Post Archive
Region: Libertatem
Rand Paul's attempt to block the unanimous vote on the 9/11 Victims compensation fund was probably a bad hill to die on. That being said the media is smeering him for blocking the bill entirely, which is wrong.
And Rand Paul has never been consistent. He voted "yes" on the military spending increases and recent budget, but not on this? It's like Rand Paul just wants to lose his seat.
Narland, The New United States, Rateria, Jadentopian Order, West Smolcasm
No one said anything about the orange man
An oddly apt comparison for a great number of things; I, for one, might use such a metaphor to explain my thoughts on predatory business practices - as far as I'm concerned, the most dangerous wolves are on Wall Street.
As I understand it, these are highly authoritarian positions - moreover, they're positions that mirror Antifa's insistence that fascist beliefs (and anything that reminds them of fascism, aside of course from their own hypocrisy) should be wiped from the political landscape, rather than trusting that they will rightly be dismissed as the ramblings of tyrants and failures in the free marketplace of ideas. To advocate government action that would curtail people's freedom of speech and expression is distinctly un-American, regardless of how much you may fear what they so much as think.
I find many extremist ideologies highly objectionable, including totalitarian communism and the many brands of socialism that draw inspiration from it, but even I wouldn't be so brash as to claim that it's the government's responsibility to keep the adherents of these "dangerous ideas" from entering the country, let alone that it is even possible for the government to do so. It's up to those of us in the private sector to determine whether or not to provide a platform to those with whom we disagree.
Miencraft, Rateria, Highway Eighty-Eight
I didn't say anything besides I don't like racism and borders. I mean I don't like Trump either but that's a whole other conversation.
Highway Eighty-Eight
I wish Rand Paul would be consistent about proclaiming Liberty. It would be more helpful if he let people know when he is standing on principle, or defending the will of constituents. Ron Paul was very good at communicating to his constituents why he was voting a certain way and how the cause of Liberty was always the best option. I disagree (on principle) about the Pork Barrel expenditure mechanism, but it was what the House as a whole had established and RP did the best with the absurdity from that post-Cultural Revolution Congress.
Pevvania, The New United States, Rateria
Sounds like the inverse of a potential Steve Crowder podcast, "Orange Man Good for Swamp -- Change My Mind..."
The New United States
And what makes you think that the people escaping say, communist Cuba or Venezuela are socialists?
Muh Roads, Rateria, Jadentopian Order, West Smolcasm, Highway Eighty-Eight
Right. Pretty sure they risked their lives leaving for a reason.
https://pics.me.me/to-me-what-socialism-means-is-to-guarantee-a-basic-level-44081913.png
Post by Highway Eighty-Eight suppressed by a moderator.
Post self-deleted by Miri Islands.
Most of these are positions held by self described conservatives. The only one I have ever heard a libertarian fall into is free market capitalism is great but we should have tarrifs
Rateria
Libertarianism as a political ideology is different that Libertarianism as a personal philosophy.
Believing in the former doesn't require believing in the latter,(That'd be like a Libertarian who adheres to a dogmatic religion), and believing in the latter doesn't require believing in the former, (that'd be like a lib-soc or an-com)
My opinions often break down that way. I have my political opinion on the issue, like what the governmental stance should be, then I have my personal opinion on the matter, that I've formed through observation and that I carry with me to perceive the world.
What grates on my nerves is the "more-libertarian-than-thou" attitude, that seems to grip it's adherants. One doesn't have to be a full blown an-cap to be a Libertarian.
Minarchists are libertarian, some Civic Nationalists are libertarian, classical liberals are libertarian. I myself am not purely libertarian, I believe when I took my ISideWith quiz, I was 73% Libertarian party, 64% Constitution party, and 55% Republican party.
The New United States, Rateria, The United States Of Patriots, Miri Islands
Been a bit since I took the test, so I just did. My results:
Party
85% Libertarian
84% Constitution
78% Republican
17% Green
10% Socialist
8% Peace and Freedom
6% Democrat
2020 Candidates
78% Gary Johnson
74% Donald Trump
61% John Kasich
etc.
Rateria
Results from the Test taken today:
85% Libertarian
85% Constitution
75% GOP
10% Socialist
08% Green
06% Peace and Freedom
06% Women's Equality
04% Democrat
I do not have the list from pres candidates.
