29 posts shown.
Larry Walker24 said:that's exactly why we voted back in '90
Most Americans only voted for this version of America in 1990 because they mistakenly tied their ethnicity to capitalism and a seat at the Western table. It's a textbook sociological phenomenon...
Where on earth did I call for socialism? All I’m saying is I want to pay for what I actually use. That's pure capitalism right there. Exactly what the OP had in mind in the first place.
Look, I’m done subsidizing the MTA and Amtrak. I don't even touch them, yet somehow every year I’m out several thousand dollars because of it. Honestly, I’d much rather put that cash toward a better car or a decent bike... I have zero interest in funding shipbuilding either. I don't sail. And those endless road projects in the middle of nowhere? Why should I pay for roads I’ll never drive on? As for schools—since I don't have kids, I might consider paying once my first one is born, assuming I even have kids given how things are going. I’d gladly drop a massive amount of money once everything is settled. I wouldn't even pay for daycare right now if I could help it.
As far as I'm concerned, I don't even need the cops—I follow the law, and I'm more than capable of defending myself if things actually get ugly. When it comes to culture, I don't go to the theater, but I love reading and watching documentaries, so I’d rather spend that money on faster internet and cheap e-books.
Healthcare, though? Yeah, I'll pay for that. Damn it, you never know. But I'm not giving a single cent to those NGOs either. What do I have to do with them? I'll think about Social Security, maybe. But since it's until age 67, who knows how long I'll even be around... It doesn't make sense to set money aside for a few years of retirement. I'd rather spend that cash while I'm still in my prime.
But hey, I'm young and I like to go out. So, if they want to give me more places with hot girls in bikinis like Martha's Vineyard, then fine. Take that Amtrak money and redirect it toward building more party hubs instead. Like, say, on Martha's Vineyard. I'd much rather see some real Russian women there, instead of that crazy old man playing Russian criminals.
I'll flesh out this whole list by Christmas and send it over to Santa Claus. If anyone else feels the same way, maybe we can start a petition. Or better yet, a referendum.
coastaljackal2 said:I definitely agree that printers are going to play a massive role in manufacturing down the road. But, if I’m being honest... there are just way too many people jumping into this conversation who don't have the slightest clue how actual production or industrial processes work. Like someone mentioned earlier, the specific type of tech or process isn't even the main hurdle... the real challenge is the idea itself—the product. Around here, we're still struggling to master basic metalworking and fabrication. It's easy to talk about complex geometries when science fiction can dream up a perfect weld, but we're still out here trying to get the fundamentals right. We aren't even close to competing on the level of major players like Germany, Japan, or the USA...
Of course the problem is the idea. Nowadays, writing some random computer app is easier than ever, so why haven't we seen a massive explosion of apps making everyone filthy rich? What good is a tool if you have absolutely no clue what you're supposed to do with it?
A buddy and I were acting all proud as "builders" of RepRap 3D printers. After blowing through a few thousand dollars, we actually ended up with something usable. We printed some small boxes and figurines, started printing parts for a newer model, and then finally got an offer we couldn't refuse, so we sold the whole thing.
Basically, everything we could possibly print was available on eBay for cheaper and better quality. This brings me to the political side of things...
When people push this kind of tech for home or mass use, there’s always a catch. And I already pointed out what that catch is above. You sell technology only when you've outgrown it and have something way more powerful ready to go. That's exactly what's happening here. The only real perk of commercial 3D printers is being able to print a specific part that's hard to find. But with eBay and sites like it, there's a huge chance you'll find that part better and cheaper than anything you could print yourself.
How fast this advances is decided by powerful lobbies. Those high-end 3D printers are insanely expensive; they're basically machines designed to replace existing tech. Just like always, this stuff will be available to people with deep pockets, not mere mortals. What eventually trickles down to us will just be more expensive, lower-quality crap without a real market to drive profit.
I don't see any business opportunity here. The quality sucks, and the print times take forever...
Even if it sounds tempting at first, believe me, most things you'd want to print already exist. Anything that doesn't exist usually isn't in high enough demand to make any real money. It's fine for hobbyists, but you can't make a living off it.
As always, the idea is what matters, not the 3D printer or any other gadget. That's why our education system should focus on building creators instead of just teaching people how to use what others have built. We aren't going to get rich just by using existing tech alongside 1.5 billion Chinese people. Give me a break. When you actually have people with real ideas, technology is just a tool to realize them—it comes to you.
Expensive, accessible high-tech means nothing without people who have vision. The only way to fix our education system is to overhaul it. If we don't realize that soon, we'll never get out of this mess. If we start now, it'll take us at least ten years. There are no quick fixes or shortcuts... unless, like a Norwegian person, we stumble upon massive oil and gas reserves in the Atlantic Ocean.
gentlesailor17 said:Look, everyone messes up. That's why we have oversight agencies for a reason.
It’s happened with other administrations too, just in different ways.
