Topic: What I said to Hillary (pertinent to videogames)

[RABicle]

I can vote out a corrupt public official. I can't do anything about a corrupt private charity worker.

[DAaaMan64]

I can vote out a corrupt public official. I can't do anything about a corrupt private charity worker.

They can be fired for not doing their job.  If they weren't following the direction the charity is supposed to follow, I mean.  You could file a complaint or raise awareness, whatever. Although I'm not sure of the incentive to do that. Also, it isn't your money paying that corrupt private charity worker.

I like how the Exorcist came up in a thread about Hillary Clinton. LOL

[animecyberrat]

The problem is the state welfare doesn't work. Trust me I have been homeless before. The private charities, churches, food banks, etc, they were all willing to help out when I was in need, well fare on the other hand is full of rules and regulations that somehow exclude those in genuine need.


There are programs that work but there are those who abuse the system and because of that it is hard for some people to get the help they need. To me it is not a matter of where the money comes from, it is a matter of how the government decides who is deserving of said help and who isn't.

[UncleBob]

Going to post some selected replies, again, trying to keep the "political" part of the equation out, while answering with the moral and social part.

Dangerous Waters there, UncleBob.  Not paying taxes is in violation of the Social Contract as ratified in the Constitution.  They are merely enforcing said contract when the IRS man comes a-knocking.

My issue isn't with paying taxes, per say.  It's the amount of taxes, the way the responsibilities of taxes are distributed and the way the benefits of the taxes are distributed.

But you're not being held at gunpoint, it's tax and it's taken to provide for all the services that make our society function. It's just life and it's nothing to be hung up about.

That's the thing about taxes - you are being held at gun point.  What happens when you don't pay your taxes?  Uncle Sam doesn't shrug his shoulders and say "Well, let's take more from the next guy."

Private charity, community help and localization of general assistance to the populous is far from barbaric.

We have a winner.

I can vote out a corrupt public official. I can't do anything about a corrupt private charity worker.

*You* cannot vote a public official out of office.  You can vote against a public official though.

Meanwhile, if a private charity is not using your donations in a way that you feel fits with your moral obligations and social duties, you can easily stop donating to that charity and find (or start) one that does.  Additionally, you may have legal recourse against the charity if they have illegally used your donations.

On the other hand, if the federal government is abusing your "donations", well, shut up and take it for another four years (and *hope* you can then vote someone in who doesn't abuse the power).

[vudu]

My issue isn't with paying taxes, per say.  It's the amount of taxes, the way the responsibilities of taxes are distributed and the way the benefits of the taxes are distributed.

The amount is relative to how much you make.  They're distributed via bullets and bombs towards unsuspecting countries.  What's the problem?

[UncleBob]

My issue isn't with paying taxes, per say.  It's the amount of taxes, the way the responsibilities of taxes are distributed and the way the benefits of the taxes are distributed.

The amount is relative to how much you make.  They're distributed via bullets and bombs towards unsuspecting countries.  What's the problem?

Well, why I can't argue that the method of distribution is pretty awe-inspiring, it seems crazy to tax achievement.

[DAaaMan64]

My issue isn't with paying taxes, per say.  It's the amount of taxes, the way the responsibilities of taxes are distributed and the way the benefits of the taxes are distributed.

The amount is relative to how much you make.  They're distributed via bullets and bombs towards unsuspecting countries.  What's the problem?

Well, why I can't argue that the method of distribution is pretty awe-inspiring, it seems crazy to tax achievement.

And before someone says we need the IRS.  If we removed the IRS we'd still have the same approximate revenue we had in 1997.

[GoldenPhoenix]

I think you are all nazis practicing occult rituals with radioactive babies.

[NWR_insanolord]

I think you are all nazis practicing occult rituals with radioactive babies.

How would you go about obtaining radioactive babies?

[IceCold]

Economic disparity always leads to social tension.

[ShyGuy]

Heck, having two genders in a species always leads to social tension.

[Svevan]

So this happened. Whoops!

or morality censorship.

What was the point of the thread then? To see how close Evan got to Clinton? To know that the "Political Undead" is just a label (phew, I suspected Umbrella were back for a minute there)?

Admit it, the thread crossed that fictional line between "acceptable use of politics" and "unacceptable use of politics".

You may claim that we are talking about video game legislation which can be independent of any political discussion but I believe that the politics behind recent legislation attempts in the USA are relevant to any discussion of the problem.

I could go on a big old tangent here about how game ratings in Australia is done by the government, and it is being used to censor games, but since we're not allowed to talk about politics it doesn't matter. I could go on about how the GTA4 release here a fortnight ago triggered a spate of "violent games trigger violent behaviour in the real world" and "think of the children" news stories. But no, we're not allowed to talk about this.

We couldn't even talk about the fact a recent investigation into the sale of M-rated games to underage buyers showed the trend is declining.

Be clear about this or lock the thread.

I BLAME EVAN

Shift Key said it, and I agree. I know my posts have toed the line, but that's the inherent problem with a site that reports on certain political issues but does not allow politics in its forums. Everyone here knows I hate the "no politics" rule, but Ty created it and he outranks me.

On the other hand, I want it to be said that if anyone else around here met a major political figure, no matter how controversial, I would expect you to report on it in the forums. Reason? Well, I didn't post this to start a debate (we're all on the same side on this issue, AFAIK). Rather I was relaying to friends a cool thing that happened to me, as in, I got to meet a major political figure. I do not "get away" with this because I am staff; Pale locks my threads all the time.