Only 96% not-Democrat and 90% un-Socialist -- both my grandfathers would hold their heads in shame. I must be slipping in my old age, or Democrats and Socialist are becoming craftier. More likely there is a +/-5% margin of error with a built in 5% Statist bias. :)
I do wish political tests would distinguish the different forms of governance for local, state and federal issues.
At the Federal Level I am strongly Libertarian and Constitutionalist, but at the State Level more Libertarian and Republican because our State level Constitutionalists are a bit off kilter.
At the County level I am Libertarian and Republican (as the county Republicans are a coalition of indigenous Pioneer Republicans, Libertarians, and Constitutionalists trying to keep the whelming California Neoconservative and Moderate (Moderately Socialist) pseudo-Republicans in check).
At the domestic level as an individual I am mine own benevolent dictator.
The New United States, Rateria
I don't think so? He filibustered the budget last year, I thought he always voted no.
Yes the optics are bad, and compensating the 9/11 victims is something I feel we as a country owe - but that being said, all new spending should be paid for with spending cuts, so I'm totally with Rand on this one. It's a classic statist argument to associate refusal to fund something as wishing it wasn't done at all. Arguably, that's how the welfare state has existed for so long in so many countries! And Rand is in no danger of losing his seat. He was re-elected last year with a much bigger margin of victory despite a historically bad year for Republicans.
Miencraft, The New United States, Rateria
What does everyone think of the idea that Mitch McConnell is in danger of losing his seat?
Personally, I think there's almost no chance of that happening. Whatever you think of Mitch, and I have never been a fan of him, he is a very, very good politician. He's a fighter, a brilliant strategist and deserves a lot of credit for expanding the Senate majority last year. Yes, his approvals are low, but Kentucky is pretty reliably red. Mitch has also been very cleverly relishing his role as the "grim reaper" of leftist legislation, which arguably is good campaign fodder for both the left and the right, but will work very well in Kentucky next year.
Also, I highly doubt Amy McGrath, or anyone else, has a chance of winning even just on their own merits. If anyone remembers the 2014 midterms, which was also considered a very vulnerable year for McConnell, the Democrat in the race got a lot of publicity for an ad in which she declared "Im not Barack Obama. I disagree with him on guns, coal and the EPA. Ultimately, audio was leaked in which she implied she was further left than she was letting on, and lost to Mitch in a 16-point margin. I think the same thing will happen in 2020. Voters can very easily spot the fake moderates.
The New United States
Two examples do not outweigh the fact that the bulk of immigrants from Latin America overwhelmingly favor big government social programs. This has been very consistently shown in polling. Interestingly, African immigrants are much more conservative.
The New United States, Miri Islands
The problem with libertarianism is that it thinks in purely rational/economic terms without considering the cultural impact of a certain policy, which can produce negative feedback loops that in the long term greatly harm liberty.
It's very easy to say you're pro free trade. But when that manifests in allowing foreign competitors to levy tariffs while you levy none, then that's not beneficial in principal or in effect. It's easy to say open borders is a libertarian solution, but it's not very libertarian when many of the immigrants that come in vote for socialist policies that irrevocably change the character of the country they enter. And it's easy to call for the military budget being slashed in half, but not very good in twenty years when the Chinese are the new global superpower and you can lose your job for criticizing Emperor Xi on the internet.
This is why Libertarians lose elections and policy battles so much. Conservatives are just more practical.
The New United States, Miri Islands
I agree with that sentiment, but probably for different reasons. The economic predators of Silicon Valley, too, are a great danger, which I think many people agree with now.
(Also I plan on replying to your post about capitalism when I get time, I've temporarily moved countries again in the last few weeks and have been a very busy guy. I didn't mean to make you write a wall of text for no reason lol)
The New United States
I'd say liberalizing legal immigration would accomplish the same goal, giving temporary amnesty/work permits to law-abiding illegals while being put 'at the back of the line' so to speak behind legal residents. But fundamentally we need to secure the border before giving any amnesty, because as history has shown, amnesty is a gateway drug and just attracts more people.
