The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by Prudence

I'm not disputing that many individuals have altruistic leanings, but working as individuals is inefficient and ineffective.

Perhaps....but a bag of groceries handed over the back fence to one's neighbor is 100% efficient. How full will that bag be after being passed around by our "charitable" politicians and bureaucrats?

In this situation, yes. And I realize that this is the fundamental point on which we will differ. It's not that I think people are essentially bad, but I think people have a fundamental desire to shirk responsibility. And maybe that's just me projecting my own failings onto the world around me, but in a society as spread out as ours has become, it's easy to convince one's self that someone else will clean up the messes.

Perhaps in a different time, I would have had a different response. If our world was still more community-oriented and we knew our neighbors and there would be a real social shaming of those who skipped out on their share of the community support I would choose to trust people over the government.

I think you are right but perhaps the reason we shirk responsibility and are less community-oriented can be blamed on the government.....and perhaps not. I suppose it might be a chicken and egg thing.

Again, I'd like to thank you for your thoughtful, honest response to my posts.

[Gemini Cricket]

lol!

THAT although we didn't think it would be possible to silence Ann Coulter, the leggy reactionary broke her jaw and the mouth that roared has been wired shut

Source
Hmm, NYP Page Six... gossip... but if it's true, there is a god!