Heresay, speculation, opinion. I don't live in the ghetto, so I can't make the same claim about everyone I know being poor.
Where do you live Gtech? An "upscale" neighborhood where everyone only looks like they have money, but are really in debt up to their eyeballs, just to maintain the appearance of a luxurious lifestyle? I've owned you in so many financial debates that, quite frankly, I'm getting tired of talking about it. I will just let the future prove me, Ron Paul, Paul Craig Roberts, Joseph Stigliz, Bernie Sanders, and everyone else right....... I'm just glad I've got some gold and silver so my paper dollars don't turn into toilet paper. Sure can't say the same for 90% of the U.S. population........boy is it going to suck when they blow out the dollar completely............I wonder what you're going to say when a gallon of milk costs $25........
On the questioning the numbers, hmmm I was not for the study, or for giving. No way for me to really question the numbers without another study, I do not know of one do you? Makes it a bit hard to question numbers unless you have an alternate method Show a study or something to dispute the numbers then we can go that route, without such a source though it makes it a bit impossible to do.
I mostly agree with what you wrote here, except I don't believe that government is as responsible for peoples financial problems as it is their own fault. People want to have everything that everyone else does, I have neighbors with new trailers with parking for the quads, new quads, boats, etc... along with the newer car and SUV or 4 door / 4wd trucks.
I agree that millionaires shouldn’t collect SS Checks, I also believe that people should have an option to opt out of SS if they pay for 3-5 years to help support the system. I agree with you here, in fact if there is ever a case for government sponsored abortion it should be offered to people on welfare. This is where I start to disagree with you. We don’t give companies tax breaks to outsource; we give them tax credit for their taxes paid in foreign countries on their US tax bills. Its an incentive to expand business globally. Americans don’t want to do farming work at $6-8 an hour. They want $20-30 and if you pay that much per working a head of lettuce will be $5 instead of the $1 its now which will result in less people buying Lettuce which will hurt the farmers. While the people may hate us, the governments like us, also most of that aid goes to Israel. If we put large tariffs on imported goods other countries will do the same which is put a stop to global trade which will result in shortages of certain goods, higher prices on others and will ultimately lead to a lower standard of living for the average American. The reason we had a great depression was because of the protectionist laws that passed in the late 1920s and 1930s
Well, things would be easier if we didn't have so much inflation, a currency backed by gold or silver, no government subsidies to special interest groups, the eradication of the income tax and the fed, yes, if the government did these things, and didn't waste money, things would be better in the country. I also agree that the government should get rid of many of these social programs that are being abused. I'm not going to say the government is not responsible at all, because that is ridiculous. As Ron Paul makes clear, we have a monetary policy that sucks, and that is partly the problem of the government. However, the average man or woman wants to get something for nothing. Let me give you an example... I've got an uncle who is much older than me, and he has a bunch of kids. He didn't save money when he was young, become more educated, or even start his own business. He also got in trouble with the law. Anyway, he asks me to borrow $300, and I tell him NO, but then offer to send him a book on finance that helped me keep my finances under control. Well, he insults me and hangs up the phone..........it is people like this that make up a large percentage of this 41 million...........bottom feeders who are looking for hand outs, who are unwilling to make the sacrifices necessary to become Middle Class or the Upper Class. I don't feel sorry for these people. No matter how bad the economy gets, the one thing I know for certain is that there will always be an opportunity to succeed. You just have to no where to look. Debunk, I know that the Middle Class is being destroyed intentionally. I've written book about it, read books about it, and continue to research it. But no matter who smart the international bankers think they are, there is always a loophole that allows those who have the determination, discipline, and knowledge to outsmart them. It doesn't matter if the governments of other countries like us...........we need to stop giving them money, and ly2 is correct. Our own government is about to go bankrupt, we're in debt to China, why in the hell are we giving billions to Israel each year, when a quarter of our own people can't afford the basics. I can't agree with this. The reason we had a depression in 29 is because the dollar became scarce. While money and credit flowed freely during the "roaring 20s" allowing Americans to take out loans for every little thing, the bankers contracted credit in the early 30s, and this combined with the market crash sent the U.S. into a depression. I believe it is about to happen again in the 21st century. Depressions generally happen in the same way: there is a large bubble that grows until it reaches are certain size, and then it pops, and when it does, a recession or depression occurs. Bankers have done this successfully for years by simply increasing or decreasing the money supply. When they increase the money supply, people can borrow at lower interest rates, and they do, because they are getting a great deal. Eventually, what goes up must come down, and eventually, the credit/money available contracts, interest rates rise, and people find it hard to borrow. Because they can't borrow money to support their lifestyles, businesses, or other endeavors, they file for bankruptcy due to insolvency. When this happens on a large scale, you have what is called a depression. At the very least, protectionist may have deepened the depression, but as far as the root cause of the event, it was simply a bubble that popped. I disagree with you on this. Illegal immigration is just an excuse for American firms to exploit workers for pennies on the dollars. You've got jobs that were worth $20 per hour back in the 1980s that now pay $10 per hour, because of illegal immigrants. Who says you've got to pay Americans $20 to $30 per hour to pick lettuce. Hell, I would do it for $12 per hour! Ly2 is right. It doesn't matter how the tax breaks are applied, the government should stop giving them out! It isn't fair that a select group of people get tax privileges while the rest of us don't, it doesn't matter how. The government continues to roll out the red carpet for multinationals, but small business people are finding it harder to compete. The government needs to stop it with the subsidies.
