• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

FenderTL5

Κύριε, ἐλέησον.
Site Supporter
Jun 13, 2016
5,709
6,673
Nashville TN
✟784,480.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-American-Solidarity
I can’t help thinking a few less fatsos eating all the pie means more pie for everyone else.
Those few fatsos liked the rising rents, it's how they keep out the riff raff.
 
Upvote 0

Larniavc

"Larniavc sir, how are you so smart?"
Jul 14, 2015
15,511
9,464
52
✟401,281.00
Country
United Kingdom
Gender
Male
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
UK-Liberal-Democrats
Those few fatsos liked the rising rents, it's how they keep out the riff raff.
When my family and I moved out of our rented property in the before times we saw it back on the market with a £650 increase in rent.
 
Upvote 0

iluvatar5150

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Aug 3, 2012
30,256
30,045
Baltimore
✟826,941.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Democrat
How do you feel about the deductions for mortgage interest and having kids?
 
Upvote 0

rambot

Senior Member
Apr 13, 2006
29,193
16,550
Up your nose....wid a rubbah hose.
✟465,744.00
Country
Canada
Gender
Male
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Greens
Enough with the histrionics.

ICE forces people. That is what force looks like.

Force does not involve choice.
Force does not involve personal agency of any kind.

A millionaire Will have to pay chicken scratch more per month or will have to fix or sell their home or, God forbid, rent it out?

That's not force.

I won't be continuing this discussion though because it's an irrational hatred of taxes that births that arguement; not reason.
 
Upvote 0

probinson

Legend
Aug 16, 2005
24,669
4,636
48
PA
✟214,404.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Word of Faith
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others



Political discussions are always interesting for me. I'm always curious to see how, when presented with evidence, it will be spun away. Trump supporters are really good at it. But as you've just demonstrated, they certainly aren't the only ones.
 
Upvote 0

FAITH-IN-HIM

Well-Known Member
Aug 23, 2024
2,537
1,804
WI
✟70,022.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
It should have that authority.

Well , he doesn’t have the legal authority to impose additional taxes on vacant apartment.

In a free democracy, I have the right to keep my apartment vacant, and no one can force me to rent it out.

Best wishes to the newly elected mayor. During campaigns, many promises are often made, such as pledges to reduce grocery prices immediately. However, once in office, officials often realize that fulfilling campaign promises can be quite different from governing.
 
Upvote 0

Desk trauma

[redacted]
Site Supporter
Dec 1, 2011
22,980
18,885
✟1,498,212.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Private
Politics
US-Others
Well , he doesn’t have the legal authority to impose additional taxes on vacant apartment.
Vacancy taxes exist in other US cities, what precludes NYC from imposing one?
 
Upvote 0

FAITH-IN-HIM

Well-Known Member
Aug 23, 2024
2,537
1,804
WI
✟70,022.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
It's being called the Mandami effect.
The only Mandami effect at present is that some conservatives are going crazy and predicting negative outcomes. In time, it will become clear how the new mayor governs the city. However, the pessimistic predictions appear to stem primarily from dissatisfaction with the man rather than concrete evidence.
 
Upvote 0

FAITH-IN-HIM

Well-Known Member
Aug 23, 2024
2,537
1,804
WI
✟70,022.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
That's precisely my point. Many of his policies exceed his authority; while he might adjust some local taxes or make minor changes, implementing his many campaign promises would require a major change to American democracy.

Predictions about NYC being destroyed are just emotional reactions, not based on facts.
 
Upvote 0

FAITH-IN-HIM

Well-Known Member
Aug 23, 2024
2,537
1,804
WI
✟70,022.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
While others who used to live under a communist regime say that America is headed in that direction.
I would say a sitting Supreme Court judge finds it acceptable for law enforcement to stop individuals without a warrant based on their appearance and accent in order to verify legal documentation is far closer to communist country than a city mayor proposing a government-funded grocery store.

So, you are right, American is headed that direction, but not because NYC elected a self proclaim socialist.
 
Upvote 0

probinson

Legend
Aug 16, 2005
24,669
4,636
48
PA
✟214,404.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Word of Faith
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
That's precisely my point. Many of his policies exceed his authority; while he might adjust some local taxes or make minor changes, implementing his many campaign promises would require a major change to American democracy.

IOW, Mamdani made a bunch of promises he'll be unable to keep.
 
