Comments on: Have a Beer, on Me! http://kidologist.com/2008/10/29/have-a-beer-on-me/ Karl Bastian's Personal Site and Blog Sat, 12 May 2012 15:44:07 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Glen Woods http://kidologist.com/2008/10/29/have-a-beer-on-me/comment-page-1/#comment-2424 Glen Woods Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:25:26 +0000 http://kidologist.com/?p=1466#comment-2424 Yes, if the government gives them what they hope for, and for as long as the government chooses to sustain it, people who share their view will likely vote for them. But what happens when the government must lower the common denominator of equality? Exhibit A: Cuba Exhibit B: China Exhibit C: N. Korea Exhibit D: the list goes on.... These governments and many others have resorted to totalitarianism to maintain centralized control. America is a long way from that, to be sure, and may never get there. But you would think we would learn from the lessons of history to inform our decisions about the future. Yes, if the government gives them what they hope for, and for as long as the government chooses to sustain it, people who share their view will likely vote for them. But what happens when the government must lower the common denominator of equality?

Exhibit A: Cuba
Exhibit B: China
Exhibit C: N. Korea
Exhibit D: the list goes on….

These governments and many others have resorted to totalitarianism to maintain centralized control. America is a long way from that, to be sure, and may never get there. But you would think we would learn from the lessons of history to inform our decisions about the future.

]]> By: kidologist http://kidologist.com/2008/10/29/have-a-beer-on-me/comment-page-1/#comment-2423 kidologist Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:56:21 +0000 http://kidologist.com/?p=1466#comment-2423 "Buying Votes" is certainly the harsher way to say it, more accurate would be to say "creating dependence" which happens to result in future votes to maintain the dependence on government. “Buying Votes” is certainly the harsher way to say it, more accurate would be to say “creating dependence” which happens to result in future votes to maintain the dependence on government.

]]> By: Glen Woods http://kidologist.com/2008/10/29/have-a-beer-on-me/comment-page-1/#comment-2422 Glen Woods Mon, 03 Nov 2008 03:52:42 +0000 http://kidologist.com/?p=1466#comment-2422 I don't think it has anything to do with buying votes. I think they truly prefer socialism, both philosophically and practically. I do not concur with their belief. Thus, I will vote my conscience, just as they will. I don’t think it has anything to do with buying votes. I think they truly prefer socialism, both philosophically and practically. I do not concur with their belief. Thus, I will vote my conscience, just as they will.

]]> By: kidologist http://kidologist.com/2008/10/29/have-a-beer-on-me/comment-page-1/#comment-2417 kidologist Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:24:29 +0000 http://kidologist.com/?p=1466#comment-2417 Offering to lower taxes is not buying votes because it benefits everyone. Democratic programs create dependency on specific groups - the groups they are claiming to help who get stuck on the rolls, and keep voting Democratic to keep the money coming. As for the often heard argument we need to focus on sharing Christ, that is a diversionary argument. No, hope is not in politics, and I think my life's work speaks for itself that I am fully committed to working hard to share the Gospel, but I am an American and I live in America and I choose to engage in the political process because it matters, and because who we have in office effects the quality of our lives and the safety of our families and the culture in which we raise our kids. It is not doomsday to point out Obama's plans and history. If he wins like all the polls say (I'm not convinced) then I will honor him, pray for him, and hope he actually does all the stuff he says. But his message does not match his record or that of Democrats in general, so it is very fair to not trust him. He appears to be saying whatever sounds best to get elected. John McCain, while I'm not a huge fan of him, at least has a record that supports what he claims. It's a stark difference. It sounds nice to say we wish both sides would just get along, but both sides have VERY different philosophy's of the role of government, that is why there are two parties, it isn't a flip of the coin - they choose a party because they hold to one of two (major) views of how America ought to be run. Neither is perfect, but one has done the most damage and would do even more if it gets control of White House and both Houses. It isn't UnChristian to discuss politics or speak the truth. It is very Christian to speak the truth, and to do so respectfully. I for one have never once said anything unkind or insulting about Obama - I discuss his policies. Christians by far have been the most respectful in this national debate. Offering to lower taxes is not buying votes because it benefits everyone. Democratic programs create dependency on specific groups – the groups they are claiming to help who get stuck on the rolls, and keep voting Democratic to keep the money coming.

As for the often heard argument we need to focus on sharing Christ, that is a diversionary argument. No, hope is not in politics, and I think my life’s work speaks for itself that I am fully committed to working hard to share the Gospel, but I am an American and I live in America and I choose to engage in the political process because it matters, and because who we have in office effects the quality of our lives and the safety of our families and the culture in which we raise our kids.

It is not doomsday to point out Obama’s plans and history. If he wins like all the polls say (I’m not convinced) then I will honor him, pray for him, and hope he actually does all the stuff he says. But his message does not match his record or that of Democrats in general, so it is very fair to not trust him. He appears to be saying whatever sounds best to get elected. John McCain, while I’m not a huge fan of him, at least has a record that supports what he claims.

