[Dantilla]

The United States of America has become the greatest economic power this planet has ever seen because of an experiment that started over two hundred years ago called "freedom".

While on the surface, communism has some nice sounding ideas. But guarenteing equal outcomes supresses the instinctive human desire to achieve. Who would care about a football game if at the end the winning side was forced to give points to the loosers to they would be "equal". Why would a factory worker work hard when the slackard next to him is going to get the exact same pay no matter what?

Man has an inner need to achieve. Our system allows that need to reach it's full potential, far more than any other form of government.

My father was a big influence. One of eight kids, on a poor farm in Minnesota, he ended up working his tail off, building income producing property. He truely used his potential, and achieved great things. Under most forms of government, he would have stayed one of the thousands of poor farmers.

Unfortunately, equal opportunity does not mean equal outcome. The one thing I disagree with our constitution about is the phrase "all men are created equal". We are not. There are those that do not have the mental capability to reach much of anything. They need help.

I am in the fortunate position of supplying my family with a nice life, and also having the ability to help others. Not through taxes, but by giving to those around me where I see a need.

There is an elderly lady I know. Occasionally, I go visit her, and usually hand her a couple hundred bucks as I leave. She is on a fixed income, and a bit extra goes a long way. I give to her with no strings attached, She can spend it any way she pleases. She doesn't go play bingo with it. She usually buys clothes or gifts for her grandchildren. I know the money is well spent. All two hundred.

If that same $200 was taxed from me, first, government employees need to get paid for dispersing the money. Then, other government employees write forms telling her what the money is to be used for. Then some more government employees are there to audit what she did with the $12.47 that she got after all the government employees got paid.

Government is neccessary. It serves vital roles. But the limits the founding fathers put on the government should be strictly followed.

Caring for the poor is not the government's job. It's MY job. Unfortunately, too many wealthy people do not see it that way. I think a social safety net is a good idea. The current systems are pretty messed up, but I can't offer a good solution off the top of my head. I guess I'll continue to pay my taxes, and give an old lady more cash.

That's enough rambling thoughts for now.......