February 18, 2009: The Day in 100 Seconds

[fishhead06]

Mitt fucken Romney?! How can politicians with 4 homes relate to average Americans who can't even afford to own one?

[allgoo19]

My comment below was meant for a reply to prognost.

[ilike2burnthing]

Nout wrong with socialism!!

[rainbeux]

exept for their spelling.

[ilike2burnthing]

Sorry, what was spelt wrong? 'Nout' may not be a real word, however, that is how it is spelt.

[buffalobanditsrock]

wow get a life

[marniespeaks]

eat the rich!

[hispanicarab]

WHY are Americans so afraid of socialism? Its not communism, and the most advanced most industrialized countries in the world these days are socialist..

[karlharleman]

Quite the opposite.

[hispanicarab]

Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark are all socialist and are all economically healthier and their citizens are happier than those of the United States according to Forbes. So no. Not quite the opposite. American Denial is amusing though.

[karlharleman]

"American Denial is amusing though." Funny, because I'm actually Swedish! Didn't se that one coming, did you? Facts about Sweden: A.) The wealth we've aquired is mostly from companies founded in our laissez-faire period. B.) Sweden is not really socialist in the way you might think. Our government get a lot of its revenue from taxing consumption.

[hispanicarab]

And that is what my government is doing. We will stay capitalist no doubt, and I'm very proud of it, but without some government regulation history will repeat itself. We're taught to fear socialism in our elementaries and I think its wrong.

[karlharleman]

Goverment regulation is not socialism per say.

[hispanicarab]

I know its not, but we are taught her that it is.

[breastinspector2]

Let me tell you a short story. This really happened. And this is why Americans frown upon socialism. Pilgrams immigrate from Europe to the new land (America). They begin a new civilization on this new continent. They decide the best way to go about doing things was making sure everyone got their share. What they did was they made a bank where everything they made was put into, and everything they needed they could take out of. Naturally, everyone takes a bit more out of the bank than what they..

[breastinspector2]

...put in. Then winter comes. They have no resources left because everyone took too much. Half of the Pilgrims died of starvation, and the rest of them barely held on. At the end of the winter, they all decide that the system that they tried is fundamentally broken and self destructive. They then had everyone make their own goods, and what they couldn't make they traded what they could for what they needed. Winter came again, and everyone had more than enough food. In fact, they had...

[breastinspector2]

...a feast to celebrate the new wealth they had gained from Capitalism, after Socialism nearly killed them. They called this feast Thanksgiving, and we've been celebrating it ever since. Although the message has been diluded since then to think that it was because the Native Americans showed the Pilgrims how to plant crops well, which they did, but it didn't do very much at all compared to the system upon which the Pilgrims built for themselves and what they gained from it.

[karlharleman]

And no, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark are not stronger economically than England, USA, Luxemburg, Austraila, The Netherlands etc. The reason everyone was impacted so much by the recession in the US was because every other country was dependent on the US economy, not the other way around! Sure, there might be a higher general standard of living in some other small country but that's usually due to national resources (Norway, Dubai etc.) or dependence on an other, freer economy (Scandinavia).

[hispanicarab]

I've been to Sweden and and I will concede that it is a much more "free economy" than its other Scandinavian neighbors. I will also concede that you know more about Sweden. As this discussion is about America, and Canada, both of which I know well. Canada has not been impacted by the recession and is the United States biggest trading partner and is almost 100% percent dependent on the US economy. It is a very Socialist and Captialist country. Thats what works. Mixing. Not just one.

[CGrunzdizshitz]

i seriously pray they dont nationalize the banks. the money supply is more then enough.

[thielenm]

why not nationalize the banks, right now banks are there to take advantage of their customers and fuck up the entire economy. they arent doing what they are supposed to be doing which is primarily safeguarding our money. they exist solely to make more profit. no more banks just credit unions. the banks failed so its over and out!

[CGrunzdizshitz]

yea but if the government controls the banks AND the money supply how much freedom are we really gonna have?

[GodKillerAtheist]

socialism good for the people bad for the huge corporations

[karlharleman]

How can something thats bad for corporations also be "good for the people"? Who are the people if not the emloyees, consumers and owners of these companies? What are these companies if not the only source of income for the people? Who do you think will have higher unemployment, lower wages, worse products and less left of their savings when companies are doing bad?

[GeoliphicMedia]

we get the chance to build a different economy. one that naturally distributes wealth more evenly. This bailout wants to save the investing class -- we dont need one if laborers and crafts people are paid directly. We dont need wall-mart we need farmers markets and universal vending rights.

[karlharleman]

Actually I think I'm for the bailout. So I wasn't criticizing the bailout but rather just the paradox of GodKillerAtheist's comment; "socialism good for the people bad for the huge corporations".

[thielenm]

mmmmm not really it just makes the government a huge corporation

[backwardsandforwards]

I like how FOX is in the business of being outraged.

You want to nationalize - outrage,

you let Lehman fall - outrage.

