Very well said. The left is mistakenly convinced that having the govt take from us, pay themselves to do so, and give it to others is better than us giving directly to those in need. Typical socialist inefficiency.

Here's the projected 2018 GDP Data. I left in the top ones for comparison.

Please see my earlier post on this thread that explains why social democrats who tout the Scandinavian "Euro-Socialist" countries as successful are basing their opinions on skewed numbers. I guess you can call us ignorant. I mean you praise a President who visited 57 states so you obviously know what the word means.

When you put out a statement, get called on it, and shift 180 degrees it makes you look a little foolish.

Like you, I've read what the press is saying. Unlike you, I'm waiting for confirmation or proof of some kind. Today, for example, The Boston Globe has had to correct the Pocahontas DNA story twice already. Reporting these days is a joke. And if you blindly trust the Turks, you're more naive than I thought. They've got a vested interest in souring Saudi/US relations. It's important you know that I am not absolving the Saudi's. They are NOT on my favored nations list. But I reserve judgment until I see something that convinces me. It's what we should all do.

You're certain that Koshoggi has been assassinated, just like you were certain that Kavanaugh leg a gang rape team. I am willing to wait and see how this situation plays out. So far we have no concrete proof that the Saudi's did anything. I wouldn't put it past Turkey to produce a false f**g event. If the Saudis did k**l Koshoggi and it can be verified, I think you'll see a US response.

Since half of it is your disjointed gibberish...meh. Look kemmer, if all you want to do is shout crap about the current constitutionally elected President and his supporters without hearing from us in return, go into a closet and screech til your ears bleed.

Hey archie, if you're selling tickets to that event, I want 2 on the front row.

c'mon kemmer, that's pretty weak. As a teacher with 35 years under your belt, I'd expect erudition, not "I know you are but what am I".

Try to keep up, kemmer.

[kemmer] Trump embarrasses himself every time he opens his mouth. Trump is a lot like the old Mohammad Ali: "I AM THE GREATEST!"
[Fit2BTied] BUT ALI WAS THE GREATEST! Try another analogy dummkopf!
[kemmer] ... but the “greatest” what is open to discussion.
[Fit2BTied] Heavyweight Champion. If you read more into it than that, it's on you, not the Champ.
[kemmer] Aren’t we supposed to be a little past celebrating “gladiators”?
[Fit2BTied] Let's do it your way, kemmer. Aren't we supposed to be a little past bashing African Americans (Ali), or people with mental health issues (I am the Greatest)?

I'm not having any trouble following the conversation. I admit you need to think a little to make the connections, since I'm not just tossing out a string of disjointed slurs. Not sure what your problem is (well, besides the obviously raging case of Trump Anxiety Disorder).

You're so used to all the years of politi-speak bolshoi that when Raw T***h hits you - you have no idea how to respond. It's OK kemmer, we don't expect anything more from people like you.

Let's do it your way, kemmer.

Aren't we supposed to be a little past bashing African Americans, or people with mental health issues?

Heavyweight Champion. If you read more into it than that, it's on you, not the Champ.

BUT ALI WAS THE GREATEST! Try another analogy dummkopf!

It's easy to forget something about this discussion. I looked at a list of the 10 most socialist countries and there were indeed some northern European countries (Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, and others). In all of these countries a huge amount of their GDP is spent on assistance programs of all kinds (health, education, etc.). But I think you should lift the covers and see just how much of their GDP is spent on defense. Oh wait...they don't have to because their countries are covered by the armed forces of other countries (mostly capitalistic ones).
(Since we can't do tables here, see pic below)
If these countries, whose budgets are already strained, were required to pay for their defense do you think they'd have the money to pump into their social programs? My guess is something would have to give. The tax rates are already ridiculous, so raising them even higher would not go over well. And don't arbitrarily compare the US percentage numbers against those of Scandinavia because if you look at the amount of money involved and the scale of the US Military, you'd see that few of those other countries could legitimately defend themselves with 3.29% of their GDP - it would be more like 8-10%. It's easy to say what a success socialism is when a large part of the check has already been paid by others.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_social_welfare_spending
https://www.indexmundi.com/g/r.aspx?v=132