tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21077080.post116181856953636179..comments2023-08-18T10:14:37.977-05:00Comments on WhenEvilProspers: Michael J Fox...exploiting or simply voicing?John Washburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04182558340478176184noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21077080.post-1161962788562335192006-10-27T10:26:00.000-05:002006-10-27T10:26:00.000-05:00"Tell me why I, as a taxpayer who has taken care o..."Tell me why I, as a taxpayer who has taken care of himself (with no help from the government) should have to pay for things like health care and education for people who have not?"<BR/><BR/>Because it's cheaper than NOT paying for those so struggling? <BR/><BR/>When some individual's inability or plain failure to take care of themselves results in homelessness, imprisonment, under and unemployment, vandalism, etc, etc, etc - ALL of these results cost you, too. More, I'd suggest. So, many suggest that we fund these sorts of programs for pragmatic/fiscally-responsible reasons as well as compassionate reasons.<BR/><BR/>A question: Assume that it was clear beyond a doubt that Program X cost taxpayers $1,000,000 but saved taxpayers $2,000,000 - would you support it?Dan Trabuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14303597141397042669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21077080.post-1161951177771704202006-10-27T07:12:00.000-05:002006-10-27T07:12:00.000-05:00John,Alhtough I feel Rush's comments were harsh an...John,<BR/><BR/>Alhtough I feel Rush's comments were harsh and uncaring, his question regarding whether or not Fox was on his medication is a legitimate one. Fox has already admitted in his book that he purposely stayed off of his medication prior to testifying before Congress so that the effects of Parkinson's would be easier to observe. <BR/><BR/>Although this is somewhat reprehensible, Fox took these actions admittedly once and possibly a second time for dramatic effect. The same way Reagan used what he had learned in his acting career to be a better politician. The same way the media will interview someone from NOLA who won't get off their butts and help themselves but won't interview people from the MS. Gulf Coast who are actively rebuilding.<BR/><BR/>Politics is certainly getting uglier in a 24 hour news cycle and an on-demand society!<BR/><BR/>RobertAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21077080.post-1161922465462648952006-10-26T23:14:00.000-05:002006-10-26T23:14:00.000-05:00First of all, a human life is not being taken for ...First of all, a human life is not being taken for the sake of research. If these embryos are not used for research, they are discarded.<BR/><BR/>Second, is it not a shame that elderly people are unable to afford the medications they need? Just because you are able to afford health care does not mean that others are able to--this is a country in which you can work full time and minimum wage and still be below the poverty level. That's a damn shame, if you ask me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21077080.post-1161920624859314292006-10-26T22:43:00.000-05:002006-10-26T22:43:00.000-05:00Allison, a few things to address. First, I truly...Allison, a few things to address. First, I truly believe that you and people like you who support embryonic stem cell research have the best intentions in mind. I believe that. But, you should see my prior comments on moral relativism to understand my position. Either it's okay to take an innocent human life or it's not...regardless of the reason. I argue that it's not okay. You argue that it is as long as it "benefits" humanity. That's a slippery slope that we can't afford to step on.<BR/><BR/>Second, I CAN afford health care, and the 41 million who don't have it can ALSO afford health care. Anyone with a steady job can afford health care because the insurance companies are in it to make money. Employers provide health insurance and if Congress would allow small businesses to pool their assets to buy plans at discounted rates like large corporations, then more people could have access. <BR/><BR/>Third, ANYONE can get an education in this country if they want. Stafford Loans and other funds are readily available to those who have dedicated themselves and made the grade. Yes, it's a loan, but it's a way. <BR/><BR/>Tell me why I, as a taxpayer who has taken care of himself (with no help from the government) should have to pay for things like health care and education for people who have not? And, suppose that I oppose using my tax dollars to fund research that offends my personal beliefs. Why should I be forced to pay for that? Would you be okay with using tax dollars to fund churches? Of course not.<BR/><BR/>Finally, there is only ONE thing the Constitution says the government should be providing for its people, and that's military defense. Yet, we spend nearly four times as many tax dollars on social programs than military defense. Is that Constitutional? In my mind, no, and that's one of the major reasons I oppose the things you mentioned.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the comment.John Washburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04182558340478176184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21077080.post-1161897371154491092006-10-26T16:16:00.000-05:002006-10-26T16:16:00.000-05:00In Wisconsin, we ARE facing an election that will ...In Wisconsin, we ARE facing an election that will determine the future of stem cell research in our state. The Republican candidate has publicly stated that he opposes the research (which, ironically enough, was pioneered in WI, maybe he should run for governor of a different state...) currently being done and that he will do everything in his power to slow or stop it. People CHOOSE not to see the possibilities for cures, just as people choose not to see the possibility that we are destroying the planet we live on. Certianly it is a theory, but if we block all means of gathering evidence in the first place, there is no way to know whether or not it is legitimate. The message that the president and some candidates are now sending is that life is only important until birth. Then what? You don't get affordable health care, we don't support research to cure your diseases (even when the majority of the country does), we will cut Pell grants and give big coorporations benefits so that you can't afford your education. Life is important ALL THE TIME. Fox is absolutely correct. Some people just choose not to see it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com