For my Libertarian friends

Equality 7-2521 wrote: The T wrote: Also (well said Slarti, I agree with that), another question: what is this theft I read constantly about in your posts?? Taxes

Equality 7-2521 wrote: Slartibartfast wrote: I should also point out that the pittance payed to the unemployed that qualified actually gets spent and thereby helps out the economy.  Not to mention the extension is a drop in the bucket compared to other things our government throws money at. Take the libertarian blinders off and have yourself a cup of reality, dude, really. Your first point is terrible Keynesian thinking. Your second is irrelevant.

The T wrote: Equality 7-2521 wrote: Slartibartfast wrote: I should also point out that the pittance payed to the unemployed that qualified actually gets spent and thereby helps out the economy.  Not to mention the extension is a drop in the bucket compared to other things our government throws money at. Take the libertarian blinders off and have yourself a cup of reality, dude, really. Your first point is terrible Keynesian thinking. Your second is irrelevant. Your first reply is terrible Libertarian thinking. So what. What's this kind of answer? You can do much better. Maybe you feel your words will get lost in the muddle... Well, that's good. If all libertarians are so defeatist, your "dream" will never come true (please god)...

How is it terrible. His argument is assuming that the money collected through the Unemployment tax would not be spent. This assumption is completely unfounded. Also, even if it was not spent it would be most likely invested either directly or indirectly. Unless the money that would have been taken out of the paycheck is literally kept rolled up in a sock drawer  his argument falls apart.

Is that more complete for you?

Slartibartfast wrote: Equality 7-2521 wrote: Slartibartfast wrote: I should also point out that the pittance payed to the unemployed that qualified actually gets spent and thereby helps out the economy.  Not to mention the extension is a drop in the bucket compared to other things our government throws money at. Take the libertarian blinders off and have yourself a cup of reality, dude, really. Your first point is terrible Keynesian thinking. Your second is irrelevant. Enjoy living in your little libertarian fantasyland.  Notice how you didn't address the fact that unemployment compensation comes out of money that ultimately came out of your paycheck. Ignorance is bliss.

I'll gladly address that. Assuming that people get out the same amount they put in (which they don't don't because the people who in the most don't need unemployment insurance) then it would be better to just give people that money. They could invest it and make more than they will ever get from it sitting in an unemployment insurance lockbox. Secondly, I have nothing against unemployment insurance per say, but why not make it voluntary, like health insurance or fire insurance? Why should someone who is never going to need it be forced to pay into it? That's unfair coercion, in my book.

The T wrote: ^Much better. You see, it only takes a few words to communicate what one's thinking or feeling..

But sloth is a virtue.

thellama73 wrote: Slartibartfast wrote: Equality 7-2521 wrote: Slartibartfast wrote: I should also point out that the pittance payed to the unemployed that qualified actually gets spent and thereby helps out the economy.  Not to mention the extension is a drop in the bucket compared to other things our government throws money at. Take the libertarian blinders off and have yourself a cup of reality, dude, really. Your first point is terrible Keynesian thinking. Your second is irrelevant. Enjoy living in your little libertarian fantasyland.  Notice how you didn't address the fact that unemployment compensation comes out of money that ultimately came out of your paycheck. Ignorance is bliss. I'll gladly address that. Assuming that people get out the same amount they put in (which they don't don't because the people who in the most don't need unemployment insurance) then it would be better to just give people that money. They could invest it and make more than they will ever get from it sitting in an unemployment insurance lockbox. Secondly, I have nothing against unemployment insurance per say, but why not make it voluntary, like health insurance or fire insurance? Why should someone who is never going to need it be forced to pay into it? That's unfair coercion, in my book.

Equality 7-2521 wrote: The T wrote: ^Much better. You see, it only takes a few words to communicate what one's thinking or feeling..   But sloth is a virtue.

After weeks of being road blocked by Republicans, the Senate passed those unemployment extensions today. Last I saw it was winning in the House, where It'd probably win anyway.
They seem to be using the theory I've thrown out that: This is an emergency, deficit can wait for now.

Have to continue working on a paper, then I can bicker more regularly! But just gunna say, that news didn't much splash even here on MSNBC, seems to be more talk about this newest race "issue" going on, and frankly Im not sure what happened even. From what I gather though, seems to be less of a real issue than what I mentioned above, of course it deserves more air play!

Epignosis wrote: Ironically, your position lines the pockets of insurance company fat cats who make their living in the fear market.

Insurance is about spreading out risk.  Good regulation can keep the fat cats thin.

JJLehto wrote: After weeks of being road blocked by Republicans, the Senate passed those unemployment extensions today. Last I saw it was winning in the House, where It'd probably win anyway. They seem to be using the theory I've thrown out that: This is an emergency, deficit can wait for now. Have to continue working on a paper, then I can bicker more regularly! But just gunna say, that news didn't much splash even here on MSNBC, seems to be more talk about this newest race "issue" going on, and frankly Im not sure what happened even. From what I gather though, seems to be less of a real issue than what I mentioned above, of course it deserves more air play!