What Are Your Political Leanings?

[KRC]

In the spirit of "Can't we all just get along," I thought I would start a thread that will probably deteriorate pretty quickly once TOC and Busey get in here. There are lots of assumptions on people's political leanings (it is an all or nothing for some people). Therefore, in the spirit of learning how people truly feel about topics, describe your political leanings.

 

Me:

-Registered Independent

 

-Used to be Republican, but the Republicans let me down. Then was registered Libertarian and was an officer in the Libertarian Party of PA for a little while. Left them when I gave up on them getting a clue. Now an independent. I have always voted for the best candidate, regardless of party. I have voted for Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians and Independents. Haven voted Green. Those people are crazy. ? Did not vote for Trump or Hillary.

 

-Fiscally conservative. The government spends too much of my money and someone needs to take control. I do not see anyone out there right now with the will and power to make it happen. Not Trump. Not Republicans. Certainly not Democrats. I am not saying that it needs to go full Libertarian (only Constitutionally mandated spending), but we need to drastically cut back on spending. The government has proven to be irresponsible with my money. Give it back to me and I will give it to charity and other non-profit organizations doing efficient work to maximize the money going to the recipients in need and not to a bureaucratic black hole. I believe in the cliché of giving people a hand up and not a hand out. If you fall on hard times, society should help. If those hard times are caused by your bad decisions/actions, I struggle to have sympathy. If the hard times are no fault of your own (economy tanks and you lose your job), if you show that you are willing to do what it takes to get back on your feet, I will support you with help. If not, it sucks to be you.

 

-Socially liberal. I have no trouble with gay marriage (or even calling it marriage compared to civil union). Gay people marrying does not lead to marrying pets, as some hard core conservatives argue. If two people who are gay want to marry, who am I to stop them? It has no impact on my life. I am not in favor of abortion, but would always vote pro-choice for those extremely rare instances where it is needed. It is not a form of birth control (outside of rape). Don't ***** someone who cannot afford a condom. If they can't afford a condom, they are not going to support the kid(s). 

 

I am strongly pro-Second Amendment. The fallacy of that meaning that there are no regulations is just that: a fallacy. No new gun control laws until you enforce the existing laws. Don't give me any of the "we need common sense gun laws enacted now" bull####, because we all know what that means. Your "common sense" is to start banning things. If you do not want to use a gun to protect your family, that is your choice. Don't stop me from defending mine in the way I see fit.

 

So far, nobody on the Democratic side running for President has earned my vote. If they run a moderate candidate that is not batshit crazy (I know, it is a stretch), they could get my vote.

 

Obviously that does not cover everything, but it is a start.

[Kevbeau]

23 minutes ago, KRC said:

In the spirit of "Can't we all just get along," I thought I would start a thread that will probably deteriorate pretty quickly once TOC and Busey get in here. There are lots of assumptions on people's political leanings (it is an all or nothing for some people). Therefore, in the spirit of learning how people truly feel about topics, describe your political leanings.

 

Me:

-Registered Independent

 

-Used to be Republican, but the Republicans let me down. Then was registered Libertarian and was an officer in the Libertarian Party of PA for a little while. Left them when I gave up on them getting a clue. Now an independent. I have always voted for the best candidate, regardless of party. I have voted for Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians and Independents. Haven voted Green. Those people are crazy. ? Did not vote for Trump or Hillary.

 

-Fiscally conservative. The government spends too much of my money and someone needs to take control. I do not see anyone out there right now with the will and power to make it happen. Not Trump. Not Republicans. Certainly not Democrats. I am not saying that it needs to go full Libertarian (only Constitutionally mandated spending), but we need to drastically cut back on spending. The government has proven to be irresponsible with my money. Give it back to me and I will give it to charity and other non-profit organizations doing efficient work to maximize the money going to the recipients in need and not to a bureaucratic black hole. I believe in the cliché of giving people a hand up and not a hand out. If you fall on hard times, society should help. If those hard times are caused by your bad decisions/actions, I struggle to have sympathy. If the hard times are no fault of your own (economy tanks and you lose your job), if you show that you are willing to do what it takes to get back on your feet, I will support you with help. If not, it sucks to be you.

