Flint,

[no insult]

Yell,

Scientific data is essential, however personal experience goes a long way in understanding women's bodies.

Flint,

1. It's conceivable that a vagina is not completely dry. Yet without sufficient lubrication, a woman will be hurt by it. And without any lubrication, it would be difficult to penetrate her.

2. It's true that some women lie about being raped to protect their reputations. But women will lubricate even when they are actually raped. Whereas men's sexual physiology is usually telling of his desire, that is not so in women. The reason is partly that without lubrication, forceful penetration can cause such physical trauma to the vagina that she becomes infertile. So, in part, that is why women evolved to lubricate in response to hints of sex in their environment.

3. Since a woman can only become pregnant during ovulation, of course it's unlikely that a woman will become pregnant from any one episode.

4. In response to your confused understanding of US prostitution, the industry regulates itself very well due to the efficient flow of information that creates a powerful disincentive for both providers and customers to commit fraud.

Yell,

1. No it happens a fair amount of the time.
2. There's a difference between lubrication that is sufficient, insufficient, and none.

> The Yell wrote:

> "Secularists don't believe politicians are the highest moral authority. I'm not sure where you got that silly idea."

So who is the highest moral authority? Susan Powter? STOP THE INSANITY>

You'll probably get a variety of answers, but few of them would name contemporary politicians. My answer, of course, is there is no morality. What you call morality is actually a list of rules that owe their existence to a combination of our social nature, culture, and/or religion.

Hey Yell,

Secularists don't believe politicians are the highest moral authority. I'm not sure where you got that silly idea. Actually, we commonly believe that the government is a necessary evil, and you must be ever vigilant and responsive if you want to minimize that evil and keep government accountable. You do that in ways that include a free press, transparency, and protest.

Abortion is a necessary evil that does more good than harm. Reproductive rights drop the price of sex because the natural risks of sexual activity for women are mitigated. So women are more accessible and men are less violent.

Detroit is that way because the automobile industry outsourced. It had nothing to do with its welfare policies, but industry regulations and unions had something to do with it.

Flint,

Machiavelli's actual and most researched opinions are in "The Discourses on Livy." He explicitly makes statements like republics are more likely to serve the benefit the people than are princes, and summed up with others it's clear he supported republics.

So no. You're confused about what Machiavelli believed.

Obama's statements were deliberately misrepresented. He meant that government created the environment for businesses to thrive. A basic example is the police that protect businesses from theft. Fact is, business doesn't thrive in anarchy.

Yell,

Minneapolis is only 63% white.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis#Demographics

Although, Minnesotans are unusual voters. There is a old saying that is paraphrased like this: "Minnesotans live conservatively and vote liberally."

My internet access has been irregular, and I nearly forgot. Good luck Xeno. I wish you well in life, whatever it is you choose to do.

Those making $250,000 are not rich, they are upper middle class. The highest marginal rate that should apply to them shouldn't be more than 20% by my estimation. But we should add more tax brackets with the top marginal rate being 55%, which would apply to incomes of ~$10million or more.

I also favor eliminating most deductions and eliminating corporate taxes, estate taxes, inheritance taxes, and capital gains etc.

We also need to drastically cut spending.

Also, it's outrageous that the professional, upper middle class pays the top marginal income tax rate.