We as Americans are 100% reliant on goverment programs

[Peacetrain]

Apparently the right is having a meltdown saying that almost 1/3 of Americans are on government programs.. that we have lost out will to work.. (aka Rev Al).. well you know.. we are all reliant on goverment programs.. there is not one soul in this country that is not relying on some form of government program.. from public schools.. to the roads we drive on .. corporations are reliant on government largesse.. just try getting them to pay for the roads they drive on with a gazillion toll booths.. and they would be singing a different song in a heart beat..

[RobertEarl]

1. We are a very socialistic nation

The best our nation has to offer are our socially shared commons, free to everyone.

[Peacetrain]

2. Exactly!..

Some on the right do not like that.. until you remind them that their socialist programs of Social Security and Medicare are up for grabs too .. woo hoo..then the heads start spinning

[burnodo]

6. I wish we were more socialistic

[roamer65]

3. I drive a car on the interstate system.

I send letters through the post office.
I received college loans and grants.
I drink clean water and breathe cleaner air than 50 years ago.
I have parents who aren't in a poor house and have a dignified retirement.

We all benefit from government programs and this country is better for it.
Screw these right-wing nut jobs. They're all hypocrites.

[Peacetrain]

5. Such great examples..

[lumberjack_jeff]

4. The kernel of truth is this:

The paralyzing fear of inflation (they used to call it "a wage and price spiral&quot compels the powers-that-be to manage the economy in such a way that there are far fewer jobs than there are applicants. So long as the workers are hungry, they'll "be competitive".

The downside of this exemplified by la Terreur, so the government carefully manages expectations and resources to the bare minimum to prevent that happening.

"Socialism" american-style is the pittance paid to keep the citizenry compliant for the Oligarchy.

"Home of the free" my ass.

[Peacetrain]

7. I will give you that

the fear of inflation is like a specter hanging over any new program trying to be introduced.. how is it.. that Democrats in office always have to pay for every program they put forward.. and republicans always put it on the credit card.. I have never understood that .. never

[functioning_cog]

9. I do agree that ever since upward pressure on wages started occurring in the late 90's

the federal banking system and government have worked hand in glove with business to ensure workers never have that kind of leverage again--until workers demand more. This can happen. We are still a vibrant democracy when people want to be. I've seen it.

[Hydra]

8. Everyone depends on law enforcement

And last time I checked, that was a gov't program.

[Peacetrain]

11. Good point.. police and fire are goverment

there are volunteer units in smaller communities but you get any size to you at all as a city.. or large town.. you depend on those goverment workers

[PETRUS]

10. Where would Microsoft and Pfizer be without copyrights and patents?

Thar's some gummit for ya.

[Peacetrain]

12. It would be the wild west with guns blazing. with out copyrights and patents..

[Waiting For Everyman]

13. How many are reliant on government contracts?

The right always forgets about those. I wonder why?

[Peacetrain]

14. You are right!! all those goverment contracts

that the supporters of the right like Halliburton (come to think of it .. Cheney was part of the group) make billions off of the dole.. good catch!!

[bhikkhu]

15. That's why people form governments to begin with

to manage their common needs.

If you add how utterly dependent we are on the rule of law, including contract law, not just criminal law, we are certainly that dependent. If you consider that money itself is essentially a government program, any bonehead should be able to realize the obvious.

[Peacetrain]

16. That should be an op unto itself..

well said

[SammyWinstonJack]

17. Police first responders teachers public works national parks interstate hwy military, etc all a form

of socialism.

[Peacetrain]

18. Apparently

We are all supposed to live in a cave and hunt for berries..that seems to be where they are headed.. they are pushing a devolving of society..and every man woman and child for themselves..

[SammyWinstonJack]

20. But then who would buy their useless crap, so they can continue to amass their disgusting wealth?

These greedheads want their cake and eat it all,

at all of our expense.


And their knuckle dragging enablers haven't a clue.

[Vanje]

19. Wages are so low now, that even many full time workers need foodstamps

So that may be true.

When McDonalds or Walmart's full-time workers need government food to make it though their month, then McDonalds and Walmart are being subsidized, yet again.

McDonalds and Walmart tally up their huge, scantily taxed profits while the taxpayers pay to feed their underpayed employees.
Its a racket!

[npk]

21. What the Republicans really want to say is...

that too many minorities are using these social programs and that they don't work as hard as everyone else. Everyone else being white Republicans of course.

[SammyWinstonJack]

22. yeah, repugs lie to themselves and everyone else and hope most believe those lies.

And a lot do believe because they need to.

[npk]

23. +1 n/t