May I clarify?

[valleyglen]

When I said that I was looking for a place that people didn't want to live off the state's dime, I meant that in WV the prevailing thought process here is to collect a check. I have actually heard children as young as 9 say that when they grow up they want to, "Collect a check." 

As far as me being on the dime, and doing little for fair/good wages, if you think that working with one partner amongst 750 inmates at any given time, trying to stem the flow of narcotics, stop inmate on inmate violence, and prevent any number of crimes with nothing more than a can of pepper spray is doing little, come on "back east" and take a walk on the yard with me for a day. State troopers won't even come on the yard if it is open, but you'll do fine, I'm sure.

I am looking for a place to continue my third career, (I'm twice retired now), get out of a state that is on the brink of becoming socialist run, shoot, maybe hunt a little, and generally relax. Maybe I don't fit in with your elitist attitude, but right now, I don't really care one way or the other.

Lastly, I have been to Rawlins, several times in the bitter cold with wind warnings for big trucks and I am glad that I didn't have to hang out there very long, so no, I don't think I'll choose that town to live in, but thanks anyway.

[jscottdavis04]

Don't be discouraged by the discussion. I think some people here are sometimes too "purist" and others can get offended a bit too easily (the down-side of communication on the Net?). I try to appreciate the discussions that arise here for what they are: independent people using their own minds (for better or worse) to critically reflect upon the issues. This is a good thing... although sometimes chaotic and all too foreign to those of us raised anywhere.

I agree with Manumit's point he made to you earlier: It would be a good thing to have a prison worker who doesn't believe that the government is the answer to everything. Whether you stay in that career or not as you move towards liberty is your own business. You can see by looking back at the other thread that there are some variations of opinion on this and no standard FSW position on the matter.

I haven't admitted this anywhere in the forum prior to today, but last year at this time I applied for a job with the TSA at a little airport in Kotzebue, Alaska. I decided I don't have the stomach to deal with the government on a daily basis (the application process alone nearly drove me to drink!), but I do think it's a good thing to hear someone in your position to be looking for a community of liberty folk to interact with. Hang in there.

PS. Rawlins isn't that bad! In this part of the state, a day without wind is a like a day without sunshine.

[biathlon]

I was born and raised here and Rawlins does not have a monopoly on the wind. Try Laramie, or Casper, or Lander, or, or,  Our nation can pretty much be divided into 2 distinct camps.
 
 Camp #1, people who work for a living.
 Camp #2, people who vote for a living.
 
 I believe we are near or past the point where camp #2 outnumbers camp #1. Several of the states and the fedgovcoinc are beyond bankrupt because of this. It is unsustainable and it has begun to unravel.
 
 As far as I'm concerned anyone who works for a living is more than welcome here. Do you ski?

[TexasGirl]

I certainly believe a whole lot less government is better, and acknowledge the purist view that you can't be patriotic and accept even a paycheck, much less a handout, originating from taxpayers money.  But I also see the point that we need constitutionally supportive people in civilian government as well as military and elected positions.  There's nothing like a friend in the right spot at the right time, and decisions are made or influenced by people at all levels.  If enough people on the inside held the premise of contracting government instead of expanding it, we could get somewhere.

That "shrink it from the inside" philosophy might have been more effective 20 years ago, but as gov becomes more invasive each day thru these top-down mandates, it helps to have as many likeminded folks in "contact" positions.  Few here would not want a libertarian Sheriff, but wouldn't that also extend to all his deputies?  How about the city police?  Judge?  The list is actually endless.  If the position is out there, it's better to hire anyone other than a power hungry progressive.

~TG     

[manfromnevada]

Let me clarify as well . . . .
I never said that certain government jobs are difficult. Yours sounds horrific. But then again you are doing it at your own free will in exchange for your pay and benefits.

But the root of my somewhat caustic reply (on the original thread) was that there on your very FIRST post, without any mention of looking for more liberty, more freedom, less government control, etc, you were bemoaning the people on the government dole while you yourself were sending out feelers for a government job here in Wyoming.

We often get first timers here who are trying to use this forum as a "Wyoming Relocation Center" to find a job. Their sole reason for wanting to come to Wyoming is perhaps the scenery, the hunting, or the traffic. But I sometimes remind them that this is the FREE STATE WYOMING forum whose members are generally interested in FREEDOM and LIBERTY and personal responsibility.

Many (most?) of us don't want to attract just anyone to Wyoming. See what's happened to Colorado! We want to attract FREEDOM minded folks. Folks who want less government, not more. Folks who want less taxes, not more. Folks who want to live their lives without infringement as long as they do no harm to others.

Perhaps you (valleyglen) are one of those people. Perhaps not. I have no way of telling since you have not stated any such information. That's your choice of course. If I have wrongfully jumped to conclusions then I hereby apologize with sincerity.

Mac

[jubal]

   I didn't get in on the original thread, so if I speak out of turn, I apologize out of ignorance of what was said beforehand.

   "Maybe I don't fit in with your elitist attitude, but right now I don't really care one way or another".
                                         
                                                         valleyglen

   I do not know where you picked up on the elitist attitude blame you are accusing us of having. The folks I have met here in FSW are pretty down to earth and straight forward, and I have been inFSW for 3 yrs, and have lived in Wyoming 42 yrs.I have attended many functions that we have as a group. We do not beat around the bush and parse to many words however.

   With what I have quoted you saying above, seems to be an attitude that may be at cross purposes with the philosophy of FSW. I can only speak for myself, but maybe you don't fit in with the liberty minded.and free spirited, free thinking  people here in Wyoming. Its a suit yourself world. Do as you please