what a breath of fresh air... I love people who "get it".

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/02/jillette.presidency/index.html

my favorite part...

(snip)

Our first seven presidents averaged a bit more than three public speeches a year, and they didn't promise jobs for everyone, day care, dental exams and free stuff.

It's really hard to find someone who trusts Americans to take care of themselves and each other without government force. It's hard to find someone running for president who would be content to be what George Washington humbly called the "chief magistrate."

I think Ron Paul and Bob Barr mean it when they say they want much smaller government. But the government is already big enough, powerful enough and bipartisan enough (and "bi" means exactly two and no more) that Ron and/or Bob won't even be in the debates. People won't even hear someone suggesting that our president should do less and individual citizens should do more for themselves.

The choice shouldn't be which lesser of two evils should have the enormous power of our modern presidents. The question should be, who would do less as president? Who would leave us alone?

If we could find a lazier, less charismatic, stupider person than me to be president, I'd be all for it. But, it's not going to be easy; stupider than me is rare breed.

So remember, the only way to waste your vote is to vote!

(/snip)

:stupid

:stupid



X 10,000

I feel sick when I get government benefits, in any way...except roads and police. Notice I didnt say fire or EMS, because somehow, my town of 20,000 people has figured out a way to provide free fire and Paramedic leve EMS service based mostly on volunteers, second on donations and a small town subsidy.

Provide free EMT/Paramedic classes to the ghetto's and see how many people sign up to help their brethren.

I feel sick when I get government benefits, in any way...

Give em back or give them to charity. That should make you feel better.

:stupid



X 10,000

I feel sick when I get government benefits, in any way...except roads and police. Notice I didnt say fire or EMS, because somehow, my town of 20,000 people has figured out a way to provide free fire and Paramedic leve EMS service based mostly on volunteers, second on donations and a small town subsidy.

Provide free EMT/Paramedic classes to the ghetto's and see how many people sign up to help their brethren.

You apparently don't spend much time in the ghetto. You wouldn't get many volunteers from there. Most volunteers come from more prosperous areas and have day jobs. Fortunately, most of our nation is able to provide Fire/EMS for free, but this is not practical in urban environments, And most career Fire/EMS systems have been formed as a result of a failed volunteer system, for various reasons.

If you could seperate Fire from EMS, I think you would get plenty of firefighter volunteers. Make EMS a government entity like Police. The complete abuse of 911 for primary medical care and hospital crisis (again, because of 911 abuse) has made EMS in this country (particularly in urban areas) a joke, a burden, and nothing anyone wants to volunteer for.

Give em back or give them to charity. That should make you feel better.

No, I'd rather keep the money I spend to make them available. And if I so choose, I would donate the money I saved to the charity I wished.

You apparently don't spend much time in the ghetto. You wouldn't get many volunteers from there.
That was my point actually, the sarcasm didnt come through the computer well enough :toothless

If there is a neighborhood of people who dont have jobs, its their own fault. Anybody can get a job if they try hard enough. And the vast majority of the volunteer firemen/EMT's I know DO have day jobs, but are hardly making a good living. 30k-50k is the range, including the overtime. Yet they still find time to donate their skills to the area.

That was my point actually, the sarcasm didnt come through the computer well enough :toothless.

:doh0715: My bad :toothless

If there is a neighborhood of people who dont have jobs, its their own fault. Anybody can get a job if they try hard enough. And the vast majority of the volunteer firemen/EMT's I know DO have day jobs, but are hardly making a good living. 30k-50k is the range, including the overtime. Yet they still find time to donate their skills to the area.

Funny how it works isn't it? Government entitlement programs support those who refuse to help themselves, on the working man's paycheck. Then we go home on our day off, and volunteer for free. And they continue to lay on the couch and not help anyone.