Aa
Now I know what is wrong with Congress
There are now 71 openly Socialist members of Congress. They call themselves the Congressional Progressive Caucus. I'm sure you have heard the group 'liberals' substituted with the word ' progressives' in the main stream media dialogue. Now we know why...they have to take baby steps to introduce socialism to America and they have been doing so for decades. It looks to me as though socialism is coming to fruition very quickly now. Soon they will be able to say Socialist quite openly because the majority of the people will be getting "free" gifts from the Federal Government which Obama has promised to rebuild on the backs of the Middle Class people.
If anyone gets offended with that last statement please remember that Obama said it - Im just reminding you....and he didn't say "on our backs" but thats what it will be. He knows he will never get enough money from taxing the elite group of wealthy people in America. But I digress. A quote from article proclaiming the victory of the Congressional Progressive Caucus: " Don’t be fooled by their districts. The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is not a tiny faction of lawmakers representing radical university towns and well-heeled chardonnay sippers on the Left Coast. With the control of Congress formally shifting to the Democratic Party last month, the CPC is growing in size and influence. It is shifting into high gear and intends to bring its revolutionary vision to all of America."
http://www.humanevents.com/2007/03/13/fringeleft-democrats-wield-new-influence/
I think it's okay to be very afraid now.
If anyone gets offended with that last statement please remember that Obama said it - Im just reminding you....and he didn't say "on our backs" but thats what it will be. He knows he will never get enough money from taxing the elite group of wealthy people in America. But I digress. A quote from article proclaiming the victory of the Congressional Progressive Caucus: " Don’t be fooled by their districts. The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is not a tiny faction of lawmakers representing radical university towns and well-heeled chardonnay sippers on the Left Coast. With the control of Congress formally shifting to the Democratic Party last month, the CPC is growing in size and influence. It is shifting into high gear and intends to bring its revolutionary vision to all of America."
http://www.humanevents.com/2007/03/13/fringeleft-democrats-wield-new-influence/
I think it's okay to be very afraid now.
"And yes Barb, it should be illegal, but there's no way to do it without the world economy collapsing. "
"If you want our country to prosper, than you keep your money here."
"If you complain about the finances of this country, then know how your money being in an overseas account may contribute to the problem."
I know these comments were made by 2 different people, but aren't they something of a double standard? Isn't the world economy, somewhat dependent on ours and ours on it?
On one hand, keeping our money here is best, but if we do, we'll destroy the world economy; yet putting money in offshore accounts and/or investing in foreign companies (and making money), is somehow obscene. It can't be both ways...........
There are a lot of people who have investments in foreign entities, via mutual funds and they don't even know it. That, in no way, makes them bad people or selfish. I'm even older than SM and I don't have a lot of investments; my money is right here in the good ole US of A and I don't see that that's done a lot to help our economy (of course, it's only "pocket change" for many).
It seems that when people work hard and do a good job managing their money, they are made out to be "bad guys", because there are still poor people....... there has always been, and there will always be, poor people; some through no fault of their own (illness, handicaps, etc), others because they squander what they make. It's not up to those who work hard, save and invest to take care of those who could work hard, save and invest, but choose not to. It's only right to care for those who can't (vs won't) care for themselves and nobody is begrudging that care.
"If you want our country to prosper, than you keep your money here."
"If you complain about the finances of this country, then know how your money being in an overseas account may contribute to the problem."
I know these comments were made by 2 different people, but aren't they something of a double standard? Isn't the world economy, somewhat dependent on ours and ours on it?
On one hand, keeping our money here is best, but if we do, we'll destroy the world economy; yet putting money in offshore accounts and/or investing in foreign companies (and making money), is somehow obscene. It can't be both ways...........
There are a lot of people who have investments in foreign entities, via mutual funds and they don't even know it. That, in no way, makes them bad people or selfish. I'm even older than SM and I don't have a lot of investments; my money is right here in the good ole US of A and I don't see that that's done a lot to help our economy (of course, it's only "pocket change" for many).
It seems that when people work hard and do a good job managing their money, they are made out to be "bad guys", because there are still poor people....... there has always been, and there will always be, poor people; some through no fault of their own (illness, handicaps, etc), others because they squander what they make. It's not up to those who work hard, save and invest to take care of those who could work hard, save and invest, but choose not to. It's only right to care for those who can't (vs won't) care for themselves and nobody is begrudging that care.
