"...the web's handy, but nothing beats a good book... "

"...anything worth learning is worth writing down, clearly, so that others may learn it even if you should be runn over by a bus..."

BE STILL, MY HEART! So, there are a few of us left then, eh?

Try reading the web by candlelight!

Sue

No matter how much information gets stuffed onto the web, I will always have a library of favourite books. A book at the end of a long hard day is more comforting than a computer could ever be.

Susan, how about a good book, in camp at night, by the warm glow of your favourite lantern.

When I'm at home, I often kill the lights around my desk, and write code with the light of a oil lamp. Much easier on my eyes, actually, becuase I have a mirror behind where the lamp is, to double the light.

I like your attitude, I think we share interests, but I disagree about the function of government, at least as you defined it and as it relates to these current times.

I've read publications of early American leaders, and my impression was that the federal government was never intended as a welfare provider. Their mission was to organize the defense of the lands, provide a unified voice for our nation, and ensure fair commerce between the states. There was no intention of taxing the incomes of the citizenry, or of providing a retirement or subsistence program for the elderly and the poor. In fact, the attitude of the people at that time found the notion of government welfare repugnant. All of this tax and spend mentality came much, much later. It has been my experience that those in the government are the least qualified at helping people. I have huge problems with government welfare; for the most part it has never worked in this country. There are shining examples, such as yourself, who managed to make it out of the system and discovered the true value of human life. I, too, started with nothing, and have worked hard to attain an independent life.

I think most people who are at our level in life do want to share with those less fortunate. My greatest asset will probably always be what I can do, not what I own. My attitude towards giving is, I believe, quite charitable. When I am compelled to relinquish 1/3 to 1/2 of what I have for a cause I have no say in, that diminishes my charity, and foils my intent. I, too, don't give for the thanks and praise I will receive, but for the satisfaction of helping. But my generousity evaporates when what I have to give is taken from me and squandered. My charity is taken from me at the same time that my assets are.

Let me express it another way: You cannot be charitable with that which you do not control. The money taken from my pay can never be considered charity; even the IRS agrees on that. The possessions confiscated by the government to be redistributed are not charity, they are spoils. No one has the right to claim these items are given in the spirit of charity. This is exactly what the early Americans were afraid of. The government does not have that right, only the might, to force me to give up what is mine.

I have given a lot of what I am able to retain after the government takes their cut. This is no boast, it is simply a fact of my conviction in life. I will give as long as I have the means. This in no way should be associated with the extortion the government is forcing upon me. Let me make this perfectly clear, that which requires my decision is charity, that for which I have no say on is theft.

More than a few... 3000+ books at home. And my Mark's, MY CRC and my Machinist's handbooks are always close at hand. Next time I see another used copy of each, they will be bought for my office at work (and I'm a computer programmer)

That, with the Mid 1930s encyclopedia at Dad's (a few miles from my house) will tell you how to make just about anything

Oh, I feel welfare it better dealt with by the states conceptually. The problem is that it already is, and they have different payouts, so those who abuse the system flock to those locations. It might actually be better to have the feds step in, and level that playing field. I also know that the vast majority of us took out federal college loans, although I don't consider that charity. *shrugs*

As for things like social security, it was created by people selected by the citizenry. They got what they wanted. What I will say is that I've got a hunch that says the total level of literacy in a population is a static value, so as the percentage of the literate increases, to compensate, the average level of education drops. As a result, the people don't always understand what they are doing.

I'm also going to say that I think we should have enacted reciprocal trade regulations, and penalized US based companies that move thier production over seas. Penalized hard. And that I like the idea of a flat income tax- I dont' mind an income tax, I have a problem with loopholes and favors, and people who make a million dollars a day who pay less.

I have made a terrifying observation- the older I get, the pinker I get. I don't like that, but it is true.

AMEN, brother.

HUH??? OK. Maybe a small percentage of that goes to "causes." But most of it goes to stuff that you use...

I assume that you do not ride a horse or walk everywhere. You probably drive a car -- on roads -- roads that are paved -- with street lights. You get my point -- taxes pay for all of that. Same for police and fire departments. Are you married? The paperwork was filed in a courthouse paid for by taxes. Do you take any perecription or OTC medications? I bet that your BOB or PSK has at least some medication in it. I am glad that we have the FDA to make sure that those medications don't kill you.

Also, the days of the minutemen are over. No nation could expect to be defeneded by a bunch of volunteers who just show up with their squirrel guns. We need a military. You can argue about how large it should be and what we should be doing with it, but we still need one.

I notice that you are on the internet -- which was born from a DARPA (military) project.

I can understand completely the political issues involved in where your tax money goes. But most of the tax money goes for things that directly benefit you. I certainly wish that my taxes were lower, and some of that money is certainly wasted or spent on causes that I may disagree with. But I am quite happy to pay the majority of it, and feel that I am getting quite a bit in return.

What???



Governments get a price break on energy while my bill goes up. That isn't taxes.
That marriage license was paid for out of my pocket, not my taxes.
Have you checked lately to see how many meds have been recalled (after passing the FDA) because they are killing people?



The framers of the constitution were oppose to a "standing army", and wrote the second ammendment to the constitution to provide for exactly this, as well as keeping our own government in check. Many governments have decided that invading the US would be a lost cause because of the RKBA. It would involve door to door searches to remove the weapons in the hands of the private citizens.

and this...


The Internet was founded by a group of scientist in Europe who were looking for a way to communicate, and share data quickly, and efficiently. This wasn't a "Darpa Project". Although they may want to take credit for it.

When you said:

"The Internet was founded by a group of scientist in Europe who were looking for a way to communicate, and share data quickly, and efficiently. This wasn't a "Darpa Project". Although they may want to take credit for it."

I think you are confusing the World Wide Web with the internet. They are not the same thing.