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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:13 pm
by KD
Saxman wrote: Capitalism only works when someone is there to keep people from abusing their workers, the environment, their investors, etc.
you mean the Italians?
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:20 pm
by Crankmas
Free trade agreements, the dearth of the USA manufacturing base, this policy is a band-aid for the failures of the Clinton and Bush administrations and the Congress that passed them, people laughed at Perot when he warned of the job loses to follow these agreements, its the difference between someone with experience and wisdom vis-a-vis the incompetence and arrogance of Clinton and Bush, and I agree Americans are sheep but have no fear the wolf is at the door.
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:27 pm
by Andrew
I think the ultra low interest rates from Greenspan are part of this Housing crisis/economic crisis. Bernake lowering the rates is just delaying the inevitable, just like piggy said.
I am just going to mail my check to China, or frame it and put it on the wall.
Maybe our governments next big idea will be to print more money. That should fix the problem, right?
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:38 pm
by pigsteak
just remember folks..no one is making you cash that check. tear it up if it offends you, burn it if it hurts your conscience, give it to a homeless shelter if you already have to much.
we all have a choice how we spend it. or not spend it.
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:41 pm
by Paul3eb
lot of hate for one of the strongest, most stable economies ever known. after all, do you pay millions of dollars for eggs? or are you considering burning the money for heat since it's cheaper than buying wood?
the checks aren't meant to solve anything.. just to help a bit. there's evidence that suggests the 2001 checks helped get us out of recession.. might as well try it again.
it's a bet.. just like anything else. they're betting that getting ourselves back on our feet right now (if only a little), will buy us enough time and stability to have things figured out for when the consequences of this come back around. no, there aren't guarantees.. but, other than with slim-fast, what guarantees do you really have? a good example that i heard the other day: if you have a pothole, the dirt has to come from somewhere.. but having to take the dirt from somewhere shouldn't stop you from filling the pothole.
personally, i don't understand the big problem (i can see taking issue with it.. just not as big an issue as is being made). honestly, who would you rather have spending the money, you or the government? ..really.. i want you to raise your hand if you'd rather have the government spending it. really i would. i've seen the way government dollars get spent and, personally, i think i can make more effective use of anything they might give me.
[my point isn't to say critical thinking isn't good.. or that i agree with everything that's happening.. just that there's no need for panic and i feel like there's a lot of.. anxiety (if not panic) in the country these days. it's a self-perpetuating emotion that doesn't really help anything. just hope it gets reigned in is all.]
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:03 pm
by Andrew
I trust paul with this money, but not most Americans. What about the government investing in things that are sustainable. Infrastructure, renewable energy, alternative feuls, education, research, innovation. I just think if the government is going to spend the money, they should think a little bit more into the future.
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:04 pm
by Saxman
Basically, we're screwed. Our government is over 9 trillion in debt and the population saved a negative percentage of it's income last year. Unless a major change happens with our ENTIRE populace and our elected leaders, we are going to go down in flames. It is not a question of if, but simply when. Our economic system cannot sustain this, even with open borders artificially spurring growth. This does not include the pending economic crush that is going to start happening as every baby boomer demands the best possible medical treatment available no matter the cost.
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:05 pm
by L Day
Paul - Stop making sense. Right now, before some tiny mind gets hurt. And Saxman, I've been hearing predictions of our pending economic collapse for what, the last thirty years, maybe longer?
Now repeat after me. The economy runs in cycles, sometimes up, sometimes down. It's always been that way. And thus it shall remain. Try to make sure that you and your business can take the lean times with the good. Those living on the margin when things are good get hammered in the downturns. This will not change.
Feel better now?
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:06 pm
by pigsteak
wow, a complete sellout corporate whore is on the loose....reign HIM in.
that's the thing I hear a minister say paul.....if the check presonally feels like a bad idea to anyone, YOU get to decide on how/where it gets spent. don't like Bush? Then donate it to the democratic presidential candidate. Or an inner city mission. Or give it to AA. Or Planned Parenthood, OR RRGCC....hmmmm, I smell some bank for RRGCC.
(Not mine, mind you. I love the check, plus the wife has already earmarked it for our trip to the Galapagos Islands this fall.)
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:27 pm
by ashtray
pigsteak wrote:
(Not mine, mind you. I love the check, plus the wife has already earmarked it for our trip to the galapagos Islands this fall.)
going to bolt some heaps in the south pacific are we? Garbside? good name i think.........
oh and welcome back LArry. these off the hook liberal fascists were really starting to bug me. set em straight!!!!!!!