>>>So I guess {according to M. Jabbour's post} anyone who believes in Social Security, a plan that is keeping thousands of Americans off the street, is un-American.<<<
Not necessarily, but quite possibly. The idea of Social Security is un-American, anyone in support of it is expressing an un-American idea that does not have to make him or her un-American, just on this one point. BTW, I do not think that expressing an un-American idea is bad. Opposition to American principals only makes them stronger; moreover, it is a constitutional right of every American citizen to speak their mind and question their government.
>>>Anyway isn't the military one of those terrible socialist government
programs?<<<
No the military is more of a fascist program; however, in order to DEFEND ourselves it is necessary to keep a standing army, that army must be better than any other on the planet. However, our army must always be used to defend our interests and us. Lately, our army has been used extensively for humanitarian purposes for people other than Americans. No justification can be made to me if my brother, 2lt. Jabbour, (currently stationed in Germany) is killed or injured doing anything other than defending our homeland. As terrible as some things are, such as the situation in Kosovo, it is unjust to send our VOLUNTEER troops to assist people who are not Americans. We cannot and should not police the globe or be subordinate to a foreign power like NATO or the UN.
>>> . . .Keeping a system afloat that benefits every
American, without giving their money to those with enough, perhaps
even too much??<<<
I do not consider the 15.3% income (FICA) tax that I pay to be a benefit to me. I could double that 15.3% of income every five years if I was able to hold on to it. The government has not, will not, should not and cannot do that for me. How am I being benefited?
>>>When First Union Bank announced a major lay-off, its stock price
skyrocketed. This happens every time a company announces lay-offs.
Executives are paid in stock.<<<
Lay-offs occur when a company's payroll exceeds 10% of its revenue. This is necessary in order to maintain solvency. If the lay-offs are not executed the entire company will cease to exist. This would leave customers without the service or product; it would eliminate many more jobs and cause economic havoc. Moreover, that stock that executives get, gives them ownership in the company, that is incentive to make it a better company because they have more to gain, but also more to loose. BTW, you are perfectly able to purchase that same stock and become an owner as well; I promise you that the ROI is better than the US government.
>>>take some of the Billions in corporate welfare dollars our government gives out every year. . . making for a more competitive
, dog-eat-dog capitalism that Marwan loves so much. Or is welfare
for the rich O.K. in your book?<<<
I do not advocate welfare for anyone or any entity. As for corporate-government relationships, we should employ a laissez faire policy, meaning no subsidies, assistance, preferences or favors and NO regulation, excessive taxation, or control including manipulation of the money supply by the Federal Reserve and state-sponsored monopolies. It is not so much dog-eat-dog, as it is optimal selection. The best will always succeed, this benefits everyone including companies, customers, employees and owners.
Charlie, you are young and have the world ahead of you. Don't you want to go as far as your heart and abilities will take you? I know that I do. I don't want my government to help nor hinder me. I want to do it on my own. Why do you think that others have a right to rob me of this? The 15.3% of my income that I am required to pay quarterly is money I could use to secure the future for my family and myself. Instead it is stolen from me, and I will never get it back. That is not very fair or American.
Regards,
Marwan Jabbour
Independent and wanting to keep it that way;)
