Greece Votes No and Defaults on its debt

[NOsaintsfan]

1) I've studied the USSR quite a bit, from its formation to its fall. I'd be interested to know what he's said that would make an educated person think he favors a soviet style of government? This statement makes me think you know VERY little about politics/political history. But not as much as your statement that "Trump is the man."
2) Trump is a buffoon. if this isn't obvious to you, than explain a SINGLE solid, clear method that he has outlined for achieving ANY of the things he's said he'll do? I know we're all animals when it comes down to it, but you've gotta be smart enough not to jump at the bright shiny things before thinking.

I would argue that he's not a buffoon per se. You don't become a billionaire without something going on upstairs.

Is he a politician, ugg NO.

I can't figure out what his angle is or if he's even a serious canidate. If he is serious then he better start getting up to speed on policy matters because he's not coming off as though hes informed on the issues.

It would be nice to have a "non-politician" for once. He hasn't convinced me that he's that canidate.

Can you claim campaign expenses as a tax break? If so maybe that's his angle.

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[pgg]

These kinds of views are why I COMPLETELY disagree with Blade that only educated people should be able to vote.

It's fun to watch this movie with people who don't realize it's satire.

 

[Pooh & Annie]

W

I am a mainstream libertarian and you labeled me as out of touch with wacky political ideas. Therefore, one can conclude that you think you are libertarian because you agree with libertarians on social policies, but your economic views are more in line with democrats. Maybe I am misinterpreting your viewpoints, but it seems like you are not as economically conservative as me or most libertarians. Yes, I agree Gary Johnson would have been great, but I think Ron Paul would have been the best. I generally vote for the libertarian within the Republican party. Trump is a great businessman and would be a great president. I can't speak about what kind of human being he is, but his effectiveness as a president is all I am concerned about. I agree Ben Carson is a bit too religious for my taste, but overall I like the guy. No libertarian would ever support Jeb Bush, EVER! That guy is the antithesis of what libertarians are all about. Hillary is socialist big government dictator like Obama and 4 years of her would be identical to Obama. She wants to ban all guns, believes in the redistribution of wealth, amnesty, high taxes, etc. but more importantly she is a corrupt SOB that only cares about herself and has no morals or values of any kind. She is the scum of the Earth and I wouldn't hire her to flip a burger at Burger King. She deserves to be rotting in prison for her corruption and incompetence that caused the death of 4 Americans. She could care less though.

Wow. Hillary caused the death of 4 Americans. In a government where half of the people hate her guts you'd think they'd do something about that. This statement kind if betrays a complete lack of objectivity. You can't do an accurate analysis or improve ANYTHING if you can't objectively view the data.

I'm not a fan of Hillary. I think she's an opportunist. She won't do interviews because she's not honest and she doesn't want to contradict what she said in her last interview. She's completely disingenuous. I hope I don't have to vote for her. Unfortunately, in general elections it's all about which shady person SEEMS to have the philosophy most aligned with mine.

 

[Pooh & Annie]

I would argue that he's not a buffoon per se. You don't become a billionaire without something going on upstairs.

Is he a politician, ugg NO.

I can't figure out what his angle is or if he's even a serious canidate. If he is serious then he better start getting up to speed on policy matters because he's not coming off as though hes informed on the issues.

It would be nice to have a "non-politician" for once. He hasn't convinced me that he's that canidate.

Can you claim campaign expenses as a tax break? If so maybe that's his angle.

It's the best way I can think of to describe him. There are a lot of very accomplished people in politics and otherwise that seem to deeply lack certain aspects of higher reasoning.

Maybe Ashton Kutcher will come out and we'll find out they're punking us. That would actually be ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! He could say he was clearly highlighting how people are willing to blindly support baseless promises/guarantees!

I don't think it's the case, but I would like to see someone do this. It would certainly work on a lot of liberals too.

 

[NOsaintsfan]

It's the best way I can think of to describe him. There are a lot of very accomplished people in politics and otherwise that seem to deeply lack certain aspects of higher reasoning.

