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I've realized the real problem with America.

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vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Originally posted by: Xavier434
Originally posted by: vi edit
Originally posted by: Amused
The real problem with America is everyone is so damn comfortable, even our poorest, that we are always looking for problems to fix. Rather than focusing on bettering ourselves we focus on the shortcomings of others and think we can fix them.

Sadly, the majority think that laws, regulations and limitations on freedoms will fix things.

Actually just today I was thinking about this. I think one of the biggest problems with our culture is that we think throwing money at something can fix problems.

Education system sucks? Throw more money at it.
Housing/financial market crisis? Throw money at it.
Economy is tanking? Throw $600 checks at people.
Still upset about slavery? I'll take a reperation check, thanks.
Too fat? Buy a pill.
AIDS and famine in Africa? Throw money at that too.

That's because most solutions do cost money. "Throwing money" at a problem is becoming a political buzz phrase that is being viewed as negative by a lot of people when it really should be viewed with a clean slate on a case by case basis. It isn't "throwing money" at a problem which is failing. The problem is how that money is being thrown.

You are too much of an idealist and have far too much faith in people doing the right thing. Unfortunately most money earmarked for various projects gets sucked up in administrative overhead and siphoned off to pet projects and whatnot.

Personal responsibility, accountability, and correcting bumbled up workflow are all things that are largely free. Just not easy or fun.
 

OCGuy

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
27,224
37
91
The real problem is all the emo people who keep trying to find problems. Please list any country at any time that has had no problems. Life isnt some sort of eutopia.....
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: Ocguy31
The real problem is all the emo people who keep trying to find problems. Please list any country at any time that has had no problems. Life isnt some sort of eutopia.....

of course every country has problems. nobody is doubting that. but part of being in a "civilized" society is fixing what problems you can.
 

Xavier434

Lifer
Oct 14, 2002
10,373
1
0
Originally posted by: vi edit
Originally posted by: Xavier434
Originally posted by: vi edit
Originally posted by: Amused
The real problem with America is everyone is so damn comfortable, even our poorest, that we are always looking for problems to fix. Rather than focusing on bettering ourselves we focus on the shortcomings of others and think we can fix them.

Sadly, the majority think that laws, regulations and limitations on freedoms will fix things.

Actually just today I was thinking about this. I think one of the biggest problems with our culture is that we think throwing money at something can fix problems.

Education system sucks? Throw more money at it.
Housing/financial market crisis? Throw money at it.
Economy is tanking? Throw $600 checks at people.
Still upset about slavery? I'll take a reperation check, thanks.
Too fat? Buy a pill.
AIDS and famine in Africa? Throw money at that too.

That's because most solutions do cost money. "Throwing money" at a problem is becoming a political buzz phrase that is being viewed as negative by a lot of people when it really should be viewed with a clean slate on a case by case basis. It isn't "throwing money" at a problem which is failing. The problem is how that money is being thrown.

You are too much of an idealist and have far too much faith in people doing the right thing. Unfortunately most money earmarked for various projects gets sucked up in administrative overhead and siphoned off to pet projects and whatnot.

Personal responsibility, accountability, and correcting bumbled up workflow are all things that are largely free. Just not easy or fun.

My response was so incredibly generalized that I have no clue how you came up with that kind of conclusion. I can only guess that you are assuming a bunch of stuff about what I was saying that probably is not true.

Yes, money does get wasted. However, there is also lots of money that gets spent very efficiently.

You blame Personal responsibility, accountability, and correcting bumbled up workflow. How do you propose that we effectively control such things without spending a dime in the process?

Also, I am anything but a man that has faith that people will just automatically do the right thing.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
You blame Personal responsibility, accountability, and correcting bumbled up workflow. How do you propose that we effectively control such things without spending a dime in the process?

If you had those in the first place, controlling them isn't a problem.
 

Xavier434

Lifer
Oct 14, 2002
10,373
1
0
Originally posted by: vi edit
You blame Personal responsibility, accountability, and correcting bumbled up workflow. How do you propose that we effectively control such things without spending a dime in the process?

If you had those in the first place, controlling them isn't a problem.

But most people don't so what do you propose we do about it? Complain? Ignore the problems that stem from it?
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: Xavier434
Originally posted by: vi edit
You blame Personal responsibility, accountability, and correcting bumbled up workflow. How do you propose that we effectively control such things without spending a dime in the process?

If you had those in the first place, controlling them isn't a problem.

But most people don't so what do you propose we do about it? Complain? Ignore the problems that stem from it?

You can't fix people. And personal responsibility and accountability is severely lacking lately. No amount of money can fix entitlement mentality.
 

Xavier434

Lifer
Oct 14, 2002
10,373
1
0
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: Xavier434
Originally posted by: vi edit
You blame Personal responsibility, accountability, and correcting bumbled up workflow. How do you propose that we effectively control such things without spending a dime in the process?

If you had those in the first place, controlling them isn't a problem.

But most people don't so what do you propose we do about it? Complain? Ignore the problems that stem from it?

