occupy wall street.......

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It's amazing how one can talk so much, but say so little. Such an dolt, but so entertaining all at the same time. What flavor KoolAid is that?

 
Occupy Wall Street's key accomplishment has been to get the issue of economic inequality and the extreme concentration of wealth, on the political agenda. They are providing a counterweight to the Tea Party's silly notion that government and regulation have no role in the America's economic life. Pretty simple! WE live in a GLOBAL economy now..and we either RAISE the standard of living globally to ours. Or LOWER ours to thiers. I personally want to keep our standard. Dont you????????????? Pfft! No Sh*t!



This alternative to the Tea Party is gaining political traction. In a Time Magazine poll on October 9th and 10th, 54% of those surveyed had a favorable impression of the protests, while 23% had a negative impression. In contrast, 27% of the public had a favorable impression of the Tea Party while 53% viewed the Tea Party negatively. While I believe that attitudes toward the Tea Party have become relatively stable, opinions about the Occupy Wall Street movement are still being formed.



I agree with an analysis recently offered by Time Magazine, which reported that there is a wide agreement, even among the wealthy, that the concentration of wealth in America has become too extreme.



Ill continue if I have to. Dont confuse the issues here. Certainly there are more left-leaning persons in the Occupy movement...but the movement is by no means inert. It is world-wide, and much more important that the Tea Party was. It is in its infancy, and will continue to change the political/cultural landscape.



Frank
 
:boohoo::boohoo::boohoo::boohoo::boohoo:



It's the same whiners and cry babies that have always demanded that everyone with money should pay for them because they don't have enough...:cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:



Most are unwilling to get an education, lean marketable skills and unwilling to develop a work ethic that warrent higher salaries. Then they wonder why they can't get a better job than flipping burgers at McDonalds.



Nobody gets rich working for someone else, they get rich working for themselves (and I'm talking about that 1% that bothers you so much). Why do they have to pay for you or anyone else when they have done nothing wrong.



People have been complaining since income taxes were started back in 1911, and the only people who were taxed were only the richest people.



The rich are already taxed at 35%, but the real problem is that they have many investment loopholes that lets them shelter much of their income from taxes. This is nothing new.



I have been an advocate of a fair tax system for everyone since back in the late 1960's when it was reported that President Richard Nixon paid less taxes than I did as an E4 in the US Army while he easily made 5O times more money than I did.



Nixon mangaged to shelter most of his income from taxes. Of course, the IRS did not allow some of his deductions including a $50k deduction for donating his memiors to the Nixon Library.



I have alwasy advocated a 10% flat tax for everyone, with no exemptions and no exceptions. No more morgage intrest deductions, not charitable deductions, not other paid tax deductions. The only exemption might be the first $10K in earnings and perhaps $15K for a married couple. That would apply to everyone without any exceptions.



Corporate or business taxes would be higher, but deductions can be made based on the average number of employees they had for that year and the salary they were paid. More employees and the higher their salary, the more tax credits they would get.



I disagree that the Occupy Wall Street has had any effect on business as usual, and I can give you a number of humorous quotes that go back to the founding fathers that poke fun at the high taxes and the government wanting to take money from the rich and give it to the poor...so none of this is NEW and the Occupy Wall Street is not making any new inroads to change the system.



My big problem with these kinds of demonstrations is that they never accomplish their goals but rather inconvenience everyone else, and they tend to move from non-violent demonstrations to violence and riots, which only set up the police for excessive use of force. I don't mind demonstrators marching on Washington, State Capitals or City Hall, etc to show their disaproval, but to continue to disrupt and inconvenience everyone else just to prove a point and they begin to throw rocks and bottles at the police, thats where most people lose any sympathy for their cause.



...Rich



 
Frank, here is the biggest thing you and I can never agree on.