I like RP on almost domestic issues. It's his overseas views that bother me. It's also the fact the far left is using him as a tool to divide the right that bothers me as well. I have seen lefties admit that they will switch the get him elected in the primaries and then switch back to the left for the presidential election. AND, in all reality, if he did get elected he would be killed. That's almost a given. He wants to get rid of the IRS for gods sake, how well do you think that's going to play out? He'd be shot in the head before he could even be sworn in lol
That's the great thing about Ron Paul. He didn't have to run. At 72, he doesn't need to run around the country, flying commercial, giving non stop interviews and appearances. But he loves this country (misguided or not in his views) so damn much, he's willing to put it all on the line. And that's why people are so loud and dedicated in their support. How can you not like a guy with principles (right or wrong), who doesn't leech off the people or system, and takes on the critics who are working overtime to diminish his position.
I'd like to say my mission is to convert you, but it isn't. I'd just like people to start thinking, and in this regard, you seem to be well on your way. We don't have to give up hope because we have to choose the lesser of two evils. Even if Paul isn't your guy, don't be afraid to support a Kucinich or a Constitution party candidate or whatever if that appeals to you. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. When we stop paying attention, when we go along with the coercion, and when we choose the lesser of two evils, we're selling out ourselves. Just because Rudy and Hillary are the "front runners" doesn't mean that we only have two choices in the election nor that the two of them are the most virtuous, honorable and capable people in the land.
I think the middle class is being squeezed because the poor are jealous and the rich are ignorant. The poor see a nice house and a nice car and act like the middle class is rich and can afford anything. No sooner had I bought a modest house that everyone starts acting like I'm rolling in money and everyone wants it. The reason I have a nice house is because I don't waste my money. And it's still not enough. The only debts I have is the house, the car and student loans. And those debts are more important than the paying the healthcare extortionists. The middle class is forced to choose between having a nice house in a nice neighborhood or living in a terrible neighborhood or a small apartment not suitable for a family and health care. And this when you're making 45-60K. I could also give up my safe/reliable car that's not a death trap in order to have a few extra dollars a month towards health insurance. That's not worth it. I think it's absolutely absurd that health care is so expensive that the middle class has to choose between living in a nice area or having a reliable car and health care. And that's what the rich don't get. They think "if you can afford a house you can afford healthcare." You'd have to be an idiot to choose a terrible neighborhood just to have health care. You'd have to be a fool to choose an old beater car just to have health insurance. Forget having a life, you'll be spending your money and you time fixing the stupid thing. The only thing I can't afford right now is healthcare. The only one currently covered is the baby and she'll be the only one covered unless I get a significant raise, find a new job that pays more or my current job covers it 100%. Not everyone in the middle class has that option. When health insurance costs $1000 a month and you only have $900 a month after you squeeze every last penny out of your budget you might as well have some nice things because you can't afford health insurance anyway. Cars, quads and boats can cost less than health insurance. I bought a $20K small SUV at 0% interest and it costs me $360 a month for five years. We bought it before we decided to buy a house otherwise we probably would have got something a little cheaper. But that's still quite a bit cheaper than health insurance and that bill will go away eventually. A quad is only a few thousand dollars. I don't have enough for health insurance but I still have several hundred extra every month. It's not like you can save up for health insurance. It's a fixed monthly bill that never ends. So that extra money gets saved and some of it gets used to have some nice things. Student loans will be coming due in about a year so when that happens, at my current earnings, I'll have even less money for health insurance so again, I might as well enjoy that extra money if I still have some then. My health insurance plan is currently my $40K+ in credit card limits. Something very bad would have to happen before I get in a bad situation because I didn't have health care. We're also putting extra money on the house so we'll be out of debt faster so in the future we will have plenty of expendible income. We're cutting out other expenses and working to make more money. But again, probably most people in the middle class have already cut out all the extras and still can't afford health care. And at that point, they may opt for some nice things because they can't afford health care anyway.
