American Tax System - Freedom or Tyranny?

[minn_stat]

Originally Posted by BarbaraGordon

I like you already.

Are you always this easy to please?

Let me score more points, then. I did watch some of the video from your pastor on the election, and I wholeheartedly agree. I'm no fan of Obama, but last week, my 11 year old daughter asked if we could move to Canada if Obama wins. I told her that if he wins, he is my president, and deserves my respect, even though I may strongly disagree with much of what he does.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by minn_stat

Are you always this easy to please?

Let me score more points, then. I did watch some of the video from your pastor on the election, and I wholeheartedly agree. I'm no fan of Obama, but last week, my 11 year old daughter asked if we could move to Canada if Obama wins. I told her that if he wins, he is my president, and deserves my respect, even though I may strongly disagree with much of what he does.

Are you always this much of a kiss ass?

"Deserves your respect"? When has the opposition ever accorded the same to Republicans? Not likely.

A contrary position would be if people consciously disrespected him, we would rob him of some of his power to govern which is a good thing. It is exactly what happened to Bush in the last two years. So if we preemptively disrespect Obama, with truthful, non racist information, then we will be doing ourselves a service.

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by Archaea

Are you always this much of a kiss ass?

"Deserves your respect"? When has the opposition ever accorded the same to Republicans? Not likely.

A contrary position would be if people consciously disrespected him, we would rob him of some of his power to govern which is a good thing. It is exactly what happened to Bush in the last two years. So if we preemptively disrespect Obama, with truthful, non racist information, then we will be doing ourselves a service.

Good point. that would be a much better answer for his 11 year old daughter.

[BarbaraGordon]

Originally Posted by Archaea

Are you always this much of a kiss ass?

oh, now that's just too funny.

[BarbaraGordon]

Originally Posted by Archaea

A contrary position would be if people consciously disrespected him, we would rob him of some of his power to govern which is a good thing. It is exactly what happened to Bush in the last two years. So if we preemptively disrespect Obama, with truthful, non racist information, then we will be doing ourselves a service.

One can disagree with our leadership, or even engage in civil disobedience, without resorting to disrespect or dishonor. The respect and honor are owed the office, and by extension the person residing therein, but not necessarily the policies he espouses.

As far as "when has the opposition ever accorded the same," that's hardly his point. This was not a lesson about Republicans versus Democrats. This was a lesson about believers versus unbelievers. If the attitude and response of the believers toward government is the same as those of the unbelievers, then what's the point?

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by BarbaraGordon

One can disagree with our leadership, or even engage in civil disobedience, without resorting to disrespect or dishonor. The respect and honor are owed the office, and by extension the person residing therein, but not necessarily the policies he espouses.

As far as "when has the opposition ever accorded the same," that's hardly his point. This was not a lesson about Republicans versus Democrats. This was a lesson about believers versus unbelievers. If the attitude and response of the believers toward government is the same as those of the unbelievers, then what's the point?

Abbie Hoffman effectively operated in this fashion. If we wish to neuter the office of its power, we can disrespect it. I don't see the benefit in a powerful office of the President. I'd prefer to see an impotent office, from the perspective of my policy toward government.

I'm not certain I understand your definition of "believer", please elaborate what you mean by this.

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by BarbaraGordon

One can disagree with our leadership, or even engage in civil disobedience, without resorting to disrespect or dishonor. The respect and honor are owed the office, and by extension the person residing therein, but not necessarily the policies he espouses.

As far as "when has the opposition ever accorded the same," that's hardly his point. This was not a lesson about Republicans versus Democrats. This was a lesson about believers versus unbelievers. If the attitude and response of the believers toward government is the same as those of the unbelievers, then what's the point?

Believers of what?

[BarbaraGordon]

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

Believers of what?

we're talking about a lesson I posted from my church in religion.

The minister was talking about the believer's response to political leadership.

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by BarbaraGordon

we're talking about a lesson I posted from my church in religion.

The minister was talking about the believer's response to political leadership.

Ok, I'm with you now.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by BarbaraGordon

we're talking about a lesson I posted from my church in religion.

The minister was talking about the believer's response to political leadership.

Okay, so you're referring back to that.

Now I understand. I tend to view politics as a battleground, much like guerrilla warfare, where you fight tooth and nails, because every participant is evil, so destruction of any of the players is no loss.

But that perspective presented by your pastor is one worth contemplating. And Fowler's Stages of Faith in its universalizing chapters alludes to something similar.