U.S. Should Not Help Tsunami Victims

Ayn Rand Institute ^ | Dec. 30, 2004 | David Holcberg

[Cultural Jihad]

The government has no right to give away what it has already stolen.

In point of fact, currency is wholely owned by the Federal Reserve. That is why people get prosecuted for the willful destruction of money, even that which they possess.

[kidd]

And you would propose ... what???

Leave the US ships at home? Do you know of any private organizations that have several large scale water purification systems that are operable, on a ship and ready to move out right now? Because if they have to start from scratch, there's a little problem with time. By the time funds are raised and a water filtration system is installed at each critical area, it would be a good two weeks. Then, instead of tackling starvation and homelessness, we'd be facing a cholera pandemic (as well as starvation and homelessness).

The upfront nickel per person investment makes my private donation more efficient.

You cheap bastard. If you want to save the nickel, try experimenting with rounding the digits on your tax return to the nearest dollar this April. You'll get your damn nickel back.

But do it in the name of Libertarian Purity.

[MineralMan]

"I think people really get their hackles up when they think about the government using our money and then the Euroweenies making us feel cheap because it's not enough.
"

Stick a couple of "some"s in there and you'll be right, as long as your "some" is just a percent or two.

[MineralMan]

"TWENTY years ago they were saying "Randroidism" fizzled out 10 years ago!


"
\
And so it did. That is why the Libertarians cannot get more than .5% of the vote. Liebertarianism is a bogus philosophy that has no real support from the American people. Give it up.

[Figment]

The USGS and NOAA knew of a seismic event of 8.0+ off the coast of Sumtra as it happened and a few hours before the waves strcuk.


1.5 hours is what I've seen(almost instant in quake area) These are third world countries and there is no tsunami warning system at all. I've read that the warnings were not sent out in Thailand because they didn't want to upset their tourist industry.How many would have heard a warning anyway?

[dAnconia]

Try to read "currency" as "wealth". Do you mean to say the Federal Government is responsible for the creation of wealth? And therefore the Dimocrats are right?
>>All Your Money Are Belong To Us!!!<<
Your post reeks a bit of Marxism.

[Cultural Jihad]

If indiviuduals choose to give, that's their business. But keep public money here!

The wise thing to do for a multitude reasons is to reach out and help those less fortunate.

As the I Ching says: "Dispersion leads in turn to accumulation. This is something that ordinary men do not think of."

[jejones]

I agree with you, and disagree with those who think that the "general welfare" clause empowers the government to take anything and do anything it wants. Federalist Paper #41 argues that proximity to the listing of the powers of the federal government would preclude outrageous misinterpretations of what counts as "promoting the general welfare."

[antisocial]

I second that! Great story.

[Cultural Jihad]

Do you mean to say the Federal Government is responsible for the creation of wealth?

No, I mean to say exactly what I said. The money in your wallet you are perfectly free to burn, but you are not free to do so with impunity.

[neutrino]

The wise thing to do for a multitude reasons is to reach out and help those less fortunate.

And if you, as an individual, choose to do that...great!

The issue is whether public money should be spent this way. And I continue to argue that it should not be.

[dAnconia]

Oooh... I get it. The Feds can burn my money with impunity, but I can't. Thanks for clearing that up.

[monkeywrench]

"If put to a national referendum, people in the U.S.A. would overwhelmingly say give"

That's collective mentality for ya. It stilll wouldn't be their money.

This country was founded on individual liberty, not mob rule.

[Cultural Jihad]

The issue is whether public money should be spent this way. And I continue to argue that it should not be.

It will not be, whenever more than 50% of the American people feel really strongly about valuing their nickel over another person's life, too. Until then you'll just have to learn to lump it that we as a society gather taxes and send some of it overseas to help with the immediate life and death struggles of poorer foreigners.

[commonguymd]

I will just have to say we are a Republic form of government and we elect representatives to vote in our best interests. 90% can feel that it is wrong, but if the elected representatives think otherwise - to bad so sad.

You power is in your vote. There is no mob-rule.

I do NOT agree with the premise that allocating funds in the budgetary process for international and domestic disaster relief is wrong. Therefore, the president can make the decision to spend those funds on this crisis. If he needs more, the elected representatives can determine the amount if any is going to be allocated at all.

[mommadooo3]

"When you failed to do it for the least of these here brethren of mine..you failed to do it for me"

Could you please give the Scripture's Chapter and verse?????

I do belive the KEYWORD in what you quoted is YOU

[MrLee]

I wasn't being serious!

[kidd]

Hey CJ

Been a while since I've been on one of the Libertarian threads. But this one is particularily repulsive.

Its sort of a "Lets be as outrageous as possible so that we can draw attention to ourselves" kind of thread. In the name of Libertarian "purity", the defenders of this article would like to pretend that this money is going to build a library somewhere rather than prevent a malaria breakout.

Meanwhile, they enjoy Freeping on the DARPA-funding-developed internet with complete clarity of conscience.

[Cultural Jihad]

Well said. Maybe someday the author of the article will address his "by what right" argument to an empaneled judiciary instead of to an internet audience. Until then I will assume our system of self-governance is alive and well.

[Lurker]

I don't believe the US Government should be giving taxpayer money to any foreign government period.

There is nothing in the Constitution which authorizes such 'giving'.

L