Now why would you think Ron Paul would be assassinated if he became president? I agree with you in a sense, I mean, I hope it doesn't happen, but I'm surprised to hear you say it. By the tone of your post, it sounds as if you agree that there is some sort of conspiracy at work, that powerful people at the highest levels of government would fear him getting into the White House. Now, the big question is who would want to assassinate Ron Paul? The obvious answer is someone who is threatened by his policies. This "someone" would obviously be the people who are trying to destroy the Constitution, the Middle Class, and everything else American stands for............but it sure as hell isn't just Democrats are Liberals..........the people of which you speak essentially control both political parties. These are also the same people who want to attack Iran, and I'm not talking only about Bush and the neocons. It gets much bigger than that. No matter what happens, Ron Paul has to get in office, because there is no hope with the other candidates. Don't believe me ly2.........go read about Rudy, Romney, McCain, Hillary, Edwards, Obama, Tancredo, they are all controlled by corporate interests. Democrat or Republican it doesn't matter, they own all the horses in the race. By previous posts you've made in the forum, it seems like you're frustrated with the same things as me and others. You're pissed off about the economy, illegal immigration, and you should be....... But the only way things are going to change is if you vote for a man who can change things...........even if Ron Paul doesn't win, if you vote for him, you can say that you tried, that you vote for someone who was "real" and not fake like all the other candidates.
I'm afraid the situation is FAR more complicated than this. The economic problems we're having in this country are WAY beyond just the poor being jealous or the rich being ignorant. The entire banking system in this country is corrupt, and designed to collapse. We've got a private bank that issues money to our government, paper money it prints out of thin air, money that is not backed by precious metals. And we are in debt to foreign countries like China...... I seriously encourage you to research the financial situation in the U.S., because what you're going to find out will scare the living daylights out of you. The problems with our economic system are too numerous to describe in this thread..........it is like the Matrix, you just have to see it for yourself......
Only about $11,000 with some bargain hunting. Just in case some of you neocons here have a hot website and a little extra cash on your hands. http://www.jomashop.com/2852mbhv.html BTW, I've noticed all the neocons who like to attack Ron Paul on foreign policy are not over there fighting. So they can't care too much.
I notice you seem to think the Middle East is great but you don't live there. So I guess you don't think it's that great. Supporting our troops and our country doesn't mean you have to pick up a gun. What does that have to do with outrageous health insurance costs? It's a little pathethic that for the price of health insurance I could afford an $80K car. Health insurance is nearly as much as a mortgage payment.
You are talking to the wrong crowd, the rich liberals have the money for that stuff, the neo-cons tend to have more people who work for a living or own businesses, the liberal rich are the ones that inherited their money and therefore are clueless - good example would be paris hilton, good little liberal girl......
It has a lot to do with health insurance. The price of everything seems to be going up, except for the dollar. In reality, the price of goods and services should be getting cheaper, not more expensive. Think about it, was medicine in the United States more efficient and easier to produce in the 19th century or today? Over time, many things are supposed to get cheaper, as people discovery new ways to doing things and producing products and services at a faster and more efficient rate. The problem is inflation. As the dollar goes down, the prices of everything goes up. That includes health care, food, energy, the list goes on. Inflation is the biggest problem. A brand new car today should not cost $15,000+. It should actually be much cheaper, because car companies today are more efficient in producing vehicles than they were 70 years ago. But you don't see things getting cheaper, and the reason for that is because of the poor monetary system we have in this country. Still controlled by the left/right paradigm eh? It isn't about the liberals or neocons being able to purchase lots of goods. You're stereotyping liberals saying they all inherited their money..........and George W. Bush didn't? Our economic problems are not partisan, trust me on that...........by the way, I'm not liberal, but I could afford that watch..........but it is irrelevant, because I'm not stupid enough to buy it. First off, I don't feel that watch is worth $11,000, even if the price tag says so. Second, who needs a wrist watch when you can just get the time off your cell phone? Being rich isn't about buying status BS like Franck Mueller watches. I'd rather put that money into something more valuable, like a business for example........here is a little secret that might surprise you........many self made millionaires would never in their wildest dreams pay that much for a watch. To me, there is no difference between it and a Timex, they both do the same thing, which is tell time. A lot of the people who buy watches like that are high income people who just show off. They spend lots of money on status BS and bling, but in the end, most of them are not truly as wealthy as they make out.