Why are most Americans "Asleep"?

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CSMR

Golden Member
Apr 24, 2004
1,376
2
81
Originally posted by: Dissipate
Originally posted by: CSMR
Originally posted by: Dissipate
Did you ever realize that there is a third option? I like to call it the no evil doctrine. It entails not supporting evil, period.
How does one go about doing that?

It is easy, really. All you have to do is cut off support to those who you believe are doing evil things.
So you support nothing, but not nothing becuase your support does not advance the cause of nothingness, rather you support the status quo, that is what the world would be when you do nothing. Which is also evil. So even if you don't support evil people you still support evil. That is, unless there is good around to support, which I have assumed there isn't.
 

Dissipate

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2004
6,815
0
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Originally posted by: CSMR
Originally posted by: Dissipate
Originally posted by: CSMR
Originally posted by: Dissipate
Did you ever realize that there is a third option? I like to call it the no evil doctrine. It entails not supporting evil, period.
How does one go about doing that?

It is easy, really. All you have to do is cut off support to those who you believe are doing evil things.
So you support nothing, but not nothing becuase your support does not advance the cause of nothingness, rather you support the status quo, that is what the world would be when you do nothing. Which is also evil. So even if you don't support evil people you still support evil. That is, unless there is good around to support, which I have assumed there isn't.

I support ending evil. The status quo is evil, hence, I support ending it. And when I mean ending it I mean ending it, as in shutting down the whole system.

However, as Congress goes, Ron Paul is the only member who I support.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
Liberal education system which passes everyone though never teaches history, critcal thinking, or even gives the tools nessesary to understand civics or even balance a checkbook.
 
D

Deleted member 4644

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I mean, even as a Republican, I am pissed at GW for going after Google for search records. I mean, he can look at mine all day, but it's the principle of it all.

Why are Americans not upset that their public (college-prep) education system sucks? Why don't parents care what their kids are learning? Why do they put up with such debt? Why don't they more closely examine alternatives to the tax code like the Fair Tax? Why not create jobs by a national recycling system? Or improving public transportation? Why?

Why don't Americans get angry? And by angry, I mean a 25 million-man march on Washington DC! Something like the Boston Tea Party! Why not confront government?

I think Newt Gingrich says it right when he says that Real Change Requires Real Change but real change is the last thing the fat, lazy bastards in Congress/K Street/Pennsylvania Ave. want. They want the status quo for their own greedy sake!

I'm angry! Meanwhile 50% of America doesn't vote and 75% of America doesn't give a damn about anything.

For once I agree with you, and not just in a Bush bashing way. I think everyone from B. Clinton to Alan Greenspan needs to stop and think about their actions and the impacts more.
 

CycloWizard

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
12,348
1
81
Originally posted by: Dissipate
It is easy, really. All you have to do is cut off support to those who you believe are doing evil things.
Just out of curiosity - do you actually pay taxes?
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
Originally posted by: CycloWizard
Originally posted by: Dissipate
It is easy, really. All you have to do is cut off support to those who you believe are doing evil things.
Just out of curiosity - do you actually pay taxes?

I bet if he has even a minimum wage job he pays more as a percentage than John Kerry or Paris Hilton.

I was just paying my telephone bill and taxes were $5.98 - or about an hours work for most walmart employees.

 

Shortass

Senior member
May 13, 2004
908
0
76
Originally posted by: Zebo
Liberal education system which passes everyone though never teaches history, critcal thinking, or even gives the tools nessesary to understand civics or even balance a checkbook.

Actually, history is always a requirement in public education, in my school we had World history and 2 years of American History. Critical thinking tends to come from math and writing courses, both of which are required for graduation. The most "common" tasks such as balancing a checkbook aren't taught except as electives, but really, it's not that difficult with interent bank statements, and anyone who has any will to learn after high school can learn what they need to about civics and other subjects.

I agree that our public school system does suck overall, especially so in urban districts with large amounts of minorities, but don't exaggerate just to make a point.

Originally posted by: CSMR
Originally posted by: Dissipate
Originally posted by: CSMR
Originally posted by: Dissipate
Did you ever realize that there is a third option? I like to call it the no evil doctrine. It entails not supporting evil, period.
How does one go about doing that?