OH, you know I've always liked you and I really enjoyed your post here. Partly because it is so very true that in a place like the CE where you take "a side" it is very easy to jump to conclusions about people or see them as black and white when in reality we are all grey. We all believe things in varying degrees but when we write, it can come off as only seeing things one way. I'm sure the misconceptions about me and my belief system are pretty huge based on how I write things in the heat of the moment here.
I want to clarify that I don't have any money outside the us per se, I invest with an American mutual fund company that has some global funds in its mix. I have probably 10+ mutual funds with the same company American based company. Each fund is a little different with the premise that you pool your money with others and the risk is spread across many companies so you are safer (I guess. . . in all honesty, money/finances are NOT my thing and my eyes glaze over whenever anyone tries to seriously talk to me about it. My husband likes it.)
We are not rich people. Yes, we are lucky enough. I worked for many years and we didn't have kids until later which helped us put away a nest egg (the investments I speak of) because we've always lived on as little as possible. Lately we haven't been able to save a whole lot but still try.
Eee gads. I'm going on and on. Sorry.
Happy thanksgiving to you and your family OH>
I want to clarify that I don't have any money outside the us per se, I invest with an American mutual fund company that has some global funds in its mix. I have probably 10+ mutual funds with the same company American based company. Each fund is a little different with the premise that you pool your money with others and the risk is spread across many companies so you are safer (I guess. . . in all honesty, money/finances are NOT my thing and my eyes glaze over whenever anyone tries to seriously talk to me about it. My husband likes it.)
We are not rich people. Yes, we are lucky enough. I worked for many years and we didn't have kids until later which helped us put away a nest egg (the investments I speak of) because we've always lived on as little as possible. Lately we haven't been able to save a whole lot but still try.
Eee gads. I'm going on and on. Sorry.
Happy thanksgiving to you and your family OH>
"Sometimes OH, I think you'd be happy in a utopian society and the very idea of some being poor (through their lack of effort . . . and that IS the case for some) while some are rich (no matter that it was through their OWN effort) is unethical to you. "
I understand how you can think this from reading my words here.
You are right, I would love to live in an utopian society. My ideal would be a world which is self sustaining,with clean air, healthy food, no war, a place where people share and care.
However, "the idea that some are poor through no lack of effort and others are rich is unethical to me . " Isn't true. I don't find it unethical but I can understand how you could think that by what I sometimes write.
I don't believe in Socialism ( except for things like the library system) because it isn't real and it doesn't work.
There are inequalities in the world, in nature. Its factual and actual.
What bothers me is not that there is a gap between the rich and the poor but that the gap has grown so huge with the smallest 1% of 1% gobbling up all while many have none.
As far as you or anyone else for that matter, doing what they want with their money, I say, just be aware. That's what I aim for, awareness.
If you complain about the finances of this country, then know how your money being in an overseas account may contribute to the problem.
Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving. I'm off tomorrow to see my mom:)
I understand how you can think this from reading my words here.
You are right, I would love to live in an utopian society. My ideal would be a world which is self sustaining,with clean air, healthy food, no war, a place where people share and care.
However, "the idea that some are poor through no lack of effort and others are rich is unethical to me . " Isn't true. I don't find it unethical but I can understand how you could think that by what I sometimes write.
I don't believe in Socialism ( except for things like the library system) because it isn't real and it doesn't work.
There are inequalities in the world, in nature. Its factual and actual.
What bothers me is not that there is a gap between the rich and the poor but that the gap has grown so huge with the smallest 1% of 1% gobbling up all while many have none.
As far as you or anyone else for that matter, doing what they want with their money, I say, just be aware. That's what I aim for, awareness.
If you complain about the finances of this country, then know how your money being in an overseas account may contribute to the problem.
Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving. I'm off tomorrow to see my mom:)
If you want our country to prosper, than you keep your money here.
Think about it...there's little incentive (in some cases) to keep money here. Look at the example of my husband's friend who wanted to go with an American made product...not only did he find out it was going to hinder his production, it was actually impossible.
