NationStates Jolt Archive

I am writing this as a frustrated American who is deeply concerned about the state of affairs my nation is in, and about our national thought process as it relates to politics:

Seems to me like these days, we Americans expect the government to solve all of our problems. There's no more personal responsibility. There's the attitude that "well, we elected you, so you must have all the answers and all the solutions to our problems." This couldn't be more clear with the public's (and our government's) reaction to the high gas prices. You as an individual can do more to save money on gas than the government can do. Lose your SUV, drive less and more slowly, and move closer to work. Simple as that. I know it's easier said than done, but it's the best way. Instead, we demand cheap gas at no personal sacrifice, and we get crackpot, halfbrained "ideas" like $100 rebates and a tax on so-called windfall profits that I would expect some democrat to come up with. Instead, the Republicans are espousing these ridiculous "solutions", which is a testament to the sad parody that the Republican Party has become of the great and noble Republican Party that it once was.

It's like Ronald Reagan never even existed.

Americans complain about *expensive* *gas* prices but europeans pay like double the Americans!!!
*End of rant*

You have no concept of individual responsibility. You are breeding a nation of idiots. Good luck. Perhaps a State to lead you on a leash is exactly what you people need. Not of your own fault, of course, but because of how things are evolving. :)

You have no concept of individual responsibility. You are breeding a nation of idiots. Good luck. Perhaps a State to lead you on a leash is exactly what you people need. Not of your own fault, of course, but because of how things are evolving. :)

I say the United States should allow Britian to own it......again

Go Libertarians!!! W00t!

Us Americans like simple solutions, even if the don't actually work.

For example, many politicians are proposing to build a fence across the border to prevent illegal immigration. They are doing this just to get votes in November, but people are actually buying in to this because it is so simple. Seriously, a fence? That wont keep them out.

The millions of variations of weight loss pills are also another example of this. Americans want to lose weight, but not if it means inconvenient lifetstyle changes. Controlling what you eat and exercising is one way to lose weight, but it is too hard so why not just plop a phony pill in your mouth after you eat?

Americans complain about *expensive* *gas* prices but europeans pay like double the Americans!!!
*End of rant*
Well, it's the highest it's been in almost 20 years, and many people here drive big cars, so I suspect the average American pays more in gas than the average European.

I say the United States should allow Britian to own it......againAs much as I hate British policies, I'm inclined to agree.

Since fewer and fewer people are voting in America, and fewer people seem to give any sort of a damn about real issues, and few people like to take responsibility for themselves and their well-being, I fear that we are in a position where we would stupidly give away all of our rights to some authoritarian nut. No one would worry while Big Brother cared for us.

I say the United States should allow Britian to own it......again
You seriously want it? :confused:

Us Americans like simple solutions, even if the don't actually work.

For example, many politicians are proposing to build a fence across the border to prevent illegal immigration. They are doing this just to get votes in November, but people are actually buying in to this because it is so simple. Seriously, a fence? That wont keep them out.

The millions of variations of weight loss pills are also another example of this. Americans want to lose weight, but not if it means inconvenient lifetstyle changes. Controlling what you eat and exercising is one way to lose weight, but it is too hard so why not just plop a phony pill in your mouth after you eat?
1. Agreed.
2. How about an electric fence? I think even a fence or a wall would do a lot to discourage them, and drastically reduce the amount of illegals in this country.
3. Yet another excellent example.

Well, it's the highest it's been in almost 20 years, and many people here drive big cars, so I suspect the average American pays more in gas than the average European.

Tell me WHY do so many Americans drive large cars??? its so stupid! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

What we need is less government control...

People are suggesting a raised tax on petrol to force the companies to lower prices...but all this does is shove more power into the hands of the government and punish the companies who supply our gasoline. And for what? For responding to demand with a perfectly fair price?
The people in business with Exxon (the biggest example of what I'm talking about) are there to make money, not to cater to the whims of a people who don't want to pay for the product they, themselves, have made so essential.

Really, the best solution has already been stated, since there are some things that individuals aren't doing when they could easily lower the cost for themselves. Getting out of your Hummer and perhaps adopting a nicer driving attitude (instead of weaving through traffic at 20 miles over the speed limit) for one. Developing alternate sources of fuel, for another. There are already cars out there that run on hydrogen, and they were actually developed in the 80's. Why were they never mass produced? Because people are afraid of change.
The moving closer, however, is way easier said than done...I live miles away from my job, because my apartment is cheaper and in a better neighborhood than those nearer my workplace.

The people here in the US need to stand up for themselves and grow a bit of a backbone. Fear's gonna get us nowhere.

