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Originally Posted by smc
Assuming that the collection of taxes by the federal government to fund anything other than defense and regulation of our currency violates the constitution, what part of federal government spending do you propose to do away with? Interstate highways? Biomedical research? Public school aid? The air traffic control system? Financial aid for college tuition? Preservation of national parks? Maintaining the Library of Congress? Should Medicare be shut down, immediately? ...
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If I understand what you're saying, it's hard for me to answer that question since I do support taxing for more than just the military and regulation of currency. Of those things I propose to do away with funding for interstate highways. Funding highways forces states to abide by the national speed limit and other regulations that are a one size fits all solution. There are varying environments across the country and states should set their own regulations (although there should still of course be some consistency like signs and symbols, drive on the right, etc) and states are capable of paying for their own highways.
Financial aid is a good thing, but there's a problem with it... When colleges see that students are getting financial aid, they see that as an ok to raise their tuition.
Biomedical research should be funded. There should be public school aid because there should be national standards in education. Air traffic control system? Of course. National parks should definitely be preserved and protected against republicans. Maintaining the Library of Congress? Sure, why not. Medicare? I'm not up on medicare, but probably.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAngryPostman
I feel that the military should be cut down some but not be ass-raped but cut just enough to function properly. Alot of the stuff you have listed should be done away with along with Social Security, Welfare, and numerous other programs. The government has 17 duties to the American public. Anything else should be left to the states to decide or left alone completely.
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Social Security definitely needs to be overhauled. I liked the plan that Bush proposed where SS is phased out based on age. I've heard something about a new plan (by the democrats?) to lower SS benefits on the rich. Fine, as long as they don't have to pay for benefits they don't receive. And welfare... there's a whole buttload of problems there.
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Originally Posted by smc
How is it any more protective of your individual rights and liberties to have government at the state level take care of all these other things? And why have a "united states" at all?
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Because the reality is that this country is large and diverse. A set of laws for New York may not have any merit in Alaska. California is full of liberal whackos. Fine, they can adopt liberal policies (which is working out quite well for them LOL) without tanking the rest of the country. Or, if a state wants to try something and it actually works out well, then the rest of the country can adopt it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by smc
If you're so against Social Security, are you going to collect when you retire? Sure, the government has been extracting some money out of your paycheck to cover your later draw, but on a principled basis shouldn't you refuse the payback?
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I was forced in to paying into SS rather than putting that money into investments. Since I will still need that money for retirement and the government has forced that money to be in the form of SS, I have no other choice but to use it.