For reasons to be explained shortly, I do not engage with the poster known as “The Tao’s Revenge.” Since it’s apparently against the rules to mention this fact outside of the Pit, I am doing so here.
In case anyone is curious, here’s why.
In a thread about socialized medicine, I argued that one should not expect that socialized medicine in the US would work out as well as in Canada or Europe because the US has a large underclass compared to such places. As evidence of America’s larger underclass I pointed to our much higher crime rates.
Here is the thread:
The Tao’s Revenge strawmanned me as follows:
That wasn’t my argument at all. For one thing, I believe that the US can afford and should have “safety nets,” including some form of medical care for the poor. For another, I’m not saying that there is a causal link between crime in America and problems which would be encountered by socialized medicine. Instead, I’m saying that both things are potential effects of another cause, viz. the existence of a large underclass.
I asked The Tao’s Revenge to back up his claim or retract it, which he did not do.
Now, I’m not saying that The Tao’s Revenge is a bad person, or a liar, or an idiot. I don’t know why he or she misrepresented my position and I don’t care. I have no interest in debating with him or her.
By the way, I’m not interested in discussing (in this thread) whether or not I was correct about the underclass and socialized medicine. So for the sake of this thread, let’s assume that my argument was completely wrong. Nor am I interested (in this thread) in discussing whether I am a smart or honest or worthy poster, in general.
Any posts along such lines will be taken as confirmation that The Tao’s Revenge did in fact strawman me.
So let the flames begin! Burn me to a crisp!! Bring it on!!