Very true, yes. There was a time when no one knew how to build a fire, or knew how to build a bridge, or knew how to build a railroad, or knew how to go to the moon. Yet they were done, because people needed those things and figured out how to get them.
The immigrants that came to the US already had that knowledge. Well not going to the moon.
Everyone is just so focused on the $$$, what about the many corporation that have built factories around the world that are helping create a better way of life for people who otherwise would have no hope.
I already know the replies, that's cheap labor. But I don't hear China complaining nor do I hear Mexico, Viet Nam, Cambodia, India, Pakistan or the many more places where US companies, owned by US billionaires have set up factories and are indeed improving the live's of the citizens of those countries.
And like I said these people are grateful for the jobs. So not only does America give plenty of financial aid both through the government and from her citizens, it entrepreneurs bring plenty of jobs to economically depressed regions of the world.
In case your wondering, I am not an American, I am a Canadian who would not trade my neighbor to south for any EU country.
Yes America is not perfect, can they do more yes, will they, who knows. I also know that living so close to them that they have their fair share of problems, any country with 300 million will have problems.
What we need is thread started that rags on Europeans, of course whats the point, after reading many posy by Europeans, we all know by now they are perfect.
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
Everyone is just so focused on the $$$, what about the many corporation that have built factories around the world that are helping create a better way of life for people who otherwise would have no hope.
I already know the replies, that's cheap labor. But I don't hear China complaining nor do I hear Mexico, Viet Nam, Cambodia, India, Pakistan or the many more places where US companies, owned by US billionaires have set up factories and are indeed improving the live's of the citizens of those countries.
And like I said these people are grateful for the jobs. So not only does America give plenty of financial aid both through the government and from her citizens, it entrepreneurs bring plenty of jobs to economically depressed regions of the world.
In case your wondering, I am not an American, I am a Canadian who would not trade my neighbor to south for any EU country.
Yes America is not perfect, can they do more yes, will they, who knows. I also know that living so close to them that they have their fair share of problems, any country with 300 million will have problems.
What we need is thread started that rags on Europeans, of course whats the point, after reading many posy by Europeans, we all know by now they are perfect.
Oh please, this thread was never about bashing the US. Show me where any European says they're better than Americans.
I can show you posts where Americans claim to be better than anyone in the world, though.
But the resources were there. How are they going to manage to build a skyscraper in ethopia when they have to walk 20 miles every day just for water?
They should build a wagon before they build a skyscraper.
Or whatever it is. Priorities change when you're starving. Those people in America could grow their own food or whatever... the land isn't QUITE the same in Africa.
The land is often QUITE the same in Africa. Today, you have many people starving to death in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is more fit for edible agriculture than where I live here in America. Conversely, in lands like Ethiopia, you will find areas that cannot support agriculture. Yet throughout history, other people have lived and thrived on those lands. Your billions were not needed then, and your billions accomplish little now. It's very important to ask why.
Well THAT'S the conversation I want to have... about where the money's going. Also, you said you give 10% of your income to charity. Can I ask why if you have this opinion?
My opinion is not that charity is bad or unnecessary. My opinion is that charity is often bad or unnecessary. I would never give a charitable donation to someone who told me my charity will serve to absolve them or me of something.
Do you not think those people should help themselves WITHOUT your money?
No. I think these people should help themselves, period. My money, there or otherwise, is secondary. Do you understand what I mean by that?
Besides I've never been to Ethopia so I can't comment but I'd imagine it takes a couple of generations to get rid of the hunger and the loss that your family have suffered.
It can take one day to get rid of the hunger and loss you have suffered. Sometimes it can take generations. On the current path Ethiopia is on, it will take forever because the suffering there will not be cured by money.
How so? I think it has everything to do with it.
No. The fact that I "have" doesn't lead me to being smug over those who "have not". I am simply proud that my achievements led to me having things. The fact that I "have" is completely untied to the fact that someone does not.
