Originally Posted by Guest

I've gotten free stuff all my life. I got a super public education through high school. I got an undergraduate degree supported in large part by the taxpayers of the state of New York. I got an advanced degree for nearly nothing because I did well on a test, again from a state school supported by the taxpayers. I received advanced training at a facility almost entirely built and maintained by taxpayers. I got health care, life insurance, disability insurance at no cost to me for several years. I had fire and police protection, clean water and clean air, safe highways and a military second to none. All nearly free to me.
Now there came a time when it was my turn to pay. And the government gave me a discount for being married, for having kids, for owning a home, for being charitable, for....
Elsewhere there were Americans with not enough food, with poor schools, who did not own homes. And if anything I did or I paid or anything I will continue to do or continue to pay can make their time a bit easier I don't object. My path has been easy in many ways. I was lucky to be born with a lot of advantages others didn't have. I recognize it is not a level playing field right from the opening whistle. That's why I vote against my economic self interest and for a nation where goodness is more important than greed.

A significant element in your stated free experience above amply demonstrates the effort you put forth to make things happen and earn your reward(s).

I think most of us when we address free stuff mean those who have not put forth any effort and feel someone else is obligated to provide them their free stuff...whether education, food stamps, unemployment, insurance, etc.....all thinks most of us have had to earn in our lifetime.

That is what bugs me about the entitlement mind set. Is the no effort intended, you owe me attitude of the day.

Originally Posted by Guest

I've gotten free stuff all my life. I got a super public education through high school. I got an undergraduate degree supported in large part by the taxpayers of the state of New York. I got an advanced degree for nearly nothing because I did well on a test, again from a state school supported by the taxpayers. I received advanced training at a facility almost entirely built and maintained by taxpayers. I got health care, life insurance, disability insurance at no cost to me for several years. I had fire and police protection, clean water and clean air, safe highways and a military second to none. All nearly free to me.
Now there came a time when it was my turn to pay. And the government gave me a discount for being married, for having kids, for owning a home, for being charitable, for....
Elsewhere there were Americans with not enough food, with poor schools, who did not own homes. And if anything I did or I paid or anything I will continue to do or continue to pay can make their time a bit easier I don't object. My path has been easy in many ways. I was lucky to be born with a lot of advantages others didn't have. I recognize it is not a level playing field right from the opening whistle. That's why I vote against my economic self interest and for a nation where goodness is more important than greed.

That sounds like my life too.

You forgot to mention the minimum wage. When I was 16 only 16 year olds had a minimum wage job. It didn't take much for me to go from slicing balogna for min to tripling it by running a factory cafeteria by myself from 5 to 10 pm. I hustled and there were opportunities. It was far easier to succeed than it is today. When I think of all the jobs I had and the all the ones I passed up I know it was a different world. Looking like a clean cut all American boy made a difference too.

Originally Posted by Guest

That sounds like my life too.

You forgot to mention the minimum wage. When I was 16 only 16 year olds had a minimum wage job. It didn't take much for me to go from slicing balogna for min to tripling it by running a factory cafeteria by myself from 5 to 10 pm. I hustled and there were opportunities. It was far easier to succeed than it is today. When I think of all the jobs I had and the all the ones I passed up I know it was a different world. Looking like a clean cut all American boy made a difference too.

Especially when you are female...........just kidding...

[QUOTE=Guest;1198367]A significant element in your stated free experience above amply demonstrates the effort you put forth to make things happen and earn your reward(s).

I think most of us when we address free stuff mean those who have not put forth any effort and feel someone else is obligated to provide them their free stuff...whether education, food stamps, unemployment, insurance, etc.....all thinks most of us have had to earn in our lifetime.

That is what bugs me about the entitlement mind set. Is the no effort intended, you owe me attitude of the day.[/QUOTE]

The problem with the constant repeating of the word "entitlement" is that is being used against people that would love not to be on food stamps, collecting unemployment, being on Medicaid, etc. The loss of a job forces people into these categories. It is bad enough to have to use government programs usually on a temporary basis, but being tagged as a freeloader to boot for political purposes is just plain wrong.

It may be wrong, but politicians like Trump benefit from it. Hell, he is running his entire candidacy on hate. We should all be so proud of what we have become.

