Comments on: Enter the “taxers”. https://habitablezone.com/2012/01/20/enter-the-taxers/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:01:54 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: TB https://habitablezone.com/2012/01/20/enter-the-taxers/#comment-11077 TB Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:32:27 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=8407#comment-11077 No. No.

]]> By: ER https://habitablezone.com/2012/01/20/enter-the-taxers/#comment-11076 ER Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:57:42 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=8407#comment-11076 As in everything else, the truth is somewhere in between. I don't think there is a colossal conspiracy in the background pulling strings and making things happen. But neither is it all freedom and democracy and Jesus and all of that high school civics class bullshit. There are people with power and influence that work together, or fight each other, that form alliances and hold grudges. And the people DO play a big role with their vote, just not as big a role as they think. As in any conflict, war or fistfight, you can't tell ahead of time who will win. But the smart money is on the biggest, strongest guy. But sometimes, you can't tell ahead of time who the biggest, strongest guy is. In elections, it depends on the overall environment, the flow of history up to that point, and what is actually happeneing at that point in time. It also depends on the stuggles between special interests, both good and evil (which, of course, depends on whose side you're on), and on the skills and competence of the players. Sometimes one man can actually make a difference. Most of the time, not. Luck plays a big role, too. "For want of a nail", etc, etc. So what do we do? We think it over and choose what we think is right, and then we do whatever we can, or whatever we dare. What else can we do? Selflessness and self-interest both cry out for our involvement, but virtue is no guarantee of victory either. And remember, regardless of the circumstances, no one side is totally good, or totally evil. Beware of those who tell you anything different. Maybe their side is OK, but <em>they</em> definitely are not. As in everything else, the truth is somewhere in between. I don’t think there is a colossal conspiracy in the background pulling strings and making things happen. But neither is it all freedom and democracy and Jesus and all of that high school civics class bullshit.

There are people with power and influence that work together, or fight each other, that form alliances and hold grudges. And the people DO play a big role with their vote, just not as big a role as they think.

As in any conflict, war or fistfight, you can’t tell ahead of time who will win. But the smart money is on the biggest, strongest guy. But sometimes, you can’t tell ahead of time who the biggest, strongest guy is.

In elections, it depends on the overall environment, the flow of history up to that point, and what is actually happeneing at that point in time. It also depends on the stuggles between special interests, both good and evil (which, of course, depends on whose side you’re on), and on the skills and competence of the players. Sometimes one man can actually make a difference. Most of the time, not. Luck plays a big role, too. “For want of a nail”, etc, etc.

So what do we do? We think it over and choose what we think is right, and then we do whatever we can, or whatever we dare. What else can we do?

Selflessness and self-interest both cry out for our involvement, but virtue is no guarantee of victory either. And remember, regardless of the circumstances, no one side is totally good, or totally evil. Beware of those who tell you anything different. Maybe their side is OK, but they definitely are not.

]]> By: Jody https://habitablezone.com/2012/01/20/enter-the-taxers/#comment-11074 Jody Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:10:51 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=8407#comment-11074 I wonder...is the outcome of President decided <i>before</> the elections? A Manchurian Candidate sorta thing? I wonder…is the outcome of President decided before the elections? A Manchurian Candidate sorta thing?

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