How Today's Conservatism Lost Touch with Reality

[scooterbug44]

You need to actually read the article.

The batteries aren't subsidized. They are just getting help starting production.

The incentive is that they can cash in future tax credits to help defray start-up costs.

 

[idlewind]

You need to actually read the article.

The batteries aren't subsidized. They are just getting help starting production.

The incentive is that they can cash in future tax credits to help defray start-up costs.

I don't like the whole idea of tax incentives, I would prefer the government charge what is needed to finance the essential functions of government. Everyone should pay their fair share. But under the current circumstances, I would rather see this type of program than those that give money away to non-productive people and organizations.

 

[poppy]

If the batteries are so popular, why do manufacturers need incentives to build them? What this basically says is that without government subsidies the production of batteries wouldn't be economical and nobody would do it. The subsidies also distort the market hindering innovation in the field that might, hopfully, over time make the battery factories worth building. Basically, it's a short term fix with long term negative implications.

For some reason Republicans believe it works fine for food and oil.

 

[30ashopper]

For some reason Republicans believe it works fine for food and oil.

That appears to be changing. We had a vote on killing ethanol subsidies recently that passed on a bipartisian vote!

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/23/idUS231965469320110623

 

[idlewind]

For some reason Republicans believe it works fine for food and oil.

I was always told two wrongs don't make a right. But you are correct that these welfare payments should be ended immediately.

 

[scooterbug44]

It was long overdue and I hope it does pass - corn is one of the least efficient ways to get ethanol and we were paying oil companies to do what they were already required to do by law.

 

[poppy]

It was long overdue and I hope it does pass - corn is one of the least efficient ways to get ethanol and we were paying oil companies to do what they were already required to do by law.

And I just have trouble with the idea of turning food into fuel.

 

[scooterbug44]

Ditto - especially since they aren't that efficient and millions are starving. That is why the military has been developing "non-food based biofuels" or processes that use waste.

 

[Danny Burns]

I think Americans, in general, have lost touch with our reality.

I love Fareed as I think he is a good moral compass for America. But, here's my take on this subject:

It definitely was. The difference is that it wasn't a guns and butter type of spending. It was pretty much guns and guns and had the entire country unified behind it and all were willing to make sacrifices. It doesn't feel like there is a lot of that "let's all make sacrifices for the common good" attitude out there now.

Massive unity of purpose enables us to get great things done. OTOH, I don't think I want to see the type of event that generates that level of unity of purpose occurring.

We already had that type of catastrophic event occur. It happened on 9-11-01.

We had unity of purpose. We had a national resolve that rivaled our WWII era sense of indignity. We were again one nation, indivisible. Politics and greed guided us into this quagmire of divisiveness. WE, the people caused this to happen. WE, the people have allowed ourselves to be manipulated by fear and anger. WE, the people are just not doing our jobs as voters. WE, the people should be ashamed of ourselves for allowing this to happen.

We, the people can do something about it if we could only stop attacking someone for simply disagreeing with us. Getting angry doesn't solve problems, it only creates bigger problems. Compromise is exactly what our founding fathers knew they had to do to get our constitution ratified by the states. This fact is seemingly ignored by our alleged leaders. The ones always quoting the founding fathers and the constitution need to actually read the constitution or a history book!

Accusing a fellow American of being anti-American solves nothing. Radio and television attack dogs spewing hate and blame solves nothing. Always taking a party line and not thinking for yourself solves nothing. Cynicism solves nothing. Hate solves nothing.

I simply believe that too many Americans are selfish, short-sighted and irresponsible at this point in our history. As I stated in opening this post, we’ve already had the catastrophic event. Look where we are now, not as a result of it but, in spite of it.
WE, THE PEOPLE won’t be able fix anything if we can’t even be civil in our national discourse. WE, THE PEOPLE shouldn’t expect politicians, corporations and other manipulators to actually help the middle class, the backbone of the American economy.

WE, THE PEOPLE can resolve ANY issue facing America today. But, government of, by and for the people is not what we have now. What will YOU do about it?