If you won the lotto tomorrow, $250,000, and you could earn 1% in an American bank, and 10% in a Cayman bank, you're telling me you would choose the American bank out of principle? (If you say yes, I may give you many winkie faces...lol) If this country wants people to keep their money here, they need to make it more lucrative to do so. You can call that greed, I call it looking out for one's own financial well being.
You already have wealthy people taking their money elsewhere for this very reason, THEN you're going to make them pay more in taxes, what do you think is going to happen? They're going to keep even less money here. That's counterproductive.
Hey, it would be great if, out of principle, people could choose "American", but it often doesn't benefit people, and people HAVE to look out for their own interests..if people stopped doing that, you have even MORE people who cannot sustain themselves, and who may eventually become dependent on gov't help.
Think about it...there's little incentive (in some cases) to keep money here. Look at the example of my husband's friend who wanted to go with an American made product...not only did he find out it was going to hinder his production, it was actually impossible.
If you won the lotto tomorrow, $250,000, and you could earn 1% in an American bank, and 10% in a Cayman bank, you're telling me you would choose the American bank out of principle? (If you say yes, I may give you many winkie faces...lol) If this country wants people to keep their money here, they need to make it more lucrative to do so. You can call that greed, I call it looking out for one's own financial well being.
You already have wealthy people taking their money elsewhere for this very reason, THEN you're going to make them pay more in taxes, what do you think is going to happen? They're going to keep even less money here. That's counterproductive.
Hey, it would be great if, out of principle, people could choose "American", but it often doesn't benefit people, and people HAVE to look out for their own interests..if people stopped doing that, you have even MORE people who cannot sustain themselves, and who may eventually become dependent on gov't help.
Well, may be desrt. However, most anyone that has investments of any sort will have something global for diversification. I have all my mutual funds with one company (which has America in its name) and within that, there are different funds. Some are global and what is in them change on and off based on what the fund manager does. (I guess . . . from what i understand).
I'm not some rich lady here . . . my dad was a saver and an invester of what he saved. Go figure that I married a man very much like this. He has my two boys earn money, save it in a bank, when the bank is full--- they take a third to the bank, a third goes to our church or if something is going on at school charity wise and they get to use the last third to buy something for themselves. They go to the bank and go through the whole process. And he had them each buy some shares of stock in a company that is headquartered here in our city. (my kids are 8 and 7).
I think some here would think that my husband is teaching my boys to be greedy but I'm happy that my kids are exposed to a tried and true method of being secure financially. I want that for them. And they may get a smaller 'toy' that they buy themselves but we show them how their bank account is growing instead. They are learning the trade off.
Well, anyway, I guess it is differences of opinion about these issues.
If they take away the ability to keep money in offshore accounts, I can live with that. But some other things proposed to make the wealthy pay more will hit a lot more than just the wealthy.
I'm not some rich lady here . . . my dad was a saver and an invester of what he saved. Go figure that I married a man very much like this. He has my two boys earn money, save it in a bank, when the bank is full--- they take a third to the bank, a third goes to our church or if something is going on at school charity wise and they get to use the last third to buy something for themselves. They go to the bank and go through the whole process. And he had them each buy some shares of stock in a company that is headquartered here in our city. (my kids are 8 and 7).
I think some here would think that my husband is teaching my boys to be greedy but I'm happy that my kids are exposed to a tried and true method of being secure financially. I want that for them. And they may get a smaller 'toy' that they buy themselves but we show them how their bank account is growing instead. They are learning the trade off.
Well, anyway, I guess it is differences of opinion about these issues.
If they take away the ability to keep money in offshore accounts, I can live with that. But some other things proposed to make the wealthy pay more will hit a lot more than just the wealthy.
One of the problems with global investments, and our whole concept of a global economy today, is the necessity of being a global military power to protect our interests. We sorta can't afford that right now, especially as some of our creditors/trading partners have the same ambitions.
The grandstanding in Burma and Cambodia about how much we looooove democracies, is more of the same that we've heard from every administration since the Banana Republics. We've never cared if the name was Gandhi or Pinochet as long as it was a safe place to invest.
The grandstanding in Burma and Cambodia about how much we looooove democracies, is more of the same that we've heard from every administration since the Banana Republics. We've never cared if the name was Gandhi or Pinochet as long as it was a safe place to invest.
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