tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post1052753587489874280..comments2023-10-25T09:45:40.318-04:00Comments on The Politics of the Cross Resurrected: Secular Politics Infiltrating the Church: Hell's Scheme to Bring Down EvangelicalismCraig Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10209954891388905090noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-73698561921884497262011-10-19T08:34:55.650-04:002011-10-19T08:34:55.650-04:00Steve:
You seem to be stuck on stupid. I am ba...Steve: <br /><br />You seem to be stuck on stupid. I am basing this on your responses and am not trying to defame your character as you seem to be trying to do to mine by characterizing me as a tax cheat--I have said it several times, that I owe no taxes.<br /><br />Thanks to the Obama regime's implementation of the laws on the books that were never enforced and that few in Canada even knew about, my former government, if using the full measure of those laws against me, could fine me for over 300% of my wealth and imprison me. I have decided to become a Canadian and wait out events here, only returning for family emergencies. That makes me a refugee by the standards of the quote that you provided from the UN. You can be sure I have political differences with a regime which persecutes expatriates to the degree that the US is doing. I fear to go to the US on my Canadian passport because I don't know what they plan to do to me at the border.<br /><br />This is a big issue, and your refusal to see it shows that you are callous and egocentric. Cover your eyes like the monkey that sees no evil; cover your ears so that you can hear no evil. But you are a credit to your socialistic, redistributionist liberationist friends. Yes. That all you all would come out and show how ugly your views are.<br /><br />But the rest of Canada is not as intellectually incurious as you. Canadians should not be patsies of the IRS and the US government policy, as you seem to be. Many Canadians are complaining so much that the US ambassador to Canada has tried to reassure us:<br /><br />“My message on this is to sit tight,” Mr. Jacobson said in a speech to the Canadian Club of Ottawa on Tuesday. “We are not unreasonable. We are not unsympathetic. We are not irresponsible.”<br /><br />Yeah right. We are from the government. We are here to help you.<br /><br />http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/ottawa-seeks-leniency-for-canadians-in-us-tax-hunt/article2205001/<br /><br />Since you are citing legal texts, I suggest that you read up on defamation of character. You have libelled me as a tax cheat. I asked for an apology to redress that. You refuse. Now I suggest you better be able to prove your accusation. Here is a website that you can read to learn about what defamation of character is:<br /><br />http://www.canadianlawsite.ca/libel-slander-defamation-of-%20character.htmPeter W. Dunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07160703257731149376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-8665665862720316432011-10-19T07:38:04.900-04:002011-10-19T07:38:04.900-04:00This is the definition of "refugee".
Un...This is the definition of "refugee".<br /><br />Under the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951, a refugee is more narrowly defined (in Article 1A) as a person who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country".<br /><br />Nothing there about, you know, unpaid taxes, and using a term that denotes starving and persecuted peoples in the same breath as someone who is rich and living in Canada is DISGUSTING. Get a grip and read the Gospels again.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189689931284123225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-1693551917346730402011-10-17T08:46:45.322-04:002011-10-17T08:46:45.322-04:00http://www.economicnoise.com/2011/10/17/government...http://www.economicnoise.com/2011/10/17/government-compassion-on-display/<br /><br />This post seems to provide further evidence that there is something reasonable in Peter's complaint here.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00489605258427120527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-54630729846981801612011-10-04T10:07:50.073-04:002011-10-04T10:07:50.073-04:00Still beating the drum, Peter? Bored or what? Cons...Still beating the drum, Peter? Bored or what? Conservative Finance Minister Jim Flaherty writing a press release doesn't carry any weight with me, big guy. It seems to me that if you're guilty of tax evasion, you're guilty of tax evasion. It also seems like you've had a LONG time to make good, and you still haven't done so. Besides, you're the one who said you were rich. :)<br /><br />But listen, if you want to continue along this narrative that you're somehow being persecuted and that you're being "shaken down", or that you're a rich "refugee", tell yourself whatever story you like. It's certainly far more interesting than the boring truth of unpaid taxes.