Reply #36: Does it bother you that what you propose is collective punishment of an entire group?

[MadHound]

Again, how could I, a Missourian, punish Senator Bond, who's retiring anyway? Oh, yeah, that's right, I can't.

Second of all, you lambast these Senators and House members for their partisan actions, yet what you propose is partisan punishment of an entire population. Hmm, where have we seen that happen before? Oh, yeah, in fascist and authoritarian regimes. Is that what you want this country, this administration to become.

And really now, do you understand the full implications of what you propose? OK, lets say we punish somebody like Kansas or Missouri for the actions of their Congressional delegation. They get little or no money, jobs continue to dry up, people start to flee the state. Oh, wait, there goes your labor force that keeps the farming infrastructure going. Hmm, your food prices go up due to scarcity, along with food shortages. Don't you feel like a fucking idiot now?

Yes, it bothers me that I have members in my Congressional delegation who are willing to vote against what you and I see as the best interests of my state. However the fact of the matter is that for many people out there, those who voted for the stimulus are doing the same thing, voting against the interests of their state. That's the joy and the curse of democracy. You may not like it, but that's the government that we've got.

Finally, start thinking long term. 'Pugs aren't going to be out in the wilderness forever. So let's say that when they come back into power, they started playing the same sort of game you propose, punishing blue states instead. Would you like that to happen? Would you find it just or right? Well turn that thinking around and perhaps you'll get what I'm talking about.

This is a bad idea. It is unAmerican, undemocratic, and frankly unwise.