Milton Friedman

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LETS BEGIN IN 2010

yes, that is just what we need, couple more wars, but this time in africa, not some country where is oil

What an interesting concept.

We need more war, but not over a resource as important to the world today as oil.

Me thinks thought you have not a lot put into this.

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A simple review of any history book will show you that many people have overcome their "oppressors" throughout the history of man. In fact, I heard that once upon a time, a handful of American states fought for and won their independence from what was considered the strongest nation, physically and financially, on the planet.

And have been going downhill ever since.....

Really?

Because things like average income, standard of living, lost territory, fuel costs etc. etc. etc. show us to be do exceedingly better than you guys...

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Really?

Because things like average income, standard of living, lost territory, fuel costs etc. etc. etc. show us to be do exceedingly better than you guys...

Shown by who? ..and standard of living for who? The people of New Orleans? The people in the ghettos of LA or New York? The people living on reservations? The people who can't get health insurance? Who's standard of living are you talking about?

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Reality Internet Personality

yes, that is just what we need, couple more wars, but this time in africa, not some country where is oil

What an interesting concept.

We need more war, but not over a resource as important to the world today as oil.

Me thinks thought you have not a lot put into this.

i was afraid that the concept of sarcasm might go unnoticed, and for all good intentions, surprise, i was right, bummer

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"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exist elsewhere in the Universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin to the Hobbes

Really?

Because things like average income, standard of living, lost territory, fuel costs etc. etc. etc. show us to be do exceedingly better than you guys...

Shown by who? ..and standard of living for who? The people of New Orleans? The people in the ghettos of LA or New York? The people living on reservations? The people who can't get health insurance? Who's standard of living are you talking about?

The "average" American. Income between 30-50k, married, 2.5 kids with a dog in the backyard.

Obviously if you spend all of your time focusing on the dregs of society, you'll fail to notice the millions and millions of people actually succeeding at life.

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Really?

Because things like average income, standard of living, lost territory, fuel costs etc. etc. etc. show us to be do exceedingly better than you guys...

Shown by who? ..and standard of living for who? The people of New Orleans? The people in the ghettos of LA or New York? The people living on reservations? The people who can't get health insurance? Who's standard of living are you talking about?

The "average" American. Income between 30-50k, married, 2.5 kids with a dog in the backyard.

Obviously if you spend all of your time focusing on the dregs of society, you'll fail to notice the millions and millions of people actually succeeding at life.

Wow. Gotta call you on this one, BSR....

" Dregs of society "?? You are saying that Native Americans are the " dregs of society "??

Methinks my half Cherokee daughter ( who happens to be an honors student in high school ) just might beg to differ with that. The main reason the Native Americans are in the position they are in is because of the pillage of their culture and land by the American Government.

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Air Cold, the blade stops;
from silent stone,
Death is preordained

Calm Chaos Forums : Everyone Welcome

Really?

Because things like average income, standard of living, lost territory, fuel costs etc. etc. etc. show us to be do exceedingly better than you guys...

Shown by who? ..and standard of living for who? The people of New Orleans? The people in the ghettos of LA or New York? The people living on reservations? The people who can't get health insurance? Who's standard of living are you talking about?

The "average" American. Income between 30-50k, married, 2.5 kids with a dog in the backyard.

Obviously if you spend all of your time focusing on the dregs of society, you'll fail to notice the millions and millions of people actually succeeding at life.

You know how they work out averages don't you? If you have someone earning $4 and hour and someone earning $4000 an hour that makes quite an impressive average wage. My point being is that most of America is NOT average.

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Reality Internet Personality

Obviously if you spend all of your time focusing on the dregs of society, you'll fail to notice the millions and millions of people actually succeeding at life.

if those millions would spent some time " focusing on the dregs of society"
it would maybe stop their dreaming that everything is fine, and start them want to do something good so there would be no more dregs etc

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"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exist elsewhere in the Universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin to the Hobbes

Well.......here is where I choose to focus my life......

My kitty poem.....from a while back.....
Perhaps this shall refocus you about what life means to us......at least me......

The Kitties Went Hunting
Mark S. Sattler
12/12/07
No copyright....share as you will.




The kitties went hunting to see what they'd find.
So they travelled and travelled the whole world wide.
And they went to the people that they met on the way
and said to them "Meow, How are you doing today?"
Then they sat down on their haunches to hear what they'd say.

The kitties heard stories of gladness and grief.
'Bout princes and pawns, petty beggers and thiefs.
From those who knew little and those with long titles.
There were those with grand visions and those who sat idle.
But still they would listen and purr all the while.

They heard stories of war and of hate and of famine.
And of terrible things that I just can't imagine.
Of powerful people who's only delight
was finding some innocent people to smight.
And all the time laughing with evil delight.

They heard that our planet was beginning to crumble
and the life that we know is beginning to tumble.
Some told them of things we could do to be helping.
And others just stood there, doing little but shouting.
They heard scientists tell them that the ice was all melting.

Penguins and polar bears, their homes are all threatened.
And so many others who's names seldom mentioned
share their home with our kind 'cept we claim it for ours.
As their home goes so our's does...maybe we count the hours.
When all comes to pass will there even be flowers?

But they also heard stories of the free and the brave.
Of those who would try to help others they'd save
from a life with no hope for some calm and some space.
A life less the cry calling out for some place
to have life with some peace and within their God's grace.

They gave me so many thoughts running all through my head,
some filled me with wonder and some full of dread.
And I've thought through it all and have tried to make sense
of the things that the kitties brought back to their nest.
And here's what I've been able to sort through at best...

