Why am I a liberal?

[GreatDay]

As a young man in college I was not always the most diligent student. One weekend, near the end of term, was particularly eventful and I found myself on Monday morning sitting, looking at a Dynamics final and no memory of any of the fine formulas we had studied that semester. Then I remembered F=ma. From that kernel I was able to derive all of the formulas I needed and ended up doing pretty well. More importantly, I realized the importance of fundamental concepts; I found that if one has a good understanding of core principles the smaller details are easier to work out. This led me a few years ago to ask myself, aside from the individual policies which align my thinking with “liberals”; why am I a liberal?

After some consideration I arrived on four succinct statements, which I believe also gave me some insight to what motivates the “other” side.

I am a parent.
As a parent I will do anything within my power to advantage my child.
I am a citizen.
As a citizen I believe it is vitally important that we write rules that prevent that.

It is only natural that parents do all they can for their children, however as wealth accumulates this presents a threat to democracy. This is the threat that concerned Jefferson when he spoke of the need for inheritance taxes, not as a form of revenue but a means to protect the democracy from citizens that might become too powerful, and then threaten the will of the people. It is easy to see how this has become the case in America today.

The dangers of inherited wealth to our economy are not unlike monarchy to the health of any nation, when power is derived from birthright rather than one’s labor it is more often foolishly applied. As more and more of our economy becomes “inherited wealth” it becomes more of a target for con men and less a tool for innovators. The world’s financial power has been diverted from improving the human condition into money making schemes designed to enrich those who create them.

I do have some specific suggestions that I feel would be helpful long term:

Public financing for public elections
Flat rate Social Security Tax, first dollar to last all forms of income
Index minimum wage to the average increase in CEO pay for the S&P 500

That’s about it, that shouldn’t be too hard to do, right?

 

[SniperFire]

LOL

I hate commies.

 

[beretta304]

Good grief!

 

[GreatDay]

I see the site is filled with deep thinkers, I don't know how to respond, no really, WTF???

 

[LibertyForAll]

Well at least we know where the OP is coming from.

As a citizen I say "Get your filthy paws out of my wallet!"

 

[beretta304]

 

[IHBF]

Poster child of the left.

 

[JoeB131]

I do have some specific suggestions that I feel would be helpful long term:

Public financing for public elections

I'm not really sure about that. Do we really want every whackjob and nutjob getting a federal handout to run for President or Senate and Congress. How do you determine who gets tax dollars. Do you want a bureaucrat determining who is a "valid" candidate? We did try that with the Presidential fund, but no one checks that box, and they gave them the money anyway, at least until four years ago, when everyone opted out.

Flat rate Social Security Tax, first dollar to last all forms of income

I think what needs to happen is to admit that social security is a welfare program and not a savings program, and it should be means tested.

Index minimum wage to the average increase in CEO pay for the S&P 500

Interesting concept, don't think it's doable. To the point, though. When Reagan was elected, CEO Pay averaged 40 times worker pay. In 2010, that number ballooned to 400 times worker pay. It is not because our companies are better managed, it's because they've learned to game the system.

And this is a uniquely American thing. IN Europe and Japan, CEO pay is about 10 times worker pay.

 

[Liberal]

LOL

I hate commies.

Articulate, well played.

I would expect nothing less!

 

[Katzndogz]

I used to be a liberal, then I started seeing how utterly destructive they were and recovered.

 

[beretta304]

I used to be a liberal, then I started seeing how utterly destructive they were and recovered.

 

[SniperFire]

As an 18 year old, I voted for Jimmy Carter.

He promised hope and change and that he would make life fair.

Then I grew up.

 

[Truthmatters]

As a young man in college I was not always the most diligent student. One weekend, near the end of term, was particularly eventful and I found myself on Monday morning sitting, looking at a Dynamics final and no memory of any of the fine formulas we had studied that semester. Then I remembered F=ma. From that kernel I was able to derive all of the formulas I needed and ended up doing pretty well. More importantly, I realized the importance of fundamental concepts; I found that if one has a good understanding of core principles the smaller details are easier to work out. This led me a few years ago to ask myself, aside from the individual policies which align my thinking with “liberals”; why am I a liberal?

After some consideration I arrived on four succinct statements, which I believe also gave me some insight to what motivates the “other” side.

I am a parent.
As a parent I will do anything within my power to advantage my child.
I am a citizen.
As a citizen I believe it is vitally important that we write rules that prevent that.

It is only natural that parents do all they can for their children, however as wealth accumulates this presents a threat to democracy. This is the threat that concerned Jefferson when he spoke of the need for inheritance taxes, not as a form of revenue but a means to protect the democracy from citizens that might become too powerful, and then threaten the will of the people. It is easy to see how this has become the case in America today.

