Posts by goldengull3

Maxxy said:If you're looking to break free from the capitalist embrace, stop obsessing over whether it's "profitable." Profitability is a metric reserved solely for the capitalists themselves.
Trust me, your perspective will shift quite rapidly once you find yourself out in a field with nothing but a hoe. 😁

It’s the exact same paradox facing the anti-globalization movement. They coordinate their protests using IBM computers connected to the web, organize via smartphones with international roaming, travel to the city square in vehicles manufactured halfway across the globe, and wear clothing stitched together by overseas labor—all while shouting about how much they despise globalism.🙂

beebop said:Classic capitalist mindset.
People spend their entire lives working instead of actually living. We get roughly fifty miserable years on this planet, and we spend them grinding like idiots for some corporate pig birthed by a system fueled by pure human greed. It’s revolting. Honestly, the whole thing makes me sick.🙂

Sure, it would be easier to be born into an aristocratic family. You'd have your food and clothing handed to you, and your only responsibility would be frolicking through the gardens for some duchess... 😁

But let's be realistic: everything you possess is the product of human labor. Without it, you wouldn't even last a week surviving in the woods—if anything, you'd have to work ten times harder just to stay alive out there. Besides, if you're so disillusioned, why don't you just unplug and toss your laptop in the trash? Every single convenience you enjoy was built by a multinational corporation, so at least try to be consistent with your convictions. 😁

Fine then, if you're such an expert, pitch an alternative model. Start a new thread and give us something concrete.

beebop said:Hold on a second, what on earth are you talking about? Are you actually serious right now?
What is the actual difference between capitalism and feudalism?
In the old days, you had slaves working for one greedy individual; today, we just have modern-day slaves working for greedy, ambitious primates.

If you can't see the distinction, I suggest you head back to school.

Under capitalism, you work for someone else by choice because they pay you. If the terms don't suit you, you simply find another employer willing to offer a higher salary. Or, if you prefer, you could join a massive corporation like Amazon where you hold shares. In previous systems, there was zero agency. Furthermore, even as a standard employee, your quality of life far exceeds that of most historical lords, largely because capitalism has driven production to unprecedented levels.

If you truly despise working for others, then build your own business.

And if you consider yourself particularly talented or indispensable, start a firm and provide high-quality services to the market. If your ego is even larger than that, perhaps become an independent consultant pulling in $20,000 or $30,000 a month.

You could even opt out of the workforce entirely, thanks to the social safety net provided by the state.

The choice remains yours.

However, this is drifting off-topic. Please move this debate to its own dedicated thread.

What kind of study guides are we talking about? College is meant to be an actual education, not just a mindless exercise in copying condensed cheat sheets. A legitimate university should provide a comprehensive library and leave it at that. You either spend your time in the campus library, or you buy the textbook. Nobody ever promised that a higher education in America was going to be free.

Amanda Hernandez2 said:regarding employment; isn't one of the core issues in this country the fact that unemployment hits everyone, even those with college degrees? Perhaps one of you could just hire every single student so they can actually afford their textbooks. Or are the wealthy simply terrified of losing their own seats at the table?

Every criminal finds some way to justify their actions by citing "social circumstances"—it’s an old, tired excuse... 🙂A healthy student who actually wants to earn their way will find work, so there is no need to worry...

Textbooks—I will say this again—can be found in a library.

The only thing I can remotely empathize with (though it still isn't technically legal) is copying a book for personal use when it’s completely unavailable in any bookstore or used shop. If the book is actually out there for sale, then there is absolutely no excuse for copying it.

Amanda Hernandez2 said:It’s all fine in theory. I personally believe intellectual property is actually more valuable than any physical asset, though the current framework needs a complete overhaul. Perhaps we should allow students to photocopy textbooks. If a college book costs $167, that's one thing—some are cheap, others are extortionate. But if it's required reading, how many American students can actually afford to buy every single original text?