What you're looking for here is to link the simple fact of having to an obligation to those who do not have. That's commonly referred to as guilt, and as a good Irishperson you're probably quite familiar with that
Now, here's the fundamental problem with foreign aid. When foreign aid is motivated by guilt, it takes on the primary purpose of absolution. This is the problem that plagues foreign aid and leads to the thinking of those "braggarts" you speak of. If, tomorrow, the United States flushed an additional $50B down a toilet and filed that under the "foreign aid" category on a balance sheet, this thread wouldn't be possible. Yet no good would have come from the act.
Charity, true charity, is never about absolution or guilt. Charity is about recognizing the path from sufferring to happiness within one man. In essence, charity is fundamentally about self-recognition. A meal granted does not accomplish much for the man who is starving, yet it can absolve you of your guilt. A dollar to the poor man does not accomplish much for the man who has no money, yet it can absolve you of your guilt. But reconizing, in your own efforts, where that meal or that dollar came from, and imparting that onto that starving man or poor man, is true charity.
It's about humanitarian aid, and then it turns into how the US does not give more, and for the record I am totally against foreign aid, because it never helps the people its intended to help.
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
It's about humanitarian aid, and then it turns into how the US does not give more, and for the record I am totally against foreign aid, because it never helps the people its intended to help.
It's about humanitarian aid, and then it turns into how the US does not give more, and for the record I am totally against foreign aid, because it never helps the people its intended to help.
I think it was about - you'd have to ask Helen, really - about how some Americans on this board often boast about how much they give, which implies that others don't give or give less, which is ridiculous. Because be honest why would anyone say 'look at how much money I give' when he knows the other person give the same amount or more. It's a childish game of 'my country is better than yours.' Helen wanted to set the facts straight, I think, by posting stats, including stats that present stats with percentages which these Americans often seem to forget.
I think it was about - you'd have to ask Helen, really - about how some Americans on this board often boast about how much they give, which implies that others don't give or give less, which is ridiculous. Because be honest why would anyone say 'look at how much money I give' when he knows the other person give the same amount or more. It's a childish game of 'my country is better than yours.' Helen wanted to set the facts straight, I think, by posting stats, including stats that present stats with percentages which these Americans often seem to forget.
And I'm sure there are many people from other countries that go around boasting about how much their countries do. Personally, here in Canada, I wish we would give far less and spend that money right at home, because like I said I doubt that a lot of that humanitarian aid is really helping the people its intended to help.
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
And I'm sure there are many people from other countries that go around boasting about how much their countries do.
I'm sure you're right. But that's not the point, the point is it happens here, and it's annoying when these people use this as some sort of argument to show how good the US is compared to other countries.
Personally, here in Canada, I wish we would give far less and spend that money right at home, because like I said I doubt that a lot of that humanitarian aid is really helping the people its intended to help.
Tell that to the people who were hit by the Tsunami.
I see your point BUT the equality of wealth is better in other countries in the developed world. So is it a BAD thing that the US gives less per capita (I think I posted the private donations link somewhere where the US is still down the list) as more richer people should be giving higher donations... along with the little that the poorer people are giving... OR does it mean the US is more generous... (as millionaires aren't millionaires because of their generosity) as it's the poor people giving the money? Sorry, I hope that makes sense.
Yes Japan HAS been doing alot and I have to admit I didn't know that til I started checking the facts... I suppose there just aren't many Japanese here boasting about how much they're giving.
Edit: I had posted the link on another thread. Here it is:
I couldn't open the link for some reason and I am not sure what you are saying.
I know you are listening to some Americans bragging that we give the most and we are the best blah blah blah.
I really don't know all of the facts to simply say the US gives the most or not. I am pretty sure US humanitarian aid has gone down since Bush became President though.
I just think it’s more complicated. There are government, private and corporate donations and some donations are made anonymous. Many countries are making all kinds of donations. Some of the donations may be money but others are grants, food, water, clothing, supplies, equipment and labor. There are millions of charities to give to and there is the UN as well.
