European Socialism vs. American Big Government: They've got a collapsing economy, we just might still have a chance out if we stop listening to Bill Maher
@bjlayd61 not all of Europe is going down and that actually has a lot to do with pre-existing credit ratings, income disparity and so on, also most European members don't or didn't prior to 2007 a left-wing government (Germany hasn't had a left-wing government since 2005 under Gerhard Schroeder and the SPD/Green Coalition was in power)
wow, good points. but you are preaching for the choir, Bill. I'm from sweden and our pension is to hell these days, so I wouldn't agree on that. but sure, I have a decently happy life with a decently good income and feel decently secure
We have seen less and less social help such as health care medicare and education. Yet we see are taxes go to undeclared wars and for what? Too see weapon production amp to see large business profit? The middle class and lower class are paying most of the taxes yet they are treated like second class citizens. Its time to realize who we are voting for and what are their standing points. I for one would band lobbing and change the election system if could. Vote for someone who will let you benifit
Did nobody else notice right at the beginning of this video a perfect example of Maher's ignorance. "They were minorities", really? A simple google search for "Betty and Barney Hill" will show you that they were an interracial couple, so for Barney Hill to see a minority he just had to look in a mirror.
@z3r0t0l3r4ns No, it was he who failed to tell a funny joke. If you care to explain how a black man not recognizing a minority is funny feel free to try to explain it to me.
Ok USAers, just stand on your own, don't pay for anyone and no one will pay for you. Just wait until your HMO refuses to pay your operation and you end up on the street because bank took your house because of a student loan and hospital bill. Enjoy! I'm glad i'm not at the party
Here in Europe the countries that you call socialist are not really socialist like China. We are talking about Sweden, Finland and others.
For a better explanation those countries have a big 50% IRS Tax that feed a VERY high level of welfare. The bad side is that nobody can avoid this huge tax.
@sgtkpf on you feet. People on well fare are put there, by the system, corruption, inability to get good education and move up. Rich will stay rich and poor will stay poor. In Europe there is no correlation between your future and what is your dad's job. And there is a study about it. In USA if you have a very exceptional talent or luck (more often just good looks) you can get rich, otherwise you are doomed with health bills and student loans.
@epetrovic87 You say that the "rich will stay rich and the poor will stay poor". That is in NO WAY true. 80% of millionaires are 1st generation, meaning they themselves created that wealth through hard work. If you work hard enough, you WILL be successful and make a good amount of money
@sgtkpf That would be all nice if you were right. When did i say people shouldn't work? And lay in the sun and getting the money? And when did i say i love or defend socialism? Hmm, no. I work and study and i am A OK. Doing and studying what i like, because i can, studying is free. All people want to do something they like or love and possibly making a living of it. Laying and doing nothing is just boring. Aha... And sometimes bad things happen,and state should help you until you get back...
"When did i say people shouldn't work? And lay in the sun and getting the money? And when did i say i love or defend socialism?"
You have repeatedly attacked Capitalism by name. You have also praised systems where everyone's pay "is pretty much equal." What kind of system is not Capitalism and has "pretty much equal" pay? Say it with me... "Socialism"! Furthermore, you have advocated everyone receiving "pretty much" the same pay. So those who lay in the sun would receive the (cont.)
Yes, "studying" is free. Everywhere. However, you mean going to school. And you are either a liar or a gigantic idiot if you think your going to school is "free." Are your teachers/professors paid? Where does that money coming from? Others are paying for your school. In other words, you are living off their work. You are a leech.
"Laying and doing nothing is just boring."
So you're okay with people not working and getting paid? Your (cont.)
only problem is that it is "boring?" Thank you for proving my point.
"And sometimes bad things happen,and state should help you"
Why? And "the state" does not produce anything, so it can not pay to put you back on your feet. You actually mean the productive class should pay you despite the fact that they did nothing wrong.
"People on well fare are put there, by the system"
"In Europe there is no correlation between your future and what is your dad's job."
Again, you think this because you are an idiot. In America of the richest 1% inheritance only accounted for 9% of their wealth, and only 10% of multimillionaires gained their wealth through inheritance. The lowest in the industrialized world. So you are as wrong as can be.
@525CJames I know a lot about American culture, and i know there are good people. But a lot of them are just followers of media. Every system has a flaw, not just american, and every -ism is not 100% good. People are equal, and should be divided by a character not by job. And to get up, someone has to go down. And many people play dirty, and if you want to stay in the game, you have to start too. And leads to more and more bad stuff.
"And if someone isn't smart enough to have some fancy job, so he/she doesn't deserve health care, food, a roof over his/her head?"
You go on to call these rights. This is a ridiculous idea. All of these things you mentioned are the fruits of someone else's labor (doctor, farmer, carpenter, etc.) Therefore they are not rights. How on earth can you claim that you are owed what someone else produced. If you in fact feel this way, I'll give you my address. You can send me your (cont.)
@sgtkpf So then why don't we privatize prisons, fire departments, trash pickup, water departments and the police? You know why because life would be unbearable if everything was privatized. If you want to live in your libertarian fantasy world why don't you live in Somalia see how that works out for you.
We have privatized prisons, trash pickup, and water (and other utilities) with AMAZING success. These companies actually have to do their job well, or they get fired. In the area where I live there are competing water utilities, but only one power company, as the local government has mandated. The water company I use is friendly, efficient , and cheap. The power company consistently overcharges. They are rude, and they are never on time and take a bare minimum of 12 (cont.)
@sgtkpf Not really we have private prisons called the corrections corporation of America that lobby the congress through ALEC to create stricter drug laws. Is it any wonder why we have the highest incarcerations in the first world per capita. We have more people in prison per capita then even China. Prison should not be a business. Do you want the entire society to become the criminal class?
@sgtkpf So you think that if someone is working poor they shouldn't be able to have a fire fighter put out a fire at their home unless they pay a fee only the rich can pay? You stupid anarcho-capitalists really can't wait to go back to feudalism. I am convinced of that.
hours to fix even the slightest problem. That is no exaggeration. I have never had this particular power company fix anything in under 12 hours. As for police and fire, I was in a car wreck a couple years back where a guy ran a red light and plowed into me. I of course called the police. I then sat on the side of the road and watched no less than 6 cop cars drive by with out stopping. I had to flag down number 7, who was undoubtedly headed to the local doughnut shop. (cont.)
This is because of public sector unionization, which is micro-level socialism. Everyone earns the same pay, regardless of performance. As a result, you in the leech class perform the least amount of work. And why not? You'll get the same amount of pay! So thank you very much for your 5 examples, which all proved my point exactly. I appreciate you doing the work for me.
@sgtkpf Enjoy that 8 hour work day and forty hour work week that private unions gave you. Yes and lets use the Soviet Union as an example of socialism LMFAO instead of Norway, Denmark, Australia, Sweden, Israel, Switzerland or France. You really are a moron. If it were up to libertarians 12 year olds would still be working in coal mines losing their fingers instead of getting an educations.
entire paycheck (or much more likely your entire welfare check,) as well as anything you have made/grown/built yourself. After all, you think I have a "right" to them, right?
"Not everyone wants to be a millionaire."
And that is the great thing about Capitalism. Not everyone has to be. You have the freedom to choose to work 3 jobs and invest and become a millionaire, or to devote more time to your family and not have as much money. Capitalism allows for choices, Socialism (cont.)
"there are so many cases where people had insurances and still had to pay their medical costs and then after lost their homes because of it."
Interesting that you "know" this, but that it's not true. These are extremely rare cases. But even if it were happening all the time, so what? It's an absolute tragedy that this happens, but why is it the fault of the rich? And if it's not there fault, why should they(cont.)
be forced at gunpoint to pay for it? If a rich individual is in no way responsible for a tragedy, how is it their responsibility to pay for it? You talk of fairness, that is the epitome of unfair.
" And those people spending were just follow your 'great' ex president who told them to spend spend spend to boost the economy. I wonder why he told them that?"
If you spend yourself in to a hole because your head of state says to, then you do not deserve to live. That's natural (cont.)
selection. You're just trying to pin something unrelated on President Bush because you don't like him. You're acting like a child.
"And spending more than you have, for american people it's normal, but now they see consequences, but it's little too late."
