PharmerJ
35p16 comments posted · 24 followers · following 0
12 years ago @ Atheist Revolution - American Royalty · 0 replies · -3 points
Sarah Palin has no real power. Those that abuse their power should be monitored. Until they are, our country will continue to obsess over dictatorial presidents such as George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
12 years ago @ Atheist Revolution - We are a Bunch of Jack... · 1 reply · -31 points
12 years ago @ Atheist Revolution - We are a Bunch of Jack... · 0 replies · -35 points
I also think this might be why my "Reputation Score" is so low.
12 years ago @ Atheist Revolution - Understanding Republic... · 1 reply · -1 points
I vote Republican most of the time now, especially for national and state offices, because economic policy drives nearly everything. I see Republicans adjusting to the social issues as a matter of reality, such as gay marriage, immigration, and drug legalization. But if they are clearly theocratic and upfront about it, such as the case with Mike Huckabee, I will absolutely vote against such a candidate. It is a matter of measuring consequences. George W. Bush was an evangelical, but the major problem with him was his desire to expand the powers of government, more importantly the executive. And while it may seem hard to believe today, Republicans historically have been anti-interventionist. I despise war, so I voted for Obama. He has expanded military action and increased the power of the executive dramatically, so he will not receive my vote again.
While it may seem bleak now, I think Republicans have better long term prospects if they stick with fiscal conservatism and individual rights. The "stay out of my wallet and stay out of my bedroom" philosophy seems to attract some of my gay friends. In all honesty, Christians should be voting Democrat if they follow most of what is in the Bible, although there are some conflicting messages. Christianity promotes "shared sacrifice" and collectivism, which is much in line with regressive and statist Democrats rather than American conservatism.
Most of my atheist friends are incredibly intelligent, but are experts outside the fields of business and economics, so they typically want to vote altruistically and to help the poor. I find this a common sentiment since this group has relatively high income and their self-interest is served better by feeling as if their vote helps the poor rather than having to evaluate the outcome of such a decision. Of course some have come around after I show them more data, but many just don't consider the time useful to evaluate such a decision in order to cast a vote.
12 years ago @ Atheist Revolution - Mike Huckabee is a Dan... · 1 reply · -3 points
The Tea Party is not ultra conservative. It has focused on fiscal policy, not social, and it encourages a return to small government with a policy focus on the Constitution.
I'm finished commenting on this blog. I thought I might get a little more intellectual debate on an atheist blog such as this, but I must have just picked the wrong one. Oh well.
12 years ago @ Atheist Revolution - Hitler\'s Christianity... · 4 replies · -4 points
Thus another reason to always be a proponent of reducing the size of the government, even when you think, even when you know in your little heart that government can be used as an instrument for good.
12 years ago @ Atheist Revolution - Mike Huckabee is a Dan... · 0 replies · -3 points
From my perspective, the most viable candidates are Mitch Daniels and Jon Huntsman, but they both may not decide to run. Obama will have to try in order to lose the 2012 election. The only way he can lose is if unemployment stays above 8.5%, Libya turns into a mess, and the health care law individual mandate gets struck down in 2012. And even if those things happen, he STILL has a good shot at winning because he's excellent at promising more things to more people and growing the size of government to fulfill those promises.
13 years ago @ Atheist Revolution - Moving Science to the ... · 0 replies · -4 points
Subsidizing different forms of energy should not occur, whether it be coal, oil, wind, or solar. This stifles science and innovation and prevents the market from accurately picking the most efficient form. This is why government intervention has wasted time and resources on ethanol. There should be no reason to subsidize the rich at the tune of $7000 for them to feel good about themselves for buying a Chevy Volt. Absolutely ridiculous.
13 years ago @ Atheist Revolution - Idiot of the Week: Jim... · 0 replies · -1 points
Jim DeMint rightly deserves to be the idiot every week, but promoting a dependence upon government is just as idiotic, and atheists should be incredibly wary of a country that seeks to be everything to everyone.
13 years ago @ Atheist Revolution - Interfaith Groups are ... · 0 replies · -3 points
Republicans exploit religion to justify intrusion into individual freedom on the justification of "objective truth." They seek to create voting constituencies through dependence upon religion and corporatism. Thus Christians, Muslims (pre-Bush), and political entrepreneurs.
As the government grows, so too does the power of the majority over the minority. Atheists are most certainly in the minority and more importantly, the most hated minority. Politicians must garner votes and thus will seek the support of majority organizations with financial power.