It is demanding that everyday Americans -- the 99% -- (YOU !!)share in the increases in their productivity and have more real control of their futures



I don't want a share of somebody else's increases in productivity. I want to increase my own productivity. I want to truly have more real control of my own future. I don't want any control of anybody else's future or how they allocate their time, energy, or money. I never think of my blessings or lack thereof in comparison to those of other people. That is a completely irrelevant comparison in my life.



It's really a shame that it isn't in your own life. You'd be a much happier person, I believe, if you concentrate on you, and not someone else. If taking from someone else is the only way you'll experience happiness, that is truly sad.



The Tea Party wants individuals to to be allowed to reach their own full potential based on their own definitions of happiness. The OWS thugs want the government to take belongings of one group of people and give it to others, because they think that will increase happiness. I think you should read Aristotle's writings on happiness.
 
Yeah yeah I get the whole free lunch free ride you continually bring up. I actually agree with you in theory. I think able bodied folks should work. Your premise is out of touch though. There has to be opportunity. There isnt much these days. Both parents have to work now. Whos raising the kids? The television. Whats on television? Lies and crap. See a pattern here? OWS protesters dont want a free ride. They want job opportunities. And a fair wage. Middle class has to return. I am not sure you realize how tough it is out there. I really dont.
 
Frank,

Just heard the whole town of Oakland is gonna shut down. So much for the "no political impact" theory.



OK, we will just wait and see if Oakland shuts down.:bwahaha: That is just not going to happen. Even if they did manage to shut down Oakland, how does that "Impact" or acheive their goal, unless their goal is to just disrupt everyone elses life. In my opinion, that is just a form of terrorism.



The definition of "Terrorism" is the minority forcefully imposing their ideals onto the majority who disagree with them. That's exactly what these OWS Terrorist are doing. If they don't get their way, they will become more and more violent and distructive....which is what terrorist do.



If the OWS wants to see change, why don't they find someone in the group to run for President, Congress, the Senate, etc???? That's how we change things in the USA. If the OWS movement is so big, they should have no problem finding the money to match anything the Democrats or Republicans can collect. Civil disobediance never has accomplished anything in this country. It may have gotten the attention of the media, but it will just be a flash in the pan when most of the OWS demonstrators are in jail, and the rest lose interest.



In the mean time I will be waiting for Oakland to lock the doors, pull down the shades, roll up their sidewalks and turn out the lights....:bwahaha:



...Rich





 
Frank



Growing up as a child of the late 50's and early 60's I have trouble understanding the protesters. You are quick to explain what they want. I don't think it is as easy as wanting opportunity and fair wage. You state that they don't want a free ride, I'm not so sure. It would be interesting how many out in the streets are presently on a "free ride".



I watched with interest this morning as some of the demonstrators spoke with reporters. It was live so I don't see how the network manipulated the situation. The question was simple "how long do you plan to stay". The young man being question responded, "all winter" or until "we get what we want".



Now growing up when I did, unemployment ranged 5% plus or minus 1%. I wanted to go to college, get out of the house and be self sufficient. I left at 18. I worked any job I could find. If I wasn't working I did one thing only, look for a job. If I didn't get the wage I wanted, I took the job and spent my free time looking for a better job. When things got really bad I joined the Army for two guaranteed years of employment and a $125.00 a month college fund. While in college I looked for a job with stability. I left college for that job after two years. I never got married, had kids, bought anything until I could afford it. I planned my life, until retirement, that I could survive and start over if I had too at any time.



How is it this young man able to survive 3 to 6 months with funding, is he on a "free ride". Why does he he require opportunity rather than creating his own opportunity? Why isn't he spending his time looking for or creating a job for himself and others? Why won't he take a job at any wage, fair or not, then work to-wards his goals.



When did we lose personal responsibility for our own well-being? I have always helped those in need and provided support for others when possible. However, I have a real problem giving my hard earned money to the government just so they can give it to individuals like this young man. I know many now that won't look for work until they stop getting paid for doing nothing.



One man's point of view. But, always respecting yours.
 
I know exactly how hard it is out there.