It is easy, really. All you have to do is cut off support to those who you believe are doing evil things.
So you support nothing, but not nothing becuase your support does not advance the cause of nothingness, rather you support the status quo, that is what the world would be when you do nothing. Which is also evil. So even if you don't support evil people you still support evil. That is, unless there is good around to support, which I have assumed there isn't.

Actually when not paying taxes to a government that you think is doing evil or injustice, you're sending the signal that there is some dissention. If 1% of the population stopped paying taxes while voicing their dismay and being active in protest, it will become an issue that the government can't ignore. It's a matter of organization. The status quo is only being upheld if you pay the government and simply vote when allowed (if voting at all).
 

Pabster

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
16,986
1
0
Originally posted by: shadow9d9
Umm, you think we should restrict rights for fear of terrorism.. you, of all people, shouldn't be commenting on anyone else : ).

Man set down your Kool-Aid.

I've never advocated "restricting rights for fear of terrorism", despite what the lefties here would say.
 

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
91
www.alienbabeltech.com
Originally posted by: Pabster
Originally posted by: shadow9d9
Umm, you think we should restrict rights for fear of terrorism.. you, of all people, shouldn't be commenting on anyone else : ).

Man set down your Kool-Aid.

I've never advocated "restricting rights for fear of terrorism", despite what the lefties here would say.

Oh please, it's so obvious you and the rest of the Republicans especially in here bang the Fear Drum while shouting "spread em while I frisk you".
 
Oct 30, 2004
11,442
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Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I'm angry! Meanwhile 50% of America doesn't vote and 75% of America doesn't give a damn about anything.

Heh. Americans are being laid off and fired and replaced by foreigners on H-1B and L-1 visas, and there isn't an outcry. Then the wealthy class and upper middle class use the economic force of global labor wage arbitrage (such as work visas, foreign outsourcing, and mass immigration) to transfer wealth to themselves from the middle class. Then the politicians allow an invastion of illegal aliens and also mass immigration, creating an overpopulation problem.

...And Americans don't care.

Why don't Americans care about economic policy? Few have a coherent vision of what kinds of policies are needed to bring about prosperity and few have the critical reasoning ability needed to identify those few politicians who would advocate those policies. Basically, the people lack intellectual leadership and they are apathetic, latching onto select issues.

Also, the nation is rife with a sense of fatalism--people feel that the politicians are rotten (and rightfully so) and that that's just the way it is. Who is John Galt? Another problem is that few Ameicans know how to think about economic, political, and philosophical issues. Few Americans possess solid critical reasoning skills. Thus, politics and economics really do appear to be subjective subjects without any real answers. Many Ameicans don't understand politics or economics.




 
Oct 30, 2004
11,442
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Here are the current political choices:

Republicans. They attract votes from working class people who have religious values while at the same time advocating econoimc policies (global labor wage arbitrage, foreign outsourcing, H-1B and L-1 visas, mass immigration, illegal immigration) that will lead to the impoverishment of those people. They also want to force religious mysticism onto the populace, transforming the nation into a Christian Iran.

Democrats. This is a group of almost mindless, knee-jerk altruists. They lack coherency and have little sense of economic rational self interest, also advocating global labor wage arbitrage but perhaps not as fervently as the Republicans. Their main message appears to be, "The Republicans are despicable, and we are not the Republicans, so vote for us." They have failed to articulate any sort of coherent economic policy or vision. As an example of altruism, few would advocate that our national policy should be to pursue Americans' rational selfish economic interests. In their view, we should allow mass immigration from Mexico so that we might share our hard-earned wealth with those who are less fortunate.

Well, there you have it. Some choice, heh? Which poison would you prefer? Religionists who want to destroy the middle and lower classes or mindless, knee-jerk altruists whose policies would end up being detrimental to the middle and lower classes. Poison or Poison? No wonder Americans are apathetic.

Perhaps we need a new political party that would pursue the rational selfish economin interests of the middle class (which would also benefit the other classes) for a change.

 

rudder

Lifer
Nov 9, 2000
19,441
86
91
Originally posted by: CycloWizard
I think it's because, despite all our problems, the life of the average American is still pretty good. Nothing is bad enough to really get peoples' attention. Sure, high gas prices means Joe can't take his kids to the ball game next weekend, but it's not really affecting his lifestyle at this point. Until peoples' lives are really adversely affected, taking strong actions like you suggest is just too much work.

