You gotta fight, for your right...

[kandrathe]

This is a real southern European plan. They are already not paying there share to the EU, and now they want us to pay taxes for people to go on holiday. Which in its self is not a bad thing, but guess where all the people will go to? Italy of course (the fact that this guy was appointed by Berlusconi should ring a bell and should tell you that this is not just a nice social plan).

Here in the US, there are some people in the middle politically who warn about embracing any action (however popular) in the extremes, because of the unintended consequence of justifying that same extreme for an opposite purpose. I'm thinking of the Patriot Act, which Bush and the Neo-cons claimed they needed to enable them to crack down on domestic terrorists, which is now being used for domestic spying on groups who have a political agenda contrary to the current regime. "Hoisted by your own petard" is what I'm thinking. There are many other examples, in the realm of sacrificing liberties in the name of stamping out some anecdotal evil (e.g. poverty), or promoting some popular good deed (e.g. health care). For example, hate speech laws, and how they restrict freedom of religion or freedom of speech. A current news item here in the US is where Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, was asked to speak at the Pentagon (on a National day of Prayer), but now that invitation has been rescinded because of his public stated opinion on Islam (he is against it (not the people mind you). A shocker). This is a chilling example of how our society now "forbids" interactions with people who have certain viewpoints or are associated with religion. I hope the Pentagon would instead choose Bernice King, and then let's see people stand up against the daughter of MLK being allowed to speak.

Suggesting that youth will go on a subsidized visit to watch abandoned power plants in Manchester is nothing more than a kick in the **** of common sense.

{sic}But, certainly the poor workers of Manchester have the right to enjoy the Italian Riviera, as much as the overweight capitalists from Frankfurt. When it comes to pleasure, shouldn't "each according to their abilities, each according to their needs" also apply?