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Posts by Anthony Rodriguez58

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Thoughts on capitalism... in Economy · May 29, 2006

Clarification for Joey🙄
Look, Joey, the US claims to be a social welfare state, but isn't most of that just leftover baggage from the old era—things like public schooling, subsidized healthcare, dental, maternity leave, and all that?
Will any of this actually stick around, or is it all being phased out bit by bit?
If it doesn't stay and things start getting cut, can we even call America a social welfare state anymore?

I honestly wonder how much of a realistic perspective someone can have if they actually believe the US Congress carries out the will of the American people.🙂

Thoughts on capitalism... in Economy · May 28, 2006

Joey said:Look, let's settle this once and for all. You guys in the diaspora need to decide if America is a nation with massive social safety nets—you know, that Nordic-style setup with maternity leave and all—or if it’s just pure, unadulterated American capitalism.

You both remind me of those two characters from the Muppet Show who can't be satisfied no matter what happens...

Look, if you need things spoon-fed to you in black and white because it's easier to grasp, then your issue is 🙄
critical thinking, or maybe just blind faith... the red pill versus the blue pill dilemma...

Thoughts on capitalism... in Economy · May 28, 2006

Gary Cox72 said:Anthony Rodriguez58, this kind of sudden jump into capitalism isn't just an American thing—it’s seen across all former socialist states, from Ukraine and Romania to Bulgaria and even the Czech Republic.

Personally, I think the most viable model is capitalism with a decent social safety net, similar to what you see in the more developed nations of the European Union. But honestly? We aren't there yet. Those countries have much stronger economies and a way longer history of democracy than we do.

It's a slow process. First, the economy needs to actually get up to speed before you can talk about better distribution or cutting out corruption. Not that we haven't made any progress at all, I guess.

This sudden plunge into capitalism is basically one big experiment, and nobody really knows how it's going to end...😲
We can only speculate, I suppose.😕

Thoughts on capitalism... in Economy · May 28, 2006

Gary Cox72 said:Anthony Rodriguez58, this kind of sudden jump into capitalism isn't just an American thing—it’s seen in every former socialist nation, from Ukraine and Romania to Bulgaria and even the Czech Republic.

Personally, I think a capitalist system with a decent social safety net, like what you see in the more developed parts of the European Union, is the most viable path. But it looks like we aren't anywhere near that stage yet.

It’s a long-term process. First and foremost, the economy needs to actually reach a certain level before anything can be distributed effectively.

Well, Gary Cox72, you hit the nail on the head.
It is a process, sure. But that process costs entire generations—people living through it, losing their best years to it.

Thoughts on capitalism... in Economy · May 28, 2006

Look, Gary Cox72.
The US, acting like a nation in transition, theoretically had a choice in which direction to head.
We could have aimed for the Swedish model—which I honestly think is the blueprint for the 21st century—but instead, we pivoted toward an American model that feels stuck in the 19th century.

I say "theoretically," though I suspect the US is just a small pawn being pushed around a chessboard by larger powers to suit their own interests. I don't see anyone in America capable of changing that course, whether it's a single leader or the population as a whole.😕

Thoughts on capitalism... in Economy · May 28, 2006

Gary Cox72 said:If you actually bother to read my posts, you'll see I talk about the pros and cons of life both here in America and over in Italy. It just seems like anyone trying to say anything positive about America is immediately treated like a problem.

It’s not even a debate; we’ve already seen what the future looks like because we're living in it. We know exactly what's coming for this country.😲

Look, they're building this cutthroat, American-style capitalism right now—the worst kind—and acting like it's some grand achievement.
I don't see the bright side here, if you know what I mean. Maybe I'm wrong?
I don't see any move toward a more humane, European style of capitalism.
It feels like we jumped straight into 19th-century industrial capitalism instead of actually entering the 21st century.

Thoughts on capitalism... in Economy · May 28, 2006

goldengull3 said:Look, if some party wins an election in the US wanting to turn the whole country into a welfare state like Sweden, then fine. No problem. But those kinds of parties just don't win elections over there. I think they even exist, though.

The length of maternity leave really just comes down to how much a society actually cares about it.

Of course, if such a party ever actually won, they wouldn't have the cash to pull it off.
A two-party democracy where both sides are basically identical.🤣

Thoughts on capitalism... in Economy · May 28, 2006

goldengull3 said:The law can be written however the citizens want, through their representatives in Congress...

🤣 🤣 🤣 Man, goldengull3...🙂

Thoughts on capitalism... in Economy · May 28, 2006

Gary Cox72 said:This whole thread started because people were talking about loans in America and how life here isn't actually that bad.

Whenever anyone mentions the rising standard of living for Americans, people living abroad immediately start complaining. I guess they think since they live in "real capitalism" full of prosperity, we have no clue what's going on or that we're just clueless because of our lifestyle. They act like America is some backwater corner of the world.

And now, suddenly, everyone’s flipping the script to claim that life in their version of "true capitalism" is actually incredibly hard... At this rate, they'll soon be telling us that we don't even realize how lucky we have it here in the States...

