Entitlement.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/i-am-a-job-creator-a-manifesto-for-the-entitled/2012/09/28/756f2e90-07ee-11e2-858a-5311df86ab04_story.html



So, let's talk entitlement. First off, let's see who uses that word more. I've been following national politics for a while now, and I would venture far enough to say that the conservatives have been saying it quite a bit more than anyone else. So how do they view entitlement? Well, according to Mitt Romney, he believes the 47% of the American population who will vote for Obama this coming election feel entitled to food, healthcare and housing. Entitlement to them, is effectively the idea that the government owes anybody anything.

To that, I balk. What about education? What about our firemen? What about the military and protection we derive from from it? Are we not supposed to feel entitled to these services as well? Our nation runs off entitlement. People pay their taxes, obey the laws and participate in society. In return, the federal government provides essential services. It has been this way since the founding of our nation. 

I believe it really boils down to what you believe as an essential service though. Some view access to adequate amounts of food, decent shelter and respectable healthcare to be a service the government should provide as a safety net for those in need. Others view the act of helping those in need or those who made poor choices in life to be a waste of taxpayer dollars. However you view it, it is entitlement. Entitlement though, is not a bad thing. 

Just wanted to share.

Article from which quotes are being pulled from: http://www.progressive.org/meet-romney-extremist-in-virginia


"Look, there's always something you can do. You telling me people can't make a choice for a better life? We have to help all of them? No. I'll tell you what really need to do with these illegitimate families on welfare—give all the kids up for adoption and execute the parents."


This. This is why I hate extremists. And this wasn't coming from a fringe-lunatic Conservative. This was coming from a person found in "a local Romney headquarters in swing-state Virginia, not some far-right Tea Party fringe group."


Here are some more choice quotes.


“Everyone in Iraq under Hussein was a terrorist,” he says. “If there were there under Hussein, they agreed with him, and they needed to be taken out. They’re all terrorists.”


“It’s not an invasion if we are protecting our interests.”


“Mountaintop removal—you mean where you take the top off and get the coal? Sure, why not? I don’t see a problem with it, it’s fine. You’ve got to get the energy somehow.”


I'm sorry. I know this is supposed to be a more academic blog, but I couldn't help but share this little piece of pure insanity with you all.

My Short Rant About the Polarization of America.

I spend a great deal of time on the internet. In this day and age, who in my age group doesn't? What I believe sets me apart from a great deal of my peers, is that I am a frequent visitor of the political scene. Politics interest me, as it should for any citizen in any given country. I particularly enjoy reading articles from more moderate sites, with a more diverse commenter base. 

The clash of ideas, the competitive spirit, and great discussion enthrall me. I follow the word of those who can make a valid point and defend it well using their mastery of language. I come there for the sound and logical debate, where several people can read a story or article, and passionately argue their point of view. 

What I don't come there for, are the caustic, vitriolic comments spewed out from those who have no real point, and are frankly, brainwashed by their respective political wing to simply believe. Call them the vocal minority or stupid internet trolls, but these brainwashed commenters ruin any real political debate there may have been. Being quite frank here, I hate them with a passion. Their incessant use of buzzwords make me sick. Their ill-informed arguments boil down to several core untruths. They have a blind loyalty to their political party, refusing to compromise on anything whatsoever. A little like the politicians we have in D.C. now, eh? 

As much as I loathe these people, I do think they highlight an important issue in America today. Politics are getting more and more polarized. People simply refuse to see policies and propositions coming from the other end of the political spectrum in a calm, logical manner. They  choose not to debate with the other side, let alone compromise. They can only stand by their position, throw up strawmen and redirect. They never debate. 

Let's look at Fox News. I think we can all safely say that they are unapologetically pro-Conservative. They spin the news in such a way that stories about the Conservatives are seen in a golden light cast from the heavens, and stories about the Liberals and current administration are seen in a negative light. This isn't beneficial for anybody. It only further polarizes the nation. Conservatives take what they get, and Liberals, after a little fact checking, become disgusted at falsehoods weaved in with the story. Lies of omission are still lies. 

A polarized nation is a nation in deadlock. A nation at odds with itself. Simply put, it isn't good. I actually fear for the future, as the politicians we put up in D.C. can't make any real change, change we dearly need. 

How can we solve this issue? We can't. Not by any conventional means in any case. And this is why I fear. 

Just my rant, and my worries, for the day. 

Please bear with me as I find a topic. Probably politics/science. Or political science.

Haaaaa.

Why.