Politik – Page 2 – El’s View from the Crow’s Nest

An open letter to my Progressive comrades

The following is my reply to an email from info@weareprogressives.org which was asking me for money to support “Progressive” candidates:

Hey Progressives:

I am a Progressive. A Progressive Zionist. I agree with all the causes you folks are behind, except one: your stance on Israel, and the so called “palestinians” is wrong and based on Trump level lies. I guess Mr. Trump has made it fashionable to lie now, so now even Progressives are doing it.

I agree with everything “the Squad” embraces, except they are wrong about Israel. They are backing the wrong horse. Islam, as practiced today in Gaza, is anti-woman, anti-LGBTQ, anti-1st Amendment, and has instituted Sharia Law, which is 1,000 times worse then the agenda put forth by Project 2025. The difference is that our oppressors are Christian Nationalists and theirs are Jihadi Islamists.

Until you get your agenda regarding Israel and Islam straight, you’ll get not one penny from me.

Sorry.

Ellis S. Arseneau
“purveyor of unconventional wisdom”
Progressive Zionist
Lifelong Democrat

Why do we pay taxes? Two answers

I saw this on Facebook today:

The author of this meme doesn’t seem to understand the purpose or benefit of taxation. Rather, they seem to believe that taxation is some sort of punishment. I’ve seen this before. It is a popular notion among Ayn Rand devotees (aka: Libertarians).

WHY DO WE PAY TAXES? Two answers:

ANSWER ONE:
Taxes fund public services and infrastructure that benefit society.
Here’s a breakdown of why taxes are paid:

1. Funding Public Goods and Services:
Essential Services: Taxes finance fundamental services like national defense, law enforcement, fire protection, and the justice system.
Infrastructure: Taxes are used to build and maintain roads, bridges, public transportation, and other vital infrastructure.
Education: Public schools, universities, and other educational programs are funded through taxes.
Healthcare: Taxes support public healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
Social Welfare Programs: Taxes fund programs that provide assistance to those in need, such as unemployment benefits and welfare programs.

2. Promoting Social Well-being:
Public Safety: Taxes help fund police and fire departments, contributing to a safer environment.
Parks and Recreation: Taxes support the maintenance of parks, libraries, and recreational facilities.
Environmental Protection: Taxes can be used to fund environmental conservation efforts and address pollution.

3. Ensuring a Functioning Society:
Government Operations: Taxes pay for the salaries of government employees and the cost of running government agencies.
Economic Stability: Taxes can be used to manage the economy and promote economic growth.
In essence, taxes are a collective contribution that enables a functioning and prosperous society by funding the essential services and programs that benefit everyone.

ANSWER TWO:
Why you would not want to live in a country with no taxes

While the prospect of living in a country with no taxes might seem appealing at first glance, there are several reasons why this might not be a desirable or even viable option in the long run.

Here are some key considerations:

1. Reduced or Non-existent Public Services:

Limited infrastructure: Countries without taxes might struggle to fund essential infrastructure like roads, bridges, public transportation, and reliable utilities (water, electricity, internet).
Poorly funded education: Public education systems may be weak, understaffed, or even non-existent, potentially impacting the future prospects of residents and the overall workforce.
- Inadequate healthcare: Access to affordable and quality healthcare might be severely limited, forcing individuals to rely on expensive private care or travel abroad for treatment.
- Weak or absent social safety nets: There may be a lack of social welfare programs to support the elderly, disabled, unemployed, or those facing hardship.
- Limited public safety and security: Law enforcement, emergency services, and a functioning justice system might be underfunded or unreliable, potentially leading to higher crime rates and reduced security.
2. Economic Instability and Uncertainty:
- Reliance on volatile revenue sources: Countries without taxes often depend on alternative revenue streams like natural resource extraction (e.g., oil, gas) or tourism, which can fluctuate significantly and create economic instability.
- Lack of investment in long-term development: Without a stable tax base, governments may be unable to invest in long-term economic growth, research, and development, potentially hindering future prosperity.
  - Potential for corruption and inequality: A lack of transparency and accountability in the absence of a well-defined tax system can create opportunities for corruption and exacerbate wealth inequality.
  3. Quality of Life Concerns:
  - Lower overall quality of life: The combination of limited public services, potential economic instability, and a lack of social safety nets can negatively impact the overall quality of life for residents.
  - Increased personal expenses: Residents might have to pay out-of-pocket for services typically funded by taxes, such as education, healthcare, and even basic infrastructure maintenance, leading to higher living costs.
  - Potential for social unrest: A lack of basic services and economic opportunities can lead to social unrest, instability, and even political upheaval.
    In conclusion: While eliminating taxes can seem appealing in theory, the practical implications of living in a country with no taxes are significant and can lead to a diminished quality of life, economic instability, and a lack of essential public services. Most developed nations rely on tax revenue to fund vital infrastructure, social programs, and services that contribute to a stable and prosperous society.

There are some countries that do not have an income tax:

Christian sharia law (aka “project 2025”) vs. Islamic sharia law

Same cake. Different frosting.

Christian Nationalism (which was born out of Christian Fundagelicalism) and Islam have the same basic flaws: They both adhere to the idea that a being with a penis (a man) is superior to a being without one (a woman). They both have a history of enslaving people. They both deny that folks attracted to their own gender (LGBTQ) should enjoy basic human rights. They both believe that their particular religion is the only correct one. They both wish to eradicate our Constitutional Bill of Rights.

The Political Spectrum as a circle

Here I have illustrated the “political spectrum” as a circle, including where some of the political parties fall on it.

You have the RIGHT on the one side, and the LEFT on the other, with their sub entities listed at approximately the places I believe they belong.

At the top is DEMOCRACY, and what I believe is the ideal situation. At the bottom is TOTALITARIANISM, another name for which is SLAVERY. You will find yourself either leaning LEFT or leaning RIGHT, but keep in mind that once you slide down past the center, you are getting into dangerous ideological territory. Once past the center, the further left,or right that you slide, the closer you come to a political dictatorship and they end of your Constitutional, Bill of Rights guarantees.

Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Iran (in fact, all of the Moslem world) today), and others, would be located at the bottom right of the circle. The USSR, Cuba, and others would be at the bottom left, but really, when you’re that far to the bottom, there is no real difference. You’re still a slave. You still are ruled by a dictator.

The other thing that the bottom of the spectrum has in common is antisemitism or, anti-zionism (they are the same thing).

Countries can find themselves in a kind of flux. For example the United States, with the Trump regime in place, is slipping down the right side of the circle pretty fast.