I always found vacation much more enjoyable and rewarding after a good, successful work period, rather than having a vacation every day without any work (been there, done that ...).
@Pomiferous Gladly! I dropped-out of high-school in my 3rd year and was home for a year doing practically nothing. I became aware at one point, that I have completely broken-off my previous routine which had been far more rewarding in terms of "enjoyable feelings" than that workless period. The whole thing streched along untill I was 23 - that's the year I had finally completed high-school ... I wouldn't go thru it again:)
@TrojaSucks Your distinction between north and south (5 countries in trouble, not 3) would matter if not for the EU. Switzerland is lucky not to be a member, but the never ending waves of regulation from Brussels are stifling Europe's economies. In its' desperation to save the failed euro, the EU is reaching deep into the north's pockets to "bailout" the south + Ireland, forcing Greece, Portugal, and others to stay in the euro and condemning them to a generation of poverty and recession.
I am from the UK and Dennis Prager is absolutely right. The European Union exists for the sole purpose of imposing newer and more complicated regulations on everything, from agriculture and criminal justice to business, even the frequency of bin collections. The ultimate aim of the EUSSR is to create a United States of Europe under a centralised socialist pseudo-democratic dictatorship. People of America turn back while you still can or share the fate of those at the mercy of the European Union.
Seriously, dependence breeds subservience and if americans continue to allow the govt to take over every aspect of their lives then they wont have a life left. You'll just be one more tool in the shed. Get creative, get active, become self reliant, and tell the govt to back off. We outnumber them, lets use our advantage.
@4wheelerDJ Then government could never become too expensive,large and intrusive...Just as long as the priorities are designed well it would seem.I'm sure anyone on a quest for government pay back would be in favor of constant expansion.
Yes, it seems I don't have a clue what equality means for sure.Your story about a person surrendering one of several mansions did not clarify it for me either.What about negative effects on others that are not in the realm of finance or property possesions.The arena would seem to be and endless one.People have countless ways to negatively effect each other.
Yes, it seems you don't know how to use the reply button either.
People have countless ways of positively effecting each other as well. When one focuses on the negative, then that is obviously all they will see. Why not try thinking about this from the angle of the poverty stricken people who can barely afford to feed their family yet put in more work then the "born rich" who have not worked a day in their life. Is this fair? No, so how would you ever support this?
@NeutralExistence I guess you can be in charge of dictating fairness then.....Though trying to cover all the angles may prove to be an overwelming task.People are pretty adept at exploiting loop holes for personal advantage.
Like I said people can dictate their own fairness, and when they are given the ability to actually dictate themselves instead of having "Big Brother" tell them exactly what to do I am sure things will work themselves out. There is tribes that have been living peacefully in the jungles without inequality or poverty of any kind. They simply take what they need, and live there lives. Not all humans are pathetic like our cultures.
THAT’S your model society? A jungle tribe?! Ha! Tell me – would you rather be equal in a mud hut or poor in America?
Be sure to ask your neighbors, too, if you can get them to stop laughing.
Or try this. Stand at the Mexican border and wave a sign at the illegal immigrants, “Go back! Go back! American is a land of terrible inequality and poverty!” See how long you last before you’re trampled by northbound Mexicans who know what real poverty is.
I would rather be in a mud hut eating healthy food, and living my life freely without pollution, and the rest of the bullshit our city's bring. At least in the jungle you don't have annual rape statistics that make some cases of war rape look tiny in comparison. You don't have drug addled people on every street corner begging for cash, and trying to steal your wallet.
I am sure if it was not for NAFTA these Mexicans would actually be able to make a living back home...
@NeutralExistence It's true there would be fewer street corners,pollution,cash and wallets in the jungle.As far as NAFTA goes.Many US factories moved to Mexico after it's inactment. That was before the big shift in manufacturing drifted toward China as in more recent years. Maybe you could explain how NAFTA helped encourage Mexicans to immigrate to the USA though.The logic alludes me.The main thing I remember about NAFTA was Ross Perrots comments about it producing a giant sucking sound
It greatly removed the trade tariffs that were present, making their goods worth virtually nothing, so all the farmers that used to be able to actually feed their family's in Mexico find this is now impossible since their (example) corn is worth 2 dollars instead of the 10 dollars it was with the trade tariffs. So now in order to actually feed their family's they must come over here for the higher paying jobs.
How on earth am I going to constitute the change I want to see in the world from a remote place like that, when the problems are at the root in "modern" countries like that which I live in. My actions have helped many people, while by the looks of things all you do is insult, and attack others for their ideology's.
Keep running your mouth, while others make real change, its probably all you are good at anyways.
@NeutralExistence You are quite noble then in the eyes of your own perspective it seems.Not an uncommon viewpoint from any stretch of imagination.We all like to see ourselves as elevated as possible.
It’s funny that throughout history the nations most devoted to equality have also been the poorest.
But never mind. It’s lucky for the noble fighters for equality that their high-minded calling requires them to live in one the richest, most comfortable nations on earth, use products conceived by billionaires like Bill Gates, and keep a safe distance from the worlds’ poorest whom they claim to admire, without the slightest hint of cognitive dissonance.
When one knows they live in a life of wealth, and at the expense of others. Is it better for them to try to make change, or to be like you, and to rant against it on the internet? I participate in giving loans to people in Uganda, and other very impoverished country's, I give money to disasters, and women/children who are fleeing from abusive relationships. If I thought going to these country's would actually help anything, I would, but I can make much more change from here.
It is taking me longer and longer to get off the floor and dry my eyes. Half of this conversation is right out of the liberal double standard song book: “The rich are thieves. How do we know? Because they’re rich! Ignore the fact that by global standards we’re rich, too. We’re not thieves because we’re on the side of the less fortunate. Of course, the rich give far more, and do far more, but they’re still thieves because… well, just because they’re rich.”
They also take far more, and exploit far more. Then they give tax deductible "donations" to make themselves look good while never once harming their pocket book. What good people they must be.... I suppose they are also great people for giving all those illegal immigrants less then living wages? Yes what hero's!! It is one thing to be more fortunate because of your country of birth, its another thing altogether to get rich off the suffering of others. The "American" dream.
@NeutralExistence How is taxing people at higher rates if they are wealthy seen as equality ? I would think everyone paying the same % as more equal.After all 28 percent of a million is a whole lot more contribution than 28% of 40 grand.Once you earn enough to not be exempt from income tax why the extra, unequal penalty for higher incomes.
@3sierra15 Think I will go with the liberty to build any kind of house you please.In fact liberty and equality seem to be mortal enemies.I'm not buying this notion that feeling sorry for poor people makes you a good person either.It seems a far to simplistic form of reason and most likely designed for self gratification.It appears one has to be ungreatfull and filled with resentment in order to be in the lefties club.I had a near death experiance in Bitter Creek and am glad to have escaped
@NeutralExistence The people who work for GM and GE pay plenty of taxes.Though I have heard close to 50 percent of americans pay no income tax.Which does seem rather hard to fathom.Why is it that people working for corporations paying income tax is not a satisfactory arraingment.I was not in favor of Obama paying off the UAW with tax payer funds either.The dems are doomed if they don't hold on to the union vote though.So I guess there is nothing hard to grasp about the manuver.
The people who work for GM, and GE sure do. Its not the people working for the corporations that are the problem, its the owners that are actually making the big money. GE paid 0$ in taxes for 2010.
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The Wall Street Journal reports GM does not have to pay any federal taxes on its next $45 billion in income.
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Obama is a corporate lawyer, he has sold out the "American" people. Who would have guessed his second biggest contributors was Goldman Sachs.
@NeutralExistence Are you saying owners of companies are exempt from taxes on income ? It seems most unlikely.People who make big money are also taxed.Loop holes and tax avoidance no doubt are a problem and temptatation for all sorts of income levels.I'm sort of intrigued by the idea of being taxed on what you spend and not what you make with no exemptions.Except for the poor and destitute of course. Having no write offs would seem to be one way to curtail much of the cheating .
GM, and GE like I stated did not pay taxes in the last couple years. So if they are anything like the banks that got bailed out they most likely gave their high ranking employee's some nice bonuses for doing absolutely nothing except getting rich off the sweat of their car factor workers, and they most likely got cushy breaks. When people that work 12+ hours a day cant afford to feed their family, and some smuck is getting huge bonuses at the same time there clearly is a problem.
@NeutralExistence Trust me.Union GM car factory workers who work 12 hours a day make enough money to feed thier families.Keep in mind the employees of of large,nasty corporations contribute taxes.If you want to pull the plug on corporations and close them down.There will be a big hit on the tax based revenues they were once involved in creating.It's no wonder corporations can't wait to move to a country with willing workers and less restrictive regulations.China is laughing at our follies
I did not say I wanted to close them down, however the 1% who own the majority of the wealth in the United States should defiantly start putting in their own blood/sweat into the work force if they are going to claim that they deserve this ridiculous in-equal amount of wealth over everyone else.
China's people are some of the most brutally repressed people in the world, corporations cant wait to exploit, and make profit off country's people like this, its part of the problem.
@NeutralExistence It will be interesting to see how "you" determine how much wealth each individual (deserves)Will you set up panels with the authority to spread it around in an even fashion or something ? I would think conviscation of other peoples wealth for redistribution would require some pretty heavy handed tactics.Not to mention,trying to keep politics out of the process would most likely prove an impossible task. Nice to chat with you and gain insights into what people deserve
Everyone deserves a house over their head, clothes on their back, a right to a proper education, clean water, and food to eat. Many of these things are not present in country's around the world including "America". Yet you have others who are living in 12 million + dollar mansions, and watering their lawn with more water then a poor kid in Africa can afford in a week. Yet you are alright with that as you sip your cognac, and puff your cigar, but put yourself in their shoes.
@NeutralExistence Great, more guilt projection and generalizations.Not much of a solution and short on details.The left does not have much ammunition other than demonizing opposing factions.I would be a lot poorer without some good fortune and lots of menial labor each week.The right to a proper education,shelter,food and clothing is documented where exactly ?
You don't believe people have a right to proper education, shelter, food, and clothing?
You would sure make the Fascists proud with your love for corporate greed, and inequality. The "left" does not have to even try to demonize those who believe everyone should not be given equal rights, and treated as equals. You do it your self's every time your selfish ideology shows its ugly head. You clearly don't want a solution because you want to keep your unneeded wealth so why bother.