You can't fix people. And personal responsibility and accountability is severely lacking lately. No amount of money can fix entitlement mentality.

That doesn't mean that problems from such mentalities do not exist and some of those problems do negatively impact this country and its people far beyond the tax dollars we spend to try to keep them partially under control.

So again, what do you suggest we do to fix these problems? How do we prevent these problems from negatively effecting those who are responsible or innocent?
 

TwiceOver

Lifer
Dec 20, 2002
13,544
44
91
Lawyers... That's the problem with both America. Well and the judges that listen to the asinine things that come out of their mouths.

Lawyer: "My client's pants were lost by this dry cleaning company. We request $54 million in compensation."
Judge: "Get the fuck out of my court room. That cost 2 hours of tax payer time, you owe us $4000 and if you ever step foot in my courtroom again over this matter you'll be in contempt."

Problem solved.
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
Originally posted by: dNor
I like some chocolate syrup on my cheesecake, which is a pie.

DUDE

WHY DON'T THEY MAKE CHEESECAKES, WHICH ARE ACTUALLY PIES, THAT LOOK LIKE WAFFLES?!?!?!?


You can put your favorite topping (chocolate, strawberry uh drizzle, whip cream, w/e) and it will fall into the holes of goodness just like waffles!

zomg some chef that's into molecular gastronomy needs to get on that shit ASAP
 

SirStev0

Lifer
Nov 13, 2003
10,449
6
81
Originally posted by: dNor
I like some chocolate syrup on my cheesecake, which is a pie.

I personally really enjoy raspberries on my cheesecake. And though I realize technically it is a pie, I still see it more as a cake. Also, Isn't it weird that you don't pronounce the p in raz-berries. Rasp-berries just seems weird.
 

Vehemence

Banned
Jan 25, 2008
5,943
0
0
Originally posted by: Ns1
Originally posted by: dNor
I like some chocolate syrup on my cheesecake, which is a pie.

DUDE

WHY DON'T THEY MAKE CHEESECAKES, WHICH ARE ACTUALLY PIES, THAT LOOK LIKE WAFFLES?!?!?!?


You can put your favorite topping (chocolate, strawberry uh drizzle, whip cream, w/e) and it will fall into the holes of goodness just like waffles!

zomg some chef that's into molecular gastronomy needs to get on that shit ASAP

Holy shit you just blew my mind
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: TwiceOver
Lawyers... That's the problem with both America. Well and the judges that listen to the asinine things that come out of their mouths.

Lawyer: "My client's pants were lost by this dry cleaning company. We request $54 million in compensation."
Judge: "Get the fuck out of my court room. That cost 2 hours of tax payer time, you owe us $4000 and if you ever step foot in my courtroom again over this matter you'll be in contempt."

Problem solved.

yeah to bad it does nto work that way. instead you get idiotic judges that think..hmm maybe he was right and the first judge was wrong. lets torture those poor people again and let it be come back into court!
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: TwiceOver
Lawyers... That's the problem with both America. Well and the judges that listen to the asinine things that come out of their mouths.

Lawyer: "My client's pants were lost by this dry cleaning company. We request $54 million in compensation."
Judge: "Get the fuck out of my court room. That cost 2 hours of tax payer time, you owe us $4000 and if you ever step foot in my courtroom again over this matter you'll be in contempt."

Problem solved.

The Constitution guarantees anybody and everybody can voice their grievances and they must be heard.
 

Xavier434

Lifer
Oct 14, 2002
10,373
1
0
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: TwiceOver
Lawyers... That's the problem with both America. Well and the judges that listen to the asinine things that come out of their mouths.

Lawyer: "My client's pants were lost by this dry cleaning company. We request $54 million in compensation."
Judge: "Get the fuck out of my court room. That cost 2 hours of tax payer time, you owe us $4000 and if you ever step foot in my courtroom again over this matter you'll be in contempt."

Problem solved.

The Constitution guarantees anybody and everybody can voice their grievances and they must be heard.

heard != sued

...nor does it equal time in a court room.
 
Oct 27, 2007
17,009
5
0
Why are the mods allowing this to continue in so many threads? It's getting old and wasting space.

Originally posted by: dNor
I like some chocolate syrup on my cheesecake, which is a pie.

Originally posted by: AkumaX
i want strawberry cake with no strawberries

Originally posted by: MotF Bane
I can has waffles?

Originally posted by: polarmystery
Originally posted by: MotF Bane
I can has waffles?

Originally posted by: Newbian
Originally posted by: dNor
I like some chocolate syrup on my cheesecake, which is a pie.

Cheesecake is in reality a pie and thus the cake is a lie.

Originally posted by: CrazyLazy
The real problem is that they use their extra money to buy pie. And cheese cake.

Originally posted by: dNor
Originally posted by: CrazyLazy
The real problem is that they use their extra money to buy pie, such as cheesecake.

fix'd

Originally posted by: Chunkee
Did you know that rubber bands can stretch? And then return to original shape?

Originally posted by: Ns1
Originally posted by: dNor
I like some chocolate syrup on my cheesecake, which is a pie.

