Harry Reid: "Private Sector Jobs Are Doing Just Fine"

**Eagle88** · 10-28-2011

Originally Posted by timj219

Generally the more rationally we gauge the level of regulation to fit the needs of the people and the times the better off we are. And that means doing away with idiotic fantasies like the free market.

The problem is how you define a free market. You are stating that a 100% perfectly free market with no regulations, government influence, etc is not possible and you are correct in that. What you seem to be neglecting is that we can have a mostly free market where regulations and government intervention are kept to a minimum. Ultimately, that is what I am arguing for. I don't believe in no government or no regulations. I simply believe in limited government and regulation. Government and regulations must exist to keep people honest and to protect people's rights but there comes a certain point where a line is crossed and government/regulations ceases to protect and begins to destroy/stifle/overburden/etc. Even seemingly harmless regulations can end up stifling creativity or causing unintended consequences. However, you would be correct in pointing out that no government/regulation would result in chaos (or a might makes right mentality). The trick is recognizing what regulations are constitutional, keep people honest, protect people's rights and actually accomplish (with minimal unintended consequences) what they set out to accomplish. There are many regulations on the books that fail these standards.

Look, I really don't think that you and I disagree as much as it may seem. I can tell you that there are regulations that I would like to see lightened and even a few regulations that I would like to see passed. One example of a regulation that I would like to see is a regulation forbidding companies in the US from requiring laid off workers from having to train their replacements before they go or else lose out on unemployment, severance or something else. It's disgusting how many companies I have discovered do this (even my own current employer is making me do this and I'm rather mad at them for it) and I do not believe it is right.

**soot** · 10-28-2011

Originally Posted by C-B-M

No, you don't actually have it right. You have it the way you want it.

First of all, we've never had a "war on drugs" in any actual sense of the word. That is, we have a "war" in the sense that we arrest people ...and then when we've arrested too many people, we let everyone go and then make it OK to possess drugs. Wow, what a great "war." Remind me to be impressed some day. And then we talk in hyperbole about "the police state" we have and so on.

Okay, first, when we arrest too many people we let everyone go and then make it okay to possess drugs?

WTF are you talking about?

According to every figure I've been able to find from the Bureau of Justice Statistics drug offenders make up 25% of state and local jail and federal prison inmates. These numbers have been growing by about 1% per year since 1989.

Note that these are strictly drug offenders, not violent or property crimes tied to drugs.

And other than a very small handful of states that have recently passed some medical marijuana legislation I have no idea what you're talking about when you claim that we've made it "okay to posses drugs".

Either you're lying or you have no idea what you're talking about.

Second of all, I've always said I have no problem with drug use. See, I sense you're a libertarian because they always want legalized drug use. Great. Call me when I don't have to foot the bill for the drug users. That is, no welfare, no healthcare, no rehab or detox programs, and I don't have to care if they die in the street or prostitute themselves for drugs. And also if they accost me for money I can shoot them in the face. Then come to me and we can discuss "no regulations."

I agree with you on pretty much all of those points.

I don't support welfare, government healthcare, rehab, or detox programs.

But I'm not going to argue that as long as we have all those things I ALSO want massive ammounts of money pissed away on a failed drug criminalization effort.

That's like saying, "I know the 'Bridge to Nowhere' is a massive waste of taxpayer dollars but as long as we're going to continue building it then I want a "Tunnel to Nowhere' to!!!!"

Thirdly, it is a specious argument to use that tired argument "oh, I thought you were against big government." Sure, I am. But I didn't say that I'm for no government. What, for example, since I think people should obey traffic laws, you get to run over and go "oh ho! Someone's for big government and fascism! Owned!! Owned!!"?

See my last point.

It's not a specious argument.

My point is that if government waste is bad then all government waste is bad.

Lastly, I find it interesting because people always try to act all clever about drug use. Fine, then you should be fine if your airline pilot or doctor uses drugs, right? "Oh, no, that's different!" It is? Because sounds like you want a massive big-government establishment that is regulating the lives of private citizens. Owned!! Owned!! See, we can both play this game.

I have no problem with an airline pilot using drugs so long as they're not using or high on those drugs while they're flying the plane.

Same as I have no problem with a motorist using drugs so long as that motorist isn't using or high on drugs while they're driving a car.

**C-B-M** · 10-31-2011

Originally Posted by Eagle88

Harry Reid recently made the comment on the Senate floor that "Private sector jobs are doing just fine". As an American and also as a Nevadan, I think this man's comment is so far out there that he must be referring to another planet. Unemployment in the country in general is high and unemployment in Nevada in particular is ridiculously high (I believe that we are the worst in the nation as far as unemployment rate goes). I know because I'm being laid off and have been looking for a job. Private jobs (or the lack thereof) is a large cause for alarm in this country. Sorry to get a little put off but I just can't believe that anyone (republican or democrat) could make such a statement. The fact that it comes from my own Senator just adds to my disgust.

Source: Sen. Reid: "Private Sector Jobs Are Doing Just Fine" | RealClearPolitics

I just heard the audio clip this came from and you actually missed the more interesting and revealing part of his statement. Harry Reid not only said that private sector jobs are doing fine ...he added that it is public sector jobs that he is concerned with and that Obama's jobs bill is attempting to address. He let the cat out of the bag right there. I can't believe you omitted that part.