7/29    Democrats... did you guys listen to Bill Clinton's speech at the
        convention?  it seems that he is still by far the best public speaker
        out of all the big boys in that hall.
        \_ Where can I get a transcript of what he said?
        \_ Barack Obama was awesome too, but I guess he's a "new kid," not
           a "big boy."
        \_ Doesn't it bother you that you refer to a former President as
           the 'big dog'.  Exactly what is this supposed to mean?  He
           is not spaid and has free roam of the neighborhood?
           As for Obama, oh yea let's make this the land opportunity
           by giving people things for free that other people paid for.
           \_ That damn Clinton mutt, always sneaking around while my bitches
              are in heat!
           \_ Damn right!  Kids didn't pay for the schools, so let's get
              rid of that commie public education.  Also, kids don't have
              any money to pay doctors, so let's stop this nonsense about
              public health care.  Once we get rid of all this free stuff
              that other people paid for, then America will be the true
              land of opportunity.
              \_ Would you be willing to lower your GPA by a full point to
                 give 5 others with 1.8 GPAs a 0.2 boost so they don't get
                 kicked out of school?
                 \_ Ahh.. the old "the points versus the playing field"
                    argument
                    \_ Answer it, don't duck.
              \_ So you wouldn't mind paying my taxes?
              \_ Ah yes, the red herring.  I'm sure you incapable of seeing
                 how something like free schooling for everyone is a benefit
                 for everyone because it's free schooling for *everyone* which
                 everyone uses to the same extent.  Whereas free health care
                 for everyone is a resource that is disproportionately used by
                 some at the expense of others.  But don't let logic or clear
                 thought get in the way of your rant.
                 \_ Ever heard of private schools? And free health care would
                    not mean the end of all private health care. So your
                    logical exceptions aren't any different than other social
                    programs. In fact all of these can be said to have a
                    benefit for everyone since it impacts the society. An
                    educated and healthy society has all sorts of benefits.
                    I'm not arguing one way or the other, just pointing it out.
                    \_ Actually, under the last seriously proposed universal
                       health care system, Hillary's, private medical care
                       would no longer be an option.  So, yes, it would mean
                       the end of private care.  I agree that an educated and
                       healthy society has benefits for all.  However, the
                       benefit to individuals in education is the same.  The
                       cost is also the same per student.  Health care costs
                       vary dramatically.  No, I'm not willing to pay for
                       some old guy's viagra, some fat person to go on a diet,
                       the umpteenth heart surgery for someone who won't take
                       care of themselves or anyone's plastic surgery.
                    \_ If all schools were private, many people would not
                       be able to send their kids to school, at least 25%,
                       since that is the percent of kids in poverty. Just
                       pointing that out.
                       \_ With private healthcare many don't get healthcare?
              \_ then, there is the non-sense of minimum wages.  We should
                 get rid of minimum wage let the iron law of wages dictates
                 the market value of hourly pay.
                 \_ minimum wages are entirely artificial and don't help
                    anyone.  all it means is that all prices go up that much
                    more to pay the legally mandated minimum.  If the iron
                    law of wages was allowed to dictate the market value of
                    hourly pay, prices and wages would be forced into
                    alignment instead of giving us government sponsored
                    inflation.  once again, don't let logic or reality get
                    in the way of your little rant, either.
                    \_ No economist believes these things. Show me some
                       evidence that "prices go up" in lockstep with
                       increases in the minimum wage. Don't let logic
                       or reality get in the way of your little rant, though.
                       \_ Let's take this to it's logical extreme.  Raise the
                          minimum wage to $25/hour.  Roughly $50k year.  That's
                          a living wage in the SFBA, right?  What is going to
                          happen to prices?  Homework on this topic is due on
                          Thursday, the quiz is next Monday in section.
          \_ Awww, if only he'd actually said that, my poor widdle twoll.
             \_ I watched his speech.  After reciting his personal
                history that is exactly the consequence of what he said.
                Just be honest about your intentions - is that too much
                to ask???