“The owners of this country know the truth: It’s called the American dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.”
~ George Carlin
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“The owners of this country know the truth: It’s called the American dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.”
~ George Carlin
Filed under The Public Square
PrairiePopulistsAndProgressives.net 
Sadly, this is the case more and more in the US. I can’t even begin to imagine how the poor in this county even manage to hang on to any hope. And the Republicans are so removed from what’s going on at the lower economic levels in this country, they might as well be asleep.
Whether or not you agree with all or any of this report, it is a great read
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101216/bs_nm/us_usa_economy_special
A great place to start thinking about the reality of things.
Thank you for the link. There’s much there about which to think, and, speaking for myself solely, not much with which to disagree. I especially admired the one CEO for his frankness in saying what many are thinking, namely the goal is to not rehire the employees who lost their jobs. That hurts, I know; but it seems to be the most honest statement I’ve heard (read) in a while about the nature of things.
The major point I want to make is that we, as a country, are not going to get our butts out of this mess (if we can at all) without a great deal of pain. As pointed out, this is NOT what the political types want to say or recognize. While the focus needs to be in terms of decades, the political cycle is measured in months, and apparently all needed decisions are “made” with the short-term view, even though the same are contra to what needs to be done for the long term.
Again, thanks for the link. I commend it to the attention of others on the same basis as presented by the OP.
Every election cycle people say they want a candidate who is honest. But seriously, do we really think an honest person would have a snowball’s chance in hell to win the election?
Americans have been conditioned to be consumers – that is all – just consumers. There is very little actual manufacturing done in the USA anymore.
And we are so busy fighting wars – not for national defense – but for nation building, that our budget is so large no one dares to cut what is really needed to be cut.
Americans are also used to getting things instantly – on credit, for the most part.
On the point of instantaneous – Americans also expect results instantly – without having to make any sacrifice. And woe be to the person that dares to suggest to the average American that they should put on a sweater if they’re cold in order to conserve energy. Jimmy Carter did that and look what happened to him.
Jimmy Carter , for all his faults as president – and there were a bunch of them – at least I think he was an honest man. Maybe too honest?
Americans love to live the fantasy life. We like to profess we are a nation of law and order, and justice for all. But look at the current court system and one main theme keeps jumping out – if you’ve got money, you’ll get what you want (usually). And if if you don’t, then just buy yourself a politician or two – then they’ll change the laws for you.
Alot of Americans have become fat, lazy, demanding, insulting, rude, prudish, proud to be ignorant – but always arrogant.
And that is exactly the recipe for our downfall. We need to get our own house in order and soon.
But, as politics are today, I am not holding my breath.
Predictions For 2011 — From 1931
Back in 1931, the New York Times asked a bunch of luminaries to predict what the world would be like in 2011. Here are a few of the highlights.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2010/12/16/132105724/predictions-for-2011-from-1931?sc=fb&cc=fp
Red Cross is now saying security in Afghanistan is so bad that aid groups cannot get into the country.
A few days ago I posted a link about the Vice President of Afghanistan was found traveling through the UAE with a suitcase full of $52 million in cash. No one was bothered enough to ask this guy where the money came from or where the money was going to and he was allowed to go on his way.
My question is – if this had $52 million in cash – why is his country in such bad shape for the average citizen?
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/16/world/asia/16redcross.html?_r=1
For all the belly aching from those Wall Street bankers about that mean evil Obama crashing their party – it seems a few of these banks have increased their mailing of credit card offers to risky candidates.
Hmmmm…..I guess the smell of money is just too much to turn away from, huh?
But, hey, what is the real risk for these banks – they know the taxpayers will just bail them out again if they stomp their feet, hold their breath and get the Party of No to just say Hell NO.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/16/wary-consumers-cautious-of-increased-credit-card-offers_n_797390.html
“But, hey, what is the real risk for these banks – they know the taxpayers will just bail them out again if they stomp their feet, hold their breath and get the Party of No to just say Hell NO”
“The revised HR1424 was received from the Senate by the House, and on October 3, it voted 263-171 to enact the bill into law. Democrats voted 172 to 63 in favor of the legislation, while Republicans voted 108 to 91 against ”
‘On Wednesday evening, October 1, 2008, the Senate debated and voted on a revised version of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA 2008). The legislation was framed as an amendment to HR1424, substituting the entire bill with the newly revised text of the EESA 2008.[7][9][151] The amendment was approved by a 74-25 vote, and the entire bill was also passed by the same margin, 74-25’
Senate Democrats voting no 10 out of 41 = 25%
Senate Republicans voting no 15 out of 33 = 45%
Looks to me like the Democrats wanted to bail out their banking buddies more than the Republicans
Sorry, bad numbers
Senate Democrats voting no = 10 of 51 = 20%
Senate Republicans voting no = 15/48 = 48%
But the PARTY of NO loves the bankers – didn’t you get that particular memo?
These are a part of the top 2% wealthy Americans the PARTY of NO went to bat for in the latest tax cut bill.
Let’s face it – if you ask any one (of any political stripe) which party represents the rich and I suspect every person would scream – REPUBLICANS.
As I recall, you didn’t care when Republicans rammed CAFTA down our throats by 2 votes – but NOW you care about Democrats voting for bankers?
Totally off topic, but I can now say that I’ve been to the new arena, something I didn’t think I’d ever say. I’m not all that eager to return. The seating SUCKS. I badly wanted to leave after the first 2 hours. My back was killing me. My knee, which had been bent in the same position throughout that time, needed to be extended, but there was no room to do it. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to walk out of there, but then I guess one good push, and I’d have been on the floor. And being dead, I wouldn’t have noticed that I had any pain. 😉
I AM NOT IMPRESSED.
I’m going to Cirque du Soleil “Alegria” soon. It was a gift from my son and daughter-in-law who will be in town and go with Griffin and I to the performance. I’m sorry to hear that report. Although it isn’t the first time I’ve heard this, when it comes from you I believe it!
“I’m going to Cirque du Soleil “Alegria” soon.”
Color me jealous. I guess I could buy a couple of seats, but I’m kinda cheap
Oh, I’m the Queen of Cheap. I won the tickets.
I stopped doing the concert thing several years ago. For one thing, tickets are way too expensive. I have the ticket stub from the Beach Boys concert I went to in early 1964 at the Forum. The cost was $3 and included parking. I was in 7th grade, so I didn’t drive. 🙂 Yeah, I know, that was a looooong time ago, back in the Dark Ages.
Fnord, I’m envious, too! #2 daughter and her husband saw Cirque du Soleil in Vegas and loved it! Not sure which show/theme though.