Social Issues in Politics?

[Sandra Price]

Mr. Shaman, I fight my battles with words. I have written commentaries since he early 80s and have been published in several San Francisco Magazines. I had a book store at that time 6 miles south of Big Sur and even wrote a couple of screen plays when business was poor. I had my piano in the store and would borrow the string section of the San Luis Obispo Symphony (I was on the Board of Directors) and would have music on Sundays. I have a background in the films and theater and enjoyed doing my windows with a flourish. My family background is from Scotland and I used a Scottish theme for the store. On Sundays after church let out my bagpipe player would march in full kilt followed by a horse and carriage from the east village down to the west village where I awaited with hot tea and biscuits. The store was open 7 days a week and in the evening we had meeting of the Animal Rescue people and the Republican group from the area.

I make no excuses for my time even at this time in my life. I teach a safety water class and work with handicapped people in our rec centers. I make no excuses for my age but I do recognize that my future is short. You could show more respect for your mother!

 

[Chip]

Really.... I voted for him strictly on the basis that I believed Kerry would be a horrible replacement, and ultimately botch the war.
If he wanted to end abortion, how exactly would he go about doing that? He can't force the USSC to make it illegal, nor could he pass a law banning it without them striking it down. So what's your point? Moreover, he doesn't need to end homo-marriage because it's not legal yet. Your point doesn't make sense. We are not a state of the U.N. We don't need to present the world with anything. Being a 50-state house didn't stop us in the past, nor should it in the future. Sounds like a system for tyranny or civil war. So? I don't even understand that concept. Money is simply a commodity like any other. People have always been part of this system, and always will be. There is nothing heartless about economics. In fact, economics is a fact of every life everywhere always. Being heartless is only a choice of the individual, and will always be a choice of them. I completely disagree. The problems we're in were caused by government trying to give everyone a free lunch, only to find out, nothings free. Under the direction of government, banks made billions of dollars worth in loans, to people who couldn't pay them back. We didn't sacrifice people for the sake of the money system. We tried to give to people something they couldn't afford. In effect we tried to circumvent economics, and shockingly, it didn't work. Impossible. You are trying to find a solution to the unsolvable. The problem involved people borrowing money they couldn't afford to borrow. There is no way to prevent that, unless you ban borrowing money. Try that, and you'll find out what a real depression is.

Andy ...

... With regard to experiential orientation, there are be'ers, know'ers, have'ers and do'ers.

With regard to their relationship to socioeconomic systems, there are philosophers, strategists, tactitians and mechanics.

It is clear from your post, in fact all your posts on the subject, that with regard to your orientation regarding the present socioecnomic system, you are most definitely a have'er and a mechanic.

Thus I don't expect you to get it with regard to the intrinsic problems of the present socioecnoomic system nor do I expect you to fathom a practical better system, as that is the realm foundationally of be'ers and know'ers who are philosophers ...

... And that simply isn't you.

 

[Hobo1]

Sandra, I assume you lived in the town of Cambria in the days when it was still an art colony. I moved from north coastal San Diego to Atascadero in 1990 when the area got too crowded. When I looked for the warm weather I moved all the way to Indonesia - where the weather is perfect, IMO.

The point I want to make is Capitalism is an economic system, and I believe it is fairly healthy in the US at the moment, despite one of the economic downturns which capitalism always brings. Except for the tax system, and our governmental oversight, I don't see where Washington has done a lot to stop capitalism. Certainly the recent scandals and the former Enron scandals have demonstrated that die-hard capitalists are still able to avoid any significant controls by the government.

Now if you are talking about our government's fiscal policies, these have been out of balance since the 1970's. Right now the government is spending money like water. That simply throwing money down a rat whole.

Now if you want to talk about socialism, all the money Washington is throwing money at banks and other industries - that certainly is one component of socialism. But the second component that is missing is the governments role in planning for the use of this money. We are giving money to big business but have no real planned program for how it should be used.

Finally, if you talk about social issues, I break that down to three categories: programs to help the poor and the needy. On this account, any country as great as America can afford to provide a safety net to the poor, sick and unfortunate people who fall on the far end of the bell curve who simply cannot make it in a competitive, capitalistic society.

The second social category is the so-called entitlement program which everybody who meets an age limit is suddenly entitled to expensive government programs. That is socialism, and has no place in our American society.

The third social category is the religious, or ethics issues, such as gays rights, abortion, etc. In my mind, these are individual freedoms and should never become even close to Washington DC.

I am not sure exactly what area of the government you are talking about.

 

[Sandra Price]

Yes indeed, Hobo, I moved to Cambria and opened by book in 1981. This village reminded me of Santa Monica where I was born and raised. I loved every minute (20 years) that I lived in that area. My youngest was still in college and was at Berkeley and the train was very handy as it came through Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. I had worked in the theater and did some studio work as a costumer and ran into many people I had worked with in Hollywood. When I think of my happiest days, it is always in Cambria. I had a large black Doberman and every morning as soon as the sun came up we would walk along Highway One on the beach side and I got to know people from San Simeon. She was a beautiful dog and made many friends on her own. She died at 16 and the first day I walked alone was the longest walk I ever took. Cars stopped on the highway asking where she was. She was in every parade and would welcome customers when they came into the store.
Her picture in on my site. My other Lab is there too and I just lost her of old age 2 years ago.

http://rightpov.com

I believe we need a two party system of elected men and women who play by the rules. When one party is in the majority the other side has oversight on their actions. The lack of oversight is what destroyed the system and both sides are equally guilty. Without integrity, no system can work.

BTW, I worked for years at the Castle in the Information Booth and loved it. The castle itself put people in a good mood with all the art and dramatic use of Spanish Renaissance buildings. The gardens were to die for.

 

[Andy]

Andy ...

... With regard to experiential orientation, there are be'ers, know'ers, have'ers and do'ers.

With regard to their relationship to socioeconomic systems, there are philosophers, strategists, tactitians and mechanics.

It is clear from your post, in fact all your posts on the subject, that with regard to your orientation regarding the present socioecnomic system, you are most definitely a have'er and a mechanic.

Thus I don't expect you to get it with regard to the intrinsic problems of the present socioecnoomic system nor do I expect you to fathom a practical better system, as that is the realm foundationally of be'ers and know'ers who are philosophers ...

... And that simply isn't you.

Typically, the people who are least knowledgeable, are the ones quick to point out who they think are not "know'ers".

Additionally, the ones who have seen a vision of a more prefect, more practical socioeconomic system, have been the perpetrators of the most horrible atrocities of our modern world.

Ironically, while talking in vague generalities may have it's place, I prefer specific practical policies that apply directly to the situation. I note how you didn't actually answer the point made.

It is typical of someone who thinks more of themselves, than they are actually worth, to talk about solutions that do not exist. A main reason I can't stand philosophers who have many things to say, but actually *do* nothing.