I don't buy into the per capita method because there are too many flaws. I don't think an entire population of a country should be included because not all people are in the positions to make donations. And that applies to all countries because every country has its poor but we do have a lot here. If you take the entire population of Ireland and multiply it by 9 that is about how many Americans are living in poverty. Donations shouldn't be made based on how many people. You can have two families and they both make a million dollars per year. One is a family of 6 and the other is a family of 2. They both give $100,000 to a charity. They both gave the same amount but the family of 2 gave more per capita. However, the family of 6 actually would have more expenses to take care of for themselves than the family of 2. There are other factors like the different economies and problems each country has. And again I don't think you can compare a country with 300 millions with a country with 5 million. It is like comparing apples to oranges.
The US is not that rich. Yes we have some millionaires and billionaires but the poor Americans actually out number them. We have millions of people unemployed and without health insurance. The US has a huge deficit and everyday the US borrows billions of dollars from China. We import way more than we export. So I am not sure if we actually are in the position to give more. Maybe if we stopped wasting money on bombs we could actually do some good.
"...believe in lies...to get by...it's divine...whoa...oh, you know what its like..."
I did. you said that poor people outnumber millionaires and billionaires.
really? how shocking
Yes, it is shocking that we have so many poor people living the US. As for the unemployment, 4.5% may seem like a small number to you but tell that to the 14 million Americans without a job. You want to compare the US with Europe? Well at least most Europeans have free health care and free college education.
You said we are rich country. Would a rich country have more poor people than millionaires and billionaires? Would a rich country have 14 million people without jobs and millions more without health care? Would a rich country have 37 million people living in poverty? Would a rich country have an 8.6 trillion dollar deficit? Would a rich country have to borrow billions of dollars everyday just to get by?
"...believe in lies...to get by...it's divine...whoa...oh, you know what its like..."
Try living in California and having enough money left over to be generous with. With such a high cost of living, I barely had enough money left over last month to make my BMW payment and buy a new high definition tv.
Yes, it is shocking that we have so many poor people living the US. As for the unemployment, 4.5% may seem like a small number to you but tell that to the 14 million Americans without a job. You want to compare the US with Europe? Well at least most Europeans have free health care and free college education.
You said we are rich country. Would a rich country have more poor people than millionaires and billionaires? Would a rich country have 14 million people without jobs and millions more without health care? Would a rich country have 37 million people living in poverty? Would a rich country have an 8.6 trillion dollar deficit? Would a rich country have to borrow billions of dollars everyday just to get by?
By your comments, you do not understand finance.
Just because the U.S. borrows money does not mean it is not rich. Wealthy corporations borrow a lot of money too, but that's because they have the credit to do so. The U.S. has a perfect credit score and you will certainly get your money back if you invest in our government. Borrowing is a part of how an entity manages its capital. If wealthy companies didn't borrow money, they wouldn't be as successful as they are!
In fact, I'd say a lot of the things you said indicate that finance is not your specialty, but that's okay. 4.5% unemployment is a gold standard. I will admit that we are rapidly approaching a time when people who aren't college educated won't have very good jobs, but that is because our government has failed to retain corporations within the U.S. I am a big supporter of tarrifs on goods coming from foreign countries that don't have the same workplace, wage, and environmental laws that we have. China and Mexico for example. It is unfair that foreign workers are given higher priority than the American worker.
Nonetheless, I would say our economy is booming. The gap between rich and poor is narrowing and income is rising. We are indeed a rich country. Here is a good indicator:
We're third and we have 100s of millions more people than the countries on par with us. That's more liability that there'll be low-income earning immigrants from the third world. Yet we're still awesome! Cool eh?
All I know is that to see, and not to speak, would be the great betrayal.
-Enoch Powell
Just because the U.S. borrows money does not mean it is not rich. Wealthy corporations borrow a lot of money too, but that's because they have the credit to do so. The U.S. has a perfect credit score and you will certainly get your money back if you invest in our government. Borrowing is a part of how an entity manages its capital. If wealthy companies didn't borrow money, they wouldn't be as successful as they are!