<br /><br />And as much as you want to insult me or assault MY character because you didn't pay your taxes, well, whatever makes you happy. I generally don't worry about the opinions of the rich, as they tend to be narcissistic. That's not always true, of course, but it seems like it might be the case here. <br /><br />I care more about the opinions of those who don't know how they're going to last the year. The ones who worry about the next meal or next month's rent, or those with a handicapped child but no way to afford proper care. Those are the opinions that matter to me. <br /><br />In grace,<br />StephenAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189689931284123225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-40404578283651160182011-10-04T09:01:38.630-04:002011-10-04T09:01:38.630-04:00Steve: from a recent article in a Canadian paper ...Steve: from a recent article in a Canadian paper (italics indicate quoted material):<br /><i>'Flaherty recently sent a letter to American newspapers and wrote that too many people fall under the IRS's broad scope.<br /><br />'He said the move is creating fear among honest and law-abiding residents of Canada who generally owe no money to Uncle Sam.<br /><br />'"These people are not the targets of a crackdown on tax evasion. These are not high rollers with offshore bank accounts. These are people who have made innocent errors of omission that deserve to be looked upon with leniency," Flaherty said in the letter.'</i><br /><br />I am innocent. The IRS is trying to shake me down, along with about 5 million other innocent Americans living outside the US. Are you so stubborn and pig-headed that you are unwilling to apologize for calling me a tax criminal? I mean, I'm giving you chance to make a sober judgment, instead of prejudice and stupid one. If you are so incapable of just judgement then I guess that pretty much tells everyone reading this forum about your character.Peter W. Dunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07160703257731149376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-65867459225151103862011-10-01T14:44:38.516-04:002011-10-01T14:44:38.516-04:00My statement that the state is satanic is related ...My statement that the state is satanic is related to a theology of the NT which sees the political realm as being under the dominion of Satan. See for example Matt 4.8-10; Eph 6.10-12; Col 2.15. It is true also that God give all authority and power--so there is a cosmic struggle between good and evil in the political realm. However, when a state becomes socialist and redistributes wealth, it is in my view fallen back into a default satanic position. But you are wrong about me and taxes. I pay my taxes. But I will not be shaken down.Peter W. Dunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07160703257731149376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-67283002065234056832011-10-01T12:32:54.559-04:002011-10-01T12:32:54.559-04:00No Steve. I'm not hurt at all. Defamation of...No Steve. I'm not hurt at all. Defamation of character can happen on blogs, which is a very public forum. Libel is defamation of character in writing; slander in oral communication. Now if you call someone a tax cheat or a criminal, i.e., guilty of committing crimes, and if you can't prove it, you have committed defamation of character. That is the law. Now I want to know if you are willing to apologize, because that is often one of the redresses for public libel.<br /><br />But obviously, you didn't do the research I asked you to do; otherwise, how do you explain your position when so many Canadians, including Canada's finance minister and an NDP MP (i.e., both the right and the left), have found the intentions and the actions of the IRS so egregious. You would seem to be lacking any sort of moral compass.<br /><br />Finally, as regarding your judgment that I am greedy, it is based solely upon my hatred of law-enforced income redistribution. But then, what is a good socialist to think? It's not possible that a tax-hating conservative could possibly be generous, is it? But you haven't an inkling of whether I am generous because you don't know me from Adam. <br /><br />By the way, homosexual acts are a sin (as are adultery, bestiality, and fornication). Abortion is murder. Murder, stealing and coveteousness are still violations of the commandments.Peter W. Dunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07160703257731149376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-3348746170196034362011-10-01T11:37:34.363-04:002011-10-01T11:37:34.363-04:00Peter,
I have to laugh at your latest comment. A ...Peter,<br /><br />I have to laugh at your latest comment. A formal apology? lol It's a blog discussion, big guy. Now you're just being silly, or is this the conservative "I'm so hurt" card. Please.<br /><br />And that's interesting coming from someone who calls the state "Satanic" and the laws "unjust", which is why it seems you don't want to pay your back taxes. Well, if the state is "satanic", pretty much every law would be unjust, yes? Does satan make good laws? <br /><br />You've complained about the poor "lusting" after your money, although you've reiterated that you're rich, and used the term "benevolence" when dealing with Africans.