They spend more because politicians who think the exact same way you do promise to bail them out. The exact thing you criticize is the fault of you & your ilk.
"People are equal, and should be divided by a character not by job.
But that is exactly what Capitalism does. It divides by character. Those willing to work hard succeed. The leech class (like yourself) fail. Under the Socialism you love, everybody has equal results. You've said this yourself, countless times, and praised it! Under the Socialism you love the rich receive the same rewards as you and your fellow leech classers. That is the exact opposite of dividing by character. And what's more is it is unsustainable. The hard workers will not(cont.)
continue to produce if you social/economic parasites continue to sap them. The vast majority of people will not work without a paycheck. And for the same reason they will not work hard without a proportionately bigger paycheck. So who will pay for you and the other leeches to not work when you have taken away all incentive to work hard to make the money that is paid in taxes that pays for your Socialism. They will see you leeches lounging in the sun, making the same pay they(cont.)
make. And they will want to be leeches too. And why not if you get x amount to work hard, and the same x amount to lay in the sun, the choice is obvious. And then who is it you think will work to pay the taxes that allow you to lounge about and leech off the system? But that's the point, you didn't think. You prefer to just lay about and leech off someone else's thinking.
@epetrovic87 So you think that people who worked harder to get a good job shouldn't be paid more than the unambitious? ANYONE can work hard and get a good job. 80% of mil-ares are 1st gen. Another thing about healthcare in the US. It is not as ridiculously expensive as some people would lead you to believe. Scenario: A man smokes for 40 yrs and gets lung cancer from doing so, he then goes to the hospital where hardworking taxpayers pay for his mistakes. Why should they?
@360cbh There are already numerous programs and organizations that help people in those situations. Try informing yourself with information. and its not a "Creative example", its a practical one.
Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States. Each year, an estimated 443,000 people die prematurely from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, and another 8.6 million live with a serious illness caused by smoking. -CDC.gov
@525CJames I'm talking about basic rights. And i also know there are so many cases where people had insurances and still had to pay their medical costs and then after lost their homes because of it. And those people spending were just follow your 'great' ex president who told them to spend spend spend to boost the economy. I wonder why he told them that? And spending more than you have, for american people it's normal, but now they see consequences, but it's little too late.
@525CJames Because of all that gap between people in USA you have high crime rate. As Katt Williams says : 'You can get killed at a stop light.' Just as a by stander. People are angry, poor, sick. And if someone isn't smart enough to have some fancy job, so he/she doesn't deserve health care, food, a roof over his/her head? Basic rights, not expensive stuff. Not everyone wants to be a millionaire. People are so broke that they just want a normal life and a right to it.
@epetrovic87 You don't have to be a complete genius to get a good job and make a career. But nothing is going to be given to you just because. YOU HAVE TO WORK HARD TO DO WELL IN SCHOOL. Don't just slide by school without trying then complain that your not smart enough. Study.
@525CJames You measure everything in money. If people are making enough for a good life, vacation, have good medical care, can go for free to college, it's good enough for anybody. And if you don't divide people into classes, people are not stress and not hating each other. In Denmark taxes are made so at the end everyone has more or less the same and have same rights. Why is someone's life worth more? Cause he/she has a job that is more important than other jobs?
@epetrovic87 I never said anyone's life is worth more. And i don't measure everything in money, i measure it in hard work. Those who work harder than others deserve more than those who don't. Ive observed many people who couldnt pay for healthcare, not because of the cost, but because they spent their money unwisely and tried to live beyond their means.
@acr08807 I know they don't think that or they should,i was just making a point that even a poor country gives more to people that USA. Everyone in USA thinks their country is the best, without visiting another one. It's not about Serbia here, it's about every non-USA country.
@epetrovic87 That is a common misconception. We americans are not as narcissistic as people in other countries believe. I may not agree with various gov policies that Serbia has, but i DO NOT hate or dislike it or its people. I just have different opinions. Thats how many americans feel about other countries. I am American, but I do believe that other countries can be good countries without being exactly like us.
@irishgodfatherchris Totally agree. And it is talked about in Sicko, where UK doctor said he would never work in a system like in USA, where you get treated if you pay, one way or the other.
@525CJames And how do you know what is our education like? USA is filled with Serbian and European scientist. And i have met American people and know enough about the system. All you know about Serbia or any other European country is through media. USA is not 1st anymore, at anything, except killing maybe... Bill also talked about it. And to let you know: Doctors, teachers, police and army are best paid job here, so please... 1st inform yourself, and i am very well inform about usa
@epetrovic87 You can't pretend to fully understand us by speaking to only a few americans. And I don't get the majority of my information from the media. I believe there is A LOT you don't understand about the US system, just as i cannot fully understand your culture or system because i dont live there. I simply am trying to make the point that through competition breeds advancement and incentive. And socialism in many cases (not all) is the enemy of that.
He is talking about western Europe mostly, also he just takes some concepts and idealizes them, takes them out of context, changes them to his needs ( to make the jokes work ) etc.
Im from Sweden... whats with the americans predjudice of Sweden?! Socialist?! We have a right wing goverment since 6 years now. Not to say that swedish right wing is the same as american right wing. But if you call our prime minister a socilist, he will spit you in your face.
@bredsjomagnus You people actually think you have a right wing? OMG, that's so CUTE! Even your neo-nazis would be considered moderate Republicans here in the States.
@TheGreatRL Depends. Are we talking personal welfare, or corporate welfare? Personal risk, or socialized risk? There comes a point when Marxism and fascism go so far round the bend, they meet on the other side and become virtually indistinguishable. As for moderates, I can't say with any authority; I'm American, I've never seen a moderate.
@bredsjomagnus im american and ive never heard anyone talk anything bad about sweden. Actually there are a good amount of people that descended from Swedes so usually nothing but good things are said about them.
- Everybody has equal right to healthy life and free education. If someone accomplishes more, he has more rights? some people are ok with being janitors, nurses, cleaning building.That dividing system is not working. People are more stressed and it makes the gap between people bigger and deeper.
-And people going in USA for treatment are ones who have money. USA probably has the best medical equipment in the world but it is reserved for those who can pay,big time...
@epetrovic87 Thats fine if someone is okay with being a janitor, but don't expect to make a good salary and have a comfortable lifestyle. People will only pay you what your labor is worth
@epetrovic87 I agree with you on healthcare, but you should know that nobody in America walks around thinking "life would be great if only I lived in Serbia."
@epetrovic87 take someone who got a Serbian education and compare them to someone with a education earned in a school in the US. See which one gets a better job due to their education. As for medical care, id trust a US doctor with incentive to do good rather than an underpaid Serbian one with an inferior education.
@epetrovic87 And why is it a nightmare to have a culture where people can work hard to better themselves and EARN educations that provide them with high-paying jobs? If thats a nightmare whats your idea of prosperity?
Its hard to break dependency and slavery to the government after they have already taken your money. Its a vicious cycle. Thats why societies usually dont move away from socialism. Socialism ends when the money runs out or becomes worthless.
I think the trouble is that most Americans think that socialism is the same as communism whereas the difference is really huge. That confusion comes from the U.S.S.R. (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) which was a communist entity, of course they don't notice the "Republic"part otherwise they'd assume that republicans were commies too.
@1SapereAude1 yeah of course blame EVERYTHING on allegedly evil Fox News and Republicans. Maybe if so much energy wasn't used flinging inaccurate political "mud" we could work together to actually fix problems in the governement
Jag bor i socilast landet Sverige. Socialismen är ... okej. Det är inte så spännande som Amerika. Vi lever i ett samhälle där alla är lika. Det är inte speciell och det är inte dåligt.
Translation: I live in the socilast country of Sweden. Socialism is...okay. Its not as exciting as America. We live in a society where everyone is the same. Its not special and its not bad.
The public transport everywhere smells like pee - it's like some universal requirement for public transportation - without the stink it just would not be the same...
I have no clue what country you are from but I'm from Skåne in Sweden and we have by far the worst public transportation in Sweden and it doesn't smell like pee at all.
After visiting Iceland....I feel this is another difference between American Socialism and European Socialism: Europeans are WILLING to pay the higher taxes to pay for all the "hand outs". Americans are NOT....me being an American...I get $ taken out of my paycheck every time to pay for my medical insurance...what difference would it make if the money instead was taken out as a tax paid to the government? (rather than the private ins.?)