I take it you could find no documentation for your list of rights ? Let's try something very simple and direct. Define "proper eduction"At less than 40k per year not sure there would be much unneeded wealth to grab at my place.You probably better keep focused on the multi-mansion owners as a source for wealth conviscation.Anyway,it's time to kick back at the hot springs and try to soak the guilt away under the desert moonlight.Tme to gas up and go --toodles
When people are given an equal chance to make it in the business world, and be properly educated in order to get there. Stupid fools like George Bush become president, while smart kids from the Ghetto don't get a chance to do anything with their lives. There is children who live on piles of garbage in Mexico, and metal shacks that are probably smaller then your tool shed. Yet you are alright with that you think you deserve to live a good life free from poverty more then they do?
There are Americans in Mexico who have made more difference in one day than you've made in weeks of self-righteous whining. If you're really Mother Teresa Lite, see if they'll have you. We'll be expecting a postcard.
@Pomiferous The left believes that people are intrinsically destined to be active or passive, talented or untalented, and that result is largely decided by luck. So, if you fail, you were unlucky and shouldn't be allowed to end up in the dumpster. At least you should have the right to a roof, clothing, food and healthcare. I'm not left myself (because I believe also that incentives are important), but I wanted to point out that your statement is extremely simplistic and distorted from the truth.
@Pomiferous Yes, I didn't even include healthcare on my list. If you're born in a poor family, the government should allow you an education. When you get sick, the government should provide you with healthcare. But that's it. My country and continent are crumbling from an entitlement system that has gone far bigger than that. I do stand by the rights that were given to me and my countrymen by my constitution. I may be a lefty in your eyes, but I am just as much a constitutionalist as Ron Paul
What a novel idea. Let's redistribute wealth. Why hasn't anyone thought of that?
Your like-minded political predecessors have been redistributing wealth for the last 100 years. To take but one example, in the 50's the top tax rates were far, far higher than today.
But I'm in a good mood, so let us hear how your redistribution scheme is going to eliminate poverty where others failed. Please, give us the details.
@3sierra15 Who needs details when good intentions are behind the idea ? It seems imagination is all that is required for making changes.One good scheme deserves another for the game to stay on a roll in the sphere of politics.
Everyone deserves a house over their head, clothes on their back, a right to a proper education, clean water, and food to eat." No, you are wrong. If someone who is perfectly capable of work is just going to sit on his ass all day and expect other people to feed him, house him and clothe him, then I say, LET HIM STARVE. In the case he actually can't work, then we should look out for our fellow man and help him.
Of course everyone who is able needs to put in their own, but we should not devalue people because of their social, or financial standing. I think its ridiculous that most high end university's put the student in huge debt if they are not financially well off, and how simply because of the location they were born people are not given an equal chance. Equality is not about giving lazy people free stuff, the exact opposite actually.
@NeutralExistence "I think its ridiculous that most high end university's put the student in huge debt if they are not financially well off," Yes, I agree, however the solution is not taxing people to pay for everyone who wants to attend college. This is the reason college is so expensive. If colleges could not charge their students so much money, costs would not be so high. Are you willing to tell me that if we stopped paying people's college...
@NeutralExistence "and how simply because of the location they were born" Now that government has gotten so large, many people inherit their parent's financial situations, which is exactly what you are talking about. It did not use to be like this. Before about a century and a half ago, even when people were poor in a matter of years they brought themselves OUT of poverty! Also, many children of poor families went on to become very successful, despite their parent's poverty...
@david52875 This is much harder to do these days, and it is BECAUSE of government. I believe you are well intentioned, and both you and I want to help the poor, but bigger government is NOT the answer!
Its not government, its the force behind government.
The Central Banking network is the real power of "America". Or one of the main one's anyways, with the Federal reserve slowly forcing "America" into a debt crisis much like what they did in the Euro zone. Government corruption is inherent when you allow society to run rampant as it has, massive deregulation, and failed social networks of huge scale. The damage caused in some community's will take forever to repair.
That argument is attractive only in a dim light, because the economic notions behind it are shallow and self-contradictory. They amount to, "We would punish the rich but we need their money!"
Historically, the dominant characteristic of Chinese economic policy has been redistribution. It's no accident that the dominant characteristic of their economy has been poverty. Now, entrepreneurship may change that. Let us hope so.
And rich corporations pay their employees with recycled toenail clippings.
See? Anybody can post anything on the Internet, including, "GE paid 0$ in taxes for 2010." What's the foolish error in that statement? The careless, unthinking, obvious, Kool-Ade-drinking error? Pomiferous sees it. I see it. Do you? Would you like to retract that silly assertion before it lands in the Embarrassment Hall of Fame beside "Mud Huts?" Last chance...
Might want to read before you post stupid shit. The quote on GM was also from the Wall Street Journal if you actually took the time to look it up. The foolish error was thinking your dumbass would actually understand what I am trying to say.
Everyone, read Neutered Existence's post carefully. Memorize it. This is the sound of radical caught with his facts wrong, searching desperately for some way to justify an unjustifiable point of view. Fury, frustration, embarrassment....but, mind you, no admission of error.
Neutered Existence grabbed a mass media article and posted it as The Truth Forever. What could possibly go wrong? Um, lots.
First mud huts, now GE. This is just getting better. Stay tuned, folks.
@3sierra15 Lighten up.I think Neutral is quite young and still developing.The vast majority of youth sway left unless things have radically changed recently.Public education does not present very many alternatives,
The employers of Mexican immigrants are paying them not only enough to live in America, but to support their families in Mexico, too. Remittances from America form Mexico’s third largest source of foreign income, second only to oil exports. Foot-shooting radicals want to destroy the rich that make this happen. End result, even poorer Mexicans, but ones that, as they starve, will no doubt be comforted by the leftists’ good intentions.
Its funny that people like you probably consider yourself "rich". Thus why you protect the real rich fools.
Like I tried to explain after the NAFTA "free trade" agreement the Mexicans that actually used to be able feed their family's now find this impossible because the tariffs they used to rely on for equal pricing of goods have been removed. Now they have no choice except to come to "America" for work even if that means working in dehumanizing conditions, and for little wages.
@NeutralExistence Maybe you should substitute improvements for change.The latter often produces more problems needing constant fixes.Then again, the circle game does seem to be on going and self perpetuating.I heard the rush toward ethanol jacked up the price of corn and food in general.
Who is to say I have not? Don't group me in with people like yourself who most likely are big supporters of the corporate greed that enslaved the people of other nations. I do my best to make change, but as a 20 year old there is not a whole heck of a-lot I can do. However I do try to make change, and help people who aren't as well off as myself, unlike others... I don't support corporations like Monsanto who exploit foreign farmers or groups like the IMF.
Maybe you should go out, and do something for the people around you. Instead of coming on here, and ranting to me about how great, and super you think the exploitation of others is. Maybe you should substitute improvements for change instead of arguing with others who actually have made change about what they should, and should not do. If you truly are 50+ then maybe you should find something better to do then rant on You Tube, like helping the poverty stricken in your area..
@NeutralExistence Now who's ranting ? Your second sentence is total fabrication and laced with guilt projection just to inflate your sense of cause.Because you imagine something does not make it so.I think labor union sponsored greed is just as nasty and selfish as the corporate variety.Changes can just as easily turn negative as positive.So change in and of itself is just as suspect as the staus quo.Good intentions with bad results is a version of change not worth embracing.
Like I said, go out, and do something instead of ranting on here about me. I have made my contribution, and I will continue to do so till my dying day. So please since you are wasting away what little time you have left, get on it. Change when perpetrated by people with a MO of gaining thousands of dollars off the suffering of others like the corporate pigs you seem to wholeheartedly support. When citizens actually try to help others instead of exploiting them it works.
@NeutralExistence You feeling good about your contributions to society seems to be your most important value. Though I easily admit my perceptions have often been wrong.As far as which one of us is a bigger waste.That is a measurement best left up to supreme authorities.Most of us have selfish interests at the heart of our well disguised intentions.If you prove to be at a higher level than corporate pigs and most of the common citizens.
Your parade should be crowned with special honors.
A real democratic government is never negative because it is controlled by the people, and therefor its only a means of enforcing the policy's that the people decide. Unfortunately the "government" you are describing is a form of Fascist Socialism with the corporation in bed with the government, the very form of government/corporate cooperation that was pimped from the U.S. to Germany by corporations like IG Farben (who go the idea from Standard oil)....
I would hope that the majority would not, however considering we aren't living in a majority based voting system, the polls are electronically rigged, and the winner is preset. One cant say by just basing it off our current system. Personally I believe if people were given the power to make decisions for themselves, we would start to see some positive change. We rely to much on other people to make decisions for us, so many people are seemingly unable to think for themselves.
@NeutralExistence Sounds like a good reason to quit pouring money into our education system and overhaul it instead.On a more sinister note.Who do you think presets the winner.............
Our education system has been one of the biggest problems behind the problems of today. Kids are conditioned for 9-5 jobs, to sit in an office corner, or haul around supply's at some labor intensive job. I see little positive encouragement in most city schools for kids to be themselves, and choose a job that they would actually enjoy. Creativity is scorned, and fitting in is key. We need to stop giving the corporate world our children to use as tools, and testing subjects.
I blame those who hijacked the system, and used it for their own purposes. The common man did now knowingly bring about this, he thought it would help him, and was fooled. As it has happened time, and time again. No one wanted a king to tax them, and tell them how to live. No one asked for a police state that attacks them when they peacefully protest. They were tricked.... Now their children are paying the price.
@NeutralExistence Well, I personally have encountered many greedy people who did not seem to be members of corporations.It seems a universal human trait for the most part.Even poor people can have greedy instincts it seems.I just blame the fallen condition of certain individuals. Rather than a wealth based measurement.
Would you not think that the unneeded wealth of others could have caused these people to be greedy? All they see on T.V is rich balling gangsters, and high end Donald Trump people. You are conditioned from birth to learn that money is God, and that you need to get a certain type of job. People get built up into the greedy monsters they are by others manipulation of them. The rich have created a slave class out of the working man, and they by all means want to keep it that way.
@NeutralExistence If you want to resent people with wealth I guess you have plenty of options to choose from.Though watching less TV would be one of my personal recomendations.From my observations,working people have the same traits as rich ones for the most part.Money accumulation has all sorts of factors involved during the process.It can come by inheritance,stealing,acting,hard work,finding treasure or just blind luck it seems.
I don't watch T.V. nor do I resent people of wealth. Nor am I talking about a wealth level that would be understood by many people. These are the banking family's, the people whom lend money to country's. Their is a long history of them manipulating country's for their own profit. When one looks at the constant connection between this (people taking more than they need), and the problems we face in this world. The solution is pretty evident. Equality.