<br /><br />As for being judgemental, here is another accusation that means nothing. We all make judgements about people and situations, I would call that the human condition. It's certainly evident on this site. You judge gays as sinners, for example, and those who want to protect a woman's rights? Are those not "judgements"? You make the judgement that progressives are actually dangerous to the church, and that those who would like to see the poor have a bit more to be guilty of "lust" and "theft". <br /><br />You see, we are all making judgements at all times, Peter, you just happen not to like mine. And I'm okay with that. :) You are absolutely right in that your view of wealth is between you and God, but that does not mean that others do not have a right to voice their opinion, especially if they think it counter to biblical teaching. <br /><br />Might I suggest that if you were more certain of your own views on wealth and grace, the "judgement" from a stranger would not matter. I would also suggest a visit to some of the other forums on here and imagine what it's like to be gay or a woman and hear some of those comments. In my judgement, before you can ask for empathy, you need to show a little yourself. And I think that's what Jesus was talking about.<br /> <br />In grace,<br />SteveAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189689931284123225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-27915727550588497932011-10-01T10:38:34.813-04:002011-10-01T10:38:34.813-04:00Steve: I am hoping that you had some time to do s...Steve: I am hoping that you had some time to do some google research to see that I am not a tax cheat and a criminal as you have libelled me. It would be good if you apologized formally for such accusations. I owe the US nothing, nor could I, since I have paid all my taxes owing here in Canada. I am not a criminal but being made into one by unjust laws.<br /><br />As for your accusations that I am greedy and money loving, I will let God judge me, and the people who are close to me. But I don't see that you have the right. Is that what it means to be a progressive? Someone who is judgemental? A professional sliver-in-the-eye removal service?Peter W. Dunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07160703257731149376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-8340188407065432011-09-29T07:58:40.308-04:002011-09-29T07:58:40.308-04:00Hi Dude,
I'm sorry you feel that way. :) How a...Hi Dude,<br />I'm sorry you feel that way. :) How about I answer your comments specifically.<br />"We all know it is difficult being rational, logical, longsuffering and even unpopular, but in a post-modern culture of herd-mentality, this is the price of conservatism."<br />-I think this is Conservative vicitimization. (I'm Canadian) We have the conservative party in power federally, our biggest city has a conservative mayor, and in about a week we'll elect a conservative party provincially here in Ontario. Where is the price of conservatism? And what longsuffering do you face as a conservative? Do people mock you when you walk down the street? Are you afraid for your life? Are you denied job opportunities because you're conservative? What long suffering are you talking about? I would ask for more specifics.<br />And "post-modern culture of herd mentality". Another statement that acts as code but doesn't mean anything. The "herd mentality" exists in every form of human culture because we are mimetic, social beings. It certainly exists on this site. (e.g. Someone can say that the State is Satanic and no one blinks, even though this site is frequented by theology students.) The question becomes then, were the modernists non-conformists? When did this great group of people with a non-herd mentality exist? I would suggest that it never actually existed at all. That humans are as they always were when it comes to ideas and how we respond to them. <br />"To which you resorted to the playgroundish, “I'm not answering precisely because I don't like your frame.” Is this ‘the frame’ of addressing your own comments or ‘the frame’ of getting to the point or ‘the frame’ of humility in a weak argument?"<br />-Frame is not a 'playgroundish' concept, dude, it refers to the meta-narrative established before any discussion or debate. That is, if you allow someone to set their "frame", then it doesn't matter how the argument goes, you've already lost. Here's an example: If I let you call the occupation of Iraq a "war", I've already lost, even if I can make strong points why the US shouldn't be involved. By allowing someone to set the 'frame' as "war", I've already conceded that it is, in fact, a "war", and not an illegal and immoral occupation.<br />"In closing, I would recommend a careful biblical study of the gospel."<br />-2 things. 1) "biblical study of the gospel" What does that mean? Listen, you're a missionary, so you have to explain to me precisely what that means? This sounds like evangelical code for their "literal" view of Scripture, which I reject. (An actual literal view is impossible.) Now see, you've set the frame though, Dude, by calling it a "biblical study". What other kind of study exists if you're reading the gospels, as they're only found in the Bible? What you're actually saying is "you need to read the Bible the way I read it, and then you'll understand." So then, you're actually doing what you accuse me of doing, of you seeing the light and me needing to see it by reading the Bible that you read it. The evangelical view of Scripture, in my opinion, is shallow and misses the depth and beauty of God's Story. <br />Now, I don't think I was belligerent, although I did disagree with you. I answered your comments as specifically as I could, did I not? Do those comments upset you as well, because if they do, than we should understand that it is my worldview that really bothers you, and not the tone of my words. I am not perfect, and I am trying to be respectful. I do not consider myself "enlightened" (another frame) or special. I’m just here to provide an alternative voice and learn along the way.