You can't be outraged at bank nationalization *AND* bank failure...

banks are either not too big to fail or taxpayers and government have to take a capital stake. But it's all guaranteed FOX outrage because domestic wiretapping and waterboarding aren't "fascist", only fianancial regulation.

[chivasusa]

fox news is #1 baby

[Totaltwist]

number one for a laugh anyways lol

[karlharleman]

"But it's all guaranteed FOX outrage because domestic wiretapping and waterboarding aren't "fascist", only fianancial regulation."

I'm actually all for labeling socialism and fascism as tabu. But there's a lot of truth to your quote. There has been an inconsistency!

[Greenvalds]

Actually i lived in socialism and people loved that time, good times.

[karlharleman]

"Actually i lived in socialism and people loved that time, good times."

I live in a traditionally socialist country (Sweden), and you definitely don't speak for any broad majority here. We actually just voted in the wright wing opposition to the socialist government we've had for 60 almost consecutive years! The last 20 years, the people of almost all countries have chosen to move their countries politics more towards the wright. The most wright winged countries are also the most-moved-to.

[Greenvalds]

I lived in REAL socialism country like Soviet Union, Sweden is not close to that.

[prognost]

These days people use the term socialism to refer to the social democratic welfare states, particularly those on the further left like the countries in Scandinavia. It is a kind of bastardization of the term, but today's socialism is nothing like the socialism of the USSR.

[allgoo19]

That was communism in USSR.

Amazing, how many people still can't tell the difference.

When those two had become interchangeable?

[karlharleman]

I'd say that socialism is the broader term, including the full spectrum from scandinavian style social democracy to USSR style communism. Communism is dictatorship, other brands of socialism are more or less democratic.

[GeoliphicMedia]

Capitalism is a crime. Sadly most people or so deep in the financial rabbit hole they dont even want a way out. Socialist ideals dont compute with most people I meet, and the lack of ability to understand leads to frustration. People get pissed if you say 'private property doesnt really exist' --

P.S. nothing I say is sedition its democracy. The constitution umbrellas all ideas: so any grievance is part of the refining process? what a system

oh, and i have an a-hole but i dont sh*t on people

[karlharleman]

"Socialist ideals dont compute with most people I meet"

"People get pissed if you say 'private property doesnt really exist' "

- Oh really? Self pwnedge..

[GeoliphicMedia]

Corporations are a great example of socialism.

Collective interest and risk. The lack of collective motivation is what ends up burning the employees. ie short term profits over sustainability. If we own all natural resources and means of production collectively the interest is to serve everyone. We've been taught to want trickle down instead of bottom up power. 'karl...' thanks for making me take 'a look in the mirror' -- its hard to articulate any idealogy when there is really only one reality

[Taino187]

The problem with every economic system and every system of governance are the A-Holes within that system.

[Taino187]

Communism, Democracy, Socialism, Capitalism....

They are ALL bad when you have A-Holes in any of those systems trying to take advantage for their OWN benefit.

Socialism can be good but not in the hands of a dictator controling everything.

Capitalism can be good, But ALWAYS tends to breed greedy bastages who want more than anyone else has, and more than they could ever need.

Look at these Rich lowlifes out there! Its not enough to be a Millionaire anymore they want to be Billionaires!

[Ansonidak]

Americans have been brainwashed by the very rich into fearing socialism - like a gateway drug. From there its just two ways to go - communism or fascism. Pure 100% capitalism is the best system by which the very rich maintain their positions. The very richest people want a minimum of government regulation. OF COURSE!!

[KosmicCitizen]

Whoopdie doo. If it weren't for cold war propaganda, Americans wouldn't shit a chicken every time the word "socialism" occurred.

[robinvan1983]

OMG Socialism! no thought response: THAT IS BAD! Most of European countries have more socialism ideas implemented than the US and Oh boy.... Europe sure is a crappy place to live in.

[Cietru]

......?

[carrierexchange]

Ahhh yes, Fox News. Socialism and good news on the markets. What better way to forget reality.

[MrAvenged]

Bring on the socialism

fuck capitalism!

[burntonion05]

Facts drip out in selective soundbites. lol

[lezxotic]

America makes Socialism seem so bad yet Hugo Chavez is sending FREE Oil to America's poor because Bush fucked ALL of us over. Yeah you right wingnuts don't know shit. All you do is spew Republican rhetoric because you're not well educated. Bitch and Moan is your favorite song.

[Mychaels]

Thank you! Some of the independents are the same. I walk outside and the sun is still shining.

[nicolenigro]

Brave New World indeed. Or 1984. Both are bad.

[Skurgefaust]

America is trying anything it can to avoid being like any other country. Yeh yeh i know we already do a lot of things that other countries have been doing but we try not to talk about those things. We are ""original""....(sarcasm) Look at it this way, isnt like we have a choice in it. Choice is an illusion just like freedom and rights.

[MooseOfReason]

bunk90, socialism-free? Really?

So we were 100% capitalism?

What country are you living in, bunk?

[averageworkinggal]

The Swedes did not have to deal with off balance sheet CDSs.

