tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083883760117575042.post4625238117886855294..comments2023-09-04T04:38:19.868-07:00Comments on Conservative Cake & Liberal Icing: No Poor Among ThemCarson Calderwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10714621901178413233noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083883760117575042.post-56987085160530830562008-02-01T20:38:00.000-08:002008-02-01T20:38:00.000-08:00For some reason the whole address won't show up......For some reason the whole address won't show up...sorry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083883760117575042.post-25650709979710569442008-02-01T20:32:00.000-08:002008-02-01T20:32:00.000-08:00Here is the web address againhttp://www.rasmussenr...Here is the web address again<BR/><BR/>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/political_commentary/commentary_by_lawrence_kudlow/capitalism_doesn_t_work_mr_gatesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083883760117575042.post-47603243984569506122008-02-01T20:31:00.000-08:002008-02-01T20:31:00.000-08:00I saw this(see web address below) and thought of y...I saw this(see web address below) and thought of your post and thought you might find it interesting. I did.<BR/><BR/>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/political_commentary/commentary_by_lawrence_kudlow/capitalism_doesn_t_work_mr_gatesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083883760117575042.post-60608012467097312572008-01-31T11:19:00.000-08:002008-01-31T11:19:00.000-08:00Very good again. I had not heard of that idea bef...Very good again. I had not heard of that idea before and I think it would do a lot of good. We all know how much easier it is to do something we want than what is expected/forced. I think that if that plan were in place we would probably end up giving more than the required amount by seeing first hand what our efforts do. I do various pro bono dental work and every time it makes me want to do more rather than less, both as I do it and when I'm done. <BR/><BR/>When are you going to jump on someones ticket as VP?Carson Calderwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10714621901178413233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083883760117575042.post-26806417666359786012008-01-31T11:13:00.000-08:002008-01-31T11:13:00.000-08:00Lets hypothetically say our government ceases all ...Lets hypothetically say our government ceases all entitlement programs (such as medicare, medicaid, social security, maryland homeheating aid, food stamps etc.) and instead encourages citizens to contribute what they would have paid in taxes to those less fortunate. These contributions could be made personally, or through organizations such as the red cross, a church, or a soup kitchen... would enough people's conciences be piqued in order to maintain your X level standard of living? I would much rather give in this way than be compelled to give by a government or organization. I wonder how this would affect my attaining that ideal to not judge those to whom I give. I have a friend who has, with his family, seriously and honestly evaluated their needs and wants. They go out of their way to give of their time, talents and money to those around them who need. at the end of the year the excess is given to the LDS church as a fast offering donation. What is right for him is not necesarily right for you, but if we're to have no poor among us it will take a lot more personal honesty and compassion than I currently see in the world.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083883760117575042.post-16328835855229687992008-01-30T16:24:00.000-08:002008-01-30T16:24:00.000-08:00Very interesting comment, "Charity that is not for...Very interesting comment, <I>"Charity that is not forced (as in a communist/socialist system) makes it more difficult/rare/rewarding."</I><BR/><BR/>Also, HDT is one of my favorite thinkers. I went to Walden's Pond while in Maryland and it was a beautiful day with the leaves changing. I had a serene moment by myself at the water. Very nice!Carson Calderwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10714621901178413233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083883760117575042.post-43154222879569619552008-01-30T09:41:00.000-08:002008-01-30T09:41:00.000-08:00great questions. Charity that is not forced (as ...great questions. Charity that is not forced (as in a communist/socialist system) makes it more difficult/rare/rewarding. If you look around you you'll find many opportunities to engage in meaningful, sustainable voluntary wealth redistribution.<BR/><BR/>Here are some great things to read for those interested in this question:<BR/><BR/>H.D. Thoreau - walden<BR/>Hugh Nibly - approaching Zion<BR/>Mosiah 4 -benjamin's sermon<BR/>Matthew 5 - sermon on the mount<BR/>Doctrine and Covenants 42 - law of consecration<BR/>3 nephi 6:12-14<BR/><BR/>thomas more, Robert owen and Étienne Cabet(founder of the Icarians who strangely enough moved to Nauvoo after the mormons left)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083883760117575042.post-63353127671404520362008-01-24T19:04:00.000-08:002008-01-24T19:04:00.000-08:00Not to be cold hearted and a jerk Carson, but why ...Not to be cold hearted and a jerk Carson, but why should people be "guaranteed" recreation time and opportunities? I think Americans in general have such a skewed paradigm on "needs" for a happy life. Going to the Dominican Republic this past summer reminded me of what it really takes to be happy in life-and that is most definitely not money, possesions and recreation.<BR/>The difference in the countenances of the poor, village dwelling people that came to us for their medical needs compared to the wealthy Americans when we arrived back in the States was very drastic. It was the same in my mission in Mexico. Even though they are poor, they are still happy and have a positive outlook on life, whereas the wealthy Americans are so obsessed with the possesions that they don't have that they walk around grumpy and frowning. I know this sounds like an overgeneralization, but it was a surprising truth that I realized again this last summer.<BR/>In response to your question, I think a guaranteed minimum of health care, housing, clothes and food should be pursued more thoroughly in this country-but with stipulations and guidelines. I love the attitude of the church regarding the welfare. Everybody can do something. Even if you are bound to a wheel chair, you can type, write, transcribe, something. Unless you are a completely bed ridden, deaf, mute, blind, quadrapalegic you can contribute in someway to society and as such should do so to receive these minimum requirements. A socialist attitude of guaranteed living standards for nothing in return breeds laziness and apathy and that is the kiss of death for a society. One of the most shocking examples of this is the Czech republic. Before they were overtaken militarily early in the 20th century, they were one of the worlds leaders in culture and philosophy. They were known back then as Bohemia. Many people have heard of Bohemia, but few recognize and know what happened to that once beautiful culture once communism took over.<BR/>Now the Czech republic struggles to regain its once wonderful heritage and culture and they battle to overcome a few generations of socialist attitude of apathy and laziness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083883760117575042.post-62536715239645734262008-01-23T21:02:00.000-08:002008-01-23T21:02:00.000-08:00Good point. So, maybe a standard of living X with...Good point. So, maybe a standard of living X with food, shelter, health care, recreation, etc. and standard of living 1/2x that has food, shelter and health care.<BR/><BR/>I agree that a negative side effect of capitalism is materialism. I think that if we focused more on assuring that all had basic X lifestyle it would temper that side effect.Carson Calderwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10714621901178413233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083883760117575042.post-23482256695788924082008-01-23T20:26:00.000-08:002008-01-23T20:26:00.000-08:00Hi! Angela mentioned she posted on this site, so ...Hi! Angela mentioned she posted on this site, so I looked it up. I agree. Capitalism is functional and I feel it helps us to be our best in many ways. Perhaps we become more materialistic, but I think we also work harder and put more care into our work. However, I do think that even those who refuse to work ought to have access to food, shelter, and health care, even if it's not the same quality as people who contribute more. I just don't think people should be starving, freezing, or dying of minor diseases when we have the means to help them, even if they won't contribute.Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07289237938435120921noreply@blogger.com