The people will be their own "equality Czars", just look at Egypt. People are starting to realize that some individuals have way to much power/money for their own good, and that is the way equality will come about. Hopefully peacefully.
When some one takes to much, they are stealing, and that person does not belong in any system. There is no reason to live in excess, why let your neighbor starve while you have 4 meals a day? You could give up at least one meal in order to give your neighbor some food. Look at Hollywood 2 million dollar homes miles away from some of the most impoverished ghetto's in the world. L.A is a testament to the problems inequality brings.
@NeutralExistence This notion of everyone living in houses of equal value seems bizarre.Is there a clinical term for the severe anxiety brought on by the unequal positioning of human beings? I think LA is probably a testament to all sorts of problems too numerous to give equal attention to.
Who ever said everyone had to live in houses of equal value? I don't think you are getting this. As long as it is not negatively effecting others it does not matter how much you personally own, but when your excessive consumption of products starts having a negative effect on others in the system, then it is a bad thing.
There is people who posses multiple mansions, and some that live in a cardboard box.
That man could give one of his mansions up to help others out.
Do you think there was poverty in Brazil before the Portuguese landed, and started selling the people their own food back to them for gold? Do you think there was poverty in North America before the British started selling the Natives their corn back to them for gold? Poverty is created almost entirely through the exploitation of others. There is not many cases that are caused by something different.
Three weeks ago, poverty was caused by inequality. This week it’s exploitation. What’s next – sugary breakfast cereal?
But never mind. Let’s take your assertion seriously (cough). It’s easy to test. For 50+ years inspired liberals have created a dream world of anti-exploitation laws. Minimum wage laws, overtime laws, lunch break laws, you name it. If exploitation was the problem, we should sure have it licked now.
So, tell us, how IS the War On Poverty going these days?
Inequality is caused by exploitation lots of times, I thought even some one of your caliber would understand that. For years inspired liberals have pretended to pass laws that actually make change, while taking money on the side while the laws play out in the interest of the rich bigwigs, and for years morons like yourself have supported these rich bigwigs just wanting a piece of the pie. The problem is the system rewards this behavior, because it profits those who run it.
Freedom and liberty are indeed dangerous.They allow people to behave badly from time to time with no immediate crackdown from higher authorities.I would imagine this scenario is unacceptable to a controll oriented mindset.
Return to main point: the bigger the government the smaller the liberty. The smaller the taxation, the more freedom to spend and invest as we so choose. When we spend our money or invest in upgrades or new business, the government gets a portion anyway, so why tax our income?
As a European I completely agree with Dennis Prager. That's exactly what is happening here. Every month or something I hear about some new "law" or "idea" the government is going to pass. And that happens under a government controlled by supposedly "conservative" parties. I am so sick of it! I have thought about moving to the US but now that it's becoming more and more like Europe I will have to rethink that idea.
This is a topic that should generally be avoided by Americans I believe because you generally do not understand the European Welfare states, just as we do not understand your endless search and ignorant defense of indefinite capitalism. Understand well that every economy in Europe is a free and open market, granting the same chances as the American one, and please look at Sweden for a role model socialist state, instead of China's communist ways - Oh and % the Dutch donate the most to charity.
what is this Prager university? I can't find any reference on the web to an actual real university, but instead references to this guy as a radio host.
...oh, and to answer his last question - I'd prefer the welfare states of Europe, thank you.
Taxing is confiscating. Difference without a distinction.
Capitalism is merely a tool. It doesn't pick winners and losers. Socialism does that. Anyone living in a capitalist system can use it it to enrich themselves if they so please.
The communist politburo whom you'd appoint to redistribute wealth has been tried and failed.
Clinging to that failed system, my friend....that's childish.
Lazy people should not be rewarded with the confiscated wealth of others.
@lakeeriejew It is funny how even America is slowly showing signs of socialism, Obama/health care system say wut?
You obviously dont understand today's socialism in Europe, since it completely based around a free economy. The simple fact is that not all people are equal, not everyone is just as smart, not everyone gets the same opportunities, not all live in perfect health. Socialism allows those lucky/smart enough to prosper, while making sure those who are not are not left behind entirely.
You're correct: Socialism is like a disease. It creeps up on you slowly and before you know it, it strangles you. that's why we must neutralize it out before it's too late.
Not everyone is equal? Not everyone can prosper? My, you really are a racist.
You have quite a low opinion of your fellow man. I have friends who came to this country with nothing but the shirt on their back and no English Today are millionaires.
Capitalism: It's greatest blessing man has created.
@lakeeriejew Ill answer you in 2 replies, First of all I see your government has continued imprinting that good old red scare on your brain without providing the background to actually understand it. "EEK SOCIALISM!!!"
You're right, I said people aren't equal, which was wrong of me, I meant to say people aren't the same, though worth the same, not everyone has the same IQ, chances, or health to walk the road of success, which is a simple fact. American Dream = a Utopia for the privileged
@lakeeriejew 1st, I explained that I am not a racist, 2nd because Im a European and believe in an alternate version of socialism combined with a free economy I am equal to Hitler? Who was the racist one did you say? 3rd, Im just debating, you are talking about eliminating and neutralizing those with ideas/beliefs different of your own = Hitler/Mao/Stalin? 4rth, you dont know shit about your own country, all the statistics point out the US is in the need of change, such as a socialist touch. QQ
@lakeeriejew About your poor foreign friends, 90% of his fellow migrants are not as lucky, since they either get deported out or simply become lawn mowers. This has nothing to do with being racist, its reality.
Blindly supporting something is NEVER a good thing, match these things in a picture, almost 10% unemployment, failing educational system, skyrocketing of food banks, corruption scandals in banks and governments. I could go on, but I think anyone open for criticism would get the point,
Of course we shouldn't confiscate Bill Gates' wealth, we should tax it.
Adequate taxation enables to bridge social gaps, and put some restraints on the capitalistic system.
Capitalism by itself is a good thing, and should be the basis of every modern economy, but it must also not be allowed to get of hand. It should be used to make the entire population richer, not just a handful of individuals.
well it's not clear yet what system will prevail in the economic challenges yet to come. life in western europe and the U.S is still "first world" conditions for most of the people. with china and india trying to reach a western standerd of living and the dwindeling oil reserves maybe both systems will crash anyway. each one for different reasons.
I have watched a few Prager lectures and I liked them all accept from this one.
I believe Mr. Prager holds a deep misconception about socialistic governments.
A socialistic government is not supposed to take care of every citizen, but only for those who can not take care of themselves (the disabled, for instance), or during the period of time they cannot take care of themselves (sick people who need temporary aid), or in the specific tasks of life which are difficult (I too poor to get...con't
@elbazart too poor to get an education, but if the state helps me I might get stronger and be able to take care of myself).
So in conclusion, a socialistic government is all about empowering people, and not making them dependent upon the state. We should not rely on charity for those aims, when the government can do it more efficiently and equally.
A socialistic government is not necessarily big, either. It can be small and yet efficient, taking care of those who really need it.
You may argue that an efficient socialistic state as I have described does not exist. I may reply that an efficient capitalistic state does not exist, either.
We should strive to creating socialistic governments who are efficient, empower the weak and yet not allow the lazy to exploit the resources. This should be an ideal.
What is the alternative? Having unemployed people starve on the streets? Having children remain ignorant because of their parents' insufficient funds?
Why do you care if 1% enjoy 20% of the income? Why is that any of your business? Capitalism allows anyone to join that 1% if they so work hard to achieve it. As long as they earned the money honestly.
The reason the gap grows wider is because more poor people are moving into the middle/rich class.
If you're poor in America, it's your own fault.
I am not rich and I don't begrudge anyone who is.
Should we limit how much black sports stars earn out of fairness to the poor blacks?
Why do I care that 1% of the people make 20% of the income?
Because the other side of the equation is that 20% of the people make 1% of the income. You can't have one without the other.
Rich people are usually not particularly creative or intelligent than others. Their money doesn't come from hard work. It usually comes from inheritance, or from exploiting other people's work, or from investing sums they already have (what anyone could do if they had the initial funds).
@elbazart Take a look at Sweden, they are pretty much the well functioning Socialist state you are describing, and many other countries like the Netherlands have a heavy presence of socialism incorporated within there systems.
The problem with that logic is that poor and disadvantaged people are not the only people that vote. Everybody votes. Politicians don't care about poor people. They care about getting more power for themselves and getting relected. The vast majority of government money does go towards the poor or disadvantaged and the money that does often has a counterproductive effect. If you want to help the poor then help them. Sending more money to the government is one of the worst ways.
The democratic system has it's downfalls, that is for sure, this doesn't mean we should loose all faith in the state's ability to do good.
Again I say - a socialistic government is not about more taxes, as the Americans were taught to think. It is about using what funds it has in order to bridge social boundaries and create social solidarity and security.
@elbazart That may be true of theoretical socialist governments but it is not true of the socialist governments that actually exist or have existed in the past. Once you hand that power over to the government you have no control over what they decide to do with it. It has nothing to do with cynicism it has to do with incentives. These politicians are not accountable to you or I on a daily basis. They are accountable to the folks that help them get elected and thats where the money gonna go.
Just because Europeans actually take time to enjoy life doesn't mean they're dependent on large government or think it will solve all their problems :S
The european welfare states will be broke before you know it. The dark clouds are already visible on the horizon (Greece crisis, Euro crisis, Spain, Portugal, Ireland lurking below the media recognition threshold). As soon as Germany will reach the debt level of Greece (which wont take long as our debt grows exponentially) the shit will hit the fan big time.
Prager's stance on marijuana is entirely inconsistent with his small govt. line. He is saying now that he believes God gave us a mind and so drugs are wrong because they mess with our mind.
So, Mr. Small Government defender wants to put people in PRISON for doing something that disagrees with his pet theory about God and drugs?
Oh and what about alcohol. I'm sure Prager has some lame-ass thing ready about how God is ok with people killing their brain cells.
Who protested at Obama's Minneapolis event against recent FBI raids? I'll give you a hint, it wasn't the "freedom-loving" Tea Partiers. And I haven't heard anyone on "anti-intrusive-government" conservative radio even mentioning those raids.
But of course I could be wrong. If anyone knows of any conservatives concerned about those FBI raids, I'd be glad to hear about it.
A caller to Prager's radio show recently related a dilemma he was in. His wife was pregnant and he had to decide whether to accept government assistance so his wife could stay home, or have her work so they wouldn't need the assistance. Prager was stumped, he said he hadn't considered such a situation before.
Which proves what kind of bubble, of wealth and ideology, Prager lives in. He talks about these issues for years and NEVER has considered how people are affected.
