Recently I witnessed a discussion went something like this:
p1: Taxes are way too high in Chicago
p2: Yea it sucks
p3: We really need to impeach Bush
These type of contradictory statements really undermine your credibility. Do you have anything else to say, any real ideas? Can you back up these statements with facts or supporting evidence for your position? Is it better to just close your eyes and jump on the impeach Bush bandwagon because many celebrities advocate it?
Taxes
If it were up to Gore, Kerry, or any other liberal, you would still be paying up to 39% tax on corporate dividends (instead of 15%) and would only be able to contribute $2,000 to your IRA next year (instead of $5,000). Do you realize how this affects you? A persons ability to control their own financial security should take precedence over any social program. When you support higher taxes and government sponsored benefits, in effect you are saying knows how to spend your money better than you do. Why would you ever support a candidate who wants you to work harder and longer so that others don't have to? In a free society you can contribute money to any cause you find worthy, wouldn't you rather have control over what you do and don't support?
Iraq
Look, we'd all like to leave Iraq as soon as possible - its not that simple. I agree that we underestimated what it would take to win this war, but now we are left with the responsibility to help establish a real government. The decision to invade Iraq was supported by both parties and approved through the house and senate, deal with it. Just because you don't like it anymore doesn't mean we should leave. If the US were to leave Iraq now, the country would plunge into a state of civil war. The US is still there because stability provides long term benefit.
Regardless of whether you think the reasons given for invading Iraq justified the action, the bottom line is that Iraq was an enemy state of the U.S, harboring a deep resentment for us and our allies, and had been threatening aggression against us. If you've studied history, you should know that enemies cannot be allowed to fester and plot. They must be crushed completely or their hatred will smolder and burn until it becomes a raging inferno.
The US still reigns as the world superpower. Do not ever forget all the incredible advantages and luxuries that affords you, including the right to voice your opposition to our occupancy of Iraq. You act as though their civilization carries the same benefits, it does not. It is our governments duty to protect our citizens and allow them to prosper, this includes maintaining our interests around the globe. We will see to it that this job is completed, and your anti-American sentiment hinders our progress.
Illegal Immigrants
I have no problem with illegal immigrants being in the country. I have a problem with the fact that illegal immigrants don't pay taxes. As a guest in the US, illegal immigrants gain access to the advantages of living in a developed country - therefore they to pay taxes. Why should the entire tax burden be carried by those of us who live here legally? If you're a legal business and you hire illegal aliens who don't pay taxes, or for whom you do not pay taxes, you are also contributing to the problem
Conversely, it is too difficult for educated, legal immigrants to stay in the country. After four years of education in the US, my college roommate (from India) graduated as the top engineering student of his class, yet had trouble finding a desirable employer who would sponsor his visa. After some searching, he returned to India without ever working in the US (and paying US taxes.) Shouldn't we want to make it easy for people like this to stay? Perhaps even require it after becoming educated here?
So next time you're about to ask me to donate to the Missing Children's Project or the National Arthritis Association, just so you know - I already gave at the federal level.
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