When people spew this wealth distribution garbage as you do Frank, it insults me greatly. Maybe because I've just held on to some crazy notion that hard work and steadfastness are qualities worth striving toward. Maybe I should just ask that I be given my fair share. I have worked harder than most; I have more education than most. I will be in the top 8% of Americans by educational standards by next year.



When should I just give up and ask for a handout? What fair share should I be demanding?



I bet you make more money than me Frank. How much are you willing to send me?
 
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If your job doesn't pay you enough, either learn to live on what you earn or find a better job! Why should I have to support you when I'm trying to support my family?!?
 
Funny, a friend just shared this on facebook:



<a href="http://s1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/hughdarnley/Sport%20Trac/?action=view&amp;current=collegeletter.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/hughdarnley/Sport%20Trac/collegeletter.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
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I bet you make more money than me Frank. How much are you willing to send me?



Now that's the line of the day....I'm sure it will be a very positive response from Frank...LOL!
 
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I agree with the paper Hugh posted. I have one question though: Is the person behind the paper male? I have my doubts due to the "... received 2 scholarships which cover 90% of my tuition." line (as well as the bracelet, handwriting, & grades lol). The person holding up the paper looks rather white, and white males getting scholarships of that magnitude is unknown in my area :sad:



IMO it should read "I earned decent grades in high school" as "got" cheapens the achievement.



 
KL,



I agree with the paper Hugh posted. I have one question though: Is the person behind the paper male? I have my doubts due to the "... received 2 scholarships which cover 90% of my tuition." line (as well as the bracelet, handwriting, & grades lol). The person holding up the paper looks rather white, and white males getting scholarships of that magnitude is unknown in my area




That has got to be one of the dumbest statements I have ever heard here!!



Picky, picky, picky. Must you find fault in everything. You agree with the sign guy is holding, but think that because he is a white male, and his use of imperfect grammar "Cheapens" his achievements:boohoo:



What color are your hands? What was your GPA?, Where your grades in HS good enough to get you any scholarships? It sounds like you are envious of this guy's achievements, so you have to try to knock him down by trying to cast a shadow on his achievments.



white males getting scholarships of that magnitude is unknown in my area



So who's fault is that? Should this kid give up his scholarships because the white guys in your area can not imaging someone getting a scholarship of that magnitude? So he must have cheated...right? And what does his race have to do with it? What about the Blacks, Asians or Hispanics in your area?



It sounds like you are trying to make it a racial issue?



Don't read so much into it. Don't make up scenarios or imply things that do not exist except in your mind. And stop being the fly in the ointment.



...Rich



 
That has got to be one of the dumbest statements I have ever heard here!!

Richard L, I believe that not too long ago you posted something here along the lines of we (people on the board) could discuss most anything here in an intelligent and civilized manner? What happened to the spirit of that? :grin: BTW, how do you "hear" anything on a text-based message board?



Should this kid give up his scholarships because the white guys in your area can not imaging someone getting a scholarship of that magnitude? So he must have cheated...right?
Who suggested anything of the sort? The answer to your first quoted question is no. The question is also bogus as I am from my area and I can easily imagine someone getting such scholarships. I never said that there was cheatin' going on either. BTW, I think it is patently obvious what race has to do with it. :sad:



It sounds like you are envious of this guy's achievements, so you have to try to knock him down by trying to cast a shadow on his achievments.

I'm not envious. If I were, I would be like those OWS protestors and I would never have said that I agreed with what was in the picture. Though Richard L, it really sounded like you were envious of the family in the other thread here that had enough money to place a ~$3200 TV outside and "arrogantly" heat the outdoors in order to watch it in the winter.



Don't read so much into it. Don't make up scenarios or imply things that do not exist except in your mind.

Funny, as I haven't implied anything that you are commenting on. That would imply that you're the one reading too far into things and concerning yourself with things that exist only in your mind.:supercool:
 
KL,



I have no problem discussing anything intelligently, but when you make such statements, I can only question your intelligence, or at least why you would make such an odd statement.