 

-Socially liberal. I have no trouble with gay marriage (or even calling it marriage compared to civil union). Gay people marrying does not lead to marrying pets, as some hard core conservatives argue. If two people who are gay want to marry, who am I to stop them? It has no impact on my life. I am not in favor of abortion, but would always vote pro-choice for those extremely rare instances where it is needed. It is not a form of birth control (outside of rape). Don't ***** someone who cannot afford a condom. If they can't afford a condom, they are not going to support the kid(s). 

 

I am strongly pro-Second Amendment. The fallacy of that meaning that there are no regulations is just that: a fallacy. No new gun control laws until you enforce the existing laws. Don't give me any of the "we need common sense gun laws enacted now" bull####, because we all know what that means. Your "common sense" is to start banning things. If you do not want to use a gun to protect your family, that is your choice. Don't stop me from defending mine in the way I see fit.

 

So far, nobody on the Democratic side running for President has earned my vote. If they run a moderate candidate that is not batshit crazy (I know, it is a stretch), they could get my vote.

 

Obviously that does not cover everything, but it is a start.

Registered independent. I too vote for who think is the best candidate, but if I had to put a number to it, probably 70/30 Republican. Also didn’t vote for Trump or Hilary and “wasted” my vote on Johnson.

 

My views generally align with KRC...I don’t believe the gov’t is a proper steward for our tax dollars, but recognize the need for taxes to offer a civilized and successful society. 

 

Don’t care about gay marriage, marry whoever you want. I will say that I do feel the identity politics have gotten way out of hand.

 

abortion is a choice that is often times the end result of a series of poor choices. We’re not hiding the recipe. I think it needs to be an option, but as a form of birth control, it is preventable. Morning after pill should be readily available.

 

pro 2nd amendment, but I’m willing to recognize there’s a segment of our population that should never be allowed access to a firearm. I would be fine with increased background/waiting but I understand the rights unwillingness to compromise, considering the lefts history of give an inch, take a mile. FWIW I also believe more than half the population shouldn’t be allowed to operate a motor vehicle, procreate,  vote, etc....

[RochesterRob]

30 minutes ago, KRC said:

In the spirit of "Can't we all just get along," I thought I would start a thread that will probably deteriorate pretty quickly once TOC and Busey get in here. There are lots of assumptions on people's political leanings (it is an all or nothing for some people). Therefore, in the spirit of learning how people truly feel about topics, describe your political leanings.

 

Me:

-Registered Independent

 

-Used to be Republican, but the Republicans let me down. Then was registered Libertarian and was an officer in the Libertarian Party of PA for a little while. Left them when I gave up on them getting a clue. Now an independent. I have always voted for the best candidate, regardless of party. I have voted for Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians and Independents. Haven voted Green. Those people are crazy. ? Did not vote for Trump or Hillary.

 

-Fiscally conservative. The government spends too much of my money and someone needs to take control. I do not see anyone out there right now with the will and power to make it happen. Not Trump. Not Republicans. Certainly not Democrats. I am not saying that it needs to go full Libertarian (only Constitutionally mandated spending), but we need to drastically cut back on spending. The government has proven to be irresponsible with my money. Give it back to me and I will give it to charity and other non-profit organizations doing efficient work to maximize the money going to the recipients in need and not to a bureaucratic black hole. I believe in the cliché of giving people a hand up and not a hand out. If you fall on hard times, society should help. If those hard times are caused by your bad decisions/actions, I struggle to have sympathy. If the hard times are no fault of your own (economy tanks and you lose your job), if you show that you are willing to do what it takes to get back on your feet, I will support you with help. If not, it sucks to be you.

