Skeptic,

"I think that citizens should vote. It is their right, not their duty. Do you think there should be penalties if people don't vote?

No, the "dumb" vote is useless, only the unscrupulous would exploit it.

"It's the parent's responsibility to educate their children" Does society have a responsibility to ask for a certain quality of that education?

Maybe, depends on what state you live in.

"It's a woman's responsibility not to risk getting pregnant until she's capable of being "responsible" (married) " And the man has no responsibility?

Real men don't get pregnant, I think I commented on that. "I'm sure others will have lots to say on that. The implication of your statement, however, shows a profound disrespect for both men and women"

Men and women should respect their children first and worry about their own "delicate sensibilities" later or do the right thing and get fixed.

"It's a man's responsibility to provide for any children he's sired."

"Ah, having bourne the child, the women's job is done?"

No, it was by no means a full description of "responsibilities"

"By "provide", do you mean provide materially only?"

No.

"And does the community have any responsibilities here"

No, what if there is no "community". At one point they would band together to form a common defense. See faith/community based organizations below.

"Forget the government. Does the Church? Boy/Girl Scouts. Little League?"

They have a function, but it's not really a responsibility, except for the child's safety.

"What if the woman works and the man stays home?"

Then they reverse roles, not a bad thing.

"What if all the man does is provide materially?"

Better than nothing, better than welfare but not as good as a real father.

"It's a citizen's responsibility to be properly trained in the safe operation and ownership of their firearms. Damn. We agree on something."

"It's the parent's responsibility to raise respectful, thoughtful and obedient children so they may become the good citizens and leaders of tomorrow."

"Respect is earned"

Respect your elders, unless they are have totally wasted their life, they have more experience than we do. "Politeness is owed. (IMO)."

OK

"Thoughtful is nice"

Thoughtful is thinking.

"Obedient? To what or to whom?"

The cops is a good start, teachers, people in authority (the judge)

"Obedient to the internal set of values, ethics, morals and beliefs I've helped my son develop? Sure. Willing to accept the consequences of those beliefs, that to. Blind obedience, even to positive and good things, is very dangerous. Solutions and consequences, again. They go hand in hand"

Well, common sense has to be factored in.

"There are some extra-responsibilities too, like community or faith based organizations which can take care of and place unwanted children in loving homes, instead of just killing them"

This addresses your above question.

The criteria imposed for adoption in this country have little to do with the loving nature of the home.

That is not my doing. The LSCs traditionally occupy the social services.

"Uh....many of those "right wing extremists" fought for and many died on behalf of your freedom. They take an oath to DEFEND the Constitution." Freedom is won, or lost, by the day to day actions of its citizens. The sacrifice of those who fought an died must never be forgotten. Liberals, moderates and a lot of others fought an died too. They fought to defend the rights, not define correct behavior, whether on the right or left.

You will find constructionists on the right, anti-Constitutionalists on the left. Many or even most politicians violate their oath to defend and protect the Constitution, either side.

The Constitution is NOT a "living, breathing document", that's just a feeble excuse for violating it, unless of course, you go to the trouble of AMENDING it.

"That would be CHARITY by the church, where it belongs" Christ said charity is the responsibility of the individual and family, not the Church. And I seem to remember that "charity" in the original, implies a lot more than material help.

Faith based criminal "correction" IS a lot more than material help.

"As a member of society, I'll have to deal with the graduates of such a system who elevate political/religious/conservative/liberal "correctness" over mere facts. I object. I should not have to subsidize that kind of sloppy education. The goal of education should be on how to think, not what to think."

Absorbing facts and theories is good.

"The RWE have a very bad habit of believing in the golden rule as long as the people they are doing unto believe the way they do"

Well, if they encounter enemies both foreign and domestic...

"LWE have a similar problem with their political correctness agenda. Fortunately, the majority seem to be more moderate, tolerant and rational"

Well they currently have control over both the education and information systems in the world. Just like it says in the Manifesto.

mav out