Schwarzeneggar Proposes to End HIV/AIDS Services

[wendybeth]

To answer your question, Scaeagles, I happen to quite like our government. It's not perfect, but nothing is. I would also add that you take a page from the history of the French Revolution, or for that matter the Russian Revolution. Let poverty, privation, illness and alienation of what is always the largest class in any society- the poor- run unchecked, and your government isn't going to stay in power very long. That's something the USA understands probably better than any other country, as we have been the refuge for these people for centuries now. By your own admission, you were being provocative- so why the outrage at the reaction? Everyone realizes that budget cuts are going to run deep, but there are just so many other areas of waste that should be investigated before passing out a death sentence to so many people.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

To answer your question, Scaeagles, I happen to quite like our government. It's not perfect, but nothing is.

[snip]

By your own admission, you were being provocative- so why the outrage at the reaction?

I like our government too. There are things we would both change. I don't like the direction it is moving, but 5 years ago you would say the same thing. All political and what we think is best.

I was being provocative to an extent, but I think there is a bit of a difference between asking a question and expecting a defense of why people support something and the rhetoric implying I want all AIDS patients to die.

[wendybeth]

I suspect you were trying to make a point via devil's advocacy, but for the life of me I can't figure out what it was, excepting that the we're in a place where hard choices are our only choices? No matter- I agree that The Governator himself was being provocative (for reasons already posted) and I just think that his choice of HIV was a poor one, especially since the Prop 8 fiasco.

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I was being provocative to an extent, but I think there is a bit of a difference between asking a question and expecting a defense of why people support something and the rhetoric implying I want all AIDS patients to die.

"Wanting"... perhaps not. Supporting policy that would lead to the deaths of thousands... Yes.

[Moonliner]

There is a report today that your Gov is suggesting a 15% flat tax.

I was just wondering, what percentage are you good citizens paying now?

(15% sounds high for a state tax)

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by JWBear

"Wanting"... perhaps not. Supporting policy that would lead to the deaths of thousands... Yes.

There are approx 37500 traffic deaths in the US annually. I propose a 5 mph speed limit and a governor on every vehicle to ensure it is followed. This would practically eliminate all traffic deaths. Anyone who does not agree with this must therefore be put in the box of supporting the current policy, which leads to 37500 deaths per year.

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

There are approx 37500 traffic deaths in the US annually. I propose a 5 mph speed limit and a governor on every vehicle to ensure it is followed. This would practically eliminate all traffic deaths. Anyone who does not agree with this must therefore be put in the box of supporting the current policy, which leads to 37500 deaths per year.

This scenario does not correlate at all. Let me give you one that does:

Say we got a list of the names of those 37500. By some means we have indisputable proof that each and every one of those people will die in a traffic accident in the next year; and only the government has the resources to make the necessary modifications to their cars (only their cars need the modifications, as only they are affected) to keep that from happening. Would you still insist that saving their lives is no business of the government's? Would you really advocate that the government just let them die so your taxes don't go up?

Now suppose that some of the people on that list are friends and relatives of yours - people that you care for. Would you really tell your loved ones on that list "Oh well, it's not my problem. We need to cut the budget. Tough luck."?

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by JWBear

Now suppose that some of the people on that list are friends and relatives of yours - people that you care for. Would you really tell your loved ones on that list "Oh well, it's not my problem. We need to cut the budget. Tough luck."?

Actually, what I would do (and have done in the past) is help them myself to the best of my ability. And donate to charities that do. However, since I don't always support the government being the one who takes action, I must be the one who is selfish in just not wanting my taxes raised, even though I help in other ways.