In fact, I'd say a lot of the things you said indicate that finance is not your specialty, but that's okay. 4.5% unemployment is a gold standard. I will admit that we are rapidly approaching a time when people who aren't college educated won't have very good jobs, but that is because our government has failed to retain corporations within the U.S. I am a big supporter of tarrifs on goods coming from foreign countries that don't have the same workplace, wage, and environmental laws that we have. China and Mexico for example. It is unfair that foreign workers are given higher priority than the American worker.
Nonetheless, I would say our economy is booming. The gap between rich and poor is narrowing and income is rising. We are indeed a rich country. Here is a good indicator:
We're third and we have 100s of millions more people than the countries on par with us. That's more liability that there'll be low-income earning immigrants from the third world. Yet we're still awesome! Cool eh?
Lol, you obviously know nothing about me or what I do for a living but I actually do work with financing more than you will ever know.
We are talking borrowing billions of dollars every single day and not just a loan here and there and a couple of credit cards. I would never let my company run up a huge deficit and just pay the interest. Listen, wealthy corporations don't spend way more than they bring in, well unless they want to file for chapter 11. That is exactly what our country does, we import way more than we export and we borrow and spend. It's actually very dangerous. What if China tells us one day they don't want to lend us any more money and by the way pay up?
I'm not saying we are a poor country but I'm just saying we are not as rich as some people may believe.
"...believe in lies...to get by...it's divine...whoa...oh, you know what its like..."
Lol, you obviously know nothing about me or what I do for a living but I actually do work with financing more than you will ever know.
We are talking borrowing billions of dollars every single day and not just a loan here and there and a couple of credit cards. I would never let my company run up a huge deficit and just pay the interest. Listen, wealthy corporations don't spend way more than they bring in, well unless they want to file for chapter 11. That is exactly what our country does, we import way more than we export and we borrow and spend. It's actually very dangerous. What if China tells us one day they don't want to lend us any more money and by the way pay up?
I'm not saying we are a poor country but I'm just saying we are not as rich as some people may believe.
While I disagree with deficit spending, I am not worried about the country's ability to pay back our loans. It's impossible for us to default b/c the U.S. doesn't go bankrupt.
You're right, real companies don't borrow more than they spend. Comparisons between governments and companies can be deceiving.
I agree that it's stupid for us to be importing more than we export. American workers deserve those jobs - not foreigners. But, China can't do shit if we say they want us to pay up. What are they going to do? Invade us?
We are not as rich as some people may believe? We have the third highest PPP per capita. That's awesome! Plus we have low unemployment!
Hate what you want about our government, but our economy is easy to love.
All I know is that to see, and not to speak, would be the great betrayal.
-Enoch Powell
While I disagree with deficit spending, I am not worried about the country's ability to pay back our loans. It's impossible for us to default b/c the U.S. doesn't go bankrupt.
You're right, real companies don't borrow more than they spend. Comparisons between governments and companies can be deceiving.
I agree that it's stupid for us to be importing more than we export. American workers deserve those jobs - not foreigners. But, China can't do shit if we say they want us to pay up. What are they going to do? Invade us?
We are not as rich as some people may believe? We have the third highest PPP per capita. That's awesome! Plus we have low unemployment!
Hate what you want about our government, but our economy is easy to love.
No it's just a disagreement in our expectations of a country and of a government. I don't want some or even most Americans to benefit from the economy I want ALL Americans to benefit from the economy. I don't want anyone left behind. So while it may be acceptable to you, I just expect more.
"...believe in lies...to get by...it's divine...whoa...oh, you know what its like..."
No it's just a disagreement in our expectations of a country and of a government. I don't want some or even most Americans to benefit from the economy I want ALL Americans to benefit from the economy. I don't want anyone left behind. So while it may be acceptable to you, I just expect more.
But you're willing to sacrifice economic freedom for socialist government spending policies.
