wrote:
On Wed, 24 Sep 2014 11:25:57 -0400, F*O*A*D wrote:
On 9/24/14 11:06 AM, wrote:
On Wed, 24 Sep 2014 06:23:29 -0400, F*O*A*D wrote:
On 9/23/14 9:58 PM, wrote:
On Tue, 23 Sep 2014 17:10:23 -0400, F*O*A*D wrote:
I've stated any number of times that I don't believe *all* corporations
are evil in the ways I've described. Corporate interests have far too
much power over the lives or ordinary people, especially those in the
lower and middle income groups.
What's the alternative, an all powerful government that controls the
means of production?
We watched that for 74 years in Russia until it totally imploded in on
itself. During that time, the only way they could keep people in line
was with repression and death.
Is everything in life an "either/or" with you?
I am only reflecting your total rejection of the principles of
capitalism and failure to understand the effect of taxes on those
institutions.
I assume it is because you have never successfully run a business and
your failures have made you bitter..
Where did I say I totally reject the principles of capitalism?
Where? Nowhere.
Capitalism has its good and its bad sides. Unfortunately, since the
1980s, we've unleashed aspects of capitalism that for the most part only
benefit the very wealthy. Please don't attempt to dispute that statement
by telling me how low your phone bill is.
Everything in life *does* seems to be "either/or" with you. Probably was
a good idea you hid out in the Coast Guard for a number of years, and
then went to work for a big corporation while it was still in its
Kafka-esque years.
How is the middle class being murdered?
I know you have a lot of Bernie Sanders bumper sticker lines but in
any real terms, the middle class seems to be doing fairly well. There
does not seem to be a shortage of people in homes 3 times the size of
the one I grew up in. I see new cars clogging the roads and everyone
has a phone in their pocket. Things that used to be considered luxury
items or even science fiction are now considered necessary to live a
normal life. The biggest nutrition problem in this country is people
eat too much meat. That is not a poor person problem.
If there is a danger to the middle class since the 70s, it is the fact
that so much of this is on borrowed money but that is a government
policy, not a corporate one. Nobody is holding a gun to the heads of
consumers forcing them to borrow money. This is a self inflicted
wound. The only significant thing for me about the late 70s is that I
have not borrowed a dime from anyone since then. That is how I was
able to retire at 49. My only bills are utilities and taxes, the
latter being the biggest by far.
Like the housing problem. First time home buyers, special loans. Buy a
used house? Nope, I want a McMansion to start with. Making $50K/yr and I
will buy a $759k home. Cheap interest, for 5 years. One of the drawbacks
of the housing bubble and no one buying used houses, is neighborhoods
declined lots. The new young families move in fix up the house and yard.
And build an equity and then move on to a bigger house later. Leaving a
nicer abode in their wake. Now the homes just decline, making for a
section 8 neighborhood. Maybe the middle class is not being murdered, they
are committing suicide via debt. Leaving above their means. On credit.
Bankruptcy?