Hi, thanks for letting me join

[formerlurker]

You are a moderate.   There is nothing odd about it, and it's ok to admit it.  

Welcome to CC.

[formerlurker]

[bs]+1[/bs]

 

[Duke Nukum]

Welcome! 

According to Robert Rector of the Heritage Foundation, child poverty (and thus hunger) could be wiped out if we went back to respecting marriage.  He is interviewed in the first half of this podcast:

http://www.wiba.com/cc-common/podcast/single_page.html?podcast=upfront&selected_podcast=upfront%2520hr%25202%252005-12-11.mp3

I am curious about something: Why do you think conservatives want children to starve? That seems kind of like you haven't thought things through very well. IOW, you may fit in better than you think if you think through your preconceptions.

[Ballygrl]

And thank you all so much for the warm welcome and invitation to stay I saw on another thread. 

To be honest, I don't know where I fit in.  I'm a former Army officer, married to a currently serving Army officer, grew up as an Army brat but claim Montana as home because I spent a few years there and that's where my mother and all her family were from.  I'm a Montana girl through and through, even when I'm not living there. 

I'm pro-gun (I'm from Montana after all), pro-nuclear power (there just isn't any other way to meet our energy needs in the future), very pro-military (obviously) but on the other hand, I really think there should never be one child going hungry or going without a doctor's care in this great country of ours.  I'm a Lutheran, and we are one of the religions that has talked a lot about helping the poor and it's stayed with me.  I do what I can, we give what we can, but I can still see it's not enough. 

So I guess I don't fit in anywhere.  I wonder how many people there are out there like me, people who are conservative on some issues, liberal on some issues?  As the country divides into "red" and "blue" where do we purple people fit in?

Welcome!

I just need to say though, I don't think you'll find 1 person here who wants someone to go hungry or someone to go without medical care, I just think we want to have it handled differently. The obesity rates in the poor community are skyrocketing, they're not going hungry, there are plenty of places for them to turn. And as someone who worked in the medical field for years I can't recall 1 person ever being turned away from getting care, and every patient was treated the same whether they could pay or not.

[JustVisiting]

You know, I guess I do have some preconceptions.  I think we form our political ideas early in life.  At least I did.  I listened to my relatives and my teachers and I guess that's the impression I came up with, that the Democrats were trying to make sure everyone had food to eat.  I even remember the war on poverty stuff from the 1960's. 

Sometimes you form your ideas early on and never stop to question things.  I do agree that the high divorce rates have really hurt our country.  I also think it's been harmful to the children, to not have a parent in the home caring for them full-time when they are little.  I think babies and small children especially need more care and more interaction than they would get at the average day care center. 

But how do we get back to the economic conditions that allowed my mother to stay at home with us kids?  How do we get back to where there are plenty of middle-class jobs that pay a wage where you can afford at least a small home, a car, and the other stuff you need like health care?  And these days if you want your kids to get ahead in life, they pretty much have to go to college. 

I don't know what the answers are. 

I am really relieved that people are treated and not turned away because I've been very worried about that.  I think it would be the worst thing in the world to be in pain and not have a doctor to help you.   

[formerlurker]

You know, I guess I do have some preconceptions.  I think we form our political ideas early in life.  At least I did.  I listened to my relatives and my teachers and I guess that's the impression I came up with, that the Democrats were trying to make sure everyone had food to eat.  I even remember the war on poverty stuff from the 1960's. 

Sometimes you form your ideas early on and never stop to question things.  I do agree that the high divorce rates have really hurt our country.  I also think it's been harmful to the children, to not have a parent in the home caring for them full-time when they are little.  I think babies and small children especially need more care and more interaction than they would get at the average day care center. 

But how do we get back to the economic conditions that allowed my mother to stay at home with us kids?  How do we get back to where there are plenty of middle-class jobs that pay a wage where you can afford at least a small home, a car, and the other stuff you need like health care?  And these days if you want your kids to get ahead in life, they pretty much have to go to college. 

I don't know what the answers are. 

I am really relieved that people are treated and not turned away because I've been very worried about that.  I think it would be the worst thing in the world to be in pain and not have a doctor to help you.   

Ok hold up a minute here.   You are a former Army officer?    how in the hell do you not know that?   

Hmmmm.

[Duke Nukum]

You know, I guess I do have some preconceptions.  I think we form our political ideas early in life.  At least I did.  I listened to my relatives and my teachers and I guess that's the impression I came up with, that the Democrats were trying to make sure everyone had food to eat.  I even remember the war on poverty stuff from the 1960's. 