But honestly, the real issue is something else entirely. Though, this probably isn't even your thing to dive into regarding 🙂
I agree, 🙂 people need to show some damn tolerance. This wouldn't even be happening if Peđa Grbin wasn't busy cooking up ways to block referendums. Instead of tackling the real issues, he's obsessed with nonsense like same-sex marriage and cultural identity politics. It’s obvious they're just scapegoating veterans and Catholics. Even Milanovic knows it, but he's too much of a gentleman to go after those sensitive groups directly.
You can't seriously expect someone like Peđa Grbin to take the fall while the Right celebrates their little victory...
So you’re blaming the leftovers from the communist era. Seriously? Then what’s the point of a capitalist state? Is its only job to pad the pockets of the ultra-rich and force everyone else onto welfare? Because they’re doing a hell of a job at that, and I bet the big shots in Washington are thrilled. All this minor criticism just gives them more room to tighten their grip... I mean, how much private property do we actually have left to grab? There's still plenty of room for them to move in...
William Brown4 said:No, the topics aren't the same at all, so I'm glad the moderators left this one alone. This thread covers completely different ground.
True, but I also know it's high time all this political garbage currently running America was removed. That’s exactly what they did in Italy a long time ago, which led to the so-called Second Republic.
I think after about 20 years, it's our turn for a Second Republic too. A brand new Republic of America that finally shakes off all the dust that's been accumulating for years.☕
I'm just wondering when all those ultra-hetero-Catholic types are going to start making a bunch of kids... or am I supposed to assume they never have sex?☕
Maybe when those leftist idols of yours actually let them earn enough to provide a decent life for their kids. You think these Catholics are just mindless animals who do nothing but sleep around and breed? Honestly, when you spend your mornings reading the Bible, it’s no wonder you think this way. Unlike actual believers, you don't even realize how deep your own faith goes or what kind of "god" you're actually worshipping. Besides, maybe you progressives should try having more than one kid. Just so Catholic kids don't have to work themselves to death just to fund your retirement. But I guess you wouldn't want to suffer that kind of humiliation...
William Brown4 said:I’ve been watching everything happening here in America, and I honestly feel like we are a country on the brink of collapse. It really feels like it's time for the entire political elite in the US to just pack up and leave once and for all so we can finally focus on something intelligent. I'm posting this because I really wanted to share my take on all the current events in America with the rest of you on this forum. I truly believe we need a revolution.
First off, I’ve grown completely sick of the Republican Party, and now that I’m following American politics more closely, it’s perfectly clear to me why someone like Tomasi has zero support from the people.
I’m disgusted by what they pulled with that referendum "in the name of the family." It’s sickening because the birth rate in this "super-hetero-Catholic" America is already incredibly low. We’re basically heading toward extinction anyway, so where are all these hetero-Catholics? Why aren't they out there having huge families to fix our demographic image?
Personally, I feel ashamed because I believe a nation's Constitution should be its sacred text, much like the Bible. It’s something that shouldn't be constantly tinkered with, yet we seem to be changing our Constitution all the time.
It honestly bothers me that the Constitution, which is supposed to guarantee fundamental human rights and spread noble values among the people, is now being used to facilitate discrimination between hetero and homo populations.
These matters should be handled through legislation, not through Constitutional values.
I am genuinely embarrassed that so many people showed up and voted YES. It’s obvious that people didn't truly grasp what was actually at stake.
Now everyone is getting a taste for referendums; suddenly everyone wants to push through these expensive votes. While we are facing an economic meltdown, we’re just playing around with absolutely trivial referendums.
A few days ago, I cast my vote. I never used to feel ashamed of America, but now, I really am starting to feel ashamed of this country.
Since you all voted so heavily for traditional marriage, I'd love to see a sudden population boom—lots of kids, with everyone acting like these "super-hetero-Catholics" who don't use contraception, being all holy and pious.
I can finally say it: I am ASHAMED.🙂
How about you guys?
There’s absolutely no reason to feel ashamed. Don't forget we've got people like Obama, Hillary Clinton, Mnuchin, Yovanovich, and Josipovich leading the way, and even the former Vice President will be out of prison soon. A nation with visionaries and experts like these shouldn't be embarrassed by anyone. They brought in gender ideology, forced Cyrillic on Warsaw, slapped us with a mountain of taxes that supposedly "help" everyone, and actually scared off investors so they couldn't just come in and plunder the people. They showed the world, using the example of Syria, that we'd rather starve and go broke than let foreign powers dictate our fate. They passed laws letting 67-year-olds work 56-hour weeks just to make a buck, and proved that doctors and teachers can't just bully and blackmail us anymore. If they don't like how things are run, they can leave. We'll manage just fine without them—even if it means being sick and uneducated. We showed the world that democracy has its limits and that you shouldn't follow the law blindly if ideology and higher goals are at stake. You have plenty of reasons to be proud...