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Monolycus
Fanatic Posts: 580 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 10/8/2003 at 10:08 PM |
I've never been able to resist an unopened can of worms. Here's one that's
just screaming for release.
So, how about that arbitrarily-designated "jobless economic recovery" we're
having? What's that...? You don't see it? Of course you don't, silly!
Unless you are amongst the most elite of the elite, it doesn't concern you.
If you have to keep putting caveats in front of it, it's not a recovery,
it's propaganda.
But... but... Why did they arbitrarily decide that there was a recovery
that began a year and a half ago, then...?
Well, it wasn't arbitrary. We began an economic "recovery" when the
richest two percent stopped losing money and began making money again.
Most of that involved backroom deals with multi-million dollar
"reconstruction" contracts. Phil Condit (CEO of Boeing); L. Lowry Mays
(CEO of Clearchannel); Riley P. Bechtel (Chairman of Bechtel); Donald Louis
Evans (Secretary of Commerce and former CEO of Tom Brown Oil, Inc.); Daniel
P. Burnham (Chairman of Raytheon); Vance D. Coffman (CEO of
Lockheed-Martin); James A. Thomson (CEO of the Rand Corporation); William
Harrison "Bill" Frist (Senate majority Leader and part owner of
Columbia/HCA Healthcare); Peter Sutherland (Chairman of British Petroleum);
G. Richard "Rick" Wagoner, jr. (CEO and President of General Motors);
Jeffrey R. Immelt (CEO of General Electric); Ronald D. Sugar (CEO of
Northrup Grumman); David J. O'Reilly (CEO and Chairman of ChevronTexaco);
Louis V. Gerstner, jr. (Chairman of the Carlyle Group); Stephen Friedman
(Director of the National Economic Council and ex-chairman of Goldman
Sachs); Lee R. Raymond (CEO of Exxon Mobil); and Nicholas D. Chabraja (CEO
of General Dynamics) are all in full and complete "recovery", due mostly to
multi-billion dollar defense contracts. According to Malthusian economic
principles, it doesn't matter if ninety-eight percent are still starving
and see no benefits with no hope on the horizon... those ninety-eight
percent aren't the ones that Wall Street Weekly is talking to anyway.
But... but... I thought that if the richest of the rich do well, their
money would "trickle down" to the rest of us! I thought that the rich got
rich so that they would build factories and industry to get richer and we
would be able to pursue our meager subsistence by working in those
factories and industries ! Isn't that what an economic recovery is all
about...?
Heh, heh, you naïve little peon. "Economic recovery" has nothing
whatsoever to do with you. Rich people do not, by and large, spend their
additional income; they had enough money in the first place to buy most of
their purchases. No, silly peon, rich people put every newly minted penny
they can get their paws on into hyperinflated savings accounts or pad their
stock portfolios with it. It isn't dropped at the local Wal-Mart to
recirculate back into the economy! Most of it doesn't physically exist
anyway, and couldn't be spent if anyone wanted to spend it.
But... but... doesn't a rising tide raise all the boats...? If we got rid
of the rich, wouldn't we just be cutting our own throats...? I mean, why
would people keep propping up a leisure class if it hurt them? Somebody
would point out that the emperor didn't have any clothes on if it were
wrong.
You tell me, my naïve little peon. There's nothing but hyperinflation in
the grocery stores, we can't even calculate the unemployment rates because
so many people have fallen through the cracks (500,000 new ones are off the
chart within the last three months alone), only the richest of the rich can
afford health care or the costs of prescription medication while millions
of un- and underemployed have no medical insurance whatsoever, and there is
no indication that things are going to get any better for the average
person while the richest are enjoying their highly caveated economic
recovery. But just because a large majority of people believe something,
you think it makes it right? Ah, peon, have you never heard the term
"folie à millions"...?
That's French, isn't it...? Sorry, I'm boycotting all things French. This
argument is over.
More than you, peon. More than you know.
~M. |
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AloneSoul
Fanatic Posts: 522 Registered: 6/7/2002 Status: Offline
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posted on 11/8/2003 at 01:30 AM |
When I hear of “trickling benefits” I immediately picture the scene from
Schindler’s List where Oscar Schindler was spraying water on the train cars
filled with prisoners. Remember that one? The water was “trickling” down
onto their tongues. ____________________ but at least you know, just how much pain there is in living |
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Monolycus
Fanatic Posts: 580 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 11/8/2003 at 02:05 AM |
Alone: I never saw Schindler's List, but what you described is the most apt
simile for the "compassionate conservative" doctrine of trickle-down
economics that I have ever heard. That's the theory, anyway. In practice,
Schindler would stand on a train with a ladle and a bucket and say to
himself "You know, if I didn't pour this water on thirsty people, but put
it in a high-yield IRA instead...".
