Liberalism seeks to absolve people of personal responsibility

I only saw a very short and seemingly ignorant opening and figured it was just stupid liberal bashing. I by no means meant to be rude. No matter: MY REPLY: No worries. No offense taken. ------------------------------------------ Welfare I assume you realize that all the money that goes into welfare comes from taxation, right? The government doesn't do anything but redistribute money taken from the people. With that logic, there's no way you can say that welfare from the government would be financially more substantial than the charity provided by NPO's and the average citizen. I think you underestimate the power of charity. The number of Non-Profit Organizations that exist to support the poor and needy is massive, and so is thier contribution to society. Without the burden of taxes on the average citizen, thier impact would only improve. Regardless, when the government says, "Just give us your money and we'll handle the rest", the obligation to give to charity is removed. You don't have a choice, the government is forcing it on you. All you're required to do is give your earnings to the government and they'll handle the rest. You don't get a say in the matter, hence less responsibility. ------------------------------------------ Social Security/Retirement Besides the fact that social security is completely broke, let us not forget that for every dollar that is placed in social security, a dollar is taken from the individual who's trying to save, as well as you or I who most likely pay this individuals salary. Ending the social security farce and letting people keep more of thier money (both the person saving, and thier employer, allowing for a higher salary) would force them to take responsibility for thier own retirement, whether it be to start a planned savings account or acquire the services of the private sector to manage thier retirement. Again, what Liberalism asks us to do is give our money to the government and trust that they will take care of everything else, hence, less responsibility. ------------------------------------------ Universal Health Care No matter what kind of health care you're refering to, your logic seems to be that people are incapable of taking care of themselves and eachother adequately, and since government is able IS able to take care of people adequately, we should give over responsibility for taking care of societies needs to the government. This is essentially lessening the responsibility of the individual. ------------------------------------------ Universal Education Wherever there's a gap, someone steps up and fills it. Take away free public education and give everyone reduced taxes and a pay increase. Almost immediately private sector businesses will step in and begin providing k-12 education. Competition will ensure that prices stay competetive. In addition, the reduced taxes and additional income would help increase affordability. Some states may choose to maintain thier own tax supported public education system, others may let the private sector fill this gap, whichever system works the best will eventually be adopted by the other states. This is called federalism. By the government taking the reigns and managing the education system (isn't that a conflict of interest? ), none of these opportunities for evolving education beyond the failing system that we have today exists. All we have a responsibility to do is hand our money over to the government and trust them to do the rest. ------------------------------------------ Abortion The freedom to make choices is a right, the ability to have those choiced acted upon is not. I design software, you may decide you want my software (your choice) but that doesn't mean you have a right to purchase it. Making choices is not a responsibility and alone means absolutely nothing, dealing with the consequences of our actions is a responsibility. By espousing the fact that abortion is a right, Liberalism is essentially telling people that they have a right NOT to suffer the consequences of thier irresponsibility if they don't want to. ------------------------------------------ Death Penalty/Prison So why should I fear stealing/killing/raping and going to prison if they're just going to take care of me and fix me up? No need to worry about being a responsible member of society if the consequences for doing otherwise are relatively minor, some might even say, beneficial. I think you're the one making prison sound like an advanced therapy center. Let me assure you, prison is a punishment, rehabilitation is the hopeful result but hardly the norm. Lessening the punishment for crimes you commmit is decreasing the responsibility of the individual to suffer the consequences of his actions. ------------------------------------------ Corporate Morality/Unions Unions were originally created to organize the efforts of the employees to petition the corporation for change, organize strikes, create social awareness, bring pressure on the company from outside sources such as the press, prompt legislative action, etc. The increased politicization of unions has turned them into not much more than a Liberal lobby who's primary interest is increased government control over private corporations, instead of letting the private sector, and private citizens manage thier own destiny. Again, the result is less responsibility (and less freedom) for the individial and for the business. ------------------------------------------ War This is off topic, but, it sounds like you're saying that Liberals are, for the most part, isolationists when it comes to national defense. If that's true, why then did a majority of the legislative branch vote for the War in Iraq? If all wars are between governments, what kind of war you think DOES warrant soldiers dying to fight? ------------------------------------------ YOU: -If you feel that way, fine, but my bliefs are what they are because I believe its what is best for society. Youre topic was "Liberalism seeks to absolve people of personal responsibility" and i by no means am seeking to do that. I believe most, if not all, liberals would agree. MY REPLY: Your positions would say otherwise. If every position that Liberals hold decreases the personal responsibility, and freedom, of the individual, it certainly means that decreasing personal responsibility is either the goal or a stepping stone to the goal. Now, I will be honest and admit that it may very well be that most Liberals have nothing but good intentions. Free education, health care and retirement all might sound very good at first glance. It could be that most Liberals don't even realize that removing responsibility from the individual and placing it on the government is a KEY component of the transfer of power from people to government. The less responsibility that people have, the more they depend on others such as the federal government to take responsibility. It's possible that Liberals don't realize this. They may never get that far in thier thinking. What Liberals don't realize is that with less responsibility comes less freedom and fewer choices. This misplaced faith in an all powerful central government and belief that people aren't responsible enough to care for themselves is a hallmark of Liberalism (name one thing, other than national defense, that the federal government does well, much less better than anyone else? ). Lastly, all this talk of doing things for the "greater good of society" gives me the willies. Do you have any idea how many tyrants and failures used the cause of "the greater good" as license to take away the freedom of the individual? What is it that causes Liberals/Socialists/Communists alike to believe that a government has greater capability to provide and care for our needs than you or I?