 

-Socially liberal. I have no trouble with gay marriage (or even calling it marriage compared to civil union). Gay people marrying does not lead to marrying pets, as some hard core conservatives argue. If two people who are gay want to marry, who am I to stop them? It has no impact on my life. I am not in favor of abortion, but would always vote pro-choice for those extremely rare instances where it is needed. It is not a form of birth control (outside of rape). Don't ***** someone who cannot afford a condom. If they can't afford a condom, they are not going to support the kid(s). 

 

I am strongly pro-Second Amendment. The fallacy of that meaning that there are no regulations is just that: a fallacy. No new gun control laws until you enforce the existing laws. Don't give me any of the "we need common sense gun laws enacted now" bull####, because we all know what that means. Your "common sense" is to start banning things. If you do not want to use a gun to protect your family, that is your choice. Don't stop me from defending mine in the way I see fit.

 

So far, nobody on the Democratic side running for President has earned my vote. If they run a moderate candidate that is not batshit crazy (I know, it is a stretch), they could get my vote.

 

Obviously that does not cover everything, but it is a start.

  Welp, here goes my leanings.  Generally, conservative.  Registered Republican mainly to be able to vote in local primaries.  I've been eligible to vote for decades and have long practiced the best candidate for the job regardless of party affiliation.  There really has not been a POTUS I strongly liked since Reagan and since I have got older I tend to notice more of the warts in that administration.  I stalwartly believe in the Second Amendment and a strong national defense.  For the stability of our nation I believe that immigrants need to come in legally.  Practicing Catholic that does not thump the Bible too hard.  I have no issue with birth control but have a major problem with abortion.  I don't mind a national economic policy but see the slippery slope with government involvement ala Keynesian economics.  I believe in having a Federal Reserve and believe in the government's right to levy tax despite how imperfect that has been.  I don't believe in wild eyed economic policy for the most part but believe that this country will never pay its deficits and ultimately will uncouple from the notion of debt whether personal or national.  Velocity of money has kept the spinning top of personal income potent but I believe that will ultimately strain out.  

[KD in CA]

-Fiscally very conservative.  There should be a balanced budget every year.  Members of Congress should only be be paid if that happens.

-Socially liberal.  Marry whoever the hell you want.  Abortion?  It's pretty creepy but if you don't want your own kid, who am I to force you to have it?  Not to mention, most abortions are had by women who are not stable, have no money and no ability to raise a kid.  We don't need an extra million kids on the welfare rolls every year.  What are the costs to society of that?

-Immigration is easy to solve.  Build a wall to stop unchecked flow.  Set reasonable limits for Mexico and other countries.  Anyone who is already here can stay as long as they 1) file an annual tax return and 2) are not convicted of a felony.   Do that for ten years and you're a citizen.  Fail to do that and you get the boot.

[dubs]

Easy -

 

If it’s not a power laid out in the constitution, it’s unconstitutional and left to the states to handle. IMO the vast majority of the issues in this country would be solved if we followed the constitution. That way....
 

if it’s not enumerated in the constitution then a state can decide if they want that power. See healthcare as an example. 
 

Given that we live in a republic, you’ll end up having really liberty oriented states and socialist states and people are free to live in the place that works best for them. 
 

? problem solved. 

[3rdnlng]

58 minutes ago, KRC said:

In the spirit of "Can't we all just get along," I thought I would start a thread that will probably deteriorate pretty quickly once TOC and Busey get in here. There are lots of assumptions on people's political leanings (it is an all or nothing for some people). Therefore, in the spirit of learning how people truly feel about topics, describe your political leanings.

 

Me:

-Registered Independent

 

-Used to be Republican, but the Republicans let me down. Then was registered Libertarian and was an officer in the Libertarian Party of PA for a little while. Left them when I gave up on them getting a clue. Now an independent. I have always voted for the best candidate, regardless of party. I have voted for Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians and Independents. Haven voted Green. Those people are crazy. ? Did not vote for Trump or Hillary.

