N6724G

Yep Just like Bush is D-bag and will NEVER speak for me.

Kilgore Trout

Can you explain this statement in more detail?

cybourg10

Sure, wasn't very clear.

You now have the worst chance since WWII ended of moving out of the economic class you were born into. In the 60s if you were middle class you had a better chance of moving to the "upper" middle class level than what one would experience in the 21st century.

I believe this is because we have

1: cut taxes for the super rich so low that instead of having that money go back into the economy in the forms of public works or education the funds now stay (and grow) with the family.

2: Over-Deregulation, this started in the 70s and picked up steam during the Reagan years. Sure we could have relaxed a few laws here and there but I think we created a monster and nearly dissolved all the "corruption filters" that were in place to keep rich people from taking advantage of the poorer (and usually less educated) middle class.

America became great because of the middle class and the rise of worker's rights and pay, it seems those gain have reversed course over the last 30 years. Just look at the CEO vs average worker pay ratio as evidence of the demise of the middle class. You want to see what America will look like in 20 years if we continue down this course of cutting top level tax rates and deregulating industries? Go to Mexico.

The American dream of working hard and earning your way towards a better life seems to have been killed by the fine print.

Kilgore Trout

cybourg,

My take, and you've read this before and it is reflected in your above comments- is that the middle class is being slowly squashed.

Many reasons for that, but I think that the main ones are that our entry level and skilled manufacturing jobs have moved away, and many of the remaining unskilled jobs have been taken up by a huge influx of undocumented workers.

GuppyPuppy

Have you ever seen the movie "Idiocracy"? Not a very good movie....actually think it went straight to DVD, but it does pose an interesting theory. Basically this country will be full of complete idiots in 500 years. The intelligent folks aren't making babies at the rate the Jerry Springer crowd is. In fact, it's not even close. The writers theorize (in jest) that we won't even know how to grow crops in 500 years (everything is being "watered" with Gatorade because it has electrolytes).

It saddens me that magazines like "People" and "US" are even published. Who really gives a darn about these so called celebrities? We have become a nation of short attention span citizens. We tweet instead of calling or even writing a letter. We don't stay on one TV channel for more than 10-15 minutes thanks to the remote control. When is the last time Joe the _______ ever read a book for entertainment? We elect a government more out of popularity rather than their stance on issues (Reagan, Schwarzenegger, Sonny Bono, etc...).

We are well on our way to a shift in power. We're giving all our money to China. Companies are outsourcing to India. We're over our heads in debt (both personally and nationally). My fear is that someday, maybe not in my lifetime, we will be under communist China's rule.

God help us.

GP

Lab Rat

Capitalism in Poland was spawned when the iron curtain fell. True, there was a solidarity movement under Lech Walesna. But, how easy do you think its members slept at night during that period?

Lab Rat

I have not seen this film, nor do I plan on spending the money to do so. I have, however seen his other films when they were shown on cable.

My question. For those who ridicule and criticize the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, do those individuals listen daily to their respective radio programs or do they not?

SkyHigh

If recall at the time when Rome fell 50% of the population was unemployed and on the dole. The coliseum was open nearly every day to keep the people from getting bored and revolting.

Perhaps we are heading towards an idiocracy? However instead of the coliseum we could show monster trucks and big time wrestling.

Skyhigh

bryris

You are speaking of people of whom I am not. Things happen. There should be a safety net built in place for that. I am not advocating to throw 'em in the gutters. But rather am speaking of a systemic problem with people leaching off a system supported by others. If you do not think this actually happens outside of those who truly need the help, you've lived a sheltered life.

As to my stuff, I've worked continually since I was 14 years old. As to my cars, one was given to us by my wife's grandparents (they are too old to drive - and no, its not a Buick), but the others are purchased/owned outright. One is for sale. The other is my daily driver - nothing too exciting and the other is my Jeep (avatar). I do not own an airplane yet, but have keys to one of my friend's that I can fly for the price of gas. I was just proving a point, not trying to rub anything in anyone's face.

Being smart with your money can go a long way. At 27 years old, I had worked and accumulated money for 13 years straight before I exited my latest FO position. The fact that I can bridge the gap right now without working and go to school full time is a testament to that fact. Getting married at 23 does have its advantages (as well as disadvantages). Two can live almost as cheaply as one, effectively allowing one income to be saved. And, my wife's checks are "meager".

IrishTiger

Did anyone catch Hannity last night? He interviewed Michael Moore. I watch Sean every night, but this interview was great.

I was floored at the things Moore was saying. I couldn't believe it.