This being an election year, it's time once again to revisit old ideas for vote-buying with taxpayer money. A certain Representative X (D - MI) introduced "The Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012" (H.R. 4170) on March 8th. Here's what X said, "It's time for Congress to stand up for the rights of student loan borrowers. It's time to forgive these student loan debts."
RIGHTS? WHAT RIGHTS? I think they have the right to re-pay what they signed up to borrow. Isn't anybody responsible for their own actions anymore?
Since the Federal Government took over the entire student loan industry as part of the Healthcare takeover (a.k.a. "Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010"), the Federal Government owns all that debt and is in a position to forgive it. That, of course, would be utterly stupid... unless it's an election year and you need to buy votes.
Yes, that's what welfare, social security, and food stamps really are. They started off as noble causes, but turned into abominations used to scare the public and to buy votes. Do you think they really care about the poor? They'd just as soon stomp on the necks of the poor for power.
Rights. I guess people have the right to become slaves to the state... or maybe we'll just mandate that.
Showing posts with label vote. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vote. Show all posts
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Saturday, November 8, 2008
The Responsible Electorate -- Earned Right to Vote
We have a problem in the US with an irresponsible electorate. The way to fix it is to have people earn the right to vote by having an interest in the success of the USA.
When the Roman Republic was rising, only landowners could serve in the Legion. Those who fought were fighting for their homes and families. They were vested in the enterprise. As Rome grew, they did away with this requirement, became an Empire, became corrupt, and collapsed from within... with the help of some Barbarians.
The right to vote in the US used to come with a property (land) requirement. Those who voted did so knowing it would affect them directly. Early Americans were vested in the enterprise and made responsible decisions. The two political parties weren't too far from each other in day-to-day economic and foreign policy although they differed in things like the gold standard and a national bank.
Today, we have an irresponsible electorate and are in danger of collapsing from within. People vote without thought to the consequences. We are easily swayed by the non-stop media saturation of our lives. I propose that the right to vote should have requirements.
One requirement could be property ownership. That requirement would solve the problem, but would obviously be a non-starter because it would favor the "rich" and it would be demonized from the start.
Another possible requirement could be earning the right to vote through public service for at least 2 years (or four years). Such service could be on the local, state, or national level. Service at any level gets you the right to vote at all levels. The service could be as a forest ranger, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, military, fireman, police, public school teacher, etc. Other possibilities for qualified service could be a small range of private professions like doctor, nurse, dentist, etc.
This service requirement would not only get people interested in bettering the country, but it would create an electorate with a background bigger than their city block and a vested interest in the enterprise... the USA.
Please post your thoughts.
When the Roman Republic was rising, only landowners could serve in the Legion. Those who fought were fighting for their homes and families. They were vested in the enterprise. As Rome grew, they did away with this requirement, became an Empire, became corrupt, and collapsed from within... with the help of some Barbarians.
The right to vote in the US used to come with a property (land) requirement. Those who voted did so knowing it would affect them directly. Early Americans were vested in the enterprise and made responsible decisions. The two political parties weren't too far from each other in day-to-day economic and foreign policy although they differed in things like the gold standard and a national bank.
Today, we have an irresponsible electorate and are in danger of collapsing from within. People vote without thought to the consequences. We are easily swayed by the non-stop media saturation of our lives. I propose that the right to vote should have requirements.
One requirement could be property ownership. That requirement would solve the problem, but would obviously be a non-starter because it would favor the "rich" and it would be demonized from the start.
Another possible requirement could be earning the right to vote through public service for at least 2 years (or four years). Such service could be on the local, state, or national level. Service at any level gets you the right to vote at all levels. The service could be as a forest ranger, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, military, fireman, police, public school teacher, etc. Other possibilities for qualified service could be a small range of private professions like doctor, nurse, dentist, etc.
This service requirement would not only get people interested in bettering the country, but it would create an electorate with a background bigger than their city block and a vested interest in the enterprise... the USA.
Please post your thoughts.
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