Speaking to a friend with unemployed parents, on food stamps, and welfare

[thehighwaymanq]

I spoke to a friend last week about politics and he began talking about how much he hates the Republicans because they don't care about the "little people." He told me about his situation- poor/ parents unemployed / living on food stamps. He said he was a democrat.

I was wondering, how do I talk to him about being a libertarian and how the government is the reason our economy is so horrible. Normally, I can explain to people about economics, but this kid looked depressed and I didn't know how to talk to him with his situation. I need tips in debate!

Thanks.

 

[puppetmaster]

I spoke to a friend last week about politics and he began talking about how much he hates the Republicans because they don't care about the "little people." He told me about his situation- poor/ parents unemployed / living on food stamps. He said he was a democrat.

I was wondering, how do I talk to him about being a libertarian and how the government is the reason our economy is so horrible. Normally, I can explain to people about economics, but this kid looked depressed and I didn't know how to talk to him with his situation. I need tips in debate!

Thanks.

the stong shall live the weak shall perish......not any help but true

 

[agar]

Thanks.[/QUOTE]

have him read www.tomatobubble.com

he needs to understand that if it werent for democrats and their irresponsible socialism, his parents would never have lost their jobs to begin with.

 

[cswake]

IMHO, this is the wrong time to talk politics. Instead, I would help your friend and his parents as best as possible, preferably through helping them find any type of work. Make them believe in themselves first before anything...

 

[TomtheTinker]

I deal with this problem all the time..I have no answer.

This is the problem and is the exact reason why its going to be next to impossible to cure this society of government dependence..at least until the whole web of weakness falls apart.

I at least try to subtly state my opposition to the programs/system and explain the whole reason for the mess in the first place is because of government interference in the productive sector of the economy. Try to give an example and move on...no need to make them feel like crap..but I like to plant seeds none the less.

I honestly think that if half of Americans took a 1 hour class in basic Austrian economics it would be massively beneficial.

Maybe we should lobby to get a law passed that every child should have to take this class..j.k.

 

[bwlibertyman]

I would talk about how I don't play class warfare. I'd talk about how there shouldn't be rich people and poor people. There are only people. I'd offer him to come over and get some food if he's starving/hungry. I'd also mention to him that establishment politicians don't care about anyone. I'd talk about the collusion of big business and big government. Then I'd talk about how if the government really left people alone that we'd be better off. I'd talk about how tax cuts are good regardless of at which level they are at. Tax cuts are simply the government letting people take home more of the money that they earn. Talk about how he shouldn't look at his situation in a left right paradigm but an up down paradigm.

I think the most important thing is to be calm and very non confrontational. I'd try to hammer home the idea that it isn't politicians' responsibility to "care" for us. We care for ourselves. We care for our friends/family/community. Politicians aren't there to make our lives better. They are better to expand our freedoms or to protect our freedoms.

 

[american.swan]

I think the most important thing is to be calm and very non confrontational. I'd try to hammer home the idea that it isn't politicians' responsibility to "care" for us. We care for ourselves. We care for our friends/family/community. Politicians aren't there to make our lives better. They are better to expand our freedoms or to protect our freedoms.

I like this last point, but I'd be careful here. You just start talking about the proper role of gov without any background and they won't get it. I'd start with how it used to be. Our ancensters came here to get away from over bearing kings and such for liberty and responsiblitity in their own lives. Show how it was in even 1910 vs today and then say the reason NOW is different is because of the government going to bed with big businesses and the money issue. Off the gold standard.

 

[amy31416]

I'm with cswake--now is not the time to go all political on his ass and debate him. He's probably already embarrassed enough, and knowing that you disapprove would increase the shame. You might lose a friend over it.

Perhaps a better route is to address the loss of manufacturing and jobs in the US--and how both Dems and Republicans played a large part in destroying the production base in this country. (Minimum wage, taxes, etc...)

 

[mojobo]

You could say you believe in Private over Public Unemployment Insurance where the length and amount of money received is not in the hands of the voting majority and instead negotiated between two people. If people want to be better protected from unemployment then they can take out a plan that either gives them more money or a longer pay period. If they would rather keep more of their money and risk it then thats up to them too. Let those who don't want to take on extra risk protect themselves and let those who do want to take on the risk do so too. But by keeping it public you only have one option and the risk reward is decided publicly...

 

[pmbug]

Would he rather that the government steal money from you so they can give it to his parents, or would he rather that the government get out of the way so that people can create jobs for him and his parents to support themselves?

 

[Jeez]

I spoke to a friend last week about politics and he began talking about how much he hates the Republicans because they don't care about the "little people." He told me about his situation- poor/ parents unemployed / living on food stamps. He said he was a democrat.

Nothing wrong with helping those in need but there always thin line when this crosses over to hands out and people taking advantage of it.

There good majority of populace out there who are claiming they are unemployed and getting benefits but at the same have side business/getting paid under the table and making more money than they ever have. Or these people unemployed? you decide. You see similar situation in Medicare and wait till obama care rolls along.