Reactions: FAITH-IN-HIM
Upvote 0

Servus

<><
Site Supporter
Oct 2, 2020
29,581
15,909
Washington
✟1,033,422.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
People who believe America is becoming a communist nation often point to the expansion of government's role in social and economic affairs, associating policies typically found in social democracies or having socialist elements with the historical definition of communism.
Key reasons for this perception include:
  • Association of social welfare programs with communism/socialism: Proposals for or implementation of policies like universal healthcare, tuition-free college, increased taxes on corporations and the wealthy, and robust social safety nets are often labeled as "socialist" or "communist" by critics. These are seen by some as a move toward wealth redistribution and increased government control, which they associate with communist aims for a classless society with income equality.
  • Historical anti-communist sentiment: The legacy of the Cold War and the McCarthy era created a deep-seated cultural fear and a strong political opposition to anything labeled "communist". The term became a powerful pejorative label for a wide range of inconvenient movements or ideas, meaning that the label is applied broadly to policies that do not align with traditional American capitalist principles.
  • Misunderstanding of terms: There is often a misunderstanding and conflation of terms like social democracy, socialism, and communism. While social democracy aims to balance market principles with social welfare programs, true communism involves state ownership of the means of production, a rejection of private property, and a one-party rule system.
  • Concerns about government overreach and individual freedoms: Some people worry that a larger government role threatens individual freedoms, private property rights, and self-sufficiency, core tenets of the traditional American system.
  • Political rhetoric: Political figures sometimes use the label of "communist" to criticize opponents and their policies, often as a tactic to generate fear and galvanize their base.
  • Perception of shared "collectivist" values: Certain progressive ideals promoting collective well-being or social justice are sometimes viewed by opponents as a shift away from American individualism towards collectivism, which they view as antithetical to the American way of life.
People who think America is becoming a socialist country often point to expanded government spending on social programs, the influence of self-described "democratic socialists" in politics, and a growing desire for more social safety nets among certain segments of the population. The argument stems from differing definitions of "socialism" and the degree to which government should intervene in the economy.
Key reasons and arguments include:
  • Expansion of Social Welfare Programs: The U.S. has a long history of social welfare programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and public education. Some people view the expansion of these existing programs, or proposals for new ones like universal healthcare ("Medicare for All") and free college tuition, as a move toward socialism, arguing that they represent excessive government control and dependency.
  • Rise of "Democratic Socialists": The visibility and popularity of political figures like Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who identify as democratic socialists and advocate for significant government intervention to address income inequality and other social issues, have fueled this perception.
  • Reaction to Economic Disparities: Growing concern over wealth disparities and the perceived failure of unfettered capitalism to provide a fair shot for everyone, especially among younger generations (millennials and Gen Z), has increased support for policies that widen social safety nets. This growing public appetite for social-oriented policies can be interpreted by critics as a national shift toward socialism.
    • Definition of Socialism: Part of the debate is rooted in the different understandings of the term "socialism" in the U.S. While some associate it with authoritarian communist regimes like the former Soviet Union or Cuba, others view it more in line with the social democracies of Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, etc.), which blend a market economy with a robust welfare state and public services.
    • Increased Government Regulation and Spending: Large-scale government spending and market interventions, such as those that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic or previous financial crises, are sometimes characterized by critics as examples of "state capitalism" or socialist creep, moving the country away from a free market system.
Ultimately, the belief that the U.S. is becoming socialist often relates to concerns about maintaining the country's traditionally capitalist, individualistic foundation against an increasing desire for greater social and economic equality guaranteed by government programs. - Google
 
Reactions: BPPLEE
Upvote 0

Danthemailman

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2017
4,108
3,131
Midwest
✟384,839.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Reactions: BPPLEE
Upvote 0

Danthemailman

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2017
4,108
3,131
Midwest
✟384,839.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Upvote 0

iluvatar5150

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Aug 3, 2012
30,256
30,045
Baltimore
✟826,941.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Democrat
Do you guys ever write posts on your own?
 
Reactions: 7thKeeper
Upvote 0

Nithavela

you're in charge you can do it just get louis
Apr 14, 2007
31,006
22,690
Comb. Pizza Hut and Taco Bell/Jamaica Avenue.
✟603,729.00
Country
Germany
Faith
Other Religion
Marital Status
Single
Upvote 0

Servus

<><
Site Supporter
Oct 2, 2020
29,581
15,909
Washington
✟1,033,422.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Do you guys ever write posts on your own?


What's ironic is when someone posts in their own words, they're then challenged to prove what they said by posting a source that's not written in their own words.
 
Upvote 0

Nithavela

you're in charge you can do it just get louis
Apr 14, 2007
31,006
22,690
Comb. Pizza Hut and Taco Bell/Jamaica Avenue.
✟603,729.00
Country
Germany
Faith
Other Religion
Marital Status
Single
Do you guys ever write posts on your own?
I have been pondering putting people on ignore that routinely post AI stuff except when AI is the topic, but that would make things pretty lonely here these days.
 
Upvote 0

Larniavc

"Larniavc sir, how are you so smart?"
Jul 14, 2015
15,511
9,464
52
✟401,281.00
Country
United Kingdom
Gender
Male
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
UK-Liberal-Democrats
In a free democracy, I have the right to keep my apartment vacant, and no one can force me to rent it out.
Yeah I know. But why would you want to do such a thing? It seems needlessly mean spirited.

All too often I see posts on this site demanding the right to simply be mean spirited as if that is something to celebrate.
 
Upvote 0