The two largest "socialist" programs in existence now are Social Security (signed into law by Franklin Roosevelt) and Medicare (signed into law by Lyndon Johnson).

How many true conservatives would be willing to give up their Social Security benefits and their Medicare benefits? I figure some of you are also veterans with service-connected disablities and are collecting some monthly benefits from the VA. Let's have all the true conservatives volunteer to bite the bullet a little (being true patriots, this is a small hardship) and denounce all of your government entitlements.

Don't give me this crap of "I worked for those benefits". Show your true colors and say you do not want these socialist programs and you will not take them anymore. Walk the walk if you talk the talk.

This same 'straw man' has been used mindlessly by liberals as long as I can remember - it was BS when it was first posted and is still BS.

1) There is no 'opting out' of Medicare just as individual citizens will have no right to opt out of Obamacare. Medicare is forced upon you if you want to have health insurance after age 65. If you bother to check out the reasonableness of your question, you will discover that you cannot even apply for individual coverage after age 64.5.

2) Once again, you cannot 'opt out' of receiving your Social Security check. You can give it to the government or whomever you choose. I would certainly donate the money to a much more worthy charity. FYI, I give more than my SS check to worthwhile causes. Do you?

3) VA health coverage is part of the compensation package we guarantee to the patriots that have kept us safe over the years. From your suggestion I infer that you have not served your country and do not qualify for these benefits.

Before you suggest that we not provide health care for disabled vets, why don't you consider how petty this suggestion is. No person who has any love for his country or respect for the sacrifices made by others could ever write this tripe.

Methinks there be a troller in the area!.

btk

BBQ Man has written a little reply to my sataric posting and I guess I will have to answer him.

I did not say the country should not give health benefits to veterans. Military veterans are guaranteed health benefits as well as many other benefits from the VA. These include educational assistance, home loans, aid to dependents of totally disabled veterans, and finally, burial at a National Cemetery. I was employed by the VA for all of my career. I did say that you did not have to accept the monthly VA checks for service-connected disabilities. You always have the right to tell the VA you do not wish to receive your monetary benefit and they will stop your check. Did I serve in the military? Yes and proudly in the US Army from 1966 to 1969.

You do have a choice of taking your Social Security benefits. In order to collect, you have to personally apply for Social Security retirement. Do I give my Social Security check to charity? Charity gifts are a personal choice and I will not answer that - just as I would not expect you to tell this forum what charities and what amounts you choose to give.

Am I a liberal? Not on most things but I really do not like the Tea Bag Party, the "conservative Christians", or extreme right-wingers who say everyone who does not think exactly like them is not a patriot.

Originally Posted by Tbugs

BBQ Man has written a little reply to my sataric posting and I guess I will have to answer him.

I did not say the country should not give health benefits to veterans. Military veterans are guaranteed health benefits as well as many other benefits from the VA. These include educational assistance, home loans, aid to dependents of totally disabled veterans, and finally, burial at a National Cemetery. I was employed by the VA for all of my career. I did say that you did not have to accept the monthly VA checks for service-connected disabilities. You always have the right to tell the VA you do not wish to receive your monetary benefit and they will stop your check. Did I serve in the military? Yes and proudly in the US Army from 1966 to 1969.

You do have a choice of taking your Social Security benefits. In order to collect, you have to personally apply for Social Security retirement. Do I give my Social Security check to charity? Charity gifts are a personal choice and I will not answer that - just as I would not expect you to tell this forum what charities and what amounts you choose to give.

Am I a liberal? Not on most things but I really do not like the Tea Bag Party, the "conservative Christians", or extreme right-wingers who say everyone who does not think exactly like them is not a patriot.

This quote of yours....

"but I really do not like the Tea Bag Party, the "conservative Christians", or extreme right-wingers who say everyone who does not think exactly like them is not a patriot.

Hoping you can provide ONE instance of anyone saying this. You said it happened and so it must have but I just dont recall that being said !!

Don't forget that Social Security had an extremely high surplus that would have sustained all the baby boomers in comfort during our golden years. The government that democrats are so fond of threw that money down the sink hole. Think "Great Society" and how well that worked out for us.

Bucco was right in his last posting. I was unclear in my wording about the Tea Bag Party, "conservative Christians", and other extreme right-wingers. I should have said, "... it seems as though those groups are saying if you do not think exactly as they do, you are un-American."

Yes, there are extremists on the left as well that are just as bad or even worse.

Ajax, I was talking of conservative patriots "walking the walk after talking the talk" of rejecting their Social Security because it is a "socialist" government entitlement. Of course, I was being sarcastic as I know that no one would return their entitlement.

Originally Posted by Tbugs

Bucco was right in his last posting. I was unclear in my wording about the Tea Bag Party, "conservative Christians", and other extreme right-wingers. I should have said, "... it seems as though those groups are saying if you do not think exactly as they do, you are un-American."

Yes, there are extremists on the left as well that are just as bad or even worse.

So, NONE of what you said happened actually happened...interesting.

Yes there are extremists on both sides and nice to hear you say that. There ALWAYS has been extremist on both sides.

It would be great if you just discussed the issues and where you stand on them, recognizing that not all will agree and sometimes, you will get an extreme response. Your posts look like you are actually "trolling" as someone suggested and trying to get folks to respond.

I use this board to try and vent, but mostly to "educate" myself reading what others have found or feel in their heart. Honestly only a few things set me off....a purely political party kind of person who no matter what the facts, will follow the "company line"....those who attack folks personally which includes posters on here but also includes those who attack candidate's families or even the candidate themselves on a personal level. That is one thing that gets me involved in the Palin threads...I do not favor her as a candidate for President, but find it repulsive when I hear statements about her education, her family, or whatever.

Ok..said my piece...will leave you to whatever is motivating you !

The phrase "tea bag party" puts your posting on the level of a middle schooler. If you can, please get your mind out of the gutter and try to avoid using terms that you know and intend to be insulting and derogatory.

Originally Posted by billethkid

Methinks there be a troller in the area!.

btk

I have to agree with you. Do Not Feed the Trolls.

This quote of yours....

"but I really do not like the Tea Bag Party, the "conservative Christians", or extreme right-wingers who say everyone who does not think exactly like them is not a patriot.

It sounds like you don't think much of anyone who doesn't think exactly like you.

Yoda

Originally Posted by Yoda

This quote of yours....

"but I really do not like the Tea Bag Party, the "conservative Christians", or extreme right-wingers who say everyone who does not think exactly like them is not a patriot.

It sounds like you don't think much of anyone who doesn't think exactly like you.

Yoda

Bingo!!! Another excellent observation by the esteemed Yoda. Your perceptive analysis of this post, and also the posters use of the derogatory label "tea bag party", convinced me to bypass commenting on this thread, but I had to applaud your insight.

Originally Posted by RichieLion

Bingo!!! Another excellent observation by the esteemed Yoda. Your perceptive analysis of this post, and also the posters use of the derogatory label "tea bag party", convinced me to bypass commenting on this thread, but I had to applaud your insight.

Yes, the derogatory term is used by juvenile minds to incite anger or draw attention to themselves.

I may not agree with certain Tea Party positions, but it shows a lack of intelligence, a lack of debating skill and a lack of class to call them "Tea *******".