This post was originally a response to a comment from BooMac on my post about the gay marriage ban in California. Somehow, its more about capitalism than gay marriage. Anywho…
MisterE, always interesting to read your opinions.
It is unfortunate that you see this country didvided into the haves and the have nots. If there is another country on earth for more opportunity for upward mobility, I would like to hear about it. If you feel money can give people all the power, then in the USA you can have all the power. Just put your nose to the grindstone, take a chance, have your own business, work like a dog. This is freedom, the freedom to not be stuck in a dead end job. But freedom has its risks, you may not succeed, you are ” free ” to fail. Welcome to capitalism. It is the rsson this is the greatest country on earth.
I do not feel the top 1% of the upper class run the country, That sounds downright silly, and you know better.
I do not agree with the california ruling, I think letting gays marry makes a mockery of the reason for marraige, to have children and have a strong family. And you are smart, but saying you are smart enough to know something makes people think you are arrogant, and it reduces the effectiveness of your argument. Make your case, but it is your opinion. Just like this is mine. Hey, its just my nickel!
America is the greatest country in the world? Sounds very arrogant to me. It reduces the effectiveness of your argument.
I appreciate your more relaxed approach to my arguments but you’ve got to provide better logical arguments or some evidence if you want to be convincing.
I don’t know where you live or where you are from but you seem to have your head in the sand. To suggest that the top 1% elite does not overtly benefit from presidential legislation is to suggest we live in a fantasy land. What do you think lobbying is? Capitalism is not working in this country, its failing miserably. Haven’t you ever read a book? We have school teachers struggling to survive on salaries like $20,000 a year… BEFORE TAXES. Do you have any idea how impossible it is to live on a salary like that? Meanwhile, the CEO of Exxon Mobile is a multi-millionaire. Who is more important to your kids? Your family? Your well-being? The educator or the greedy oil barons?
Upset by high fuel prices? Don’t bother phoning Lee R. Raymond with your sob story. He’s the chief executive of Exxon Mobil (nyse: XOM – news – people ), which enjoyed a record-breaking year in 2004, no small thanks to those sky-high prices. Exxon gave Raymond a $38 million compensation package. The CEO was paid $7.5 million in salary and bonus, plus restricted stock worth $28 million and nearly $2.6 million more in other compensation and incentives.
Work hard? Nose to the grind stone? Tell me, do janitors eventuall strike at rich? Who’s going to clean your streets? Pick up your garbage? Teach your school children? These people work harder than you or me everyday and will never ever make enough money to sway politics or bride presidents like the top 1%. Further more, unless their children or geniuses, they won’t be able to afford a nice education for their kids, so their kids may also not get a shot at a better future.
Thats not to say that that never happens. Some students qualify for scholarships and free passes to excellent educational institutions… but not every student. In fact, you’re more likely to get a top education if you’re good as sports than if you’ve got a nice brain. How American!
America is not the best country in the world, its one of the most flawed. We still have the death penalty! How ass-backwards and barbaric is that? Name one other developed country that you respect that has the death penalty! There is tremendous opportunity for this country to be great, but as long as we class people by the way they were born then we will be among the worse countries around.
-Enjoy
whereIstand Tags
- BooMac
- What effect will oil prices have on the economy?
- Should presidential candidates refuse to accept money from lobbyists?
- If Social Security’s benefits are redistributed to the benefit of the poor, does it risk being attacked in the future as a “welfare” program?
- What effect will the federal minimum wage increase have on poverty?
It’s hard to argue with reason!
I am honored you picked my comment to blog about.
I do not judge this country solely on the fact it has the death penalty, which I am also against. Of course this country is flawed, but you do not name me a better one.
More money is given by colleges based on academics and financial need than for sports. Do your own research of any college, its true. I have college age children who have recieved academic scholarships.
The janitor chooses to work his 40 hours per week for a set wage. You will not get rich in America with that life. You need to be an entrepeneur. You need to take risks. I guarantee you, the CEO of any major corporation has not worked a 40 hour week in his or her life. More like 70 – 90 hour weeks. I have been a janitor and many other things, but I started my own business in a different, labor intensive field over twenty years ago, and I have averaged 80 hours per week. I make more money than a janitor working 40 hours per week, and I deserve it. I have taken all the risks. Many of my employees could strike out on their own, but they choose not to. Why? Because its hard! So please do not tell me how unfair this country is. If you are using your computer, thank Thomas Watson who started IBM. Thank Michael Dell while you are at it. Attended a private college in this country? Thank the entrpeneur who donated his money and founded it. Been in a private hospital? Thank an entrepeneur. All the foundations doijng medical research? Thank an entrepeneur. Purchased anything in a convenience store in New York City MisterE? Thank a foriegn born entrepeneur, no American born people seem to want to do that job, it is too difficult.
