WSJ - Warnings From the Ukraine Crisis

[Texashiker]

Holy shit people vote for the people who represent views important to them?

What do you call it when someone only cares about themself? I am drawing a blank right now. When someone is incapable of caring about anything besides their own feelings and wants.

That is the point we have reached.

Society has become so selfish and self-centered we can no longer see the bigger picture. Nor can people think about the long term consequences of their actions.

A gay person will vote form someone who stands up for gay rights. But how well is that person qualified in foreign relations? What about economics and individual civil liberties?

Those same questions apply to all special interest groups - gun owners, business owners, people in poverty, working class,,,,,, and not just gays.

Voters have reached a point where they are considering their needs over what the nation as a whole needs. As a result the least common denominator is being elected into positions of authority.

 

[fskimospy]

What about my and Peggy Noonan's article do you disagree with?

And please be specific.

That we elect weaklings.

 

[CitizenKain]

What do you call it when someone only cares about themself? I am drawing a blank right now. When someone is incapable of caring about anything besides their own feelings and wants.

That is the point we have reached.

Society has become so selfish and self-centered we can no longer see the bigger picture. Nor can people think about the long term consequences of their actions.

A gay person will vote form someone who stands up for gay rights. But how well is that person qualified in foreign relations? What about economics and individual civil liberties?

Those same questions apply to all special interest groups - gun owners, business owners, people in poverty, working class,,,,,, and not just gays.

Voters have reached a point where they are considering their needs over what the nation as a whole needs. As a result the least common denominator is being elected into positions of authority.

You really want a dictator don't you.

 

[bradly1101]

So, is that your rebuttal? If you have nothing to contribute why are you posting?

The name of the author does not change the facts.

Putin is a sly fox.

To counter that fox the American people elected a puppy who is running around with no idea what he is doing. While our puppy dog president is playing with his toys and licking his balls, the fox is sneaking into the chicken house.

The American people got what they deserved with obama.

What would be your prescription? Russia has plenty of tools in its belt to counter our sanctions. Escalation beyond that seems awfully risky. I thought America only fights when it thinks it can win overwhelmingly. Have we even really won a war since WWII (including the cold war) outside of Kosovo (where deep divisions still exist) ? Do we really want to go down that road again?

 

[bradly1101]

What do you call it when someone only cares about themself? I am drawing a blank right now. When someone is incapable of caring about anything besides their own feelings and wants.

That is the point we have reached.

Society has become so selfish and self-centered we can no longer see the bigger picture. Nor can people think about the long term consequences of their actions.

A gay person will vote form someone who stands up for gay rights. But how well is that person qualified in foreign relations? What about economics and individual civil liberties?

Those same questions apply to all special interest groups - gun owners, business owners, people in poverty, working class,,,,,, and not just gays.

Voters have reached a point where they are considering their needs over what the nation as a whole needs. As a result the least common denominator is being elected into positions of authority.

Who is worthy of being elected as a great leader besides Putin, who appears to impress you so? Mcain? Romney? Wayne LaPierre? Bill O'Reilly?

 

[Genx87]

What do you call it when someone only cares about themself? I am drawing a blank right now. When someone is incapable of caring about anything besides their own feelings and wants.

That is the point we have reached.

Society has become so selfish and self-centered we can no longer see the bigger picture. Nor can people think about the long term consequences of their actions.

A gay person will vote form someone who stands up for gay rights. But how well is that person qualified in foreign relations? What about economics and individual civil liberties?

Those same questions apply to all special interest groups - gun owners, business owners, people in poverty, working class,,,,,, and not just gays.

Voters have reached a point where they are considering their needs over what the nation as a whole needs. As a result the least common denominator is being elected into positions of authority.

Democracy is the ability for the people to have a say in the govt. That means people will vote in their own self interest. Not in your self interest. It is really silly to claim you know better than them on what they should vote.

And I'm trying to figure out how Putin is a great leader. He just sent Russia into recession over a piece of land that wont be a net benefit for his own people.

 

[brycejones]

What about my and Peggy Noonan's article do you disagree with?

Specifically?

Her words and your words......

 

[werepossum]

You really want a dictator don't you.

If that was the case you'd be happy with Obama, so no.

What would be your prescription? Russia has plenty of tools in its belt to counter our sanctions. Escalation beyond that seems awfully risky. I thought America only fights when it thinks it can win overwhelmingly. Have we even really won a war since WWII (including the cold war) outside of Kosovo (where deep divisions still exist) ? Do we really want to go down that road again?

Outside of Vietnam, what wars have we lost? Korea was arguably a draw, but our initial mandate was to eject North Korea from South Korea, which we did handily. It was only when we exceeded our mandate and attempted to establish a united Korea from of Marxism that Red China intervened and fought us to a draw - although even that was due to our not wanting to start another world war that might draw in the Soviets and go nuclear.

