Nearly one-in-five new HIV cases are the result of drug users sharing dirty needles, an extrodinarily high number. Some cities have attempted to combat the epidemic by giving free clean needles to addicts in exchange for used ones. These programs are highly controversial in the U.S., with many insisting such programs encourage drug use and increase crime. Should your community be funding needle exchange programs?
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I agree
No government service benefits all equally.
Sunshine, you have set up a condition that is impossible to achieve. Those who can afford the services of tax lawyers can get the benefit of government services with a minimum of taxes . The wealthy and well-connected usually get better treatment from the police than those who are poor. Even so, the whole community is better off with some Government services even though some will benefit from them more than others.
- Michael Glass
October 3, 2009 8:23AM
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I'll name some keepers
Government services to keep:
Military
Judicial system
Coast Guard
Police
CIA/FBI
..... that's probably it
and yes, the people who can afford services to lower taxes benefit. The wealthy live better because they've earned it. As far as I'm concerned there is one necessary function of government: to protect citizens from foreigners and from each other. There is no other service the government can provide that is fair, efficient and benefits everybody. I am for equality and liberty. What are you for?
Impossible to achieve? I believe this country started with even less....
- sunshiner424
October 3, 2009 12:53PM
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Wealth does not equal virtue
Sunshine, wealth does not equal virtue. When the law in its majesty prohibits rich and poor from sleeping under the bridges of Paris, that law benefits the rich while penalising the destitute. Your prescription is strong on perceived self-interest, but I think your tune might change if you suffered a reversal of fortune.
- Michael Glass
October 3, 2009 5:33PM
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Not here
Hay Michael my tune did not change when I suffered a reversal of fortune.
Thats when frends,family, church and neighbours came to help.And we should do the same for others too.
- countryboy
October 4, 2009 6:56PM
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Government
As far as I'm concerned there is one necessary function of government to protect citizens from foreigners and from each other.There is no other serice the government can provide that is fair,efficient and benefits everyboby.
You got that right,the way it should be.
- countryboy
October 4, 2009 6:41PM
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Government?
That's why we have public hospitals, public libraries and public schools ... not to mention public transportation . You have a very interesting idea of community. do you live in a cabin in the mountains?
- Joey Tranchina
October 4, 2009 10:01PM
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We shouldn't have them
Public schools , hospitals, transportation and libraries run very inefficiently and many run on a constant deficit. Compare that to private schools, hospitals, and transportation services and you can see the clear difference. Not only running with a profit but providing better service. Without the superficially "cheap" public options, more private businesses would penetrate the lower income market to still provide superficially cheap services but running with a small profit so it wouldn't drain everyone's pocket money through taxes .
- sunshiner424
October 5, 2009 11:33AM
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Public money
Do you live in a cabin in the mountains?Sound good but no I don't.
You have a very interesting idea of community.Yes I might if everyone would be a part of there community the public hospitals,public libaries and public school would be ran by the public!With out Government money .
- countryboy
October 5, 2009 4:10PM
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