People are not leeches. Stop pissing on those that need a helping hand. A nightwatch-state is not the answer to crime or poverty.

Do you honestly believe that private, profit-driven enterprises are more capable to provide basic human services (health-care, education, etc.) than public ones? Take a look around, when did any company do something for you without making money on it?

You stated that we didn't see crime rates worth taking notice of until 65, which was when Lyndon B. Johnson realized he needed a legacy other than thousands of young men in bodybags.
I call bullshit. 

Oh yeah, this is clearly the sort of issue which is going to be intelligently resolved on this board.

I call bullshit on everyone who comments on it. 

let's shoot this fucker! 

that's exactly what a homocidal violent video game player would say!

go play solitare. 

that's what a junkie hungarian horror star would say!

Karloff? Sidekickk? Fuck You!! 

it's just a combination of violent images in the media?

Nobody ever died before the media came around. 

...someone's been eating propaganda for breakfast, but forgetting to sprinkle it with salt. 

Well, when I originally brought up the subject, it was at least in the context of video games. I'm like Scampie, I get tired of video games and other creative mediums getting blamed for violence, when history makes clear what the greatest agency of violence in society is (<suprise>), the state.

Wrath, I'm not pissing on anyone. Have accusations of callousness ever fed a hungry child? I intentionally left all personal matters and all political agendas out of it (Rothbardian Anarchist in case you are wondering), and addressed the matter purely in its raw economic terms.
As for public education, I have too much experience in that area to let anyone try to get pass me an argument defending the wretched beast. I worked several years for a company responsible for evaluating the proficiency exams for over twenty American States, and I have to say, there was not a single one of those states (including Texas under GWB) whose student performance was anywhere near being at an acceptable level for an advanced First World Nation. The entire American School system should be hauled into a metaphorical garbage heap and junked.

The damage done every school day to the minds of America's children is a crime against humanity, and yet, you say that I'm pissing on those who need a helping hand' when I am not the one defending such a cruel, monstrous entity. 

Scampie, did you star in horror flicks? The rumor is true? 

I sure as hell don't trust the state to watch over me at night. Not with a Watchman whose yelling, 'bring it on' to every lunatic walking around in the shadows out there. One eye open at all times. 

...that it is pointless to argue with a reductionist. In this instance I'm almost tempted to have another go. However, instead of drafting a response tonight... I think I'll lay a few more brushes into Grendel's Keep instead. 

distrans,

I pity whom ever this person is you are planning to confront, and can't wait to see who it is -- given, that I am the opposite of a Reductionist and its modern variants like the Positivist, in terms of Philosophy, I'm sure you don't mean me, though to be quite honest with you, I didn't see any one making Reductionist arguments, mostly the posts were made by guys who want to destroy things in video games. Not a Reductionist, Positivist or even a (scoff, snort) Chartist among them. Well, whoever this person is that you have sniffed out, I can't wait to see what you do with him!!!

BTW, you might want to brush up on Von Mises, Human Action before you go to bed at night. Specifically what he states in regard to Praxeological methodology. I find that to be the best means to handle those damned Reductionist in the social sciences.

Best Regards,
HeadThump 

This isnt the real world! You've surrounded yourself with a bunch of misfits and dope addicts. These people are CRAZY! 

"BTW, you might want to brush up on Von Mises, Human Action before you go to bed at night." 

Go map

(look! only 2 words, point is clearly given, no metaphysical sociopolitical bullshit attached.) 

i told that to him already, had no effect. 

....that the us never was a real welfare state? 

If we keep repeating it, maybe it'll work! 

Go map! 

Go map! 

Ignorance is Strength.

See Rorshach's textures. 

Go map! 

Hey, I'm just trying to be supportive of morfans efforts to slay that Reductionist dragon with a little advice. Sheesh. 

That's distrans girding up for the battle. Good luck fella! 

(Yes, I should go map instead)

The current welfare state, as far as I'm concerned, is an unstable balance between Freedom and Responsibility.

I was going to explain that here, but I'd be better off slapping up another Musette on the TNB instead. As for the rest of the "welfare state" debate...
http://www.ozyandmillie.org/2003/om20030927.html
http://www.ozyandmillie.org/2003/om20030929.html

Misinterpret as you inevitably will.