32 posts shown.
Richard Lewis16 said:Man, you’re such a total troll... your politics are a mess and your takes on teenagers are even worse 😉
Honestly, this thread should probably just be locked because it's pretty obvious you don't actually care about the question you asked
Just take your nonsense elsewhere, maybe head up to a different sub or something
besides, cannibals are still people, and the people running those camps are people too 😉
why on earth would they have two kids instead of just one 🤷
and why do both of them need a college degree when they could just work a shift at a Ford plant starting at 5 PM like back in the day?
Go ahead and lock this... it's just some frustrated kid who doesn't know anything, just spouting empty demagoguery he read on some random Wikipedia page
Richard Lewis16 said:The only person talking nonsense here is you 😉
You watch some mindless movie, get sucked into conspiracy theories, have absolutely no clue what's going on, and now you're posting stuff that has nothing to do with the actual topic...
It's pretty obvious you aren't even interested in what you originally asked, it's just too heavy a subject for you, probably requires reading way too many books
And what exactly was left over from an average salary back in the old days?
Prices were higher, and everyone simply had less to work with 😉
Now, people actually have a lot more purchasing power for the same amount of cash
Except for cars, of course, and even then, whether it was then or now, a car usually costs about ten times a monthly paycheck
Just because you didn't notice something doesn't mean it wasn't happening... there have been people making a living off scrap and recycling for decades, honestly that's where the real money is made
If there weren't those government rebates and incentives, you wouldn't see them digging through the bins nearly as often 😉
Besides, where on earth do you live that there are even trash bins sitting out in the middle of a public square?
I have to admit, I haven't really seen that myself
Wow, look at you, you've read so many books, such incredible information
Why should I even bother worrying about other people? 🤷
I don't care, I look out for myself and the people who actually matter to me
Go ahead, show me your "evidence," I certainly didn't know that
I already know that people missing a few brain cells tend to end up working in certain government institutions
And yeah, among the folks collecting bottles and cans, there are definitely some like that too, which is just a disgrace to the whole country
Richard Lewis16 said:The only person talking nonsense here is you 😉
You watch some mindless movie, get sucked into conspiracy theories, have absolutely no clue what's going on, and now you're posting stuff that has nothing to do with the actual topic...
It's pretty obvious you aren't even interested in what you originally asked, it's just too heavy a subject for you, probably requires reading way too many books
And what exactly was left over from an average salary back in the old days?
Prices were higher, and everyone simply had less to work with 😉
Now, people actually have a lot more purchasing power for the same amount of cash
Except for cars, of course, and even then, whether it was then or now, a car usually costs about ten times a monthly paycheck
Just because you didn't notice something doesn't mean it wasn't happening... there have been people making a living off scrap and recycling for decades, honestly that's where the real money is made
If there weren't those government rebates and incentives, you wouldn't see them digging through the bins nearly as often 😉
Besides, where on earth do you live that there are even trash bins sitting out in the middle of a public square?
I have to admit, I haven't really seen that myself
Wow, look at you, you've read so many books, such incredible information
Why should I even bother worrying about other people? 🤷
I don't care, I look out for myself and the people who actually matter to me
Go ahead, show me your "evidence," I certainly didn't know that
I already know that people missing a few brain cells tend to end up working in certain government institutions
And yeah, among the folks collecting bottles and cans, there are definitely some like that too, which is just a disgrace to the whole country
Richard Lewis16 said:The only person talking nonsense here is you 😉
You watch some mindless movie, get sucked into conspiracy theories, have absolutely no clue what's going on, and now you're posting stuff that has nothing to do with the actual topic...
It's pretty obvious you aren't even interested in what you originally asked, it's just too heavy a subject for you, probably requires reading way too many books
And what exactly was left over from an average salary back in the old days?
Prices were higher, and everyone simply had less to work with 😉
Now, people actually have a lot more purchasing power for the same amount of cash
Except for cars, of course, and even then, whether it was then or now, a car usually costs about ten times a monthly paycheck
Just because you didn't notice something doesn't mean it wasn't happening... there have been people making a living off scrap and recycling for decades, honestly that's where the real money is made
If there weren't those government rebates and incentives, you wouldn't see them digging through the bins nearly as often 😉
Besides, where on earth do you live that there are even trash bins sitting out in the middle of a public square?
I have to admit, I haven't really seen that myself
Wow, look at you, you've read so many books, such incredible information
Why should I even bother worrying about other people? 🤷
I don't care, I look out for myself and the people who actually matter to me
Go ahead, show me your "evidence," I certainly didn't know that
I already know that people missing a few brain cells tend to end up working in certain government institutions
And yeah, among the folks collecting bottles and cans, there are definitely some like that too, which is just a disgrace to the whole country
Richard Lewis16 said:The only person talking nonsense here is you 😉
You watch some mindless movie, get sucked into conspiracy theories, have absolutely no clue what's going on, and now you're posting stuff that has nothing to do with the actual topic...