Since fewer and fewer people are voting in America, and fewer people seem to give any sort of a damn about real issues, and few people like to take responsibility for themselves and their well-being, I fear that we are in a position where we would stupidly give away all of our rights to some authoritarian nut. No one would worry while Big Brother cared for us.
Yeah, it seems to me like Natalie Holloway still gets coverage on the news and has an hour or more a day devoted to her, while what's going on in Iraq or what Congress is doing is considered irrelevant, or uninteresting. :headbang:

Tell me WHY do so many Americans drive large cars??? its so stupid! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
My exact reaction to the Americans who want instant, easy solutions to high gas prices.

The reason WHY is because we've gotten used to big cars as a result of decades of cheap gas.

Go Libertarians!!! W00t!

Amen.

Go Libertarians!!! W00t!
:) The only sensible people you have over there. Too bad no one listens.

2. How about an electric fence? I think even a fence or a wall would do a lot to discourage them, and drastically reduce the amount of illegals in this country.
A fence or wall might stop some from coming, but I'm inclined to believe that most will still try to get across. If they are desperate enough to wander dehydrated through the desert to get into the country, then even an electric fence would not be an intimidating enough deterrant. All it takes are some hedge clippers to get through the average fence. Even if the government does build some fence that can not be cut through, they will only build a taller ladder and try to get across.

What we need is less government control...

People are suggesting a raised tax on petrol to force the companies to lower prices...but all this does is shove more power into the hands of the government and punish the companies who supply our gasoline. And for what? For responding to demand with a perfectly fair price?
The people in business with Exxon (the biggest example of what I'm talking about) are there to make money, not to cater to the whims of a people who don't want to pay for the product they, themselves, have made so essential.

Really, the best solution has already been stated, since there are some things that individuals aren't doing when they could easily lower the cost for themselves. Getting out of your Hummer and perhaps adopting a nicer driving attitude (instead of weaving through traffic at 20 miles over the speed limit) for one. Developing alternate sources of fuel, for another. There are already cars out there that run on hydrogen, and they were actually developed in the 80's. Why were they never mass produced? Because people are afraid of change.
The moving closer, however, is way easier said than done...I live miles away from my job, because my apartment is cheaper and in a better neighborhood than those nearer my workplace.

The people here in the US need to stand up for themselves and grow a bit of a backbone. Fear's gonna get us nowhere.
While the gas companies may be engaging in unfair business practices (I'm not sure whether yes or no, but I vaguely suspect it) the main culprit is the demand side of the equation, and the high gas prices are simply the free markets' response to it. Alternative energy requires a huge investment, and before that is made, I think technology needs to progress further, so we know exactly what we're getting into, and whether it's worth it.

As much as I hate British policies, I'm inclined to agree.

Just to spice it up a little
What policies do you hate???

A fence or wall might stop some from coming, but I'm inclined to believe that most will still try to get across. If they are desperate enough to wander dehydrated through the desert to get into the country, then even an electric fence would not be an intimidating enough deterrant. All it takes are some hedge clippers to get through the average fence. Even if the government does build some fence that can not be cut through, they will only build a taller ladder and try to get across.
They would just get shocked. So, no, it wouldn't be that easy to get across.

A fence or wall might stop some from coming, but I'm inclined to believe that most will still try to get across. If they are desperate enough to wander dehydrated through the desert to get into the country, then even an electric fence would not be an intimidating enough deterrant. All it takes are some hedge clippers to get through the average fence. Even if the government does build some fence that can not be cut through, they will only build a taller ladder and try to get across.

Am I the only one who has no problem with them coming here? They're trying to better their lives, and I have no problem with that, so long as they're not living on welfare.
I know it's illegal, but...perhaps just legalizing it and forcing them to pay taxes would be a better solution for all.

...Better yet, let's legalize immigration and kill most of the taxes...and welfare besides. Ahem.

I'm just wondering how much electricity it would take to power an electric fence long enough to span the entire US/Mexico border...

While the gas companies may be engaging in unfair business practices (I'm not sure whether yes or no, but I vaguely suspect it) the main culprit is the demand side of the equation, and the high gas prices are simply the free markets' response to it. Alternative energy requires a huge investment, and before that is made, I think technology needs to progress further, so we know exactly what we're getting into, and whether it's worth it.

I don't have any problem with the gasoline companies. They're in it for the money, and good for them! If you start a business with an intention of serving the public...or, really, almost any intention, other than making money...you're almost assuredly going to fail.

A fence or wall might stop some from coming, but I'm inclined to believe that most will still try to get across. If they are desperate enough to wander dehydrated through the desert to get into the country, then even an electric fence would not be an intimidating enough deterrant. All it takes are some hedge clippers to get through the average fence. Even if the government does build some fence that can not be cut through, they will only build a taller ladder and try to get across.