The New United States, Miri Islands
This is the distinction I always make. Personal vs Political. It always bugs me that political compasses never really make the distinction between the two. There are plenty of issues that I personally am quite socially conservative on but I also don't want the government to be involved. A good example is drugs. I'm very much against drugs personally. Both practically and morally. I would personally encourage people to avoid drugs, dependency, and addiction of all types. BUT I also don't want the government deciding, for the most part, what an adult can choose to put in their own body.
One can oppose or support something privately that you also would not want the government involved in legislating
Narland, The New United States, Rateria, Miri Islands, Stiltusgibberum
Illegals cost the US a net $100-140 billion a year, depending on the study, and cost California alone $25 billion.
Thank you globalists, very cool!
The New United States, Miri Islands
(Possibly) unpopular and admittedly uninformed opinion: opioid dealers should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and government action is needed, I think, against/in the pharmaceutical industry for the harm it's caused communities across America.
This is an issue I know very little about, so if anyone has any counter-arguments or would like to inform me, go ahead.
Lol, only in a country as theatrical and dramatic as America (which I love) could there be people calling something that exists in literally every country in the world to process illegal immigrants and refugees be called a concentration camp.
Also, nice selection of unbiased sources that everyone here will take at face value.
There has been no action because the Democratic majority in Congress has zero interest in actually dealing with the immigration issue and has made good politics out of rejecting border security and funding requests then blaming the subsequent disaster on Trump. Remember the "manufactured crisis"? Considering Pelosi and the rest of her criminal gang believed in very similar immigration policies as Trump 5-10 years ago, any observer can see how disingenuous the faux-outrage is. The Jew-hating-- err, progressive squad even voted against the facility funding request! What an interesting time we live in.
Miencraft, Narland, The New United States, Miri Islands
Jaden, you are a smart guy and I say this respectfully, but if you really believe terrorism against ICE is ok and that they're running concentration camps, then you really need to re-examine your beliefs. You lack the life experience to sincerely make pronouncements as extreme as that, and as you get older and meet more people from different walks of life you'll see just how vital and necessary ICE is, and how many of them risk their lives on a near-daily basis to protect the country.
I say this, by the way, as an immigrant who could be detained by ICE at any time if I break the law.
The New United States, Stiltusgibberum
A great example of pragmatic libertarianism versus hopeless idealism: Rand Paul, who has tied himself closely to President Trump, now has a role in negotiating with Iran. He is a principled noninterventionist who, by having Trump's ear, can potentially steer us away from a war.
Compare that to Justin Amash, who I usually like. He has destroyed his own career and reduced libertarian influence in Congress by pointlessly calling for Trump's impeachment. Some can play the game much better than others, and still achieve results.
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/19/rand-paul-iran-trump-1423779\
The New United States, Stiltusgibberum
It's more about the actual conditions and less about people in holding facilities.
I can't tell if this is sarcasm but I did try to find a number of sources.
I mean I hate the Dems just as much as everyone else here, maybe more. Pelosi could watch children be gunned down in the streets by the KKK and say "At least only 50% of the victims are minorities". Her and the rest of the Democratic party are a cancer on America.
You know, I knew this is exactly how this message was start out.
No offense taken. I honestly don't see either of us changing our minds and it's also currently late and near my bed time, so I'm just going to concede in advance.
I agree for the most part. The pharmaceutical industry is majorly responsible for the opioid crisis that we are facing. It's also the terrible culture doctors are pushing where they'll prescribe you more than enough painkillers and unintentionally(?) get you hooked. Drug dealers are just a natural reaction to demand, if you remove the demand for opioids, they will disappear. It's shocking how accessible they are. I know a dude who knows a dude who makes hard drugs. Though, I'm still pro-legalization for like every drug, if you want to ruin your body go ahead.
Anyways, goodnight and welcome back. It's been a while
The New United States
88% Libertarian
87% Constitution
86% GOP
17% Green
13% Socialist
08% Democrat
07% Peace and Freedom
...
We'll just go with the margin of error line.
Narland, The New United States, Rateria
And McGrath is comically fake. After all, she's the one that told a local newspaper she'd have voted for Kavanaugh and tweeted that she'd have opposed him - ON THE SAME DAY.
My gut says she'll lose in a bloodbath.