Everyone. There is a university library in every college town where you can just sit down and read. When books are priced at a couple hundred dollars, if you can't swing it, you pick up extra shifts at a campus job over the weekend. Or, better yet, stay at the top of your class and secure a scholarship.

Try writing a textbook yourself sometime, then you'll understand what it feels like to go years without seeing a dime of the compensation you earned. Writing a single monograph essentially equates to two years of total self-sacrifice—grinding every single day, skipping vacations, and throwing away your weekends, because let's be honest, almost nobody can make a living solely from writing.

Delvecchio said:Footwear isn't intellectual property.
Intellectual property refers to the blueprints used to manufacture a specific garment.
I don't believe anyone can claim ownership over an idea, or even something like the sound of a guitar.
That's not to say I think people should just steal my Cedes.
No, what I mean is, if I were to short a stock held by Ramirez, they shouldn't be able to sue me for it.
There you have it.

Wonderful. So, if you ever actually design anything, draft development plans, or commission analyses, don't be surprised when we swoop in and snatch them up a day or two before they reach the client.

Thanks for the heads-up.

Gary Harris6 said:my comparison between the stock market and sports betting stems from my belief that a huge chunk of Americans spend their time at betting parlors, desperately trying to scrape together some kind of profit.

And some actually do strike it rich. Usually the house owners. Honestly, if I’d had any inkling of how this would play out, I would have opened my own sportsbook years ago.🙂

Unfortunately, that pervasive "get rich quick" mentality is still deeply embedded in the culture.

Kyle Nelson2 said:Yeah, the issue arises when, say, a friend of mine working at a major bank tells me that if she takes out a mortgage, her minimum monthly payment will be $0.93 for 30 years—assuming she’s pulling in maybe 5-$2000. The real problem is having 40% of your paycheck swallowed by debt for three decades...

It is far more sensible than paying rent $667 only to realize you have nothing to show for it after 30 years. Plus, calculating costs for a couple changes the math entirely. No one claimed this was easy or ideal. But even your friend wouldn't have had any chance of owning anything five years ago.

Beyond that, in a place like Houston, 31 miles a two-bedroom apartment near New York City might go for 35,000 €. And if we're looking at it by Western standards, 31 miles (or a ninety-minute train ride) isn't exactly a burden for a daily commute.

Kyle Nelson2 said:inflation rates and GDP growth percentages are just illusions used to convince us everything is fine.

The fact that life is better now than it used to be is evident in every grocery store. It's visible through a window, or in any sales statistic, from retail to tourism. Why is it so difficult to accept that Americans, on average, live better than they did before?

Kyle Nelson2 said:America is such a fantastic place where everything is fueled by debt; it’s really just a matter of when those foreign bankers stop laughing behind our backs and start laughing right to our faces.
People have been signing away their lives on 30-year mortgages, essentially turning themselves into modern-day slaves—especially if (or rather, when) the Dollar loses its footing one day.

And what, people think there aren't mortgages for houses and cars in the West? As if everyone just walks in with stacks of cash? Besides, I find it hard to wrap my head around the idea that paying rent is somehow better than paying a mortgage. You're basically handing your monthly payment over to a landlord instead of building equity. It feels like throwing money straight into a fire. I tried renting once, and I wouldn't go back; it felt like watching my savings vanish into thin air. I don't see the issue with people choosing to own their homes rather than being perpetual renters.

As for the currency, the concern about devaluation isn't really hitting home because there is so much liquidity in the market. We've used the Dollar for ages, and we haven't seen the kind of runaway inflation people fear. If anything, it's quite the opposite.

Gary Harris6 said:You rent out an apartment for three months out of the year😲 and you consider that a flex? If people here had the Gulf Coast, they’d be renting it out twelve months straight. You clearly appreciate the scenery, but you’re blind to the massive economic waste. Toronto is just a city—nothing much happens there—and the tourism industry is a joke compared to what we could have. Besides, for more than half the year, it's too cold to even walk down the street.

