Quote Originally Posted by Gregg View Post
It's true, most of us do like our lives.




Yes, that would be hard, but not nearly as hard as telling the citizens of this country that THEIR gravy train is also coming to an end. Think $20 gas and $30 hamburger and $800 electric bills and...




That's also true. For the record I'm a Libertarian who is generally in favor of phasing out our subsidized lifestyle (note: phasing out, not abruptly ending). But you have to keep in mind that it is our entire lifestyle, not just a bit here and a piece there, that is subsidized by our government. Big oil is the poster child so think about what happens if you end subsidies there. Obviously it will cost you more to fill your tank. It will also cost more to fill the tank of every truck, train, plane and ship that gets ANYTHING you buy to where you buy it. Those costs will be passed along meaning the cost of everything you don't grow in the back yard will go up. Another layer of increases will come through the manufacturing/production side. Any product that uses oil as a raw material or to power the production process will become more expensive. Nylon, medicine, make-up, food, plastics, paint, etc. All of it goes up. We can keep going, showing layer after layer of cost increase to every product we all use, but I'm sure you get the idea.
Oh you're absolutely right. Things will go up, but not necessarily because the poor companies can hardly get by without the tax payers subsidies. Again taking the big oil companies. Their profits are obscene, and they could very well take a bit of a cut. But, you are right in that they won't because greed rules! It's not the cost of production that will raise our prices but pure, nasty greed!

But, everything else will go up too, but what is the answer? I mean, everyone keeps saying we need to trim the budget, and can't possibly ask anyone to pay a dime more in taxes. Why, the republicans would have taxes cut even more! But, stuff costs. Our lifestyle costs. (and by lifestyle I mean good roads/schools, clean water, etc...) All those things that we expect of living in America costs.

Where does it come from? If not eliminating subsidies, or raising taxes, or cutting from the military which the republicans deplore, then where? Where is it coming from? roads? Bridges? Our infrastructure is already so outdated I'm surprised only one major bridge has collapsed in the last 10 years. Maybe we don't need so many water and food inspections? Well, maybe not...until some people get sick, or die even from tainted water or food. Schools? Is there anything left to squeeze out of the schools?
Of course there is always grandma. But her rent isn't going down, nor is her food budget/utilities. And dang it all, she needs to eat..every day!

So, pay more for food/gas/stuff...or pay more in taxes to keep the subsidies (payoffs) rolling. Gee, if people (and by people I mean the big industries we pay 'protection' money to) would just be satisfied with modest profits. Even good profits would be fine. But obscene profits at the America public's expense is disgusting.
I guess I'm just sick and tired of paying my tax dollars to some greedy fat cat just for the 'privilege' of being gouged at the pump.