A forum for cigar lovers.
Theedge:"When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic." - Ben Franklin - - - "Democracy is a form of government that cannot long survive, for as soon as the people learn that they have a voice in the fiscal policies of the government, they will move to vote for themselves all the money in the treasury, and bankrupt the nation." - Karl Marx
PuroFreak: kuzi16: Vulchor:While I agree with this more than I do not----Its very sad to me to see uninformed people thinking there is so much charity and ways for people to better themselves out there without any govt assistance. As someone who works very closely with many non-profits, charities, ect. this could not further from the truth. Also, it glosses over, or simply neglects, the elderly, handicapped, mentally challenged, those with mental health issues...and that just names a few---who are unable for any number of reasons to help themselves with the "pick up by the bootstraps" approach. But I suppose it is easier to claim laziness and use blanket statements for all people who are poor or suffering than to give a few pennies of our taxes.... this is actually whar Puro is saying. the charity of the people of the US has gone down because they now figure that the government will just take care of them. correct me if im wrong, puro, but you are saying that the entitlement programs of the US have destroyed the charity business?You are correct Kuzi, the social welfare programs have killed people sense of charity. Like the story from Grover Cleveland showed, at the time people would step up and help their brothers. They donated 10 times the amount of money that Congress wanted to give them. This wouldn't happen today... Today you have FEMA that steps in and millions of dollars in fraudulent claims are made and our tax dollars end up going strip clubs and liquor stores. FEMA handed out $6.3 billion and almost a quarter of that was spend fraudulently. Hell FEMA even admited to losing 381 debit cards worth approx $762,000... That being said, my next big question is, since we have been taught that "the government will take care of it," is it even possible for us to reverse this way of thinking nationwide?
kuzi16: Vulchor:While I agree with this more than I do not----Its very sad to me to see uninformed people thinking there is so much charity and ways for people to better themselves out there without any govt assistance. As someone who works very closely with many non-profits, charities, ect. this could not further from the truth. Also, it glosses over, or simply neglects, the elderly, handicapped, mentally challenged, those with mental health issues...and that just names a few---who are unable for any number of reasons to help themselves with the "pick up by the bootstraps" approach. But I suppose it is easier to claim laziness and use blanket statements for all people who are poor or suffering than to give a few pennies of our taxes.... this is actually whar Puro is saying. the charity of the people of the US has gone down because they now figure that the government will just take care of them. correct me if im wrong, puro, but you are saying that the entitlement programs of the US have destroyed the charity business?
Vulchor:While I agree with this more than I do not----Its very sad to me to see uninformed people thinking there is so much charity and ways for people to better themselves out there without any govt assistance. As someone who works very closely with many non-profits, charities, ect. this could not further from the truth. Also, it glosses over, or simply neglects, the elderly, handicapped, mentally challenged, those with mental health issues...and that just names a few---who are unable for any number of reasons to help themselves with the "pick up by the bootstraps" approach. But I suppose it is easier to claim laziness and use blanket statements for all people who are poor or suffering than to give a few pennies of our taxes.
Luko:The reason charitable giving has dropped (only recently) is because of the financial downturn, pure and simple. Philanthropy in the U.S. reached reached an all-time high in 2007 and then declined by 2 percent. http://www.npt.org/philanthropy/philanthropy_stats.asp
PuroFreak:I've heard some grumblings lately from the far left in this country about an "Assault Weapons" ban again and I REALLY REALLY REALLY don't understand these people. What good would this honestly do? Do you think "assault weapons" are really what most gangsters and drug dealers even use out there? Because if you do you are sadly mistaken... "Assault weapons are used in about one-fifth of one percent (.20%) of all violent crimes and about one percent in gun crimes." So what is the reasoning behind this? They should really just call it what it is, the "Scary Looking Gun Ban." Or as I would call them, the "cool looking gun ban!" I've been in the law enforcement biz for a few years and I've never once encountered or even heard of any of my co-workers encountering a suspect with an actual "assault rifle." Stats in this post were found at http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcassaul.html
Vulchor:I would say cops and guns together scare me...but I would get chopped off at the head again like when I said bad cops hurt more citizens of this country than terrorists----so I will remain quiet.
Vulchor:As I have said, and continue to say... BAD cops, not all cops... BAD cops.
doromath:Some folks bomb your humidor: Alex bombs your mind.
Vulchor:I will not engage in the argument about bearing arms. While I agree it is a right and should be protected, we as a people cannot "overthrow" the govt. by taking up arms as many forefathers thought was the reason to have guns. Hence, we are left with hunting and protection. Protection deals with killing, which is what guns are for. I dont know what if right or wrong here, and think it is a debate which is talked of too often, instead of too little. As far as verbally attacking police officers, I will not quiet my right to free speech when speaking out against cops which abuse their power, misuse their weapons, or take advantage of their position. That has nothing to do with putting anything on the line, that has to do with being a poor officer and and lousy person. While 99% of cops or more may not fit into this category...I will not stop calling out the 1% (or whatever you may think the amout is) that do.