The trouble is not the people - it is the beurocracy which prevents them from entering legally. THAT and that alone is the trouble - Neither amnesty nor border enforcement will correct the problem caused by beurocratic incompetence.

I'm just wondering how much electricity it would take to power an electric fence long enough to span the entire US/Mexico border...

That's what I was thinking...

Just to spice it up a little
What policies do you hate???I think you should start another thread, if you want a reasonable reply to that. But! I'm going to be offline for a while.

Suffice to say I loathe British forign policy - the lot, the nonsensical approach to EU & a whole hell of a lot of domestic policies.

Am I the only one who has no problem with them coming here? They're trying to better their lives, and I have no problem with that, so long as they're not living on welfare.
I know it's illegal, but...perhaps just legalizing it and forcing them to pay taxes would be a better solution for all.

...Better yet, let's legalize immigration and kill most of the taxes...and welfare besides. Ahem.

Umm,,, immigration IS legal. Read post above for more...

That's what I was thinking...

Imagine when they threw that switch and put that drain on the grid. All the lights in the country would go dim - at least until the fence was completely powered up.

Imagine when they threw that switch and put that drain on the grid. All the lights in the country would go dim - at least until the fence was completely powered up.
Solar panels?

They would just get shocked. So, no, it wouldn't be that easy to get across.
Well, my point was that the Mexicans who are trying to get across are desperate. The fences will surely get damaged by people trying to get across, because many of these people are desperate enough to walk through a desert and risk dying of dehydration or heat. Some might try to use hedge clippers on the fence, and someone who owns a truck might try to drive his truck through the fence to help out some of his buddies. If we can make a hedge clipper/truck proof fence, then it would surely cost too much to be worth it in the first place.

Umm,,, immigration IS legal. Read post above for more...

But the papers going through and the processes take far too long for anyone to really have motivation to do it that way, when they could just hop the border. So they get deported...so what? They're back where they started.

Solar panels?

Nope.

Nope.
Why not?

Of course... "don't buy suvs"... such a wonderful solution. Only problem is it assumes there are no people with families to take care of or businesses to run. A better idea would be "don't buy a Hummer when a CRV will work just fine".

Also, I don't know where this misconception that all Americans are rich with endless wealth and spend their evenings burning money with no care as all they have to do in the morning is walk out back and pick a few hundreds from their money trees and say "look dear, the money tree is in full bloom. Shall I go purchase another island? We only have twenty" got started or how it spread across Europe, but it's a lie and regardless of how much less we may pay for gas, it still hurts us financially. I sometimes has trouble scraping up the $30 to fill up my Civic, which is twice what it cost to fill up when I bought it.
It doesn't drive us to the poorhouse, but it certainly puts a noticeable strain on our budgets.

Why not?

To have enough solar power to power an electric fence that size, you would have to lay more solar panels than have ever been produced. The cost of making that fence solar powered would be so astronomical that even the US government would have trouble writing out that check.

To have enough solar power to power an electric fence that size, you would have to lay more solar panels than have ever been produced. The cost of making that fence solar powered would be so astronomical that even the US government would have trouble writing out that check.

No trouble whatsoever in writing the check. They write checks without having the funds all the time.

Of course... "don't buy suvs"... such a wonderful solution. Only problem is it assumes there are no people with families to take care of or businesses to run. A better idea would be "don't buy a Hummer when a CRV will work just fine".

Also, I don't know where this misconception that all Americans are rich with endless wealth and spend their evenings burning money with no care as all they have to do in the morning is walk out back and pick a few hundreds from their money trees and say "look dear, the money tree is in full bloom. Shall I go purchase another island? We only have twenty" got started or how it spread across Europe, but it's a lie and regardless of how much less we may pay for gas, it still hurts us financially. I sometimes has trouble scraping up the $30 to fill up my Civic, which is twice what it cost to fill up when I bought it.
It doesn't drive us to the poorhouse, but it certainly puts a noticeable strain on our budgets.

Everything you said is perfectly true...and - as an added bonus - your post made me laugh. I applaud you.
It takes me 30+ bucks to fill up my Jetta, which is incredibly gas efficient...but when I bought it 3 years ago, I could fill it up for 15-20 tops.

No trouble whatsoever in writing the check. They write checks without having the funds all the time.

I don't suppose I can argue with that.

Of course... "don't buy suvs"... such a wonderful solution. Only problem is it assumes there are no people with families to take care of or businesses to run. A better idea would be "don't buy a Hummer when a CRV will work just fine".