I am, as always
your faithful servant,
~M. |
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Anya
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 656 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 11/8/2003 at 05:39 AM |
A history teacher once told us that if we were spending our millions of
dollars on things like technology instead of having a nice mansion that
we'd be as 'advanced' as countries like Japan.
As for myself, I think that the "big boys" should at least make work for us
or do something else to the economy. I mean I'm in for spending money on
what one wants, but our economy is fricken' hurt and them sitting on their
big dollar bills isn't helping. Maybe the so-called "tax cuts" will help
due to it letting people have more money to spend (possible opening for
economical improvement), but on the other hand, it might hurt the money
that can be spent on helping it in another way. I know that Americans can
supposedly go from "poor to rich", but I think that it isn't as easy
anymore...especially with the IRS up our arses and the lawyers letting
those who do not use common sense get away with it.
It may not be 100%ly Bush's fault. He may not be doing as much as he could
to help the economy, but economical improvement usually comes from years of
something placed into the works, according to what I've learned. So it
could have been through the mistakes of past Presidents, but Bush pays the
price for he's the current one.
*still cannot get the thought "First thing we do...kill the lawyers." from
the Shakespeare plays out of her head...then again, only blabbing with
three hours of sleep*
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bettie_x
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 1570 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 11/8/2003 at 04:46 PM |
First off, trickle down my ass. I don't want any rich bastard's sloppy
seconds.
Secondly, it's a continuation of the "rich rule the world" philosophy that
runs this country. I understand that it is the natural course of things as
they own most/all the major companies in one way or another that provide we
"peons" with jobs, but they don't have a total stranglehold on use yet,
just a little game of "here, put this plastic bag over your head and jerk
off" between friends. The problem is, the reason they're called "rich" is
because they ARE "rich". Giving them more than they already have so much
of will not increase their spending, nor will they pour it into their
companies like people would LIKE to believe. As said above, it'll be
padding their 401K's, investment portfolios and accounts. Don't give them
what they already have, they'll only use it to make more. and more. And
then do massive layoffs because it's more "efficient" even tho they already
bring in more than they know what to DO with. I'm sick of the altruistic
CEO ideal that only the CEO's seem to have. Granted if they worked hard
and earned their position in life then they deserve every penny they get,
but PLEASE. When there are wage cuts in a company, does that include the
CEO? Nope. If they're evaluating cost benefits of layoffs, do they factor
in how much the CEO makes and that if even a 2% pay decrease would put the
company in the green? Back during the first massive stock market plunge,
the leading men of the financial world poured their bank accounts into the
market to save it, save their companies, and save jobs. When that didn't
work they did whatever they could to help the country rebound, using THEIR
money, THEIR time. Now what do we have? Well boys and girls, we have our
neuvo riche, country, employees, and dependents (that they created) be
damned. We have ENRON and it's likes.
They want to improve the economy? Then they should be giving the tax cuts
to the people that need it most so they can pay off our country wide
exorbitant consumer debt. (I realise they don't want us to be able to do
this, but work with me here). Give general, affordable, across the board
tax cuts. People can use that extra money to begin to pay off their debts.
Eventually more people are debt free, which frees up a lot of THEIR
monthly cash flow, which will prompt them to outright BUY more leisure
items such as cars, boats, etc. as well as be able to afford their basics
too, but what drives the economy the most are leisure items. More people
will be able to afford leisure items, not just the upper 10%. Hell, people
being able to pay their BILLS and have a little extra will help to
stiumlate the economy, vs. an elite percentage footing it.
Second scenario, they give tax cuts to businesses IN GENERAL. You want the
economy up? Help out the people that are working their asses off to help
you! You never know, microsoft started out in a broke tech geeks' garage,
one fortune 500 retail company started on the back of a motorcycle. The
larger companies that are already established and are making money cope
with business taxes much easier than the little guys. My dad runs his own
business after he retired two years ago...nothing much, buying and selling
heavy equipment, but for ever sale he makes he has to pay the IRS 1/3 of
the SALE, not of the profit. He doesn't just buy, put it out with a sign,
and sell. He paints, repairs, improves and then sells. There are a lot of
hours put into it, and a lot of hard work, and yet HE owes THEM for having
the RIGHT to work as hard as he does. My dad is WAY into "leisure" items.
If he got a tax cut that made his biz more profitable he'd buy even more.
But he's one of the little guys, the peons, remember? So he's entitled to
shit. Nice, isn't it?
What would I do with a tax cut? I'd pay off just ONE bill, or at least
make a dent. Do you know what that would give me every month? Overall,
about an extra $100 bucks. What would I do with that? Pay off another.