@1998disco72 I don't think any right-wingers would go to his show...whether he screened them or not. Plus the screeners apparently don't do a good job as there are plenty of instances (all on youtube) where "truthers" start to rant and they get kicked out.
hi, I'm from Denmark, and I like how some americans think I'm living in some evil socialist country where I don't have to die from pneumonia when I can afford the medicine....
@JugglerOfWords If people don't want to die from pneumonia, they should get off their lazy asses and get jobs, not come looking to me for it. I work hard for my money and I deserve a yacht and a Ferrari, but I can't get them because old people and the unemployed are mooching off me.
@acr08807 let me try to explain how things work in my country, the people that because of physical and/or mental problems can't afford medicine, they survive because we won't let them suffer, which I would call solidarity, but feel free to call it something else...
@JugglerOfWords I love how atheists make up random insults about christianity that have no base at all. If their brains were half the size of their arrogant egos they would all have PhD degrees
@525CJames okay, so calling a person paranoid because he believes old and/or poor people are personally preventing him from becoming rich and calling him a sadist because he thinks crippled people should just "accept God's will" both have no base at all?
and why do all people insulting christians automatic become atheists?
@JugglerOfWords I didn't say i agreed with him about the old people preventing him building wealth. but instead of automatically assaulting his religious beliefs, why not just disprove his economic ones with a logical argument.
And well because the vast majority of people that show deep hatred toward christians are atheists
@acr08807 Not only do people not want to work hard and build success, but they want to live outside of their means. You wouldn't believe how many people ive observed who make $24,000 a yr and yet drive $32,000 cars. Then they complain because they can't afford something they actually need.
when talking bout socialism you can tell ppl are are just being reactionary when they start getting all insultive about the issue. the truth is whatever system you are employing matters only about how well its working . its like using a different tool for a job then someone gets irate over you not using the old screwdriver or saw. it matters only that the jobs done well. sometimes this works sometimes that, but whatever works best at the time for the job
A mixed economy is the only practical one, a lot of the other "isms" are just utopian ideals. Ideals are good but none of us will live long enough to see a working communism or a prosperous Anarcho-Capitalism. For now we need to focus on the present and figure out the most practical economy, instead of trying to change it all over night.
The Republicants are a Plutocracy that gets its sense of power by bullung and dumbing down the 98 % who pay for everything. In other words they rob poor Peter to pay for rich Paul. They have no problem being anti Social Security or even anti society, or anti union. Anytime they cant bully people with their Plutocracy they are uneasy and hostile to say the least. The more money the better, anything goes, To Republicants, integrity is a big waist of time and money is literally everything !
I'd VOTE for this guy! Oh, and to all you morons that don't know what socialism is, if your house is on fire and you call the fire dept. to come put it out, then you're a socialist. You see, somebody else paid taxes for that service. Me? I'd just as soon watch you and your right wing family burn to death. Now that's NOT socialism!
Socialism is only a dirty word to ambitious, hard working responsible people...damn those yuppies and their high paying jobs..how dare they work hard and save their money and take care of their children...evil people, so evil in fact that i'm gonna stop hanging around with my university educated friends who drive nice cars and wear nice clothes while i'm just a landscaper, the world owes me! i'm a victim, i demand a handout.
@quincee33 Yes, damn those yuppies. Did you know American wages have been stagnant for over 30 years while prices have risen? As of today even someone as yourself, saving every month and planning for the future, may have to work two jobs and /still/ find themselves bankrupt if there's a fire or a family member is injured. You can be as hard working as you like, but your life is still dependent on pure luck. Socialism? It's called leveling the playing field.
@TheShortStory okay, the disparity between rich and poor in the unites states is crazy, no argument here, but i live in Canada, and to me i don't get the "occupy movement" in canada...we have universal healthcare, a social safety net, good education and it's still not enough.....it seems the left in Canada isn't content, they want to demolish a system that;'s fair.....every time you get a raise u go into ahigher tax bracket...they just want handouts and want someone else to pay.
@quincee33 Wages have remained stagnant in the UK for 10 years, and I suspect that it's a general problem in the western world. I'm not calling for a socialist society, but we do need to address the serious problems created by our economic liberalism. And you ought not generalize "the left". Some wont the most minor of reforms, some want revolution. And for god's sake.. creating an equal footing for the pursuit of happiness is not "looking for a handout"!
@TheShortStory if you study other countries and their politics, you'll see actual left wing ideologies. the states' liberals are equal to moderates in other developed countries
@pkConda item: is that because the rest of the (developed and underdeveloped) world is sooo left-wing or because the US is a tiny bit extremely right-wing? In the new-deal era, the US' political climate could've been taken form the UK today..
@quincee33 Alot of the occupy movement is about corporate corruption. As a Canadian, I'm afraid of corporations unfairly influencing the government.
Just pretending that the left is looking for a handout, is a pretty unfair assessment of the situation. I'm guessing you're conservative, and if you sit down and actually listen to what the OWS people are ACTUALLY complaining about, I'd bet you'll agree with most of it.
@johnedwards1968 I for one have listened and talked to many OWS protesters and nearly all of them have a misinformed politically ignorant opinion based on what they've heard and not what they've read. OWS protesters are in many cases as crazy and radical as many democrats falsely claim republicans and Tea Party members to be.
@525CJames I'm willing to agree there are plenty of liberal Radicals in the OWS group but there are plenty of moderates and a plenty from across the politial way.
Its like that way with the Tea Party as well....the media SHOWS the crazy's but I'm sure there are some who are just Libertarian leaning.
Problem is...everyone just groups you with crazys. I'm only radical when it comes to the environment...but I get grouped with the "hand-out-loving-liberals"
@jwace Yeah i agree that the media only tends to show the radicals, but you have to admit they're much more obsessed with finding radical R than radical D. I also agree that grouping can be a problem, I myself am not a straight ticket voter. whether i am republican or democrat biased depends on the topic at hand. problem is, theres been times where ive sided with the R on a topic and then out of nowhere im called a radical religious idiot, im never hated on when i side D on something
@525CJames "Professor explains how economic inequality harms societies"
// Children who grow up poor in the United States cost the economy $500 billion a year because they are less productive, earn less money, commit more crimes and have more health-related expenses, according to a new study.
"The high cost of childhood poverty to the U.S. suggests that investing significant resources in poverty reduction might be more cost effective than we thought,"
@Hirnlego999 How would you suggest reducing poverty? By giving money away to every poor person in sight. There are some that legitimately need help but so many are poor because they never would work hard enough to earn an education and make a career for themselves. Why would people work hard to make a lot of money when the government will just pay you money for being poor?
@525CJames talk about reading what you want to read.. Your starting point in life IS determined by luck: who your parents are, where you grow up, whether you get a disease or your house burns down, whether a family member dies.. need I go on? All these things can impact a person's "ambitions". And fuck egocentrism. If your kid had a learning disability, and you were working two jobs trying just to pay the mortgage - would you still be opposed to tax payer money being used to help him/her?
@TheShortStory Im not oppossed to tax payer aid. thats not what im saying at all. But when you have so many people reliant on government money (ie welfare) then something is wrong. I agree that there are people who need that help. Im talking about people who didn't work hard in school and ended up with a crappy low paying job because of that, and demand gov money. Or people who try to live well beyond what they can afford and can't pay the bills due to that. I have seen (cont.)
@TheShortStory (cont.) people who make $24,000 a year and yet make payments so they can buy a $32,000 car. Obviously this with other obvious financial mistakes puts this person in a position where they can no longer pay the bills, so they demand gov money cause they cant pay the bills because they have a car, house, and other things they cant afford. im not saying no gov aid. im just saying dont give money to just anyone.
@TheShortStory Also My best friend was born extreme lower class, he worked hard in school and is now going to an excellent engineering college on scholarship and if your working 2 jobs just to pay your mortgage, maybe you should have decided to live within your means rather than get a house you cant afford in the long run. True part of life is luck, but it matters a lot more how hard you work to change your circumstances. If you want a high paying job, work hard in school.
