Repackaged socialism & the politics of resentment | Justin Amash | The Reason Interview

[dblack]

Amash needs to run for Prez. From what I know of him, he'd get my vote in a heartbeat.

 

[BluesLegend]

I laugh whenever Congress dares even use the word 'budget'.

 

[Red Front]

If the Federal Reserve were to withdraw money from the economy, they wouldn't be taking money from anyone. They wouldn't be stopping loans that banks can give. So it wouldn't be causing a recession. Not even close. In fact, it would help the economy. Inflation is simply too much money in the economy. And when politicians like Biden and Trump borrow and dump trillions into it, they create inflation. Inflation causes recessions.

Amash, like most conservatives, believe that our military should be just big enough to defend this country.

Amash isn't real concerned with SS & Medicare. He knows those programs are extremely expensive. But also inefficient. Correcting the value of the USD would help these programs. Amash wants to cut unnecessary spending first. The pork that goes into all those omnibus bills, that add up to trillions (over a decade or so)
Cut what's not needed first. Then go from there.

Inflation can indeed result from having "too much money chasing too few goods," but this simplification overlooks the complexity of modern economies and the multitude of factors that contribute to inflationary pressures. It's crucial to distinguish between demand-pull inflation, cost-push inflation, and built-in inflation. The recent inflationary trends observed in many economies can be attributed to a combination of these factors, including supply chain disruptions, increased demand following pandemic-induced restrictions, and significant monetary and fiscal stimulus measures. Thus, attributing inflation solely to government spending overlooks these nuances.

Regarding the efficiency of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, it's essential to critically evaluate the evidence before drawing conclusions about their efficiency compared to private insurance. Studies have shown that administrative costs for Medicare, for instance, are significantly lower than for private health insurance. This discrepancy is largely because government programs don't incur marketing expenses or profit-driven overheads. Additionally, government programs can leverage their large beneficiary base to negotiate better rates for services and medications, further enhancing their efficiency.

The assertion that correcting the value of the USD would inherently benefit these programs simplifies the complex relationship between currency value, inflation, and social welfare. While a strong currency can reduce the cost of imported goods and help contain inflation, its impact on domestic spending, especially on programs like Social Security and Medicare, is more indirect. These programs' sustainability and efficiency are more directly influenced by factors such as demographic changes, healthcare costs, and policy decisions regarding funding and eligibility.

Addressing military spending and the claim that it should be "just big enough to defend this country," it's vital to critically assess what constitutes necessary defense spending and whether current levels of expenditure align with genuine defense needs or are inflated by other factors, such as the influence of defense contractors and political interests. The anecdote about paying $80 for a screwdriver that costs $10 at a local hardware store highlights this issue and suggests that there is substantial room for reducing waste and reallocating resources towards more productive uses.

In summary, while fiscal responsibility is crucial, it's important to recognize that government spending on social programs and infrastructure can have a multiplier effect on the economy, stimulating growth and improving the quality of life for citizens. Rather than adhering strictly to ideologies, policy decisions should be based on a thorough analysis of empirical evidence and aimed at promoting the well-being of the populace and the stability of the economy.

 

[22lcidw]

Israel doesn't want it to end.

If that is true, they have a willing partner in the Islamic people. It got Sadat killed for tiring of wars as Egypt was the Islamic nation that had to have knockouts by Israel and suffer the results.

 

[YoursTruly]

Amash needs to run for Prez. From what I know of him, he'd get my vote in a heartbeat.

He did in 2020, under the LP. But the LP had so many left wingers, he didn't stand a chance of getting the nomination.

 

[YoursTruly]

They are all Arabs, Arafat is the one that started calling them "Palestinians".

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We need to mind our own damn business.

 

[OKTexas]

We need to mind our own damn business.

I tend to agree, but Israel is the only functioning Democratic nation in the ME, their Arab citizens have more rights than they would have in most Arab countries. And they are a strong ally that contributes greatly to our intel gathering.

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[YoursTruly]

I tend to agree, but Israel is the only functioning Democratic nation in the ME, their Arab citizens have more rights than they would have in most Arab countries. And they are a strong ally that contributes greatly to our intel gathering.

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Still none of our business.

 

[Red Front]

I tend to agree, but Israel is the only functioning Democratic nation in the ME, their Arab citizens have more rights than they would have in most Arab countries. And they are a strong ally that contributes greatly to our intel gathering.

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Israel is a Jewocracy, not a democracy. Your assumption that Arab citizens of Israel enjoy more rights and freedoms than Arabs in Arab countries isn't true. When I lived in Israel for eight months back in 2008-2009, I witnessed how Arab Israelis are treated and it's shameful. Israel is perhaps the most racist, xenophobic country I ever visited in my five-year trek around the world. Watch this video about the Arab citizens of Israel:

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[YoursTruly]

Israel is a Jewocracy, not a democracy. Your assumption that Arab citizens of Israel enjoy more rights and freedoms than Arabs in Arab countries isn't true. When I lived in Israel for eight months back in 2008-2009, I witnessed how Arab Israelis are treated and it's shameful. Israel is perhaps the most racist, xenophobic country I ever visited in my five-year trek around the world. Watch this video about the Arab citizens of Israel:

​

Israel and Palestine don't matter.

 

[OKTexas]

Still none of our business.

Our national security says different.

.

 

[YoursTruly]

Our national security says different.

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You mean our MIC and those in government they control.

 

[OKTexas]

You mean our MIC and those in government they control.

Not familiar with that acronym.

.

 

[YoursTruly]

Not familiar with that acronym.

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Military industrial complex.

 

[OKTexas]

Military industrial complex.

Okay.

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[YoursTruly]

Okay.

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Their lobbyist are some of the most powerful in DC. Especially since they have their "You can't vote against the military" propaganda behind them.

 

[Tumblin Tumbleweed]

Magaturds: Full of shit since '15.

 

[OKTexas]

Their lobbyist are some of the most powerful in DC. Especially since they have their "You can't vote against the military" propaganda behind them.

Kind of like "It's for the children." eh?

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