<br />In Grace,<br />SteveAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189689931284123225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-77536313319040456832011-09-29T06:14:09.167-04:002011-09-29T06:14:09.167-04:00Stephen,
Respectfully, I think I’ll stand by my c...Stephen, <br />Respectfully, I think I’ll stand by my comment. <br /><br />You really haven’t been faithful to your own request “…to keep your comments relatively academic. Or at least specific and verifiable.” The replies to your comments have been precise, academic and even gracious only to be met with personal attacks, slander and hyperbole.<br /> <br />You also don’t seem to understand your own salutation “in grace”. Grace cannot be found. I recommend a more sincere and haughty “In me”. That would at least remove the pretence of Grace and disingenuous “seeking understanding”.<br /><br />My comments will not help to encourage grace nor dialogue but it seems patently clear that your intent either. It is not to learn, but to 'edumicate' the unenlightened who won’t seem to surrender to your grueling rants. We get it. <br /><br />We also get that you “used to be one of us” but have now seen the light. Well, you might have seen something, but may I suggest it was the radiance of your own self-glorification. Your heart betrays itself by your increasingly derogatory tone and irrational fury to an otherwise constructive conversation. Actually, I don’t think you left conservatism, I believe you simply yielded to what appeals to you most – to be a sheep in sheep’s clothing.<br /><br />We all know it is difficult being rational, logical, longsuffering and even unpopular, but in a post-modern culture of herd-mentality, this is the price of conservatism. To be a Christian conservative is more dear. You don't even acknowledge the difference.<br /><br />As Gordon has clearly pointed out, “…. the problem is that Dr. Carter has provided you with coherent arguments and verifiable history and you keep responding with assertions and dismissals that don't actually contain anything remotely approaching an argument.” To which you resorted to the playgroundish, “I'm not answering precisely because I don't like your frame.” Is this ‘the frame’ of addressing your own comments or ‘the frame’ of getting to the point or ‘the frame’ of humility in a weak argument?<br /><br />As your formerly favorite author has said “The reason liberals have to engage in a belligerent manner is that their ideas collapse whenever exposed to the warm breeze of logic.”<br /><br />In closing, I would recommend a careful biblical study of the gospel. It is not the gospel of 'redistribution', but the gospel of salvation by grace, through faith. As a missionary in Africa, I see first-hand the destruction of temporally-placed worship over a God-ward view of salvation. Ironically, some of the most contented and godly people I know live joy-filled and sacrificial lives despite their poverty. They don’t look to Jesus as a liberator, or cosmic vending machine, but as their God who condescended himself to save them for all eternity. Everything else is but a post-script.Dudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14636005353549250138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-42762219602730698002011-09-28T17:04:53.518-04:002011-09-28T17:04:53.518-04:00Steve: I did not say that the IRS was persecuting...Steve: I did not say that the IRS was persecuting US citizens who live in the US--though it does that regularly. I said that they have been attacking the 5 million citizens who live abroad. If you don't believe me, just google something like: --five million US citizens abroad IRS taxes -- . Your statement that your relatives are living in peace is therefore specious and unhelpful.<br /><br />You have fit into a stereotype of the legalistic progressive Christian that I've come to call the New Pharisees. Otherwise, how is it possible for you to judge me with such ugly sins as the love of money, greed, and racism--not to forget "freaking disgusting" because an alleged comparison of the US government with Stalinist Russia--I did not make the comparison--but the law as applied by the current IRS is indeed making victims out of innocent people and if you stand aloof in the manner that you do, who will protect you when they come to get you? You are callous and unfeeling toward my plight, and you prefer to judge me as a criminal. The fact is that nothing of what you could have gleaned from this dialogue would ever give sufficient data to judge me so severely in this manner--so that your progressive judgement of this old conservative is not unlike how the Pharisees judged Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. You