@mukome he ,"NEVER has considered how people are affected."? How untrue. He simply never considered the example that was specific to that unique circumstance. In general his arguments ALWAYS try to argue on the society as a whole as a way to help EVERYONE. This video is so straight forward so incredibly perfect and simple, how in the world can ANYONE argue against the EXACT words he uses in the 5 minute clip? What did he say wrong or untrue? ANYWHERE in the clip? He speaks only truth.
@barneygoogs Your demand that everyone accept Prager's ideas is so perfect for Prager University. It fits perfectly with Prager's style of arguing, which is really nothing more than polemic (and dishonest polemic at that). Real universities don't work that way.
@mukome Thank you! I couldn't agree more, real universities challenge you and teach you how to think critically and how to come to your own conclusions using critical and logical thinking skills. Prager thinks he has the answers for everyone and everything. What annoys me most is his advice on marriage. Anyone who has been divorced twice and is on marriage number three has no business advising anyone on marriage.
Thinking of the state as if it were a person might make the argument flawed. State is made up of People who work on duties assigned to them by their own kind. The problem is not the ideology but the cheating that happens in the government. This is a problem of greed on every level.
Do the Americans WANT to work harder & take less vacation or are they forced to? Work harder for the CEO to take the vacation? Are the hardworking Americans really happier than the supposedly lazy Swedes?
@SamShari Dennis Prager is just a shill for the religious far right. Anyone on the far right can say any horible thing they want - like Mel Gibson's foul anti-semitic rant - and Prager will come along and defend them (even though he's Jewish). As for vacation, yes I'd like to have more than the 2 weeks I have been lucky to have even after working at different companies for years.
@xexixk Actually, you're sorta right. He is a shill for them and for every citizen who cherishes FREEDOM over the stupid government enforced "EQUALITY". Why do so many people love this whole "Eqaulity" is the most important of all philosophy? It really sickens me to think how screwed up the values are of those people. I guess you're one of them huh? You believe my values are screwed up. Tell me what you think I think.
@barneygoogs Freedom? Please. Prager and the far right talk about freedom, yet at the same time seem to want the government involved in some of the most personal aspects of people's lives. Equality? Exactly what do you mean by equality or consider to be equality? Do you want the government or the law to treat differing groups of people differently? I haven't expounded upon my own beliefs here, so please don't assume to know my views based up on the fact that I don't like Prager.
@xexixk OK... let me ask you, "How do you like John Stossel?" He just did a GREAT special about an amazing film called "Free to Choose" - done in the 80's by the Nobel Prize winner, Milton Friedman. It tells it all - if you ask me. Watch it - and learn. I think you can find it here on Youtube.
@barneygoogs If it makes you happy I will throw you this bone - I actually think there are nut cases on both the far right and the far left and I think both parties are a part of the problem. Neither one of them really care about doing anything, what they care about is power. Getting and keeping it. The public spats between them are for the most part purely for show. Both of them are bought and paid for by corporate/speical interests. That is the true problem with our government.
Interesting points, and I agree with most of them. However, Americans might donate more simply because of a larger population. If it is not devised by per capita statistics, then it is moot.
But you're just talking about vices and such. People on the Left care about far more than just sex and drugs, yet what you wrote makes it sound otherwise. There are far more important things the State should be staying out of people's lives over and they're not.
@itreeye We care about how we define and live our lives. Freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of association, freedom to control our own bodies. Conservatives generally believe in these things as well, accept in cases of abortion, marriage, gay rights, sodomy...
i'm just trying to show the outright hypocrisy of someone who wants less government, while still wanting to mandate, control and criminalise things that might be "indecent" or "immoral"
"...outright hypocrisy ... wants less government, while still ... criminalise things that might be "indecent""
Yet there are decency laws which change by degree. It is not legal for a man to go w/out his pants on, still, yet years ago it was illegal for a woman to go to the beach in a bikini. So this progressive logic suggests that eventual Mr. legal 'no pants' is progress, and I disagree. Also remember abortion issue is largely a science question. Is there two people or one?
@itreeye I don't think we'll ever get to a point where public nudity is accepted or seen as progress, but we may be (and i think are) becoming less taboo about nudity in films (including pornography). We can, however, strive for topfreedom, which comes down to an issue of feminism - are women our equals, or are they not?
When it comes to abortion, i agree, it is largely a scientific question, namely, "when does life begin?" I think science has answered that question within certain respects. Most people agree that a sperm or egg doesn't qualify as life, and most people agree that a fetus in the third trimester probably does qualify as life. Scientifically speaking, homeostasis is required to be defined as 'life,' and a first trimester fetus cannot maintain homeostasis. Choice as about bodily sovereignty
@RainsAgenda Limiting government does not mean becoming lawless. The Founding Fathers wanted to be governed by "Natural Law". Same sex "marriage" and the taking
I always found vacation much more enjoyable and rewarding after a good, successful work period, rather than having a vacation every day without any work (been there, done that ...).
Euricious 3 weeks ago
@Euricious You have actually experianced having vacation every day.With no work involved in the process ? Please elaborate the circumstances.
Pomiferous 1 week ago
@Pomiferous Gladly! I dropped-out of high-school in my 3rd year and was home for a year doing practically nothing. I became aware at one point, that I have completely broken-off my previous routine which had been far more rewarding in terms of "enjoyable feelings" than that workless period. The whole thing streched along untill I was 23 - that's the year I had finally completed high-school ... I wouldn't go thru it again:)
Euricious 6 days ago
@TrojaSucks Your distinction between north and south (5 countries in trouble, not 3) would matter if not for the EU. Switzerland is lucky not to be a member, but the never ending waves of regulation from Brussels are stifling Europe's economies. In its' desperation to save the failed euro, the EU is reaching deep into the north's pockets to "bailout" the south + Ireland, forcing Greece, Portugal, and others to stay in the euro and condemning them to a generation of poverty and recession.
DeathToChaosGods 2 months ago
I am from the UK and Dennis Prager is absolutely right. The European Union exists for the sole purpose of imposing newer and more complicated regulations on everything, from agriculture and criminal justice to business, even the frequency of bin collections. The ultimate aim of the EUSSR is to create a United States of Europe under a centralised socialist pseudo-democratic dictatorship. People of America turn back while you still can or share the fate of those at the mercy of the European Union.
DeathToChaosGods 4 months ago
Good ideas with bad results are nothing to brag about.Unless you feel intentions are the ultimate measuring stick.
Pomiferous 5 months ago 2
Seriously, dependence breeds subservience and if americans continue to allow the govt to take over every aspect of their lives then they wont have a life left. You'll just be one more tool in the shed. Get creative, get active, become self reliant, and tell the govt to back off. We outnumber them, lets use our advantage.
PloK00nsClone 7 months ago
yeah the government can be big if he stepped into Mcdonalds
hunter53able 9 months ago
yeah america sure got bigger when mcdonalds opened! HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
hunter53able 9 months ago
The size of government is irrelevant...it's really a matter of proper prioritization.
4wheelerDJ 10 months ago
@4wheelerDJ Then government could never become too expensive,large and intrusive...Just as long as the priorities are designed well it would seem.I'm sure anyone on a quest for government pay back would be in favor of constant expansion.
Pomiferous 10 months ago
"Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty."
-Thomas Jefferson
jonnyw82 1 year ago
@jlotus100 That's deep Lotus--where did you get your degree ?
Pomiferous 1 year ago
@Pomiferous From a real school.
jlotus100 1 year ago
Yes, it seems I don't have a clue what equality means for sure.Your story about a person surrendering one of several mansions did not clarify it for me either.What about negative effects on others that are not in the realm of finance or property possesions.The arena would seem to be and endless one.People have countless ways to negatively effect each other.
Pomiferous 1 year ago
@Pomiferous
Yes, it seems you don't know how to use the reply button either.
People have countless ways of positively effecting each other as well. When one focuses on the negative, then that is obviously all they will see. Why not try thinking about this from the angle of the poverty stricken people who can barely afford to feed their family yet put in more work then the "born rich" who have not worked a day in their life. Is this fair? No, so how would you ever support this?
NeutralExistence 11 months ago
@NeutralExistence I guess you can be in charge of dictating fairness then.....Though trying to cover all the angles may prove to be an overwelming task.People are pretty adept at exploiting loop holes for personal advantage.
Pomiferous 11 months ago
@Pomiferous
Like I said people can dictate their own fairness, and when they are given the ability to actually dictate themselves instead of having "Big Brother" tell them exactly what to do I am sure things will work themselves out. There is tribes that have been living peacefully in the jungles without inequality or poverty of any kind. They simply take what they need, and live there lives. Not all humans are pathetic like our cultures.
NeutralExistence 11 months ago
@NeutralExistence
THAT’S your model society? A jungle tribe?! Ha! Tell me – would you rather be equal in a mud hut or poor in America?
Be sure to ask your neighbors, too, if you can get them to stop laughing.
Or try this. Stand at the Mexican border and wave a sign at the illegal immigrants, “Go back! Go back! American is a land of terrible inequality and poverty!” See how long you last before you’re trampled by northbound Mexicans who know what real poverty is.
3sierra15 11 months ago
@3sierra15 Yes, the illegals should be informed that the jungle holds the keys to equality.
Pomiferous 11 months ago
@3sierra15
I would rather be in a mud hut eating healthy food, and living my life freely without pollution, and the rest of the bullshit our city's bring. At least in the jungle you don't have annual rape statistics that make some cases of war rape look tiny in comparison. You don't have drug addled people on every street corner begging for cash, and trying to steal your wallet.
I am sure if it was not for NAFTA these Mexicans would actually be able to make a living back home...
NeutralExistence 11 months ago
@NeutralExistence It's true there would be fewer street corners,pollution,cash and wallets in the jungle.As far as NAFTA goes.Many US factories moved to Mexico after it's inactment. That was before the big shift in manufacturing drifted toward China as in more recent years. Maybe you could explain how NAFTA helped encourage Mexicans to immigrate to the USA though.The logic alludes me.The main thing I remember about NAFTA was Ross Perrots comments about it producing a giant sucking sound
Pomiferous 11 months ago
@Pomiferous
It greatly removed the trade tariffs that were present, making their goods worth virtually nothing, so all the farmers that used to be able to actually feed their family's in Mexico find this is now impossible since their (example) corn is worth 2 dollars instead of the 10 dollars it was with the trade tariffs. So now in order to actually feed their family's they must come over here for the higher paying jobs.
/watch?v=MNLnBnTuxvU
Explotación de lo que hacemos mejor!!