That said, I agree with most of what you said in your post. However, until things really deteriorate more seriously, nothing will be done.

thats the problem, things won't seriously deteriorate until 15-20 years down the road.
 

rudder

Lifer
Nov 9, 2000
19,441
86
91
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Lots of problems here that's true. I think that the Republicans should have used their power to make some radical changes here, in the direction of a freer and more decentralized system.

Congress has become nothing but a dishonorable finger pointing contest with the Republicans literally asleep at the wheel...proving that small government was never their goal.

Clinton has real ideals once as well. instead he used his influence to shag a fatty in the oval office. As for the repbulicans in office now, I would say most have sold themselves out to corporations and special interest groups that shower them with money.

It reeks at all levels and all policital parties. Here in the democrat controlled Tennessee we are seeing a stinking cesspool of corruption that has been surfacing again and again for the last 6-8 months. The feds even arrested 5 state senators during a legislative session recently.
 

BDawg

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
11,631
2
0
I'm asleep because my kid is sick and has an ear infection. He passed on the sick to me and my wife and he's waking up all night.
 

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
33
81
Originally posted by: rahvin
In my opinion the nanny state and lack of responsibility it breeds is what's tearing this country apart. And the republicans took the nod from the democrats and charged that right on ahead. Neither party is worth voting for, and if more people realized that and voted for a third party we could break this incredibly broken two party system we have.

QFT!
 

jman19

Lifer
Nov 3, 2000
11,225
664
126
Originally posted by: Pabster
Originally posted by: jman19
You know better than to feed the troll known as Pabster. He's one of those "if you're not with me" guys.

Yeah, you've provided a wealth of useful discussion :confused:

I'd take a quick look in the mirror.

Sorry, contributing little is better than contributing garbage.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
Originally posted by: WhipperSnapper
Here are the current political choices:

Republicans. They attract votes from working class people who have religious values while at the same time advocating econoimc policies (global labor wage arbitrage, foreign outsourcing, H-1B and L-1 visas, mass immigration, illegal immigration) that will lead to the impoverishment of those people. They also want to force religious mysticism onto the populace, transforming the nation into a Christian Iran.

Democrats. This is a group of almost mindless, knee-jerk altruists. They lack coherency and have little sense of economic rational self interest, also advocating global labor wage arbitrage but perhaps not as fervently as the Republicans. Their main message appears to be, "The Republicans are despicable, and we are not the Republicans, so vote for us." They have failed to articulate any sort of coherent economic policy or vision. As an example of altruism, few would advocate that our national policy should be to pursue Americans' rational selfish economic interests. In their view, we should allow mass immigration from Mexico so that we might share our hard-earned wealth with those who are less fortunate.

Well, there you have it. Some choice, heh? Which poison would you prefer? Religionists who want to destroy the middle and lower classes or mindless, knee-jerk altruists whose policies would end up being detrimental to the middle and lower classes. Poison or Poison? No wonder Americans are apathetic.

Perhaps we need a new political party that would pursue the rational selfish economin interests of the middle class (which would also benefit the other classes) for a change.


Nice post - don;t forget about "free market" mysticism republicans are under the spell of either .http://www.conceptualguerilla.com/mythologyofwealth.htm
 

CycloWizard

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
12,348
1
81
Originally posted by: WhipperSnapper
Here are the current political choices:

Republicans. They attract votes from working class people who have religious values while at the same time advocating econoimc policies (global labor wage arbitrage, foreign outsourcing, H-1B and L-1 visas, mass immigration, illegal immigration) that will lead to the impoverishment of those people. They also want to force religious mysticism onto the populace, transforming the nation into a Christian Iran.

Democrats. This is a group of almost mindless, knee-jerk altruists. They lack coherency and have little sense of economic rational self interest, also advocating global labor wage arbitrage but perhaps not as fervently as the Republicans. Their main message appears to be, "The Republicans are despicable, and we are not the Republicans, so vote for us." They have failed to articulate any sort of coherent economic policy or vision. As an example of altruism, few would advocate that our national policy should be to pursue Americans' rational selfish economic interests. In their view, we should allow mass immigration from Mexico so that we might share our hard-earned wealth with those who are less fortunate.

