Politics

[Mersh]

Originally Posted by inmytree Look, if you want to go down the strict libertarian view, all the power to you, but I don't think you should be upset if people don't see your views as grounded in reality. You're advocating a utopia instead of a game plan.

This is the frustration in discussing politics (sort of a catch all word for what we are talking about) with the Paulite libertarians. Talk to me about working within our current realities not blowing everything up and starting pre-first Bank of the United States. I mean If the starting point is stuff like taxes are theft and we need to go back to carrying specie, I don't know where the discussion goes from there that is at all productive.

[Mersh]

Originally Posted by Tambourine Man End The Fed - Ron Paul The Real Crash: America's Coming Bankruptcy - Peter Schiff America's Great Depression - Murray Rothbard The Road To Serfdom - FA Hayek

This is about what I thought...and that isn't an insult. Thanks for answering.

[inmytree]

Originally Posted by Tambourine Man Libertarians have practical solutions to every problem we face. It's not idealistic or a utopia, it could happen if the people wanted it. People are getting too much free stuff from the government to understand/care about what's going on.

Well, you're certainly are in a superior position when arguing hypotheticals, because I don't think you're hypothetical would, could, or should ever become a reality. My problem is that most libertarians seem to know that, too; it's easy to argue for your economic theory provided it's never been tested.

[FiddySpence]

No vote in the House tonight. We're going over the fiiscal cliff.

[Mersh]

Originally Posted by FiddySpence No vote in the House tonight. We're going over the fiiscal cliff.

Not surprising...no way Republicans voted for the deal that was coming out of the senate....especially since the President hurt their feelings today.

[inmytree]

I'm sure I can find common ground with Tamby on the fact that Congress never fails to surprise me on the depths of its' idiocy.

[FiddySpence]

i'm not surprised either. still disappointed. last i read today the deal going around was extend the bush cuts for those making under 250k and taxes up for those over 500k. i don't know, that seemed as much of a compromise as anything else to me so i held out some hope that it would get done.

oh well.

[Mersh]

Originally Posted by inmytree I'm sure I can find common ground with Tamby on the fact that Congress never fails to surprise me on the depths of its' idiocy.

Well, I think we all can...not really saying much based on their approval rating though I suppose.

[Mersh]

Can't wait for the debt ceiling fight again!

[inmytree]

Yep, I love how that's just going to become a new normal. Two years have passed, it's time for us to willingly skirt the edge of default again.

[Tambourine Man]

Originally Posted by Mersh This is the frustration in discussing politics (sort of a catch all word for what we are talking about) with the Paulite libertarians. Talk to me about working within our current realities not blowing everything up and starting pre-first Bank of the United States. I mean If the starting point is stuff like taxes are theft and we need to go back to carrying specie, I don't know where the discussion goes from there that is at all productive.

Big problems require big solutions aka "blowing everything up"

The US Mint already makes gold/silver coins, but in most states when you go to buy one you pay sales tax. There are legal tender laws that prevent people from paying in gold/silver. Also you pay capital gains tax when the value of your metals go up. I'm saying remove all these laws so I can transact in precious metals. If want to transact in paper money that's fine, but let people who want to use metals, use metals

[FiddySpence]

Originally Posted by Mersh especially since the President hurt their feelings today.

it really is like they took that "never do anything til the last minute" jab and basically told him "fuck off then, we won't do it at all"

[Tambourine Man]

Originally Posted by inmytree I'm sure I can find common ground with Tamby on the fact that Congress never fails to surprise me on the depths of its' idiocy.

They aren't addressing the real problem, which is spending. It's not being touched. So for me it's just all a charade. It's a serious talk for me when somebody submits a balanced 2013 budget

[JustinC]

[Vincent]

I'm proud of you guys. Almost all intelligent conversation. TM's 6 bullet points are worthy of a proper response.

Just not on NYE.

Party in moderation tonight and be safe.

[JustinC]

so had to take my dumbass friend back to the hotel because he went too hard tonight at Phish. Looks like they struck a deal, senate is voting on it right now

[JustinC]

of course rand paul (libertarian) voted no

[brian3641]

I actually hung out with family (the cool ones) tonight. An older friend of my Uncle was there and he kept talking about the "Physical Cleft". Everyone was too amused to correct him.

[Tambourine Man]

Originally Posted by JustinC of course rand paul (libertarian) voted no

Rand Paul doesn't have a very libertarian voting record

[FiddySpence]

House passed the Senate's fiscal cliff plan