The dangers of inherited wealth to our economy are not unlike monarchy to the health of any nation, when power is derived from birthright rather than one’s labor it is more often foolishly applied. As more and more of our economy becomes “inherited wealth” it becomes more of a target for con men and less a tool for innovators. The world’s financial power has been diverted from improving the human condition into money making schemes designed to enrich those who create them.

I do have some specific suggestions that I feel would be helpful long term:

Public financing for public elections
Flat rate Social Security Tax, first dollar to last all forms of income
Index minimum wage to the average increase in CEO pay for the S&P 500

That’s about it, that shouldn’t be too hard to do, right?

Not bad.

One of mine is free airtime for all qualified candidates.

They get so much time and then have to use it by standing in front of the camera and telling you their platform.

No buying of airtime for anyone

 

[Sunni Man]

The OP is basically Marxism 101

 

[GreatDay]

Well at least we know where the OP is coming from.

As a citizen I say "Get your filthy paws out of my wallet!"

Get your filthy hands off my government!!

You should of thought about that before you ran up a 15 trillion dollar debt, now go tell the rich brats daddy's got a bill to pay.

 

[plt42]

Mr. Great Day. ... Why are you a liberal?

Well, I can only assume that, after all that has transpired under the guidance of our current liberal administration to splinter the country, that you haven't adequately informed yourself or just flat refuse to see what's going on around you. I must assume this otherwise I would think you to be an idiot. (Trying to give you the benefit of a doubt.)

 

[Mad Scientist]

It is only natural that parents do all they can for their children, however as wealth accumulates this presents a threat to democracy. This is the threat that concerned Jefferson when he spoke of the need for inheritance taxes, not as a form of revenue but a means to protect the democracy from citizens that might become too powerful, and then threaten the will of the people. It is easy to see how this has become the case in America today.

I can't find that quote anywhere but I did find this attributed to Jefferson:
The Greatest Thomas Jefferson quotes

"To take from one because it is thought that his own industry and that of his father’s has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association—the guarantee to every one of a free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it".

Not having a source kinda' blows up the OP's entire thread.

 

[GreatDay]

I do have some specific suggestions that I feel would be helpful long term:

Public financing for public elections

I'm not really sure about that. Do we really want every whackjob and nutjob getting a federal handout to run for President or Senate and Congress. How do you determine who gets tax dollars. Do you want a bureaucrat determining who is a "valid" candidate? We did try that with the Presidential fund, but no one checks that box, and they gave them the money anyway, at least until four years ago, when everyone opted out.

Flat rate Social Security Tax, first dollar to last all forms of income

I think what needs to happen is to admit that social security is a welfare program and not a savings program, and it should be means tested.

Index minimum wage to the average increase in CEO pay for the S&P 500

Interesting concept, don't think it's doable. To the point, though. When Reagan was elected, CEO Pay averaged 40 times worker pay. In 2010, that number ballooned to 400 times worker pay. It is not because our companies are better managed, it's because they've learned to game the system.

And this is a uniquely American thing. IN Europe and Japan, CEO pay is about 10 times worker pay.

I'll just do it all here, we have public funding in AZ and we don't have wing nuts, it is possible and besides have you seen Sheldon? he can bankroll anyone he wants, how is that better?


We have moved huge amounts of income into non payroll amounts since SS was established, it is vital that we preserve it as it has been hugely successful in keeping the elderly from the streets. The application of first dollar to last all forms of income is a way to meet the flat taxers at least half way to show I am willing to compromise.

I think that those that say government bureaucrats should not dictate what people should be paid have a point. So why not let those who know best how the economy is doing on average, that's why you take the average of the biggest 500 so you get a good average performance, this number would not be hard to get, and just apply that to the minimum wage each year so it will be according to how well the real economy is doing not what some government person says.

 

[GreatDay]

As an 18 year old, I voted for Jimmy Carter.

He promised hope and change and that he would make life fair.

Then I grew up.

Could you link me to that speach, I missed it. Or are you just lying?

 

[Sallow]

It is only natural that parents do all they can for their children, however as wealth accumulates this presents a threat to democracy. This is the threat that concerned Jefferson when he spoke of the need for inheritance taxes, not as a form of revenue but a means to protect the democracy from citizens that might become too powerful, and then threaten the will of the people. It is easy to see how this has become the case in America today.

I can't find that quote anywhere but I did find this attributed to Jefferson:
The Greatest Thomas Jefferson quotes

"To take from one because it is thought that his own industry and that of his father’s has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association—the guarantee to every one of a free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it".

Not having a source kinda' blows up the OP's entire thread.

Jefferson changed a good deal of his views shortly after becoming President.

Something that most of you conservative "history" afficinados seem to miss.