It is certainly worth noting. Before the budget airlines arrived about three years ago, filling an apartment was a struggle even when you had 45 days of occupancy. Now, the average sits at 60, and for those who actually know how to manage property, it hits 90.

That represents a growth of 30 to 100% in just three short years. To be blunt—if you want to actually see a return on investment after taking out a loan to build an apartment and paying off that debt through rentals—you really need 110 to 120 days of occupancy. That’s the level of success seen by folks along the coast in places like Florida.

But my point is about the trend—and trends can easily swing downward by double digits. You won't find that kind of momentum in Toronto; it's nearly impossible. However, when you see one year bringing in $1,000, the next $2,000, and the third $5,000 from rentals, the entire landscape shifts. America today isn't the same America it was yesterday or the day before. And it certainly won't be the same tomorrow.

Jason Wells4 said:I honestly don't understand how you can believe the things you write.

Well, be my guest. Move to the USA, get your citizenship, start a social-democratic party, and give it your best shot. It would be such a revolutionary shift that people would certainly hear you before the elections. You’d basically be trying to import Swedish-style capitalism to the States.

But you'd still end up as a political nobody. It’s quite simple—people there believe they have the right to decide whether or not they pay into certain systems, rather than being forced into mandatory state funds by the government. That goes for Americans, and frankly, it applies to just about anyone with an independent streak.🙂 Similarly, if you tried to propose an American-style system in Europe, you’d find yourself relegated to the political fringes once again.

Personally, I respect that stance in the USA. It’s just another societal model, much like any other. It might be a bit harsher, sure, but it fosters more entrepreneurship. It isn't my place to interfere with their collective will. If they wanted a welfare state, they would have implemented one, just as almost all of Europe has, or at least Canada. However, it isn't part of their mindset to let the state dictate those kinds of choices to them. In many ways, it's actually beneficial that these different models exist; in a globalized capitalist economy, a person can choose the specific framework that suits them best.

Mr. Spiker said:goldengull3, you really ought to head back to school and brush up on the fundamentals of Marxism.

Look, if Americans actually wanted to mandate maternity leave, social security, or universal healthcare, they would have done it by now. They simply don't want to. They operate under a different paradigm entirely. In the States, political victories are won through economic liberalism. If someone were to float those kinds of mandates over in Europe, they’d lose their seat in a heartbeat. It's as simple as that.

Sumo. It’s an interesting study in raw power and sudden, violent conclusion. One moment you have two massive forces coiled like springs, and the next, everything is over. It reminds me of certain high-stakes boardroom negotiations I witnessed back when I was finishing my Harvard Business School degree—all that posturing and heavy breathing, only for one side to be shoved out of the room before they even realize the deal is dead. There is a certain brutal honesty to it that most modern sports lack. No bells, no whistles, just gravity and grit. goldengull3 says:
goldengull3, you spend your time posting this and that, dropping links to various successful individuals and corporations as if they were gospel. But where exactly do you fit into this grand equation? You speak of a terrestrial paradise here in America, painting this idealized picture of prosperity. It is a naive perspective. Even in hell, there is a certain level of comfort; that doesn't mean everyone finds it a pleasant place to reside.

I am currently employed at a relatively successful firm, yet I find myself profoundly dissatisfied. If given the choice, I would transition to another similarly prosperous company just to escape my current situation. It remains difficult for some to grasp that one can actually build a career and earn a decent living here in America. Granted, we aren't seeing the massive salaries found in Germany or Sweden, but the potential exists. The economic standing of the US is significantly more robust now than it was five or ten years ago. I am not under the delusion that everything is perfect—far from it. For instance, our healthcare system hasn't even begun to see the slightest hint of meaningful reform. There are plenty of other systemic failures to contend with as well.