 

-Fiscally conservative. The government spends too much of my money and someone needs to take control. I do not see anyone out there right now with the will and power to make it happen. Not Trump. Not Republicans. Certainly not Democrats. I am not saying that it needs to go full Libertarian (only Constitutionally mandated spending), but we need to drastically cut back on spending. The government has proven to be irresponsible with my money. Give it back to me and I will give it to charity and other non-profit organizations doing efficient work to maximize the money going to the recipients in need and not to a bureaucratic black hole. I believe in the cliché of giving people a hand up and not a hand out. If you fall on hard times, society should help. If those hard times are caused by your bad decisions/actions, I struggle to have sympathy. If the hard times are no fault of your own (economy tanks and you lose your job), if you show that you are willing to do what it takes to get back on your feet, I will support you with help. If not, it sucks to be you.

 

-Socially liberal. I have no trouble with gay marriage (or even calling it marriage compared to civil union). Gay people marrying does not lead to marrying pets, as some hard core conservatives argue. If two people who are gay want to marry, who am I to stop them? It has no impact on my life. I am not in favor of abortion, but would always vote pro-choice for those extremely rare instances where it is needed. It is not a form of birth control (outside of rape). Don't ***** someone who cannot afford a condom. If they can't afford a condom, they are not going to support the kid(s). 

 

I am strongly pro-Second Amendment. The fallacy of that meaning that there are no regulations is just that: a fallacy. No new gun control laws until you enforce the existing laws. Don't give me any of the "we need common sense gun laws enacted now" bull####, because we all know what that means. Your "common sense" is to start banning things. If you do not want to use a gun to protect your family, that is your choice. Don't stop me from defending mine in the way I see fit.

 

So far, nobody on the Democratic side running for President has earned my vote. If they run a moderate candidate that is not batshit crazy (I know, it is a stretch), they could get my vote.

 

Obviously that does not cover everything, but it is a start.

I pretty much agree with all of your positions but I differ when it comes to abortion and gay marriage. I used to fall back on "I'm against abortion for myself but don't presume to make that decision for other people. Let them reconcile their decisions with their God". I also thought that it should be "safe, rare and legal". This seemed to be pretty much the position of most people including Clinton and Obama. Things have changed once the camel got its nose under the tent though. Now, many on the Left have thrown their support to PP and their terrible practices. NYS changes the law allowing abortions up to birth and they celebrate lighting up buildings in pink. What once was taboo is now the norm, or at least perfectly acceptable. Well as time passes I am evolving to a position far less tolerant of abortion than I was even a few years ago. Why? Because that fvcking camel now hasn't just pushed his nose under the tent but I'm about to see the rest of him. It's the old give them a little and they'll take a lot meme.

 

Here's an analogy that might best explain my thoughts. Many, many years ago I was coerced by my wife into attending a seminar at church. It had this guy called Dr. James Dobson talking about child rearing. He addressed discipline without getting angry. Like, who doesn't get angry with their kids? He said set your parameters below the threshold of getting angry. Never punish when you are angry because you won't be fair and you will cause additional problems. Kids will always try to push the envelope so set your rules somewhat more stringent than what is almost ok. Then don't deviate from those rules. Life will be a lot more pleasant in your home.

 

The analogy above can be compared to both abortion and gay marriage. Barely a decade ago Obama & Clinton were both against gay marriage. Prior to that gays were mostly in the closet. Well, I'm not one to overly worry too much about what two (or more) people do in private. There are norms in society that need to be conformed to though. If we allow these norms to deteriorate then they will continue to do so. It is my belief that we have allowed society to get to the point that pedophilia is even sneaking into acceptable levels in some parts of society. Can anyone argue the propriety of accepting money from George Soros who actually donates heavily to NAMBLA? Epstein was welcomed into society by many people considered as "Hi-Society". It's a slippery slope and rules/norms need to be set well before we get angry. And I'm already pissed off.

[/dev/null]

Libertarian

"Government that governs least governs best" and "do unto others" are my central tenets.

 

You can keep your abortions and butt sex, just don't don't ask me to subsidize it. 

 

Oh, and...