Pevvania, Miri Islands
The idea that we can import [I]en masse[/I] people of a culture incompatable with our own, without sacrificing our own cultural inheritance and the liberty that it cultivated, is ludicrous.
Mass immigration is national and cultural suicide. We ought to prioritize integration rather than simply resigning ourselves to be the dumping place of the world's underclasses.
Pevvania, Miri Islands
"Politics is the art of the possible."
It's unfortunate what Justin Amash has done. One of the best Reps, but his commitment to vilifying Orange Man was apparently more important to him than working with with Orange Man constructively as Rand Paul, Mike Lee, and Thomas Massie have done so well.
Pevvania
I don't have a counter point but I have an idea I've had that I wanted to justify the regulation of drugs within a free market. I feel as though selling highly addictive substances like cocaine and opioids creates a dependency which eliminates the user's choice. It makes the purchase an obligation instead of a willing and rational choice like buying milk at a grocery store. That's my idea behind it. It's probably poorly articulated but the idea is there
Pevvania, Narland, The New United States, Rateria
I think the reason people keep getting around 10% socialist party is due to the social issues. American parties are different than European parties in that they aren't focused on specific things. Every party has to have a stance on every issue or people won't take them seriously.
The New United States, Rateria
Indeed, that's what I hear, albeit from admittedly mainstream media sources. I do find it incredible how generally drug-obsessed Americans are. It seems like everybody's on some kind of 'prescribed' pills.
I agree, I'm at least in favor of decriminalization in some form. We should also learn the lessons of legalization of marijuana. In California, and I'm sure in other states, legalization hasn't been super effective at stemming the cartel and illegal dealers because of restrictive regulation and licensing laws. A lightly-regulated marijuana industry would probably be for the best.
Thank you! Indeed it has.
The New United States, Rateria, Jadentopian Order
I agree. I think most conservatives and Trump supporters, myself included, do not care about the complexion of the immigrants that come here, only that they are ready to pledge allegiance to the American flag, adopt our culture and be law-abiding and productive citizens. That should be the bare minimum requirement of any country. Studies vary, but many of them show Hispanic families become more conservative the longer they stay in the US. I.e., a third- or fourth-generation Hispanic is much more likely to vote Republican than their grandfather.
In the 19th and 20th Centuries, social stigmas and open discrimination encouraged Catholic, Italian and Irish immigrants to 'Americanize' themselves very quickly. Of course we can't do that now, but at the very least I do think we need some kind of ideological test for people coming into the country, along with other government-backed integration programs.
The New United States, Miri Islands
Supremely disappointed by Trump's budget "compromise" with Pelosi. Increased military and domestic spending to the tune of $320 billion over the course of two years.
It's now a "compromise" to give everyone everything they ask for while stiffing our kids and grandkids with the bill. What a joke and a sad day for America.
https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/07/new-budget-deal-puts-final-nail-in-the-tea-party-coffin/
Pevvania
It can be argued, drugs that enslave the mind to a tyranny of dependence upon a lifestyle of force and fraud to sustain one's addiction are a legitimate concern for government. How then should the person who willingly destroys his/her ability to effectively function as a free person in a free society be treated? To what extent? To what rigor? And to what end?
The answers that the US (in general) have legislated from the Progressivist era onward, (by both Leftist Democrats and Moderate GOP -- Moderate being a short for Moderately Socialist) have given us over the last 70 years (a cyclical tag-teaming back and forth blaming and further hobbling society with more laws, and then bashing the criminal beyond restitution with tougher laws) -- a proliferation of criminal statutes where faux-pauxs become torts become misdemeanors become crimes, become felonies has greatly contributed to our current unconstitutional administrative police state of overlords given legal sanction to prey upon a once (much more) free and self-governing people.
The war on drugs is an unmitigated disaster, as has been treating MJ (thanks to DuPont) on the same level as Meth, Opium, and PCP. Treating alcohol as a commodity of the state (as most US States do) has created a hypocritical government licenced catch-22 where the alcoholic is taxed for buying then further criminalized (and monetized) by acts of public drunkeness.
I would like to see the next generation retackle the questions and reinstate saner policies based on Liberty instead of the failed march of Progressiveness through the institutions that my generation endured. The Progressive Era is over and it has failed us. Whereas the emperor has been shown to have no clothes, The Progressives must now either radicalize to Neo-Marxism, or return to their Classical Liberal roots. But the power that comes with despotism like drugs is not easily overcome, and I do not see many of them taking the nobler path back to Freedom and Equality except in name only. But then they were only, as Lenin (allegedly) put it, "useful stooges."
