"Opinions are like a**holes, everyone's got one and often they stink!"

-Mike H

Not sure why you assume I am a bleeding heart liberal or that I don’t pay as much, if not more, than you into the government coffers. I was merely stating that I don’t have a preference towards political PF blogs – particularly when many of the commenters feel the need to throw around political labels (socialist, libertarian, liberal, communist, republican, democrat, etc) rather than discuss the matter based on its merits. As for political parties – it really doesn’t matter which one you support, your taxes MAY be lower with one than another, but both parties seem to be great at wasting all of our hard earned dollars — not matter what it is spent on. And that’s the real problem!

I don’t think it is of any consquence of yours whether people are mature and intelligent enough to understand an opposing viewpoint. I for one appreciate my ideas being challenged.

The problem, of course, is that this causes an overreaction. Look, for example, at the bankruptcy reform bill that was passed. It implemented a requirement for consumer credit counseling before declaring bankruptcy. This can be obtained from your local friendly bankruptcy lawyer, as long as you are prepared to pay the fee for it. Of course, it doesn’t actually include any sort of education, but you’ve checked off the box. Luckily, after you declare bankruptcy, you won’t be allowed to declare again for several years. This is a good thing – at least for the credit card and payday loan companies, as they now know who they can target. These consumers now have zero protection, which makes them cash cows. Can anyone really argue that the new reform laws have bettered society in any way?

I, as a citizen of the United States, have the right to make bad choices. I do not, however, have the right to dictate where my tax dollars go. Currently, they go to an awful lot of programs I don’t support (and actively oppose). My remedy is to work to get politicians I support elected, and still, it’s not a perfect solution. But I mitigate this by being an extremely high information voter and an activist. Moreover, taxes aren’t everything. Try an experiment, compare the amount you paid to renew your license to the amount you paid 10 years ago + the rate of inflation. Or the amount you paid in college fees. Or the amount you paid for your last speeding ticket.

On this specific incident, I don’t necessarily believe eduction is a miracle cure. Try spending $20 to get the most calorie dense foods possible. Now try that going online to your local grocery store. Now try it at your local convenience store. Processed foods pack a lot of calories for little money. Nutritionally, they’re horrible, but when you’re on the line, they’re sometimes your only option. So maybe we can cut subsidies that artificially deflate those costs. Now people have to buy “real food” because processed food costs have shot up. Except eliminating those subsidies drove most small farmers out of business, meaning we’re even more reliant on large factory farms. There’s the environmental impact to be worried about, but moreso, now all our foods are bred for heartiness during transportation, genetically modified, made pest resistant…and stripped of nutritional value. So what happens when the 3lb bag of potatoes has the same nutritional value as the $.99 can of Pringles? Do we prohibit people on food stamps from buying potatoes?

Yes, I am oversimplifying this process. Government programs and regulations are massively complicated beasts. But truly, do we need more of them to fix what ends up being a very small, albeit more noticeable, problem?

I do agree with a previous comment that all food stamp recipients should pass a drug test. I don’t mind helping out those in need, but not criminals.

As far as tax rebates vs. food stamps goes, it is apples and oranges. I’ll even concede it is a partial redistribution – especially in the case of EIC, but for most cases the person getting the rebate actually paid in some tax. Same thing for the mortgage interest deduction. The person taking the deduction actually had to pay for the house and as a matter of policy the government decided to give a tax break for that. The person receiving food stamps doesn’t have to invest anything in the economy to get them.

Here’s why I have been coming back:

1) It’s personal. JLP’s opinions are imprinted all over his blog. I like JLP and the way he thinks about stuff, and his blog is a direct reflection of him, his issues, concerns, ethics, etc.

2) AFM is not just a regurgitation of news or facts, he generates orignal content (also where his opinion comes in). So many other blogs are BORING because they are just rehashing news and PF basics. I like to be challenged and I like to see debate stirred up.

3) By sharing so much of himself, I feel I have come to know the measure of the man. I know it’s in a limited form and I could be kidding myself, but I really do feel like I know him (at least this side of his life).

4) JLP is one smart cookie. Seriously. Like I said, it takes a lot for somebody to be able to teach me something about PF I don’t already know. I have a small army of accounts, lawyers, planners, advisors, etc. and I keep them on their toes. Yet, I have certainly learned a few things from reading AFM. That, plus, its just interesting to see different ways to approach things.

5) JLP responds. He is an active participant in the comments section. This definately makes a difference. Also, AFM’s commenters are a pretty interesting group themselves and they provide interesting views.

Anyhow, just thought I would share that. This whole “food stamp” post may not have gone down well with some folks, but JLP is human after all. I think he’s done a much better job than any of us could in keeping AFM relevant and interesting.

AFM hasn’t turned into Rush Limbaugh quite yet, but I’m not hanging around for the full conversion.

He’s entitled to his opinions, but there are better, more apolitical blogs for PF – like The Simple Dollar.

“I did it … my way!” Great song. Great motto. Stick to your guns.