Also, I don't know where this misconception that all Americans are rich with endless wealth and spend their evenings burning money with no care as all they have to do in the morning is walk out back and pick a few hundreds from their money trees and say "look dear, the money tree is in full bloom. Shall I go purchase another island? We only have twenty" got started or how it spread across Europe, but it's a lie and regardless of how much less we may pay for gas, it still hurts us financially. I sometimes has trouble scraping up the $30 to fill up my Civic, which is twice what it cost to fill up when I bought it.
It doesn't drive us to the poorhouse, but it certainly puts a noticeable strain on our budgets.
I realize that some people need SUVs for work and such, and even then there are ways to conserve gas. However, there are many suburbanites that drive SUVs when they really don't need to.

To have enough solar power to power an electric fence that size, you would have to lay more solar panels than have ever been produced. The cost of making that fence solar powered would be so astronomical that even the US government would have trouble writing out that check.
Perhaps the entire idea is idiotic? Unless you could build a nuclear power station to give it life.

I am writing this as a frustrated American who is deeply concerned about the state of affairs my nation is in, and about our national thought process as it relates to politics:

Seems to me like these days, we Americans expect the government to solve all of our problems. There's no more personal responsibility. There's the attitude that "well, we elected you, so you must have all the answers and all the solutions to our problems." This couldn't be more clear with the public's (and our government's) reaction to the high gas prices. You as an individual can do more to save money on gas than the government can do. Lose your SUV, drive less and more slowly, and move closer to work. Simple as that. I know it's easier said than done, but it's the best way. Instead, we demand cheap gas at no personal sacrifice, and we get crackpot, halfbrained "ideas" like $100 rebates and a tax on so-called windfall profits that I would expect some democrat to come up with. Instead, the Republicans are espousing these ridiculous "solutions", which is a testament to the sad parody that the Republican Party has become of the great and noble Republican Party that it once was.

It's like Ronald Reagan never even existed.
Theres nothing wrong with Americans. what are you, some sort of America hating liberal hippie?

Perhaps the entire idea is idiotic? Unless you could build a nuclear power station to give it life.

Yes. Bet you we could hire illegals to do the manual labor on the fence and the fission plant that it would take to support it. (It is a stupid idea, yes.)

Americans complain about *expensive* *gas* prices but europeans pay like double the Americans!!!
*End of rant*

Because we don't fucking care about you guys, we're mostly 'happy' that you guys get it worst then us. Then again, realistically, we just don't fucking care.

I can't stand non-Americans who bitch about gas prices and how Americans bitch about our gas prices. Hell, it is fairly high both here...and there...what'ya know?

Theres nothing wrong with Americans. what are you, some sort of America hating liberal hippie?

Cracking up here. Thanks for the daily dose of tea sucked down my windpipe. You win.

Theres nothing wrong with Americans. what are you, some sort of America hating liberal hippie?
Did you miss my nostalgic comments about the Republican Party and Ronald Reagan? Read again.

You will find idiots in every institution, organization, government and country you come across. The trouble is the ignorant and unreasonable regularly outnumber the sane, and like all majorities, they think they're in the right.

With a democracy you get the possibility of morons, simple as that.

Instead, the Republicans are espousing these ridiculous "solutions", which is a testament to the sad parody that the Republican Party has become of the great and noble Republican Party that it once was.

It's like Ronald Reagan never even existed.

And that sir is why I am no longer a Republican.

Because we don't fucking care about you guys, we're mostly 'happy' that you guys get it worst then us. Then again, realistically, we just don't fucking care.

I can't stand non-Americans who bitch about gas prices and how Americans bitch about our gas prices. Hell, it is fairly high both here...and there...what'ya know?

An isolationist in the 21st century.....hmmmmmmm

Tell me WHY do so many Americans drive large cars??? its so stupid! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I drive a Hummer because, I suppose I like to have 'the biggest car on the road'.

The REAL problem with Americans is complacency and apathy. Flow with the status quo, let sleeping dogs lie, bullshit mentality. Most Americans want change but do nothing to bring it about. So we have no one to blame but ourselves for having elected a criminal element into the White House. We have no one to blame but ourselves for driving gigantic useless cars that suck up $60 to $70 a tank.

If people stopped complaining about all the other trivial things that bother them and actually made changes for themselves, we would all be better off.

The problem with americans is that they're stupid and dumb and fat and are pooheads!

another problem is we focus on other countries we don't need to focus on.. we should only fucus about our own country.. do what's needed.. unless one of our allies is about to be blown up or something.. and we need to keep our country to ourself... be more independent.. NO we shouldn't have GB own us again

we have the right to complain about gas.. and we should.. yes it's stupid to get a huge car... that's that persons stupidness.. but i mean.. we have enough oil to make gas to last us at least 75-100 more years WITHOUT GETTING MORE.. the world isn't tapd yet.. we can get more to increse that to possibly 200 more years.. maybe even 300... then we're screwed...