Originally Posted by Guest

I've gotten free stuff all my life. I got a super public education through high school. I got an undergraduate degree supported in large part by the taxpayers of the state of New York. I got an advanced degree for nearly nothing because I did well on a test, again from a state school supported by the taxpayers. I received advanced training at a facility almost entirely built and maintained by taxpayers. I got health care, life insurance, disability insurance at no cost to me for several years. I had fire and police protection, clean water and clean air, safe highways and a military second to none. All nearly free to me.
Now there came a time when it was my turn to pay. And the government gave me a discount for being married, for having kids, for owning a home, for being charitable, for....
Elsewhere there were Americans with not enough food, with poor schools, who did not own homes. And if anything I did or I paid or anything I will continue to do or continue to pay can make their time a bit easier I don't object. My path has been easy in many ways. I was lucky to be born with a lot of advantages others didn't have. I recognize it is not a level playing field right from the opening whistle. That's why I vote against my economic self interest and for a nation where goodness is more important than greed.

Maybe the best post I've read on this site ever. It's easy to forget all the benefits we've had in the past and easy to become selfish once we've gotten to where we want to be. Too bad so many republicans want to pull the ladder up after they've gotten up. I always wonder how they can call themselves a Christian (and most really do believe they are acting Christ like) when they act in such hateful and selfish ways.

Originally Posted by Guest

Maybe the best post I've read on this site ever. It's easy to forget all the benefits we've had in the past and easy to become selfish once we've gotten to where we want to be. Too bad so many republicans want to pull the ladder up after they've gotten up. I always wonder how they can call themselves a Christian (and most really do believe they are acting Christ like) when they act in such hateful and selfish ways.

I understand that "I got mine now you get yours mentality" if you are in the lower 90%. I don't agree but I understand.

But why protect the 1% so heartedly? Why does Buffet and Gates give it all away while others in their bracket do all that they can to keep it? Where are their values? Why are they defended?

I read that Putin might be worth 3 times what Gates is worth. Is he also defended by the bottom 90% in his country? Is that just what all people do?

What did Gates and Buffet do that was so positive for mankind? I think they realized they were in the right place and the right time and want to feel good before they die about how they tried to make the world a better place with the wealth they earned or lucked into. Gates also said that if his kids have too much money it is more likely to ruin their life then improve it. I think that's true. After all, why are they are entitled to all that money?

Just some questions that doesn't really matter. I've heard all the hidden agenda Gates talk before so consider it said. I think he's a good man.

Originally Posted by Guest

Maybe the best post I've read on this site ever. It's easy to forget all the benefits we've had in the past and easy to become selfish once we've gotten to where we want to be. Too bad so many republicans want to pull the ladder up after they've gotten up. I always wonder how they can call themselves a Christian (and most really do believe they are acting Christ like) when they act in such hateful and selfish ways.

Hammering away at the christians again with more distorted, suit your purpose only BS!

Originally Posted by Guest

Hammering away at the christians again with more distorted, suit your purpose only BS!

I don't have a problem with Christians. Actually, I know a few I actually respect. You know, the ones who walk the walk. Unfortunately, most are only Christian on Sunday mornings.

Sorry if I struck a nerve.

Originally Posted by Guest

I don't have a problem with Christians. Actually, I know a few I actually respect. You know, the ones who walk the walk. Unfortunately, most are only Christian on Sunday mornings.

Sorry if I struck a nerve.

And, what are you on Sunday mornings? Just another Liberal?

I got a pretty good inclination who the Pope is voting for. I know. He's already got a wall.
Apparently it's not the most original of ideas. There's a pretty good chance Mexico paid for it too.

Originally Posted by Guest

I don't have a problem with Christians. Actually, I know a few I actually respect. You know, the ones who walk the walk. Unfortunately, most are only Christian on Sunday mornings.

Sorry if I struck a nerve.

Wrong as usual on most counts.
Fantasizing all the time is not good for a person!

Originally Posted by Guest

I would like to make a constructive comment in the hopes you may learn from it. When you suggest President Obama is a Kenyan, any reader with a high school education or greater will dismiss you as a total fool. Even if you make intelligent comments (which you didn't) in the remainder of your post people will not see you as credible. Stop embarrassing yourself.

Dear Guest: I address you directly and only you because your post was the most civil when responding to my reference to Obama and Kenya.

Far too many progressives are reactionary and absolute. Far too many progressives are elitist in their thinking and as such quickly dismiss the thoughts of others. Its why free speech in universities is well no longer free speech where trigger warnings and micro aggressions carry safe spaces for students who abhor the history of angry old white men.

My case in point is the very title of this post. I was accused of being a "birther" and that was the only civil word used to describe me.