Well, there you have it. Some choice, heh? Which poison would you prefer? Religionists who want to destroy the middle and lower classes or mindless, knee-jerk altruists whose policies would end up being detrimental to the middle and lower classes. Poison or Poison? No wonder Americans are apathetic.

Perhaps we need a new political party that would pursue the rational selfish economin interests of the middle class (which would also benefit the other classes) for a change.
:beer:

This is exactly why I just don't care that much. Therefore, I have to pick some issues that I deem of the greatest importance and vote accordingly, even if I despise those who I am voting for for many other reasons.
 

OrByte

Diamond Member
Jul 21, 2000
9,303
144
106
Originally posted by: CycloWizard
Originally posted by: WhipperSnapper
Here are the current political choices:

Republicans. They attract votes from working class people who have religious values while at the same time advocating econoimc policies (global labor wage arbitrage, foreign outsourcing, H-1B and L-1 visas, mass immigration, illegal immigration) that will lead to the impoverishment of those people. They also want to force religious mysticism onto the populace, transforming the nation into a Christian Iran.

Democrats. This is a group of almost mindless, knee-jerk altruists. They lack coherency and have little sense of economic rational self interest, also advocating global labor wage arbitrage but perhaps not as fervently as the Republicans. Their main message appears to be, "The Republicans are despicable, and we are not the Republicans, so vote for us." They have failed to articulate any sort of coherent economic policy or vision. As an example of altruism, few would advocate that our national policy should be to pursue Americans' rational selfish economic interests. In their view, we should allow mass immigration from Mexico so that we might share our hard-earned wealth with those who are less fortunate.

Well, there you have it. Some choice, heh? Which poison would you prefer? Religionists who want to destroy the middle and lower classes or mindless, knee-jerk altruists whose policies would end up being detrimental to the middle and lower classes. Poison or Poison? No wonder Americans are apathetic.

Perhaps we need a new political party that would pursue the rational selfish economin interests of the middle class (which would also benefit the other classes) for a change.
:beer:

This is exactly why I just don't care that much. Therefore, I have to pick some issues that I deem of the greatest importance and vote accordingly, even if I despise those who I am voting for for many other reasons.
THANK YOU!!

what a novel concept, voting by the issues.
 

Dissipate

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2004
6,815
0
0
Originally posted by: Zebo
Originally posted by: WhipperSnapper
Here are the current political choices:

Republicans. They attract votes from working class people who have religious values while at the same time advocating econoimc policies (global labor wage arbitrage, foreign outsourcing, H-1B and L-1 visas, mass immigration, illegal immigration) that will lead to the impoverishment of those people. They also want to force religious mysticism onto the populace, transforming the nation into a Christian Iran.

Democrats. This is a group of almost mindless, knee-jerk altruists. They lack coherency and have little sense of economic rational self interest, also advocating global labor wage arbitrage but perhaps not as fervently as the Republicans. Their main message appears to be, "The Republicans are despicable, and we are not the Republicans, so vote for us." They have failed to articulate any sort of coherent economic policy or vision. As an example of altruism, few would advocate that our national policy should be to pursue Americans' rational selfish economic interests. In their view, we should allow mass immigration from Mexico so that we might share our hard-earned wealth with those who are less fortunate.

Well, there you have it. Some choice, heh? Which poison would you prefer? Religionists who want to destroy the middle and lower classes or mindless, knee-jerk altruists whose policies would end up being detrimental to the middle and lower classes. Poison or Poison? No wonder Americans are apathetic.

Perhaps we need a new political party that would pursue the rational selfish economin interests of the middle class (which would also benefit the other classes) for a change.


Nice post - don;t forget about "free market" mysticism republicans are under the spell of either .http://www.conceptualguerilla.com/mythologyofwealth.htm

That essay is complete bullsh!t.
 

Dissipate

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2004
6,815
0
0
Originally posted by: Zebo
Why you say that?

Classic strawman tactic right here:

According to the new mythology, human beings are economic competitors. The ?marketplace? is the new ?Valhalla?, where ?economic man? frolics. The ?market? we are told, contains its own ?rationality?. It rewards the efficient. It rewards that list of virtues George Will cites, like ?thrift?, ?delayed gratification? and of course, ?hard work?. Free competition in the market place ?rationally? selects the more ?worthy? competitor. Thus, the wealthy are the superior competitors who have ?earned? their elite status. If you haven?t succeeded it can only be because of your ?inferiority?.