Crime is a whole nother story... but unless we all get chips put into us to shock us to death if we do something against the law... i don't see that going away in any part of the world

I say the United States should allow Britian to own it......again
Nah, we should just turn Britain over to France or Germany.

Tell me WHY do so many Americans drive large cars??? its so stupid! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Comfort, we have more places to go than you do on your pathetic little island.

Americans complain about *expensive* *gas* prices but europeans pay like double the Americans!!!
*End of rant*
I heard that the taxes on your gas prices actually go to something useful, however.

The problem with americans is that they're stupid and dumb and fat and are pooheads!
*quietly removes the poo from my head and thinks long and hard about my life.*

Americans complain about *expensive* *gas* prices but europeans pay like double the Americans!!!
*End of rant*

But that's not the price of gas: that's the multiple dollars of taxes added on. The price of gas is in fact ridiculous; you just don't recognize it because you're used to paying more taxes at the pump than the cost of the gas itself.

Comfort, we have more places to go than you do on your pathetic little island.

No you just have more places. No reason to go to them as they are nearly all the same.

The price of gas is in fact ridiculous;

Erm... entirely subjective that. No one can objectively give a "fair" price for petrol.

And with petrol gradually running out, or at least available stocks not going up, while demand rises, added with the current tension in major oil suppliers, those prices are going to stay high for quite some time.


you just don't recognize it because you're used to paying more taxes at the pump than the cost of the gas itself.

Made us realise we should maybe invest in more efficient cars a lot earlier than the States... a fact which now means we are far less affected by current increases in oil prices..

The worst problem with the rising gas prices is that the people who use the most gas are better able to afford it. The rich SOB filling up his SUV may gripe about the price, but he can still drive his behemoth. Meanwhile the poor guy across town has to cancel his vacation because he can't afford the gas for his much smaller (but older and less efficient for its size) clunker.

I am writing this as a frustrated American who is deeply concerned about the state of affairs my nation is in, and about our national thought process as it relates to politics:

Seems to me like these days, we Americans expect the government to solve all of our problems. There's no more personal responsibility. There's the attitude that "well, we elected you, so you must have all the answers and all the solutions to our problems." This couldn't be more clear with the public's (and our government's) reaction to the high gas prices. You as an individual can do more to save money on gas than the government can do. Lose your SUV, drive less and more slowly, and move closer to work. Simple as that. I know it's easier said than done, but it's the best way. Instead, we demand cheap gas at no personal sacrifice, and we get crackpot, halfbrained "ideas" like $100 rebates and a tax on so-called windfall profits that I would expect some democrat to come up with. Instead, the Republicans are espousing these ridiculous "solutions", which is a testament to the sad parody that the Republican Party has become of the great and noble Republican Party that it once was.

It's like Ronald Reagan never even existed.

If you don't like the American way, then move.

No you just have more places. No reason to go to them as they are nearly all the same.

Not quite. Nice try though.

If you don't like the American way, then move.
Were not allowed to change anything!?! why have a congress then?

The rant begins here:
America is falling apart! Our schools spit out the dumbest kids in the industrialized world! They can't find anything on a map or say who the Speaker of the House is, and now California wants to force everyone to learn GLBT history when no one is passing any classes as it is! Our jobs are being outsourced like crazy and our Congress doesn't care they only want to get reelected so THEY don't get outsourced! Because so many are unemployed they just sit around and eat McDonald's and get fat! The young only care who wins American Idol and who Brad Pitt is going out with instead of if they are even going to have a country in five years. The illegal immigrants are freaking out across the Southwest because they want amnesty and citizenship even though they broke the law to get here! We can barely pay the 40 billion in social services that they receive in taxpayer support as it is! The state legislatures in the Northeast want to lower penalties for child-rape! WHAT ARE THEY THINKING! They obviously went to American public schools!
The rant ends here
Stupid American->:confused: :sniper: <-Me (American Patriot)

Don't like high gas prices? Drive less, drive more efficiently, and buy a smaller vehicle...you're not only saving yourself money, but you're also saving money for the people who don't have the luxury of buying a new car because of financial constraints. I hate to tell you, but government isn't going to solve this problem...their support for corn ethanol more than proves that to me. It's not the government that is making windmills appear in windy regions or solar panels on houses, or any of the other real investments in alternative energy...it's consumers and power producers pursuing the economically best choice. Government can help speed up the process, but it sure as hell can't solve it; that lies with consumers and producers.

The free market is how to solve gas prices. It drives technology, efficiency, and demand destruction, the three weapons of driving prices downward. The best thing about the free market is that the consumer has as much room to negotiate prices as the producer through demand regulation. Oil prices are not high because of gouging, maleficience, or anything else...they are high because we want constantly more oil, and the investments were not made to supply it due to low prices in the past. As commodity traders say, "It takes high prices to cure high prices, and it takes low prices to cure low prices".