It's pretty obvious you aren't even interested in what you originally asked, it's just too heavy a subject for you, probably requires reading way too many books
And what exactly was left over from an average salary back in the old days?
Prices were higher, and everyone simply had less to work with 😉
Now, people actually have a lot more purchasing power for the same amount of cash
Except for cars, of course, and even then, whether it was then or now, a car usually costs about ten times a monthly paycheck
Just because you didn't notice something doesn't mean it wasn't happening... there have been people making a living off scrap and recycling for decades, honestly that's where the real money is made
If there weren't those government rebates and incentives, you wouldn't see them digging through the bins nearly as often 😉
Besides, where on earth do you live that there are even trash bins sitting out in the middle of a public square?
I have to admit, I haven't really seen that myself
Wow, look at you, you've read so many books, such incredible information
Why should I even bother worrying about other people? 🤷
I don't care, I look out for myself and the people who actually matter to me
Go ahead, show me your "evidence," I certainly didn't know that
I already know that people missing a few brain cells tend to end up working in certain government institutions
And yeah, among the folks collecting bottles and cans, there are definitely some like that too, which is just a disgrace to the whole country
Richard Lewis16 said:WRONG
It isn't really about the money, it's more about that fundamental human drive to exert influence and feed the ego...
which is just part of being human, I suppose, the way some people naturally dominate while others follow...
if currency didn't exist, we'd just be fighting over rocks, land, or sheer clout (though, wait, looking closer, it seems like those things are still acquired through cash, see how it works... 😬 )
maybe try picking up a few books from different fields once in a while... psychology and biology might help clear things up... 😉
you say there's no manufacturing, but then you claim production is coming from other countries?
so there actually is production after all... 😬
and if there's production, then there are jobs... 😉
I'd also suggest checking out that series, Carlos 😉
Richard Lewis16 said:WRONG
It isn't really about the money, it's more about that fundamental human drive to exert influence and feed the ego...
which is just part of being human, I suppose, the way some people naturally dominate while others follow...
if currency didn't exist, we'd just be fighting over rocks, land, or sheer clout (though, wait, looking closer, it seems like those things are still acquired through cash, see how it works... 😬 )
maybe try picking up a few books from different fields once in a while... psychology and biology might help clear things up... 😉
you say there's no manufacturing, but then you claim production is coming from other countries?
so there actually is production after all... 😬
and if there's production, then there are jobs... 😉
I'd also suggest checking out that series, Carlos 😉
Richard Lewis16 said:WRONG
It isn't really about the money, it's more about that fundamental human drive to exert influence and feed the ego...
which is just part of being human, I suppose, the way some people naturally dominate while others follow...
if currency didn't exist, we'd just be fighting over rocks, land, or sheer clout (though, wait, looking closer, it seems like those things are still acquired through cash, see how it works... 😬 )
maybe try picking up a few books from different fields once in a while... psychology and biology might help clear things up... 😉
you say there's no manufacturing, but then you claim production is coming from other countries?
so there actually is production after all... 😬
and if there's production, then there are jobs... 😉
I'd also suggest checking out that series, Carlos 😉
Richard Lewis16 said:WRONG
It isn't really about the money, it's more about that fundamental human drive to exert influence and feed the ego...
which is just part of being human, I suppose, the way some people naturally dominate while others follow...
if currency didn't exist, we'd just be fighting over rocks, land, or sheer clout (though, wait, looking closer, it seems like those things are still acquired through cash, see how it works... 😬 )
maybe try picking up a few books from different fields once in a while... psychology and biology might help clear things up... 😉
you say there's no manufacturing, but then you claim production is coming from other countries?
so there actually is production after all... 😬
and if there's production, then there are jobs... 😉
I'd also suggest checking out that series, Carlos 😉
Richard Lewis16 said:The idea that Americans are all living on the edge of poverty is just a flat-out nonsense thesis
Most people are actually leading pretty standard lives... I mean, look around, everyone has smartphones, high-speed internet, streaming services—stuff we couldn't even dream of back in the mid-century days
There’s also a much higher diagnosis rate for neurodivergence now compared to then, which honestly just means we're better at identifying it, so things are arguably better😉
If things were truly so golden during the old era, why was everyone trying to flee the country, and why were people constantly sneaking across the border to shop in other places?
Why were there only a handful of bus routes or train trips available?
The national debt was absolutely massive, and that administration was essentially running entirely on credit
It’s pretty clear you don't have much of a grasp on either history or basic economics😬
etc...