 

[noxagol]

Nothing wrong with helping those in need but there always thin line when this crosses over to hands out and people taking advantage of it.

There good majority of populace out there who are claiming they are unemployed and getting benefits but at the same have side business/getting paid under the table and making more money than they ever have. Or these people unemployed? you decide. You see similar situation in Medicare and wait till obama care rolls along.

Hell, some people have jobs, dont hide it, and STILL collect unemployment because it allows for this. I work with a guy who works 32 hours a week, which is part time, and still collects his full unemployment check!

 

[noxagol]

As far as how to approach this guy, make him see how much more expensive everything is because of government taxes and how much money is taken in taxes. Then show how much easier it would be for people to live sans these taxes and that most of these taxes go to people who are struggling in life because of these taxes.

 

[georgiaboy]

I spoke to a friend last week about politics and he began talking about how much he hates the Republicans because they don't care about the "little people." He told me about his situation- poor/ parents unemployed / living on food stamps. He said he was a democrat.

I was wondering, how do I talk to him about being a libertarian and how the government is the reason our economy is so horrible. Normally, I can explain to people about economics, but this kid looked depressed and I didn't know how to talk to him with his situation. I need tips in debate!

Thanks.

your friend first needs to understand where the unemployment checks and food stamps come from. They don't come from all these democrat lawmakers who open their big bank accounts and charitably give it to the less fortunate. They come from average hardworking citizens. These citizens work hard and get paid for their work, and they have to pay a portion of what they worked for to these people in Washington or their state capitol. These people known as tax collectors then take all this money from all the people who worked for it, and do all sorts of things with it, including unemployment & food stamps. Imagine if these 'middlemen' didn't exist and the average hardworking citizens could just donate to a local foodbank, charity, or directly to those that are unemployed. Or imagine if these average hardworking citizens could use that money they send in taxes to hire their neighbor to do some work for them and pay them for it.

Republicans are much more for the 'little people' by allowing them to keep what they earn and share it with those less fortunate.

 

[LibForestPaul]

IMHO, this is the wrong time to talk politics. Instead, I would help your friend and his parents as best as possible, preferably through helping them find any type of work. Make them believe in themselves first before anything...

ding!

But, at least on this board.
His parents should have saved when they were working.
If the government did not steal 1/2 their money, they could have saved quite a bit more.
If the government did not steal 1/2 of everyones money, they could have purchased quite a bit more.
The democrats don't care about his parents, they want to steal other peoples money, take the majority, and give some crumbs to his family.
If the did care about his parents, they would setup voluntary charities and donate their own money, instead of stealing other peoples money.

I actually did have a similar conversation with relative.
Of how great it was that health insurers must now covers pre-existing conditions.
My exact words :
'Why should I be forced to pay more for someone else. Where am I supposed to get the money to afford my healthcare! "
It did click a lightbulb, a little at least....

but it was not personal. so as stated above...no need to discuss it, at this time...

 

[pacelli]

What has Obama done since he's been in office to help his family?

 

[MelissaWV]

IMHO, this is the wrong time to talk politics. Instead, I would help your friend and his parents as best as possible, preferably through helping them find any type of work. Make them believe in themselves first before anything...

This is still the very best answer. Some of you are thinking theoretically, rather than practically. If someone privately assists them, without a bunch of paperwork and idiocy in the way, it shouldn't take a genius to figure out what just happened. Private "charity" is more efficient than Government garbage. You won't charge them administrative fees. You won't have to hire out people to answer a hotline, or to translate it into mandated languages. You don't have to run background checks, credit checks, or any such thing. You might loan them money at zero interest. You might help them polish up their resume (without making it sound like everyone else's, or making them wait in line, or use one of those really nasty public computers). You might help them with a job you heard was open. You might have them over for supper from time to time.

In short, the Government doesn't do most of that. If you could keep more of your money, you'd do all of the above, and then some. If you weren't around, a private charity would be.

 

[sratiug]

Ok, here's the answer. The double flat tariff amendment. Ron Paul believes the income tax is evil and the tariff is the best means to collect federal revenue. By uniting to pass a constitutional amendment to replace all internal federal taxes with a tariff that is flat for every product and every country of origin imported into the US we could easily solve our problems. This will return jobs to the US, and make muti-national corporations our allies in reducing government spending.

 

[Bman]

A people who want to govern themselves must govern themselves. A few have mentioned it here. The best thing to do is help get these people off of Government assistance. That means filling the void they would otherwise experience.

 

[Corydoras]

If someone privately assists them, without a bunch of paperwork and idiocy in the way, it shouldn't take a genius to figure out what just happened. Private "charity" is more efficient than Government garbage. You won't charge them administrative fees. You won't have to hire out people to answer a hotline, or to translate it into mandated languages. You don't have to run background checks, credit checks, or any such thing. You might loan them money at zero interest. You might help them polish up their resume (without making it sound like everyone else's, or making them wait in line, or use one of those really nasty public computers). You might help them with a job you heard was open. You might have them over for supper from time to time.

You are so right. Action is THE very best way to refute the idea that conservatives don't care about "the little people."