What am I?

[Great-Kazoo]

I'm pretty much where you're at, Ray.

I wasn't when I was younger, but I am nowadays.

A liberal is a Conservative who hasn't been mugged, yet.

[BPTactical]

Why worry about what you "are".
Be you.

[Jer]

But, but, but.... what will you do without a party? How will you ever be heard? How will you possibly move through life without fear if you don't have others who share your exact ideals?

Your solitary stance terrifies me. But keep it up long enough and some of us might become brave enough to follow.

FREEDOM is the only 'party'.

Great post.

Thanks. Labels just make it so someone doesn't have to actually talk to you and ask intelligible questions to see who you are as a person. I pride myself in the fact that I'm tough to put a label on and if you want to know what I'm about you need to actually ask me. Chances are good I will side with personal freedom whether I personally agree with it or not. It amazes me how in this day & age that's a rarity in the 'freest nation on earth' when someone like me stands out as unique. I just wish more people cared about everyone's freedom as much as they do pushing their own agenda onto everyone else. To me it's not bravery as you put it but what's right.

[Irving]

I am not for open borders. The people who want to make more cash in El Paso or Denver than in Chihuaha and skip immigration to do so can go right back. But it's disgusting to hear so-called believers in the American foundation turn a blind eye to political and drug refugees. You know, the same way early Englishmen illegally immigrated here to escape oppression. Here's a little scenario that might provide insight to a couple hundred thousand El Salvadorian illegals:

-You can't buy a firearm to defend yourself because gun control is keeping your country "safe". The federal police are so deep in the pockets of the drug cartels and international gangs like MS13 that you literally couldn't get them to come and help you in the event something happened. And that says nothing about the corrupt ones who come and extort every last dollar you make. If you're lucky, they won't rape your teenage daughter in front of you. You can either flee to America and hope to find asylum and citizenship, or you can stay in hell all in the name of citizenship morality.

I also get annoyed at people assuming that the only reason people come here is because they think that they can get free stuff. I've got a pretty good article from NPR about what is currently going on in El Salvador. I was going to post the same thing, but realized that how people portray immigrants isn't really part of the immigration issue. Regardless of the fact that many people come here to literally save their lives, and are grateful to have just survived the trip, that doesn't really change the fact that we still have an immigration issue. Summary, terrible stuff is happening in other countries, but even if it weren't, we'd still have an immigration problem. If people with nothing but the shirts on their backs can get here, then people with ill intent the shirt on their back, plus any other resources can get here just as easily.

[SamuraiCO]

So, it seems my opinions and ideology vary depending on the subject matter. I've always kind of considered myself a very liberal conservative if that makes any sense.

I don't believe government should tell people how to live. I believe hard work and ambition should be rewarded. I don't believe in free handouts for those who lack in the hard work or ambition department. I'm a firm supporter of my country's constitution and the principles on which it was founded.

But....

I also believe in gay marriage, the legalization of marijuana on a federal level, and I'm pro-choice when it comes to abortion. I also am very open minded when it comes to illegal immigrants. I feel they serve a valid role in our society.

Oh, and for the record, I don't partake in marijuana or participate in homosexuality and I'm not an immigrant. And I always vote Republican because most of the candidates usually make more sense than their Democratic counterparts. I've always found third party candidates who's ideas and beliefs were in line with mine but have always realized a vote for them wasn't really a viable or realistic option.

More libertarian but still American.

Right now illegal immigration is crushing State budgets with financial and social support. Dems are trying to figure out how to give them "rights" which includes voting. Not sure how they will come down on the 2nd amendment but most polls I have seen they are not to crazy about it. Illegal immigration needs to stop now. Need to firmly secure the border. I don't think the Gov bureaucrats who run the immigration department really want to fix it. They are Gov union, like big Gov and typically vote Dem.

Solution....have Hillsdale college create a oral and written test based on their 10 part video series on the constitution. Those who want can pay a fee and take test. Having watched those videos (free by the way if you want something to stream while reloading etc) I firmly believe most would have a greater understanding of our country above and beyond the naturalization test and process.

I have no problem with gay unions but that was never the end game. Just like "sensible gun laws" are not about making society safer but steps to remove firearms from society once and for all. Gay marriage is about challenging religious doctrine and forcing institutions to perform Gay marriage ceremonies to further force acceptance. This will happen in the near future. And just like Dem unions such as police and mining/welders have been thrown under the bus by those in the Dem party who are big environmental wackos there will be an equal collision when gay activists challenge not Christian religion but Muslim doctrine.

MJ is still class I narcotic and this is another example of the Fed Gov ignoring laws on the books. From a constitutional standpoint it is wrong. Either have the DEA reclassify MJ or take states to court to stop their illegal activity. Does the DEA want to do that and risk budget cuts? Right now their budget goes up every year and they do not have to enforce MJ laws because the AG does not care about these laws. Right now our state is enabling others from surrounding states get product and take back for illegal sale creating a black market business and other headaches for our neighbors.

Again we are a country of laws. One thing that the constitution was to do and a function of Gov is to ensure equal rights under the law. We all get very offended when money and power influences decision making processes and it is clearly at work controlling Gov spending. It is the Quid Pro Quo that is occurring with political donations. As long as there is money in DC to go after there will be money for elections and no laws will change that. Only shrinking Gov spending will accomplish this but that will never occur if those receiving largess from the Gov outnumber those who pay and we are very close to that point.

[fitz19d]

While I'm not a fan of the immigration situation. (The swift thing expains why weekly theres some .org guy bringing in multiple big families of somali's to the greeley ssa office)

Have any hard numbers on illegals on state budgets? I mean they can't just walk in and get a ssa card. Seen them needing forms. Not sure how lax state programs are, but while theres money going out, I dont think it's as big as you think.

I think the bigger drain atm is the amount of shit hole human beings that are selling EBT card money, on iphones, and claiming bizzare disabilities that takes 10 years to possibly get them rejected off of. When I'm @ ssa, it's these degenerates I see a lot more of for wellfare/income stuff than the immigrants (who are usually there with .doc replacing ss cards and the like.)

[sampson]

Interesting take on Liberty..

[The Survival Podcast] Episode-1646- Let’s Talk About Liberty => http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/survi...46-liberty.mp3 via @PodcastAddict

Fast forward to about 8 mins to get past commercials

Edit...its 10min 25 seconds to fast forward to

[ANADRILL]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzz

[ZERO THEORY]

I also get annoyed at people assuming that the only reason people come here is because they think that they can get free stuff. I've got a pretty good article from NPR about what is currently going on in El Salvador. I was going to post the same thing, but realized that how people portray immigrants isn't really part of the immigration issue. Regardless of the fact that many people come here to literally save their lives, and are grateful to have just survived the trip, that doesn't really change the fact that we still have an immigration issue. Summary, terrible stuff is happening in other countries, but even if it weren't, we'd still have an immigration problem. If people with nothing but the shirts on their backs can get here, then people with ill intent the shirt on their back, plus any other resources can get here just as easily.

Agreed. It's a HUGE issue. Especially when you have people from peaceful regions of Mexico or Honduras claiming that they're facing imminent death, when in reality, they're living a quiet life that's equatable to our lower class. That is a problem of their native country's economical and social policy, not a burden of the American taxpayer or system. But nothing in life is black and white, so I think we should be looking at viable options for the grey area of people genuinely under duress.

While I'm not a fan of the immigration situation. (The swift thing expains why weekly theres some .org guy bringing in multiple big families of somali's to the greeley ssa office)

Have any hard numbers on illegals on state budgets? I mean they can't just walk in and get a ssa card. Seen them needing forms. Not sure how lax state programs are, but while theres money going out, I dont think it's as big as you think.

I think the bigger drain atm is the amount of shit hole human beings that are selling EBT card money, on iphones, and claiming bizzare disabilities that takes 10 years to possibly get them rejected off of. When I'm @ ssa, it's these degenerates I see a lot more of for wellfare/income stuff than the immigrants (who are usually there with .doc replacing ss cards and the like.)

Agreed here, as well. The stories about illegal immigrants being given SSNs and $2500/month with no questions asked are so stupid that it's actually comical.

Regarding the EBT and welfare issue...where to begin? The fact that Burger King will blatantly display "EBT ACCEPTED HERE" is infuriating. EBT: EATING. BETTER. TODAY. We need to go back to pure food stamps that work only on leafy greens, fruit, whole grains, raw dairy, basic starches, and lean meats. It boils my blood when I see these jabronis buying Doritos, Coke, and Pop Tarts with taxpayer money. As for their eligibility-permanent disability should really be the only qualifier. And I mean real disability; quadraplegics and disabled veterans, not obese people who can't be bothered to take five steps.

[Honey Badger282.8]

I've nothing to add other than you're my hero for saying 'jabroni'. But to keep it on topic, agreed Zero.