 

 

[Azalin]

16 hours ago, KRC said:

In the spirit of "Can't we all just get along," I thought I would start a thread that will probably deteriorate pretty quickly once TOC and Busey get in here. There are lots of assumptions on people's political leanings (it is an all or nothing for some people). Therefore, in the spirit of learning how people truly feel about topics, describe your political leanings.

 

My leanings are very similar to yours, the only major exception being that I've never been officially registered as belonging to any political party. My personal beliefs have changed dramatically over the years, from blatantly socialist in my early 20's to moderate, then conservative, and finally more libertarian/classic liberal now that I'm getting old. I think most people's beliefs and values evolve over the years, regardless of whether their party affiliation does or doesn't.

 

With regard to political parties and politicians in general, I really don't trust any of them. I've been let down time after time by politicians that I had thrown my support behind, regardless of party. Like many people here, I voted for Trump not out of some sense of enthusiastic support, but instead to prevent Hillary Clinton from taking office. I felt it was a total crap-shoot to vote for Trump, but was fed up enough to want to upset the apple cart. 

 

Since then I have been pleasantly surprised at the appointments he's made, the regulations he's rolled back, and the robust increase in 401K savings I have accrued, despite the many times I've winced at ridiculous statements and outrageous tweets he's made. What has appalled me however is the manner in which the opposing party has conducted themselves, and the unprecedented vitriol aimed not only at Trump, but everyone and anyone who dares to openly support him.

[SoCal Deek]

Fiscally very conservative 

Socially pretty liberal

 

What do they have in common? I’m all for just about anything that will shrink the size of the federal government. We need a military....and that’s about it. 

[Tiberius]

I’m all for big government at the cheapest price possible. 

 

I believe in a big strong military that is continually improving technologically and tactically. Though I protested against the Iraq War, that does not mean we should cut the military. Happy Veterans Day!!  

 

I totally support NASA and the space program. I think it’s just wonderful. 

 

Health care is a right and needs to be expanded in many areas. 

 

We need to do a better job getting to young children in bad families and figure out a way to build better citizens. It all starts in the cradle. 20% of people can’t even graduate from high school, I think that starts with their neglect or abuse in early childhood. 

 

The government will have to take a much bigger role in environmental policy. That will just be mandatory soon enough. 

 

In foreign policy there there needs to be a better push to create and help stabilize democracies around the world,. China’s system is spreading like an octopus and we have to make sure our friends and allies are expanding and stabilizing least the fall under Putin’s and Chinas sway. I would liked to have seen some boring nation building in Africa than to have invaded Iraq. 

 

The future looks to be very challenging. If Artificial intelligence and automation are going to cut 1/3 of the workforce or more, something is going to have to be done, and I don’t know what. 

 

 

Ok! That’s all I got 

That second amendment thing, ya, whatever, but the assault weapons need to be banned, no automatic people slaughters are really necessary in society. I really wish people would stop shooting each other so much, but I’m not sure the government is ever going to stop that. 

 

 

 

[SoCal Deek]

Tibs....you really surprised me. Well thought out and reasoned response! We could all use way more of that from you. You’ve proven that you’re way better than all the anti Trump hysterics. In fact, I think you’d be shocked that if the Left would just relax for one day and actually work with the President you might find that he agrees with you on more 90% of your ‘platform’. Well done!

[CoudyBills]

Very fiscally conservative. 

Socially, do what you want.  As long as it doesn't affect me, I don't care. 

Automation & AI have me concerned for the population as well.  We won't be able to support the population growth, but I can't see even the cheapest government solution working practically. 

2nd Amendment, worth dying for.

I see a civil war between the left and right in the not so distant future.  50% of the population is always written off as flat wrong depending on who is talking.  When that happens the only thing left is blood shed where the winner takes all. 

[RochesterRob]

5 hours ago, Tiberius said:

I’m all for big government at the cheapest price possible. 

 

I believe in a big strong military that is continually improving technologically and tactically. Though I protested against the Iraq War, that does not mean we should cut the military. Happy Veterans Day!!  