I understand why we have the no politics rule: our board has posters with diverse political beliefs, and posters who whine, bitch, and troll. Maturity, in any discussion, does not necessarily go hand in hand with Nintendo gamers. Solution? Overthrow the dictator and create your own forum government. Yes, I am actively encouraging a riot.

edit: and kudos to those discussing politics in here with maturity and respect

[DAaaMan64]

Expect us to report it when we have met a political figure? I guess I'm late to that knowledge.

You tell us to listen to the mod even if you disagree, but:

Overthrow the dictator and create your own forum government. Yes, I am actively encouraging a riot.

[GoldenPhoenix]

So show blatant disregard for the no politic rules people because Evan doesn't like it. Give me a break. I realize that you have disdain for most of us here Evan, but realize that many of us just don't think this is the appropriate places for heavily political debates. If you want to see that garbage go to the myriad of other sites out there with forums. What makes this place unique is its no politics rule but obviously you feel the need to give that rule the finger and try to warp it as much as you can without completely crossing the boundary.

You don't think we are gullible enough to think you did not intend for this to push the "no politics" rule do you? You've done the same thing before and it always ends up the same way. At least show some respect towards us and admit you had other intentions besides "OH Hillary talked about video games when I met her".

[Deguello]

Thats against the founder's theory on liberty.

What?  Welfare?  It's in the Preamble to the Constitution!  And if you are gonna name-drop "the founders" please choose one. Mainly because they all argued a whole lot and only agreed on the Constitution, even if it wasn't perfect for everybody (especially those 3/5 black peoples).  I think you think of "liberty" as a general term, when the founders were clearly thinking "liberty from England."

edit: and kudos to those discussing politics in here with maturity and respect

Give it time, Evan.  Who knows when one of those Ron Paul dead-enders or one of those confused Libertarians starts arguing with another confused Libertarian about stuff?  this is why politics discussion should probably be kept under wraps.  It's easy for tempers to get hot and people to lose respect for one another, which diminishes the original intent of the forum, mainly SSBB whining and why Mario Kart doesn't have enough Galaxy references.

[UncleBob]

"Promoting Welfare" and taking private property by force to redistribute it are two totally different things.

[DAaaMan64]

Thats against the founder's theory on liberty.

What?  Welfare?  It's in the Preamble to the Constitution!  And if you are gonna name-drop "the founders" please choose one. Mainly because they all argued a whole lot and only agreed on the Constitution, even if it wasn't perfect for everybody (especially those 3/5 black peoples).  I think you think of "liberty" as a general term, when the founders were clearly thinking "liberty from England."

I think you are miss understanding this line from the constitution:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Oh and trust me, I KNOW they all argued a lot.  In fact the Federalists didn't even want a bill of rights, that was brought about by the anti-federalists.  Considering the Anti-feds walked out at the first convention, i'd say they barely agreed on the constitution.

Also, the Constitution was designed to force the federal government to treat everyone as an individual and an individual only regardless of the skin color, orientation, etc.  But it was never really taken seriously by the people until the civil war.

"Liberty from England" is not what they were thinking, if that were the case 3 of the founders(I'll drop names okay), John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison would have never written the Federalist Papers to deter the people away from the ideas of the Confederacy and it's Articles. The confederates actually were considering splitting up America into 4 separate territories.

[Nick DiMola]

I'm so not touching this thread. Political discussion ... not such a great idea.

[UncleBob]

It's not political, it's historical...

[DAaaMan64]

I'm so not touching this thread. Political discussion ... not such a great idea.

I've seen some rudeness. But so far we aren't doing too bad. But I'm completely indifferent about whether we discuss politics or not.

[Nick DiMola]

I'm so not touching this thread. Political discussion ... not such a great idea.

I've seen some rudeness. But so far we aren't doing too bad. But I'm completely indifferent about whether we discuss politics or not.

My feeling is that this is a game board and politics don't really have a place, except for a few very unique situations. Unfortunately, as seen in this thread bringing up politics in general tends to steer the thread into all sorts of different territory than what started the conversation. Fortunately, this thread hasn't become nasty ... yet. Eventually someone may(perhaps, will) disregard decency and it can cause all sorts of nastiness. I like everyone here and I don't want to see people get the banhammer over something stupid like politics.

[DAaaMan64]

I'm so not touching this thread. Political discussion ... not such a great idea.

I've seen some rudeness. But so far we aren't doing too bad. But I'm completely indifferent about whether we discuss politics or not.

My feeling is that this is a game board and politics don't really have a place, except for a few very unique situations. Unfortunately, as seen in this thread bringing up politics in general tends to steer the thread into all sorts of different territory than what started the conversation. Fortunately, this thread hasn't become nasty ... yet. Eventually someone may(perhaps, will) disregard decency and it can cause all sorts of nastiness. I like everyone here and I don't want to see people get the banhammer over something stupid like politics.

You could just lock the thread. LOL No ones gonna get mad or blame you Mr Jack.

[Nick DiMola]

I'm so not touching this thread. Political discussion ... not such a great idea.

I've seen some rudeness. But so far we aren't doing too bad. But I'm completely indifferent about whether we discuss politics or not.

My feeling is that this is a game board and politics don't really have a place, except for a few very unique situations. Unfortunately, as seen in this thread bringing up politics in general tends to steer the thread into all sorts of different territory than what started the conversation. Fortunately, this thread hasn't become nasty ... yet. Eventually someone may(perhaps, will) disregard decency and it can cause all sorts of nastiness. I like everyone here and I don't want to see people get the banhammer over something stupid like politics.

You could just lock the thread. LOL No ones gonna get mad or blame you Mr Jack.

I could, but I'm willing to let this go for awhile as long as it stays civil. If I see it get messy, no doubt it is getting locked.

[Kairon]

So... who here has read Starship Troopers?

[Crimm]

No more tax discussion

Please return the conversation to video games (and away from politics) or I will lock the thread.