NeutralExistence 11 months ago
@NeutralExistence
So, have you bought your one-way ticket up the Amazon river yet? I didn't think so. Do actions say more than words? Sure do.
3sierra15 11 months ago
@3sierra15
How on earth am I going to constitute the change I want to see in the world from a remote place like that, when the problems are at the root in "modern" countries like that which I live in. My actions have helped many people, while by the looks of things all you do is insult, and attack others for their ideology's.
Keep running your mouth, while others make real change, its probably all you are good at anyways.
NeutralExistence 11 months ago
@NeutralExistence You are quite noble then in the eyes of your own perspective it seems.Not an uncommon viewpoint from any stretch of imagination.We all like to see ourselves as elevated as possible.
Pomiferous 11 months ago
@Pomiferous
I am not noble in the least, but at least I try to make a difference, unlike some.
NeutralExistence 11 months ago
@NeutralExistence
It’s funny that throughout history the nations most devoted to equality have also been the poorest.
But never mind. It’s lucky for the noble fighters for equality that their high-minded calling requires them to live in one the richest, most comfortable nations on earth, use products conceived by billionaires like Bill Gates, and keep a safe distance from the worlds’ poorest whom they claim to admire, without the slightest hint of cognitive dissonance.
3sierra15 11 months ago
@3sierra15
When one knows they live in a life of wealth, and at the expense of others. Is it better for them to try to make change, or to be like you, and to rant against it on the internet? I participate in giving loans to people in Uganda, and other very impoverished country's, I give money to disasters, and women/children who are fleeing from abusive relationships. If I thought going to these country's would actually help anything, I would, but I can make much more change from here.
NeutralExistence 11 months ago
@NeutralExistence
It is taking me longer and longer to get off the floor and dry my eyes. Half of this conversation is right out of the liberal double standard song book: “The rich are thieves. How do we know? Because they’re rich! Ignore the fact that by global standards we’re rich, too. We’re not thieves because we’re on the side of the less fortunate. Of course, the rich give far more, and do far more, but they’re still thieves because… well, just because they’re rich.”
3sierra15 11 months ago
@3sierra15
They also take far more, and exploit far more. Then they give tax deductible "donations" to make themselves look good while never once harming their pocket book. What good people they must be.... I suppose they are also great people for giving all those illegal immigrants less then living wages? Yes what hero's!! It is one thing to be more fortunate because of your country of birth, its another thing altogether to get rich off the suffering of others. The "American" dream.
NeutralExistence 11 months ago
@NeutralExistence How is taxing people at higher rates if they are wealthy seen as equality ? I would think everyone paying the same % as more equal.After all 28 percent of a million is a whole lot more contribution than 28% of 40 grand.Once you earn enough to not be exempt from income tax why the extra, unequal penalty for higher incomes.
Pomiferous 11 months ago
@Pomiferous
NeutralExistence's idea of equality is that nobody gets a larger mud hut than anyone else.
3sierra15 11 months ago
@3sierra15 Think I will go with the liberty to build any kind of house you please.In fact liberty and equality seem to be mortal enemies.I'm not buying this notion that feeling sorry for poor people makes you a good person either.It seems a far to simplistic form of reason and most likely designed for self gratification.It appears one has to be ungreatfull and filled with resentment in order to be in the lefties club.I had a near death experiance in Bitter Creek and am glad to have escaped
Pomiferous 11 months ago
@Pomiferous
Higher rates?
Oh like GE that did not pay any taxes for the last few years?
YA right....
Or like GM that is now government owned, and pays no taxes.
NeutralExistence 11 months ago
@NeutralExistence The people who work for GM and GE pay plenty of taxes.Though I have heard close to 50 percent of americans pay no income tax.Which does seem rather hard to fathom.Why is it that people working for corporations paying income tax is not a satisfactory arraingment.I was not in favor of Obama paying off the UAW with tax payer funds either.The dems are doomed if they don't hold on to the union vote though.So I guess there is nothing hard to grasp about the manuver.
Pomiferous 11 months ago
@Pomiferous
/watch?v=34V7VFXKM1o
The people who work for GM, and GE sure do. Its not the people working for the corporations that are the problem, its the owners that are actually making the big money. GE paid 0$ in taxes for 2010.
""
The Wall Street Journal reports GM does not have to pay any federal taxes on its next $45 billion in income.
""
Obama is a corporate lawyer, he has sold out the "American" people. Who would have guessed his second biggest contributors was Goldman Sachs.
NeutralExistence 10 months ago
@NeutralExistence Are you saying owners of companies are exempt from taxes on income ? It seems most unlikely.People who make big money are also taxed.Loop holes and tax avoidance no doubt are a problem and temptatation for all sorts of income levels.I'm sort of intrigued by the idea of being taxed on what you spend and not what you make with no exemptions.Except for the poor and destitute of course. Having no write offs would seem to be one way to curtail much of the cheating .
Pomiferous 10 months ago
@Pomiferous
GM, and GE like I stated did not pay taxes in the last couple years. So if they are anything like the banks that got bailed out they most likely gave their high ranking employee's some nice bonuses for doing absolutely nothing except getting rich off the sweat of their car factor workers, and they most likely got cushy breaks. When people that work 12+ hours a day cant afford to feed their family, and some smuck is getting huge bonuses at the same time there clearly is a problem.
NeutralExistence 10 months ago
@NeutralExistence Trust me.Union GM car factory workers who work 12 hours a day make enough money to feed thier families.Keep in mind the employees of of large,nasty corporations contribute taxes.If you want to pull the plug on corporations and close them down.There will be a big hit on the tax based revenues they were once involved in creating.It's no wonder corporations can't wait to move to a country with willing workers and less restrictive regulations.China is laughing at our follies
Pomiferous 10 months ago
@Pomiferous
I did not say I wanted to close them down, however the 1% who own the majority of the wealth in the United States should defiantly start putting in their own blood/sweat into the work force if they are going to claim that they deserve this ridiculous in-equal amount of wealth over everyone else.
China's people are some of the most brutally repressed people in the world, corporations cant wait to exploit, and make profit off country's people like this, its part of the problem.
NeutralExistence 10 months ago
@NeutralExistence It will be interesting to see how "you" determine how much wealth each individual (deserves)Will you set up panels with the authority to spread it around in an even fashion or something ? I would think conviscation of other peoples wealth for redistribution would require some pretty heavy handed tactics.Not to mention,trying to keep politics out of the process would most likely prove an impossible task. Nice to chat with you and gain insights into what people deserve
Pomiferous 10 months ago
@Pomiferous
Everyone deserves a house over their head, clothes on their back, a right to a proper education, clean water, and food to eat. Many of these things are not present in country's around the world including "America". Yet you have others who are living in 12 million + dollar mansions, and watering their lawn with more water then a poor kid in Africa can afford in a week. Yet you are alright with that as you sip your cognac, and puff your cigar, but put yourself in their shoes.
NeutralExistence 10 months ago
@NeutralExistence Great, more guilt projection and generalizations.Not much of a solution and short on details.The left does not have much ammunition other than demonizing opposing factions.I would be a lot poorer without some good fortune and lots of menial labor each week.The right to a proper education,shelter,food and clothing is documented where exactly ?
Pomiferous 10 months ago
@Pomiferous
You don't believe people have a right to proper education, shelter, food, and clothing?
You would sure make the Fascists proud with your love for corporate greed, and inequality. The "left" does not have to even try to demonize those who believe everyone should not be given equal rights, and treated as equals. You do it your self's every time your selfish ideology shows its ugly head. You clearly don't want a solution because you want to keep your unneeded wealth so why bother.
NeutralExistence 10 months ago
@NeutralExistence
I take it you could find no documentation for your list of rights ? Let's try something very simple and direct. Define "proper eduction"At less than 40k per year not sure there would be much unneeded wealth to grab at my place.You probably better keep focused on the multi-mansion owners as a source for wealth conviscation.Anyway,it's time to kick back at the hot springs and try to soak the guilt away under the desert moonlight.Tme to gas up and go --toodles
Pomiferous 10 months ago
@Pomiferous
When people are given an equal chance to make it in the business world, and be properly educated in order to get there. Stupid fools like George Bush become president, while smart kids from the Ghetto don't get a chance to do anything with their lives. There is children who live on piles of garbage in Mexico, and metal shacks that are probably smaller then your tool shed. Yet you are alright with that you think you deserve to live a good life free from poverty more then they do?
NeutralExistence 10 months ago
@NeutralExistence
There are Americans in Mexico who have made more difference in one day than you've made in weeks of self-righteous whining. If you're really Mother Teresa Lite, see if they'll have you. We'll be expecting a postcard.
3sierra15 10 months ago
@NeutralExistence
MrSidistic542 8 months ago
@NeutralExistence
Sure, I believe that people have rights to all those things. I just don't believe they have a right to have someone else pay for them.
Still waiting for your plan, by they way.
3sierra15 10 months ago 7
@3sierra15 I think the left is obsessed with intent rather than details and results.
Pomiferous 10 months ago 11
@Pomiferous The left believes that people are intrinsically destined to be active or passive, talented or untalented, and that result is largely decided by luck. So, if you fail, you were unlucky and shouldn't be allowed to end up in the dumpster. At least you should have the right to a roof, clothing, food and healthcare. I'm not left myself (because I believe also that incentives are important), but I wanted to point out that your statement is extremely simplistic and distorted from the truth.
underdogg20 5 months ago
@underdogg20 You left out the right to an education on your entiltlements list.
Pomiferous 5 months ago
@Pomiferous Yes, I didn't even include healthcare on my list. If you're born in a poor family, the government should allow you an education. When you get sick, the government should provide you with healthcare. But that's it. My country and continent are crumbling from an entitlement system that has gone far bigger than that. I do stand by the rights that were given to me and my countrymen by my constitution. I may be a lefty in your eyes, but I am just as much a constitutionalist as Ron Paul
underdogg20 5 months ago
@NeutralExistence
What a novel idea. Let's redistribute wealth. Why hasn't anyone thought of that?
Your like-minded political predecessors have been redistributing wealth for the last 100 years. To take but one example, in the 50's the top tax rates were far, far higher than today.
But I'm in a good mood, so let us hear how your redistribution scheme is going to eliminate poverty where others failed. Please, give us the details.
3sierra15 10 months ago
@3sierra15 Who needs details when good intentions are behind the idea ? It seems imagination is all that is required for making changes.One good scheme deserves another for the game to stay on a roll in the sphere of politics.