It obviously wasn't nearly as great as your nostalgia suggests😉
Maybe grab a history book or some philosophy and give it a read, then you might actually start to wrap your head around it
And let's not forget, they had those rigid seniority systems back then too😉
I don't see what's stopping you from making your own money, really🤷
Clearly, the current system works just fine for the majority who benefit from it, but as for those who are perpetually dissatisfied... well, luckily there are plenty of intentional communities out there where they can go live by their own rules
Richard Lewis16 said:The idea that Americans are all living on the edge of poverty is just a flat-out nonsense thesis
Most people are actually leading pretty standard lives... I mean, look around, everyone has smartphones, high-speed internet, streaming services—stuff we couldn't even dream of back in the mid-century days
There’s also a much higher diagnosis rate for neurodivergence now compared to then, which honestly just means we're better at identifying it, so things are arguably better😉
If things were truly so golden during the old era, why was everyone trying to flee the country, and why were people constantly sneaking across the border to shop in other places?
Why were there only a handful of bus routes or train trips available?
The national debt was absolutely massive, and that administration was essentially running entirely on credit
It’s pretty clear you don't have much of a grasp on either history or basic economics😬
etc...
It obviously wasn't nearly as great as your nostalgia suggests😉
Maybe grab a history book or some philosophy and give it a read, then you might actually start to wrap your head around it
And let's not forget, they had those rigid seniority systems back then too😉
I don't see what's stopping you from making your own money, really🤷
Clearly, the current system works just fine for the majority who benefit from it, but as for those who are perpetually dissatisfied... well, luckily there are plenty of intentional communities out there where they can go live by their own rules
Amanda Allen4 said:The whole mess of capitalism boils down to "creative destruction" (Schumpeter). Sure, if you follow that logic, capitalism wiped out socialism because it replaced an inferior economic model with a superior one via this "creative destruction." But let’s get real—capitalism isn't all-powerful. The government holds more sway; today, through its monopoly on force and its ability to print money out of thin air for social reasons, the state effectively stunts that "creative destruction" process. In fact, our modern "welfare state" is starting to look more and more like socialism itself.
To all you socialism enthusiasts: don't lose hope just yet—there's still time, and perhaps your moment will come again.
Richard Lewis16 said:I honestly see nothing but the upside when it comes to JPMorgan Chase 🤷
whenever I find myself short on cash, I don't have to go around begging friends or family for favors; instead, I just borrow, leverage that capital, and let their money work for me
and when I’ve got a little extra lying around, I’m happy to lend it out and watch those interest payments roll in 😬
Banks are the absolute gold standard
whereas those government-run outfits have already proven themselves... socialism was basically a coma, which is why you don't see it anywhere on the global stage anymore
because people eventually realized it was just an excuse for the lazy to leech off the productive members of society
as for the answer to your question, just spend the day actually learning something... rather than wasting an hour or two on some mindless flick, grab some books (you know, those thick things sitting in the library, if you ask your auntie she'll tell you)
Richard Lewis16 said:I honestly see nothing but the upside when it comes to JPMorgan Chase 🤷
whenever I find myself short on cash, I don't have to go around begging friends or family for favors; instead, I just borrow, leverage that capital, and let their money work for me
and when I’ve got a little extra lying around, I’m happy to lend it out and watch those interest payments roll in 😬
Banks are the absolute gold standard
whereas those government-run outfits have already proven themselves... socialism was basically a coma, which is why you don't see it anywhere on the global stage anymore
because people eventually realized it was just an excuse for the lazy to leech off the productive members of society
as for the answer to your question, just spend the day actually learning something... rather than wasting an hour or two on some mindless flick, grab some books (you know, those thick things sitting in the library, if you ask your auntie she'll tell you)
Kate Foster12 said:Exactly the opposite—if it’s a state-run entity, it means taxpayers are footing the entire bill. Besides, the benefits and conditions at multinational firms are generally superior. The only catch... you actually have to show up and work.
Kate Foster12 said:Did the materials just fall from the sky? Did the costs cover themselves? The state has its own machinery, but look at what the Republican policy of social sensitivity has actually achieved. It’s all well and good when you're hunting for new voters, but when it comes to fixing a budget deficit... it isn't so great. 😉
There wasn't work for anyone. People were leaving in droves for Germany, Switzerland, and other places just to find a decent life.
I wasn't part of that generation either, but I've heard enough. It’s a bit much to talk about the "good old days" when you don't actually have a clue what was really happening back then.
Kate Foster12 said:Did the materials just fall from the sky? Did the costs cover themselves? The state has its own machinery, but look at what the Republican policy of social sensitivity has actually achieved. It’s all well and good when you're hunting for new voters, but when it comes to fixing a budget deficit... it isn't so great. 😉
There wasn't work for anyone. People were leaving in droves for Germany, Switzerland, and other places just to find a decent life.