! Our jobs are being outsourced like crazy and our Congress doesn't care they only want to get reelected so THEY don't get outsourced! Because so many are unemployed they just sit around and eat McDonald's and get fat!)

Actually, unemployment is at its lowest level in years, and is almost as low as it was during the dot com bubble. Outsourcing is dying out because the advantages of hiring in the US are getting much bigger than they were in 2000-2004...insourcing from abroad is becoming the new trend.

This is a transition point in American history; people that keep their skills competitive and who adapt to change will succeed and those that don't will fail...it's always been that way, with some times more in flux than others.

Well, it's the highest it's been in almost 20 years, and many people here drive big cars, so I suspect the average American pays more in gas than the average European.
I regret to say that an increasing number of Europeans drive SUVs too, but no, I really don't think that that Americans pay more. In every European country there is at least 100% tax on petrol (gasoline). (meaning that over half the price you pay goes to the government.)

Actually, unemployment is at its lowest level in years, Yes, because business is employing more part-time workers and temporary workers who make less money and recieve fewer if any benefits. The unemployment raw numbers do not tell the whole story.

And is almost as low as it was during the dot com bubble. Outsourcing is dying out because the advantages of hiring in the US are getting much bigger than they were in 2000-2004...insourcing from abroad is becoming the new trend.

Got anything to back that up? I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'd like to know how you reached that conclusion.

This is a transition point in American history; people that keep their skills competitive and who adapt to change will succeed and those that don't will fail...it's always been that way, with some times more in flux than others.

True, and governemnt, at it's base, is nothing more than a few people getting together to organize things that take more than just individuals to accomplish. Without a government, there is no border to protect. No one ever says, "why do we have a military, what, do you expect the government to protect you when the bad guys come?" Individuals acting independently can't really protect a sovereign nation.

So, in other words, there's a happy medium between a nanny state and a complete libertarian state. It's not a black and white, us vs. them issue. It's more complex than that.

Nah, we should just turn Britain over to France or Germany.
And let them wussify it? Remember these are the homo's that wouldn't help you turn Iraq into a bloodsoaked sandbox.

Problem? EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( I say this as an american, though, to be fair, there is a small portion of people in america who are nice)

Us Americans like simple solutions, even if the don't actually work.

For example, many politicians are proposing to build a fence across the border to prevent illegal immigration. They are doing this just to get votes in November, but people are actually buying in to this because it is so simple. Seriously, a fence? That wont keep them out.

The millions of variations of weight loss pills are also another example of this. Americans want to lose weight, but not if it means inconvenient lifetstyle changes. Controlling what you eat and exercising is one way to lose weight, but it is too hard so why not just plop a phony pill in your mouth after you eat?

I know, it needs to be a three-layered wall like Congress proposed.

Im a turk living in turkiye...
Just pass the southeast border and you are in Irak, Iran etc... where you can swim in petrol

AAaNNND:
...We pay 5 times price for gas than americans...

Give me just one reason to not to hate all arabians, english and american?
:p A few months ago our energy minister told us that there is no need for solar and wind power because its expensive, he told that he talked good and long with BP(british petrol) and we should stick with petrol. :headbang:

I dont hate americans, I hate entire human race equally :fluffle: :sniper:

The problem is not peoples race religion etc problem is IGNORANCE
I hate everyone that does not care about their countries problems as their own and do something SMART about it. going and wearing nazi arm band is an ignorant response to your nations problems. When I say smart, I mean people should learn to solve problems with intelligance and wisdom instead of bashing each other. Just like topic entrance says people must take personal responsibility.
In my country for example if I could have gathered people into acting, I would immediately have forced the resignation of that energy minister. I hate to just watch, but peope are just so deeply illusioned by obtaining more money and nothing else.
politicians and their media watchdogs just put a football match, a serie to tv, magazine about supermodels and VIPs or just put some dumb discussion about sex or religion so everyone is dazed and dumbed and important matters are just forgotten until its too late to act.

I say the United States should allow Britian to own it......again

Brilliant idea, that. Shall we all come home to the motherland right now?

Oh, right. There's all those people who are NOT of British descent in the US of A.

Say, while we're at it, why don't we give it back to the Dutch. They were here first. Or how about the Native Americans?

Or how 'bout Britain tries to get some of their other former colonies back, that should be worth a laugh or two.

(What British person MISSPELLS "Britian"?)

And let them wussify it? Remember these are the homo's that wouldn't help you turn Iraq into a bloodsoaked sandbox.

I am pretty much convinced that they are already wussified.

The problem with americans is that they're stupid and dumb and fat and are pooheads!

The problem with trolls is they have such pottymouthes.

