tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22918248.post243962554366593830..comments2024-03-26T15:30:39.733-07:00Comments on Rainy Day Thoughts: political thinkingRain Trueaxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994628226501093880noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22918248.post-5405783392301950692017-04-30T06:34:16.932-07:002017-04-30T06:34:16.932-07:00It could be a time for a genuine third party to ar...It could be a time for a genuine third party to arise-- leaning conservative economically and liberal socially. Although, I used to say that about liberal socially more than I feel now. Unisex bathrooms just seem logical to me, not liberal. Criticizing police when they go too far is fine but to say we can only 'say' black lives matter, not blue lives-- is that a liberal social position? When liberals block speeches by those with whom they disagree, is that a liberal social position? To me what i used to think of when it came to liberalism was live and let live if it doesn't hurt someone else. Now it's my way or the highway for some extreme positions. Interesting timesRain Trueaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994628226501093880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22918248.post-84994365491747197132017-04-28T20:23:21.083-07:002017-04-28T20:23:21.083-07:00I think a lot of people have left the parties as t...I think a lot of people have left the parties as the parties have become more extreme on both sides. Ingineer66https://www.blogger.com/profile/01319022726561229313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22918248.post-9634158659711488432017-04-28T15:17:52.393-07:002017-04-28T15:17:52.393-07:00It's hard though when we don't have a part...It's hard though when we don't have a party. I no longer have one eitherRain Trueaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994628226501093880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22918248.post-89212890280413328412017-04-28T13:44:58.373-07:002017-04-28T13:44:58.373-07:00Like Groucho Marx I would never belong to a club t...Like Groucho Marx I would never belong to a club that would accept someone like me as a member. Ha ha. As I've grown older I've learned to reject labels and to detach myself from political parties. The conservatives have some good ideas but they don't have all the answers. Same thing with the liberals. And both parties are utterly corrupt. While most people only allow themselves information that reinforces their own prejudices there is wisdom in reading a wide variety of news sources (keeping away from the extremes of both sides). If you have a tribal, my side is the right side mindset you will be easily led down the garden path.Wallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18260580684326693193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22918248.post-27217075636192715572017-04-28T12:32:17.864-07:002017-04-28T12:32:17.864-07:00I think the independent or moderate label allows f...I think the independent or moderate label allows for varying opinions that suit neither. We don't need a label though-- unless we want to belong to a club.Rain Trueaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994628226501093880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22918248.post-27342150421255627802017-04-27T22:52:59.220-07:002017-04-27T22:52:59.220-07:00I'm me, I don't think I fit any of those l...I'm me, I don't think I fit any of those labels, just parts of some and parts of others. Brighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11299215170393879517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22918248.post-36644439516226091372017-04-27T12:25:38.849-07:002017-04-27T12:25:38.849-07:00Thanks for taking the time for this, Wally. I beli...Thanks for taking the time for this, Wally. I believe we benefit when we understand from where others are coming-- sometimes in surprising ways.Rain Trueaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994628226501093880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22918248.post-55564242823896948052017-04-27T11:43:57.882-07:002017-04-27T11:43:57.882-07:00Social justice-- We hold these truths to be self-...Social justice-- We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by <br />their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. <br />Political correctness-- In a civilized country there is no need for us to insult by word or deed members of our own <br />national community.<br />Abortion-- I hate the idea except in the most dire circumstances. However, there is a strong correlation between poverty <br />and abortion. Perhaps the alleviation of one will alleviate the other.<br />Guns-- I'm a life-long gun owner. But it is insane to sell guns to anyone who has the money to pay for one regarless of<br />their mental state and criminal record. <br />Wars--Sometimes they are necessary but most of them have been the product of greed and extreme nationalism.<br />Draft-- I was drafted and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. But, I think it is morally wrong <br /> to send the children of the working classes to die for the benefit of the wealthy elite.<br />Programs for the poor--Every tribe and nation has taken care of their poor and defenseless. It is the mark of civilization.<br />Taxes-- We should all pay our fair share to maintain infrastructure, educate our kids, police and fire, national defense.<br />It is a myth that cutting the taxes of the wealthy and corporations will boost the economy . <br />Immigration-- We should welcome the best and the brightest with common sense vetting and investigation.