best thing i have read in a very long time....

[John T]

@Peter A: "The bigger issue I see is how to sustain a work ethic in society, and the cultural ramifications of these changes" No words spoken truer. One attempts to ride the flow of change. However if a person has deep rooted convictions, a strong foundational approach and a specific philosophical direction. You can throw that "flow of change" BS out the window! I respect anyone to live their life as they choose. I really don't care. But don't throw that same BS back at me to believe men who choose to live as a female should be able to compete in women sports. I recently saw a congress woman state men can lactate! Lunacy! I made a donation to a university, it was a photography collection. National Geo type of work. I was interviewed by the students. These are not bad kids but I discovered that they are not taught. More of an indoctrination. Maybe not taught at home either? My idea of teaching sociological issues is to present two separate points of view and you decide which make sense. This is not the case within academia. They leave these universities with little to no realistic life skills. Also with a unrealistic understanding of the world. I got more out of the US Army, than any university could ever provide. Didn't even realize it back then. Moral fabric is disintegrating before our eyes...John

 

[John T]

@Leekg: "I know many of you like to believe that your hard work and savvy are the reasons for your success" That's exactly right! Hard work and Savvy! Corporate tax laws should be restructured. BTW am I supposed to be impressed with your humble cow milking days? Pharma Patents: Talk about a racket. "The gaps between the lines on this graph is allowing the purchase of some nice audio gear" Interesting perspective. And I am attempting to be polite. Sure, perhaps impose an audio component tax to help the disadvantaged. This way we would be pulling our weight and lowering our guilt.
I encourage you all to read a little about The Economic Policy Institute. Just to see how you align with this Think Tank. The codirector Gar Alperovitz is the author America Beyond Capitalism. He also coauthored Two Essays Toward A New American Socialism. Ideas to make the United States a "Fairer" Nation. Supposedly its a NONPROFIT, NONPARTISAN group (sure it is) some ambiguity in regards to that. You think! Little did you know your audio purchasing is creating inequality....John

 

[Folsom]

I don't understand what's so complicated with "if the work gets done, the work gets done"... There are a lot of places where working at home is nice because of commute but the workers actually work significantly harder due to all the ridiculous metrics and pushes for accountability - often for jobs that don't compensate for that level of work.

From my point of view development on policy on these things are just creating structures so it's easier for employers to fire or bully employees since the lines in the sand will be drawn.

Everyone thinks that people aren't going back to work because everyone is "hiring"... That's not accurate. All the places that took covid loans have to perpetually be hiring or have a position filled to stay compliant with loan conditions. Countless places have realized they can run skeleton crews for more profit so long as the people working are under the impression they're hiring.

I'd be careful with saying "everything would be better if the wage slaves went back to work" in any fashion... A big fuck you is the nicest thing you're going to get.

 

[Alrainbow]

I don't understand what's so complicated with "if the work gets done, the work gets done"... There are a lot of places where working at home is nice because of commute but the workers actually work significantly harder due to all the ridiculous metrics and pushes for accountability - often for jobs that don't compensate for that level of work.

From my point of view development on policy on these things are just creating structures so it's easier for employers to fire or bully employees since the lines in the sand will be drawn.

Everyone thinks that people aren't going back to work because everyone is "hiring"... That's not accurate. All the places that took covid loans have to perpetually be hiring or have a position filled to stay compliant with loan conditions. Countless places have realized they can run skeleton crews for more profit so long as the people working are under the impression they're hiring.

I'd be careful with saying "everything would be better if the wage slaves went back to work" in any fashion... A big fuck you is the nicest thing you're going to get.

Your point is let the wage earners divide be larger.
bigger corps bigger profits and less for most below. i can’t see how anyone starting can compete with big corps. norm start ups and even typical less then 100 employees are killed off. john has very valid points as do you. But both views are from very different vantage points. a simple compare goes like this
lets use China or India as an example do there workers ever get to become large corps in there countries ? You know the answer
it’s a stacked situation but if Your on the better side it’s great.
now please don’t curse me as you did to john it’s really not nice. lets hate in kind words please.

 

[Folsom]

Your point is let the wage earners divide be larger.
bigger corps bigger profits and less for most below. i can’t see how anyone starting can compete with big corps. norm start ups and even typical less then 100 employees are killed off. john has very valid points as do you. But both views are from very different vantage points. a simple compare goes like this
lets use China or India as an example do there workers ever get to become large corps in there countries ? You know the answer
it’s a stacked situation but if Your on the better side it’s great.
now please don’t curse me as you did to john it’s really not nice. lets hate in kind words please.

I never read John’s posts. They’re uniparagraphed. In fact I only read yours because it quoted me. Usually I don’t have the wherewithal to get through your poetry style.

 

[Alrainbow]

I never read John’s posts. They’re uniparagraphed. In fact I only read yours because it quoted me. Usually I don’t have the wherewithal to get through your poetry style.

Looky here I’m one up on john
did not see that coming
shit this means you won’t read this either
ok so I won’t comment on the praise for you Not lol

 

[Gregm]

Are you talking about the support benefits for Musk or low income workers? From the tone on this thread I'll guess the later. Correct me if I'm wrong.

You guessed right, I was referring to the latter -- but as I live in Europe the social benefits system is wide and supportive (i.e. free medical care, schools, unemployment benefits, single parents, etc), but abuse & crises, enable governments to start cut-backs. As usual, these have questionable long-term financial benefits but have immediate term hardship for lower incomes.