Americans complain about *expensive* *gas* prices but europeans pay like double the Americans!!!
*End of rant*
Well I'm glad that didn't go on for too long!
I was getting bored already! :mad:

Not quite. Nice try though.

Actually where I am, we have as far to go, but we don't need to use big gas guzzlers. So it has to be something about the destination and not the journey.

Brilliant idea, that. Shall we all come home to the motherland right now?

Oh, right. There's all those people who are NOT of British descent in the US of A.

Say, while we're at it, why don't we give it back to the Dutch. They were here first. Or how about the Native Americans?

Or how 'bout Britain tries to get some of their other former colonies back, that should be worth a laugh or two.

(What British person MISSPELLS "Britian"?)
One who makes typos?
AndI don't think the idea was meant to be taken all that seriously.

Yes, because business is employing more part-time workers and temporary workers who make less money and recieve fewer if any benefits. The unemployment raw numbers do not tell the whole story.

Not as much as they did a few years ago; there are two major points to support this:

1. The decline in employment in temporary employment agencies
2. The decline in the marginal attachment rate (the most inclusive measure of employment); that means more workers are fully employed rather than working part time.

Increases in real wages in most skilled occupations also lends credence to this argument; however, manufacturing has lagged which suggests the bulk of part time employment is occuring here. The strongest growth is in finance/business, computer programming/design, utilities and information.

The weakest is in full time retail, shipping, and nondurable manufacturing; all of these are likely the source of most part time transitioning.

Got anything to back that up? I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'd like to know how you reached that conclusion.

It depends on what statistic you use and when you date the "bubble" from. Generally, the date varies from 1997/1998 for the start and 2000 for the end. So, if we use that:

Headline unemployment is at its 1998 level, along with the other unemployment indicators except the total unemployment count; this may be distorted, however, due to the trend since late 2000 of part-time manufacturing rather than full time. However, employment-population and participation are still lagging their levels in the 1990's; however, some of this is due to demographics and some of it is due to faster organic growth. Some of it is also due to the more part time nature of certain industries.

Financial services, business services/management, utilities, certain types of wholesale trade, and the mining sector (which includes oil/gas industries) are all well above their previous peak in 2000, and employment in computer services and information is close to its 1998 level, although telecoms have lagged due to heavy merger-related layoffs. Manufacturing is still far below its 1998 peak, and probably won't recover since the 1998 peak was less than the prior one, and had been trending down since the 80's.

The most accurate thing to say is that organic employment growth is at levels comparable to the 1997/1998 period; however, some growth is being suppressed by productivity improvements and some of it by mergers and accqusitions that artificially reduce employment. It might be better to compare 2007 or 2008 than 2006, but overall the market is getting far healthier than it was in 2001-2004.




True, and governemnt, at it's base, is nothing more than a few people getting together to organize things that take more than just individuals to accomplish. Without a government, there is no border to protect. No one ever says, "why do we have a military, what, do you expect the government to protect you when the bad guys come?" Individuals acting independently can't really protect a sovereign nation.

So, in other words, there's a happy medium between a nanny state and a complete libertarian state. It's not a black and white, us vs. them issue. It's more complex than that.

I'd have to agree; a balance has to be struck between the free market and government since neither works efficiently or perfectly on their own. If you achieve the right blend, they both work to the optimum level they can...there's no clear cut line and it really is a trial and error option that requires commitment from all involved. Giving up or stagnating just don't work.

Brilliant idea, that. Shall we all come home to the motherland right now?

Oh, right. There's all those people who are NOT of British descent in the US of A.

Say, while we're at it, why don't we give it back to the Dutch. They were here first. Or how about the Native Americans?

Or how 'bout Britain tries to get some of their other former colonies back, that should be worth a laugh or two.

(What British person MISSPELLS "Britian"?)

Then USA belongs to Spain at first place :p

I have people like this one in my country too, missing those old imperial days. How would you like if we Turks just took back north africa, all the middle east, balkans till the doors of Vienna, and all the other places till India?
Or lets go further into past and we would get all asia, the lands which are now china and russia were once turkish kingdoms.
And 5000 years ago where now is spain, france and lots of Eu countries there were European Hun Empire ruled by Mete Khan. :p

We have an anonymous saying is turkish, although we have our number of dreamers and scientists it goes like this ''fuck the one who lives on just dreams' and another is ''hungry chicken dreams itself in the barn full of wheat''
So what Im trying to say is dont be an ignorant bastard. WORLD CHANGES, accept it and instead of dreaming ll the time of all empires get your ass moving AND DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR YOUR COUNTRY

Dont just hunger over land you wont be able to govern properly. Im against imperialists in my country because I know that we dont even use 1 percent of our potential. So why should we or you take and lie over land that we wolnt be able to govern properly. Whats the reason to conquer if you cant improve the land and people? Its just wasted land. IM glad that america is independent and not just a dumb colony of England or they would have never gotten this rich or powerful. I just wish instead of wasting resources over a war they cant win in Irak they would use that money for their countries good.
US is spending so much money outside country its debts are incredible and it has risk to fall into hands of chinese economically. Because they hold too much dollars and can control its value better than americans do. Everything that americans buy in Walmart is making china stronger.