Pomiferous 10 months ago
@NeutralExistence "
NeutralExistence
@Pomiferous
Everyone deserves a house over their head, clothes on their back, a right to a proper education, clean water, and food to eat." No, you are wrong. If someone who is perfectly capable of work is just going to sit on his ass all day and expect other people to feed him, house him and clothe him, then I say, LET HIM STARVE. In the case he actually can't work, then we should look out for our fellow man and help him.
david52875 8 months ago
@david52875
When did I say "give lazy people free stuff".
Of course everyone who is able needs to put in their own, but we should not devalue people because of their social, or financial standing. I think its ridiculous that most high end university's put the student in huge debt if they are not financially well off, and how simply because of the location they were born people are not given an equal chance. Equality is not about giving lazy people free stuff, the exact opposite actually.
NeutralExistence 7 months ago
@NeutralExistence "I think its ridiculous that most high end university's put the student in huge debt if they are not financially well off," Yes, I agree, however the solution is not taxing people to pay for everyone who wants to attend college. This is the reason college is so expensive. If colleges could not charge their students so much money, costs would not be so high. Are you willing to tell me that if we stopped paying people's college...
david52875 7 months ago
@NeutralExistence tuitions then colleges would have empty classrooms? No, they would HAVE to decrease their costs.
david52875 7 months ago
@NeutralExistence "and how simply because of the location they were born" Now that government has gotten so large, many people inherit their parent's financial situations, which is exactly what you are talking about. It did not use to be like this. Before about a century and a half ago, even when people were poor in a matter of years they brought themselves OUT of poverty! Also, many children of poor families went on to become very successful, despite their parent's poverty...
david52875 7 months ago
@david52875 This is much harder to do these days, and it is BECAUSE of government. I believe you are well intentioned, and both you and I want to help the poor, but bigger government is NOT the answer!
david52875 7 months ago
@david52875
Its not government, its the force behind government.
The Central Banking network is the real power of "America". Or one of the main one's anyways, with the Federal reserve slowly forcing "America" into a debt crisis much like what they did in the Euro zone. Government corruption is inherent when you allow society to run rampant as it has, massive deregulation, and failed social networks of huge scale. The damage caused in some community's will take forever to repair.
NeutralExistence 7 months ago
@NeutralExistence
That argument is attractive only in a dim light, because the economic notions behind it are shallow and self-contradictory. They amount to, "We would punish the rich but we need their money!"
Historically, the dominant characteristic of Chinese economic policy has been redistribution. It's no accident that the dominant characteristic of their economy has been poverty. Now, entrepreneurship may change that. Let us hope so.
3sierra15 10 months ago
@NeutralExistence
And rich corporations pay their employees with recycled toenail clippings.
See? Anybody can post anything on the Internet, including, "GE paid 0$ in taxes for 2010." What's the foolish error in that statement? The careless, unthinking, obvious, Kool-Ade-drinking error? Pomiferous sees it. I see it. Do you? Would you like to retract that silly assertion before it lands in the Embarrassment Hall of Fame beside "Mud Huts?" Last chance...
3sierra15 10 months ago
@3sierra15
I posted proof moron....
/watch?v=34V7VFXKM1o
Might want to read before you post stupid shit. The quote on GM was also from the Wall Street Journal if you actually took the time to look it up. The foolish error was thinking your dumbass would actually understand what I am trying to say.
NeutralExistence 10 months ago
@NeutralExistence
Everyone, read Neutered Existence's post carefully. Memorize it. This is the sound of radical caught with his facts wrong, searching desperately for some way to justify an unjustifiable point of view. Fury, frustration, embarrassment....but, mind you, no admission of error.
Neutered Existence grabbed a mass media article and posted it as The Truth Forever. What could possibly go wrong? Um, lots.
First mud huts, now GE. This is just getting better. Stay tuned, folks.
3sierra15 10 months ago
@3sierra15 Lighten up.I think Neutral is quite young and still developing.The vast majority of youth sway left unless things have radically changed recently.Public education does not present very many alternatives,
Pomiferous 10 months ago
@Pomiferous
OK, fair enough. Reaching for the volume control...
3sierra15 10 months ago
@NeutralExistence
NeuroticExtinguished has been uncharacteristically silent lately.
One of Dennis Prager's sayings is, "Being on the left means never having to say you're sorry."
3sierra15 10 months ago
@3sierra15
Some of us have lives other then You Tube.....
NeutralExistence 10 months ago
@NeutralExistence
So many openings, so little time…
The employers of Mexican immigrants are paying them not only enough to live in America, but to support their families in Mexico, too. Remittances from America form Mexico’s third largest source of foreign income, second only to oil exports. Foot-shooting radicals want to destroy the rich that make this happen. End result, even poorer Mexicans, but ones that, as they starve, will no doubt be comforted by the leftists’ good intentions.
3sierra15 11 months ago
@3sierra15
Its funny that people like you probably consider yourself "rich". Thus why you protect the real rich fools.
Like I tried to explain after the NAFTA "free trade" agreement the Mexicans that actually used to be able feed their family's now find this impossible because the tariffs they used to rely on for equal pricing of goods have been removed. Now they have no choice except to come to "America" for work even if that means working in dehumanizing conditions, and for little wages.
NeutralExistence 11 months ago
@NeutralExistence Maybe you should substitute improvements for change.The latter often produces more problems needing constant fixes.Then again, the circle game does seem to be on going and self perpetuating.I heard the rush toward ethanol jacked up the price of corn and food in general.
Pomiferous 11 months ago
@Pomiferous
Who is to say I have not? Don't group me in with people like yourself who most likely are big supporters of the corporate greed that enslaved the people of other nations. I do my best to make change, but as a 20 year old there is not a whole heck of a-lot I can do. However I do try to make change, and help people who aren't as well off as myself, unlike others... I don't support corporations like Monsanto who exploit foreign farmers or groups like the IMF.
NeutralExistence 11 months ago
@Pomiferous
Maybe you should go out, and do something for the people around you. Instead of coming on here, and ranting to me about how great, and super you think the exploitation of others is. Maybe you should substitute improvements for change instead of arguing with others who actually have made change about what they should, and should not do. If you truly are 50+ then maybe you should find something better to do then rant on You Tube, like helping the poverty stricken in your area..
NeutralExistence 11 months ago
@NeutralExistence Now who's ranting ? Your second sentence is total fabrication and laced with guilt projection just to inflate your sense of cause.Because you imagine something does not make it so.I think labor union sponsored greed is just as nasty and selfish as the corporate variety.Changes can just as easily turn negative as positive.So change in and of itself is just as suspect as the staus quo.Good intentions with bad results is a version of change not worth embracing.
Pomiferous 11 months ago
@Pomiferous
Like I said, go out, and do something instead of ranting on here about me. I have made my contribution, and I will continue to do so till my dying day. So please since you are wasting away what little time you have left, get on it. Change when perpetrated by people with a MO of gaining thousands of dollars off the suffering of others like the corporate pigs you seem to wholeheartedly support. When citizens actually try to help others instead of exploiting them it works.
NeutralExistence 11 months ago
@NeutralExistence You feeling good about your contributions to society seems to be your most important value. Though I easily admit my perceptions have often been wrong.As far as which one of us is a bigger waste.That is a measurement best left up to supreme authorities.Most of us have selfish interests at the heart of our well disguised intentions.If you prove to be at a higher level than corporate pigs and most of the common citizens.
Your parade should be crowned with special honors.
Pomiferous 11 months ago
@Pomiferous
My most important value is something you would probably have a hard time understanding.
Its called equality, and rights for all humans.
NeutralExistence 11 months ago
What government are we talking about?
A real democratic government is never negative because it is controlled by the people, and therefor its only a means of enforcing the policy's that the people decide. Unfortunately the "government" you are describing is a form of Fascist Socialism with the corporation in bed with the government, the very form of government/corporate cooperation that was pimped from the U.S. to Germany by corporations like IG Farben (who go the idea from Standard oil)....
NeutralExistence 1 year ago
@NeutralExistence Then "the people" never have negative tendancies ?
Pomiferous 1 year ago
@Pomiferous
I would hope that the majority would not, however considering we aren't living in a majority based voting system, the polls are electronically rigged, and the winner is preset. One cant say by just basing it off our current system. Personally I believe if people were given the power to make decisions for themselves, we would start to see some positive change. We rely to much on other people to make decisions for us, so many people are seemingly unable to think for themselves.
NeutralExistence 1 year ago
@NeutralExistence Sounds like a good reason to quit pouring money into our education system and overhaul it instead.On a more sinister note.Who do you think presets the winner.............
Pomiferous 1 year ago
@Pomiferous
Our education system has been one of the biggest problems behind the problems of today. Kids are conditioned for 9-5 jobs, to sit in an office corner, or haul around supply's at some labor intensive job. I see little positive encouragement in most city schools for kids to be themselves, and choose a job that they would actually enjoy. Creativity is scorned, and fitting in is key. We need to stop giving the corporate world our children to use as tools, and testing subjects.
NeutralExistence 1 year ago
@NeutralExistence I take it you blame the system rather than the people.Even though it's people who design the systems.
Pomiferous 1 year ago
@Pomiferous
I blame those who hijacked the system, and used it for their own purposes. The common man did now knowingly bring about this, he thought it would help him, and was fooled. As it has happened time, and time again. No one wanted a king to tax them, and tell them how to live. No one asked for a police state that attacks them when they peacefully protest. They were tricked.... Now their children are paying the price.
NeutralExistence 1 year ago
@NeutralExistence I'm not so sure the "common man" is any less to blame.They seem just as suspect as the rest from my observations.
Pomiferous 1 year ago
@Pomiferous
Well, I personally know of quite a few people who are victims of the greed of corporate "thugs".
When some people have billions of dollars, and others cant even afford to feed their children.
Who do you blame?
I blame the people that are taking more than they need.
NeutralExistence 1 year ago
@NeutralExistence Well, I personally have encountered many greedy people who did not seem to be members of corporations.It seems a universal human trait for the most part.Even poor people can have greedy instincts it seems.I just blame the fallen condition of certain individuals. Rather than a wealth based measurement.
Pomiferous 1 year ago
@Pomiferous
Would you not think that the unneeded wealth of others could have caused these people to be greedy? All they see on T.V is rich balling gangsters, and high end Donald Trump people. You are conditioned from birth to learn that money is God, and that you need to get a certain type of job. People get built up into the greedy monsters they are by others manipulation of them. The rich have created a slave class out of the working man, and they by all means want to keep it that way.
NeutralExistence 1 year ago
@NeutralExistence If you want to resent people with wealth I guess you have plenty of options to choose from.Though watching less TV would be one of my personal recomendations.From my observations,working people have the same traits as rich ones for the most part.Money accumulation has all sorts of factors involved during the process.It can come by inheritance,stealing,acting,hard work,finding treasure or just blind luck it seems.
