ToughJ.Riggins
Hall of Famer
Sorry for another long rant, but here's a story for you. I had this discussion not long ago with my my oldest cousin I live with and my fiance when we were hanging out and watching Bill O'Reilly; I really should hang out more on weekdays; All I tend to do is be on the internet and write stuff. A poll was asked on this exact question (of course with some variation).
My cousin is a big-time liberal. He's a young College student who still lives at home. He was talking about how Obama wants to see to it that
"low wage earners can afford health-care, easier aid for their kids for college, low-income housing, medications" And asks:
"Don't you agree Canada's better?"
I told him what a disaster socialized medicine is in Canada with people even waiting weeks for emergency surgery. I said the Australian or Argentina method of "subsidized" health-care; where if I recall the rich can still pay for better service to go out of network/pay out of pocket; works better.
Then he says that minimum wage earners
deserve better. He even says
"they deserve to have cable t.v"
This is where it got too much for me to handle and I stopped him; "I mean is even basic cable a top priority when you're just trying to get by?" I said,
"Yes I agree with you we need to help the poor, but if you set minimum wage too high it can put small businesses out of business. You're sounding like you want everyone to earn the same for radically different job skills; that's when society falls apart man.
And Obama wants to take away people's ability to write off most charitable contributions on their taxes. He wants more government everywhere. You help the poor by both government programs and private contributions you know."
I admit to being somewhat of an economic liberal (one of the few on this site probably), but not nearly to the extent of my cousin; his nose was starting to "turn red" I tell you.
Then he says: Well, why not set the minimum wage higher for businesses that employ larger numbers of people; set it for standard business sizes. So my fiance says
"I'd love that if it would work, but then you'd just be over-legislating and the laws are complicated enough already. And there will just be more loopholes in the law as well."
So then the two of them start talking, sort of leaving me as the "ultra conservative third wheel". And they both agree 100% they want Obama's economic vision and foreign policy to succeed. I was thinking this is because they are both under 25 and kind of naive. But then my Aunt comes downstairs and also agrees with them. I couldn't believe it. They were even agreeing on how great this is for African Americans and how it will bring the country together break down stereotypes etc. I mean I was having fun with this lively discussion at first, but geeez.
So that is when I bring up the Freedom of Choice Act.
"If it passes, if I recall, every single pharmacy in America will have to carry the morning after pill; there will be "no choice" even as a Christian Private Pharmacist owner. Catholic Hospitals would be required to perform abortions or outsource to groups to make abortions available (a bishop has even said all Catholic hospitals could be closed down). Partial Birth Abortion will likely become legal again. And you guys want economics "the Economic stimulus package Obama advocated and signed has plenty of earmarks to special interests, powerful unions etc.; So so much for the "little guy"."
It turned into a fairly intense debate, but at least it was with the people who won't hold things against you. My fiance at least agrees with me that Obama is a complete "radical" on his Secular Moral Agenda and wasn't originally happy when Obama won. But she apparently has now turned optimistic and thinks some good can come from many components of his Presidency . We're both strong pro-life Catholics.
I mean speaking of Bono the three of them were reminding me of him. My fiance went to Honduras in college to help poor orphans with her Catholic group and my Aunt donates a lot of time to the red-cross and such; so their heart is in the right place.
But still; how in the world as a Christian can you root for Obama.
"Although there is certainly debate on what you should believe as a Christian on Economic Justice, If Obama succeeds Economically he will be a two term president and Change us into a Secular, more Pro-Choice, more open to Indecency, More Pro-Gay, Anti-Christian nation."
I wish my uncle was there b/c I was basically all alone here as being completely un-open to accepting Obama. I guess I am just that disgusted with Obama.
The one good thing that can come, is that maybe the argument that AA is needed will lose merit. If an African American (well half actually) can rise to the pinnacle of success as the leader of the most powerful nation in the world, then why would blacks need special privileges anymore? "Whitey" isn't holding you back brothers?
With the Al Sharpton's of the nation around you're not getting away with any real racial employment discrimination anymore anyway!