I have read many books and I do not have my head in the sand. This is one topic I have a very good handle on. I have lived this life. Let me know when you risk all your time and money on a business and I will respect your opinion of capitalism.
I didn’t name countries I thought were better than America because I didn’t see the point. But since you insist: I think Canada is what America should strive to be. More socially liberal, better health care, more compassion. They don’t have out of control crime rates or problems with guns. America has a crime rate thats one of the worst if not the worst in the world!
Other countries that are a head of the game: The Netherlands, England, Iceland. Take Iceland for example. It has a socially liberal government (always preferrable if you want to move forward as a society), the highest literacy rate per capita out of all western nations, and the lowest pollution! Not to mention crime.
My point is that those who run around saying “America is #1″ are embarrassing themselves and helping to cultivate a false sense of security. America sucks right now. Just read Carol’s post about Bush’s resume. The crimes against humanity our government has committed in the past 100 years is no better than the fascist dictators of WW2. Remember the Iran-Contra scandal? The Panama-Canal invasion? The bombing of innocent families in the middle east by CIA rockets?
Now, maybe we’re talking about two different things. Government and culture. American culture is very popular internationally. Its new, fresh, cutting edge, and usually very progressive. So maybe capitalism falls inbetween culture and government. You tend to believe that everyone has an equal chance at fortunes in America and I know that that is not so, although I agree with you that certain people can work hard and succeed. Success stories are everywhere, not just in America. You don’t have to be here to get rich.
However, what America does is punish the poor. When they get arrested they have to post bail or go to jail, which means, if you’re poor you go to jail. Rich people get to go home. Health care? If you’re poor, you aren’t considered worthy of enough for proper health care. Rich people get full coverage and excellent care. How about the tax cuts for the rich? In 2007 Bush signed into law a tax cut that benefited ONLY the rich. Do you think that was the first tax cut for the rich? How are you supposed to feed your family when you take a risk and fail? Some people can’t do that Boomac, they have families they need to provide for. Children will die if your risky choice fails. Some people cannot make that sacrifice for money.
You then have to consider the amount of people killed over money. After WW2, all of our military engagements were about money. More money for the oil companies and the trading companies. Rich white families in Washington prospered while innocent civilians died.
BooMac talks about how hard he works but he doesn’t say how well he treats his employees.Do they get health care,is there a retirement plan and does he pay a livable wage.That is the root of the problem,it’s all about how much money you can accumulate with no regards to the workers.And yes I ran my own business for 15 years.I didn’t get rich,but me and my employees did well.
Children die if your risky choice fails? Please, that is quite an exaggeration. Start a busines part time, there are a lot of options for people looking to change their job and status in life.
I do believe there is equal opportunity in this country. Since you disagree, so be it. Who is kept from attending college, a city job, federal jobs, your own business, home ownership? I see no obstacles for advancement You just have not been paying attention. Not happy with the rich traders? Hey, become a day trader. Get a few thousand dollars and take your chances, people do it every day, and when they strike it rich, it must be nice to know you will be angry with them for being well off.
MisterE, Marxism is dead, you are not stuck in the same station in life forever in this country.I do not understand the railing against the well off people. The rich people you are talking about, and let’s leave Bush out of it for now, do some research on the average CEO.
Most did not go to Ivy league schools, most did not grow up ” rich ” These are people who worked hard and took chances and succeeded. That is capitalism, and that means some people succeed, and some do not, and some just work their 40 hours per week for life – BY CHOICE. Hey, no risk, no reward. These people get to watch TV every nite, have dinner with the families and blog about how life is unfair, while the risk takers are working to change their lives.
BTW, my average employee has worked for me for over 10 years, and some for over 20, and they do very well, I must be doing something right. In America, the only way to measure yourself as an employer is if your employees stay with you. I have no other measurement available to me.