@525CJames It's an inbuilt fear that "someone is wasting MY money" - and although the welfare recipient numbers in the US are too high (could it have something to do with extreme medical costs, poor education and cheap fast food..?), studies in scandinavia and the UK show that misuse of the system is a small problem. And you misunderstand the problem. A tiny percentage are lazy, I'll give you that. But most poor school performances are a symptom of a dysfunctional environment.
@TheShortStory People are always quick to call for higher taxes for the rich and successful, but many are already taxed around 50%. I dont believe people should be punished for working hard and making something of themselves with ridiculous taxes. And misuse of welfare is "a small problem"? The US EACH year spends hundreds of billions on it. I do admit that dysfunction can def. affect performance, but other than removing them from that family how would you solve that?
@525CJames Mental healthcare, after school programs, family assistance.. there are countless ways one can level the playing field for the next generation.
And yes, many rich people work hard. But I don't buy the idea that a zillionaire has earned his money by working that much harder than a coal miner. At a certain point, they're paid for the fact that they have other people working for them. It's sickening how much one can make by effectively going to meetings and signing papers. Tax them more!
@TheShortStory And why do they have people working for them? because they risked everything to try and create a successful company, which is no easy task. They took the initiative to study business, study economics, and work hard to create something for themselves. If you understood anything about business and corporations you'd understand that there is much more than "going to meetings, and signing papers" They are complicated entities, corporations.
@525CJames What a load of rubbish! Yes, many of the wealthy have worked hard all their lives, and thought hard about economics for much of their education.. but my point, in case you missed it, is that they haven't worked millions of millions of dollars worth harder than a steel mill employee. a couple of years at harvard doesn't mean you should be able to buy a rolex for 20k to match your lambo'.. The system is rotten!
@TheShortStory Well apparently they have worked millions-worth harder because where would that money come from? It wasnt given to them. they earned it through good investments, hard work, and good economic decisions. It didnt just fall from the sky because they own a business! I can guarantee it is NOT EASY to run a million/billion dollar company. I guarantee it is harder than working at a mill.
@525CJames I'm sorry. This comment, I can't even take seriously.. The one above: that's what a social safety net is for! Teaching them how to fish - and if they are unable to, share our own fish. The ones leasing out the fishing boats have enough of it. It's a sickening lie that poor people aren't willing to work hard to change. you claim I know nothing about business (I can assure you, you're wrong), and I'd propose you know nothing of real poverty. Have the final word, I can't go on with this
@TheShortStory And you can't just throw money in a dysfunctional family's face and expect that to fix all of there problems. Not everything can be fixed that way. I agree with the afterschool programs and mental healthcare though
@525CJames and no, it's not all going to be fixed by throwing money at the problem.. but it's a damn lot better than the status quo, where poverty is perpetuated from generation to generation without anyone asking; what can we as a collective society do to help?
America needs to get them self a NHS
LLOYD19851012 8 hours ago
Europe has a collapsing economy? Well our economy is not that much better
3888799 13 hours ago
European Socialism vs. American Big Government: They've got a collapsing economy, we just might still have a chance out if we stop listening to Bill Maher
bjlayd61 21 hours ago
@bjlayd61 not all of Europe is going down and that actually has a lot to do with pre-existing credit ratings, income disparity and so on, also most European members don't or didn't prior to 2007 a left-wing government (Germany hasn't had a left-wing government since 2005 under Gerhard Schroeder and the SPD/Green Coalition was in power)
irishgodfatherchris 19 hours ago
thats not what you call socialism
Zatzzo 1 day ago
and there is no socialism in europe, wtf
SjimmieHendriks 1 day ago
hehe sad but true, of course not the part where he said european socialism works, well works on borrowed money
haris000000 1 day ago
@haris000000 Not the contries that the systeam works better, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Switterland All this contries have debts under 50%...
DeadWizardPT 11 hours ago
@DeadWizardPT And balanced buggets
DeadWizardPT 11 hours ago
the Greek people send cheers....to "europe socialism"...... fucking useful idiots
argenta86 1 day ago
fucking retard,,,look at Europe NOW......FAIL
argenta86 1 day ago
ahhhhhhhhhh Truth...
Babs44sun 3 days ago
wow, good points. but you are preaching for the choir, Bill. I'm from sweden and our pension is to hell these days, so I wouldn't agree on that. but sure, I have a decently happy life with a decently good income and feel decently secure
phillytheflyerable 3 days ago
We have seen less and less social help such as health care medicare and education. Yet we see are taxes go to undeclared wars and for what? Too see weapon production amp to see large business profit? The middle class and lower class are paying most of the taxes yet they are treated like second class citizens. Its time to realize who we are voting for and what are their standing points. I for one would band lobbing and change the election system if could. Vote for someone who will let you benifit
Jscompany7 3 days ago
He is fucking hilarious
Bourgone22 3 days ago
I get it. I want free shit, too. But it isn't right.
sadisticbrujeria 3 days ago
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KONY 2012!
uponangelwings 3 days ago
Did nobody else notice right at the beginning of this video a perfect example of Maher's ignorance. "They were minorities", really? A simple google search for "Betty and Barney Hill" will show you that they were an interracial couple, so for Barney Hill to see a minority he just had to look in a mirror.
BiPaganMan 3 days ago
@BiPaganMan
It's okay if you didn't get the joke, but remember, it's YOU who failed to understand not Bill Maher's.
z3r0t0l3r4ns 3 days ago
@z3r0t0l3r4ns No, it was he who failed to tell a funny joke. If you care to explain how a black man not recognizing a minority is funny feel free to try to explain it to me.
BiPaganMan 3 days ago
Ok USAers, just stand on your own, don't pay for anyone and no one will pay for you. Just wait until your HMO refuses to pay your operation and you end up on the street because bank took your house because of a student loan and hospital bill. Enjoy! I'm glad i'm not at the party
epetrovic87 3 days ago
Here in Europe the countries that you call socialist are not really socialist like China. We are talking about Sweden, Finland and others.
For a better explanation those countries have a big 50% IRS Tax that feed a VERY high level of welfare. The bad side is that nobody can avoid this huge tax.
Ron Paul 2012 !!
jvblg 3 days ago
I guess leech is a popular word now...
epetrovic87 4 days ago
@sgtkpf on you feet. People on well fare are put there, by the system, corruption, inability to get good education and move up. Rich will stay rich and poor will stay poor. In Europe there is no correlation between your future and what is your dad's job. And there is a study about it. In USA if you have a very exceptional talent or luck (more often just good looks) you can get rich, otherwise you are doomed with health bills and student loans.
epetrovic87 4 days ago
@epetrovic87 You say that the "rich will stay rich and the poor will stay poor". That is in NO WAY true. 80% of millionaires are 1st generation, meaning they themselves created that wealth through hard work. If you work hard enough, you WILL be successful and make a good amount of money
525CJames 3 days ago
@sgtkpf That would be all nice if you were right. When did i say people shouldn't work? And lay in the sun and getting the money? And when did i say i love or defend socialism? Hmm, no. I work and study and i am A OK. Doing and studying what i like, because i can, studying is free. All people want to do something they like or love and possibly making a living of it. Laying and doing nothing is just boring. Aha... And sometimes bad things happen,and state should help you until you get back...
epetrovic87 4 days ago
@epetrovic87
"When did i say people shouldn't work? And lay in the sun and getting the money? And when did i say i love or defend socialism?"
You have repeatedly attacked Capitalism by name. You have also praised systems where everyone's pay "is pretty much equal." What kind of system is not Capitalism and has "pretty much equal" pay? Say it with me... "Socialism"! Furthermore, you have advocated everyone receiving "pretty much" the same pay. So those who lay in the sun would receive the (cont.)
sgtkpf 3 days ago
@epetrovic87
same pay as doctors.
"studying is free"
Yes, "studying" is free. Everywhere. However, you mean going to school. And you are either a liar or a gigantic idiot if you think your going to school is "free." Are your teachers/professors paid? Where does that money coming from? Others are paying for your school. In other words, you are living off their work. You are a leech.
"Laying and doing nothing is just boring."
So you're okay with people not working and getting paid? Your (cont.)
sgtkpf 3 days ago
@epetrovic87
only problem is that it is "boring?" Thank you for proving my point.
"And sometimes bad things happen,and state should help you"
Why? And "the state" does not produce anything, so it can not pay to put you back on your feet. You actually mean the productive class should pay you despite the fact that they did nothing wrong.