That would give me an extra $200 a month. With that I'd pay off the rest
of my bills, which would probably save me around $400 a month. What would
I do with that? Oh, buy a nice new car, maybe go on a vacation, buy a nice
big new TV, or maybe I'd save it and invest it into the stock market in a
promising new company, buy a house, or go back to school so I wouldn't have
to live paycheck to paycheck, which would afford me even MORE money to put
into the economy. Funny how that works, isn't it?
Oh, and as for the "poor to rich" american dream, it is possible to make a
good living here, but all the "stories" you see of "He USED to be the
little poor kid from ......." are the few cases that have been
sensationalised to promote the image of the land of opportunity. Here,
it's rare to trade class like that. You have to be a sports celebrity, a
movie star, a rock star, or some kind of "celebrity", with some kind of
"overnight" success story You know, rock hard bottom and hey? How long as
that elevator been there?
I'm not even saying that I would want to be rich. I'm also not saying I
would turn down the opportunity. I'm just one of the few people out there
that would be happy with just being comfortable. I'm just sick of being
condescended to and overlooked, and expected to be happy with sloppy
seconds of the upperclasses because I have no great desire to be that
wealthy. Even if I won the lottery, and found myself suddenly disgustingly
wealthy, I can honestly say that most of my win would be given away. If
being rich means being "one of them", then I don't want it.
____________________ Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas. |
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Abbadon
Fanatic Posts: 499 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 12/8/2003 at 05:23 PM |
I think you masses have been given a new opiate to chew on. ____________________ Light is changing to shadow, and casting a shroud over all we have known. |
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bettie_x
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 1570 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 12/8/2003 at 06:23 PM |
Oh please if I had opium and wouldn't go to jail for it I'd be relaxing in
a tent somewhere, not freaking out over the economic self destruction of my
country at the hands of the wealthy.
Go bugger yourself.
[Edited on 8/13/2003 by bettie_x] ____________________ Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas. |
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AloneSoul
Fanatic Posts: 522 Registered: 6/7/2002 Status: Offline
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posted on 12/8/2003 at 07:43 PM |
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=51
9&e=45&u=/ap/20030811/ap_on_re_us/cape_wind_1
Slightly off topic about the economy but notable. ____________________
SRC="http://www.rpgclassics.com/shrines/snes/ff6/images/characters/kefka.gi
f">
size=1> but at least you know, just how much pain there is in living |
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Ironboots
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 893 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 12/8/2003 at 10:23 PM |
Oh good, the economy grew a little the last month... big whoop. Am I the
only one that cares about the elephant in the room? You know, that all our
jobs are going overseas to people that hardly get paid a living wage? Both
blue-collar and white collar are going overseas. And what is our government
doing about it?
Rome died because it imported more than it exported... How long before
Empire Americus follows suit? Will we lease out our bloated military to pay
our debts?
Ah well, hopefully the revolution is short, sweet, and makes this country
more environmentally-conscious... In the meantime, I'll be busy doing the
small-guy thing: living.
AloneSoul: Oh yeah... rich bastards don't care where the power plants are,
just as long as they aren't in their backyard... grr... Where were they in
other important environmental decisions? (And a stupid ex-warzone doesn't
count)
Well, now that I'm fed up with the world, I'm going to bed... wake me up if
it's different tomorrow. ____________________ Piggy's got the Conch! |
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Xaoswolf
Fanatic Posts: 463 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 13/8/2003 at 09:44 AM |
Anya
The reason that Japan spends their money on tech and not mansions, is that
there just isn't room for the mansions on their tiny island.
Plus, I'd rather have the mansion than a robot dog and vibrating
toothbrush. Seriously, just how much more advanced is japan, have you seen
some of the junk they put out? ____________________ Sometimes I dream about dinosaurs shopping for cargo shorts at the Gap.
Does that make me a bad person? |
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bettie_x
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 1570 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 13/8/2003 at 12:18 PM |
Yeah, but the sad thing is they're making a killing selling that "junk" to
AMERICA! Who's the bigger fool? ____________________ Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas. |
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Anonymous
Posts: 116 Registered: 14/4/2002 Status: Offline
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posted on 4/10/2005 at 09:50 AM |
why did oscar schindler tryed to help geoths servants??? |
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Monolycus
Fanatic Posts: 580 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 5/10/2005 at 02:25 PM |
quote: why did oscar schindler
tryed to help geoths servants???
Because it said so in the script.
So who is this mysterious anonymous person who keeps rifling through my old
posts, anyway? ____________________ "I believe that woman is planning to shoot me again." |
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EyeCandyRayce
Fanatic Posts: 247 Registered: 19/1/2004 Status: Offline
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posted on 5/10/2005 at 06:26 PM |
Speaking of outsourcing. I am presently in Maui visiting MRD and Devin. MRD
and I were shopping around for something for me to take home to my
boyfriend and daughter and I looked at the tag on a Lei and it said "Made
in China". I busted out laughing.