10% socialist? Need to bring those numbers down.
The New United States, Rateria
Americans have this weird idea that the more chemicals and drugs they pump into them, the more healthy we are. Which, yes some if them are good, is still an awful mindset. It also encourages the dumb conspiracy theories that vaccines cause autism and the government is mind controlling you.
Many doctors first instinct here is to just throw pills at you. At my last physical my doctor spent the whole time suggesting me drugs I could get prescribed if I had a certain issue. Luckily medicine and that sort of stuff makes me extremely queasy so I actually ended up passing out in front of her and she shut up about pills. But seriously, people wonder why we have an opioid crisis. Just go to the doctors, it becomes pretty clear.
Rateria, Venomringo
Legalization opens up the door to regulation which has crippled most vendors abilities to sell marijuana at an affordable rate. Due to the numerous inspections, licensing applications, and strict requirements, prices rise to levels where buying illegally, as they did before, is much cheaper and comfortable. An ounce at a store is nearly $300 whereas an ounce on the street is only $150 so its clear which is the better deal. I believe that light regulation of the marijuana industry and sweeping decriminalization measures are the best route to take in crushing cartels and reducing the prison population.
Pevvania, Rateria
This is horrifying. What gets me is how this is at the bottom of the US's political consciousness. Nobody even mentions our gargantuan national debt anymore. "The economy's doing well, who cares!" Gosh, what an asininely short term view of the world. The central contentions of Keynesian economics have irreparably damaged the economic affairs of every developed country, including and perhaps especially the United States.
I've read Trump hopes to push for spending cuts in his second term if he wins back the House. Well, why didn't he do that in his first two years? Why did he and gutless Paul Ryan cave to the Democrats every time? He seems to have no real willpower to tackle what's arguably the most pressing issue in the country, and as Heritage has pointed out, whether or not he wins a second term this is going to leave a stein on an otherwise quite successful legacy of accomplishments. A stein big enough that all the rest may not even matter by the time the crisis comes. Even if he does push for these alleged spending cuts, the deficit will be approaching $1 trillion by then. No president is going to cut that much.
I am a very optimistic person and do not like to be the harbinger of doom and gloom. But the US's international currency dominance will not protect it forever. Runaway debt has ravaged great powers before. Argentina went from being a preeminent power at the turn of the 20th Century (and the 10th wealthiest nation per capita), to an impoverished nation beset by defaults and inflation. Of course we can also look at the fall of Rome as another example of this.
Overall, this just makes me sad that we don't have anyone strong enough to just make sure spending equals revenue.
Narland, Rateria
The U.S will be hitting another recession in six monthes to a year and a half. Not good news for the presidents re-election.
Narland, Rateria
Stay and watch the Mueller hearings, or go to the $1 theatre and watch Godzilla?
Stay and watch on tv a bunch of Representatives that are wrecking the country, or go and watch on a big screen a bunch of kaiju wrecking the world?
Stay and take the chance of being bored to tears, go and take the chance of being bored to tears?
Decisions, decisions....
Godzilla
The United States Of Patriots
Question:
Does the bill of rights no longer apply to a person to the same extent after they've assumed a public office?
Rateria
I think they have more protections like executive privilege where things can remain hidden despite court order. I also heard politicians are exempt from getting traffic citations and can't be detained without a habeas corpus or something like that.
Rateria
Not if your name is Donald J. Trump.
I'm curious what makes you think that?
Rateria
Good week for Trump regarding the "legal problems" he's had. Stormy Daniels/campaign finance suit has been dismissed by a judge, 2 out of 3 emoluments clause cases have been dismissed and Mueller's performance fell flat. I'm sure something else get cooked up soon enough though!
Miri Islands
Post by Highway Eighty-Eight suppressed by a moderator.
The Mueller thing is just a spectacle put on by the D party so that they can say they did something against Trump. If anyone on either side thought anything was going to come out of it they're delusional.