"People on well fare are put there, by the system"
No.
"corruption"
No.
"inability to get good education and move up."
So? Why is it the obligation of (cont.)
sgtkpf 3 days ago
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@epetrovic87
those who haven't done anything wrong?
"In Europe there is no correlation between your future and what is your dad's job."
Again, you think this because you are an idiot. In America of the richest 1% inheritance only accounted for 9% of their wealth, and only 10% of multimillionaires gained their wealth through inheritance. The lowest in the industrialized world. So you are as wrong as can be.
sgtkpf 3 days ago
Sverige! <3
victorman15 4 days ago
@525CJames I know a lot about American culture, and i know there are good people. But a lot of them are just followers of media. Every system has a flaw, not just american, and every -ism is not 100% good. People are equal, and should be divided by a character not by job. And to get up, someone has to go down. And many people play dirty, and if you want to stay in the game, you have to start too. And leads to more and more bad stuff.
epetrovic87 4 days ago
@epetrovic87
"And if someone isn't smart enough to have some fancy job, so he/she doesn't deserve health care, food, a roof over his/her head?"
You go on to call these rights. This is a ridiculous idea. All of these things you mentioned are the fruits of someone else's labor (doctor, farmer, carpenter, etc.) Therefore they are not rights. How on earth can you claim that you are owed what someone else produced. If you in fact feel this way, I'll give you my address. You can send me your (cont.)
sgtkpf 4 days ago
@sgtkpf So then why don't we privatize prisons, fire departments, trash pickup, water departments and the police? You know why because life would be unbearable if everything was privatized. If you want to live in your libertarian fantasy world why don't you live in Somalia see how that works out for you.
Agoraphobicslove 4 days ago
@Agoraphobicslove
We have privatized prisons, trash pickup, and water (and other utilities) with AMAZING success. These companies actually have to do their job well, or they get fired. In the area where I live there are competing water utilities, but only one power company, as the local government has mandated. The water company I use is friendly, efficient , and cheap. The power company consistently overcharges. They are rude, and they are never on time and take a bare minimum of 12 (cont.)
sgtkpf 4 days ago
@sgtkpf Not really we have private prisons called the corrections corporation of America that lobby the congress through ALEC to create stricter drug laws. Is it any wonder why we have the highest incarcerations in the first world per capita. We have more people in prison per capita then even China. Prison should not be a business. Do you want the entire society to become the criminal class?
Agoraphobicslove 3 days ago
@sgtkpf So you think that if someone is working poor they shouldn't be able to have a fire fighter put out a fire at their home unless they pay a fee only the rich can pay? You stupid anarcho-capitalists really can't wait to go back to feudalism. I am convinced of that.
Agoraphobicslove 3 days ago
@Agoraphobicslove
hours to fix even the slightest problem. That is no exaggeration. I have never had this particular power company fix anything in under 12 hours. As for police and fire, I was in a car wreck a couple years back where a guy ran a red light and plowed into me. I of course called the police. I then sat on the side of the road and watched no less than 6 cop cars drive by with out stopping. I had to flag down number 7, who was undoubtedly headed to the local doughnut shop. (cont.)
sgtkpf 4 days ago
@Agoraphobicslove
This is because of public sector unionization, which is micro-level socialism. Everyone earns the same pay, regardless of performance. As a result, you in the leech class perform the least amount of work. And why not? You'll get the same amount of pay! So thank you very much for your 5 examples, which all proved my point exactly. I appreciate you doing the work for me.
sgtkpf 4 days ago
@sgtkpf exactly. The key is incentive. something which does exist is large quantity in heavily socialized areas
525CJames 3 days ago
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@525CJames
"The key is incentive. something which does exist is large quantity in heavily socialized areas"
What!?
sgtkpf 3 days ago
@Agoraphobicslove
"If you want to live in your libertarian fantasy world why don't you live in Somalia see how that works out for you."
And you (and anyone else in the leech class) can go live in the Soviet Union.
Oh wait... That collapsed, because the system that embodies your beliefs to the tee is utterly unsustainable. Idiot.
sgtkpf 4 days ago
@sgtkpf Enjoy that 8 hour work day and forty hour work week that private unions gave you. Yes and lets use the Soviet Union as an example of socialism LMFAO instead of Norway, Denmark, Australia, Sweden, Israel, Switzerland or France. You really are a moron. If it were up to libertarians 12 year olds would still be working in coal mines losing their fingers instead of getting an educations.
Agoraphobicslove 3 days ago
@epetrovic87
entire paycheck (or much more likely your entire welfare check,) as well as anything you have made/grown/built yourself. After all, you think I have a "right" to them, right?
"Not everyone wants to be a millionaire."
And that is the great thing about Capitalism. Not everyone has to be. You have the freedom to choose to work 3 jobs and invest and become a millionaire, or to devote more time to your family and not have as much money. Capitalism allows for choices, Socialism (cont.)
sgtkpf 4 days ago
@epetrovic87
does not.
"I'm talking about basic rights."
Again, no you're not.
"there are so many cases where people had insurances and still had to pay their medical costs and then after lost their homes because of it."
Interesting that you "know" this, but that it's not true. These are extremely rare cases. But even if it were happening all the time, so what? It's an absolute tragedy that this happens, but why is it the fault of the rich? And if it's not there fault, why should they(cont.)
sgtkpf 4 days ago
@epetrovic87
be forced at gunpoint to pay for it? If a rich individual is in no way responsible for a tragedy, how is it their responsibility to pay for it? You talk of fairness, that is the epitome of unfair.
" And those people spending were just follow your 'great' ex president who told them to spend spend spend to boost the economy. I wonder why he told them that?"
If you spend yourself in to a hole because your head of state says to, then you do not deserve to live. That's natural (cont.)
sgtkpf 4 days ago
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@epetrovic87
selection. You're just trying to pin something unrelated on President Bush because you don't like him. You're acting like a child.
"And spending more than you have, for american people it's normal, but now they see consequences, but it's little too late."
They spend more because politicians who think the exact same way you do promise to bail them out. The exact thing you criticize is the fault of you & your ilk.
"People are equal, and should be divided by a character not by job.
sgtkpf 4 days ago
@epetrovic87
But that is exactly what Capitalism does. It divides by character. Those willing to work hard succeed. The leech class (like yourself) fail. Under the Socialism you love, everybody has equal results. You've said this yourself, countless times, and praised it! Under the Socialism you love the rich receive the same rewards as you and your fellow leech classers. That is the exact opposite of dividing by character. And what's more is it is unsustainable. The hard workers will not(cont.)
sgtkpf 4 days ago
@epetrovic87
continue to produce if you social/economic parasites continue to sap them. The vast majority of people will not work without a paycheck. And for the same reason they will not work hard without a proportionately bigger paycheck. So who will pay for you and the other leeches to not work when you have taken away all incentive to work hard to make the money that is paid in taxes that pays for your Socialism. They will see you leeches lounging in the sun, making the same pay they(cont.)
sgtkpf 4 days ago
@sgtkpf Eventually, in socialism, you will run out of other people's money.
525CJames 3 days ago
@epetrovic87
make. And they will want to be leeches too. And why not if you get x amount to work hard, and the same x amount to lay in the sun, the choice is obvious. And then who is it you think will work to pay the taxes that allow you to lounge about and leech off the system? But that's the point, you didn't think. You prefer to just lay about and leech off someone else's thinking.
sgtkpf 4 days ago
@epetrovic87 So you think that people who worked harder to get a good job shouldn't be paid more than the unambitious? ANYONE can work hard and get a good job. 80% of mil-ares are 1st gen. Another thing about healthcare in the US. It is not as ridiculously expensive as some people would lead you to believe. Scenario: A man smokes for 40 yrs and gets lung cancer from doing so, he then goes to the hospital where hardworking taxpayers pay for his mistakes. Why should they?
525CJames 3 days ago
@525CJames Wow a guy who smokes. Creative example. What about a child who gets cancer. Big moral man.
360cbh 3 days ago
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@360cbh There are already numerous programs and organizations that help people in those situations. Try informing yourself with information. and its not a "Creative example", its a practical one.
Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States. Each year, an estimated 443,000 people die prematurely from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, and another 8.6 million live with a serious illness caused by smoking. -CDC.gov
525CJames 3 days ago
@525CJames I'm talking about basic rights. And i also know there are so many cases where people had insurances and still had to pay their medical costs and then after lost their homes because of it. And those people spending were just follow your 'great' ex president who told them to spend spend spend to boost the economy. I wonder why he told them that? And spending more than you have, for american people it's normal, but now they see consequences, but it's little too late.
epetrovic87 4 days ago
@525CJames Because of all that gap between people in USA you have high crime rate. As Katt Williams says : 'You can get killed at a stop light.' Just as a by stander. People are angry, poor, sick. And if someone isn't smart enough to have some fancy job, so he/she doesn't deserve health care, food, a roof over his/her head? Basic rights, not expensive stuff. Not everyone wants to be a millionaire. People are so broke that they just want a normal life and a right to it.
epetrovic87 4 days ago 3
@epetrovic87 You don't have to be a complete genius to get a good job and make a career. But nothing is going to be given to you just because. YOU HAVE TO WORK HARD TO DO WELL IN SCHOOL. Don't just slide by school without trying then complain that your not smart enough. Study.
525CJames 3 days ago
@525CJames You measure everything in money. If people are making enough for a good life, vacation, have good medical care, can go for free to college, it's good enough for anybody. And if you don't divide people into classes, people are not stress and not hating each other. In Denmark taxes are made so at the end everyone has more or less the same and have same rights. Why is someone's life worth more? Cause he/she has a job that is more important than other jobs?
epetrovic87 4 days ago
@epetrovic87 I never said anyone's life is worth more. And i don't measure everything in money, i measure it in hard work. Those who work harder than others deserve more than those who don't. Ive observed many people who couldnt pay for healthcare, not because of the cost, but because they spent their money unwisely and tried to live beyond their means.
525CJames 4 days ago
@Loudfrom93 Right, doctors have good salary in any country, no matter poor or rich
epetrovic87 4 days ago
@acr08807 I know they don't think that or they should,i was just making a point that even a poor country gives more to people that USA. Everyone in USA thinks their country is the best, without visiting another one. It's not about Serbia here, it's about every non-USA country.
epetrovic87 4 days ago
@epetrovic87 That is a common misconception. We americans are not as narcissistic as people in other countries believe. I may not agree with various gov policies that Serbia has, but i DO NOT hate or dislike it or its people. I just have different opinions. Thats how many americans feel about other countries. I am American, but I do believe that other countries can be good countries without being exactly like us.
525CJames 4 days ago
@irishgodfatherchris Totally agree. And it is talked about in Sicko, where UK doctor said he would never work in a system like in USA, where you get treated if you pay, one way or the other.
epetrovic87 4 days ago
@525CJames And how do you know what is our education like? USA is filled with Serbian and European scientist. And i have met American people and know enough about the system. All you know about Serbia or any other European country is through media. USA is not 1st anymore, at anything, except killing maybe... Bill also talked about it. And to let you know: Doctors, teachers, police and army are best paid job here, so please... 1st inform yourself, and i am very well inform about usa
epetrovic87 4 days ago
@epetrovic87 You can't pretend to fully understand us by speaking to only a few americans. And I don't get the majority of my information from the media. I believe there is A LOT you don't understand about the US system, just as i cannot fully understand your culture or system because i dont live there. I simply am trying to make the point that through competition breeds advancement and incentive. And socialism in many cases (not all) is the enemy of that.
525CJames 4 days ago
God Spitzer has a creepy-ass laugh...
twoshedsjohnson 4 days ago
87% of all statistics are BS and made up unless directly quoting the source.
dmustakasjr 4 days ago
He is talking about western Europe mostly, also he just takes some concepts and idealizes them, takes them out of context, changes them to his needs ( to make the jokes work ) etc.
101retspoons 4 days ago
Im from Sweden... whats with the americans predjudice of Sweden?! Socialist?! We have a right wing goverment since 6 years now. Not to say that swedish right wing is the same as american right wing. But if you call our prime minister a socilist, he will spit you in your face.
bredsjomagnus 5 days ago
@bredsjomagnus You people actually think you have a right wing? OMG, that's so CUTE! Even your neo-nazis would be considered moderate Republicans here in the States.
Phynhas 4 days ago
@Phynhas The nazis were socialist. Can moderate republicans be socialist?
TheGreatRL 4 days ago
@TheGreatRL National Socialists (Nazis) were not socialists like the others...
Hence the "National" word in front...
The Basics of the Socialist, and Communist Ideology is the base of "Internationalism"
The moment that Nationalism comes in, It has split itself from the rest of us and threw itself over to the right wing...
andreas55k 4 days ago
@TheGreatRL Depends. Are we talking personal welfare, or corporate welfare? Personal risk, or socialized risk? There comes a point when Marxism and fascism go so far round the bend, they meet on the other side and become virtually indistinguishable. As for moderates, I can't say with any authority; I'm American, I've never seen a moderate.
Phynhas 3 days ago
@bredsjomagnus im american and ive never heard anyone talk anything bad about sweden. Actually there are a good amount of people that descended from Swedes so usually nothing but good things are said about them.
525CJames 4 days ago
@525CJames
- Everybody has equal right to healthy life and free education. If someone accomplishes more, he has more rights? some people are ok with being janitors, nurses, cleaning building.That dividing system is not working. People are more stressed and it makes the gap between people bigger and deeper.
-And people going in USA for treatment are ones who have money. USA probably has the best medical equipment in the world but it is reserved for those who can pay,big time...
epetrovic87 5 days ago
@epetrovic87 Thats fine if someone is okay with being a janitor, but don't expect to make a good salary and have a comfortable lifestyle. People will only pay you what your labor is worth
525CJames 4 days ago
Even in Serbia we have free medic care, free education... Yea, poor us for not having American 'democracy'. American dream? Try American nightmare...
epetrovic87 5 days ago 12
@epetrovic87 I agree with you on healthcare, but you should know that nobody in America walks around thinking "life would be great if only I lived in Serbia."
acr08807 4 days ago
@epetrovic87 take someone who got a Serbian education and compare them to someone with a education earned in a school in the US. See which one gets a better job due to their education. As for medical care, id trust a US doctor with incentive to do good rather than an underpaid Serbian one with an inferior education.
525CJames 4 days ago
@epetrovic87 And why is it a nightmare to have a culture where people can work hard to better themselves and EARN educations that provide them with high-paying jobs? If thats a nightmare whats your idea of prosperity?
525CJames 4 days ago
Its hard to break dependency and slavery to the government after they have already taken your money. Its a vicious cycle. Thats why societies usually dont move away from socialism. Socialism ends when the money runs out or becomes worthless.
ambigroove 5 days ago
@ambigroove Slavery? People vote, government is their lobby. Or is supposed to be, but money polluted that too, at least in USA.
Hirnlego999 5 days ago
I think the trouble is that most Americans think that socialism is the same as communism whereas the difference is really huge. That confusion comes from the U.S.S.R. (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) which was a communist entity, of course they don't notice the "Republic"part otherwise they'd assume that republicans were commies too.
icurhuman2 5 days ago
@icurhuman2
Let's not kid ourselves. The confusion comes from Fox News and it is exactly what they wanted.
1SapereAude1 5 days ago
@1SapereAude1 yeah of course blame EVERYTHING on allegedly evil Fox News and Republicans. Maybe if so much energy wasn't used flinging inaccurate political "mud" we could work together to actually fix problems in the governement
525CJames 4 days ago
@icurhuman2 I think the "confusion" comes from them shouting the same slogans.
john42t 3 days ago
holy shit look at that nose. I bet all the liberals pet it when they meet him in real life, lol'z.
trollornot2troll 5 days ago
Jag bor i socilast landet Sverige. Socialismen är ... okej. Det är inte så spännande som Amerika. Vi lever i ett samhälle där alla är lika. Det är inte speciell och det är inte dåligt.
Translation: I live in the socilast country of Sweden. Socialism is...okay. Its not as exciting as America. We live in a society where everyone is the same. Its not special and its not bad.