Pomiferous 1 year ago
@Pomiferous
I don't watch T.V. nor do I resent people of wealth. Nor am I talking about a wealth level that would be understood by many people. These are the banking family's, the people whom lend money to country's. Their is a long history of them manipulating country's for their own profit. When one looks at the constant connection between this (people taking more than they need), and the problems we face in this world. The solution is pretty evident. Equality.
NeutralExistence 1 year ago
@NeutralExistence Got anyone penciled in for the equality Czar position ? Or will it be a voluntary system....
Pomiferous 1 year ago
@Pomiferous
The people will be their own "equality Czars", just look at Egypt. People are starting to realize that some individuals have way to much power/money for their own good, and that is the way equality will come about. Hopefully peacefully.
NeutralExistence 1 year ago
@NeutralExistence Forced equality sounds like the ultimate power trip.
Pomiferous 1 year ago
@Pomiferous
Forced?
No one is forcing anyone.
When some one takes to much, they are stealing, and that person does not belong in any system. There is no reason to live in excess, why let your neighbor starve while you have 4 meals a day? You could give up at least one meal in order to give your neighbor some food. Look at Hollywood 2 million dollar homes miles away from some of the most impoverished ghetto's in the world. L.A is a testament to the problems inequality brings.
NeutralExistence 1 year ago
@NeutralExistence This notion of everyone living in houses of equal value seems bizarre.Is there a clinical term for the severe anxiety brought on by the unequal positioning of human beings? I think LA is probably a testament to all sorts of problems too numerous to give equal attention to.
Pomiferous 1 year ago
@Pomiferous
Who ever said everyone had to live in houses of equal value? I don't think you are getting this. As long as it is not negatively effecting others it does not matter how much you personally own, but when your excessive consumption of products starts having a negative effect on others in the system, then it is a bad thing.
There is people who posses multiple mansions, and some that live in a cardboard box.
That man could give one of his mansions up to help others out.
NeutralExistence 1 year ago
@NeutralExistence No. It's a testament to the problems that poverty brings.
3sierra15 11 months ago
@3sierra15
How is poverty created?
Do you think there was poverty in Brazil before the Portuguese landed, and started selling the people their own food back to them for gold? Do you think there was poverty in North America before the British started selling the Natives their corn back to them for gold? Poverty is created almost entirely through the exploitation of others. There is not many cases that are caused by something different.
NeutralExistence 11 months ago
@NeutralExistence
Three weeks ago, poverty was caused by inequality. This week it’s exploitation. What’s next – sugary breakfast cereal?
But never mind. Let’s take your assertion seriously (cough). It’s easy to test. For 50+ years inspired liberals have created a dream world of anti-exploitation laws. Minimum wage laws, overtime laws, lunch break laws, you name it. If exploitation was the problem, we should sure have it licked now.
So, tell us, how IS the War On Poverty going these days?
3sierra15 11 months ago
@3sierra15
Inequality is caused by exploitation lots of times, I thought even some one of your caliber would understand that. For years inspired liberals have pretended to pass laws that actually make change, while taking money on the side while the laws play out in the interest of the rich bigwigs, and for years morons like yourself have supported these rich bigwigs just wanting a piece of the pie. The problem is the system rewards this behavior, because it profits those who run it.
NeutralExistence 11 months ago
This guy couldn't be more ignorant and stupid.
flanginaflan 1 year ago
Freedom and liberty are indeed dangerous.They allow people to behave badly from time to time with no immediate crackdown from higher authorities.I would imagine this scenario is unacceptable to a controll oriented mindset.
Pomiferous 1 year ago
Return to main point: the bigger the government the smaller the liberty. The smaller the taxation, the more freedom to spend and invest as we so choose. When we spend our money or invest in upgrades or new business, the government gets a portion anyway, so why tax our income?
cant4get 1 year ago
As a European I completely agree with Dennis Prager. That's exactly what is happening here. Every month or something I hear about some new "law" or "idea" the government is going to pass. And that happens under a government controlled by supposedly "conservative" parties. I am so sick of it! I have thought about moving to the US but now that it's becoming more and more like Europe I will have to rethink that idea.
eric5335 1 year ago
This is a topic that should generally be avoided by Americans I believe because you generally do not understand the European Welfare states, just as we do not understand your endless search and ignorant defense of indefinite capitalism. Understand well that every economy in Europe is a free and open market, granting the same chances as the American one, and please look at Sweden for a role model socialist state, instead of China's communist ways - Oh and % the Dutch donate the most to charity.
RayGroot 1 year ago
what is this Prager university? I can't find any reference on the web to an actual real university, but instead references to this guy as a radio host.
...oh, and to answer his last question - I'd prefer the welfare states of Europe, thank you.
andy6025 1 year ago
As a European I feel slightly offended.
JackhammerJesus 1 year ago
Taxing is confiscating. Difference without a distinction.
Capitalism is merely a tool. It doesn't pick winners and losers. Socialism does that. Anyone living in a capitalist system can use it it to enrich themselves if they so please.
The communist politburo whom you'd appoint to redistribute wealth has been tried and failed.
Clinging to that failed system, my friend....that's childish.
Lazy people should not be rewarded with the confiscated wealth of others.
lakeeriejew 1 year ago
@lakeeriejew It is funny how even America is slowly showing signs of socialism, Obama/health care system say wut?
You obviously dont understand today's socialism in Europe, since it completely based around a free economy. The simple fact is that not all people are equal, not everyone is just as smart, not everyone gets the same opportunities, not all live in perfect health. Socialism allows those lucky/smart enough to prosper, while making sure those who are not are not left behind entirely.
RayGroot 1 year ago
@RayGroot
You're correct: Socialism is like a disease. It creeps up on you slowly and before you know it, it strangles you. that's why we must neutralize it out before it's too late.
Not everyone is equal? Not everyone can prosper? My, you really are a racist.
You have quite a low opinion of your fellow man. I have friends who came to this country with nothing but the shirt on their back and no English Today are millionaires.
Capitalism: It's greatest blessing man has created.
lakeeriejew 1 year ago
@lakeeriejew Ill answer you in 2 replies, First of all I see your government has continued imprinting that good old red scare on your brain without providing the background to actually understand it. "EEK SOCIALISM!!!"
You're right, I said people aren't equal, which was wrong of me, I meant to say people aren't the same, though worth the same, not everyone has the same IQ, chances, or health to walk the road of success, which is a simple fact. American Dream = a Utopia for the privileged
RayGroot 1 year ago
@RayGroot
Like I said, you're an arrogant racist for having such a low opinion of people.
But you've better helped me understand Hitler's genocide against the handicapped.
BTW, all the problems the U.S faces are a direct cause of the Socialist state your friends are forcing on us.
That's why we're going to eliminate the Socialists and retake out country.
Phase Two: 2012 election
lakeeriejew 1 year ago
@lakeeriejew 1st, I explained that I am not a racist, 2nd because Im a European and believe in an alternate version of socialism combined with a free economy I am equal to Hitler? Who was the racist one did you say? 3rd, Im just debating, you are talking about eliminating and neutralizing those with ideas/beliefs different of your own = Hitler/Mao/Stalin? 4rth, you dont know shit about your own country, all the statistics point out the US is in the need of change, such as a socialist touch. QQ
RayGroot 1 year ago
@lakeeriejew About your poor foreign friends, 90% of his fellow migrants are not as lucky, since they either get deported out or simply become lawn mowers. This has nothing to do with being racist, its reality.
Blindly supporting something is NEVER a good thing, match these things in a picture, almost 10% unemployment, failing educational system, skyrocketing of food banks, corruption scandals in banks and governments. I could go on, but I think anyone open for criticism would get the point,
RayGroot 1 year ago
@lakeeriejew That last sentence speaks volumes....
Pomiferous 1 year ago
So we should raid the Rockefeller estate and give the money back to the people they exploited? Who would that be?
We should confiscate Bill Gates' wealth because he sold too many Windows systems?
What really motivates you is envy. Admit it. It bugs you that some people have a lot of what you don't, correct?
I agree. Let's go the way of Cuba. That system promotes equality. Everyone except Castro, is equally poor.
That's the ideal, isn't it?
lakeeriejew 1 year ago
@lakeeriejew You are being childish.
Of course we shouldn't confiscate Bill Gates' wealth, we should tax it.
Adequate taxation enables to bridge social gaps, and put some restraints on the capitalistic system.
Capitalism by itself is a good thing, and should be the basis of every modern economy, but it must also not be allowed to get of hand. It should be used to make the entire population richer, not just a handful of individuals.
elbazart 1 year ago
well it's not clear yet what system will prevail in the economic challenges yet to come. life in western europe and the U.S is still "first world" conditions for most of the people. with china and india trying to reach a western standerd of living and the dwindeling oil reserves maybe both systems will crash anyway. each one for different reasons.
drorjs 1 year ago
I have watched a few Prager lectures and I liked them all accept from this one.
I believe Mr. Prager holds a deep misconception about socialistic governments.
A socialistic government is not supposed to take care of every citizen, but only for those who can not take care of themselves (the disabled, for instance), or during the period of time they cannot take care of themselves (sick people who need temporary aid), or in the specific tasks of life which are difficult (I too poor to get...con't
elbazart 1 year ago
@elbazart too poor to get an education, but if the state helps me I might get stronger and be able to take care of myself).
So in conclusion, a socialistic government is all about empowering people, and not making them dependent upon the state. We should not rely on charity for those aims, when the government can do it more efficiently and equally.
A socialistic government is not necessarily big, either. It can be small and yet efficient, taking care of those who really need it.
elbazart 1 year ago
@elbazart
Where in the world in the socialist state you describe?
An "efficient" government program? Oxymoron, my friend
Also, since you mentions education, what is the graduation rate of students who are fully subsidized by tax payers?
lakeeriejew 1 year ago
@lakeeriejew
You may argue that an efficient socialistic state as I have described does not exist. I may reply that an efficient capitalistic state does not exist, either.
We should strive to creating socialistic governments who are efficient, empower the weak and yet not allow the lazy to exploit the resources. This should be an ideal.
What is the alternative? Having unemployed people starve on the streets? Having children remain ignorant because of their parents' insufficient funds?
elbazart 1 year ago
@elbazart
Thanks for acknowledging that the efficient Socialist state does not work....and it never will.
Capitalism definitely does work to raise the standard of living even for the 'poor', who in the US wear Nike sneakers and have I-Phones
I don't have a moral obligation to pay for my neighbors college education but you're welcome to donate money to any scholarship fund you choose.