Sometimes you form your ideas early on and never stop to question things.  I do agree that the high divorce rates have really hurt our country.  I also think it's been harmful to the children, to not have a parent in the home caring for them full-time when they are little.  I think babies and small children especially need more care and more interaction than they would get at the average day care center. 

But how do we get back to the economic conditions that allowed my mother to stay at home with us kids?  How do we get back to where there are plenty of middle-class jobs that pay a wage where you can afford at least a small home, a car, and the other stuff you need like health care?  And these days if you want your kids to get ahead in life, they pretty much have to go to college. 

I don't know what the answers are. 

I am really relieved that people are treated and not turned away because I've been very worried about that.  I think it would be the worst thing in the world to be in pain and not have a doctor to help you.   

Quit voting for Marxists.

Do you realize that if ObamaCare is allowed to stand, your children will be little more than wage slaves living to pay for your healthcare and retirement? Is that what you want? You want children to suffer slavery so nobody starves? Of course, by that time, who will be in charge of redistributing the food?

All of the liberal concern trolls who don't think children should suffer this or that.

[Ballygrl]

But how do we get back to the economic conditions that allowed my mother to stay at home with us kids?  How do we get back to where there are plenty of middle-class jobs that pay a wage where you can afford at least a small home, a car, and the other stuff you need like health care?  And these days if you want your kids to get ahead in life, they pretty much have to go to college. 

I don't know what the answers are.

I had a conversation once, this was in the 80's so it was a long time ago, and of course at that time technology was nothing like it is today, but things were starting to move that way. Anyway, a girl and I were talking about our Mom's being home with us when we were kids and how kids today come home to an empty hosue, and she said something I've never forgotten, she said "to some people it's the difference between 1 and 2 cars", what I took from that is this, when I was a kid my Parents made sacrifices so that my Mother could stay home with me, they did without a lot of things, in the 80's into today? people want everything.

As for your other comments about a home and car? when we went looking for a house sure I wanted a big modern house, we realized what we could afford though, we could of put ourselves in debt but chose not to, so we bought an older affordable home, the same thing about a car, our cars range in age from 9 to 17 years old, and we didn't buy our cars new and they're not luxury cars.

As far as health care goes? way too many people who live in nice houses, drive nice cars, have computers and big screen TV's who CHOSE not to carry health insurance, I've seen the attitude myself, the Government will take care of them when they get sick, again they have their priorities messed up.

And you don't have to go to College to make a good living, just ask a Plumber, an Electrician, an AC/Heating repair person, a Welder, a Machinist and so on. You have kids today who go to College and expect to graduate and become a CEO, it doesn't work like that, who's responsible for not telling them that to get someplace you have to work hard and make scarifices?

[JustVisiting]

I'm in the middle of the broadcast now but I agree 100% with everything I've heard so far.  Thanks for the link!  

And former lurker, I never worked in the healthcare field.  I've never known this because the news tells me people are not receiving healthcare.  And I don't know enough to tell if the news is telling me the truth or not. 

Your post seems to indicate you doubt I was ever an Army Officer.  Believe whatever you wish.  I'm not going to chase after you trying to convince you. 

[JustVisiting]

I do remember that our homes used to be MUCH smaller.  And there was just the one TV.  And one car.  And frankly we were a lot happier if you ask me living that way. 

I think our country is bankrupt.  I remember being so happy when Congress passed the Balanced Budget act but for some reason it never really got enforced.  What I really think is that SS and Medicare won't be there for me when I'm old enough to use them. 

[formerlurker]

I'm in the middle of the broadcast now but I agree 100% with everything I've heard so far.  Thanks for the link!  

And former lurker, I never worked in the healthcare field.  I've never known this because the news tells me people are not receiving healthcare.  And I don't know enough to tell if the news is telling me the truth or not. 

Your post seems to indicate you doubt I was ever an Army Officer.  Believe whatever you wish.  I'm not going to chase after you trying to convince you. 

I find it odd your vision of the world is extremely confined.   

