Posted by Sir Four at 1:10pm Jul 17 '09"Yet, Four, who supports more government just about everywhere"
You will find that I, like most liberals, Democrats, left-of-center...whatever label you want to apply, support the free market 9 times out of 10, and the government in the other cases. Whereas if I hold up the mirror to guys like you, it's complete rigidity for one option only. In other words... you're projecting. =P
"If the market is so scary and evil then how come we always seems to provide an excess of whatever it is that we want?"
The market isn't scary and evil, and it provides what we want... 9 times out of 10. =)
"Energy - screwed up and outdated"
I wouldn't call energy "government-run" although due to the nature and scale of the energy industry it is difficult to imagine no government involvement. You say "outdated" and I'll point you to the fact that, decades ago, a lot of the government-run pieces, such as transmission lines, were privatized...and guess what private companies found it most profitable to do: let the equipment grow old and out-dated and reach maximum capacity before ever considering upgrading it (that costs money! Oh noes, less profit!).
"Military - outdated vision and highly overpriced"
Though you agreed in another post that we can't privatize the military. The problem with military spending is a simple one: every time a politician wants to cut spending, the moron brigade comes out and says, "Good heavens, SoAndSo is gutting our military and hates America and we're all gonna die!" Basically, morons are keeping our military spending high.
"Education - most expensive in the world and also a laughingstock"
Can't argue
"Retirement benefits - spent all our reserves and in an impossible situation"
They thought the same thing in the 80s and a few tweaks solved the problem. I agree the system needs more modifications today, but your portrayal is extreme and inaccurate.
"Roads and Bridges - Ha! Don't make me choke up my milk!"
Another victim of neglect, as this falls under the "spending" that right-wing politicians always want to cut. Neat trick: starve the transportation infrastructure of funds, then complain that government can't even maintain the roads and bridges.
You will find that I, like most liberals, Democrats, left-of-center...whatever label you want to apply, support the free market 9 times out of 10, and the government in the other cases. Whereas if I hold up the mirror to guys like you, it's complete rigidity for one option only. In other words... you're projecting. =P
"If the market is so scary and evil then how come we always seems to provide an excess of whatever it is that we want?"
The market isn't scary and evil, and it provides what we want... 9 times out of 10. =)
"Energy - screwed up and outdated"
I wouldn't call energy "government-run" although due to the nature and scale of the energy industry it is difficult to imagine no government involvement. You say "outdated" and I'll point you to the fact that, decades ago, a lot of the government-run pieces, such as transmission lines, were privatized...and guess what private companies found it most profitable to do: let the equipment grow old and out-dated and reach maximum capacity before ever considering upgrading it (that costs money! Oh noes, less profit!).
"Military - outdated vision and highly overpriced"
Though you agreed in another post that we can't privatize the military. The problem with military spending is a simple one: every time a politician wants to cut spending, the moron brigade comes out and says, "Good heavens, SoAndSo is gutting our military and hates America and we're all gonna die!" Basically, morons are keeping our military spending high.
"Education - most expensive in the world and also a laughingstock"
Can't argue
"Retirement benefits - spent all our reserves and in an impossible situation"
They thought the same thing in the 80s and a few tweaks solved the problem. I agree the system needs more modifications today, but your portrayal is extreme and inaccurate.
"Roads and Bridges - Ha! Don't make me choke up my milk!"
Another victim of neglect, as this falls under the "spending" that right-wing politicians always want to cut. Neat trick: starve the transportation infrastructure of funds, then complain that government can't even maintain the roads and bridges.
Re: Why am I not surprised? - Sir Four