First off I have to say what a tragedy this is in Japan. So many inoccents homeless and injured and hurting. Also my thoughts turn to todays politics and the lessons we should learn. I dont see the "Free Market" Loading rescue aid onto ships. I dont see the CEO of Koch Industries fliying over with a load of bottled water in his private plane to aid the victims. What I do see is government, ya know the enemy of the people, strugling to maintain order and aid the victims.

HOw moronoic can some people be to demand tax cuts for the wealthy when a strong government is the only entity who can and will aid people in times of disaster.

If a natural or man made disaster strikes our country and the government is too broke and powerless to help will those who helped create our weakened government finaly wake up?

You realize Japan has a bigger debt than the US don't you? Also I live in Japan and pay about 3% tax. How much do you really know about their system? How dare dare you use thus tragedy to try to further your cause. I am disgusted.

These Conservatives are very easily disgusted and offended. They're a very sensitive lot.

Apparently you have no heart. I live here. I have friends here who I have still not heard from and you insult me because you think it has something to do with being conservative. No it has somerging to do with the fact that This is a tragedy and shouldnt be used to Push your agenda. Especially so soon after the event. Disgusted with both of you.

Oh, so politics should be left to the side when it's people that you care for and you identify with. I think Best's point was well taken.



I don't care how disgusted you are.

Oh, and by the way, if you are only paying 3% in taxes, I'm not surprised that Japan has a large debt. Don't you think your should be chipping in a bit to help? Or is just other people who are going to have to do that?

We have no heart? Thats simply laughable I live in reality though and do not engage in fantasy. One would have thought Hurrican Katrina would have opened some eyes on the role of what goverment is supposed to be, after all government exist to serve the people.

Lets defund the government and make it more of a lap dog to the economice elite and when a disaster strikes this country and no one is around to help, repair and rebuild dont say you werent warned.

These republicans for years have claimed government is the problemband not the solution now cry fould when it is pointed out that in many cases government is the solution.

I have to speculate though why you are surfing the net when you possibly could be out aiding victims or searching for friends. I would be awfuly impressed if you actualy set a good example as an american citizen and pitched in to lend a hand in the clean up efforts.

I am also fm Louisiana so dont assume you know more about the Hurricanes than me. The gov turned down federal aid the first time it was offered. If his political argument had merit then it would be fine to bring up at a later date but not less than 24 hours after the event. I find his argument irellavent. Japan has a bigger debt and The US has a bigger income. US people also give money more freely how many of you did or knew someone that gave money to the hurricane relief fund. Japanese people typically don't do this. I have asked them a out it.

Maybe because I am Going to work douche.

Perhaps you also should be careful with the ad hominumsI know that neither Best or I care, but there are some very sensitive souls here who will narc you out to an administrator at the drop of a hat.

I could care less. Those who no me on this site know I am one to almost never throw direct insults. That being said you can see how upset I am about this. If I get banned I don't care. I meant what I said and won't apologize. Attack me for caring because I don't think this is an appropriate topic especially because of how close it isto the actual event. Then say I am not doing enough.

FYI if a conservative made a post saying how we should cut spending because of what happened in Japan so we have money for the disaster I would be equally upset. It has nothing to do with politics but a lack of empathy and using tragedies to further ones agenda.

I don't attack you for not caring. I attack you for caring only when it's your friends and neighbors who are suffering. That seems quite selfish and self-centered.

You are correct. They don't care. It is what **** like that does.

That didn't take long to turn a world tragedy into some political spin. My faith in mingle forums goes down a few points.

So, do you think that the power people (financial, political, theological) aren't busy figuring out how to turn this humanitarian disaster to their own advantage? That would be an awfully naive assumption.

Government is the solution? Government serves the people?

My, my, how quickly you forget history. Remember hurricane Katrina? The entire humanitarian disaster could have been avoided had competent people planned the architecture there. It was left to the gov'ment, and of course it failed. Boston’s "Big Dig" $14.6 billion – so far – for just twelve miles of new roadway. Then there's the billions of dollars in waste every year in every department (especially the War Department, aka DOD).

The government never has, and never ever will serve the people-just the corporations and the political elites.

First...

I will echo a previous post to the OP.

How DARE you use a global level disaster in Japan to further your political views.

then...

"I dont see the "Free Market" Loading rescue aid onto ships." Where do you think the 'goods' and 'money' will come from... Those of us that donate to such things AS IT ALLWAYS DOES FROM AMERICANS.

When there was a major earthquake in China in the end of the 1900 it was a musical group (Seals and Crofts) that cancelled their current tour, sent 10 million dollars of their own money, and provided their private plane to help the survivors... The US government did nothing.

That doesn't really have anything to do with "free market", now does it? That's a function of humanitarian largesse. Has nothing to do with the free market.

As to the Government not being the solution, you have reason to be dismissive. FEMA under GWB was certainly little help after Katrina. It was a shame. Before Katrina, FEMA had a wonderful track record of helping the victims of natural disasters.

The true lesson of Japan's 'disaster'...

Build your buildings well, of steel and stone... They don't fall down as quickly as a mud hut.

and people survive.

So, you feel that the Japanese themselves are responsible for the degree of loss of life they are experiencing.