Pevvania
Godzilla. A great monster story interrupted by bad script-writing, bizarre casting choices, and social(ist in)justice preaching. I grew up with Godzilla movies and understand that it represents the horrors of nuclear fallout, pollution, etc. It is one of the few franchises where both gun toting conservationists and snowflake toting environmentalists can sit down together to enjoy a bucket of stale popcorn and a $7.00 12 oz watered-down soda. Cut out the tedious sjw stuff, and make it a 90 minute movie focusing on Drs. Chen, and Chen, Dr. Serizawa's sacrifice, give Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra, King Ghodirah more play, and it would have been a much better movie. Hollywood missed a golden opportunity to tell a good story instead of virtue signalling. Also, my inner 9 year old would have loved to see the somersaulting spark-fire Gamera in action. :)
drunphf owned, colbert-style
nationstates is gey
Post by Highway Eighty-Eight suppressed by a moderator.
Granted I don't have proof, but my local LP chapter had two economists present, both of whom made models that predicted the same thing. One guy already moved 60% of his assets out of the stock market.
Rateria
Post by Highway Eighty-Eight suppressed by a moderator.
The left has been betting on Muller for a while now, they believe that he can impeach trump. Anyone who wasn't part of the far left saw this for what it was, a political sham. The left truely is delusional at this point
Are their talks online? If you could give a url, I would be very interested in watching.
The stock market can only sponge so much of inflating the currency created by the debt and persistent deficient spending. The unexpected monetary transfer into crypto-currency has ameliorated that, and the massive removal of strangulating regulation has also helped. But the Keynesians (or whatever they call themselves now) are still in control and they will bring about the 70s style stagflation unless Trump is made to understand this is what happened between Eisenhower through Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Carter that got us there. It may not happen during Trump but it will happen. The monetization of debt from Obama and year one of Trump still needs to transfer from the banksters to the cronies into the economy further debasing the value of the dollar on the poor and middle class forcing them to cry in earnest for a higher minimum wage starting the malaise cycle anew.
Pevvania
"or whatever they call themselves now" lol exactly. A lot of people in the Keynesian camp today espouse incredibly incoherent philosophies that magically exempt infrastructure spending and tax cuts from the fiscal multiplier if they're enacted by a Republican president.
I'm shocked that Keynesian economics is still taken seriously after it's repeated utter failures
Pevvania
Yes but that wasn't real Keynesian
Pevvania, The New United States, Republic Of Minerva, Muh Roads, The United States Of Patriots, Miri Islands
Ok, so I've been thinking. What would a true Minarchist government consist of? I think I've come to an answer:
The government is responsible for two things: Protecting citizens from threats both foreign and domestic, and settling disputes between citizens as an unbiased, mediating, third-party, a true Night-watchman, state. So that's basically the army, cops, and courts.
but wait, would you not consider a hurricane as a kind of foreign threat? That justifies emergency response services, because fires and floods would be domestic threats under that logic as well. So we're up to army, cops, courts, and emergency services.
but wait, cops need to be able to get to crime scenes without violating property rights, that means we need public roads. So we're up to army, cops, courts, emergency services and roads.
but wait, how are we gonna pay for all this? We need taxes; what kind of taxes you may ask? The fairest kind, a flat income tax that's as low as possible, so that's the IRS. SO we're up to army, cops, courts, emergency services, roads, and the IRS.
but wait, we're democratic, right? At least I hope we are. Elections for government, obviously would be handled by the government. SO we're up to army, cops, courts, emergency services, roads, the IRS, and elections.
Let's start consolidating. We'll save some money. Why should we differentiate between foreign threats and domestic threats? threats are threats after all. Kingdoms have had town guards who functioned as both for thousands of years. Let's create the Department of Protection Against Threats, but that would also mean they would absorb emergency services as well, as they are also threats. (Ignore the hilarious image of the army shooting missiles at a hurricane and cops shooting at a fire).
So what? we're down to The Department of Protection Against Threats, The Court system, The Department of Roads, the IRS, and the Department of elections.
but wait, the only reason we have public roads is because cops need to get to crime scenes. Rather than just nationalizing the entire department, let's just create ONE regulation, saying that all private roads need a "cop lane" that can be crossed at any time by police, but the rest of the lanes are private property. That saves us money, AND is more free.