Nothing seems to be made in the US anymore. And since I work phone tech
support it is getting harder and harder to find jobs because they keep
outsourcing my job overseas where they train poorly paid people to pretend
to be americans and give them fake names like John, Mary and David. ____________________ Suicide Hotline - Please Hold |
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crash
Occasional Poster Posts: 37 Registered: 27/11/2005 Status: Offline
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posted on 3/12/2005 at 06:49 PM |
Of course, we could just take it the way we've been given it and deal with
our misfortune as obviously nothing one individual does can make much
difference. Yes, the masses could change the state of the world, but are
you going to round everyone up to take over Washington? And even if
Washington were taken over, it's not like the problems would cease to
exist. The economy would still suck and we'd still be poor. Yes, the
government is corrupt and yes, it needs to change, but that's easier said
than done. Personally, I'd rather work for my money than be given anything
I don't have the right to. Perhaps the top 2% owe their riches to less than
righteous practices but that's their deal. They can take that up with their
maker when the time comes.
Don't get me wrong. I'm all for change. But when the time comes to make
said change and actually create something better for ourselves, then give
me a ring. In the meantime, I'll be living my honest life. Thanks.
[Edited on 4/12/2005 by crash] ____________________
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bettie_x
Extreme Fanatic Posts: 1570 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 8/12/2005 at 10:37 PM |
Oh I'm sick to DEATH of that "Take it up with your maker" or that second
life reckoning bullshit, it doesn't do myself or anybody else. WE LIVE IN
THE HERE AND NOW. I don't give two red goddamned cents what their "maker"
makes of all of this. It's a fucking copout. When are people going to
start paying for their behavior NOW? Oh, and by the way, that conveyor
belt leads to heaven, not the slaughterhouse moo-cow. GOOooood beastie.
On you go *zap* ____________________ Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas. |
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crash
Occasional Poster Posts: 37 Registered: 27/11/2005 Status: Offline
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posted on 9/12/2005 at 02:55 AM |
The Judas Cow. Chuck Palahniuk is an interesting man. I love him.
In any case, good for you. Be all sorts of sick to death of it. After all,
that is your opinion. I have my own opinion and I have my own way of
living. I'll tell you though, it's a lot more complex than perhaps you've
estimated. I won't get into a religious debate as that not what I've posted
for. I have my beliefs, you have yours. Let's leave it at that, eh? I'm not
one to advertise for my faith, thanks.
____________________
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Monolycus
Fanatic Posts: 580 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
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posted on 9/12/2005 at 11:49 AM |
Couple of interesting thoughts slipping past here, and I'd be irresponsible
not to acknowledge that.
First up, Bettie... I agree with you that a theological approach here is
not satisfying. Unlike Mussolini, most thieves and tyrants manage to die
very comfortably in their beds and that fact alone encourages more to
emulate them. The consequences of our actions are here and now... and
since our Maker is not the one being victimised by scoundrels, I fail to
see why He should be taking things up with them. In the absence of
evidence, the suggestion that there is a higher authority awaiting us in
the afterlife is just an absurd extension of Authoritarianism. If there is
justice at all (and the evidence is against it), it is going to have to be
discovered in this life. If lives have to be shattered to manure the
garden for an expected afterlife, it simply isn't worth it.
And Crash... that's a bang up job of outlining the doctine of the Good
German. So, if I read you correctly, you think change should happen, but
won't be bothered to lead the charge... and you feel that "just going
along" with a bad system as honestly as you are able does not make you in
any way complicit for perpetuating it. Eichmann would certainly have
agreed with that. Arendt, on the other hand, would say that epitomises the
Banality of Evil. I'm sure there's a tenable position in there somewhere.
I will say, though, that even if not making waves is not tacit acceptance
and therefore perpetuation of a bad system, it does nothing to alleviate
it, either. Some would argue that my bitching here does nothing to
alleviate it, either. But life is brief, and even if Che Guevara
ultimately lost, his name is known by us today for having made some waves.
Some of us will live to ripe old ages and will have spent that time
"honestly" and foolishly... and then will never be spoken of again. Some
of us will follow our consciences into an early grave and will have spent
our time "honestly" and foolishly... but might put the tiniest of dents in
the Grand Facade. If the Grand Facade is thus given a Death by a Thousand
Dents, maybe our brief lifetimes will have been wirth it after all.
One thing that I am in complete agree with you on: If Washington (D.C)were
to pass, the problems would still exist, because as fashionable as
it is to blame everything on U.S. Imperialism, that is not the real
problem. The face of the Imperials are international. Exxon is as
"American" a problem as Shell is a "Dutch" problem. The problem is class
and corporations... and those problems do not have national allegiances.
Apropos of nothing, I seem to be missing a sock. ____________________ "I believe that woman is planning to shoot me again." |
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