On Apr 17, 8:35*pm, Dan Espen wrote:
" writes:

R On Apr 17, 7:29*pm, Dan Espen wrote:

The mortgage discussion was just discussed on this evening's
PBS Newshour.

That's reassuring.

The "expert" identified the primary goal of the mortgage deduction
as "encouraging home ownership". *The people that would fight repeal
were home builders and banks.

I see your problem. *You're impressed with "experts" that the
media puts forth.

NO!

You think I put "experts" in quotes for fun?

Well then why did you cite the expert that agreed with
your position?




*Most of them don't know their ass from
a hole in the ground. *An "expert" is any damn fool who's
opinion supports the way they want to tell a story.

No, an expert in this case is someone that convinces the staff
of the PBS Newshour that they are knowledgeable on the subject.
If you'd like to research the subject and post your results
go ahead.

So now you're back to the expert being knowledgable.
Are you confused?




Here's my expert take. *The "corporate welfare"
mantra is a good example of where you and Democrats
are coming from today. *By trying to call anything and
everything welfare, you seek to legitimze handing
out money to people for doing nothing, which is what
real welfare is and at the same time, you get to attack
capitalism. *Yes, the banks benefit from issuing
more mortgages. *So, do lumber companies, electricians,
HD, and the taxpayers using that particular deduction.
Are they all on welfare too? *Feel free to consult with
your talking head.....

I don't have to.

First the traditional welfare system that you are ranting about
was scaled back a long time ago with the help of Newt and company.
I'm fine with that. *I'm also open to further reforms.

Scaled back? Yeah, it was scaled back a bit two decades
ago by trying to make it so that it was not a lifetime program.
But if that was so successful, why are we spending $1.5tril this
year on social programs?

The total cost since 1965 when LBJ declared war on poverty
is now about $16tril, equal to the national debt. Back then the
poverty rate was around 15%. It still is.




Second, if you don't believe me, remember Dwight Eisenhower. *He warned
all of us about what was going to happen. *We give 3 billion in aid to
some country and it turns out it's 3 billion to buy US made military
equipment. I call that welfare.

--
Dan Espen

It depends on who that country is and what the circumstances are.
Giving aid to Afghanistan or Germany to counter the Soviet Union
during the cold war sounds like a mighty fine investment. Right now
I'd be giving it to the revolutionaries in Syria.