I find myself reflecting on the sheer physicality of sumo. It is a sport that demands a certain stoic endurance, much like the grueling corporate climb one might encounter after finishing at Harvard Business School. There is something deeply cynical yet strangely poetic about two massive individuals colliding in a ring, seeking dominance through pure, unadulterated force. It reminds me of certain high-stakes negotiations I witnessed back in Chicago—all bluster and heavy breathing until someone finally breaks under the pressure. It is an ancient ritual, stripped of modern fluff, and I suppose there is a grim satisfaction in watching such raw power play out. As goldengull3 says:
You can try selling your innovations to Americans all you want, but they’ll just buy them up only to flip them back to you at double the price. And as for this talk about tourism? In 2005, the US saw fewer than ten million visitors here, while New York City alone handled nearly twenty million. So, what exactly are we calling "tourism"? You present these dubious statistical figures and then have the audacity to claim the actual numbers are even higher due to off-the-books activity. It’s quite the scientific approach, isn't it?

American tourism started from absolute zero. It was a non-entity. Today, it’s performing well, and frankly, it’s only going to get better. I have relatives out in Florida who rent out their seaside home for three months at a time; after they settle the taxes and maintenance, they’re looking at a clean profit of about $5,000 or $6,000. For a single family owning one house—not some massive resort complex, just a single residence—that kind of income fundamentally shifts their entire socioeconomic standing. And there are countless families just like them. They see hard cash hitting their pockets every year, and every year, that amount tends to climb.

I find myself contemplating the sheer, brutal simplicity of Sumo. There is something deeply unsettling, yet undeniably captivating, about watching two massive individuals collide with such singular, violent purpose. It lacks the frantic, jittery energy you see in modern American football, where the play is broken up by endless pauses and tactical debates. In Sumo, once that ritualistic circling begins, there is no recourse but to face the inevitable impact. It is a heavy, somber affair—much like those long, weary afternoons spent waiting for a verdict in a windowless courtroom in Chicago. One waits, one watches, and then, suddenly, everything shifts. kaže:
The reality of the situation is that a massive vacuum opened up in the American market following the sudden shift toward near-total deregulation, coupled with a severe shortage of specialized talent. Driven by sheer necessity, employers were forced to make do with whatever expertise was actually available on the ground. That is precisely how you managed to land the position.
You’re nothing more than a bottom-feeder, picking at the scraps left by the industry titans you claim to analyze. Honestly, I’m starting to suspect this is all just one long, elaborate joke at our expense. Because if you actually possess the credentials you claim, and if you truly believe the nonsense you peddle, then we might as well be living in a fantasy land.

I stand by my assessment. America is a nation that advances with every passing year, offering genuine opportunities to build a career and actually make a living. Nowadays, claiming you have a house and a car—even if you’re still paying them off—isn't some grand achievement; it’s practically the baseline expectation for anyone with a college degree or a skilled trade certification. You can reach the pinnacle of your profession right here on American soil. When our top-tier experts do decide to head abroad, they aren't just laborers; they are high-level specialists who command respect. They secure work visas as "essential personnel." Furthermore, we see major US corporations replacing their foreign management teams with local talent because those Americans have proven they can outperform the imports. Of course, there are still instances where we have to recruit specialists from overseas to fill specific gaps. For instance, I recently had a colleague at my firm—a second-generation American whose family moved here from Australia. He held a degree and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He isn't with us anymore; another firm snapped him up for a significantly higher salary. 🙂 If things were truly that unbearable, he would have simply retreated to Australia; he holds citizenship there and has family ties to the region. A colleague of mine, a software engineer, recently returned from the States. She moved back to be closer to her relatives, yet she maintains that the experience wasn't nearly as bad as people make it out to be.

Neither I nor Cat represent any kind of anomaly within the landscape of America. There are plenty of people in this country who manage to function quite effectively. The issue only truly arises if you find yourself over fifty with a profession that lacks marketability, or if you are retired or otherwise unable to work. However, if you are in your twenties, thirties, or even forties and possess a genuine drive to work, it is entirely possible to live a decent life in the States.

