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Originally posted by Agamemnon@Dec 22 2004, 11:23 AM
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I gotta go with Frank on this one. Give me one good reason why someone shouldn't be responsible for their own actions, and I'm talking their own willing intentional actions.
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If everyone is responsible for their own actions, then why doesn't the government allow them access to more dangerous weapons, like automatic guns? Because the government, while holding you responsible for your actions, also feels the need to protect people from themselves. Thats why they provide old age pension, unemployment insurance, healthcare, education, etc. Because individuals are NOT responsible for every aspect of their lives. The government holds many of your basic rights and needs as THEIR responsibility.
Wal-Mart probably shouldn't be responsible. If they did everything within the law, and the law failed this girl, then its probably the law's fault. You believe that nothing can be done, and these tragedies are just a side-effect of freedom? Pretty poor side effect from her point of view (or was).
And btw, if you seriously think you 'choose' to eat at McDonalds, actively and without unconscious bias thats been programmed into you, then I heartily disagree. If you go because its 'good', then you have terrible taste in food, and if you go because its 'cheap' or 'convenient', check out Safeways, they've got much better, healthier, equally convenient food. Maybe you go to McDonalds for other reasons... but I'm sure its because you just love their cooking so much, that must be it.
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Being responsible for my actions has nothing to do with not being able to buy automatic weapons. It has to do with protecting others from my actions. The reason those types of weapons are illegal is so that someone who is inclined to do so can't (in theory) go get a machine gun and shoot up a city street, it has nothing to do with not holding people accountalbe (ie not being responsible for their own actions). If I circumvent the law and get that gun, you can bet I'll be held responsible. That's what laws are for, to protect the public, and to ensure that people are held responsible. Just because something is illegal, doesn't mean I won't do it, but it makes sure that there are consequences if I do, hence I am being held responsible for my own actions.
Also, the government holding may of my basic rights and needs as their responsibily is just that, My rights and needs, not my actions. Those are still mine, and I'm responsible for them.
And BTW, who the hell are you supposing to know why I go to McDonalds? Sometimes it's cause I don't feel like cooking, sometimes it's cause I don't want to get out of my car, sometimes it's cause I'm hung over and a sausage McMuffin is tasty as hell. I can assure you it has nothing to do with their commercials.