That's why nationalization is a bad idea: the off balance sheet liabilities.

The govt. can't expose itself to that, which it would with nationalization.

The regular approach of bankruptcy may be the only way, but the problem with that is another Lehman-like panic for the too-big-to-fail banks.

So, it's a rock and hard place scenario.

[PersonalJesus348]

VIVA! EL SOCIALISMO!

[lamouchemorte]

Fuck Mitt Romney. I hope he ends up homeless and selling his lips on the corner.

[ver506]

No good news?

[Tuthill99]

fuck em

[Ovularity]

"How do you quantify whether or not your country is socialist?"

Question: How do you quantify ideological brain-rot?

Answer: The degree to which a question like that has meaning.

[sethcat99]

on the highway to hell and we are going down oooooo ya.

[dralavant]

The Palin Household a "pretty hectic" place. lol Best part of the video!

[squidb8]

I thought I remembered Burris answering questions about raising money for IL's Governor. I also thought the general viewpoint was that since it was far enough out for any of the present stink to attributed to him.

So is this the same thing or has something new come up?

[squidb8]

I beilieve in capitalism but I also believe that a healthy economy requires a small bit of Government control.

As long as the gov takes control of some of banks that are at risk of collapsing, and leave the other banks that are weathering the storm alone I'll be comfortable.

As soon as the Gov tries to force feed their control - er assistance - to all banks like they did with the first pay outs then I'll start to worry.

[MooseOfReason]

squid, You're having bureaucrats deciding which unprofitable companies to prop up, with taxpayer money. That's not fair to other companies "weathering the storm", companies that were responsible. Irresponsible companies should be allowed to fail.

[squidb8]

Sure we could have to mindless run the bank scenario. I'm aware after watching reports of the Fed, and the SEC incompetence and out derecliction of the peoples trust. But there must be some show that the we as a country of heading off a possible crash.

[maskedphrogg]

sorry squidb8

no such thing as "small bit of control" when it comes to Gov

It's "Our way or the highway" when you can back up your decisions with guns and not fear retribution.

[squidb8]

So your saying that our Government would force its issue with military force, they could have done it at any time if it were there intention.

However I do agree that if it is decided to take this course of action it should be met with a high amount of suspicion and trepidation.

[maskedphrogg]

The mere threat of intervention will suffice for many. The Police are also armed and used more often than Military.

By "small bit of gov control" I may have made a presumption. Bad phrogg bad!

Government should exist for no other reason than to prevent or defend from coercion one party upon another by force. If that is what you intend or mean by government control then I salute you.

If not, then I missed your meaning.

[maskedphrogg]

What I do know is that Gov in the US backs it's aims with force of arms. LEOs and Military are armed for this explicit purpose.

[StephinRazin]

brave new world... nwo isnt real I swear

[JobDDT]

FACTS..... DRIP OUT.... IN SELECTIVE, SOUNDBYTES. (describes "Day in 100 Seconds" perfectly)

[SoySauceInAShotGlass]

Wow, the media sure doesn't like one sided these days, and it doesn't matter if they're "right" or "wrong", it's still pretty uniform right now...

[yokokurama11]

oh mitt. always looking so happy... he can't frown because he's mormon. i feel his pain.

[GunDream]

I don't know why everyone holds greenspan to such high regard. He knows as much about economy as the average joe.

Source: History

[flang]

It's not necessarily that he's held in high regard, it's more that he is such a strong believer in the free market, yet now he feels bank nationalization is a road to be taken.

[maskedphrogg]

Somebody needs to inform MSNBC that Greenspan is no longer the Fed Chairman

[pejovjos000]

LOL

of COURSE Mitt loves in Utah

Mormon capital of the worlddd

[voyeurdug]

"Since Fluff was a kitten?" -- huh?

Don't s'pose he meant, "Puff," maybe... like the cat in primary and pre-primary readers of the 1950's? See Spot run. Run, Spot, run. Run, run, run. See Puff run. Run, Puff, run. Run, run, run; go get mommy her nice pills. And a drink.

[MansourViPeninsula]

Burris must step down.

[dgleason2]

selective soundbites....

welcome to the NWO peeps!!! lol

[WadeBlazingame34]

Doocey's Douche Bag Scale:

11 out of 10.

PS - Nice laugh Mitt.  I knew it was coming. The exact same mechanical laugh...

[CalexanderJ]

Damn Mitt Romney looks stiff. Loosen up Mitt. Have a couple of drinks. Just relax and be yourself.

[princehumperdinck]

Hey man, have some sympathy -- the man just had to put TWO homes on the market!

[CalexanderJ]

Nobody forced him to dump $40 mill of his own money into his presidential run. Talk about a bad investment.

[Hez0]

He was just as stiff before the whole economic crisis.

He's a fucking robot or something, and a shit one at that.

[Richardgwm]

What if we nationalize Roland Burris?

[FredRemixCentral]

hmm..

[srhabb]

Mitt Romney looks like Mr. Fantastic from the Fantastic 4 Comic Book.