What a ridiculous thread... 😁 😁

No, Gary Cox72, those same issues exist in America too; it's just that the paychecks are way smaller.
Some people actually want a more nuanced, complete picture of life both here and abroad, rather than just seeing everything in black and white like you do.

Thoughts on capitalism... in Economy · May 28, 2006

goldengull3 said:It’s the same thing, honestly. It was identical under the old system too. If someone actually stood up at a workers' council meeting to ask why the CEO just bought a brand-new luxury SUV—since, you know, it was a state-owned firm—they’d be labeled "troublemaker" pretty quickly. Because, let’s face it, most people just kept their mouths shut. And to be fair, if you didn't go rambling about politics, you could talk shop all day; getting fired was basically impossible back then.

True, there weren't mortgages on houses, but there was that endless waiting list for public housing...

See... and how is capitalism supposedly better now?

Another example.
A friend of mine wants to quit his job because he hates it, but he can't. He's stuck. How is he supposed to go back to being a broke college student when he’s got a mortgage, car payments, and credit card debt hanging over him?

I don't know, have you ever seen that reality show, "Survivor"?
It’s constant scheming, stabbing people in the back, all that stuff, just to win a million dollars.

A female friend of mine mentioned that it's a perfect metaphor for typical "corporate culture." That's exactly what it's like here at work—the atmosphere, the brown-nosing the boss, the office politics... all of it.
And you're stuck there for eight hours a day. It sucks.

Most of my friends don't actually hate their jobs; they hate the environment. There's zero respect. They just get treated like numbers on a spreadsheet.

Thoughts on capitalism... in Economy · May 28, 2006

Gary Cox72 said:If things are that bad over there, just tell her to hurry up and move to America. If nothing else, IT specialists make decent money. 😉

She's Canadian, she doesn't speak American.

Thoughts on capitalism... in Economy · May 28, 2006

goldengull3 said:I mean, for those of you living abroad who claim to hate capitalism... why did you even move to a capitalist country if you had a choice in the first place?

We thought about it. Just like you're doing right now.🤣

Thoughts on capitalism... in Economy · May 28, 2006

Here’s another one, goldengull3.
A friend of mine is an IT dev.
She works for this firm—decent pay, I guess—but she’s pulling so much unpaid overtime that it’s actually wrecking her nerves and her health.
Under US law, tech companies aren't exactly required to pay IT pros for overtime.
Technically, you have the right to say no, and they can't fire you just for that, but everyone else stays quiet and grinds away... so you end up being the black sheep.
And they'll probably start nitpicking every single mistake you make just to find some other excuse to let you go.
So, she finds a job at another company. The pay is lower, sure, but there’s no overtime.
Fast forward a few months, and now even this new crew is pushing for overtime. Now she’s stuck in the exact same spot, just with a smaller paycheck.

Thoughts on capitalism... in Economy · May 28, 2006

goldengull3 said:I have infinitely more options now than I did before 1990. When it comes to picking a career, a car, where to live, or even just deciding on a vacation spot... the choices are endless. It’s a different world.

Look, like I said—if you're actually interested in knowing what's up, in, on, or under... well, that’s pretty much all there is to it.
Look, not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur. I'm the first to admit it—I work for someone else. If I don't like my boss, maybe I'll just find a different one. Simple as that.
Where you just start from scratch every single time.

Well, just ask the Mexicans. They should probably step up their production levels. If the Irish could pull it off, I guess they can too.
So, if capitalism is such a miracle, why isn't it working wonders over in Mexico? I guess there's a catch somewhere.
So, you got any other ideas? Cuba? Where exactly are they stealing used toothbrushes? I mean, what are people actually posting about on travel forums? Give me something concrete.
Of course, Cuba isn't the answer.
I mean, is Mexico really any better than Cuba? Especially under capitalism, I guess.
Look, society evolves. Part of that evolution is becoming higher quality and more equitable, but that only works if everyone actually steps up and does their part.

It’s the same story with me, whether I'm at work or sitting in class.
At work today: supervisor screws up, and because of her mistake, we all have to redo everything. We’re missing lunch, too. And the worst part? Total silence. Nobody says a damn word.
Just me.
And then somehow, I’m the one being difficult.
I could switch jobs, I guess. But what’s really the point? It’s the same story everywhere you go.
Just to be clear, the supervisor doesn't actually have to do anything extra even though she messed up. So I guess it’ll be the same story next time too. Who cares, right?

That’s why I’m heading to school.
Just another example from school.
So, on last week's midterm, they somehow managed to include two questions from a chapter we haven't even covered yet. Total mistake, I guess.
So I’m sitting here watching... half an hour passes and absolutely nothing. Forty-five minutes, and still total silence from everyone. Not a word.
In the end, I'm telling you, even the instructor was like, "My bad, you don't actually have to answer these questions—just cross them out."

That’s just the capitalist mindset for you. You work, you stay quiet, and you don't rock the boat. You can't afford the drama when you've got a mortgage, car payments, and credit card debt hanging over your head.
How exactly is that supposed to be great?
Are we mice, or are we people?

