Extremism

We get painted as radicals and "anti-government" extremists all the time.   Last night at our local Tea Party meeting, a few people brought up Social Security and what it would mean, especially to some of our older members, if it were just suddenly abolished and those who had been counting on it at retirement time would just suddenly be without.

Now these are Tea Party members raising these concerns.  People who are concerned with the size and scope of government -- many of whom have only recently woken up to the 800 lb gorilla in the living room.

And it brought to mind this post from brother jeffmon -- from which I read his indented quote on the right way to answer the question them aloud.  They liked it.  And wanted me to send it to them.

So I'm wrapper-izing it and re-posting it, and sending them the link.

When people who believe in our constitution are asked what programs we would cut, the asker is not interested in hearing our solution to excessive government spending. He is trying to create a sound bite to play to voters that will prevent you from winning office.Sharron Angle wants to kill Social Security! Sound familiar? Now she's "backing off", even though killing Social Security is the right thing to do.The right way to answer is to say something like the following:

"I want to gradually, methodically eliminate all government activity that enslaves citizens to the government. When money is taken by force from people who earn it and is given to those who don't (either by choice or circumstance), both groups are enslaved. While the enslavement of the first group is obvious, some people have difficulty understanding how the second group is enslaved. They are essentially forced to vote for representatives who will continue their payments, and must take whatever other distasteful policies that come with these representatives in order to maintain their livelihood. This perverts a republican government."


In no way do I want the truly unfortunate to be left to suffer. I want them to be helped, but the constitution does not allow that help to come from the federal government. Americans are the most generous and caring people in the world, and we do not need coercion to help those who need it."

Good luck getting that out before the questioner tries to change the subject.