You questioned if it was a male or female which was not the issue. You made issue that the hands holding the sign appear to be white, that was not an issue. you questioned his 2 scholarships by claiming that "White males getting scholarships of that magnitude is unknown in my area", that was uncalled for, and made no sense at all. Everything you said in that post was from way out in left field, and you never attempted to clarify your statement.



The question is also bogus as I am from my area and I can easily imagine someone getting such scholarships



Then why did you bring it up??? Assuming you are a White male living in your neighborhood, one of your statements is bogus. Sounds like you are talking out both sides of your mouth.



You don't have to say it, we all get what you were implying...just because you did not say it, you implied that you had credibility issues with the person holding the sign based on race and/or gender. Why did the white hands, and whether the person was a male or female (based on the printing on the sign?), bother you so much that you had to comment about it? And what did you mean about his/her 2 scholarships being unheard of in your area??



My objection to the outside TV dealt with heating the outside area to watch TV which I consider wasteful, and arrogant while there are people who will struggle to heat their homes this winter. Much like how Al Gore was so concerned about global warming and conserving energy while his house in Tennesse used more energy than 10 average American homes.



My original question to Gary was the cost of an outdoor TV when it would be more comfortable to watch TV in a comfortable chair in the house. That's when Gary showed that they had a heated outdoor pool. I don't know the size of the pool or how it's heated, or what it cost to heat the pool, but I just think that is wasteful and arrogant in the face of our current economic situation and high energy costs



I don't object to anyone making money or spending it as they wish, but when people are suffering in this economy I don't think displays of arrogant extravagance say much about their character. I don't agree with converting corn to ethanol fuels for our vehicles because corn is food and all it is doing is driving up the price of food including meat from livestock. There are other better sources of ethanol like switchgrass, which don't involve the wasting of food products for fuel.



I find the hypocrisy of some people a bit too much. Their ability to easily buy all the gas, oil or other energy they want, just increases the demand and the prices for everyone else who may be less fortunate It certainly is not envy, since I would not do that even if I had the money and I could afford to brun the money to heat my pool or my backyard.



....Rich







 
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This has gotten :eek:fftopic:



Btw, where'd the socialist go? I need answers...and money.:bwahaha:
 
Richard L, please note that I did not "imply" anything. Everything you state that I "implied" never was, and is what they call libel. FYI in this context, "imply" equates to "reading between the lines", which means that what you list as my "implications" truly are just your interpretation of my text, and thus you cannot honestly claim that I "implied" anything here. Only if I were to "own up" and state that I had indeed implied what you say could you have a case. I implied nothing; my motives were plain and obvious, not sinister or devious as you seem to wish they were.



Assuming you are a White male living in your neighborhood, one of your statements is bogus. Sounds like you are talking out both sides of your mouth.
Neither of my statements is false, reread them in their original context and you'll see. You're trying so hard to read between the lines of my text that you've missed what is actually there.



I find the hypocrisy of some people a bit too much. Their ability to easily buy all the gas, oil or other energy they want, just increases the demand and the prices for everyone else who may be less fortunate It certainly is not envy, since I would not do that even if I had the money and I could afford to brun the money to heat my pool or my backyard.

You ARE doing that same thing by having 2 gas-guzzling cars for one man, driving up the prices for "everyone else who may be less fortunate". Just FYI :grin:



Hugh, sorry to divert this off-topic. I forgot how intransigent & apparently vindictive Richard L is, but that does give me a clue as to what happened with frank: he saw what dealing with Richard L was like and high-tailed it outta here :bwahaha:
 
OWS folks should really have pride in their courage.



<a href="http://s1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/hughdarnley/?action=view&amp;current=321534_10100793845728640_4916511_64983683_203850948_n.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/hughdarnley/321534_10100793845728640_4916511_64983683_203850948_n.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
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