Hi, I was looking for a free reverse cell phone directory site, and came across yours. very nice, thanx!
"The problem arises for libertarians when they are compelled by force to support, with their tax dollars, things they do not support."
What I want to know is how could anyone other than a clueless teenager even type such a load of crap?
Please, please explain to me your fantasy government where only the stuff you support is funded by your tax dollars.
Jeebus.
go ahead, brian, enter the arena of political discourse!
the inefficiency and waste that attends government expenditure
This is really a myth promoted by tax regressives and small government phonies like Grover Norquist. And before you bring up the $600 toilet seats, that was crooked contracters, operating under a "free market" modality, and cheating everyone of us. Bastards.
Of course I am painting with a broad brush, but libertarianism always seems to be without a real definition:
First off, libertarianism does not preclude all government-provided services. National defence is an example of a service that even the most fanatic libertarian reserves for the state. Many libertarians don't have a problem with public safety services (strictly defined) provided by the state.
What exactly are the services deemed acceptable, and those unnecessary or intrusive?
There is really no litmus test that makes any sense that I have seen.
The problem arises for libertarians when they are compelled by force to support, with their tax dollars, things they do not support.
Welcome to life. I don't support SDI aka 'Star Wars' or the war in Iraq; what choice do I have? Taxes, while wildly misused by all administrations, simply can't be voluntary. Too many people wouldn't pay their fair share, thus cheating everyonme who felt obliged to cough up the dough.
Libertarianism still seems to me to be selfish and juvenile: I want what I want, when I want it, and don;t bother me with any responsibility.
While I do appreciate your appreciation of the LAFD, the fact of the matter is that you would have heaped praise on ANYBODY who would have shown up in your time of need. In this case it was the state-funded LAFD.
Your simple-minded criticism of libertarianism is misguided and off the mark.
First off, libertarianism does not preclude all government-provided services. National defence is an example of a service that even the most fanatic libertarian reserves for the state. Many libertarians don't have a problem with public safety services (strictly defined) provided by the state.
The problem arises for libertarians when they are compelled by force to support, with their tax dollars, things they do not support. Combine that with the inefficiency and waste that attends government expenditure, and you have the formula for classic libertarian angst.
If you take more than a superficial look at libertarianism, you may find that you have more common cause than you realize.
Ultimately it's about releasing people's energy, resources and ingenuity to create the best solution to their problems. Clearly, it's not about allowing someone's house to burn down when it can be prevented.
That is sooooo neat. I mean the comment from your/our Fire Dept...not the incident that brought them to your house.
Isn't that the most frightening event, the start of a fire in or near your home, I lived through it too, once.
Terrific post, Steve.
Steve:
Please accept our apolgies for any perceived delay in our arrival to your incident the other morning. As you know, there were hundreds of responses for your Fire Department that night, and often the closest unit was committed to another emergency, causing Firefighters to be dynamically deployed from Neighborhoods across the City.
While we can't enter the arena of political discourse, please rest assured that the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department will do everything in their power to remain worthy of your respect and praise.
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
LAFD Home Page: www.lafd.org
LAFD News Blog: www.lafd.org/blog.htm
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