Hello Wolverine,
Thanks for your reply. This is a very interesting discussion.
UM no Jesus was not a socialist as socialists are covetous!
There is nothing wrong with coveting. Capitalism is based on coveting. Coveting is the basis of motivation to strive for something.
Socialism requires the government to use a coercive force to redistribute the wealth among everybody even if the majority of the people did nothing to deserve that money
Socialism means different things to different people, and at different times. How is it righteous that people can work full time and live in poverty simply because they have 'gone forth and multiplied?' Is it righteous to worship wealth so much that executives think it is OK to become multi-millionaires by treating workers like machines?
Socialism is predicated on systematic disobedience to two of God’s Ten Commandments.
I don't have to live by God's commandments. There is no law which requires me to do that. I choose not to. That is my freedom. If you believe in the United States of America, you must grant me the freedom to believe and live as I wish, within the law.
It first of all violates the 10th commandment, which prohibits coveting of any kind. Socialism is rooted in the grasping, greedy, trembling hunger of progressives for other people’s money.
America is not bound by that. And it looks like the super-powerful greediest capitalists have a relentless grasping greed for all the wealth they can possibly extract from those who worked very hard for it, and this greed exists without regard for the well being of those from whom it is extracted.
And socialism violates the 8th commandment, which prohibits theft. For under socialism, the resources of some are taken from them against their will only to be transferred to the wallets of others.
Jesus said you should pay your taxes. It is not theft. It is logic. The nation cannot be run on a wish. Every major industrialized nation has taxes. As you said: 'Give unto Ceasar.'
Socialism is based on the involuntary transfer of wealth from some citizens to others, which is nothing but theft. Just because it is done under color of law, and done by the government rather than a guy with a gun in an alley, does not make it right.
You are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts. I actually take pride in paying my taxes. Sure, it's hard to see part of what I earned go to the government. Yes, it would be nice to keep it all for myself. But then I know if there were no taxes we would all have to spend a lot more just to get by, if we could even survive. Without government, life would be pretty harsh. The rich and powerful would have no restraining force to keep them in check. Power would rule absolutely. Whomever could attain the most wealth and power would be in a position to take whatever he/she desired, with no laws or courts to restrict that. The powerful would live in fortified castles, behind great walls. Nobody else would own anything. All would eventually belong to these lords. All serfs, all people, would live in fear of the lord's absolute power. All would be subject to conform to whatever those lords dictated. Whatever religion they decided to impose on everyone, all would have to submit, or be made an example of for others.
Nope. I don't want that. I like having a government, and I don't mind paying my taxes. It's actually kind of cool, you know? To think that, as a productive member of society, part of my efforts have contributed to this amazing fantastic thing called the United States of America, the greatest nation on Earth, and I am a part of that. Very cool. I helped build that. Right on! Me and everybody else in our history who ever contributed to it. All of us put together. We all did that. We all made it happen. It is a fantastic feeling to pay my taxes and know I am part of that. That's the ante. I did my part. I am a part of that. I am proud to be a part of that. If someone else is unable to contribute more than their needs, that's OK with me. I am glad to help. I am glad our government helps them. That is group compassion at it's finest. There is plenty to go around. We who do are LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO PAY TAXES.
I would much rather be a tax-payer than on the dole. I am part of the strength of this nation, not the weakness. I am glad to know there are far more of us who pay in than those who are on the take. It's good to be a part of something so big and so strong. It's good to know that most people are strong, enjoy being productive, and psyched about seeing what we can do together when we coordinate our group efforts. It is fantastic to be part of the collective. I am so glad we have the USA.
So many gave so much so that we can have this. I didn't have to fight England for our very independence. That work was already done when I came along. I am super-glad that I was born into this already-established nation, and that my part is preserving and strengthening it. By working and PAYING MY TAXES. My pleasure. I've got it good, and I know it. I don't resent paying my taxes at all. I am proud to do it. I can see the big picture. I can see how I fit into things. I am not just thinking of myself. Everybody does that. I am taking some time to think bigger. I am thinking of my nation, and what I can do for my country. I am asking not what my country can do for me (tax cutting, letting me shirk my responsibility as a citizen, letting me 'off the hook,') I am asking what I can do for my nation (paying my share, and making sure it is enough to keep the nation going strong.) Are you asking not what your nation can do for you, and asking what you can do for your nation? Is that what you are doing when you try to pretend your religion is more important than our nation? Is it magnanimous to try to shirk your responsibility to pay taxes which are used to help the needy? I thought Christ was all about sharing. Wasn't there something about a rich man only being righteous if a camel fits through the eye of a needle? Not that paying taxes ever made a rich man poor.
Go ahead and show us, if you will, all the examples of fabulously rich men made poor by over-taxation. I will be happy to examine all such examples you can post. Please feel free to do so.
Meanwhile, consider this:
TAXES MAKE AMERICA GREAT.
Without taxing, America could not be great. America would be nothing. Anarchy would reign without government.
Taxes make America great.
You better mark my words and think about that. Let my words ring in your head like the bell of freedom.