've too often robbed the poorest Americans of the incentives to break out of the cycle of poverty, and we've created a sense of entitlement that spans all income levels.

thephan wrote:

Among other suggestions, the Coast Guard Support Program's "Managing your finances during a furlough" pamphlet suggested that service members pick up a babysitting gig, hold a garage sale and serve as a "mystery shopper."

“While it may be uncomfortable to deal with the hard facts, it’s best to avoid the 'hide your head in the sand’ reaction," the sheet said. "Stay in charge of the situation by getting a clear understanding of what’s happening.”

Honestly though this was like The Onion.

TheHill wrote:Fox affiliate Q13 in Seattle fired a staffer who the station says doctored a video of President Trump

The video shown on the station's newscast made it appear as if Trump was sticking his tongue out while delivering a speech on the government shutdown. The video was also manipulated to make the president's skin and hair appear more orange.

Soren wrote:Have you ever been, lived or worked with people who are in that cycle of poverty? They aren't stuck in it because of government incentives, they're stuck in it because they have no access to means to improve their situation.

Soren wrote:

TomatoPie wrote:

jamiethekiller wrote:TP, do you think people can ever become self sufficient when they're trying to dig out of a hole(economic, systemic, etc..)

Yes.

Upward mobility was more common in America before the Great Society.

I do believe in social safety nets. I do believe that we have a collective responsibility to take care of those who cannot - for whatever reason - provide for themselves. But I also think we've too often robbed the poorest Americans of the incentives to break out of the cycle of poverty, and we've created a sense of entitlement that spans all income levels.

Have you ever been, lived or worked with people who are in that cycle of poverty? They aren't stuck in it because of government incentives, they're stuck in it because they have no access to means to improve their situation.

Grotewold wrote:

Soren wrote:Have you ever been, lived or worked with people who are in that cycle of poverty? They aren't stuck in it because of government incentives, they're stuck in it because they have no access to means to improve their situation.

And what is to blame for the escalating inequality and bottoming out of the middle class?

Regulation?

slugsrbad wrote:Beto is a weirdo. He’s instagramming a dental cleaning.

The Sarge wrote:

slugsrbad wrote:Beto is a weirdo. He’s instagramming a dental cleaning.

Did he have any cavities?

The Sarge wrote:Encouraging kids to go to the dentist?