Maybe it's just me?

BuffaloBFN wrote: I'd like to hear from Luch, Roger, Kristof, Kap... Not one of you picked up on 'restraint on gov't' What exactly does that statement imply?!!?

Perhaps it implies government is out of control? Not sure about this. I honestly believe that governments may not be out of control, but rather lacking wisdom when making decisions and creating policy and legislation.

Although not exposed to your daily life under the powers that be, if i view American politics and perception from a distance to get a broader perspective, my opinion is that the focus away from God over time is the consistent change and the reason why the state is failing. Godly wisdom from leaders require a firm foundation in faith.

I do believe that America as a percieved leading nation has an added responsibility to bring about change. I fear the government is failing dismally and other nations are following the example.

It saddens me to see this happening in my country too.

'Liberty and Tyranny' by Mark Levin

This book will never see the desktop in government school. They don't want us to know.    

Hey guys, yes the Governor thing was on all newspapers this week, what a coincidence eh? now all the tabloids are into it.

As for your question, I will tell you that as you said, capitalism is the same everyworld, or almost, the difference is that what you call "the American Dream" for us is the chance to start with absolutely ZERO and then getting credits, loans etc to make something out of it... or dont as I guess finally happened in the US, and then mess the hole system.

But for many is a way of stepping up in life, here most people are doomed to what they were born with. But there's also another side to the story, and that would be consumism, it's stuck on people's head and frankly the US are the world leaders on that, maybe the japaneese too but it's a close race, people around here are really into the consumption junction thing, therefore they worship Americans for that and believe, as you do that you have the "best products in the world" and that "made in america" is a certificate of happiness, and since consumism is a non stopping thing it's always evolving.

Now on the US situation, I'm not into full detail neither know economic details, but I can give you my general thought on the thing.

I think most people live with way more of what they really need, and it doesnt have anything to do with life quality, how can life quality be affected for a 3 years older boat or car?
How is it that you turn on the TV and see those guys throwing away hundres of thousands (or millions) on parties, jewels and excentric details while so many other are in need? Dont get me wrong,I understand people worked, or daddy worked, but when does it start being too much? where is the line?
An example is an actor earning 20millions dollars for a movie, what the hell, he's only and actor!!!, it's just a movie!!! You work a hole life 24/7 and dont make that profit.
Capitalism turned into something sick, not because of people earning money, but because of people that dont, there are as many or more looser than winners and I'm not talking comunism, but a government has to take of all, at least for the most basics things on life, yes the rest is up to each one. But life is not only for those who profit.

I felt really good when Obama won, I have the sense he's a different man and I think it's a chance for the American people to change minds, and start living a little bit different if that's possible, yes that could mean sacrificies for you all. You might not agree with his policies but I doubt he will do something shameful for your nation, as were many images from the past 8 years or the latter on middle east running over the media.

Changes are scary, and nobody likes to be the one who looses in them, but then why cant you now when other's been there for years? It's still the same game, just different rules.

I hope nobody got offended, I know most people here are hardcore Americans and very proud of it, I'm wishing you the best of lucks, and I'm sure you'll all do well.


PS: Eric dont ever get me started on religions!!!

Luch, you won my respect, the worst thing Ive ever heard when you bring up actors thier famous sob story is i use to work 12/14 hours a day being a waitor or waitress until i was found...a the ripe age of 20, cry me a river.
Riley if he turns this place around, I'll send him a set of 500.00 sneakers.
And Luch, One thing that sticks in my mind that i will never forget when I traveled down there, was seeing the smiles on peoples faces, genuine in fact a smile with the sense of true happiness not happiness from a material item, the family values and friendships that i was exposed too doesnt compare to anything close here, I see your pictures all the time and thats the first thing I think about, all the people are smiling and most probably have next to nothing well 2 cars and a big house, you know what i mean....but i begged the company i worked for to transfer me down there and they wouldnt because of issues with employing within the country...but I saw what i saw and explained to these guy's that worked side by side with me making 7 bucks a day, why would you want to leave a paradise like this and go up there? For the American dream? if i had the opportunity right now and things were different i would be right there with you sipping a Polar or a Bohemia with a big smile

Kristof...I completely agree with what you had to say. Do check the definition of mandate and maybe read that first statement in quotes again. If it's me I'll appologize.

Eric: I dread that a big number of those who voted for Obama are not that much into change, they were just tired and annoyed at the last Government and will not support Obama's policies once they get up on their feet where they were before the crisis. I hope I'm wrong, but that would happen here for sure.

The problem I see with consumption is not materialism on itself but the shallowness of content that goes with material things, most people want to live like a catalog photo booklet but few care about a good novel.

SNobsessed wrote: It won't be long before $4 per gallon gas looks like a bargain. I know we aren't going to get much sympathy from our european friends here, as they are already painfully taxed on energy.