It's interesting, and discouraging, that so much attention is given to lower income social benefits while benefits for high income groups are ignored. The tax code is full of breaks for the wealthy, add in patents, copyrights, and trademarks, labor laws that make unionization difficult or impossible, courts that historically favor those with resources to hire representation - the list is long.

I agree that these small details go unheaded.
But also don;t think that ti will ever change very much.
But then, all we need is a tiny change.
A minute additional contribution from someone like E. Musk, would make a sizeable difference to very many other people.

How about just 1 (one) extra euro out of every thousand
How about

 

[Leekg]

You guessed right, I was referring to the latter -- but as I live in Europe the social benefits system is wide and supportive (i.e. free medical care, schools, unemployment benefits, single parents, etc), but abuse & crises, enable governments to start cut-backs. As usual, these have questionable long-term financial benefits but have immediate term hardship for lower incomes.

I agree that these small details go unheaded.
But also don;t think that ti will ever change very much.
But then, all we need is a tiny change.
A minute additional contribution from someone like E. Musk, would make a sizeable difference to very many other people.

How about just 1 (one) extra euro out of every thousand

Well said. Lots of upside here in the U.S. if we pivot a few policies to putting our people first. We can shave a few feet off the next flotilla of private yachts and they won't even notice.

 

[PeterA]

Well said. Lots of upside here in the U.S. if we pivot a few policies to putting our people first. We can shave a few feet off the next flotilla of private yachts and they won't even notice.

It always starts small and with good intentions. Then,....

 

[ddk]

Well said. Lots of upside here in the U.S. if we pivot a few policies to putting our people first. We can shave a few feet off the next flotilla of private yachts and they won't even notice.

Partially agree with you on policies to take care of Americans in need and not illegals! People have a right to their yachts and private property irrespective of financial status, not yours to give away! There are too many free stuff already!

david

 

[John T]

@Leekg : With all do respect if your going to show graphs from the Economic Policy Institute at least understand the agenda. What is your point? Wealth/Success is bad? Corporate success is bad? Is everyone supposed to be at the same economic level? Am I supposed to feel guilt because I became successful? Please help me here because I am confused? Had to edit because I thought you were from Europe.

 

[Leekg]

Ok, you three win. I'm going to watch "Wall Street" a few more times and see if it sticks.

PS: My granddaughters will be damn disappointed in me if it does!

 

[PeterA]

Ok, you three win. I'm going to watch "Wall Street" a few more times and see if it sticks.

PS: My granddaughters will be damn disappointed in me if it does!

I have two daughters in college and someday hope to have grandchildren. I want them to be self-reliant and independent benefitting from all the opportunities available to them. I do not want them to be dependent on another person or the government. And I do not want them being taught or told that they are not responsible for the own actions or success.

 

[Alrainbow]

This comment I’m thinking may confuse some even more then my typical misspellings and ramblings
try not to hate or be mislead to dislike the immigrants or illegals
most would do as they do.
I think instead we should be going after our government for using them as a Pawn.
if you take a step back just a little they are the next gen to improve here ! How or why well most all who start out this way learn our sysyem and become not just workers but owners here
they want the door closed as some of we do. many of the now generation are way too busy telling elders we owe them
ever heard any of the ones here not legal or immigrant’s waiting to become a citizen say that. i don’t think so.
As we ponder on who is possibly a racist or what ever makes you feel the hate of others. The elected government is killing not just our country but the global community in general

 

[treitz3]

Gentlemen, please. While we appreciate the passion, this is a friendly reminder that politics is one thing that is against the TOS. There are a plethora of avenues elsewhere to discuss politics. The What's Best Forum is not one of them.

Recent posts are teetering closer and closer toward crossing that line.

Tom

 

[BlueFox]

What does any of this have to do with working from home "destroying society from the inside out"?

 

[ddk]

This comment I’m thinking may confuse some even more then my typical misspellings and ramblings
try not to hate or be mislead to dislike the immigrants or illegals
most would do as they do.
I think instead we should be going after our government for using them as a Pawn.
if you take a step back just a little they are the next gen to improve here ! How or why well most all who start out this way learn our sysyem and become not just workers but owners here
they want the door closed as some of we do. many of the now generation are way too busy telling elders we owe them
ever heard any of the ones here not legal or immigrant’s waiting to become a citizen say that. i don’t think so.
As we ponder on who is possibly a racist or what ever makes you feel the hate of others. The elected government is killing not just our country but the global community in general

Hi Al, my criticism was of the system and those managing and manipulating it. I very much agree with your last statement but international community is also directly involved! The rest of it is very complex and this thread isn’t the place to discuss it.
david

 

[tima]

This comment I’m thinking may confuse some even more then my typical misspellings and ramblings
try not to hate or be mislead to dislike the immigrants or illegals
most would do as they do.

The United States has done more to lift people out of poverty and given them an opportunity at a better life. That statement crosses no line.

 

[morricab]

The United States has done more to lift people out of poverty and given them an opportunity at a better life. That statement crosses no line.

As they say with financial instruments, the same is true of societies; “Past performance is not indicative of future performance “ or something along those lines…

 

[tima]

As they say with financial instruments, the same is true of societies; “Past performance is not indicative of future performance “ or something along those lines…

I don't know any truths about the correlation of societies with financial instruments. I do know that past performance is indicative of possible performance whereas the absence of past performance is indicative of nothing.