DUDE

WHY DON'T THEY MAKE CHEESECAKES, WHICH ARE ACTUALLY PIES, THAT LOOK LIKE WAFFLES?!?!?!?


You can put your favorite topping (chocolate, strawberry uh drizzle, whip cream, w/e) and it will fall into the holes of goodness just like waffles!

zomg some chef that's into molecular gastronomy needs to get on that shit ASAP

Originally posted by: SirStev0
Originally posted by: dNor
I like some chocolate syrup on my cheesecake, which is a pie.

I personally really enjoy raspberries on my cheesecake. And though I realize technically it is a pie, I still see it more as a cake. Also, Isn't it weird that you don't pronounce the p in raz-berries. Rasp-berries just seems weird.

Originally posted by: dNor
Originally posted by: Ns1
Originally posted by: dNor
I like some chocolate syrup on my cheesecake, which is a pie.

DUDE

WHY DON'T THEY MAKE CHEESECAKES, WHICH ARE ACTUALLY PIES, THAT LOOK LIKE WAFFLES?!?!?!?


You can put your favorite topping (chocolate, strawberry uh drizzle, whip cream, w/e) and it will fall into the holes of goodness just like waffles!

zomg some chef that's into molecular gastronomy needs to get on that shit ASAP

Holy shit you just blew my mind

 
Dec 27, 2001
11,272
1
0
Originally posted by: Lonyo
Originally posted by: BudAshes
Kids have too much discretionary income. In a capitalistic society discretionary income = power, and kids have way to much influence on society.

No, religious fanatics have too much influence, and that's the real problem.

The real problem is the democrat-run Congress.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: TwiceOver
Lawyers... That's the problem with both America. Well and the judges that listen to the asinine things that come out of their mouths.

Lawyer: "My client's pants were lost by this dry cleaning company. We request $54 million in compensation."
Judge: "Get the fuck out of my court room. That cost 2 hours of tax payer time, you owe us $4000 and if you ever step foot in my courtroom again over this matter you'll be in contempt."

Problem solved.

The Constitution guarantees anybody and everybody can voice their grievances and they must be heard.

right. but it does nto give people the right to ruin someones life over a bullshit lawsuit.

 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,387
19,676
146
Originally posted by: Xavier434
Originally posted by: Amused
The real problem with America is everyone is so damn comfortable, even our poorest, that we are always looking for problems to fix. Rather than focusing on bettering ourselves we focus on the shortcomings of others and think we can fix them.

Sadly, the majority think that laws, regulations and limitations on freedoms will fix things.

I disagree. I think most people care more about bettering their situation rather than working on bettering someone else's situation. Most people look out for themselves first.

This includes those who are constantly fighting for freedom and liberty. They care about freedom, but they will prioritize the freedoms that benefit themselves first before they care about the freedoms that benefit others and this is especially true when you are dealing with freedoms which conflict with other freedoms.

Really? Then why are people so up in arms over obesity? Smoking? Drug use? Gays? Abortion?

Perfect example: In thread after thread on this forum that deals with obesity, we see people overly and irrationally offended by the obesity of others and proposing "fat taxes" and banning junk foods/fast foods.

The political buzz issues of the day are things that really affect but a small minority, yet the left and the right waste an inordinate amount of time on these issues because people are so emotional about them.

People are FAR too worried about what other people are doing, and what other people have.

The only freedom that would conflict with another is that which directly harms another. All of those are already illegal. They have been since the founding of this country. We are now taking away freedoms because people are offended, "cost to society," "for your own good," or better yet, class envy.

The problem with America is exactly as I stated. We are so comfortable we can't seem to mind our own fscking business anymore. Everytime someone sees something that offends them or shocks them, the first thought in their head is "there ought to be a law."
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,387
19,676
146
Originally posted by: waggy
Originally posted by: Ocguy31
The real problem is all the emo people who keep trying to find problems. Please list any country at any time that has had no problems. Life isnt some sort of eutopia.....

of course every country has problems. nobody is doubting that. but part of being in a "civilized" society is fixing what problems you can.

Someday maybe the left and the right will realize you cannot fix human nature.
 

Delta6Echo

Senior member
Jun 1, 2007
837
0
0
Originally posted by: Lonyo
Originally posted by: BudAshes
Kids have too much discretionary income. In a capitalistic society discretionary income = power, and kids have way to much influence on society.

No, religious fanatics have too much influence, and that's the real problem.

Agreed. I'd say religion has done quite a number on us. I hope one day people open their eyes and see what's REALLY going on.

I don't have much faith though....time will tell.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,387
19,676
146
Originally posted by: Lonyo
Originally posted by: BudAshes
Kids have too much discretionary income. In a capitalistic society discretionary income = power, and kids have way to much influence on society.

No, religious fanatics have too much influence, and that's the real problem.

Really? Name a major victory of the religious right in this country in the last 50 years. They may have been able to keep a few archaic laws on the books and temporarily win a small victory in local school boards, but they haven't been able to pass any new significant national laws in decades.

They have been steadily losing ground.

If anything, the real danger to our freedom is socialism, not the religious right.