I was listening to talk radio on the way home from the YMCA this evening and the host had a guest who was overly critical of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates' opposition to the estate taxes. The criticism generated from the idea that Gates and Buffett want to do with their money what they want. The host and the guest were critical of this. In listening I thought through the contraction in their statements. Here is what I came up with 1) Conservative (I thought) support the free market and despise the government (or anyone else for that matter) tell people what to do with their money 2) Conservatives support capitalism, and Buffett and Gates are the epitome of Capitalist. Why then should they criticize their actions.
1) Conservative (I thought) support the free market and despise the government (or anyone else for that matter) tell people what to do with their money. If this person truly sees the world in a conservative light, would they not mind their own business when it comes to money. I can see them applauding Gates and Buffett for opposing an estate tax, but not attacking them. I think at time it is funny that Conservatives want government to just leave them alone when it comes to money, but they forget that when the government leaves them alone with their money, the government still as an influence. Is it not the case that to not influence is still and influence?
2) Conservatives support capitalism, and Buffett and Gates are the epitome of Capitalist. Why then should they criticize their actions. Warren Buffett perhaps has the strongest case for capitalist of the year, so why then should he ever..ever come under attack from conservative radio host. For one it just goes to show that they'll eat their own to fill air time or as Rodney Dangerfield said in Caddyshack "Now I know why lions eat their young." Conservatives, and Republicans alike are supposed to be the champions of capitalism. I can't imagine why, oh wait it is because those capitalist have decided to use their money..wait for it..how they wish to use it, and for once it is to support a social program. Dare we forget what John D. Rockefeller (Capitalist Of The Year 1928,29,30,and 32) did during the Depression. He nearly single handly pulled the country out of the depression. He was lauded as the Capitalist of the Century
In closing I say shame on you radios host. Shame on you for contradicting yourself and the principles I though all Conservatives, and Republican believed. Maybe I've had it all wrong all these years, but maybe I have not.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Because I Am A Glutten For Punishment
Because I like political debate, and I like to hear lots of different arguments, and frankly I like to argue, I listened to talk radio's coverage of President Obama's speech this evening on the way back from an errand I had to run. This blog is going to be more a response to the response I heard on the radio than it will be a response to the speech itself. I missed most of it but what I did hear, I actually like.
I would like to preface too my response with an aside that for the better part of my trip out I listened to the same radio station which was at the time lauding Rick Perry for his stance on Social Security. My response to anyone who complains about Social Security is simply return the check everyone, or hey do us all a favor and don't pay your taxes.
The radio host's major arguments consisted mostly around the idea that the speech tonight was a campaign speech and that President Obama did not say anything new. To the commentator, it was simply thirty five minutes of neo-liberal stumping that was only applauded by the Democrats in the Joint Session. Several times the announcer complained that Democratic Presidents are always trying to fix education, or the infrastructure of the country. My rebuttal is that those areas need constant attention. I for one grew up with the understanding that the government, federal-state-local, was designed to provide services that otherwise would not be provided.
I am certain that a majority of the hosts on the radio station in question would agree that we need military spending, because lets face it, people of that political persuasion love military spending. I am nearly certain that host would have little trouble with the federal government allocating money to the erecting of a 9/11 Memorial, because it is the patriotic thing to do. Without a doubt the host would love for the government to grant tax breaks for big business so that businesses will in turn give breaks to the working people of this country (because we all no how well Trickle Down Economics really worked)
I can only rebut with the fact that by arguing against government spend, the host only showed his ignorance to the actual workings of the government. I understand that it is a political philosophy to disagree with big government and over exerting governmental power, but at the same time the government has to operate! The host forgets the fact that by the very fact that he wakes up in the morning, the governmental funded military can be thanked. The fact that when he flips the light switch on, it turns on, the House Committee on Energy can be thanked. When he drives his undoubtly expensive car on paved roads (safely I might add) the state department of transportation can be thanked. I could continue but you get my point.
To simply wrap you, and attempt to keep my argument concise, I will simply say this. If you disagree with how you tax dollars are spent, live without all that stuff the government provides and see how you like it.
I still can't believe I listened to that and in turned got bent out of shape about it. What a waste of my time and brain power
I would like to preface too my response with an aside that for the better part of my trip out I listened to the same radio station which was at the time lauding Rick Perry for his stance on Social Security. My response to anyone who complains about Social Security is simply return the check everyone, or hey do us all a favor and don't pay your taxes.
The radio host's major arguments consisted mostly around the idea that the speech tonight was a campaign speech and that President Obama did not say anything new. To the commentator, it was simply thirty five minutes of neo-liberal stumping that was only applauded by the Democrats in the Joint Session. Several times the announcer complained that Democratic Presidents are always trying to fix education, or the infrastructure of the country. My rebuttal is that those areas need constant attention. I for one grew up with the understanding that the government, federal-state-local, was designed to provide services that otherwise would not be provided.
I am certain that a majority of the hosts on the radio station in question would agree that we need military spending, because lets face it, people of that political persuasion love military spending. I am nearly certain that host would have little trouble with the federal government allocating money to the erecting of a 9/11 Memorial, because it is the patriotic thing to do. Without a doubt the host would love for the government to grant tax breaks for big business so that businesses will in turn give breaks to the working people of this country (because we all no how well Trickle Down Economics really worked)
I can only rebut with the fact that by arguing against government spend, the host only showed his ignorance to the actual workings of the government. I understand that it is a political philosophy to disagree with big government and over exerting governmental power, but at the same time the government has to operate! The host forgets the fact that by the very fact that he wakes up in the morning, the governmental funded military can be thanked. The fact that when he flips the light switch on, it turns on, the House Committee on Energy can be thanked. When he drives his undoubtly expensive car on paved roads (safely I might add) the state department of transportation can be thanked. I could continue but you get my point.
To simply wrap you, and attempt to keep my argument concise, I will simply say this. If you disagree with how you tax dollars are spent, live without all that stuff the government provides and see how you like it.
I still can't believe I listened to that and in turned got bent out of shape about it. What a waste of my time and brain power
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