Constitutionally, the government has no right to spend any money on welfare, entitlements, or health care.
All I know is that to see, and not to speak, would be the great betrayal.
-Enoch Powell
GDP isn't exactly a gauge of standard of living or even just spending power of your average american. Keep in mind that it is merely an average that ignores factors such as distribution of wealth, cost of housing, as well as other benefits dolled out by socialist governments such as health care.
Over the years, the distribution of wealth has been shiting to fewer and fewer people. Fewer and fewer people are able to afford homes. People are working more hours to maintain the same standard of living. Unemployment may be low, but a big chunk of those who are "employed" are living way below the poverty level. And if this was Canada, they'd at least have their medical care, which they are probably not getting here in the states.
GDP isn't exactly a gauge of standard of living or even just spending power of your average american. Keep in mind that it is merely an average that ignores factors such as distribution of wealth, cost of housing, as well as other benefits dolled out by socialist governments such as health care.
Over the years, the distribution of wealth has been shiting to fewer and fewer people. Fewer and fewer people are able to afford homes. People are working more hours to maintain the same standard of living. Unemployment may be low, but a big chunk of those who are "employed" are living way below the poverty level. And if this was Canada, they'd at least have their medical care, which they are probably not getting here in the states.
I used PPP which takes into account inflation.
All I know is that to see, and not to speak, would be the great betrayal.
-Enoch Powell
That just gives you a more accurate GDP, but the fact is you still used GDP, which doesn't even take into account housing costs. And, again, it is merely an overall average that doesn't take into account wealth distribution.
Very true, yes. There was a time when no one knew how to build a fire, or knew how to build a bridge, or knew how to build a railroad, or knew how to go to the moon. Yet they were done, because people needed those things and figured out how to get them.
There is often a need for it, though not in the way you're thinking.
Suffering is typically not needless. When someone suffers, they suffer for a reason. The reason begets the sufferring -- it is a direct result needed by its cause. The question should not be "is this suffering needless?". The question should be "is the cause of this suffering needless?".
I get the impression you've never had to walk miles for water, look after your 6 sick siblings cos your parents died of a disease, gone for days without food??? Any of this? I haven't either but I can certainly imagine what it must be like, although I don't think my imagination even comes CLOSE to the reality of the situation.
The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Comments
Hehe....is your disgust more about Paris Hilton or more about people starving or more about you?
The immigrants that came to the US already had that knowledge. Well not going to the moon.
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I already know the replies, that's cheap labor. But I don't hear China complaining nor do I hear Mexico, Viet Nam, Cambodia, India, Pakistan or the many more places where US companies, owned by US billionaires have set up factories and are indeed improving the live's of the citizens of those countries.
And like I said these people are grateful for the jobs. So not only does America give plenty of financial aid both through the government and from her citizens, it entrepreneurs bring plenty of jobs to economically depressed regions of the world.
In case your wondering, I am not an American, I am a Canadian who would not trade my neighbor to south for any EU country.
Yes America is not perfect, can they do more yes, will they, who knows. I also know that living so close to them that they have their fair share of problems, any country with 300 million will have problems.
What we need is thread started that rags on Europeans, of course whats the point, after reading many posy by Europeans, we all know by now they are perfect.
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
What do you mean with 'about me'?
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Oh please, this thread was never about bashing the US. Show me where any European says they're better than Americans.
I can show you posts where Americans claim to be better than anyone in the world, though.
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They should build a wagon before they build a skyscraper.
The land is often QUITE the same in Africa. Today, you have many people starving to death in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is more fit for edible agriculture than where I live here in America. Conversely, in lands like Ethiopia, you will find areas that cannot support agriculture. Yet throughout history, other people have lived and thrived on those lands. Your billions were not needed then, and your billions accomplish little now. It's very important to ask why.
My opinion is not that charity is bad or unnecessary. My opinion is that charity is often bad or unnecessary. I would never give a charitable donation to someone who told me my charity will serve to absolve them or me of something.
