Rebuttal

This is a follow up to the post titled Liberals Don't Make Sense When They're Mad. My cousin's response in in purple and mine is in red.


Rebekah,

I think that we see many issues extremely differently, and since I'm not going to change your mind on those and you won't change mine, I don't want to go point by point by any means. I guess that's just our world view. But I would like to say that to me political correctness is simply using respectful language, and when people get up in arms about it, it's because they're aiming for the most respectful terminology possible. I also think that intentions are far more important than specific words (e.g. My grandfather used a lot of politically incorrect language, but I would never fault him for that because he never had anything but good intentions for everyone). So I would ask you to think about what message you're intending to convey when you call Barack Obama by his middle name, but not Sarah Palin or John McCain or Joe Biden. Actually, I would have no problem calling Sarah Palin "Louise" or Joe Biden "Robinette" or John McCain "Sideny", It's their legal names, why not use 'em?

I don't attempt to defend extremism from either side, so I can't really respond to your remarks about acts of ignorance that detract from real issues. Of course they're not acceptable. I don't expect you to defend the people who shouted "Kill him" at McCain rallies, because I know that you would not do that and that you wouldn't endorse that.

I respect your differences of opinion on how we should decide who pays for things like infrastructure, education, our military, etc. (although I believe that those making over $250k will have an easier time contributing than those who use every dollar to put food on their table) Contributing means to give. If Obama become President he would make it a law, not just letting people "contribute" towards., but as someone who is paid by taxes and directly sees their benefit to all of society, I do see it as a patriotic duty to ensure opportunities for all. (If millionaire liberals believed Biden's "patriotic duty" about taxes then why do they look for tax shelters like every other wise American?) I love living in a capitalist society as well, and don't think that higher taxes for our wealthiest citizens make for a socialist economy Would this be a fair summery or your view? "From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need". If we're all agreed that everyone will have access to healthcare, shouldn't those with money left over after paying for necessities kick in more than those without? So after I've paid my taxes and for everything necessary (like food and stuff like that) then I would have to give the money that I would have used do something like go to the movie or a concert and give it to others? Yeah, I think that's great if you want to do that, but to be forced to do that, then it's wrong.
Lets say you work five 8 hour days and I work three 8 hour days. You make $300 more then me a week. Should you have to give me some just because I don't make as much as you? I doubt you would want to "contribute" to me. 40% of Americans don't make enough to be taxed. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/13/obama-tax-cut-refunds-those-who-dont-pay/ So an Obama Tax Plan is really like a "hand-out" from the government.

I LOVED Palin on SNL and after watching it truly thought, "Wow, what a good sport!" Jokes on SNL are a good venue for off-color remarks! As I said, I definitely don't think we're going to see eye to eye on most issues, but I wanted to respond to those points that I feel are a bit more factually debatable. I'm glad you're doing well and are so busy!

Well, I guess you're right that "I'm not going to change your mind on those and you won't change mine"!

Liberals... they are sometimes beyond hope...