Quote:We've been debating post employment benefits, there's a difference. Fringe benefits can only be distributed through socialist programs, that doesn't make them good or bad, it's just simply the only way to distribute revenue for no longer employed individuals. Now some people take offense when pointing out that a good portion of society is dependent on socialist programs one way or another but that doesn't change reality.

 

You could build an argument that all payments from government are a form of social redistribution, I'm not making that argument however. My point was to CSO that the programs he was complaining about being cut hurt his ability to argue we've spent to much on government programs.

 

It all boils down to this really, everyone is ok with cutting back government UNTIL it's coming out of their pocket. If you're really for reducing government that means across the board, reducing the military, privatizing public services such as the post office, eduction, healthcare, lending branches for government employees, insurance programs for government employees, municipal services and so on. 

 

Problem is conservatives support social programs for the military, police and national defense. Liberals support social programs for welfare, education and the enviroment. Then all government does is grow.

 

Have at it, I've said my peace, enjoy the Socialist States of America! Just don't cry about Obama's socialist policy if your not willing to first recognize your own socialist preferences.

 

You haven't offered a solution to these problems. You have only said that everything should be minimized. 

 

If you reduce the military, who will replace their services? If a country attacks us? Draft? I know you're against that. Mercenaries that hold no allegiance? Roman did that and desertion was partly the reason they were unable to defend themselves later on. Do you expect dozens of randomly contracted companies to defend the US, at the last possible moment, and in coordination to adequately defend the county? 

 

I have arguments for police, fire fighters, and even animal control, but I'm not sure you'll even entertain the idea. 

 

Government work has always been for the benefits. The benefits aren't even that good. The salaries have never been good, with the exception of a very small percentage of people. If these same people do what you want them to do, they'd make an incredible amount of money and you'd still complain about how much you pay when you need them. Not everyone does it for the money, Eric, but there's nothing wrong for working for security (retirement, benefits, etc.) when you've contributed far more than your return.

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