5 ms·

US Federal Tax dollars at work, infringing on our rights with no tangible benefits for the American people.

bobwaycott 8y ago
This is far more an issue of the Executive and Congress at work, than it is tax dollars at work. Let’s lay the blame where it belongs—only then do we have the slightest hope of citizens recognizing how they can play a part in stopping this. Tax dollars aren’t allocating themselves.
- aaronbrethorst 8y ago
  Complaints about "tax dollars" or about 'tax payers' seem like stalking horses for the whole Reagan-esque 'drown government in the bathtub' thing. It's weird to me that the most jingoistic Americans are also the ones who are most hostile to the concrete manifestations of America. Back to the topic at hand: I agree wholeheartedly with you and I hope that you and everyone else here votes in their primary and general elections. Headcount is a good, nonpartisan resource for finding out more about this: https://www.headcount.org https://www.headcount.org
  - u801e 8y ago
    > I agree wholeheartedly with you and I hope that you and everyone else here votes in their primary and general elections. I doubt that either major party plans to reform the TSA or the Department of Homeland Security.
    - aaronbrethorst 8y ago
      If you believe that, then you should seek to change the policy priorities of either major party. Fatalism in a two party system is neither useful nor indicative of a keener understanding of early 21st century American politics.
enlightenedfool 8y ago
"infringing on our rights"...minority opinion. If it is a major concern, the senators who approved the procedures would have been voted out. Instead more of the same are being voted into power, which means all this makes the majority feel safe.
- skolemtotem 8y ago
  How can this make anyone feel safe if they won't even admit that it's happening?! Moreover, the people are forced to compromise on just about every issue when voting, so they naturally get swayed by marketing and personal priorities. Somehow I doubt that surveillance was much of a priority for anyone.

This is far more an issue of the Executive and Congress at work, than it is tax dollars at work. Let’s lay the blame where it belongs—only then do we have the slightest hope of citizens recognizing how they can play a part in stopping this. Tax dollars aren’t allocating themselves.

aaronbrethorst 8y ago
Complaints about "tax dollars" or about 'tax payers' seem like stalking horses for the whole Reagan-esque 'drown government in the bathtub' thing. It's weird to me that the most jingoistic Americans are also the ones who are most hostile to the concrete manifestations of America. Back to the topic at hand: I agree wholeheartedly with you and I hope that you and everyone else here votes in their primary and general elections. Headcount is a good, nonpartisan resource for finding out more about this: https://www.headcount.org https://www.headcount.org
- u801e 8y ago
  > I agree wholeheartedly with you and I hope that you and everyone else here votes in their primary and general elections. I doubt that either major party plans to reform the TSA or the Department of Homeland Security.
  - aaronbrethorst 8y ago
    If you believe that, then you should seek to change the policy priorities of either major party. Fatalism in a two party system is neither useful nor indicative of a keener understanding of early 21st century American politics.

enlightenedfool 8y ago

"infringing on our rights"...minority opinion. If it is a major concern, the senators who approved the procedures would have been voted out. Instead more of the same are being voted into power, which means all this makes the majority feel safe.

skolemtotem 8y ago
How can this make anyone feel safe if they won't even admit that it's happening?! Moreover, the people are forced to compromise on just about every issue when voting, so they naturally get swayed by marketing and personal priorities. Somehow I doubt that surveillance was much of a priority for anyone.