<br />Illegal Immigrants--Deport the criminals make a way for the ones who are working and paying taxes. <br />Social Security-- The U.S. program is the best in the world. It may need adjusting especially since Congress has<br />"borrowed" from it over the years. Privatization would just transfer a huge fund of public funds into private pockets.<br />Health care-- Don't expect politicians to come up with an affordable and universal health care plan when they have been heavily lobbied<br />to protect the interests of Bigpharm, insurance companies, hospitals and other medical associations.<br />Opioids-- Conscientious self-regulation from the pharmaceutical companies and physicians would go a long way toward <br />that problem. In my state drug stores maintain a computer network that flags people who present too many prescriptions in <br />too short of time. <br />Education-- An educated populace is another mark of civilization. It should be paid for by taxpayers at least through<br />the first two years of college or technical school.<br />Professors--They are entitled to free speech just like the rest of us.<br />Religion-- Keep the church and state separated.<br />Constitution-- Before any changes are made it should be understood who will benefit and which of us will lose<br />their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.<br />Environment-- It's the only planet we have. We should take care of it.<br />Bigotry-- The result of ignorance<br />Global climate change-- It's hard to deny that it is happening. Yet we are assured from some that it is a hoax.<br /><br />The philosopher Hannah Arendt said, "A people that no longer can believe anything cannot make up its mind. It is deprived<br /> not only of the capacity to act but think annd to judge." I think we are there now.<br />Wallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18260580684326693193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22918248.post-50395970833687691242017-04-27T07:23:30.234-07:002017-04-27T07:23:30.234-07:00They are there nowThey are there nowRain Trueaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994628226501093880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22918248.post-74236162966797133222017-04-27T07:22:51.046-07:002017-04-27T07:22:51.046-07:00The reason the 'Conservative' did not comm...The reason the 'Conservative' did not comment fully was due to a long pause of blank spaces accidentally left in the screen format...operator error :)Rain Trueaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994628226501093880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22918248.post-34240197870206774272017-04-27T03:22:02.863-07:002017-04-27T03:22:02.863-07:00I tend to agree with most of what was said above b...I tend to agree with most of what was said above by you. I consider myself a moderate liberal (socially liberal and fiscally conservative). Wondering why the conservative did not provide comments on most issues? I think I am stricter on gun control but it is complicated. I am very strong on free speech and unhappy that Ann Coulter (who I do not agree with) was not allowed to speak in the early efforts. Universities are going to have to get their act together on this issue. I think education should be available to all and that includes some subsidized from of education for the "trades" workers and those who do not need a broad education. I do think that a certain attendance level and grade level must be meet. Abortion is the really tough one. Cannot answer that for others.Taborhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15257045780724471840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22918248.post-12895502932424899462017-04-26T06:02:07.104-07:002017-04-26T06:02:07.104-07:00thanks for sharing, Annie. I think sharing our vie...thanks for sharing, Annie. I think sharing our views is helpful and a way to have discussions that might get us somewhere. We don't have to agree to be able to talk about possible solutions to what are often worldwide problems.Rain Trueaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994628226501093880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22918248.post-85353484427249277592017-04-26T05:45:53.939-07:002017-04-26T05:45:53.939-07:00With respect to social programs: Universal basic i...With respect to social programs: Universal basic income programs. They are not perfect but better than the alternatives.<br /><br />With respect to opioids: Decriminalize. Portugal has had enormous success dealing with drug-related problems thanks to decriminalization.<br /><br />Illegal immigrants: Make immigration easier. Reality is that people are going to try to move from poor countries to rich countries and making that movement illegal is the same as making drug use illegal. Penning people into poor countries creates more problems than it solves.<br /><br />Health and education: Provide the basics for free. Constant re-examination of what is "basic" to reasonable quality of life and participation in community life.<br /><br />Taxes: Spend less on war and "security" and more on health, education and social programs. Increase as necessary to meet basic goals.<br /><br />Childcare: Provide low-cost certified quality childcare to families and/or support for one parent to stay home. The huge amount of stress involved in working, taking care of preschoolers and making ends meet is a kind of socially-sanctioned torture.<br /><br />Eldercare: Ditto.<br /><br />I guess this makes me a radical leftist.Anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03787701515460812026noreply@blogger.com