No. I think these people should help themselves, period. My money, there or otherwise, is secondary. Do you understand what I mean by that?
It can take one day to get rid of the hunger and loss you have suffered. Sometimes it can take generations. On the current path Ethiopia is on, it will take forever because the suffering there will not be cured by money.
No. The fact that I "have" doesn't lead me to being smug over those who "have not". I am simply proud that my achievements led to me having things. The fact that I "have" is completely untied to the fact that someone does not.
What you're looking for here is to link the simple fact of having to an obligation to those who do not have. That's commonly referred to as guilt, and as a good Irishperson you're probably quite familiar with that
Now, here's the fundamental problem with foreign aid. When foreign aid is motivated by guilt, it takes on the primary purpose of absolution. This is the problem that plagues foreign aid and leads to the thinking of those "braggarts" you speak of. If, tomorrow, the United States flushed an additional $50B down a toilet and filed that under the "foreign aid" category on a balance sheet, this thread wouldn't be possible. Yet no good would have come from the act.
Charity, true charity, is never about absolution or guilt. Charity is about recognizing the path from sufferring to happiness within one man. In essence, charity is fundamentally about self-recognition. A meal granted does not accomplish much for the man who is starving, yet it can absolve you of your guilt. A dollar to the poor man does not accomplish much for the man who has no money, yet it can absolve you of your guilt. But reconizing, in your own efforts, where that meal or that dollar came from, and imparting that onto that starving man or poor man, is true charity.
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
That's not what most posts are about.
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"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Plan
I think it was about - you'd have to ask Helen, really - about how some Americans on this board often boast about how much they give, which implies that others don't give or give less, which is ridiculous. Because be honest why would anyone say 'look at how much money I give' when he knows the other person give the same amount or more. It's a childish game of 'my country is better than yours.' Helen wanted to set the facts straight, I think, by posting stats, including stats that present stats with percentages which these Americans often seem to forget.
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"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
I'm sure you're right. But that's not the point, the point is it happens here, and it's annoying when these people use this as some sort of argument to show how good the US is compared to other countries.
Tell that to the people who were hit by the Tsunami.
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I couldn't open the link for some reason and I am not sure what you are saying.
I know you are listening to some Americans bragging that we give the most and we are the best blah blah blah.
I really don't know all of the facts to simply say the US gives the most or not. I am pretty sure US humanitarian aid has gone down since Bush became President though.
I just think it’s more complicated. There are government, private and corporate donations and some donations are made anonymous. Many countries are making all kinds of donations. Some of the donations may be money but others are grants, food, water, clothing, supplies, equipment and labor. There are millions of charities to give to and there is the UN as well.
I don't buy into the per capita method because there are too many flaws. I don't think an entire population of a country should be included because not all people are in the positions to make donations. And that applies to all countries because every country has its poor but we do have a lot here. If you take the entire population of Ireland and multiply it by 9 that is about how many Americans are living in poverty. Donations shouldn't be made based on how many people. You can have two families and they both make a million dollars per year. One is a family of 6 and the other is a family of 2. They both give $100,000 to a charity. They both gave the same amount but the family of 2 gave more per capita. However, the family of 6 actually would have more expenses to take care of for themselves than the family of 2. There are other factors like the different economies and problems each country has. And again I don't think you can compare a country with 300 millions with a country with 5 million. It is like comparing apples to oranges.
The US is not that rich. Yes we have some millionaires and billionaires but the poor Americans actually out number them. We have millions of people unemployed and without health insurance. The US has a huge deficit and everyday the US borrows billions of dollars from China. We import way more than we export. So I am not sure if we actually are in the position to give more. Maybe if we stopped wasting money on bombs we could actually do some good.
Huh, read what said again.
really? how shocking
Yes, it is shocking that we have so many poor people living the US. As for the unemployment, 4.5% may seem like a small number to you but tell that to the 14 million Americans without a job. You want to compare the US with Europe? Well at least most Europeans have free health care and free college education.