ExcursionStudios 5 days ago
"Indoor Palins" LMFAO
KINGDUDE74 5 days ago
Actually the public transportation in Europe smells like pee, too
GelberStuhl 6 days ago 9
@GelberStuhl Right on point. But it's middle class pee. Not hobo pee as in the US
sofrknasm 5 days ago
@GelberStuhl
The public transport everywhere smells like pee - it's like some universal requirement for public transportation - without the stink it just would not be the same...
RAGHUVARVASUDEV 5 days ago
@GelberStuhl
I live in Germany. While I'm not a fan of the Deutsche Bahn or other German railway companies, I must say, it never smells like pee.
1SapereAude1 5 days ago
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@1SapereAude1:
Haha, I know what you mean but as soon as one has lived in a different country for some time one starts to appreciate the Deutsche Bahn. ;D
MsHyde1 5 days ago
@GelberStuhl Only because of the american tourists who use it.
MinotawrTV 5 days ago
@GelberStuhl Only in Marseilles.
acr08807 5 days ago
@GelberStuhl
I have no clue what country you are from but I'm from Skåne in Sweden and we have by far the worst public transportation in Sweden and it doesn't smell like pee at all.
Idoesnotapprove 4 days ago
After visiting Iceland....I feel this is another difference between American Socialism and European Socialism: Europeans are WILLING to pay the higher taxes to pay for all the "hand outs". Americans are NOT....me being an American...I get $ taken out of my paycheck every time to pay for my medical insurance...what difference would it make if the money instead was taken out as a tax paid to the government? (rather than the private ins.?)
jwace 6 days ago
Socialism: Yeah, like Bill's not in favor of it (as far as it goes). He still likes his salary.
Handiman544 6 days ago
@Handiman544 youre punishing success.
mkrulic517439 6 days ago
loved this one :)
robertwlester 6 days ago
You know this clown screens his audience, so how fair is that?
1998disco72 6 days ago
@1998disco72 I don't think any right-wingers would go to his show...whether he screened them or not. Plus the screeners apparently don't do a good job as there are plenty of instances (all on youtube) where "truthers" start to rant and they get kicked out.
jwace 6 days ago
@jwace All Bill Maher does is find the most radical, misinformed right wingers he can find so he can make the group look bad as a whole
525CJames 4 days ago
damn i love bill...maher not o`reilly
jekkv2 6 days ago
hi, I'm from Denmark, and I like how some americans think I'm living in some evil socialist country where I don't have to die from pneumonia when I can afford the medicine....
JugglerOfWords 1 week ago 29
@JugglerOfWords What are you talking about? You need to stop watching this fool. He is rich he can afford insurance. So he is full of shit.
1998disco72 6 days ago
@JugglerOfWords I meant "can't", sorry for the typo, but I assume most of you understood anyway...
JugglerOfWords 6 days ago
@JugglerOfWords Jeg elsker dig kammerat :)
andreas55k 5 days ago in playlist Favorite videos
@andreas55k øhmm... tak....
JugglerOfWords 5 days ago
@JugglerOfWords If people don't want to die from pneumonia, they should get off their lazy asses and get jobs, not come looking to me for it. I work hard for my money and I deserve a yacht and a Ferrari, but I can't get them because old people and the unemployed are mooching off me.
acr08807 5 days ago
@acr08807 let me try to explain how things work in my country, the people that because of physical and/or mental problems can't afford medicine, they survive because we won't let them suffer, which I would call solidarity, but feel free to call it something else...
JugglerOfWords 5 days ago
@JugglerOfWords I call it out and out Obama communism. God made them crippled for a reason. Who are we to deny His will?
acr08807 4 days ago
@acr08807 oh, you're a christian....
that explains your paranoid sadism and ability to make sense...
JugglerOfWords 4 days ago
@JugglerOfWords I love how atheists make up random insults about christianity that have no base at all. If their brains were half the size of their arrogant egos they would all have PhD degrees
525CJames 4 days ago
@525CJames okay, so calling a person paranoid because he believes old and/or poor people are personally preventing him from becoming rich and calling him a sadist because he thinks crippled people should just "accept God's will" both have no base at all?
and why do all people insulting christians automatic become atheists?
JugglerOfWords 4 days ago
@JugglerOfWords I didn't say i agreed with him about the old people preventing him building wealth. but instead of automatically assaulting his religious beliefs, why not just disprove his economic ones with a logical argument.
And well because the vast majority of people that show deep hatred toward christians are atheists
525CJames 3 days ago
@525CJames well, I had some difficulty telling the difference between his economic and religious beliefs since he mentioned "God's will"...
I understand, but just remember that this it not a good enough reason for name-calling..
I don't mind atheists by the way, I just find them a little too cynical sometimes...
JugglerOfWords 3 days ago
@acr08807 you're either a troll or my favourite idiot this week.
edcampion19 4 days ago
@edcampion19 Maybe I'm both. :)
acr08807 4 days ago
@acr08807 Not only do people not want to work hard and build success, but they want to live outside of their means. You wouldn't believe how many people ive observed who make $24,000 a yr and yet drive $32,000 cars. Then they complain because they can't afford something they actually need.
525CJames 4 days ago
"If hypocrisy was [sic] Uranium, they could power the planet."
Griffinsdad3401 1 week ago
when talking bout socialism you can tell ppl are are just being reactionary when they start getting all insultive about the issue. the truth is whatever system you are employing matters only about how well its working . its like using a different tool for a job then someone gets irate over you not using the old screwdriver or saw. it matters only that the jobs done well. sometimes this works sometimes that, but whatever works best at the time for the job
adzug 1 week ago
What did Bill Maher say at 0:14? I couldn't quite hear that part
Connectification1993 1 week ago
@Connectification1993 "Those weren't aliens. They were minorities."
Solarfactor 1 week ago
@Solarfactor Lol. Couldn't believe I missed the punch line
Connectification1993 1 week ago
A mixed economy is the only practical one, a lot of the other "isms" are just utopian ideals. Ideals are good but none of us will live long enough to see a working communism or a prosperous Anarcho-Capitalism. For now we need to focus on the present and figure out the most practical economy, instead of trying to change it all over night.
LamentationsEnd 1 week ago
The Song of Mitt Romney's Seamus !
The best they got is Mitt Romney ???
He comes off so delirious,
When he tries to be serious;
He can't even take a strait pee !
104Kojack 1 week ago
The Republicants are a Plutocracy that gets its sense of power by bullung and dumbing down the 98 % who pay for everything. In other words they rob poor Peter to pay for rich Paul. They have no problem being anti Social Security or even anti society, or anti union. Anytime they cant bully people with their Plutocracy they are uneasy and hostile to say the least. The more money the better, anything goes, To Republicants, integrity is a big waist of time and money is literally everything !
.
104Kojack 1 week ago
I'd VOTE for this guy! Oh, and to all you morons that don't know what socialism is, if your house is on fire and you call the fire dept. to come put it out, then you're a socialist. You see, somebody else paid taxes for that service. Me? I'd just as soon watch you and your right wing family burn to death. Now that's NOT socialism!
grandysfunction 1 week ago
@grandysfunction im pretty sure your the one who doesnt understand socialism if thats how you describe it
525CJames 5 days ago
Socialism is only a dirty word to ambitious, hard working responsible people...damn those yuppies and their high paying jobs..how dare they work hard and save their money and take care of their children...evil people, so evil in fact that i'm gonna stop hanging around with my university educated friends who drive nice cars and wear nice clothes while i'm just a landscaper, the world owes me! i'm a victim, i demand a handout.
quincee33 1 week ago 2
@quincee33 What is the point of your rants?
madmatix 1 week ago
@quincee33 Yes, damn those yuppies. Did you know American wages have been stagnant for over 30 years while prices have risen? As of today even someone as yourself, saving every month and planning for the future, may have to work two jobs and /still/ find themselves bankrupt if there's a fire or a family member is injured. You can be as hard working as you like, but your life is still dependent on pure luck. Socialism? It's called leveling the playing field.