Apparently the worlds of figuratively and literally get co-mingled with progressives? Did I not say "despite the definition of natural born" . Did I not mean and did I not say that while Obama may be a natural born citizen eligible for presidential election meaning he is of mind and soul an internationalist and has shown how he relates more to Kenya then America. You believe me wrong then why is he intent on such radical change for America? Why does he use every means available legally or illegally, constitutionally or unconstitutionally to transform the only super power remaining to just another country?

I am a citizen with the mind set of Justice Scalia and abhor anyone either progressive or conservative that I view as being harmful to our democracy.

In both my personal and business lives I never needed to be right but I needed to do right. I had listened to my wife, children friends employees and if they could convince me of another way better than mine I moved in their direction. Unfortunately in the progressive world, for too many, its their way or the highway.

Personal Best Regards:

Originally Posted by Guest

Maybe the best post I've read on this site ever. It's easy to forget all the benefits we've had in the past and easy to become selfish once we've gotten to where we want to be. Too bad so many republicans want to pull the ladder up after they've gotten up. I always wonder how they can call themselves a Christian (and most really do believe they are acting Christ like) when they act in such hateful and selfish ways.

What is hateful about not being forced to give your earned wealth away? What do liberals know about being Christian? Being Christian has nothing to do with a requirement of giving to charity. That is a result of being a Christian, an attribute, but not a requirement. Even Christ said "if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, but if you teach him to fish, he feeds himself for life." or something similar to that. Please don't suggest that you know something when you really don't understand it. You attempt to use what you perceive as a weakness to get under a conservative's skin.

The problem with liberals is that they believe that we are our brother's keepers. We are not. In America, you have the same right to excel as the next guy. We are not all equal but we are treated equal with equal rights. What you do with your right is your privilege, not an obligation. A wealthy person is not obligated to give his money away. In America, one should never be forced to give away his wealth so that the lazy or unfortunate can live a better lifestyle. That attitude is what caused the first settlers to our country to fail miserably, a result of trying to incorporate the Mayflower Compact ( a socialist mandate).

Our lower class lives as well as middle class in socialist countries. That is a fact. I have been to other countries, and lived in other countries and have seen how their middle class live.

To feel that one is entitled to what others earn, is pure idiocy. You have no right or entitlement to someone else's labor, investment or inheritance. To suggest that the wealthy owe someone else because they might be Christian, is just assuming. You assume that ALL conservatives are Christian. They may well be, but that doesn't obligate them. Everyone practices their faith in a different manner. It is not for you to criticize that faith. Maybe, since you feel that conservatives are all Christian, that is why conservatives feel that ALL liberals are atheists.

We are attempting to reason with unreasonable people. It is a waste of time.

Their purpose is to cause consternation and disruption of any subject at hand.

The master baiter's tool is to always include a shot at christianity or political leaning to incite anger.

Since we do not have a blocking mechanism the best treatment of their clutter to to not engage. They would soon give up with no one to tangle with.

They would then revert back to playing multiple guest posts with differing views to give the appearance of what they want presented in self generated counterpoint.

Originally Posted by Guest

Dear Guest: I address you directly and only you because your post was the most civil when responding to my reference to Obama and Kenya.

Far too many progressives are reactionary and absolute. Far too many progressives are elitist in their thinking and as such quickly dismiss the thoughts of others. Its why free speech in universities is well no longer free speech where trigger warnings and micro aggressions carry safe spaces for students who abhor the history of angry old white men.

My case in point is the very title of this post. I was accused of being a "birther" and that was the only civil word used to describe me.

Apparently the worlds of figuratively and literally get co-mingled with progressives? Did I not say "despite the definition of natural born" . Did I not mean and did I not say that while Obama may be a natural born citizen eligible for presidential election meaning he is of mind and soul an internationalist and has shown how he relates more to Kenya then America. You believe me wrong then why is he intent on such radical change for America? Why does he use every means available legally or illegally, constitutionally or unconstitutionally to transform the only super power remaining to just another country?

I am a citizen with the mind set of Justice Scalia and abhor anyone either progressive or conservative that I view as being harmful to our democracy.

In both my personal and business lives I never needed to be right but I needed to do right. I had listened to my wife, children friends employees and if they could convince me of another way better than mine I moved in their direction. Unfortunately in the progressive world, for too many, its their way or the highway.

Personal Best Regards:

Mr. PBR has gone off the deep end with an array of illogical phrases and no substance at all. Once again, mr. PBR has embarassed himself with a post and shown that he is no longer relevant. It is sad to see how minds go downhill so quickly with advanced age in some people.