 

I totally support NASA and the space program. I think it’s just wonderful. 

 

Health care is a right and needs to be expanded in many areas. 

 

We need to do a better job getting to young children in bad families and figure out a way to build better citizens. It all starts in the cradle. 20% of people can’t even graduate from high school, I think that starts with their neglect or abuse in early childhood. 

 

The government will have to take a much bigger role in environmental policy. That will just be mandatory soon enough. 

 

In foreign policy there there needs to be a better push to create and help stabilize democracies around the world,. China’s system is spreading like an octopus and we have to make sure our friends and allies are expanding and stabilizing least the fall under Putin’s and Chinas sway. I would liked to have seen some boring nation building in Africa than to have invaded Iraq. 

 

The future looks to be very challenging. If Artificial intelligence and automation are going to cut 1/3 of the workforce or more, something is going to have to be done, and I don’t know what. 

 

 

Ok! That’s all I got 

That second amendment thing, ya, whatever, but the assault weapons need to be banned, no automatic people slaughters are really necessary in society. I really wish people would stop shooting each other so much, but I’m not sure the government is ever going to stop that. 

 

 

 

  Universal Basic Income (UBI) is coming and a lot of the captains of industry such as Bill Gates have acknowledged a change will be needed in the next 25-50 years.  Automation and AI just need to work their way in the upper echelons of society such as medicine and law who have more power in DC than the regular working stiff at present.  As more white collar people get pushed to the side they will be in favor of doing it.  Not a raving commie on this but recognized that the traditional business and wage structure is changing that there will be great civil unrest if people are left out of the changing economy.  

 

  The political winds as I see them are not in favor of nation building.  

[SoCal Deek]

Automation? Fact: There are more people working right now than at any point in human history. It’s just that fewer and fewer of them are blacksmiths or chimney sweeps.

[RochesterRob]

37 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

Automation? Fact: There are more people working right now than at any point in human history. It’s just that fewer and fewer of them are blacksmiths or chimney sweeps.

  That is at present.  Human labor has been and is problematic on a large scale with strikes and on a smaller scale with absence and tardiness among other problems.  Management in any business or industry strives to automate to eliminate dealing with the worst aspects of human behavior plus to enhance profitability as machines don't need raises and time off.  As to fewer blacksmiths I don't know about that as the Amish population keeps growing and they purchase more and more land.  They have been slower to infiltrate WNY versus the Finger Lakes but they are showing up in Steuben and Chautauqua Counties along with other areas such as the lands east of Letchworth Park and the Lake Ontario area north of Batavia.  However, you don't have to worry about many non-Amish drooling to become an old fashioned blacksmith.

Edited November 11, 2019 by RochesterRob

[SoCal Deek]

Rob

Generally speaking, automation isn’t invented by evil corporations. It’s invented by entrepreneurs who are testing the limits of human inventions and curiosity. 

[RochesterRob]

13 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

Rob

Generally speaking, automation isn’t invented by evil corporations. It’s invented by entrepreneurs who are testing the limits of human inventions and curiosity. 

  I never said that automation was the spawn of evil corporations.  I agree that it is pushed by inventors among others but they also don't want to deal with the problems that go with employing a large group of people.  Does not make them evil by any means but it poses a long term problem as to what these humans will due when there are fewer options to earn a paycheck to make a living.  To this point automation has rearranged the job market as human welders are no longer needed on the assembly but become operators and maintenance to the machines that replaced the human laborer.  Going into the future the job creation is not going to be one for one.  We really don't need a teacher in every classroom and a lawyer to prepare every case based on where AI is going.  One could argue that we could already drastically reduce the number of teachers needed in public schools but NEA has been too powerful as an entity in the Democratic Party to allow much change.  