[JustVisiting]

Well, I kind of think I've worn out my welcome here so I'll just leave now.  Thank you for the broadcast.  I even remember that Moynihan report.  I remember those warnings.  And I've seen with the young women today, who largely seem indifferent to marriage, that they are doing exactly that, having a baby and then maybe later thinking about marriage but the marriage never happens.  And the boys just move on to the next woman to use.  Yup, that's instant poverty.  I actually tried to talk on a message board once about this, about how it's important to be married before having children.  I was told I was old-fashioned and from the 19th century and that it was only a piece of paper so it didn't mean anything.  But it means EVERYTHING if you ask me.  
 
And I really appreciate the civility of the majority of the posts to me.  Thank you.  I've come away with a broader perspective than I had before.    

[Chris_]

I've seen with the young women today, who largely seem indifferent to marriage, that they are doing exactly that, having a baby and then maybe later thinking about marriage but the marriage never happens.  And the boys just move on to the next woman to use.

It's not conservatives that are behind that kind of thinking.  Look at the liberal relics and neo-hippies at DU for that kind of mentality, because that's where it originates.  The counterculture 60's were the beginning of the end of the American family.

[Eupher]

Well, I kind of think I've worn out my welcome here so I'll just leave now.  Thank you for the broadcast.  I even remember that Moynihan report.  I remember those warnings.  And I've seen with the young women today, who largely seem indifferent to marriage, that they are doing exactly that, having a baby and then maybe later thinking about marriage but the marriage never happens.  And the boys just move on to the next woman to use.  Yup, that's instant poverty.  I actually tried to talk on a message board once about this, about how it's important to be married before having children.  I was told I was old-fashioned and from the 19th century and that it was only a piece of paper so it didn't mean anything.  But it means EVERYTHING if you ask me.  
 
And I really appreciate the civility of the majority of the posts to me.  Thank you.  I've come away with a broader perspective than I had before.    

You ain't worn out your welcome until you've asked dutch about peach cobbler.

But don't do it. 

And don't worry too much about some of the challenges you've gotten. Sometimes a thicker skin is a wise investment. 

[CG6468]

Welcome! And as someone who worked in the medical field for years I can't recall 1 person ever being turned away from getting care, and every patient was treated the same whether they could pay or not.

How true, how true.

[Duke Nukum]

Well, I kind of think I've worn out my welcome here so I'll just leave now.  Thank you for the broadcast.  I even remember that Moynihan report.  I remember those warnings.  And I've seen with the young women today, who largely seem indifferent to marriage, that they are doing exactly that, having a baby and then maybe later thinking about marriage but the marriage never happens.  And the boys just move on to the next woman to use.  Yup, that's instant poverty.  I actually tried to talk on a message board once about this, about how it's important to be married before having children.  I was told I was old-fashioned and from the 19th century and that it was only a piece of paper so it didn't mean anything.  But it means EVERYTHING if you ask me.  
 
And I really appreciate the civility of the majority of the posts to me.  Thank you.  I've come away with a broader perspective than I had before.    

Yeah, that was the Free Love movement supported by such Progressives as H.G. Wells.

[BEG]

As far as being purple I am basically libertarian lite but libertarians are crazy so I don't claim them. For instance, I don't care if gay people marry but I think abortion is wrong.  I think if you can still have an abortion after viewing an ultrasound and know exactly what you are doing to your baby that you (not you personally) have something seriously wrong with you.  

I am conservative about fiscal issues and think welfare keeps the majority of people dependent on the government.  Which I feel was the intent of the program from the beginning and has only grown in scope. If it wasn't the governments intent then it would have been set up differently from the beginning.  Basically, there does need to be a safety net for those who truly can't do it on their own, but when you see generational welfare (with out fathers) you realize that the government ruins the family by replacing the father with the government. It has ruined the lives of so many people by low expectations.  Welfare needs a total overhaul but it will never happen, especially with the people we have in the government currently.  Hell is paved with good intentions and that is what I think about the "feel goodness" of liberals.  They don't think past their feelings, that the result of their actions will never end up as what their utopian dream are.  Their "kindness" ruins families for generations and they think if we just throw more money at it that it will work this time. Self determination is what will make the welfare queen into a productive member of society, not more of what took that away in the first place.  

Of course no one here wants children to go hungry or to go without medical care but the difference between us and most liberals is the way we think keeping kids fed and healthy should be achieved. Liberals always default to the government. The same government that has yet to make a profit with the post office, brought us the DMV, the same government that overpays for everything they purchase. It screws up everything it touches. Think about your fellow DUers, did they trust the government when Bush was in office?  Every new power they want to give the government at some point will be under the control of the other side. Do you want your life controlled by an administration that you don't trust or agree with their political views?  Government is inherently evil, we need as little in our lives as possible, just enough to keep anarchy at bay.  

