Off Topic: Ron Paul leads in Iowa

[takeitdown]

(12-20-2011 05:24 PM)babuka Wrote:  First off, I am not a fan of the term "regulations". You pass laws to protect an individuals right to life and property by saying things like stealing, murder, etc is illegal. You also pass laws to protect one from stealing from a business or visa versa. You pass laws to protect minors/children. A lot of laws/regulations helps no one but the bureaucrats.

Most people have just accepted the United States in the form that we assume it is as how it has always been. The founders did not give the federel government the ability to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. This was added in 1913 by the 16th admendment. The founders did not create the Federal Reserve. It was also founded in 1913. I am not going to go into a disseration on the evils of the Fed, but when you couple the 16th admendment with the Fed and a purely fiat monely supply you create a monster.

"Fairness" is only achieved by having equal liberties for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The "greater good" term that most people throw around is usually the creation of government power and bureaucracy in exchange for security.

The states should handle the more "social" programs like unemployment, welfare, HUD, etc.

I don't want to go into a full debate either. I understand the fed/fiat/etc.

We SHOULD come up with a new word for "regulations." It has become a hated term when it is, in fact, a necessary force in capitalism. Capitalism is always about the bottom line...always...so it is essential that countering forces make sure doing harm is a negative to the bottom line. It's that simple. Dump toxic waste? We'll fine you. That's all I mean, and it should get another name, because people have been conditioned to think rules/regulations are keeping businessmen from being businessmen. There's nothing further from the truth. As I said, it's an understood fundamental of good entrepreneurs and businessmen that new rules open up all sorts of opportunities for small businesses.

As to the Fed/Money/etc., I will say that there are many negatives to it, and we can discuss a different option, but certain things aren't as feasible in the modern world. The founders lived in a world in which many things were far simpler and there was much less interconnectedness and little known about modern realities like limited fossil fuels. A time in which it took 2 months to reach Europe shouldn't dictate financial terms to a time in which correspondence around the world is virtually instantaneous.

My main point was, within the existing system...make capitalism something that works, and if you're going to have to collect taxes (which you do to some level), then levy them more on those for whom it won't put them back in a cycle of poverty. Take most self made men...and ask them...would you rather have money taken from you when you're trying to get started, and need that money to seed your company--or would you rather have it taken when you've made it, and the money simply means you'll put less in the bank, but you still have it made. It's an easy choice. If money is taken away when you don't have a lot, it prevents the seeds from being planted, and no crops come in. If it is taken after the crops have come in, then giving some does not do great damage.

I don't like any taxes, but given that some have to occur (roads, infrastructure, etc.) I'd much rather it be pushed toward the people for whom it won't eat into their rent and basic daily payments. I've been poor and not poor. I'm harmed by the taxes I propose...but I've lived both lives and know how much more it affects some than others. It's not that anyone gets penalized. It's that you don't take from people when that takes from their basic cost of living. Above that, tax everybody the same, or tilt it toward the people with more paying a little more...but we're not talking crazy numbers here. 5% difference, not 50% difference.

I can hypothetically create a whole new world with you, with a different monetary plan, etc., but I think we can actually have a good one with the one in place if people would just display some common sense.