SOOO, we've got: The Department of Protection Against Threats, The Court System, The IRS, and the Department of Elections. THE TRUEST MINARCHIST STATE!
Rateria
One enjoys the privilege of that particular office. Congressmen are free from arrested on the way to a session, and can say pretty much anything from the floor without fear of prosecution. The President gets to see what's going on at the Groom Lake Military Facility and is the de jure Monarch of the Executive Department regarding enforcing legislation passed by Congress (and subject to only to Constitutional checks and balances). A Supreme Court justice only requirement for never getting fired is good moral behaviour.
The New United States
I agree with Robert Nozick (1974) that the only proper functions of the State include the defense function, the court function, and the police function. Failing that, I would be content with anarcho-capitalism, but in practice I do not see significant difference between the two.
Amash's reasoning for pulling out is logical: in the era where every Republican locks goosestep with Trump, dissent itself is an act of betrayal and his base would not vote for him. Sadly personality cults trump (heh) reason here. While being independent is a death sentence for his next election, for the meantime it gives him freedom that he didn't enjoy in a party that forced him to vote for unconstitution legislation via whip.
The New United States, Highway Eighty-Eight
This would be a dream come true
Skaveria
The best thing Trump has done for this country is tweeting about freeing A$AP Rocky
Highway Eighty-Eight
"The only thing Trump did legislatively was the tax cuts"
And deregulation, and the partial repeal of Dodd-Frank, and criminal justice reform, and right to try, and repeal of the individual mandate, and opening of ANWR to oil drilling, and tax reform (very important to distinguish from tax cuts). Question the effectiveness or fitness of these policies, and definitely question Paul Ryan and Republican leadership, but calling Trump/Congress 'do-nothing' during this period is demonstrably incorrect. Considering they had a Senate majority as opposed to the super-majority Obama had in his first two years, with which he arguably pushed a similar or fewer number of legislative victories, the amount we accomplished during this time is pretty impressive.
The New United States, Miri Islands, Stiltusgibberum
New poll in Zentari, come and vote!
https://www.nationstates.net/page=poll/p=145420
The New United States, Rateria
I'm going to annoy pretty much everyone in the region by suggesting I think this is a decent idea worth considering - https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/455067-delaney-releases-plan-to-require-national-service
"Delaney releases plan to require national service"
The New United States
Ew, authoritarian and gross.
Rateria, Skaveria, Stiltusgibberum
It's an awful idea, and this is coming from someone who agrees with you 90% of the time.
Rateria
Thanks for the article. A national service idea on its own doesnt sound like the worst thing. Making it mandatory isnt great, in my opinion, but a voluntary version sounds better. Willing participants can provide services such as those listed in the article in exchange for the benefits that are offered. I can see why he links it with patriotism and unity, though, so I cant blame him for that.
Pevvania, The New United States
Yeah, its annoying, but part of the contractual obligation for enfranchisement. If the state is to send someone out to die through indenture, those people have a right to a say in the activities of the state by voting. The right (right as privilege) to vote comes with the obligation to die (in protection of the public order). Something that Suffragettes (such as my Great-Grandmother) were well aware.
As much as Progressvists love to taut the purported right to vote for everyone and their support animal; there is no natural right to put political weight to one's opinion through a ballot. It is a convenient legal fiction that expedites the civic order whether (like totalitarian regimes) to give the appearance of legitimacy; or to lawfully directing the ship of state (as in free societies). At its most brutish it is a screaming into the darkness/rage at the machine and at its most sapient a discourse for resolution for the body politic as a whole.
I do not believe in a national draft as long as the Dick Act of 1903, National Guard Act of 1916 et al are in effect. (Along the reasoning I do not believe that the voting registration should be run by the Federal (DC) Government.) The National Guard Act and subsequent acts to nationalize and redefined what a National Guard is that unconstitutionally turn it into a standing army need to be addressed first. Like all other Progressivist revisions to destroy the constitutional governance of the Citizenry at the Local and State levels (FDA, Federal Reserve, ad naseum), regarding military authority needs to be revoked and returned back to the Militia/States Guard system of National Guard that we had -- (county/municipality in their sphere -- bucket duty, posse commitatis; local militia ; the state in its sphere (gendarme, general policing, states guard); with the President calling out the "National" Guard only at the behest or approval of the respective Governors. The dictatorial abuses of the FDR administration when enacting the draft upon the entire nations was reprehensible, and all wars following the most egregious abuses being (arguably) Viet-Nam.
