What do you think of Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court??

[skiracer]

Since you asked, here it goes. First thing is I am not a Republican or a Democrat. I am a Libertarian. Our founding fathers were libertarians and believed in small government and letting businesses and people be free--as long as they don't infringe upon the rights of others. Milton Friedman is one of my heroes and embodies the spirit of consequential libertarianism. The only way you can have a successful society where freedom is unrestricted by government intervention is if you have a strong judicial system. The federal government already has too much power and things that should be left up to states, simply isn't.

When someone is having their rights infringed upon, they should be protected by the judicial system. The fact is, the white firefighters who scored high on the exam for a promotion are having their rights infringed upon. Instead of rewarding hard work, they are condemning them because minorities in the system did not work as hard or simply don't want to be firefighters. Why is this okay?

When you infringe upon someone elses rights, you immediately lose yours without exception. I was watching Anderson Cooper 360 a few weeks ago and there was a police chase where a cop laying down a spike strip in the highway was hit by the fleeing driver. The driver proceeded to flip his van and was ejected and wasn't moving on the ground. The officers attacked the man and beat him for a few seconds to make sure he was incapacitated (it was 5 officers or so and it lasted less than 5 seconds when they backed off), but there was a huge uproar of police brutality, when the fact is this guy attempted to take the life of a police officer and therefore loses any rights he has to keeping his own life. It would be different if it were a chance mistake or an accident, but you don't run from the cops on accident. There is no place for empathy in court.

The government has been infringing upon the rights of business and citizens for as long as I can remember. In general, Democrats will defend a woman's right to choose as it's their body and they should do whatever they want, yet they turn around and want to tax soda because it leads to obesity. Apparently destroying a fetus is acceptable, but drinking Pepsi is a big no-no. Republicans are just as guilty. In general, Republicans will say abortion is wrong and that we should protect life, but are for the death penalty. Personally, I think everyone should own a handgun and have a concealed carry permit to dispense some instant justice when they are victimized. The only people who are afraid of armed citizens are criminals and tyrants. If a criminal knew everyone had a deadly weapon on their hip, do you think he's going to mug you in the park? Hell no. And the excuse about accidental killings is a joke--there are over 80 million gunowners in America and somehow we aren't killing off millions a year in accidental shootings. To quote a Philadelphia police officer, "I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6."

Is it so hard to just leave people alone and let them live their lives and conduct business without having the government babysit us? As long as you aren't infringing upon the rights of others, you should be able to do whatever you want which means carrying a handgun, growing pot in your backyard, or getting an abortion. I do believe abortion is wrong and I would never promote getting an abortion, but I am pro-choice and believe women can do whatever they want to their bodies and they can answer to whatever god they do or don't believe in. In the end, who the hell am I to determine what someone else can or can't do when they aren't infringing upon the rights of others?

With all that being said, welfare, social security, medicare, government subsidies, tax breaks for anyone, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, non-profit organization status, unemployment insurance, food stamps, bailouts, and progressive income taxes are all immoral and therefore wrong because they infringe upon my rights. My rights as a citizen are being infringed upon because my money is being taken from me forcible in the form of taxes to pay for the welfare and well being of someone else. Why is acceptable that almost 50% of all workers in America have zero tax liability, yet they get to vote on what we get to do with our tax dollars in elections? Americans, like myself, who pay taxes are almost a minority in this country now. Why do you think we're in a housing crisis? Governement stepped in and subsidized a bunch of mortgages (with my money) through Freddie and Fannie which gave money to people who in the private sector never would have qualified. As a result, normal banks have to offer loans to subprime customers as well just to stay competitive and found a way to unload their not-so-great loans in the form of derivitives and minimize their risk. In the end, money was taken from me in the form of taxes to subsidize someone with a bad credit score who in turn is now defaulting and getting foreclosed on which in turn lowers the value of my home due to simply supply/demand. I've been kicked in the balls twice here.

Now tax dollars that go towards things individuals would not be able to provide for themselves for the good of a community, such as roads, schools, military, and law enforcement are justifiable taxes that are neccessary, but if welfare disappeared today, private charities would still be helping the homeless. If social security disappeared today, people would still have a retirement account. People are in an uproar about Madoff's $50 billion pyramid scheme, but hardly anyone is saying anything baout the $4 trillion pyramid scheme that is social security.

I don't care if you're white, black, green, magenta, native american, handicap, Jewish, or Mother Teresa. The fact is the government has setup a system of legalized theft in this country and it seems that no one is doing anything about it. If the founding fathers were alive today, I'd bet a kidney that there would have been more tea parties and organized resistance, not only during Obama's administration, but Clinton's as well as Bush I and II. The Supreme Court is supposed to protect the citizens of our country, not be in collusion with the other branches of government for their own interests.

