I think someone might have missed the message of the movie.

Hint - It was the religious fanatics and "conservatives"  that V fought against.

....awkward

Oh Taft, that explains it.

It wasn't meant to be about the movie, so please don't read further into my correlation than intended...

And by the way -- if you're not proud to call America home, then why don't you move somewhere like China, Russia, Iran, for that matter, where homosexuality is really tolerated...

Come hurl insults at me from outside my house -- I double-dog dare you...

WOW,

again.  Taft?

The best solution to disrespect is to not engage in it oneself.

I'm proud to call America home, and I'll be prouder on the evening of November 4th.  The neocon universe is imploding, and it is the most fascinating thing I've ever watched.  As for your poem, childish is the kindest word I can come up with.

Childish? You disagree with me and start labeling, but then you expect me to sit idely by as I disagree with you? Very nice gopherbro -- way to be the epitome of such kind words...

I guess I'd be lying if I said I wasn't trying to get a reaction from those like you...

I'm talking about treason in the sense of going back on our capitalistic roots in favor of a socialistic approach. I think it's an abomination that we regress into that sort of economic system.

Please don't get me wrong -- I'm not against social programs for those who need it, but effectively punishing someone who has thrived in a capitalistic society for doing so and subsequently redistributing that wealth to someone who has been less fortunate seems wrong. It's like working your tail off for a 4.0 GPA in school, yet having to sacrifice one point off that average in order to help another student who may or may not have worked as hard as you and who only had earned a 2.0 GPA. In the end, both get a 3.0 and no one has to languish about not having performed at the same level as another student -- and the student who didn't do so well doesn't get their feelings hurt...

OK Josh, it is fine for you to use phrases like "Liberal Treason" and offensive for me to say that is "childish". Check. You are a Republican.

"Come hurl insults at me from outside my house -- I double-dog dare you..."

There's some hardcore e-thugs in this thread.  RAWR!

I'd like a better arguement why having liberal views makes you a traitor?

Iran and China are tolerant of gays???  You might as well say the PLO is tolerant of Israel.

If by socialistic, you are refering to the tax structure, a progressive tax system has been used in the U.S. for the last 100 years. It is no more socialistic than Social Security or Medicaire, two programs I'm sure you will be more than happy to take advantage of when the time comes. A progressive tax system ensures that there is a middle class. Without the middle class, we'd be Mexico. John McCain ALSO believes in a progressive tax system, it's just that he wants the poor to get less of a tax break and the rich more of a tax break than Obama's plan. If McCain didn't believe in a progressive tax system, he would call for a flat tax system.

Crankpin,

   I was referring to his blog profile when I mentioned that he "come hurl insults" at me...

"I'm talking about treason in the sense of going back on our capitalistic roots in favor of a socialistic approach. I think it's an abomination that we regress into that sort of economic system."

Check your U.S. History. This country was first founded on a Capitalistic ideal and since then have progressed into a Socialist-Capitalism economy. 

"Please don't get me wrong -- I'm not against social programs for those who need it, but effectively punishing someone who has thrived in a capitalistic society for doing so and subsequently redistributing that wealth to someone who has been less fortunate seems wrong."

This continues from my statement above. You sound more than happy to accept help from our Socialist programs when you need it, but if somebody you don't respect uses a program they need I guess they are just a bum and a socialist. I'm sorry if that sounds insulting, it's just that you hit on one of my few pet peeves. 

People cannot have it both ways. You cannot benefit from government run, taxpayer paid programs, then turn around and call for absolute free capitalism. Do you like having insurance, schools, roads, waste management? All these things are socialist programs. In some sense the idea of government is socialist. Free capitalism would mean that every person is out for themselves without protection from the government. (because it should be small and not interfere in our lives) Businesses can do whatever they want and make decisions based solely on their business model of making money. (because there are no government regulations to govern business practices or ethics) Also, you and I as individuals would need to work 18 hours a day to make up for companies not paying a fair wage, and enacting minimum work hours. Then if we are lucky we can afford to pave the strip of road in front of our house, educate our children ourselves at some point in the day, and learn medicine to treat our own injuries.

I am truly not mocking you, I'm not. What I am doing is providing an absolutists view of Capitalism. What would happen if our Socialist programs were taken away. There is a reason why European nations have gone in a Socialist direction: experience. We are a nation of only 500 years (from the settlements) and have made great progress. Yet Europe is a region of countries that close to 2000 years old. They have gone through these periods of ideology and economy and have moved passed them. So please don't be hypocritical in your views of socialism, it is meant to protect you. As for Obama vs. McCain, Obama is trying to work within the function of the tax system, knowing that taxes pay for the function of the government. McCain wants to cut taxes, which every republican candidate has said since the beginning of time. However, if you cut taxes then programs can't run and people lose their jobs. Example: Kern High fired 180 teachers over the summer because of tax cuts and budget vetos.

P.S.: You also forget about human nature. Those with all the money and all the power will do anything to keep it, even break laws (Enron), and violate ethics (AIG, Lehman Bros.). You and I are the little guy, who do you think is really looking out for us? 

jlocke ~ very well said.

i agree sage jlock well said

  Example: Kern High fired 180 teachers over the summer because of tax cuts and budget vetos.

Please clarify. As I understand it no teacher in Kern High lost their job due to tax cuts or budget vetos. Where did you get this info?

Oh....where to start........ack.........nevermind..........well said for so many of us JLocke!!

Witbee: I got this number from several sources. 

1) The KHSD Candidates forum a few weeks ago. It was part of question #2 of the previously selected "homework" questions asked of all candidates.

2) My friend and mentor Joanne who is a counselor at a local high school and a member of the Kern High Counselor's Association.

3) As an Intern I wasn't hired back after each high school was required to cut 10 percent of their total periods from the day, which at Highland was 65. Each teacher teaches app. 5 periods, therefore they let go 11. (Some periods were extended day) Ten was the average, and among 18 high schools 10 X 18= 180.

Don't believe everything TBC writes. I had to personally contact Ms. Creamer to tell her that what Kern High reported to her only applied to fully tenured teachers, not Interns and other temporary teachers.

A bit of obscure history.

 Back at the turn of the 20th century, the original name for the township of Taft was Moron, Ca.

Seems like they should have kept the original name.