The New United States
Let's give the government even more incentive to engage in reckless conflicts abroad! No messiness of the draft when you can corrupt young people into killing innocents abroad.
Narland, Republic Of Minerva, Jadentopian Order
Idea:
All neoconservative politicians, particularly the ones that have never served, should be conscripted first and sent to the front lines.
Narland, The New United States, Rateria, Venomringo
Now that's an idea. I wonder if our president's bone spurs are still acting up...
Neocons for deportation 2020
Pevvania, Narland, Rateria, Venomringo
Post by Highway Eighty-Eight suppressed by a moderator.
Have any Generals been elected to President besides Washington, Grant, and Eisenhower?
It seems like around every 80-100 years we elect a general.
The New United States, Rateria
Post by Highway Eighty-Eight suppressed by a moderator.
Oh wow, I didnt realize so many were generals. That seems weird because I think electing a general would be highly contentious today.
The New United States, Rateria
Trump is a hybrid Republican-Democrat (Reform Party ala Ross Perot circa 1990s) deliberately crafted to follow the perceived majority opinion of most Americans (at the time) regardless of party . Happily, the Democrat establishment cut off their nose just to spite their face (post 2015) having inadvertently rejected Trump's more statist policies with which they would have otherwise agreed on one point and abdicating to Trump their positions on others.
I would have joined the Reform Party which at its greatest had over 10 millions votes and reputedly 30 million adherents. Their intellectual inconsistencies derived from their poll driven platform was a turn-off. The Libertarian Party is unapologetic in its intellectual consistency, and honest in its Objectivism; the Constitution Party in its idiosyncratic way tries to be consistently Federalist; and the local Republicans are intellectually honest in their Classical Liberalism but that is being diluted by Californian emigres who think that their haphazard Corportistist Statism is somehow republican (little r) or desired within the locality.
Pevvania, The New United States
General Ike was a New-Style General distinct from previous Presidents who became Generals under a Federalist system. Today's US military has been "progressivized" and nationalized (insofar as is possible with a self-governing organic body that has lawful primacy over protecting the Citizens from bureaucrat malfeasance in its oath of duty to the Constitution) into a professional administrative state of its own, socially engineered into the Rhodes Scholar/Globalist mentality. I would not trust any post-Vietnam General to do the right thing regarding the Constitution, or the American People just because he/she became a general, but would be even more wary.
A 30 year Boatswain's Mate who made it to Master Chief; shows that he hates bureaucratic inefficiency and waste; loves the Constitution with life, liberty, and property; and received any honor except a Good Conduct medal could go farther, especially if he started his own business afterward and had to work with middle America on a consistent basis.
The New United States
Talking Head on TV, "Turn Baltimore into a Free-Enterprise Zone to fix it..." All of America is supposed to be a Free Enterprise Zone.
The New United States
Whats your favorite Alex Jones quote?
The New United States
Post by Highway Eighty-Eight suppressed by a moderator.
According to Google, there is no such person on file...
The New United States
Lobsters are psychic
The New United States
"Here's the thing... I'm gonna be honest with you... I... I'm kinda retarded."
Miencraft, The New United States, Rateria, Jadentopian Order, Highway Eighty-Eight
Post self-deleted by Highway Eighty-Eight.
Post by Highway Eighty-Eight suppressed by a moderator.
Yeah, sorry about that.
The New United States, Venomringo
New poll in Zentari, come and vote!
https://www.nationstates.net/page=poll/p=145668
The New United States, Rateria
Yeah so we can go ahead and add white supremacists to the list
Rateria
Post by Highway Eighty-Eight suppressed by a moderator.
Only the pedos.
Also white supremacists were kn the deport list theyre just acting up again and need to be reminded.
Rateria
Post by Highway Eighty-Eight suppressed by a moderator.
On the record: How dare you say that, the church is a blessed institution and has done nothing but good. Sure, there are a few bad apples but that shouldn't change how people treat a religion.
Off the record: Yes.
It's only 4%
Assembled with Dot's Region Saver.
Written by Refuge Isle.