I stay home with the kids and have since my 2nd was born. We worked our asses off.  My husband went to college, I worked while he was in college (we had our son when he had about a year left) We paid his college loans off and it took us 10 years to do so.  After my 2nd was born I had a stroke (I was diagnosed with a rare auto immune disease called Takayasu's Arteritis) and no insurance. I was treated as though I was just like everyone else. In fact, they didn't even ask about insurance until I was leaving.  It took us years to pay off the doctors, but we did it. I started to watch kids several months after my stroke to help pay my doctor bills...you do what you have to do.

My husband eventually made enough to afford me the luxury of staying home with our kids. We didn't expect it right off the bat like it seems people these days expect. Also, back when it was common for the mother to stay home people lived a lot more frugally.  Small house, one car, not as many "things"...cell phones, a tv in every room, a computer for each person. If couples want to live like we did in the 50's I bet there would be a lot more stay at home mothers.    

I'm glad you decided to look around, you will probably get some razzing but I hope you stay.

  

[Ballygrl]

Well, I kind of think I've worn out my welcome here so I'll just leave now.

You seem like a nice person, and don't take this personally, although I think you will, this is what ticks me off about the "DU mentality", when there's a little heat their hair goes up and they stomp off, this seems to be a trait of progressives/regressives, real liberals hang in there and fight and stand up for what they believe and at the end of the day real liberals and conservatives can with each other, but that camaraderie will never be able to be achieved between progressive-regressives and conservatives because the progressive-regressives will always run away when the heat gets hot. I posted at a board where the ratio was about 30-5 and the conservatives were like 5, so we were outnumbered, but I'll be damned if they were going to shut me up, no freaking way, I stuck to my beliefs and I was actually quite friendly with those who could be considered real liberals, the ones who believed in free speech and were tolerant of views that were different from theirs, the progressives-regressives were basically babies and couldn't handle being challenged and always needed someone to back them up. That sums up DU to me, people who refuse to be challenged, people who can't stand someone else having a different opinion. I have the utmost respect for liberals but sadly the same can't be said about the progressives/regressives.

Good Luck to you though, like I said you seem nice.

[Rebel]

Dutch!  I'm flattered you spent so many bitchslaps on me, LOL!  

He bitchslaps everyone, JV.

[Rebel]

...but coming to the South and NOT attending an SEC school, and opting for Floriduh F'n State warrants a bitchslap. ...but I'll refrain because my best friend is a Criminole.

[Rebel]

BTW, I don't think there's one person on CC that agrees with another on EVERYthing. I'm a social moderate/(l)ibertarian/fiscally conservative/military don't fk with us lest you be dealt with kinda guy. I consider myself a Christian, but I don't attend church and don't consider myself all that religious. I do think Global Warming is nothing but bullshit, and it's grown into an industry that's made people filthy rich, Al Gore included, but I don't think pollution is good for the environment. I do think healthcare costs are out of f'n control, but I don't feel socialized medicine is the way to go, seeing as how it's failed every where it's tried. I do think we need to take care of the elderly, but I think we need to give young people an option other than wasting their money in a system that is controlled by politicians. I think welfare is pretty much bunk as it creates a system of entitlement that's passed down to generations. I don't have a philosophy on it because Ben Franklin already patented it, per se, "I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it". This doesn't work well for Democrats because they need voters and the welfare system, regardless of whether you believe it or not, has created a Democratic base. I don't believe in crony Capitalism. I didn't under Bush, I don't under Obama, but it's funny how now it's not a problem but with Bush it was. I am not a hypocrite. I was opposed to TARP and bailouts, under both Presidents. Democrats only seem to be pissed about the ones under Bush. All policies concerning the war and terrorism were apparently also inherited as Obama didn't really change. Again, they cared under Bush, now that Obama is in office? Not so much. I do believe we're an exceptional nation and moral relativism doesn't work on me. We ARE better. Our culture is ALSO better. Do we have problems? Yes. ...but we deal with them.

It's the hypocrisy I can't stand. I have core values. I have convictions. As a non-affiliated voter, not beholden to ANY party, I only go on my own convictions. I'm pulling for a country, not a team. If Republicans fk up, I call them on it. If Democrats do it, I do the same. Sadly, now when I do it, I'm a "racist"....as if I'd be all on board if Hillary would have been elected and operated the same way.