When I see people buying mountains of junk food with foodstamps, I know the system is broken.
lakeeriejew 1 year ago
@lakeeriejew
Capitalistic states raise the standart of living for the poor? maybe.
But they also enable one percent of the population to enjoy 20 percent of the income, and the gaps between people are only widening every year.
May I remind you - when life gets impossible for the poor, the rich suffer as well. Crime rates go up and the political system becomes unstable.
elbazart 1 year ago
@elbazart
Why do you care if 1% enjoy 20% of the income? Why is that any of your business? Capitalism allows anyone to join that 1% if they so work hard to achieve it. As long as they earned the money honestly.
The reason the gap grows wider is because more poor people are moving into the middle/rich class.
If you're poor in America, it's your own fault.
I am not rich and I don't begrudge anyone who is.
Should we limit how much black sports stars earn out of fairness to the poor blacks?
lakeeriejew 1 year ago
@lakeeriejew
Why do I care that 1% of the people make 20% of the income?
Because the other side of the equation is that 20% of the people make 1% of the income. You can't have one without the other.
Rich people are usually not particularly creative or intelligent than others. Their money doesn't come from hard work. It usually comes from inheritance, or from exploiting other people's work, or from investing sums they already have (what anyone could do if they had the initial funds).
elbazart 1 year ago
@elbazart Take a look at Sweden, they are pretty much the well functioning Socialist state you are describing, and many other countries like the Netherlands have a heavy presence of socialism incorporated within there systems.
RayGroot 1 year ago
@elbazart
The problem with that logic is that poor and disadvantaged people are not the only people that vote. Everybody votes. Politicians don't care about poor people. They care about getting more power for themselves and getting relected. The vast majority of government money does go towards the poor or disadvantaged and the money that does often has a counterproductive effect. If you want to help the poor then help them. Sending more money to the government is one of the worst ways.
limited1defined 1 year ago
@limited1defined
The democratic system has it's downfalls, that is for sure, this doesn't mean we should loose all faith in the state's ability to do good.
Again I say - a socialistic government is not about more taxes, as the Americans were taught to think. It is about using what funds it has in order to bridge social boundaries and create social solidarity and security.
elbazart 1 year ago
@elbazart That may be true of theoretical socialist governments but it is not true of the socialist governments that actually exist or have existed in the past. Once you hand that power over to the government you have no control over what they decide to do with it. It has nothing to do with cynicism it has to do with incentives. These politicians are not accountable to you or I on a daily basis. They are accountable to the folks that help them get elected and thats where the money gonna go.
limited1defined 1 year ago
Just because Europeans actually take time to enjoy life doesn't mean they're dependent on large government or think it will solve all their problems :S
julia3920 1 year ago
this guy is honestly a retard.
ignorant american views against paying taxes.
european view of paying taxes and managing wealth evenly
honestly if i was rich i wouldn't be charitable. I would want one more Ferrari in my garage. and so do most people.
rantarave 1 year ago 2
i don't understand his point. life in the welfare states in europe is pretty damm good.
drorjs 1 year ago
@drorjs
Except that they're going broke.....(Greece for example.)
Oh, and when they riot to object raising the retirement age, is that an example of a 'damn good life'?
lakeeriejew 1 year ago
The european welfare states will be broke before you know it. The dark clouds are already visible on the horizon (Greece crisis, Euro crisis, Spain, Portugal, Ireland lurking below the media recognition threshold). As soon as Germany will reach the debt level of Greece (which wont take long as our debt grows exponentially) the shit will hit the fan big time.
Skandalos 1 year ago
Prager's stance on marijuana is entirely inconsistent with his small govt. line. He is saying now that he believes God gave us a mind and so drugs are wrong because they mess with our mind.
So, Mr. Small Government defender wants to put people in PRISON for doing something that disagrees with his pet theory about God and drugs?
Oh and what about alcohol. I'm sure Prager has some lame-ass thing ready about how God is ok with people killing their brain cells.
mukome 1 year ago
Who protested at Obama's Minneapolis event against recent FBI raids? I'll give you a hint, it wasn't the "freedom-loving" Tea Partiers. And I haven't heard anyone on "anti-intrusive-government" conservative radio even mentioning those raids.
But of course I could be wrong. If anyone knows of any conservatives concerned about those FBI raids, I'd be glad to hear about it.
mukome 1 year ago
A caller to Prager's radio show recently related a dilemma he was in. His wife was pregnant and he had to decide whether to accept government assistance so his wife could stay home, or have her work so they wouldn't need the assistance. Prager was stumped, he said he hadn't considered such a situation before.
Which proves what kind of bubble, of wealth and ideology, Prager lives in. He talks about these issues for years and NEVER has considered how people are affected.
mukome 1 year ago
@mukome he ,"NEVER has considered how people are affected."? How untrue. He simply never considered the example that was specific to that unique circumstance. In general his arguments ALWAYS try to argue on the society as a whole as a way to help EVERYONE. This video is so straight forward so incredibly perfect and simple, how in the world can ANYONE argue against the EXACT words he uses in the 5 minute clip? What did he say wrong or untrue? ANYWHERE in the clip? He speaks only truth.
barneygoogs 1 year ago
@barneygoogs Your demand that everyone accept Prager's ideas is so perfect for Prager University. It fits perfectly with Prager's style of arguing, which is really nothing more than polemic (and dishonest polemic at that). Real universities don't work that way.
mukome 1 year ago
@mukome Thank you! I couldn't agree more, real universities challenge you and teach you how to think critically and how to come to your own conclusions using critical and logical thinking skills. Prager thinks he has the answers for everyone and everything. What annoys me most is his advice on marriage. Anyone who has been divorced twice and is on marriage number three has no business advising anyone on marriage.
xexixk 1 year ago
Thinking of the state as if it were a person might make the argument flawed. State is made up of People who work on duties assigned to them by their own kind. The problem is not the ideology but the cheating that happens in the government. This is a problem of greed on every level.
Do the Americans WANT to work harder & take less vacation or are they forced to? Work harder for the CEO to take the vacation? Are the hardworking Americans really happier than the supposedly lazy Swedes?
SamShari 1 year ago
@SamShari Dennis Prager is just a shill for the religious far right. Anyone on the far right can say any horible thing they want - like Mel Gibson's foul anti-semitic rant - and Prager will come along and defend them (even though he's Jewish). As for vacation, yes I'd like to have more than the 2 weeks I have been lucky to have even after working at different companies for years.
xexixk 1 year ago
@xexixk Actually, you're sorta right. He is a shill for them and for every citizen who cherishes FREEDOM over the stupid government enforced "EQUALITY". Why do so many people love this whole "Eqaulity" is the most important of all philosophy? It really sickens me to think how screwed up the values are of those people. I guess you're one of them huh? You believe my values are screwed up. Tell me what you think I think.
barneygoogs 1 year ago
@barneygoogs Freedom? Please. Prager and the far right talk about freedom, yet at the same time seem to want the government involved in some of the most personal aspects of people's lives. Equality? Exactly what do you mean by equality or consider to be equality? Do you want the government or the law to treat differing groups of people differently? I haven't expounded upon my own beliefs here, so please don't assume to know my views based up on the fact that I don't like Prager.
xexixk 1 year ago
@xexixk OK... let me ask you, "How do you like John Stossel?" He just did a GREAT special about an amazing film called "Free to Choose" - done in the 80's by the Nobel Prize winner, Milton Friedman. It tells it all - if you ask me. Watch it - and learn. I think you can find it here on Youtube.
barneygoogs 1 year ago
@barneygoogs If it makes you happy I will throw you this bone - I actually think there are nut cases on both the far right and the far left and I think both parties are a part of the problem. Neither one of them really care about doing anything, what they care about is power. Getting and keeping it. The public spats between them are for the most part purely for show. Both of them are bought and paid for by corporate/speical interests. That is the true problem with our government.
xexixk 1 year ago
Interesting points, and I agree with most of them. However, Americans might donate more simply because of a larger population. If it is not devised by per capita statistics, then it is moot.
1hmm2 1 year ago
as religious nuts go, Prager is one of the best.
AnarchyRules17 1 year ago
I agree. Let's minimize the state as much as possible:
Don't criminalise abortion.
Don't criminalise marijuana.
Don't criminalise same-sex marriages.
(In fact, let's get the government out of our bedrooms entirely)
Don't criminalise sodomy.
Don't criminalise divorce, gambling, alcohol, pre-marital sex, birth control...
RainsAgenda 1 year ago
@RainsAgenda
"(In fact, let's get the government out of our bedrooms entirely)
Don't criminalise sodomy. Don't criminalise divorce, gambling, alcohol, pre-marital sex, birth control..."
But you're just talking about vices and such. People on the Left care about far more than just sex and drugs, yet what you wrote makes it sound otherwise. There are far more important things the State should be staying out of people's lives over and they're not.
itreeye 1 year ago
@itreeye We care about how we define and live our lives. Freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of association, freedom to control our own bodies. Conservatives generally believe in these things as well, accept in cases of abortion, marriage, gay rights, sodomy...
i'm just trying to show the outright hypocrisy of someone who wants less government, while still wanting to mandate, control and criminalise things that might be "indecent" or "immoral"
RainsAgenda 1 year ago
@RainsAgenda
"...outright hypocrisy ... wants less government, while still ... criminalise things that might be "indecent""
Yet there are decency laws which change by degree. It is not legal for a man to go w/out his pants on, still, yet years ago it was illegal for a woman to go to the beach in a bikini. So this progressive logic suggests that eventual Mr. legal 'no pants' is progress, and I disagree. Also remember abortion issue is largely a science question. Is there two people or one?
itreeye 1 year ago
@itreeye I don't think we'll ever get to a point where public nudity is accepted or seen as progress, but we may be (and i think are) becoming less taboo about nudity in films (including pornography). We can, however, strive for topfreedom, which comes down to an issue of feminism - are women our equals, or are they not?
continued...
RainsAgenda 1 year ago
@itreeye
When it comes to abortion, i agree, it is largely a scientific question, namely, "when does life begin?" I think science has answered that question within certain respects. Most people agree that a sperm or egg doesn't qualify as life, and most people agree that a fetus in the third trimester probably does qualify as life. Scientifically speaking, homeostasis is required to be defined as 'life,' and a first trimester fetus cannot maintain homeostasis. Choice as about bodily sovereignty
RainsAgenda 1 year ago
@RainsAgenda Limiting government does not mean becoming lawless. The Founding Fathers wanted to be governed by "Natural Law". Same sex "marriage" and the taking