The kitties' tales brought to me some more thoughts of my own.
A smile here and there, some ideas that they'd sown.
I cry for all others not lucky as I,
A few who are joyous, but some who will die.
And still one must wonder who decides where and why.

As I've gone through this life I have worn many hats.
I've a house o'er my shoulders and 4 loving cats.
Friends that have come and friends that have gone.
Things that have gone well and things gone all wrong.
But still I can come here and sing you my song.


So the kitties they travelled and the kitties returned.
And the kitties said "thank you" to me as they purred,
"For keeping us happy in our own little place,
you feed us and love us and keep us so safe.
So we never need fear what the real world must face.

"But kitties", said I, with a smile I'd not hide,
"Don't be so afraid if you roam far and wide.
And tell all the people that you meet here and there
How wonderful life is when you just love and care.
And sometimes give others some of what you have to share."

And I hugged them and petted them and put them to bed
With the thoughts of their travels running 'round in my head.
So I thought I would share here what the kitties had learned.
Treat others as brothers, though their life may have turned,
And share with them a small bit of what YOU have earned.



In your journey through life....
Don't forget to stop and pet the kitties.
They may just want to ask
"Meow, How are you doing today?"



To all my Seti brethren...
May our differences be small,
our work be light,
and our friendship be forever.



Mark and the kitties.

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

Really?

Because things like average income, standard of living, lost territory, fuel costs etc. etc. etc. show us to be do exceedingly better than you guys...

Shown by who? ..and standard of living for who? The people of New Orleans? The people in the ghettos of LA or New York? The people living on reservations? The people who can't get health insurance? Who's standard of living are you talking about?

The "average" American. Income between 30-50k, married, 2.5 kids with a dog in the backyard.

Obviously if you spend all of your time focusing on the dregs of society, you'll fail to notice the millions and millions of people actually succeeding at life.

You know how they work out averages don't you? If you have someone earning $4 and hour and someone earning $4000 an hour that makes quite an impressive average wage. My point being is that most of America is NOT average.

According to this article The American middle class makes up approximatly 45% (wikipedia says it may be as high as 49%) of the population (income of 25-75K) and 29% of the population making less than 25K a year. That's 74% of the total, leaving only 26% of the population who could be considered "wealthy". Even with a 4-5% margin for error, middle class, or "average" Americans are still the largest group.

But you keep telling yourself that average doesn't describe the majority of a populace and I'll continue proving you wrong.

You see, you might understand how averages work, but you obviously don't understand people. For every "Bill Gates" on the planet, there's a 1000 MF's sitting on their butt every day asking for hand-outs.

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if those millions would spent some time " focusing on the dregs of society"
it would maybe stop their dreaming that everything is fine, and start them want to do something good so there would be no more dregs etc

Sorry, we don't force higher education or the acquisition of skills onto people. It's a CHOICE they make for themselves in order to have a better life.

Kind of like how you choose to cut and paste quotes from other users, making life harder on yourself and others, rather than utilizing the reply button included at the bottom of every post for that very purpose.

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You see, you might understand how averages work, but you obviously don't understand people. For every "Bill Gates" on the planet, there's a 1000 MF's sitting on their butt every day asking for hand-outs.

and to drive that point home with some real numbers:

Welfare grows despite '90s reform

The result, according to an Associated Press analysis, is that nearly one in six persons rely on some form of public assistance, a larger share than at any time since the government started measuring two decades ago.

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we don't force higher education or the acquisition of skills onto people.

In most cases, you stifle it... ;)

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It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .

Kind of like how you choose to cut and paste quotes from other users, making life harder on yourself and others, rather than utilizing the reply button included at the bottom of every post for that very purpose.[/quote]


sorry but i do like i do, don´t ask permission, deal with it.
btw you are wrong

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"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exist elsewhere in the Universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin to the Hobbes

Sorry, we don't force higher education or the acquisition of skills onto people. It's a CHOICE they make for themselves in order to have a better life.

Can I ask who is the "we" here? People discover that some jobs are out of their reach if they do not have a certain level of academic attainment. They don't have any "choice" about it, by default, the job market "forces" it upon them by supply and need.

"We" are Americans...and while it is true that certain jobs require certain skills, you are NOT required to take said job and therefore not required to obtain the skills or education needed for that job. Only if you CHOOSE to take said job will you need the skills for said job. Obviously having said skills prior to seeking employment would be the best option.....but it IS still an just option none the less.

but you obviously don't understand people

And you feel that you do?

Well considering that I work for the government in public housing....Yes, I feel I have a better understanding of "the poor" than the average American.

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sorry but i do like i do, don´t ask permission, deal with it.

Kind of like those people giving their children contaminated water.

Imagine my surprise.

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Kind of like those people giving their children contaminated water.

That's more than my 'hundred grand a year pensioner of a dad' ever gave me... ;)

(Yea, I know, go out and earn it, right?)

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It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .

Kind of like those people giving their children contaminated water.

That's more than my 'hundred grand a year pensioner of a dad' ever gave me... ;)

a hundred grand a year (dollars I assume) isn't a massive fortune. I wouldn't want to support my grown children once I'm retired. I've paid enough towards them as it is.

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Reality Internet Personality

a hundred grand a year (dollars I assume) isn't a massive fortune.

Which is rather amusing considering those same people think paying ten bucks an hour IS a massive fortune... ;)

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It may not be 1984 but George Orwell sure did see the future . . .