The fact is that 18 firefighters are not getting a promotion when they should be since they are the best at what they do. Due to the color of their skin, they are being held back, and since we do not have the best 18 firefighters available being promoted, communities are at risk. If your house was burning down, would you like to have your accountant come over and put it out, or do you want the best damn firefighters available?

Hopefully Sotomayor gets rejected and we get someone who judges based on the principles of freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness instead of their gender and race (gasp!).

Read this:
http://townhall.com/Columnists/Walte..._is_immorality

lemonbutt,
very very informative and well put. impressive factual dialogue regardless of what side of the fence you're on. hard not to agree with everything that you have stated.

[skiracer]

I know exactly what you mean, ski. But, I think you meant to recommend, "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand.

Our real problem is the government held spoon that feeds democratic propaganda to a country that is supposed to be a republic. If people would stop to think about the motives of officials and programs, then they might not be so willing to accept them. There are fewer enlightened citizens than there are mind-lazy Americans, so the rights of the righteous are stomped out by the needs of the masses. The press panders to the politicians that can offer them the most recognition, rather than actully searching for truth. So the seemingly mundane correct course of action is overlooked and neglected because of the need to get ratings... These mind-lazy people would rather watch something shocking and get involved with it, than see the righteous side of things. This is why the trainwreck of America's core beliefs being tested, smashed, and reorganized is the focus of the news. So, people think that this is the way it should be... "we need change" is there motto

Well, it's change that they'll get. And it will come packaged as a present to the people. And it will only cause another and bigger trainwreck. Then good ole Dagny Taggart might leave them afterall.

thanks for the correction peanuts. i always get the two books mixed up. Atlas Shrugged was the one i meant.

[yoyomama]

I think most Libertarians vote Republican even though they claim they're neither Democrat or Republican but when push comes to shove they don't vote Democrat, they vote Republican. Just my personal findings.

I don't really have a problem with any of it though. People just have different opinions.

[LemonButt]

Whose the last Democrat President you voted for?


I like Bud Lite.

I've never voted for a Democrat president, but I have voted for Democrats for Congress. I didn't vote for Heath Shuler for our House rep in this past election, but I'm glad we have him as one of the five Democrats who opposed the stimulus package and voted no.

I turned 18 in 2002, so I've only had the privilege of voting for 2 Presidents, where I voted for Bush in 2004 and Barr in 2008. I'd take Ron Paul over anyone right now as he seems to be the only politician out there who will tell you the truth and not just what you want to hear.

Peanuts, the reason the media has a liberal bias is because when they go for their degree in mass communication or journalism, they don't take microeconomics, macroeconomics, or any other business course, but they do get to study Russian Literature, 16th Century Poetry, and the Short Story. Ignorance is bliss though, right?

[Karel]

karel, will tanning change your political views.

Not in my experience, but I tan rather slowly, so the change might be so gradual as to escape notice.

Regards,

Karel

[peanuts]

...read Ayn Rand's book " Fountainhead". when people with real brains and initiative take their intellect and their resourses out of the loop here in the USA they are going to be left with themselves and the people with their hands out...

I know exactly what you mean, ski. But, I think you meant to recommend, "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand.

Our real problem is the government held spoon that feeds democratic propaganda to a country that is supposed to be a republic. If people would stop to think about the motives of officials and programs, then they might not be so willing to accept them. There are fewer enlightened citizens than there are mind-lazy Americans, so the rights of the righteous are stomped out by the needs of the masses. The press panders to the politicians that can offer them the most recognition, rather than actully searching for truth. So the seemingly mundane correct course of action is overlooked and neglected because of the need to get ratings... These mind-lazy people would rather watch something shocking and get involved with it, than see the righteous side of things. This is why the trainwreck of America's core beliefs being tested, smashed, and reorganized is the focus of the news. So, people think that this is the way it should be... "we need change" is there motto

Well, it's change that they'll get. And it will come packaged as a present to the people. And it will only cause another and bigger trainwreck. Then good ole Dagny Taggart might leave them afterall.

[yoyomama]

First thing is I am not a Republican or a Democrat. I am a Libertarian.

Whose the last Democrat President you voted for?


I like Bud Lite.

[LemonButt]

Lemon,
Why don't you tell us exactly what qualifications you'd seek in a Supreme Court justice. Obama is wrong if he picks anyone of color or if he picks a white man. He can't win. On the other hand Republican Fat Boy commentator and his Pretty Boy cohert would have praised Sotomayor or anybody else Bush would have nominated. Imagine the uproar had a Democrat nominated Clarence Thomas. The sh*# would still be coming off the fan and you've got to admit that's true. This fabricated controversy is all because of the party in charge. Get over it Bush and his policies have been rejected by the populous. The Sotomayor nomination isn't on my worry list.

