Serious Politicals Discussions and stuff

[stacer]

I think the question has not been "what would you do if you were running for president," but rather, "what would you like to hear from the candidates about their policies?" I personally would like to hear that myself, from the candidates, like Brenna was talking about. I hear a lot of "I didn't vote for the Patriot Act" in ads around here because it's a very liberal area. Which makes you wonder, given Mustard's citation of the 99 to 1 Senate vote.

Personally, I struggle with who to vote for because I rarely hear anything of substance from anyone in the running, Republican or Democrat. From Bush, it's campaign stumping disguised as State of the Union, from Democrats it's "I'm not Bush." Partly it's my own inherent laziness; I'm sure I could look up their policies and figure it out. Part is also the nature of party politics. Sometimes I consider myself a Democrat, sometimes a Republican. I don't agree completely with either party's platforms, and I tend to vote on issues, when I've made myself become informed about them.

[GorgonlaVacaTremendo]

I agree one hundred percent.  I would like to hear aout some policies that involve getting troops out of Iraq and letting them solve their own problems.  I would also like to hear some qualities that are moral.  Like, give equal tax breaks to the little people, and, how bout we don't invade countries if we don't have to without the UN.  I would like to hear some policies that involve winning our friends respect back as well.

[Gemm: Rock & Roll Star; Born to Rock]

Right SE. Except if I were to run, I would never mention that. I know people wouldn't understand, at least ordinary everyday commonplace folk. Instead I'll take topics that are currently being bashed upon and what not. Like health care systems, and military policies, and the occasional tax plans. Also  maybe some sort of reconstruction acts for cities that could use it. Like Buffalo, which I believe, just keeps putting itself in the hole.

Then, then once I am elected, Operation Supreme Business Venture wil be put into place. See, I know what I'm doing.

[GorgonlaVacaTremendo]

I think we could also use universal heath care, that is once we get ourselves out of the hole.  I think nany venture or buisness that makes over a billion dolars a year, like microsoft, should give ten percent of the profit to the government.  There's no reason anybody needs that much profit.  It's insane.

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

sounds awfully socialist. Don't think it'll fly here. Things like universal health care and such cost a LOT of money, which drives taxes up, for everyone. Meaning even the poor people it was intended to help.

Not that I particularly favor it, but just for the record, the fact that those businesses make that much money IS good for a lot of people (which is why they get tax breaks, not just because they have buddies, though that's part of it too). A company makes a huge profit, it tends to pay its employees more (so it can retain them -  recruiting is a huge expense with only a very distant recoup on it - and so it can have the more skilled people in the field). Those employees and the company then spend and invest in other places and companies. Driving stock values and profits up, which means that more employees are getting paid more, perpetuating the cycle.

At least, that's the theory. it's not just a decision to give someone's buddy a break, it's because it helps the economy as a whole, which is good for everyone.

[Onion of Death]

I don't believe entirely free health care would end up working in the end. It is a good idea, but the actual implementing of it would be a very tough thing to do.

However, I still don't like the idea of some poor kid not getting a heart transplant, or something like that, just because he can't fork over $500,000 for the doctor to get a new Porsche.

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

I guess I just don't like over simplifying with you, for while I agree with the sentiment, remember that the huge expense of an operation like that covers the removal of the heart in the first place, at a facillity capable of doing so without damaging the heart, the transportation costs (which can add up FAST since it has to be RIGHT AWAY and usually involves high speeds of travel in air planes or helicopter), the storage (which also has to be more than just a cooler with ice in it), the assistants, the facillities to perform the operation, the tools, the drugs. All of which are significantly non-trivial amounts. (yes, I'm aware that last sentence had an amusing redundancy).

[Onion of Death]

I was just giving a heart transplant as an example of an operation that costs a lot of money. I didn't mean to say that it's easy or cheap to perform.

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

I know. Like I said, I agree with the sentiment, but it was an over simplification, and i'm compulsive to the point of not being able to leave it at that.

[GorgonlaVacaTremendo]

Driving stock values and profits up

I have heard another theory.  It is called overspeculation.  If you go back in history every fall in the economy is started by an overspeculation of something.  In the early days it was shipping, then land, then railroads and buisness, and today it is the stock market.  

Now I am probably putting myself out on the line here by saying I don't think high stocks are a good thing.  If we could keeps stocks on an average which is slightly higher, or better yet at, than what would today be considered a decent price.   This would cause the buying of stocks to be less frequent, but frequent enough to keep the market from crashing (or as is my theory).  This would stop overspeculation, in the stock market anyway, and prevent another depression and/or recession.  The only problem is keeping stupid people from overinvesting in other things.

Of coarse, this would come across extremely anti-american so would be a horrible thing to try and do at one time.  But over time if we keep companies from making to much profit this can be acheived.

Of coarse, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong...

Gorgon the Wonder Cow

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

actually, the problem I see with that is that companies are then not encouraged to improve things so they can make more money and be more valuable. Resulting in the higher wages I mentioned earlier.

[GorgonlaVacaTremendo]

THERE IS NO SOLUTION!!

[Entsuropi]

Oh goody. Caps lock abuse as well.

[JP Dogberry]

NO NEED TO SHOUT, WE CAN HEAR YOU FINE!

Anyway, I do think that medical etc. could be subsidised if, y'know, they spent less money on weapons, but I suppose killing people is far more important than saving them. The Earth *is* overpopulated.

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

Entropy, really, you're over reacting. It was four words. And it's not like he has a pattern of it. Chill, and give him a chance.