Marxism

I am glad to see that evidence of the good use of some of what I pay in taxes.If I look around the world for places where the government does not provide social services, then I see dysfunctional societies such as Haiti (even before the earthquake it was dysfunctional).If I were living in that kind of dysfunctional society, then I would be earning far less income than I earn now.As I see it, the kind of society we live in, one that provides the kind of HUD assistance you are getting, it seems to me that I personally benefit from that. If I take my income, subtract what I pay for taxes, then what is left is still substantially more than I could have earned in the kind of society that does not provide such support systems.Not only is tax not stealing from me, it is enriching me by virtue of the kind of society that we have because of those taxes and the support systems they provide.

Yep I'm the worst human being who ever lived. I agree.

Faith can't see the forest. All she sees are some of the trees, and moral absolutes.

Well I don't stop because I have no way of making more money and I'd be out on the street, basically the same argument you all make except that I don't let my own circumstances define the moral reality of stealing, which the government is doing no matter what anybody's circumstances. I'm glad there is help available. I wish the system were different.

Then stop. No-one's forcing you to do it. If you think that it's immoral, then here's the good news --- it's not compulsory. Just stop.But no, you don't stop. You denounce it on internet forums. I have to ask --- if you were thrown on your own resources, instead of taking money out of the pockets of the sort of people who are arguing with you --- would you be able to afford an internet connection? It seems to me that that's something of a luxury. Which you are paying for on our dime.

It was a joke. You have to quit taking yourself so seriously.Honestly I am a pretty nice guy (at least my 5 year old daughter and my wife thinks so . I just think you take this way to the extreme and it makes you look nuts.I have no idea who you are or what type of person you are. We only see a limited perspective of your persona. People on the intranet are going to take you at face value.If you want to discuss this rationally than you need to slow down and think about what you are actually saying before going ape-shit on here with your ALL CAPITOLS, which amounts to screaming.Seriously, this is just a discussion board. Nothing to get bent out of shape about.Edited by DevilsAdvocate, : No reason given.

I had the internet out of my own earnings well before I got HUD help, which I've only had since late 2007

No, you just profit from something which you believe that according to the dictates of "moral reality" is a crime.But at least you're not like us. We give you money, and, so evil and depraved are we, we think that that's a good thing. Whereas you take our money, but you are morally superior to us because you think that we're depraved and corrupt for giving it to you. We're in favor of "stealing" ... from ourselves ... whereas you are merely profiting by it.You're a saint.If only I was as saintly as you, then I too could mooch off people while denouncing them as evil for giving me their money. It sounds like a cushy life.Edited by Dr Adequate, : No reason given.

On this not I have to carry my sleeping 5 year old up to bed. Good night all.Good night Faith.Honestly I wish you the best of luck and hope you can learn to appreciate how good we have it in this country.Having traveled to over 20 countries I think many of us American's act like spoiled brats and act like the world revolves around us (myself included). I encourage everyone to be active in your community, learn about other cultures and travel. It really will open your eyes to how previlidged many of us really are compared to some people on this planet.Take care and good night.

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One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous. - Carl Sagan, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection"You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep seated need to believe." - Carl Sagan"It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World

I sure can't care how "nuts" I look around here.Oh "just a discussion board," no.

Yes, you are correct.I do my best to point out to Faith that the forest is there, though I think it mainly falls on deaf ears.I have heard the same sort of argument from many different people. It is something I commonly hear from people who declare themselves libertarians. I guess I should read Ayn Rand some time to see where they are getting these crazy ideas.They seem to have very simplistic notions about the economy and how it works. They seem to think that taxation is stealing their money. Yet their money, by itself is just worthless ink marks on worthless paper. What gives value to their money is the kind of society that stands behind that money. When they attempt to destroy that society, they unwittingly attempt to destroy what they think they themselves own.

That doesn't actually answer my question.Let me put it more plainly.If you had to pay for everything out of your own pocket, would you have an internet connection?

Evidently that is indeed amongst the least of your concerns.

I hate Ayn Rand.Actually I just think she's a lousy writer.Edited by Faith, : No reason given.

I don't claim to know anything about the economy, it's all a huge mystery to me.But stealing is stealing. That's all I've said.I'm sorry I'm in a position where I have to participate in the stealing.