--------------billy

Since you asked, here it goes. First thing is I am not a Republican or a Democrat. I am a Libertarian. Our founding fathers were libertarians and believed in small government and letting businesses and people be free--as long as they don't infringe upon the rights of others. Milton Friedman is one of my heroes and embodies the spirit of consequential libertarianism. The only way you can have a successful society where freedom is unrestricted by government intervention is if you have a strong judicial system. The federal government already has too much power and things that should be left up to states, simply isn't.

When someone is having their rights infringed upon, they should be protected by the judicial system. The fact is, the white firefighters who scored high on the exam for a promotion are having their rights infringed upon. Instead of rewarding hard work, they are condemning them because minorities in the system did not work as hard or simply don't want to be firefighters. Why is this okay?

When you infringe upon someone elses rights, you immediately lose yours without exception. I was watching Anderson Cooper 360 a few weeks ago and there was a police chase where a cop laying down a spike strip in the highway was hit by the fleeing driver. The driver proceeded to flip his van and was ejected and wasn't moving on the ground. The officers attacked the man and beat him for a few seconds to make sure he was incapacitated (it was 5 officers or so and it lasted less than 5 seconds when they backed off), but there was a huge uproar of police brutality, when the fact is this guy attempted to take the life of a police officer and therefore loses any rights he has to keeping his own life. It would be different if it were a chance mistake or an accident, but you don't run from the cops on accident. There is no place for empathy in court.

The government has been infringing upon the rights of business and citizens for as long as I can remember. In general, Democrats will defend a woman's right to choose as it's their body and they should do whatever they want, yet they turn around and want to tax soda because it leads to obesity. Apparently destroying a fetus is acceptable, but drinking Pepsi is a big no-no. Republicans are just as guilty. In general, Republicans will say abortion is wrong and that we should protect life, but are for the death penalty. Personally, I think everyone should own a handgun and have a concealed carry permit to dispense some instant justice when they are victimized. The only people who are afraid of armed citizens are criminals and tyrants. If a criminal knew everyone had a deadly weapon on their hip, do you think he's going to mug you in the park? Hell no. And the excuse about accidental killings is a joke--there are over 80 million gunowners in America and somehow we aren't killing off millions a year in accidental shootings. To quote a Philadelphia police officer, "I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6."

Is it so hard to just leave people alone and let them live their lives and conduct business without having the government babysit us? As long as you aren't infringing upon the rights of others, you should be able to do whatever you want which means carrying a handgun, growing pot in your backyard, or getting an abortion. I do believe abortion is wrong and I would never promote getting an abortion, but I am pro-choice and believe women can do whatever they want to their bodies and they can answer to whatever god they do or don't believe in. In the end, who the hell am I to determine what someone else can or can't do when they aren't infringing upon the rights of others?

With all that being said, welfare, social security, medicare, government subsidies, tax breaks for anyone, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, non-profit organization status, unemployment insurance, food stamps, bailouts, and progressive income taxes are all immoral and therefore wrong because they infringe upon my rights. My rights as a citizen are being infringed upon because my money is being taken from me forcible in the form of taxes to pay for the welfare and well being of someone else. Why is acceptable that almost 50% of all workers in America have zero tax liability, yet they get to vote on what we get to do with our tax dollars in elections? Americans, like myself, who pay taxes are almost a minority in this country now. Why do you think we're in a housing crisis? Governement stepped in and subsidized a bunch of mortgages (with my money) through Freddie and Fannie which gave money to people who in the private sector never would have qualified. As a result, normal banks have to offer loans to subprime customers as well just to stay competitive and found a way to unload their not-so-great loans in the form of derivitives and minimize their risk. In the end, money was taken from me in the form of taxes to subsidize someone with a bad credit score who in turn is now defaulting and getting foreclosed on which in turn lowers the value of my home due to simply supply/demand. I've been kicked in the balls twice here.

Now tax dollars that go towards things individuals would not be able to provide for themselves for the good of a community, such as roads, schools, military, and law enforcement are justifiable taxes that are neccessary, but if welfare disappeared today, private charities would still be helping the homeless. If social security disappeared today, people would still have a retirement account. People are in an uproar about Madoff's $50 billion pyramid scheme, but hardly anyone is saying anything baout the $4 trillion pyramid scheme that is social security.

I don't care if you're white, black, green, magenta, native american, handicap, Jewish, or Mother Teresa. The fact is the government has setup a system of legalized theft in this country and it seems that no one is doing anything about it. If the founding fathers were alive today, I'd bet a kidney that there would have been more tea parties and organized resistance, not only during Obama's administration, but Clinton's as well as Bush I and II. The Supreme Court is supposed to protect the citizens of our country, not be in collusion with the other branches of government for their own interests.

