[quote]Originally posted by MagiK:
Quote:
Originally posted by Timber Loftis:
[qb]By the way, I will note that you didn't manage to discredit anything I said...just criticized me for having said it. [img]smile.gif[/img] cheers!
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And into my trap you fall. I was hoping you'd pick up on that - because it's exactly what I was accusing you of doing.
As for Jeffords weasely ways - why don't you ask the voters of Vermont how they feel about him? They're the ones he's accountable to. If his party is not pursuing his constituent's needs, he, IMHO, absolutely *must* switch sides (or pick no side at all). See, we have this thing called a representational republic - oh, never mind.
Suffice to say, as a resident of Vermont 97-00, I must chime in and say I'd bet they support him there. The willingness to do what tugs at his heartstrings rather than toe the party line is something that both the "true" Vermonters (10 generations of self-proclaimed stewards and common folk) as well as the "new" Vermonters (who fell off the Grateful Dead bus, bought suits and SUVs, and ended up controlling Chittenden County) would agree with - and possibly even the other "true" Vermonters (live in a trailer, beat their wives, and throw their beer bottles in the back yard) would support it as well. It's that very thumb-your-nose-at-the-institution-if-you-so-please attitude that is one of the few very romantic things beholden to most all Vermonters.
As to the merits of what Jeffords had to say, it's obvious and I see little need to repeat it. Regarding this confiscation of your money for education, need I remind you of Mr. President's own promises and stance on education? Waste in government - no sh*t?
Does that mean we shut down the system? Quit building tanks (make no mistake $420 for a screwdriver for a tank is also governmental waste)? Corruption is always a part of managing any system (government or private business). Yes, corruption and waste is a problem to address. As my other half works for the State, believe me I see it every day and am disgusted. [img]graemlins/1puke.gif[/img] But the existence of that problem does NOT give us a reason to simply return to a laissez-faire state of nature with no governmental spending.
Unless you're a Malthusian, that is. And if that's the case, I hope your in that top 5% income bracket or your plan will end you as well as the rest of us plebes.