claim to know God, but God does not appreciate when anyone, whether sanctioned by the laws and customs of men or not, steals from others. Jesus said this to them, and I say it to you now, "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!" Moses said, Thou shalt not steal. But you say if the government takes from the rich in order to redistribute wealth, then the greater good is accomplished. "Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that” (Cf. Mark 7.9-13). The Bible protects both the rich and poor alike from theft; it makes no distinction. Only in the screwed up unbiblical heresy of progressive Christians is ok to steal from the rich to give to poor, for you argue incorrectly that the rich became rich by taking from the poor in the first place. Well, I for one did not become rich by exploiting people. Indeed, we currently provide good paying jobs, in addition to entry level jobs, to about 30 families.<br /><br />I suggested "African friends and money matters" because it would give you access to information that would show that I'm not just making stuff up, but that others have also made similar observations about Sub-Saharan Africa. I never said that David Maranz's book was the sum total of my knowledge and experience about Africa. You make way too many assumptions. It lowers the level of your rhetoric and makes you an ineffective debater. You seem very quick to judge and slow to understand.Peter W. Dunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07160703257731149376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-52241113879017468762011-09-28T15:22:56.788-04:002011-09-28T15:22:56.788-04:00Oh, as for "Social Engineering", we do k...Oh, as for "Social Engineering", we do know that's not a real thing, right? Conservatives don't want gays to be able to marry. That's "Social Engineering". It's none of your business, right? Or a woman's right to her own body. You want to control that, isn't that "social engineering"? Or is it different because it's a conservative idea? Hmmmm...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189689931284123225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-5523384085088735982011-09-28T15:20:41.733-04:002011-09-28T15:20:41.733-04:00More comments:
" but now with the Obama regi...More comments:<br /><br />" but now with the Obama regime, the IRS is enforcing them with renewed Kafkaesque vigour. Many citizens are afraid. So this is what socialism does. It causes ordinary citizens to fret, worry and sweat about whether the government is going to throw them in prison. We thought it couldn't happen in a free country, but thanks to the socialists, the US is no longer a free country"<br /><br />-I have family in Western New York. They're not afraid. Life's pretty good, actually. And, they can pretty much do what they want, as long as they don't, you know, break the law. They haven't seen any of Obama's secret black helicopters, and unlike the state fascism/communism in Russia through the 20th Century or China no one is actually, you know, being killed.<br /><br />"The inconvenient truth is that it is conservatives who stand for the separation of church and state and progressives who wish to absorb the church into the state and make the program of the church (social democracy) the program of the state"<br /><br />-Government has a moral mission to meet the needs of everyone it represents, regardless of religion, but that mission is different than the function of religion. If church and state are separate, then it holds they have separate functions. Health care is not a function of religion, nor is law enforcement or roads or infrastructure or the myriad of services government provides. To put them under the mission of the Christian church would turn the US into what it opposed in its creation in the first place. (Monarch of England, head of the church of England, bloody civil war) In a diverse country, this is the only way you can achieve peace. This isn't that difficult to understand. State and religion have different moral missions. <br /><br />"I understand equality. I am for equality of opportunity - a level playing field - but I oppose social engineering by Big Government to create artificial equality of incomes because it is incompatible with liberty and grossly inefficient. It leads to poverty and oppression. Why do you favor a system that does that?"<br /><br />-You're white, male, and straight, and make a decent wage, Craig. You already have an advantage. So will your kids. I am forever staggered by people who claim to want equal opportunity, but assume everyone grows up with their advantages. Do you know what its like for families who don't have? Particularly minority families? For those kids, like the ones in my building, to even get to school is an accomplishment. So what do conservatives do? Well, here in TO they want to reduce the library. They want to defund public schools. And always, always, is the sense that being poor comes from being undisciplined. From bad choices. Um, actually, that's not true. Why is Rob Ford a rich millionaire? Oh, right, daddy was rich. And did you know that racism is real and avery much alive here in Canada? Or what it's like for a woman in many fields? You argue for equality of opportunity but fight against programs like affirmative action that would actually offer those opportunities.<br /><br />And can we please stop equating Marxism with democratic socialism? We do understand the difference between the two, right? We're all smart enough to do that. We're not actually on a physically slippery slope. They are two completely different ideas. There's a pretty wide freaking gap between communist Russia and Sweden.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189689931284123225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-74724784697792230762011-09-28T14:54:17.884-04:002011-09-28T14:54:17.884-04:00Some quotes from commenters:
"I support tax ...Some quotes from commenters:<br /><br />"I support tax breaks for the rich because I'm rich and therefore you want to steal from me, the rich. For me to hate the rich like you do means hating myself."<br />-Um, no, it just means you're greedy. Rich young ruler, anyone?<br /><br />"If you take from the rich, they will leave and take their money with them. if you don't let them leave, they will go Galt. I know. I've been shrugging for the last 20 years. I intentionally don't do any real work that contributes to the GDP."<br /><br />-Congratulations. Leave. A real sign of giving back what we've been given. Why is it conservatives think they have earned their wealth? Is not what they have a gift? Or is being poor a form of immorality and must therefore be punished? And how is this biblical?<br /><br />"Look at Africa, which is socialist culture par excellence."<br /><br />-95% of the economic difficulties within the continent can be tied directly to the rape of the continent by white colonialists and the influence of Western culture, but hey you read a book on "Africa". My wife's family has lived in Ethipioa for 3 generations, and my brother-in-law is Ethiopian, but you read a book. Your "benevolence" is duly noted.<br /><br />"Democratic socialism is a third variant in which the Marxian goal is achieved through the ballot box."<br /><br />-Right, so it's the 3rd variant on subtrack 4 of quadrant 5, section 3, part II of the Marxian Conspiracy Theory. Or, and I'm just spitballing here, it could be the search for balance in an unbalanced society. This is pretty basic, but if your parents are rich, and you're not a minority, and you're male, you'll have greater opportunities to be successful. That's been well documented. This is not a guarantee of outcome, just opportunity. That is, everyone gets to at least try out for the team.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189689931284123225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-737745357877497762011-09-28T12:02:01.112-04:002011-09-28T12:02:01.112-04:00Sorry, another question: where did anyone say the ...Sorry, another question: where did anyone say the poor were breaking the commandments? Dr. Carter said ***Marxism*** advocates breaking the 10 commandments. Was there somewhere where the poor and Marxists were equated?Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00489605258427120527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-33299029864891131032011-09-28T11:42:15.998-04:002011-09-28T11:42:15.998-04:00Hey, congratulations. You pay taxes in Canada. Gre...Hey, congratulations. You pay taxes in Canada. Great! My mistake.<br /><br />So then, you're rich, you live in Canada, but you can't go back to the US because you won't pay your back taxes from the eighties? Do I understand that right. And now you're claiming to be an economic "refugee"... as a rich person living in Canada? You do realize that about 1/3 of the world's population lives on less than 2$ a day, right? You're not really a refugee, I mean, you do live in Canada and you are rich.<br /><br />What's stunning is your comparison of the US gov't to Stalin, the mass murderer responsible for the deaths of 60 million people. That's not just hyperbole, that's freaking disgusting.<br /><br />As for the rest of you still following along, is that all you got? No one else is going to say anything about the comment that the poor are breaking the ten commandments by "lusting after the wealth of the rich"? Nothing about the racial comments? Nothing at all? Wow. This is why I left conservatism.<br /><br />It's gutless, and it produces cowardice in people. No wonder conservatives pick on gays. No wonder you war against the poor. Picking on those with little or no resources, picking on the ones with no power and who can't fight back. See, this is an opportunity to defend the poor, to advocate for them, and there is nothing but silence. <br /><br />This is exactly how my city (Toronto) elected a bullying, racist, misogynist, wife-beater as mayor. It seems conservatives will not go after people with power unless they're politicans advocating for the minority. As long as you use 'conservative speak', no sin is sin. <br /><br />I'm ashamed for you, but you can do better. I believe in you because ten years ago I WAS you. Hey, it's scary re-examining your beliefs. I know, I went through it.<br />And this doesn't mean becoming a liberal, it just means asking the question of whether my faith is based on my politics, and if so, what that means. And where, in all this mess, is the Rabbi.<br /><br />In Grace<br />SteveAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189689931284123225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-28127800173850101562011-09-28T10:48:30.061-04:002011-09-28T10:48:30.061-04:00Hi Steve:
Yes. I'm a criminal. I admit it. ...Hi Steve:<br />Yes. I'm a criminal. I admit it. Stalin's chief of secret police once said to him, "Show me the man, I'll tell you the crime." When government can make unjust laws then innocent people are made into criminals. And this is one of the reason I hate statism.<br /><br />But for your information, I've earned all my money in Canada and pay regular taxes, even excessive taxes; and the IRS could charge me fines well in excess of the amount I ever even earned. I've lived in Canada since 1994, before that in Europe, and before that in Canada since 1986--so I haven't lived in the US for a very long time. Yes, I am a economic refugee from the US because it is a predatory government trying to feast on unsuspecting citizens living abroad.<br /><br />By the way the IRS in its recent crackdown is thus affecting about 1 million Americans living in Canada. Here are the rights in US Constitution that they are violating in their pursuit of American citizens living abroad: 4th (privacy of papers, presumption of innocence), 5th ( the right not to incriminate oneself-- and the depriving of life and property without due process), 6th (right of venue --i.e., the US government shouldn't have the right to haul an American obeying laws in Canada to a federal courts in the US--so if a person can't be tried for the crime except in Canada the US has no jurisdiction); 8th -- excessive fines; 9th--rights not enumerated, such as the right to live in Canada, to set up a business and to obey the laws in this country--all of which are jeopardized by a greedy US federal government. We are living in the Canada and receiving no benefits of the government in the United States, so essentially, expecting us to pay them is taxation without representation--i.e., a fundamental right in democracy is being violated by a country that began with a war to assure that very right!Peter W. Dunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07160703257731149376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-12695915933486599142011-09-28T09:54:45.637-04:002011-09-28T09:54:45.637-04:00Um, being an economic refugee from the US does not...Um, being an economic refugee from the US does not imply he pays no taxes. You're missing where he lives in Canada, and pays Canadian taxes.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00489605258427120527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-17136810462422449232011-09-28T09:29:56.546-04:002011-09-28T09:29:56.546-04:00Yes. He's not an "economic refugee",...Yes. He's not an "economic refugee", he's a rich dude from the US who didn't pay his taxes, came up to Canada, the IRS clamped down and now he can't return. In other words, he's a criminal.<br /><br />You know what surprises me, and i know this post is older, but back when I was a conservative, I still would have said something. Being conservative did not excuse narcissism or racism or people making claims like "socialists killing rich people" and then claiming the poor were guilty of breaking the ten commandments because they wanted to feed their family. "Lusting after my wealth?!" <br /><br />Holy crap, guys. I was conservative, but I still recognized the poor. I'm kind of disappointed in the few of you still following this post. Do you really detest progressives like me so much that you can't comment on people who are obviously bending the Scriptural view of the poor?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189689931284123225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-63742482700481243122011-09-28T08:12:02.799-04:002011-09-28T08:12:02.799-04:00Did I miss the part where Peter said he doesn'...Did I miss the part where Peter said he doesn't pay any of his taxes?Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00489605258427120527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-11580082604162818562011-09-27T18:06:12.422-04:002011-09-27T18:06:12.422-04:00Hey Dude,
Did you have a question for me? Or were...Hey Dude,<br /><br />Did you have a question for me? Or were you going to comment about the article in any way? Or are you just commenting about me? If you are, I'd be happy to answer your questions. You don't need the third person, fella, I'm right here. :) <br /><br />(Why do people cower behind their laptops and refuse to address people directly.) Dude, I'm right here, and don't worry, I'm not coming over for dinner. lol I've been involved in the discussion all along, actually, answering questions and insults from people, giving and taking, trying to be gracious (and not always succeeding), trying to learn from people with whom I disagree. I haven't actually seen your name, however, so welcome to the fire, my friend. :) Pull up a log. And somebody grab some marshmallows!