How much does government affect you?

[MikeDC]

Does government run your life? I don't feel it runs mine.

It does place a few restrictions on my behavior - like I can't shop for scotch at 4am, and I can't drive 150 mph, but mostly it leaves me alone.

barfo

Likewise, if you've lived your entire life in a cage, it's pretty hard to fathom what life outside a cage would be like. If you never try getting out, the guards will mostly leave you alone.

That's a fairly limited view of how much government affects you. Like, I think having to pay $20-30,000 every year is a pretty big restriction on my life, and I don't think I get much in return or will in the future.

If you don't think it's a very big restriction to have to pay out that sort of money, you're free to write me a check

Likewise, I'm quite certain that the sum total of restrictions and taxations put on others reduce my options because they limit what others can provide me. And let's not forget the debt obligations the government is incurring on our behalf, which are certain to constrain us more than we need be down the road.

And finally, of course, let's not forget that much of my losses in these areas is due to folks from all parties and at all levels of the government imposing fewer restrictions on themselves and their friends than they impose on you and me.

 

[maxiep]

The government is like a boa constrictor. People want to be wrapped in a warm, safe embrace, but eventually the boa crushes you to death.

 

[barfo]

Likewise, if you've lived your entire life in a cage, it's pretty hard to fathom what life outside a cage would be like. If you never try getting out, the guards will mostly leave you alone.

I like it here. You can call it a cage if you want to, but it is at least a nice one.

That's a fairly limited view of how much government affects you. Like, I think having to pay $20-30,000 every year is a pretty big restriction on my life, and I don't think I get much in return or will in the future.

It's not all about money for me. I don't mind paying taxes. I know the government is not perfect and that some of the money I send them is going to be either non-productive or spent on things I wouldn't choose to do if I was in charge, but that's our system of government. It seems to work ok.

If you don't think it's a very big restriction to have to pay out that sort of money, you're free to write me a check

If you make a good enough case that it is in my interest to do so, I will.

Likewise, I'm quite certain that the sum total of restrictions and taxations put on others reduce my options because they limit what others can provide me. And let's not forget the debt obligations the government is incurring on our behalf, which are certain to constrain us more than we need be down the road.

And let's not forget the things that the government does for you that increase your options.

And finally, of course, let's not forget that much of my losses in these areas is due to folks from all parties and at all levels of the government imposing fewer restrictions on themselves and their friends than they impose on you and me.

I guess I'm not terribly jealous of those in government service. Seems to me their jobs mostly suck, and I wouldn't want them. But yes, I guess they have nice health and retirement plans.

barfo

 

[The_Lillard_King]

That's a fairly limited view of how much government affects you. Like, I think having to pay $20-30,000 every year is a pretty big restriction on my life, and I don't think I get much in return or will in the future.

You don't think you get much for paying taxes? You get to live, work and try to make your fortune in this country.

There are a lot of people in this world who would love to be "restrcited" by taxes to be able to live and work in this country.

 

[blazerboy30]

You don't think you get much for paying taxes? You get to live, work and try to make your fortune in this country.

Lots of people in this country get those privileges without paying any, or very little taxes.

 

[Denny Crane]

Govt. effects me when I drive down the street and see traffic signs - it may actually be safe to go 40 MPH though the sign says 35.

Whenver I buy something, there's a tax.

Of course there's the paycheck stub.

And less obvious to most is the cost of regulation that is passed on to everyone in the form of higher prices on everything.

There's the medical marijuana (in most states) that might help me out some day. There's all kinds of drugs that aren't available even if I'm dying and there's no hope and taking such a drug might be worth a shot.

There's the local bar has to close at certain hours because it's the law.

There's the red paint on the curb on the street behind my house where you can't park or get a ticket. There's the "don't park on this side of the street on thursday" streets too.

There's the cop has the right to pull you over for any reason he wants.

There's the state wanting to spend more money so they raise my taxes without my consent.

Ad infinitum.

It's so prevalent in just about everything we do.

 

[barfo]

Lots of people in this country get those privileges without paying any, or very little taxes.

Lots of people in this country are born rich and don't have to work.
Lots of people in this country are prettier, or can run faster, than you.
And that isn't fair.
But who told you life was going to be fair?

barfo

 

[barfo]

Govt. effects me when I drive down the street and see traffic signs - it may actually be safe to go 40 MPH though the sign says 35.

Whenver I buy something, there's a tax.

Of course there's the paycheck stub.

And less obvious to most is the cost of regulation that is passed on to everyone in the form of higher prices on everything.

There's the medical marijuana (in most states) that might help me out some day. There's all kinds of drugs that aren't available even if I'm dying and there's no hope and taking such a drug might be worth a shot.

There's the local bar has to close at certain hours because it's the law.

There's the red paint on the curb on the street behind my house where you can't park or get a ticket. There's the "don't park on this side of the street on thursday" streets too.

