Quote Originally Posted by graymatter
Hey, Breuk, good point, but how do we reconcile "rugged individualism" (aka Reagan/Goldwater) versus human considerations for exapanding options and opportunities to accomplish the basics?

To me the question boils down to how to recapture the meaning of freedom. George Lakoff (linguist) talked about this recently and it really hit me.

That's a good counter-point, but nobody has to starve, or be left out in the cold in a good materialist system - unless they chose to live that way. It's just not the job of the government to be in the "charity" business, nor should they be involved with restrictive programs such as affirmative action, and other bad policies.

People will help others when it's needed, because it's in the best interest of humanity - but it doesn't have to be forced. Non-profit organizations should not be needed as often as they are today, but I certainly don't want to privatize everything.

One MAJOR step in the right direction would be to bring back beneficial patriarchy, in the family and the law. The poverty stricken families are usually that way because the males have been stripped of their rights, kicked out of their own house, and given unfair responsibilities. I think that divorce, when there are children, should be next to impossible. And if the couple still insists on it, the children should remain in the household of the father. I would also eliminate welfare for "single moms" - if churches, or other private institutions want to support them, that's fine. Widows and orphans are different, though. I absolutely believe that we should bring back the concept of "bastard" - meaning that if there was no legal marriage, then the child's biological father is not legally bound to support it. Of course, some men would do it voluntarily, but they should not be forced. It's worth a try - the current situation is not working, and is getting worse. If a woman wants to be a single mother, that is fine as long as she can support herself and her children - with or without outside help. I don't see why I should have to pay for it, through taxation.
Breukelen advocaat Reviewed by Breukelen advocaat on . A good question. Someone posed a question to me and others as to what should be done,if anything, to straighten out the American GOV. As complex as the question is, as there are so many angles to come from, ill start the conversation by giveing my input. I think first and foremost should be Election Reform. Big Bussiness needs to be out of American Politics. It creates biased situations based on greed and power, and in no small part is helping the shrinkage of the modern middle class. To accomplish Rating: 5