 

[Victorian Gray]

Does not change the fact that the people of the United States elected a community organizer, while Russia has a strong leader.

Instead of electing real leaders, our divided nation are electing people who talk the good talk. Gays and femenist would rather vote for someone who supports gay rights and abortion than someone who is a real leader. Children of illegal immigrants would rather vote for someone who talks about amensity than someone who is able to deal with Iran, Russia and Syria.

Our history of electing weaklings into position of authority is going to come back and bite us in the ass.

You want to live under the rule of a thug, why are you still in the US? You really think that an ex KGB thug is your kind of leader?

I hear that there's soon gonna be some 'free land' after the Tatars are kicked out of the Crimea again. Maybe you can go homestead there.

 

[fskimospy]

Democracy is the ability for the people to have a say in the govt. That means people will vote in their own self interest. Not in your self interest. It is really silly to claim you know better than them on what they should vote.

And I'm trying to figure out how Putin is a great leader. He just sent Russia into recession over a piece of land that wont be a net benefit for his own people.

What is odd is that democracy is DESIGNED for everyone to vote their own interest. That's what you're supposed to do. That's a feature, not a bug.

I think he seems to just be upset that people aren't voting the way he wants.

 

[Agent11]

It just proves many people are poor at gauging what is actually in their interests, and that they are easily swayed by charismatic leaders.

 

[Texashiker]

Who is worthy of being elected as a great leader besides Putin, who appears to impress you so? Mcain? Romney? Wayne LaPierre? Bill O'Reilly?

In the past 20 years, Ross Perot, and that is about it.

We have a serious leadership deficit in this nation. Nobody wants to make sacrifices for the greater good. People have the attitude as long as I have mine, screw you. But its not just screw bill, bob, may jane,,, its screw the whole nation.

I can not think of a president since LBJ that was able to get stuff done. Between Ike and LBJ we got the interstate high system built, a series of hydro electric dams, and the rural electric co-op built.

The federal government helped bring electricity to rural areas between the 1940s to the 1960s. But we can not get internet to those same areas now?

From say the 1970s to now our presidents have been rather shallow.

Like I have posted before in this thread, desperation leads to weakness. People are very desperate.

 

[zinfamous]

In the past 20 years, Ross Perot, and that is about it.

So, a billionaire that thinks a country is a company?


lol.

 

[CrackRabbit]

(more nonsense snipped)

I want to bet you would be the first person here screaming "COMMUNISM!" if anyone tried to start projects as big as the Interstate system or the TVA today.

Conservatives like you are the reason this country can no longer have nice things. So enjoy your 256k DSL in bumfuck nowhere. You deserve it.

 

[bradly1101]

In the past 20 years, Ross Perot, and that is about it.

We have a serious leadership deficit in this nation. Nobody wants to make sacrifices for the greater good. People have the attitude as long as I have mine, screw you. But its not just screw bill, bob, may jane,,, its screw the whole nation.

I can not think of a president since LBJ that was able to get stuff done. Between Ike and LBJ we got the interstate high system built, a series of hydro electric dams, and the rural electric co-op built.

The federal government helped bring electricity to rural areas between the 1940s to the 1960s. But we can not get internet to those same areas now?

From say the 1970s to now our presidents have been rather shallow.

Like I have posted before in this thread, desperation leads to weakness. People are very desperate.

I agree about the infrastructure. It's aging everywhere and it has to be paid for. Imagine a project that brings water from areas that get too much to the regions in drought, or desalination on a massive scale. Plus the roads, bridges, water networks, green energy, flood control, sea barriers... Imagine all the jobs. But again it has to be paid for, should it come from those who are increasingly doing well, or the masses who are just making it or worse? Would those jobs be a transfer of wealth if we tax the rich to obtain them?

 

[momeNt]

I think the 50/50 nation issue can be solved by expanding Presidential powers during times of war, and expanding the definition of what constitutes a time of war.

Russia can outmaneuver the USA because they have a more direct process in implementing Presidential ideals. We need more of that here in the USA. We can start with longer terms, and less limits on terms for all our of elected officials.

 

[Agent11]

Wrong. What we need is for our politicians to work together for the greater good as intended, not a pseudo dictator.

 

[brycejones]

Come on guys we know why TH is all over Putin:

His secret shameful lust for the man.

 

[Texashiker]

So, a billionaire that thinks a country is a company?

lol.

And?

In the end Ross was right about a lot of stuff.

I want to bet you would be the first person here screaming "COMMUNISM!" if anyone tried to start projects as big as the Interstate system or the TVA today.

Negative.

Our infrastructure is falling apart.

Our aging buried water and sewage lines pose a serious threat to public health.

We rank as one of the lowest 1st world nations for internet access, cost and speed.

During the summer months states from California to Texas have rolling blackouts because there is not enough power.

