[jimmacqueen]

Originally Posted by BGFalcons82

False. The 1st Amendment is clearly written so that government may not establish a religion NOR prohibit one from free exercise:


There is no gray area here, as much as statists wish it were so. The First Amendment to the Constitution was written to stop the government from creating a religion AND TO KEEP government from probiting religious practices. Now, if you want to argue Catholicism isn't a proper religion, have at it. There are hundreds of millions of people that you'll have to convince, however.

I often wish you youngsters had been more interested in history when you were in school. If you were, you wouldn't make statements like this that are simply not supported by historical facts. As Professor John Finn of Wesleyan University puts it, "What liberties and rights did the Founders want government to protect? How do we get from the Constitution's 'wondefully elastic and VAGUE" language to the finely tuned SPECIFICS of Supreme Court decisions about speech, abortion or religion? The authority and stature of the US Constitution are routinely invoked by voices from every point on the political spectrum, with frequent references to the Founding Fathers and their true intent. But the truth is that many of them were highly critical of the Constitution and staunchly opposed it when it put forth for ratification by the States. Only by understanding it in the context of their backgrounds can we begin to INTERPRET what they meant." (emphasis on words mine).

[sleeper]

Originally Posted by jimmacqueen

You're missing the point...Greek borrowing and increased socialism were the result of a more basic problem...a lack of natural materials for the production of goods and services. When a country has nothing to trade, it has a problem no matter whether it socialist or conservative. Greece had this same problem, and started its borrowing, when the very conservative military junta was in charge.

No it was a result of over borrowing on promises they couldn't afford to keep. A country lacking basic resources, as you say, should never borrow any money. What makes you think its okay to borrow money that you say yourself they could never have paid back? Greece only spends 4.3% of its money on military expenditures while it spends 31% alone funding is healthcare and retirement system. Military spending had almost nothing to do with Greece's problems; you are flat out incorrect.

[sleeper]

Originally Posted by jimmacqueen

So, I guess we should just throw up our hands and revert to a feudal state. Or we could give the proven capitalist/socialist hybrid that seems to be working in other parts of the world a try.

We should throw up our hands and only spend what we take in. This is not that hard of a concept but it will require some short term sacrifice.

[jimmacqueen]

Originally Posted by sleeper

No it was a result of over borrowing on promises they couldn't afford to keep. A country lacking basic resources, as you say, should never borrow any money. What makes you think its okay to borrow money that you say yourself they could never have paid back? Greece only spends 4.3% of its money on military expenditures while it spends 31% alone funding is healthcare and retirement system. Military spending had almost nothing to do with Greece's problems; you are flat out incorrect.

Do you actually KNOW what I'm talking about when I bring up the military junta that used to rule Greece? You are quoting TODAY's figure, not the amount spent by the military when it ruled the country from 1967 to 1974. Duh.

[sleeper]

Originally Posted by jimmacqueen

Do you actually KNOW what I'm talking about when I bring up the military junta that used to rule Greece? You are quoting TODAY's figure, not the amount spent by the military when it ruled the country from 1967 to 1974. Duh.

No I don't know what you are talking about. I'd like to see your evidence. Thank you.

[jimmacqueen]

Originally Posted by sleeper

No I don't know what you are talking about. I'd like to see your evidence. Thank you.

Then Google "Greek junta" and see what it says about the reasons the military took over (civilian government wanted to cut defense spending) and the percent of budget allocated to the military under their dictatorial rule.

[sleeper]

Originally Posted by jimmacqueen

Then Google "Greek junta" and see what it says about the reasons the military took over (civilian government wanted to cut defense spending) and the percent of budget allocated to the military under their dictatorial rule.

No. I know what Google is, I provide links all the time. Where are your links that show Greece's debt problem is a result of their military spending from 1967 to 1974?

Also, short term overspending is to cover war costs is riddled throughout American history. They have almost nothing to do with the US's current problem, so your analogy is already false.