Correct Chris... $4 per gallon IS a bargain

I dont know what the master plan is, another friend is losing his job, he works for Accuspray in which 3M bought them out, as of september 3rd they are moving it down to Panama...basic economics, if your middle income and you hire a Mexican housekeeper, she sends that money to Mexico, she needs a raise, you give her one now all of a sudden you cant afford that 3rd car for your daughter going to college.....there is one choice here, fire the housekeeper and clean the house yourself, this concept is a consumer choice not a government choice, education and awareness of why the country is in turmoil is in front of everyones eyes, we cant keep blaming the government, sure there are laws that they can change to make business prosper but thats not going to happen. one thing government cant change are the day to day decisions me and you make. a never ending source of income is transportation, it is an item that wears out and needs replaced every few years, unlike housing once built its there to stay

I heard the WH spokeswoman for energy and climate change talk about cap and trade this morning. She said it's only going to cost American households about 50 cents a day...AND she had to admit that she hasn't read the bill. Of course that's the number from the WH; much higher estimates are out there.

I wish I had a nickel for every dodge and duck I heard this morning.   

its worth 7 figure if someone is willing to pay that, were talking about property taxes not income taxes, the property was de-valued and taxes should follow suit, it is also on paper not liquid, i would be the first one in line if my income was 1,000,000.00 per year, and would glady give up 40% of that for the betterment of the country which it should be. I still am for taxing the -f- out of the rich....there is no reason in the world i couldnt live on 600k a year. you can contact whoever you want on the Hill, the change starts at me and you, I pay my share of taxes and dont mind, what i do mind is paying higher taxes on something that has been de-valued,
I gave the pubs a chance for 8 years and we are in a mess, a cluster fcn mess, they lost the spot because of thier own doings, people were looking for a new answers because of the mess...what he does from here on out is hard to tell, I particuliary dont like him, but I was done with the 10 Billion a month going over seas, probably the same money out when you run down to your local Toyota dealer, its time we take care of ourselves, Azues, the country was built on Capitolism, the computer age is here and gone and you can buy a computer for 200 bucks, A major piece of the puzzle is missing, the auto industry

people make mistakes everyday, they need to regulate and cap malpractice insurance, god forbid someone should die on the table due to a mistake from a surgeon, some of these frivalous lawsuits are settled in the 50 to 80 million dollar range, greed kicks in again, if i had to put a cap on the value of life it surely wouldnt be in the millions, if you put a cap on it, you dont tie up the courts, the body aint even cold and the money wheel is rolling in the livings heads, how the fk can money make you feel better about a death? im sure in Luchs country this stuff doesnt happen? little do you know you are paying these lawsuits in everyday items you purchase

Food for thought.....

1. What have you last done within your circle of influence (things you can directly change)to remedy what upsets you?

2. How does what you have attempted in point 1 contribute to changing your circle of concern which you yourself cannot directly change?

Complaining is easy. What activity do we each undertake to make a difference?

From my favorite radio guy and something that applies across the board:

ALWAYS REMEMBER
Don't believe anything you read on this web page, or, for that matter, anything you hear on The Neal Boortz Show, unless it is consistent with what you already know to be true, or unless you have taken the time to research the matter to prove its accuracy to your satisfaction. This is known as "doing your homework."

In other words, be careful of which 'newspaper' you buy and always wonder about the motives of said 'newspaper'.

Luch, any cap and trade on a Boob job? the more energy you use the more you will be penalized, so some 38 doubles would be a touch more expensive, how the F did that one slide through.
Nautiless, I tag shop, sometimes very impossible though. and try to spread the word as a result
Al Franken WTF!!!
We know 2 things are inevitable, taxes and death, taxes have to come from somewhere, were not a big oil producing country, electronics? The Japenese...same with cars, we do export alot of wheat and corn, thats about it, we keep selling our technology to other countries and they build upon that, Oh forget Azues, we export alot of Chemicals also. The middle class keeps getting squeezed, we take care of the poor and the rich steal from us, I hope Bubba gets ahold of Berney and his sons and take thier turns while they make the wife watch, he is one guy i would let out in general population, with a big target on the back of his pants, sht rolls down hills and the rest of his crew will get whats coming, how much is enough? he couldnt stop in the hundreds of millions.
the only thing the consumer can do to start a cure is to be smart with your money, writing your Senator (Al Franken Ha Ha) the guy probably cant read..write your Govonor??ha ha kallefornia yeah right, what ever happened to the bald headed wrestler? Jesse, send him a note. when he said time for change, he hit the nail on the head cause thats all that i have in my pocket......change

I wonder how many Americans have roofing material designed for 'high solar reflectivity'?

Just curious because you'll need it to sell your house soon. This and so much nobody even knows about yet is part of what was added to cap and tax at 3AM.

I wonder how many would have called their congressmen last week if we had known this was in there?

This is hardly a representative republic when they won't let us read it...nancy pelosi!

And I know I didn't capitalize a few things...that would show respect.