There's the cop has the right to pull you over for any reason he wants.

There's the state wanting to spend more money so they raise my taxes without my consent.

Ad infinitum.

It's so prevalent in just about everything we do.

Yeah, if only we didn't have a government. Boy, it just chaps my hide to be told where to park. I mean, sometimes it would be really convenient to park in the middle of the street. Or in front of a fire hydrant. Or on my neighbor's lawn. I don't know why I'm not allowed to make that decision for myself. I feel so controlled.

barfo

 

[PapaG]

Lots of people in this country are born rich and don't have to work.
Lots of people in this country are prettier, or can run faster, than you.
And that isn't fair.
But who told you life was going to be fair?

barfo

President Obama.

 

[Denny Crane]

There's civil court if you park on the neighbor's lawn. As it should be.

If you park in the middle of the street and get hit, civil court again.

 

[barfo]

There's civil court if you park on the neighbor's lawn. As it should be.

If you park in the middle of the street and get hit, civil court again.

What if I don't get hit? What if I just block you from using the road?

barfo

 

[mook]

The government is like a boa constrictor. People want to be wrapped in a warm, safe embrace, but eventually the boa crushes you to death.

When do you think government will crush us to death? Seriously? Do you have a particular date in mind?

Because I'd lay pretty good odds on me surviving well into my 80's or 90's. I'll probably die around the year 2059, and I'll bet I'll be pretty happy most of that time (as I've been pretty happy so far in spite of government crushing).

Do you think I'm wrong and government will completely crush me before then? If so, which year? I'd like to know so I can plan more vacations sooner.

 

[mook]

President Obama.

I'd like to see the quote/link on that one.

 

[AgentDrazenPetrovic]

government provides infrastructure. i don't mind government...just hate the idea of a robin hood society.

 

[blazerboy30]

Lots of people in this country are prettier, or can run faster, than you.

Not true. Hey, are moderators allowed to make personal attacks?

And that isn't fair.
But who told you life was going to be fair?

barfo

Exactly. Did you call out Obama, who you fully support, when he was campaigning on making things "fair"?

 

[Denny Crane]

Good news for you, Barfo. Now govt. is going to tell you where you can park your boat.

Boats Too Costly to Keep Are Littering Coastlines

 

[barfo]

Not true. Hey, are moderators allowed to make personal attacks?

I did not mean to imply that you are not extraordinarily pretty, and a very fast runner.

Did you call out Obama, who you fully support, when he was campaigning on making things "fair"?

Not at all. Because I support making things more fair where possible - I just accept that things aren't ever going to be completely fair.

barfo

 

[blazerboy30]

I did not mean to imply that you are not extraordinarily pretty, and a very fast runner.



Not at all. Because I support making things more fair where possible - I just accept that things aren't ever going to be completely fair.

barfo

And here is the big question:

What does "fair" mean?

 

[barfo]

Good news for you, Barfo. Now govt. is going to tell you where you can park your boat.

Boats Too Costly to Keep Are Littering Coastlines

I believe that boats should be free and unfettered. That's why I cut their mooring lines whenever I come across them, and push them out into the current.

barfo

 

[barfo]

And here is the big question:

What does "fair" mean?

free of clouds or rain

barfo

 

[blazerboy30]

free of clouds or rain

barfo

Oh. No wonder you want to tax so heavily then. That is gonna take a LOT of money.

 

[PapaG]

I'd like to see the quote/link on that one.

Well, I posted it to be a smart ass, but this is the basis for it.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10152008/news/politics/obama_fires_a_robin_hood_warning_shot_133685.htm

"I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Lots of people in this country get those privileges without paying any, or very little taxes.

If those people own or rent . . . they are paying taxes (landowners factor in property tax when renting)

If those people ever buy anything, there is a good chance they are paying taxes

If those people work, there is a good chance they are paying taxes.

But yes, the people who live for free, don't work and don't buy taxable items don't have to pay taxes. If that is a lot of people, this country has problems.

 

[MikeDC]

I like it here. You can call it a cage if you want to, but it is at least a nice one.

It's not all about money for me. I don't mind paying taxes. I know the government is not perfect and that some of the money I send them is going to be either non-productive or spent on things I wouldn't choose to do if I was in charge, but that's our system of government. It seems to work ok.

OK sucks ass. I want high standards.

If you make a good enough case that it is in my interest to do so, I will.

Can I just go with the governmental case that if you don't, you'll be fined, imprisoned and killed if you resist?

And let's not forget the things that the government does for you that increase your options.

It's hard to forget next to nothing. While I believe some level of government is necessary, there are precious few areas where this is the case, and they're typically quite fleeting moments.

I guess I'm not terribly jealous of those in government service. Seems to me their jobs mostly suck, and I wouldn't want them. But yes, I guess they have nice health and retirement plans.

I wasn't much talking about the average folks who are actually employed by the government