[IDBillzFan]

There was a time I considered myself a Republican, but John McCain put an end to that. I found myself more closely aligned with the Tea Party, until the GOP co-opted it and everyone associated the Tea Party with Michelle Bachmann and a corn dog. I was also a Breitbart guy until Andrew died and it got co-opted by nutbags. I spent more than my share of money donating to various campaigns, but it never mattered who I donated to, it was still like donating to the Red Cross: yeah, I gave them money but it never went to anything I *thought* it's going to.

 

Ultimately, I consider myself a constitutional conservative, meaning my preference would be to reduce the government to administer its original role as outlined in the US Constitution. That will never happen, and it's clear  when you remove the individual issues to be discussed, the people behind the issues really only care about their own power on both sides of the aisle.

 

I became a Christian about six years ago, but I have no interest in government trying to force my belief on people. Unfortunately, the governments we have are increasingly less interested in enforcing Christian beliefs,  and MUCH more interested in enforcing beliefs that are designed to !@#$ with Christianity and anyone who is a follower of Christ (i.e. gay marriage, abortion, etc.) That's a losing battle, too, as long as the church considers people like Nancy Pelosi a Christian.

 

In the end, I grew tired of being told what I had to do by government, and what I had to pay for, and realized I am unable to make a difference. So I opted to make my own change and focus on where I can live out the rest of my life with as few nutbags and few embarrassing laws around as possible.  They'll find me here, too, but hopefully I'll be dead by then.

 

Othewise...

 

[SoCal Deek]

6 minutes ago, RochesterRob said:

  I never said that automation was the spawn of evil corporations.  I agree that it is pushed by inventors among others but they also don't want to deal with the problems that go with employing a large group of people.  Does not make them evil by any means but it poses a long term problem as to what these humans will due when there are fewer options to earn a paycheck to make a living.  To this point automation has rearranged the job market as human welders are no longer needed on the assembly but become operators and maintenance to the machines that replaced the human laborer.  Going into the future the job creation is not going to be one for one.  We really don't need a teacher in every classroom and a lawyer to prepare every case based on where AI is going.  One could argue that we could already drastically reduce the number of teachers needed in public schools but NEA has been too powerful as an entity in the Democratic Party to allow much change.  

it's certainly an interesting discussion. A counter argument is that s the world shrinks, First World 'laborers' will actually increase from the need to provide services to the Second and Third World. The question is not whether we won't need lawyers, doctors and teachers. The question is whether the US will be the First World country that will be providing them.

[RochesterRob]

1 minute ago, IDBillzFan said:

There was a time I considered myself a Republican, but John McCain put an end to that. I found myself more closely aligned with the Tea Party, until the GOP co-opted it and everyone associated the Tea Party with Michelle Bachmann and a corn dog. I was also a Breitbart guy until Andrew died and it got co-opted by nutbags. I spent more than my share of money donating to various campaigns, but it never mattered who I donated to, it was still like donating to the Red Cross: yeah, I gave them money but it never went to anything I *thought* it's going to.

 

Ultimately, I consider myself a constitutional conservative, meaning my preference would be to reduce the government to administer its original role as outlined in the US Constitution. That will never happen, and it's clear  when you remove the individual issues to be discussed, the people behind the issues really only care about their own power on both sides of the aisle.

 

I became a Christian about six years ago, but I have no interest in government trying to force my belief on people. Unfortunately, the governments we have are increasingly less interested in enforcing Christian beliefs,  and MUCH more interested in enforcing beliefs that are designed to !@#$ with Christianity and anyone who is a follower of Christ (i.e. gay marriage, abortion, etc.) That's a losing battle, too, as long as the church considers people like Nancy Pelosi a Christian.

 

In the end, I grew tired of being told what I had to do by government, and what I had to pay for, and realized I am unable to make a difference. So I opted to make my own change and focus on where I can live out the rest of my life with as few nutbags and few embarrassing laws around as possible.  They'll find me here, too, but hopefully I'll be dead by then.

 

Othewise...

 

  I don't think that the church embraces Pelosi and Andrew Cuomo but maybe they could go to outright denouncing them but then that might invite a heavy counter response that the churches may not survive.  The churches are already under serious pressure as it is that threaten their survival.