It’s a stark difference. It sounds nice to say we wish both sides would just get along, but both sides have VERY different philosophy’s of the role of government, that is why there are two parties, it isn’t a flip of the coin – they choose a party because they hold to one of two (major) views of how America ought to be run. Neither is perfect, but one has done the most damage and would do even more if it gets control of White House and both Houses.

It isn’t UnChristian to discuss politics or speak the truth. It is very Christian to speak the truth, and to do so respectfully. I for one have never once said anything unkind or insulting about Obama – I discuss his policies. Christians by far have been the most respectful in this national debate.

]]> By: Henry Zonio http://kidologist.com/2008/10/29/have-a-beer-on-me/comment-page-1/#comment-2416 Henry Zonio Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:15:22 +0000 http://kidologist.com/?p=1466#comment-2416 BTW, I'll take that beer, if you're still offering :) BTW, I’ll take that beer, if you’re still offering :)

]]> By: Henry Zonio http://kidologist.com/2008/10/29/have-a-beer-on-me/comment-page-1/#comment-2415 Henry Zonio Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:14:54 +0000 http://kidologist.com/?p=1466#comment-2415 So, am I hearing your right that you think democrats are trying to "buy" votes by talking about redistribution? How is that different than Rebublicans trying to "buy" votes by promising to cut taxes? Having been born and raised in the States (avidly Republican, mind you) and now living in Canada, I see and understand the benefits of a more socialized system. I was scared at first when we did move up here, but after being here for three years and being able to understand the system up here better, I understand that my initial fears were unfounded. Is the system that most of Europe and Canada living under better than that in the States... I don't think that is a fair question. It's simply different with it's own set of benefits and downfalls. I don't think it is bad, though, which is what most Republicans seem to be saying. I just wish that both sides of the American political system wouldn't sound so fearful of the other side... especially Christians. It saddens me to see Christians act very un-Christlike in how they treat people on the other side of the political sphere regardless of which side they are on. It also saddens me to see Christians talking using defeatist and doomsday language. I understand the urge to be passionate about something, but it seems to me that more passion and money and time and effort gets spent on politics than on getting out there and being Christ in the world. Just my two cents. So, am I hearing your right that you think democrats are trying to “buy” votes by talking about redistribution? How is that different than Rebublicans trying to “buy” votes by promising to cut taxes?

Having been born and raised in the States (avidly Republican, mind you) and now living in Canada, I see and understand the benefits of a more socialized system. I was scared at first when we did move up here, but after being here for three years and being able to understand the system up here better, I understand that my initial fears were unfounded.

Is the system that most of Europe and Canada living under better than that in the States… I don’t think that is a fair question. It’s simply different with it’s own set of benefits and downfalls. I don’t think it is bad, though, which is what most Republicans seem to be saying.

I just wish that both sides of the American political system wouldn’t sound so fearful of the other side… especially Christians. It saddens me to see Christians act very un-Christlike in how they treat people on the other side of the political sphere regardless of which side they are on. It also saddens me to see Christians talking using defeatist and doomsday language.

I understand the urge to be passionate about something, but it seems to me that more passion and money and time and effort gets spent on politics than on getting out there and being Christ in the world.

Just my two cents.

]]> By: Kenny http://kidologist.com/2008/10/29/have-a-beer-on-me/comment-page-1/#comment-2414 Kenny Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:11:21 +0000 http://kidologist.com/?p=1466#comment-2414 Good stuff. My parents run a tax prep company and they scoff every time they hear Obama or a candidate proclaim that they are going to lower taxes for low income earners... they're just words. They don't pay taxes. I worked in a tax office this last winter. The lowest income earners walked out with $4000 to $6000 refunds. Many of them knew exactly how much money they needed to make in a year to draw the maximum refund... something like $15,000-$17,000, especially if you had a few kids. It's like how candidate would often talk about the social security crisis to scare the elderly into voting for them when the truth is, the crisis isn't going to affect the elderly, it's going to affect the generation drawing SS 30 years from now. It's just words. Smoke and mirrors. Unfortunately, most people don't really know the facts. Good stuff. My parents run a tax prep company and they scoff every time they hear Obama or a candidate proclaim that they are going to lower taxes for low income earners… they’re just words. They don’t pay taxes. I worked in a tax office this last winter. The lowest income earners walked out with $4000 to $6000 refunds. Many of them knew exactly how much money they needed to make in a year to draw the maximum refund… something like $15,000-$17,000, especially if you had a few kids.

It’s like how candidate would often talk about the social security crisis to scare the elderly into voting for them when the truth is, the crisis isn’t going to affect the elderly, it’s going to affect the generation drawing SS 30 years from now. It’s just words. Smoke and mirrors. Unfortunately, most people don’t really know the facts.

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