Reason To Love Urban Dictionary

[Netpackrat]

But it really all comes back to people who think that, because they think something is a good idea, that they then have the right to coerce some other poor bastards to pay for it. That's the kind of soft headed rot that's gotten us all so thoroughly fucked.

^^ That. That. A thousand times, THAT.

If it's such a spanking-good idea, get Warren Buffet or George Soros to pay for it, or the minions at the weekly meeting of the Do-Gooders Society can hold a car wash and bake sale. (I notice that Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, George Clooney, and Matt Damon aren't giving anything to the point of living in their cars yet either.)

Otherwise, fuck off and leave everyone else alone.
As originally designed.

Just the fact that Greg, Aesop, and I are all on the same page here, should be enough to cause you to re-evaluate your contrary belief.

[Yogimus]

Oh I think you are correct on the principle, but the message should reflect that.

[Kommander]

Well from what I understand this forum is severely lacking in trained PR types so this is not really suprising. Some people are good at convincing others, some are good at getting the base excited, and others are best used when the other side will no longer listen to reason.

[HTRN]

While we're wishing, how about world peace and a good two-dollar cigar.

They exist. They take some research to find but..

I happen to have a source for Daniel Mosers, which cost me a buck fifty a stick.

[First Shirt]

If it hasn't happened by ten years from now, I'll either be pleasantly astonished, or wearing a number in a re-education camp.

You, and a bunch of others, including most of the members here, I'd wager.

[Weetabix]

I agree. As you mentioned, those types of programs are a good investment. A thriving society is like a rising tide - it floats all the boats. I can kind of ignore the "gunpoint" aspect of that one because a) I'd donate to it anyway because I think it's a good idea, and b) I don't think we can escape some "gunpoint" items. It's that equilibrium thing Chris mentioned.

So you don't mind the gunpoint, so long as the result is good? Think that one through. Really.

Well... I said I could ignore it. Let's think that through a bit. I sign on to a constitutional republic, which started as a protest against taxation without representation. So, I have accepted taxation with representation. What does this constitutional republic do, when it taxes with representation, and every mofo with an anarchist, "don't coerce me to pay for something someone else thought was a good idea" attitude says, "Leave me the f**k alone"?

An "investment" like Mark's case may produce good results. There is still absolutely NO justification for the government to be doing it. There's also the matter that the government is absolutely unsuited to run such a program, for various unfixable structural reasons. The occasional success is essentially an accident.

But it really all comes back to people who think that, because they think something is a good idea, that they then have the right to coerce some other poor bastards to pay for it. That's the kind of soft headed rot that's gotten us all so thoroughly fucked.

The Constitution is a lovely piece of minarchism and it was created that way for any number of very good reasons. Just one of them, is that any "gunpoint", any amount of any kind, is, you know *bad*, and so best avoided. Just because a certain very minimal amount of it has been proven necessary to avoid worse, doesn't suddenly open the floodgates to using "gunpoint" to fund any random pet project. Seriously.

Let's consider this:

Section 8 - Powers of Congress

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; ...

Through what do they enforce that power? Ultimately a gun, right? I don't like it. But I can ignore it because, as a wise, but cranky, bastard said, "a certain very minimal amount of it has been proven necessary to avoid worse."

I'd think you'd know by now, I'm not an 'open the floodgates to using "gunpoint" to fund any random pet project' kind of guy. Seriously.

I was responding to Mark's idea for a better use of money than harmfully wasteful use of money.

[Aesop]

The best use of any money under any system is to keep it out of the hands of the government at all costs.

Once one allows their minions to thrust both hands in your pockets in quest of your cash for some illusory greater good, you're pretty much SOL when they instead decide to start playing pocket pool with your family jewels, or simply grab you by the short hairs to lead you around.

Arguing otherwise in reference to occasional good acts is like authorizing government to sanitize the schoolyard, and then complaining when they use napalm to do it, during recess.

[Weetabix]

So, pitch the whole shootin' match and every man for himself? Hoist the Jolly Roger and start slitting throats?

[Kommander]

So, pitch the whole shootin' match and every man for himself? Hoist the Jolly Roger and start slitting throats?

Well you did get your official gun counter assless chaps didn't you?

[Aesop]

So, pitch the whole shootin' match and every man for himself? Hoist the Jolly Roger and start slitting throats?

False dilemma.

Better choice.