The fact is that 18 firefighters are not getting a promotion when they should be since they are the best at what they do. Due to the color of their skin, they are being held back, and since we do not have the best 18 firefighters available being promoted, communities are at risk. If your house was burning down, would you like to have your accountant come over and put it out, or do you want the best damn firefighters available?

Hopefully Sotomayor gets rejected and we get someone who judges based on the principles of freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness instead of their gender and race (gasp!).

Read this:

http://townhall.com/Columnists/WalterEWilliams/2009/04/01/our_problem_is_immorality

[billyjoe]

I agree with you completely here that there were some judges in the past that probably weren't up to snuff. However, if Obama is hellbent on having a minority confirmed to the Supreme Court, how depressing is it that Sotomayer is the best we have in this country? Also, what does it say about Democrats and how they view minorities and what they think of their intellect if by simply picking a hispanic for the Supreme court that they think they can get more votes?

If you want to get rid of racism/discrimination/etc, people need to stop being recognized for their differences. This country had a massive drunken orgy when Obama got elected, simply because he was black. Call me stupid, but isn't the problem the fact that we acknowledge he is black and call that a reason to celebrate? Also, he is just as much white as he is black. People thought they voted for change and they got the 44th white President in a row.

My big question about this administration is, who are they going to exploit for tax dollars when all the rich people move away? Someone has to bankroll all these enabling social programs and it's either going to be the middle class or my unborn grandchildren who already have a negative credit score. What's it going to be?

Lemon,
Why don't you tell us exactly what qualifications you'd seek in a Supreme Court justice. Obama is wrong if he picks anyone of color or if he picks a white man. He can't win. On the other hand Republican Fat Boy commentator and his Pretty Boy cohert would have praised Sotomayor or anybody else Bush would have nominated. Imagine the uproar had a Democrat nominated Clarence Thomas. The sh*# would still be coming off the fan and you've got to admit that's true. This fabricated controversy is all because of the party in charge. Get over it Bush and his policies have been rejected by the populous. The Sotomayor nomination isn't on my worry list.

--------------billy

[skiracer]

My big question about this administration is, who are they going to exploit for tax dollars when all the rich people move away? Someone has to bankroll all these enabling social programs and it's either going to be the middle class or my unborn grandchildren who already have a negative credit score. What's it going to be?

read Ayn Rand's book " Fountainhead". when people with real brains and initiative take their intellect and their resourses out of the loop here in the USA they are going to be left with themselves and the people with their hands out. you'll see how fast the affluent far left liberal democrats distance themselves from the rolls of entitlement programs and the handouts then but i think it is going to be to late. the politicians and the entitlement programs and the country are going to run out of funds to keep this up.
when the capitalists with the brains, initiative, and the money have gone there will be nothing left. does that seem to far fetched to happen here in America? it is already happening. the rich corporate interests and the people that run them are already on the move.

[yoyomama]

Also, what does it say about Democrats and how they view minorities and what they think of their intellect if by simply picking a hispanic for the Supreme court that they think they can get more votes?

I dunno, is that what they think?

[LemonButt]

For nearly 200 years it was an unwritten rule. You had to be a white male to be a Supreme Court judge. Think of the misqualifications some of those guys got away with. Maybe 200 years of non white non males only would start to get things back to even in this country. I've got nothing against Sonia Sotomayor and I don't know any more about her than I did about any of her predecessors.

--------------billy

I agree with you completely here that there were some judges in the past that probably weren't up to snuff. However, if Obama is hellbent on having a minority confirmed to the Supreme Court, how depressing is it that Sotomayer is the best we have in this country? Also, what does it say about Democrats and how they view minorities and what they think of their intellect if by simply picking a hispanic for the Supreme court that they think they can get more votes?

If you want to get rid of racism/discrimination/etc, people need to stop being recognized for their differences. This country had a massive drunken orgy when Obama got elected, simply because he was black. Call me stupid, but isn't the problem the fact that we acknowledge he is black and call that a reason to celebrate? Also, he is just as much white as he is black. People thought they voted for change and they got the 44th white President in a row.

My big question about this administration is, who are they going to exploit for tax dollars when all the rich people move away? Someone has to bankroll all these enabling social programs and it's either going to be the middle class or my unborn grandchildren who already have a negative credit score. What's it going to be?

[skiracer]

I am too white for the time of the year.

Regards,

Karel

karel, will tanning change your political views.

[Karel]

I am not black but I tan very well.

I am too white for the time of the year.

Regards,

Karel

[skiracer]

maybe the muslim countries should apologize for 9-11. i didnt vote for him and i dont like him or his wife at all. you're right this isnt the place to discuss politics because it just never comes out right or gets interpreted incorrectly. no big, we're all entitled to our opinions.