TheShortStory 1 week ago
@TheShortStory okay, the disparity between rich and poor in the unites states is crazy, no argument here, but i live in Canada, and to me i don't get the "occupy movement" in canada...we have universal healthcare, a social safety net, good education and it's still not enough.....it seems the left in Canada isn't content, they want to demolish a system that;'s fair.....every time you get a raise u go into ahigher tax bracket...they just want handouts and want someone else to pay.
quincee33 1 week ago
@quincee33 Wages have remained stagnant in the UK for 10 years, and I suspect that it's a general problem in the western world. I'm not calling for a socialist society, but we do need to address the serious problems created by our economic liberalism. And you ought not generalize "the left". Some wont the most minor of reforms, some want revolution. And for god's sake.. creating an equal footing for the pursuit of happiness is not "looking for a handout"!
TheShortStory 1 week ago
@TheShortStory naught a thing to do with liberalism, its capitalism
pkConda 6 days ago
@pkConda I was referring to that all-too-popular brand of economic liberalism: neoliberalism
TheShortStory 6 days ago
@TheShortStory which doesnt exist in the states ;) liberalism barely does
pkConda 6 days ago
@pkConda .... I'm just.. wow. I'm out..
TheShortStory 6 days ago
@TheShortStory if you study other countries and their politics, you'll see actual left wing ideologies. the states' liberals are equal to moderates in other developed countries
pkConda 6 days ago
@pkConda item: is that because the rest of the (developed and underdeveloped) world is sooo left-wing or because the US is a tiny bit extremely right-wing? In the new-deal era, the US' political climate could've been taken form the UK today..
TheShortStory 6 days ago
@quincee33 Alot of the occupy movement is about corporate corruption. As a Canadian, I'm afraid of corporations unfairly influencing the government.
Just pretending that the left is looking for a handout, is a pretty unfair assessment of the situation. I'm guessing you're conservative, and if you sit down and actually listen to what the OWS people are ACTUALLY complaining about, I'd bet you'll agree with most of it.
johnedwards1968 1 week ago
@johnedwards1968 I for one have listened and talked to many OWS protesters and nearly all of them have a misinformed politically ignorant opinion based on what they've heard and not what they've read. OWS protesters are in many cases as crazy and radical as many democrats falsely claim republicans and Tea Party members to be.
525CJames 1 week ago
@525CJames and you ARENT biased? fuck you
threadysparrow 6 days ago
@525CJames I'm willing to agree there are plenty of liberal Radicals in the OWS group but there are plenty of moderates and a plenty from across the politial way.
Its like that way with the Tea Party as well....the media SHOWS the crazy's but I'm sure there are some who are just Libertarian leaning.
Problem is...everyone just groups you with crazys. I'm only radical when it comes to the environment...but I get grouped with the "hand-out-loving-liberals"
jwace 6 days ago
@jwace Yeah i agree that the media only tends to show the radicals, but you have to admit they're much more obsessed with finding radical R than radical D. I also agree that grouping can be a problem, I myself am not a straight ticket voter. whether i am republican or democrat biased depends on the topic at hand. problem is, theres been times where ive sided with the R on a topic and then out of nowhere im called a radical religious idiot, im never hated on when i side D on something
525CJames 5 days ago
@TheShortStory Why should those who work hard pay those who are unambitious? And saying that your situation in life depends purely on luck is idiotic
525CJames 5 days ago
@525CJames "Professor explains how economic inequality harms societies"
// Children who grow up poor in the United States cost the economy $500 billion a year because they are less productive, earn less money, commit more crimes and have more health-related expenses, according to a new study.
"The high cost of childhood poverty to the U.S. suggests that investing significant resources in poverty reduction might be more cost effective than we thought,"
Hirnlego999 5 days ago
@Hirnlego999 How would you suggest reducing poverty? By giving money away to every poor person in sight. There are some that legitimately need help but so many are poor because they never would work hard enough to earn an education and make a career for themselves. Why would people work hard to make a lot of money when the government will just pay you money for being poor?
525CJames 4 days ago
@525CJames talk about reading what you want to read.. Your starting point in life IS determined by luck: who your parents are, where you grow up, whether you get a disease or your house burns down, whether a family member dies.. need I go on? All these things can impact a person's "ambitions". And fuck egocentrism. If your kid had a learning disability, and you were working two jobs trying just to pay the mortgage - would you still be opposed to tax payer money being used to help him/her?
TheShortStory 5 days ago
@TheShortStory Im not oppossed to tax payer aid. thats not what im saying at all. But when you have so many people reliant on government money (ie welfare) then something is wrong. I agree that there are people who need that help. Im talking about people who didn't work hard in school and ended up with a crappy low paying job because of that, and demand gov money. Or people who try to live well beyond what they can afford and can't pay the bills due to that. I have seen (cont.)
525CJames 4 days ago
@TheShortStory (cont.) people who make $24,000 a year and yet make payments so they can buy a $32,000 car. Obviously this with other obvious financial mistakes puts this person in a position where they can no longer pay the bills, so they demand gov money cause they cant pay the bills because they have a car, house, and other things they cant afford. im not saying no gov aid. im just saying dont give money to just anyone.
525CJames 4 days ago
@TheShortStory Also My best friend was born extreme lower class, he worked hard in school and is now going to an excellent engineering college on scholarship and if your working 2 jobs just to pay your mortgage, maybe you should have decided to live within your means rather than get a house you cant afford in the long run. True part of life is luck, but it matters a lot more how hard you work to change your circumstances. If you want a high paying job, work hard in school.
525CJames 4 days ago
@525CJames It's an inbuilt fear that "someone is wasting MY money" - and although the welfare recipient numbers in the US are too high (could it have something to do with extreme medical costs, poor education and cheap fast food..?), studies in scandinavia and the UK show that misuse of the system is a small problem. And you misunderstand the problem. A tiny percentage are lazy, I'll give you that. But most poor school performances are a symptom of a dysfunctional environment.
TheShortStory 4 days ago
@TheShortStory People are always quick to call for higher taxes for the rich and successful, but many are already taxed around 50%. I dont believe people should be punished for working hard and making something of themselves with ridiculous taxes. And misuse of welfare is "a small problem"? The US EACH year spends hundreds of billions on it. I do admit that dysfunction can def. affect performance, but other than removing them from that family how would you solve that?
525CJames 4 days ago
@525CJames Mental healthcare, after school programs, family assistance.. there are countless ways one can level the playing field for the next generation.
And yes, many rich people work hard. But I don't buy the idea that a zillionaire has earned his money by working that much harder than a coal miner. At a certain point, they're paid for the fact that they have other people working for them. It's sickening how much one can make by effectively going to meetings and signing papers. Tax them more!
TheShortStory 4 days ago
@TheShortStory And why do they have people working for them? because they risked everything to try and create a successful company, which is no easy task. They took the initiative to study business, study economics, and work hard to create something for themselves. If you understood anything about business and corporations you'd understand that there is much more than "going to meetings, and signing papers" They are complicated entities, corporations.
525CJames 3 days ago
@525CJames What a load of rubbish! Yes, many of the wealthy have worked hard all their lives, and thought hard about economics for much of their education.. but my point, in case you missed it, is that they haven't worked millions of millions of dollars worth harder than a steel mill employee. a couple of years at harvard doesn't mean you should be able to buy a rolex for 20k to match your lambo'.. The system is rotten!
TheShortStory 3 days ago
@TheShortStory Well apparently they have worked millions-worth harder because where would that money come from? It wasnt given to them. they earned it through good investments, hard work, and good economic decisions. It didnt just fall from the sky because they own a business! I can guarantee it is NOT EASY to run a million/billion dollar company. I guarantee it is harder than working at a mill.
525CJames 3 days ago
@525CJames I'm sorry. This comment, I can't even take seriously.. The one above: that's what a social safety net is for! Teaching them how to fish - and if they are unable to, share our own fish. The ones leasing out the fishing boats have enough of it. It's a sickening lie that poor people aren't willing to work hard to change. you claim I know nothing about business (I can assure you, you're wrong), and I'd propose you know nothing of real poverty. Have the final word, I can't go on with this
TheShortStory 3 days ago
@TheShortStory And you can't just throw money in a dysfunctional family's face and expect that to fix all of there problems. Not everything can be fixed that way. I agree with the afterschool programs and mental healthcare though
525CJames 3 days ago
@525CJames and no, it's not all going to be fixed by throwing money at the problem.. but it's a damn lot better than the status quo, where poverty is perpetuated from generation to generation without anyone asking; what can we as a collective society do to help?
TheShortStory 3 days ago