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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 8, 2007
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Okay. I finally started doing my due dilligence on Bob Barr. I like a lot of his views, but he isn't specific enough on his website about what some of his plans our, for example what he'll do with the war.
I laid out some of his views on important issues for those not familiar with him like I wasn't.
First, I don't think I could support him because he wants a fair tax. I like him wanting to get rid of the IRS, income tax, and 16th Ammendment, but I don't think the fair tax is the way to go. It sounds good at first that you're basically just taxed on what you comsume, not what you produce. However this seems to me a tax on the poor who will be hurt more on higher grocery bills and other necessities than the rich. I don't know the fair tax incredibly well, so if I misunderstood it, someone clear me up.
About personal liberty, I absolutely love this statement from his website.
Finally, an increasingly intrusive Nanny State is watching over our nation, meddling in the lives of its citizens. New measures, often rushed through legislatures and regulatory agencies with little consideration or thought, seek to control ever more aspects of people's lives. Government limits individual actions and choices, from the way in which we educate our children to the food that we eat, from the type of light bulbs that illuminate our living rooms to the benefits that we receive for working. It is time to again trust individuals to make their own decisions. At the core of libertarianism is a trust in and respect for the personal choices of every individual. All Americans should be free to decide what is best for themselves and their families. At the same time, they must bear personal responsibility for the consequences of the decisions that they make, whether those decisions prove to be good or bad.
Those last three sentences say a whole lot and basically sum up about how I feel our country should be run. Right now we're being treated like kids and unfortunately too many people want this instead of actually growing up and taking control of their own lives.
His policy on securing the borders I agree with, although he doesn't really mention anything on immigration policy reform.
Until all governments are willing to take a unified front to confront this problem, it is the duty of the federal government to secure our borders from criminals, terrorists and those seeking to take advantage of the American taxpayer.
Just like Ron Paul, I don't completely understand what their plans are for the war
The proper use of force is clear. If attacked, the aggressor will experience firsthand the skillful wrath of the American fighting man. However, invading or initiating force against another nation based upon perceived threats and speculative intelligence is simply un-American. We are better than the policy of pre-emptive warfare.
I agree with this sentiment. That's great, we shouldn't be so hasty going into war. Teriffic idea. One problem. We ARE in a war. What are you going to do about it?
Whether the war was a bad idea or not, we still have to deal with the reality of what will happen if we leave there before accomplishing the objectives laid out. I might agree that the war was a bad idea and was poorly executed, but that doesn't mean pulling out is going to fix it.
I heard he was on Glenn Beck last week, so I'm going to check out the interview and see if he clarifies his stances anymore.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 8, 2007
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Oh, forgot to mention this.
When talking about how government spending should be decreased (which obviously most of us agree on) he brings up an interesting point that I'm not sure about.
He says:
Government spending at all levels is out of control. Most Americans understand the problem of “earmarks,” commonly used by pork-minded congressmen to buy votes. But while earmarks are an outrageous abuse of the taxpayer’s money, they account for a very small percentage of federal spending.
The federal government must take the lead in making significant cuts in spending. Focusing on earmarks risks distracting attention from the broader problem of a government wildly wasting the money of hard-working Americans.
I'll be the first to admit, the earmarks that a lot of congressman use bug the heck out me. I always feel like the motto "It's easy to spend other peoples money" rings so true in these cases. I hate seeing them use our hard earned money to fund unnecessary pet projects.
However, in the grand scheme of things, maybe they really aren't a huge issue when compared to how much the government spends overall in non earmarks?
Over the past decade, total government spending (state, local and federal) has increased from $2.9 trillion to an astonishing $5.1 trillion in 2008. The $3.1 trillion federal budget submitted by President Bush for next year was greater than the combined 1998 spending of the federal government, all 50 states and over 87,000 local governments.
I'd like to see less spending in most areas. I thought that eliminating pork would do a lot of this, but maybe some of our blame is misplaced?
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Level:Amateur
Since:Apr 5, 2008
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 6, 2006
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There is no longer a INS dept. It is now under the HLS.Wrong.. INS still exists and is not now HLS.. I deal with it every day.
It sounds like you guys have not been to Mexico in your life..........You obviously haven't been paying attention :) I travel to Mexico frequently throughout the year.
Drugs rule the scene. Shoot outs every where it is absolute chaos. Coke is taking a backseat to the new demand for cheap Meth. Chemicals are not restricted there and can be made with relative ease. This combined with the slowdown of our economy and the increased efforts of the Border Patrol have turned Border towns like Tijuana and Juarez into a volatile mix of murder and kidnappings.Border towns have been bad news for decades now.. you're just now finding this out? That has nothing to do with the immigration program or the immigrants coming here to start new lives just as our ancestors did throughout history.
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Reputation:92
Level:All-Star
Since:Sep 14, 2007
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Gr8 and PaytonB-
Just want to say thanks for sharing your views regarding immigration without the old 'they are dirty, lets get rid of them' stereotype. Its much appreciated.
I dont have a solid foundation or opinion regarding this issue, so again thanks for sharing what information you have.
Oh, and border towns suck and are a poor representation of the country as a whole.
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Level:Amateur
Since:Apr 5, 2008
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Level:Amateur
Since:Apr 5, 2008
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 6, 2006
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Oh, and border towns suck and are a poor representation of the country as a whole.So very true.. they have cleaned up Tijuana tremendously, and it's still a dump. Once you get inside the interior it changes greatly.
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Level:Amateur
Since:Apr 5, 2008
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Reputation:92
Level:All-Star
Since:Sep 14, 2007
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So very true.. they have cleaned up Tijuana tremendously, and it's still a dump. Once you get inside the interior it changes greatly.I know.
When I was stationed in San Diego a lot of the less than 21 year olds would go to TJ for the evening and I went once... and only once. I was young and stupid and thought that all of Mexico was like that until I got a chance to see Baja and was blown away at its beauty. | |