You said we are rich country. Would a rich country have more poor people than millionaires and billionaires? Would a rich country have 14 million people without jobs and millions more without health care? Would a rich country have 37 million people living in poverty? Would a rich country have an 8.6 trillion dollar deficit? Would a rich country have to borrow billions of dollars everyday just to get by?
-Enoch Powell
http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=272825
By your comments, you do not understand finance.
Just because the U.S. borrows money does not mean it is not rich. Wealthy corporations borrow a lot of money too, but that's because they have the credit to do so. The U.S. has a perfect credit score and you will certainly get your money back if you invest in our government. Borrowing is a part of how an entity manages its capital. If wealthy companies didn't borrow money, they wouldn't be as successful as they are!
In fact, I'd say a lot of the things you said indicate that finance is not your specialty, but that's okay. 4.5% unemployment is a gold standard. I will admit that we are rapidly approaching a time when people who aren't college educated won't have very good jobs, but that is because our government has failed to retain corporations within the U.S. I am a big supporter of tarrifs on goods coming from foreign countries that don't have the same workplace, wage, and environmental laws that we have. China and Mexico for example. It is unfair that foreign workers are given higher priority than the American worker.
Nonetheless, I would say our economy is booming. The gap between rich and poor is narrowing and income is rising. We are indeed a rich country. Here is a good indicator:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita
We're third and we have 100s of millions more people than the countries on par with us. That's more liability that there'll be low-income earning immigrants from the third world. Yet we're still awesome! Cool eh?
-Enoch Powell
Lol, you obviously know nothing about me or what I do for a living but I actually do work with financing more than you will ever know.
We are talking borrowing billions of dollars every single day and not just a loan here and there and a couple of credit cards. I would never let my company run up a huge deficit and just pay the interest. Listen, wealthy corporations don't spend way more than they bring in, well unless they want to file for chapter 11. That is exactly what our country does, we import way more than we export and we borrow and spend. It's actually very dangerous. What if China tells us one day they don't want to lend us any more money and by the way pay up?
I'm not saying we are a poor country but I'm just saying we are not as rich as some people may believe.
While I disagree with deficit spending, I am not worried about the country's ability to pay back our loans. It's impossible for us to default b/c the U.S. doesn't go bankrupt.
You're right, real companies don't borrow more than they spend. Comparisons between governments and companies can be deceiving.
I agree that it's stupid for us to be importing more than we export. American workers deserve those jobs - not foreigners. But, China can't do shit if we say they want us to pay up. What are they going to do? Invade us?
We are not as rich as some people may believe? We have the third highest PPP per capita. That's awesome! Plus we have low unemployment!
Hate what you want about our government, but our economy is easy to love.
-Enoch Powell
No it's just a disagreement in our expectations of a country and of a government. I don't want some or even most Americans to benefit from the economy I want ALL Americans to benefit from the economy. I don't want anyone left behind. So while it may be acceptable to you, I just expect more.
But you're willing to sacrifice economic freedom for socialist government spending policies.
Constitutionally, the government has no right to spend any money on welfare, entitlements, or health care.
-Enoch Powell
Over the years, the distribution of wealth has been shiting to fewer and fewer people. Fewer and fewer people are able to afford homes. People are working more hours to maintain the same standard of living. Unemployment may be low, but a big chunk of those who are "employed" are living way below the poverty level. And if this was Canada, they'd at least have their medical care, which they are probably not getting here in the states.
http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=272825
I used PPP which takes into account inflation.
-Enoch Powell
That just gives you a more accurate GDP, but the fact is you still used GDP, which doesn't even take into account housing costs. And, again, it is merely an overall average that doesn't take into account wealth distribution.
http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=272825
Nobody NEEDS to go to the moon
I get the impression you've never had to walk miles for water, look after your 6 sick siblings cos your parents died of a disease, gone for days without food??? Any of this? I haven't either but I can certainly imagine what it must be like, although I don't think my imagination even comes CLOSE to the reality of the situation.
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you