I wasn't part of that generation either, but I've heard enough. It’s a bit much to talk about the "good old days" when you don't actually have a clue what was really happening back then.
Kate Foster12 said:Did the materials just fall from the sky? Did the costs cover themselves? The state has its own machinery, but look at what the Republican policy of social sensitivity has actually achieved. It’s all well and good when you're hunting for new voters, but when it comes to fixing a budget deficit... it isn't so great. 😉
There wasn't work for anyone. People were leaving in droves for Germany, Switzerland, and other places just to find a decent life.
I wasn't part of that generation either, but I've heard enough. It’s a bit much to talk about the "good old days" when you don't actually have a clue what was really happening back then.
Kate Foster12 said:1. Someone has to foot the bill for that kind of support.
2. Those jobs were handed out through connections—nepotism hasn't gone away, either. We haven't even reached true capitalism yet.
3. Socialism vanished because it simply wasn't sustainable. Just look at the debt America left behind. Look at the rationing coupons, the endless lines just to get a cup of coffee...
Kate Foster12 said:1. Someone has to foot the bill for that kind of support.
2. Those jobs were handed out through connections—nepotism hasn't gone away, either. We haven't even reached true capitalism yet.
3. Socialism vanished because it simply wasn't sustainable. Just look at the debt America left behind. Look at the rationing coupons, the endless lines just to get a cup of coffee...
Kate Foster12 said:1. Someone has to foot the bill for that kind of support.
2. Those jobs were handed out through connections—nepotism hasn't gone away, either. We haven't even reached true capitalism yet.
3. Socialism vanished because it simply wasn't sustainable. Just look at the debt America left behind. Look at the rationing coupons, the endless lines just to get a cup of coffee...
Kate Foster12 said:Oh, right—equality for everyone. We tried that once—I think they called it socialism. It didn't exactly work out...
Arthur Booth96 said:It doesn't really matter, I suppose, since we're all stuck in capitalism anyway. But if it helps you sleep better, just remember that every single system in history has eventually collapsed, so maybe this one will follow suit one day too.
And honestly, looking at your points, it seems like it’s more about your own sense of morality that's bothering you than the actual mechanics of how things work. You could have just said that in your opening post instead of dragging us through this roundabout way of arguing that doesn't even tie back to what you originally wrote.
You can spend days beating your head against the wall over this, but I think you probably realize by now that you can't actually change the world. When the people in power—and I'm not just talking about the current administration, but everyone from local leaders to global institutions—are essentially bought and paid for, they just write laws that serve the interest groups funding them while they pull all the strings. Real change requires a critical mass, and if you ask me, reaching that point feels pretty much impossible.
Kate Foster12 said:With everything moving toward digital currency, how do you grant impulses any real authority when they don't actually exist? 😕
Kate Foster12 said:Think about it this way:
You’re wealthy—you’ve got a massive stash of cash hidden under the mattress. Then some acquaintance comes knocking, asking for a loan. What’s your move? You aren't just handing over the money without making sure you'll actually see it again—and you certainly aren't doing it for free. You won't.
Arthur Booth96 said:So then you'll have to explain to me how people are actually supposed to handle transactions with one another if we go down this road.
And if an entrepreneur doesn't have enough capital upfront, how are they meant to get a business off the ground without relying on credit? I mean, if credit is being issued, what’s the catch—is it just supposed to be handed out for free? Or should interest rates still exist to compensate the people who bother putting their money into a bank in the first place?
And don't even get me started on fees; I guess nobody is doing anything for free these days. If you have even a passing familiarity with how economics works, you probably realize that profit is the primary motivator for everything.
Nicholas Turner said:So—you’re basically admitting you watched a documentary where everything is laid out perfectly, and now you're trying to play Socratic philosopher by asking people to "uncover the truth" when you've already decided what the answer is?
Arthur Booth96 said:So, what kind of currency do you think we should actually be using for these transactions? Tell me, what's your take?
Arthur Booth96 said:I suppose we could just go back to melting down gold and adding alloys to refine it 🤦
or maybe we should try dealing with sheep instead, since you’re basically trying to charge me for a whole sheep when I’m only getting three-quarters of one for my money.
Arthur Booth96 said:Ever since I started college, professors have been going on about how that isn't really considered the gold standard for measuring well-being anymore. And I'm not just hearing this from some economics grads who probably know more about it than any political science major would, but even from my actual professor at Columbia University
🤣
so, maybe you could tell us then, how exactly are we supposed to fix this injustice—or whatever fancy term you’d want to use for it?