<br /><br />In grace,<br />SteveAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189689931284123225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-38179678991527186132011-09-27T16:44:35.371-04:002011-09-27T16:44:35.371-04:00May I suggest Steve re-read the article and then c...May I suggest Steve re-read the article and then come back into the discussion.Dudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14636005353549250138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-76291587016762692982011-09-27T13:31:20.828-04:002011-09-27T13:31:20.828-04:00I'll tell you what, Peter, despite the fact th...I'll tell you what, Peter, despite the fact that your actions seem to indicate that you're a parasite and a criminal.<br /><br />We will graciously support you.<br /><br />We the working poor and middle class who pay our taxes. We'll support you, Peter. <br /><br />We'll pay for the benefits that come from living in this country. We'll pay for the roads and cleanliness of our cities, the food inspectors and construction workers, the people who work on our infrastructure and the ones who set the regulations so that when we walk down the street, buildings don't suddenly collapse.<br /><br />We'll pay for the ones who set and enforce the standards in restaurants, and those in the food industry, so that your meal, Peter, is not filled with poison or toxins or chemicals. We'll pay for the police who enforce the law so people can live in safety, the fire fighters and paramedics who'll come if you're injured and perhaps perform life saving techniques before taking you to the hospital.<br /><br />We, the working poor and middle class, will pay for the ones who take your garbage, Peter, and clean the public parks, so you have a place to go with your family. We'll pay for the community programs you might use, the libraries in case there's a book you want to read or need access to a computer or some other program. <br /><br />Don't worry, Peter. We'll pay for everything you enjoy in this foreign country. We who are not rich, not like you, but who believe that everyone deserves a chance at a better life. We who believe that democracy is about equality of opportunity, and that the goal of life is not to build an empire, but to create a safe place where people can grow and learn from one another, whatever their differences. <br /><br />No, we'll pay for you, Peter. <br /><br />We'll pay for your rants against the government, your hatred and ignorance of other peoples, and your selfish and deluded belief system. <br /><br />And we'll pay for you, Peter, because we know that not everyone is going to get it. We know that for the thousands living and working and raising their families with an active conscience, there will always be a few who want only for themselves, and who will use religion or politics to excuse their behaviour. <br /><br />I've been working poor my entire life, Peter, but I don't feel poor. I know what real poverty is, I've seen it up close. So I'll pay for you, too, not simply because I'm Canadian, but because my faith tells me that it is better to give than to receive, that I am to love my neighbour as myself, and perhaps in this case, to love my enemy as well. <br /><br />No, I'll pay for you, Peter. We'll all pay for you... <br /><br />In Grace<br />SteveAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10189689931284123225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328993133397649838.post-17046978313514926772011-09-27T07:02:02.888-04:002011-09-27T07:02:02.888-04:00Part two to Steve:
You seem to have no feelings f...Part two to Steve:<br /><br />You seem to have no feelings for my plight. Obviously progressives don't care about people; they only have their lofty social engineering which redesigns society to be fair. Yet what I'm trying to tell you is that it is not fair, it is pure evil and it makes victims out of people like me.<br /><br />You think that I have a love for money: you've never met me and you assume that based on my aversion to taxes. Don't ever make that assumption! People who don't like to pay taxes are freedom lovers, to be sure, but not necessarily money lovers.<br /><br />Finally, everyone who suffers at the hands of despotic government is poor. I've now personally been deprived of my citizenship--and I am afraid to return to my home country. You despise me because for now I am able to retain some of my wealth. But that's because I'm not a sheeple that stuck my neck out for them to slaughter me. I didn't volunteer to give my savings away, despite their threats of prison and fines.<br /><br />Those who suffer at the hands of government are poor because it first over-taxes them; then it steals their money and their lands. Then, it sends them into the forest or the killing fields, and they run away on boats. Or they sneak out with whatever they can carry. And if they don't manage to sneak out (as I have from the USA), then the government throws them in a gulag or just kills them. So everyone who dies at the hands of government is poor. But you have no feelings for me--because I managed to escape with everything except my birth right. But now I have to contend with progressives in Canada. The abuse continues.<br /><br />Going Galt is an expression. This does not mean that I espouse the philosophy of Ayn Rand. It does mean that if the government steals from me and I cannot enjoy the fruit of my labour, then I will go off the tax grid.Peter W. Dunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07160703257731149376noreply@blogger.com