The Republicans love to yell and shout about being an "anti-tax" party. That is not true. A conservative will almost always be for hiking the taxes that go to Military Spending, The Drug-war, Deficit hawking, etc. Now, the only people can truly be dubbed "Anti-tax" and "Anti big government" would be the libertarians. However, aside from most social issues, being a liberal I disagree with libertarians.
Let me explain my thoughts on taxes. Even the most dedicated and radical Libertarian will admit,"Well, we can't abolish taxes entirely. We still need things like police." PROBLEM:That's big government. That's right, an anti-big government stance there would be letting the people fend for themselves and keep government's nose out. Nobody in their right mind would endorse that, right?
So what's the difference concearning Nationalized Healthcare? Or Welfare? Conservatives (Who only hate certain taxes) and libertarians both rally against it like it's Satan's creation. But it saves lives. Welfare does save lives! Just like police protection!
I believe, that taxes are required for purposes that are usefull. I don't like the Drug-war becuase it's been a hidious failure. I don't like Military spending becuase I find much of it unnessary. I don't like taxes that aren't liberal. But I do believe in using taxes in situations where they would, In my opinion at least, benefit the people of the country. At least I don't hide behind anti-tax crap like the republicans to try and fool people.
But when a libertarian describes welfare as ,"Giving something to people for nothing," I always like to bring up police protection, like I said even they will admit we need some. How is that not giving something to somebody for nothing? Are you requesting police protect only people who can afford to pay the taxes for them? Of course not! Nobody deserves to be gunned down in the street and we should prevent that, protect people from needless harm!
And if somebody finds themselves infinancial ruin with no way out... we should protect people from needless harm! Just like police protection! But that's not what libertarians and conservatives will have you believe.
No sir. Instead they look at welfare and paint all poor as leeches. They say they get away scot-free while we pay for them! Who cares if their life is in danger? Who cares if children starve? They get something for nothing and it's all the fault of socialist kooks like me!
About socialism. I'm a liberal. I am not a socialist. Socialism would be to give people who don't (Or rather can't) work an easy time living. It'd be considering them equal. That's not what I'm supporting here. I'm supporting giving them the cussion they need to survive so that they can find themselves a job. What gets really crazy is when they call liberals communists. That's like calling a rain shower a hurricane.
Hey you capitilists out there! If the poor have no money to spend... how are they going to be consumers so that they can create more jobs? Eh? There's something else for you to ponder!
So don't label liberals as Big Gov't, Socialist or tax-lovers! Those qualities are shared on both ends of the pool!
Sinistral, 1997