Thoughts on capitalism... in Economy · May 28, 2006

goldengull3 said:Look, I (like the average Canadian, Czech, or Slovak) live in a much more realistic version of capitalism than any of you outsiders. Our capitalism lacks all those efficient safety nets. Honestly, I'd go as far as saying it’s pretty brutal. Especially during that "primitive accumulation" phase back in the '90s—though things have shifted since then. I'm excluding those living in the USA, though, because by definition, the USA isn't a welfare state (by choice).

If people hate capitalism so much, they can always pick Cuba or North Korea as their ideal diaspora destinations. I’m really curious why nobody from there ever posts here.

Let me repeat: capitalism is great. If I don't like my boss, I find another one. If I sell a project, I hunt for a percentage. I don't have arbitrary wage coefficients forcing me to be equal to some slacker in my firm. If I don't like being managed, I just start my own company.

And you still haven't realized you're basically living in slavery?
Well, maybe give it a few years for things to crystallize.🙂
If everyone starts their own business, who's actually going to do the work?
You said it yourself—you don't care about
Let me ask you again... I didn't realize Mexico was a socialist country, considering how many people migrate en masse to the USA?
Like I already said... fight your battles, but if that's all you care about, then yeah, capitalism is just wonderful.👍

As for not being equal to some slacker in your company... actually, you'll just get bypassed by some idiot who's better at sucking up to the boss and begging for promotions, even if he's brainless.
Clearly, you've never worked for a major corporation, so you don't see how "office politics" kills actual productivity, leaving workers to make up for it with extra effort...😲

Not to mention the endless meetings and wasting time on bureaucratic nonsense that pulls every expert away from their actual job.

So... yeah... enjoy your fantastic two weeks of vacation every year.👍

Thoughts on capitalism... in Economy · May 28, 2006

goldengull3 said:I don't see much difference between working for Matt or Hans if they're both just going to use my labor to buy some massive yacht. At the end of the day, I only care about two things: getting paid my salary, seeing the tax money go to the government, and making sure they actually respect the employment contract. That's it.

Capitalism? Sure, it’s great. You work, you earn, you spend. If you actually think you're some big shot, you start a company—and if you make it, you're cruising around in a yacht, a private jet, and a Lincoln limousine. If capitalism weren't working, socialism wouldn't have collapsed. People would be fleeing the USA for Cuba, not the other way around. I guess.

Hey, goldengull3. It’s all just nonsense. Pure gibberish. I guess you could call it a complete lack of substance. Maybe even total chaos. Just meaningless noise.It’s the absolute peak of happiness. Nothing tops it. I guess.
🙄
Haven't you read those couple of posts from Jason Wells4 and Linda Morales on this page yet?
goldengull3, people who actually live under capitalism have shared some pretty solid observations about how it works in reality. But no, I guess you—having never actually lived in a capitalist system—know better than all of us.🙄 🤣
Well, you've got a PhD, for heaven's sake. I guess how would anyone possibly know more than you? 🙄
goldengull3, think about it for a second. Do you really want to be a stereotype? Or maybe even a double stereotype?
First stereotype—Typical mindset from someone living in a developing nation who’s never actually experienced true capitalism. They honestly believe it's better just because of the material stuff. I guess that's their metric. It’s better materially, and that’s that.
Another stereotype.Classic high-brow thinking right there. You know, the kind where someone assumes they’ve basically swallowed the entire library of human knowledge. I’ve seen it before—usually from one person with a PhD in robotics and another with an MBA. They act like they're the ultimate authorities on child-rearing, even though, I guess, neither of them actually has kids. 🙄I mean, it’s not just about having a PhD. It could be someone with six kids, for instance—no doctorate required, I guess.

So, people are fleeing Mexico for the USA... I wasn't aware that Mexico was some kind of socialist state? I guess I missed that memo.

Smoking ban in all public spaces in Health · Apr 13, 2006

John Perez85 said:Because smokers contribute to the tax revenue just like everyone else, they have a right to demand what matters to them. We aren't talking about a tiny handful of people that you can just ignore by force of the majority.

So, I guess by that logic, people who drink alcohol should be allowed to drink on the job since they pay taxes too?

Am I overweight? in Health · Apr 13, 2006

Kimberly Davis52 said:unless we’re talking about Hepatitis C, bone cancer, or sepsis, maybe just keep it to yourself. seriously, give me a break.

Give me a break. What kind of medical crisis is "slightly wider hips"?🙄
Is this some new deadly virus, somehow worse than avian flu?🤣

Am I overweight? in Health · Apr 12, 2006

Good for you if those are really your biggest problems in life.

Ayurveda, macrobiotic diets, and cancer-fighting nutrition in Health · Apr 12, 2006

Kyle Lee7 said:Diet can definitely assist with recovery, sure, but diet isn't what made you sick, and diet isn't what's going to cure you.

???😕

So, diet has absolutely zero impact on health? I guess.
Try telling that to someone with diabetes...😲
obesity, type 2 diabetes,
cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, dental issues, and osteoporosis are all linked to what we eat.

There's also a connection between nutrition and certain mental health struggles, like depression and bipolar disorder.