But yet companies like facebook have a negative tax rate?

We need a president who is going to say "facebook, apple, exxon, microsoft, it is time for you to pay your fair share in taxes. No more offshore tax havens, and no more moving factories to China, no more bailouts for wall street."

Since Nixon restored talks with China the United States has been bleeding jobs to China. Every president starting with Nixon, maybe even LBJ and Vietnam has screwed working class families up the ass while serving wall street record profits on a silver platter.

We need those jobs back, we need those tax dollars back, but no president is willing to do anything about it.

 

[bradly1101]

Our infrastructure is falling apart.

Our aging buried water and sewage lines pose a serious threat to public health.

We rank as one of the lowest 1st world nations for internet access, cost and speed.

During the summer months states from California to Texas have rolling blackouts because there is not enough power.

But yet companies like facebook have a negative tax rate?

We need a president who is going to say "facebook, apple, exxon, microsoft, it is time for you to pay your fair share in taxes. No more offshore tax havens, and no more moving factories to China, no more bailouts for wall street."

Since Nixon restored talks with China the United States has been bleeding jobs to China. Every president starting with Nixon, maybe even LBJ and Vietnam has screwed working class families up the ass while serving wall street record profits on a silver platter.

We need those jobs back, we need those tax dollars back, but no president is willing to do anything about it.

I agree with all that 100%, but I cut Obama a break. I think he's doing the best he can given what he's up against. He would probably agree with your thoughts on taxes, jobs and the infrastructure (he tried like heck with a jobs/infrastructure bill). But he can't do anything right according to his opposition.

 

[zinfamous]

I want to bet you would be the first person here screaming "COMMUNISM!" if anyone tried to start projects as big as the Interstate system or the TVA today.

Conservatives like you are the reason this country can no longer have nice things. So enjoy your 256k DSL in bumfuck nowhere. You deserve it.

Yeah, you know all those high-speed rail projects in major commuter areas being poo-pooed by all the pussheads of the country? 😀

In a way, I think TH does make a point. While he is off about our ability or need to do these things in the past versus now (meaning: we needed infrastructure then, now that is in place, so you won't be seeing that type of scale simply for reasons of necessity), I think it is true that our inability to get 1st world internet throughout the country is rather damning. So what if it means dropping fiber everywhere--we did that shit before, so let's do it again.

Of course, we let that infrastructure be owned by 1 or 2 corporations, as opposed to have the federal will to just do it and be done with it, as with the phone lines back in the day. The situation is very different, obviously.

 

[shadow9d9]

WSJ is a Murdoch rag.

 

[zinfamous]

And?

In the end Ross was right about a lot of stuff.




Negative.

Our infrastructure is falling apart.

Our aging buried water and sewage lines pose a serious threat to public health.

We rank as one of the lowest 1st world nations for internet access, cost and speed.

During the summer months states from California to Texas have rolling blackouts because there is not enough power.

But yet companies like facebook have a negative tax rate?

We need a president who is going to say "facebook, apple, exxon, microsoft, it is time for you to pay your fair share in taxes. No more offshore tax havens, and no more moving factories to China, no more bailouts for wall street."

Since Nixon restored talks with China the United States has been bleeding jobs to China. Every president starting with Nixon, maybe even LBJ and Vietnam has screwed working class families up the ass while serving wall street record profits on a silver platter.

We need those jobs back, we need those tax dollars back, but no president is willing to do anything about it.

to be fair, those rolling blackout issues were primarily a specific time period, and 100% the shenanigans of ENRON playing political sabotage. That problem, as you would know, is fixed.

 

[Victorian Gray]

Our infrastructure is falling apart.

Our aging buried water and sewage lines pose a serious threat to public health.

We rank as one of the lowest 1st world nations for internet access, cost and speed.

During the summer months states from California to Texas have rolling blackouts because there is not enough power.

But yet companies like facebook have a negative tax rate?

We need a president who is going to say "facebook, apple, exxon, microsoft, it is time for you to pay your fair share in taxes. No more offshore tax havens, and no more moving factories to China, no more bailouts for wall street."

Since Nixon restored talks with China the United States has been bleeding jobs to China. Every president starting with Nixon, maybe even LBJ and Vietnam has screwed working class families up the ass while serving wall street record profits on a silver platter.

We need those jobs back, we need those tax dollars back, but no president is willing to do anything about it.

If you really want that president then you'd better hope that the Republican Party disbands (along with probably 3/4 of the Democratic Party).

Mind you, if you want that president it would seem that you are actually a Socialist of some kind. So, good luck with that. <shrug>

 

[soccerballtux]

I thought we had a $1T stimulus bill that took care of the infrastructure? Shovel ready jobs?
Oh that's right only 3% of that went to the shovel ready jobs. Where TF did the rest go?