ENGLAND SUCKS! BURN THE UNION JACK!:gundge:

I'd have to agree; a balance has to be struck between the free market and government since neither works efficiently or perfectly on their own. If you achieve the right blend, they both work to the optimum level they can...there's no clear cut line and it really is a trial and error option that requires commitment from all involved. Giving up or stagnating just don't work.

I wondered when people would go and figure it out.

ENGLAND SUCKS! BURN THE UNION JACK!

Why? Why not the English flag, the cross of St George?

We're pretty easy to get along with as long as you don't bomb our skyscrapers or try to rob us.

another problem is we focus on other countries we don't need to focus on.. we should only fucus about our own country.. do what's needed.. unless one of our allies is about to be blown up or something.. and we need to keep our country to ourself... be more independent.. NO we shouldn't have GB own us again

we have the right to complain about gas.. and we should.. yes it's stupid to get a huge car... that's that persons stupidness.. but i mean.. we have enough oil to make gas to last us at least 75-100 more years WITHOUT GETTING MORE.. the world isn't tapd yet.. we can get more to increse that to possibly 200 more years.. maybe even 300... then we're screwed...

Crime is a whole nother story... but unless we all get chips put into us to shock us to death if we do something against the law... i don't see that going away in any part of the world
An isolationist, then?
The REAL problem with Americans is complacency and apathy. Flow with the status quo, let sleeping dogs lie, bullshit mentality. Most Americans want change but do nothing to bring it about. So we have no one to blame but ourselves for having elected a criminal element into the White House. We have no one to blame but ourselves for driving gigantic useless cars that suck up $60 to $70 a tank.

If people stopped complaining about all the other trivial things that bother them and actually made changes for themselves, we would all be better off.
Well, yeah, that too kind of. People need to follow the news instead of watching "Lost", or "American Idol" or some other bullshit like that.

If you don't like the American way, then move.
And what, pray tell me, is the American way? Complaining and irresponsibility?

Don't like high gas prices? Drive less, drive more efficiently, and buy a smaller vehicle...you're not only saving yourself money, but you're also saving money for the people who don't have the luxury of buying a new car because of financial constraints. I hate to tell you, but government isn't going to solve this problem...their support for corn ethanol more than proves that to me. It's not the government that is making windmills appear in windy regions or solar panels on houses, or any of the other real investments in alternative energy...it's consumers and power producers pursuing the economically best choice. Government can help speed up the process, but it sure as hell can't solve it; that lies with consumers and producers.

The free market is how to solve gas prices. It drives technology, efficiency, and demand destruction, the three weapons of driving prices downward. The best thing about the free market is that the consumer has as much room to negotiate prices as the producer through demand regulation. Oil prices are not high because of gouging, maleficience, or anything else...they are high because we want constantly more oil, and the investments were not made to supply it due to low prices in the past. As commodity traders say, "It takes high prices to cure high prices, and it takes low prices to cure low prices".
I couldn't have put it better myself. Thank you.
Im a turk living in turkiye...
Just pass the southeast border and you are in Irak, Iran etc... where you can swim in petrol

AAaNNND:
...We pay 5 times price for gas than americans...

Give me just one reason to not to hate all arabians, english and american?
A few months ago our energy minister told us that there is no need for solar and wind power because its expensive, he told that he talked good and long with BP(british petrol) and we should stick with petrol.

I dont hate americans, I hate entire human race equally

The problem is not peoples race religion etc problem is IGNORANCE
I hate everyone that does not care about their countries problems as their own and do something SMART about it. going and wearing nazi arm band is an ignorant response to your nations problems. When I say smart, I mean people should learn to solve problems with intelligance and wisdom instead of bashing each other. Just like topic entrance says people must take personal responsibility.
In my country for example if I could have gathered people into acting, I would immediately have forced the resignation of that energy minister. I hate to just watch, but peope are just so deeply illusioned by obtaining more money and nothing else.
politicians and their media watchdogs just put a football match, a serie to tv, magazine about supermodels and VIPs or just put some dumb discussion about sex or religion so everyone is dazed and dumbed and important matters are just forgotten until its too late to act.
Well, I'm glad that at least you saw the light. I do agree that too many people care about things that don't matter, like sports or movie stars, rather than what their own government is doing. It's sad, really.