I had a dream, a nice dream...

[trebuchet03]

Originally Posted by skewbe

we will need more social programs, i.e. healthcare.

Oh no! He said the "S" word

I agree... I mean, I like the social programs we have now... If my house catches on fire while I'm stimulating capitalism (buying/consuming) - the fire department will put it out. Should someone break into my house, the police will show up (I am a fan of silent home alarms to assist police ). I went to school, and it had air conditioning, light bulbs, desks and teachers that met a standard. I drive on roads, really really nice roads compared to some other countries - these roads even have traffic signals to keep them safer!.

Hell, I even have an organization that will make sure my employer keeps some standard of safety - AND actually takes action when violations are made. I go to a good University now - and pay much less than I would have if it didn't receive funding from the government.

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So I say firefighting should be between the fire and the fighter -- pay COD. Got in an accident? Police work should be between the car crash and the officer - pay on impact for the escort to keep other cars from hitting you. Education? Teachers and students - ONLY, make sure those third graders bring their teacher's salary along. Unsafe workplace? - tell it to the boss.

Very few people can actually afford to pay for these things as they happen. I know my parents wouldn't be able to pay for my K12 education, especially if their house caught on fire and burned to the ground while we were out grocery shopping. For all of the bad press police gets, I genuinely believe they're good as a whole.

I've read about iron workers taking mass collections when a colleague is injured on the job. A successful microcosm of what we preach, and lobby against :/

When will "United We stand" move from rhetoric to action? You know, actually helping someone in need because one day you're likely to have a rough patch.

/soapbox