Belated reply to Mike –

Mike, regarding Federal Bad vs State Good, it’s a sound bite thing, a tool for making sure the plebes follow their masters’ voices. There is no actual ‘Federal is Bad, State is Good’ conflict. You are seeing the result of too many sound bites set forth by politicians, and by entertainers posing as journalists. Those sound bites get absorbed by too many unthinking and uncritical people, and what should be mythical urban legend becomes the rallying cry of the unwashed masses, with full approval of those who want to sway their opinion and their vote.

Years ago Grover Norquist became famous for his stated desire to make government small enough so he could drown it in a bathtub. But not so drowned as to eliminate his own federal perks – his free health care, great salary, fine retirement. Neither would he want this drowning gubmint to stop the corporate welfare and bank bailout dollars headed for his big campaign contributors. That drowning government is really just the elitist Norquists of this country, elitists who want You to give up Your federal benefits, whilst They retain and even increase Their federal benefits, perks, fees, payments, tax rebates, etc They laugh all the way to their profitable bailed-out banks.

There’s more to it, including the remnant of Civil War diehards, but this is getting too long. Suffice it to say that the Fed Bad – States Good argument, even carried down to school board levels, is a creation of those who would influence opinion and votes. Big Fed is bad when it suits their purposes, but Good when it fills their pockets with corporate welfare. Same with States Rights – good when it goes their way, Bad when it doesn’t.

If the Federal gubmint is so bad, maybe the local town council should have to pay for the next multi-billion dollar aircraft carrier, or finance a few of the 800 military bases in 70 countries that the US maintains around the world. BTW, France, Britain, and Russia have about 30 foreign bases combined.

Any retiree depending on Social Security income, any disabled person depending on SSDI income, any indigent depending on hospitals to stabilize them when injured regardless of insurance, anyone who thinks the US Military should be maintained at a high level and should be fighting around the world (including 16 years and still counting in Afghanistan) – all of these people are in favor of Big Government. No single State can provide for the largest expenses of America, their tax base is simply too small.

But, made into a carefully crafted Sound Bite, it is easy to be led to believe that Fed is Bad, and States are Good.

See how it works?

Thanks for info.

DING DING DING….We have a winner!

There are roughly 632K+ in the city of Las Vegas. Clark County 2.16M. (Source: Bing)

There is a Celebrity Center in Las Vegas yet that info is not included on the flyer.

Sure Mike,
I have to digress because it is rooted in U.S. Civics. 1: The Fed gov cannot per the Constitution spend tax $ on the type of relief we are talking about (rebuilding individuals homes, etc.). PERIOD.

2: If they are going to spend, which they do, it has distorted over the decades where people build and live greatly. Before that spending, banks and insurance companies were loath to support building in those disaster prone areas. But since the Fed gov is willing to constantly rebuild disaster prone buildings over and over that is what happens.

3: States were supposed to have 1st call on taxing citizens in states. That’s why Income tax at the Fed level was illegal. That got changed and took those funds that States would be able to get and left them wanting. Now states have to go begging to the Fed Gov for LOCAL needs. Which injects national politics into who gets what.
For instance, Obama got snubbed in Florida and cut all funds to keep the inter-coastal waterways cleared. He provided some $ right before the elections last year but too late.

4: States screw up too by giving $ without at same time raising building codes to a level where hurricanes, floods & tornadoes cannot destroy housing.

Scientology is just so….stupid. *sigh*
“You are reeling from a horrible tragedy? Here, have a pamphlet and SMILE!”
All in the name of making Scientology feel good from the inside. It’s like spiritual masterbation. And they’re definitely going blind…

I missed it. Can u refer me to it more specifically or include it again

Aqua, lies are often fought by turning a mirror upon the liar to highlight the original lie This is LONG standing literary practice. It is not as simple & obvious a tactic as denial and takes some sophistication amongst the audience.

I answered the question the other day Mike. In addition to that, THE question to answer (which I did) is; is the body acting in a constitutional manner

Add to that guns get stolen every day, young men are able to buy a gun for a few dollars or a drug trade……so many of the youth murdered over territory….as in “you’re in OUT street”…..or because someone is wearing a color that is gang related…..sick sick sick.