I landed this job over a decade ago, working for a local entrepreneur who started out with nothing more than a beat-up Ford Pinto and a briefcase, only to build a net worth in the tens of millions today. He isn’t some corporate shark; he’s just a man who knows his craft. He doesn't even bother with an MBA. However, he imparted a few hard truths to me regarding business and upward mobility. First, complaining is a zero-sum game that yields no profit. Second, even here in the States, there is plenty of room to build a real fortune if you have the stomach for it.

I have officially crossed the threshold of 11,000 posts while working here. At this point, they won't even consider me a sane individual anymore. 🙂

Quincy:

Gary Kelly8 As stated by: Regarding your point about Varteks' competitiveness—is that edge primarily driven by our incredibly low labor costs? Go ahead and suggest those mortgage terms you’re advertising to someone working in the garment industry. See how that goes.

I find it incredibly shortsighted to attempt competing with the Chinese on the production of low-end, budget apparel. It’s a losing battle from the start.

Look, if you actually put in the work to design a suit properly—if you focus on creating something truly high-quality and original—you won't even need to worry about a mortgage. I don't have much interest in browsing through corporate landing pages, but I took a look at the site you linked. It’s just another standard corporate portal—functional, if a bit uninspired. There isn't much to dig into here beyond the basic business overview.

So, why on earth aren't we selling off these homegrown American inventions while the iron is hot? We could be pulling in serious money if we actually had the sense to monetize our own intellectual property. The official website for Penkala.

There are more than just a few who have actually pulled it off. It’s still not enough, though, mostly because we’re stuck dealing with that pervasive "it can't be done" mentality—or worse, people thinking they can strike it rich just by betting on sports. But make no mistake, there are those among us who are actually making it happen.

mistyraven6 said:I don't think that's nearly enough. I'll probably just line my entire house with lead this weekend. You can never be too careful. 😵

You really ought to install a Tesla Transformer as well, just to introduce some artificial interference. Otherwise, you aren't achieving anything at all. 🙂

Linda Morales said:You’re pulling our legs here. Either that, or you’re on some kind of trip.

Man, do you honestly think anyone outside the borders of the US has any clue about these companies mentioned above? Don't be naive.

Polar's Leipzig software is sold almost 100% in the US. Look, here is an interview with the man himself—I actually met him years ago: His Mercedes was paid for by Americans buying that software. Here in the States, we just use Microsoft Office.

Linda Morales said:Even Plivin's "Sumamed(R)" isn't even sold under the Plivin brand, nor is it used under the Plivin name.

It is questionable how much the American economy has actually prospered from that Plivin "export," and let's not even get started on how much the American export sector has been "strengthened" by companies like Varteks, Polar, or whatever else.

Every international corporation maintains multiple brands for different markets. Is that really so shocking? This is a private company; its branding strategy is entirely at the discretion of its board.

Linda Morales said:If "Varteks" exports anything, it's probably the ladies hanging out in front of their factory at night.

Let's get specific and look at the facts:

They have a contract with the Italian fashion house Essenza to deliver over 100,000 units of denim products by the end of the year (2005).

By the way, Varteks is currently working its way out of the struggles caused by a lack of competitiveness.

Is it really such a struggle to accept that there are companies in America that actually function, export goods, and even produce owners who have become dollar millionaires or even Euro millionaires? When the first Java mobile games arrived in Japan, four out of the initial twenty offerings were developed right here in America. Those people certainly made a decent living. However, the mainstream news doesn't cover it much; it was just a small blurb in a specialized trade journal. Granted, there aren't many examples like this, but they do exist.

Linda Morales said:Look, I've actually been in a position to witness this firsthand. And what I saw was even more devastating than anything we endured during the war.

The situation is so grim right now, I haven't seen anything quite this bad in all of America.

Is that so? In what way?