I don't see this as Apples and oranges. If you don't like where a leader is going to take your country (on the issues that are most important to you) you can't pick certain areas you want him to succeed and others you don't. I admit- I'm hoping his Presidency is a failure and he's a one term President and I'm guessing this will be a run away poll on this site that will echo that sentiment. Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
My cousin is a big-time liberal. He's a young College student who still lives at home. He was talking about how Obama wants to see to it that
"low wage earners can afford health-care, easier aid for their kids for college, low-income housing, medications" And asks:
"Don't you agree Canada's better?"
I told him what a disaster socialized medicine is in Canada with people even waiting weeks for emergency surgery. I said the Australian or Argentina method of "subsidized" health-care; where if I recall the rich can still pay for better service to go out of network/pay out of pocket; works better.
Then he says that minimum wage earners
deserve better. He even says
"they deserve to have cable t.v"
This is where it got too much for me to handle and I stopped him; "I mean is even basic cable a top priority when you're just trying to get by?" I said,
"Yes I agree with you we need to help the poor, but if you set minimum wage too high it can put small businesses out of business. You're sounding like you want everyone to earn the same for radically different job skills; that's when society falls apart man.
And Obama wants to take away people's ability to write off most charitable contributions on their taxes. He wants more government everywhere. You help the poor by both government programs and private contributions you know."
I admit to being somewhat of an economic liberal (one of the few on this site probably), but not nearly to the extent of my cousin; his nose was starting to "turn red" I tell you.
Then he says: Well, why not set the minimum wage higher for businesses that employ larger numbers of people; set it for standard business sizes. So my fiance says
"I'd love that if it would work, but then you'd just be over-legislating and the laws are complicated enough already. And there will just be more loopholes in the law as well."
So then the two of them start talking, sort of leaving me as the "ultra conservative third wheel". And they both agree 100% they want Obama's economic vision and foreign policy to succeed. I was thinking this is because they are both under 25 and kind of naive. But then my Aunt comes downstairs and also agrees with them. I couldn't believe it. They were even agreeing on how great this is for African Americans and how it will bring the country together break down stereotypes etc. I mean I was having fun with this lively discussion at first, but geeez.
So that is when I bring up the Freedom of Choice Act.
"If it passes, if I recall, every single pharmacy in America will have to carry the morning after pill; there will be "no choice" even as a Christian Private Pharmacist owner. Catholic Hospitals would be required to perform abortions or outsource to groups to make abortions available (a bishop has even said all Catholic hospitals could be closed down). Partial Birth Abortion will likely become legal again. And you guys want economics "the Economic stimulus package Obama advocated and signed has plenty of earmarks to special interests, powerful unions etc.; So so much for the "little guy"."
It turned into a fairly intense debate, but at least it was with the people who won't hold things against you. My fiance at least agrees with me that Obama is a complete "radical" on his Secular Moral Agenda and wasn't originally happy when Obama won. But she apparently has now turned optimistic and thinks some good can come from many components of his Presidency . We're both strong pro-life Catholics.
I mean speaking of Bono the three of them were reminding me of him. My fiance went to Honduras in college to help poor orphans with her Catholic group and my Aunt donates a lot of time to the red-cross and such; so their heart is in the right place.
But still; how in the world as a Christian can you root for Obama.
"Although there is certainly debate on what you should believe as a Christian on Economic Justice, If Obama succeeds Economically he will be a two term president and Change us into a Secular, more Pro-Choice, more open to Indecency, More Pro-Gay, Anti-Christian nation."
I wish my uncle was there b/c I was basically all alone here as being completely un-open to accepting Obama. I guess I am just that disgusted with Obama.
The one good thing that can come, is that maybe the argument that AA is needed will lose merit. If an African American (well half actually) can rise to the pinnacle of success as the leader of the most powerful nation in the world, then why would blacks need special privileges anymore? "Whitey" isn't holding you back brothers?
With the Al Sharpton's of the nation around you're not getting away with any real racial employment discrimination anymore anyway!
I don't see this as Apples and oranges. If you don't like where a leader is going to take your country (on the issues that are most important to you) you can't pick certain areas you want him to succeed and others you don't. I admit- I'm hoping his Presidency is a failure and he's a one term President and I'm guessing this will be a run away poll on this site that will echo that sentiment. Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins