Ask500

Civil unions aren't enough because it is still discrimination to tell a certain group of people that they can't be married the same way everyone else is.

Separate but Equal isn't really equal.

I call it pop.

First off, I didn't vote for him.

And second, Bush didn't run on the platform of "vote for me if you hate Muslims." He ran on a platform of fear. He basically told Americans that Kerry would not keep them safe, and over half of the country believed him. No one (or at least almost no one...there are always nut jobs) elected him out of hate for Muslims...if you believe that, you would be the uneducated one.

Just because tragedy happens every day in other countries does not make it any easier to forget the tragedy that happened to us. Many of us lost love ones that day, and we all lost the feeling of security that we used to have. We were shocked by the reality of a dangerous world--a reality that we had never witnessed on American soil. We discovered that day that there are people who wish to kill us for no other reason than where we were born, and that they have the capabilities to do so. No American alive that day will ever be able to forget or "get over" what happened.

But should we just cry about what happened to us and do nothing for those who suffer in other places? Of course not. We should always be striving to end suffering around the world. All people should be able to have the same feeling of security that we have here in the US, and we should be working hard to make it happen. We have learned what it's like to feel afraid, and we never want to feel that again. This is why we feel for those who suffer more than we could imagine, and this is why we need to end it.

I am very offended by the fact that you say Americans use 9/11 against Muslims. You make it sound like we are all bigots who hate Muslims because of an attack that went against all of the values that real Muslims hold dear. Most Americans find judging someone based upon their religion to be a disgusting practice, especially judgement against Muslims because of the hatred that some people expressed toward them during the heightened emotional time in the days after 9/11. I remember shortly after that how people began educating themselves about Islam. People were researching it on the internet, learning the truth about the religion, and they were reaching out to Muslims in their communities. People went out of their way to show that they did not hate those who practiced Islam.

There has always been a central tenant to American society: Diversity. In the US, we take pride in the fact that not everyone is the same color. We take pride in the fact that not everyone believes the same thing. We take pride in the idea that we can be who we are without having to fear retribution from others.

Of course, you will always have your nut jobs, those who hate based on skin color, gender, religion, and sexual orientation, but for every person who hates, you will find ten more who love. Never believe that the actions of a few stupid people represent the beliefs of an entire nation. No matter where you go, you will find someone ready to be your friend, ready to help you, ready even to defend you from those who attack you. Never forget that.

Believe me, I followed this election very closely. I understood the idea of paying higher taxes to be a broader idea focusing on higher taxes in general rather than just on the Obama plan. I believe that the people who said these things had prior convictions, and when the Obama plan came out, they supported it because they believe it is patriotic to pay higher taxes, not because it taxed the rich more. Maybe that's just me...

I was under the impression that rich corporations move to other countries more for the cheap labor than lower taxes.

I understand where you're coming from, and I see both sides of this issue, but I have several problems with your question and story.

1) You addressed those who think it is patriotic to pay higher taxes, yet you told a parable about tax brackets. These are related only in that they both involve taxes.

2) I don't believe that people tend to directly attack the rich when they are given bigger tax breaks. Usually people have enough sense to complain to policy makers, if they in fact complain.

3) It is a rare story in America for a rich person to leave the country solely because they felt bullied by the tax system. (Warren Buffett himself has stated on numerous occasions that the rich should pay MORE taxes)

4) You cited the wrong author: http://www.snopes.com/business/taxes/howtaxes.asp

Why do you say that?

If no one thinks you're weird, then you're not having enough fun. :D