Maybe Ashton Kutcher will come out and we'll find out they're punking us. That would actually be ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! He could say he was clearly highlighting how people are willing to blindly support baseless promises/guarantees!

I don't think it's the case, but I would like to see someone do this. It would certainly work on a lot of liberals too.

I've been waiting for that for a while now. Sarah Palin. Joe Biden as the VP? We have to be getting punked right?

 

[psychbender]

Except that none exist, and none will exist. None could be even remotely self-sufficient; none could provide for their own defense. There's a reason why there aren't any city-size nation states on the face of the earth. (Vatican City doesn't count.).

Does Singapore not count? It's just over half the size (277sq miles) of New York city (469sq miles), and has a very strong economy, with the most advanced military for the region.

 

[pgg]

Does Singapore not count? It's just over half the size (277sq miles) of New York city (469sq miles), and has a very strong economy, with the most advanced military for the region.

Good point. Maybe Hong Kong kinda sort used to count too.

 

[FollowTheMoney]

1) I've studied the USSR quite a bit, from its formation to its fall. I'd be interested to know what Bernie Sanders said that would make an educated person think he favors a soviet style of government? This statement makes me think you know VERY little about politics/political history. But not as much as your statement that "Trump is the man."
2) Trump is a buffoon. If this isn't obvious to you, than explain a SINGLE solid, clear method that he has outlined for achieving ANY of the things he's said he'll do? I know we're all animals when it comes down to it, but you've gotta be smart enough not to jump at the bright shiny things before thinking.

These kinds of views are why I COMPLETELY disagree with Blade that only educated people should be able to vote.

How about EVERYTHING he has said. Let's start with what has he said that would lead you to believe he doesn't want a USSR type of government? The guy honeymooned in the USSR, is a known Marxist, and would turn this country into the next USSR/Cuba/Venezuela/etc if he were president. You're going to try and tell me I know very little about politics and political history and you're going to insinuate support for Bernie Sanders? I'm not even going to waste my time convincing you that his socialist/communist/democratic socialist policies don't work. That's just a complete waste of my time. Trump would be a great president and he will probably win. He just drew 15,000 people in Phoenix for a speech where he had to have it moved to a bigger venue. Not to mention he is number #1 in the polls. Listen to his speech about his policies, it was great! I disagree with BLADEMDA too... only smart people should be able to vote because there are clearly educated people who don't have a clue about politics or basic economics...

 

[Pooh & Annie]

How about EVERYTHING he has said. Let's start with what has he said that would lead you to believe he doesn't want a USSR type of government? The guy honeymooned in the USSR, is a known Marxist, and would turn this country into the next USSR/Cuba/Venezuela/etc if he were president. You're going to try and tell me I know very little about politics and political history and you're going to insinuate support for Bernie Sanders? I'm not even going to waste my time convincing you that his socialist/communist/democratic socialist policies don't work. That's just a complete waste of my time. Trump would be a great president and he will probably win. He just drew 15,000 people in Phoenix for a speech where he had to have it moved to a bigger venue. Not to mention he is number #1 in the polls. Listen to his speech about his policies, it was great! I disagree with BLADEMDA too... only smart people should be able to vote because there are clearly educated people who don't have a clue about politics or basic economics...

Out of curiosity, do you think the military, by order of Obama, is planning on initiating martial law in Texas? Do you think Obama is trying to do away with term limits so he can serve indefinitely? Do you think he's American? Be honest.

 

[FollowTheMoney]

Out of curiosity, do you think the military, by order of Obama, is planning on initiating martial law in Texas? Do you think Obama is trying to do away with term limits so he can serve indefinitely? Do you think he's American? Be honest.

Do you support illegal immigration, amnesty, banning of guns, not following the Constitution, the Iran nuclear deal, governmental incompetence with billions in waste, permanent welfare recipients, redistribution of wealth, a 90% tax rate, "free" college, and "free" healthcare? Be honest.

 

[NOsaintsfan]

I will say this, Trump has a very valid point when he says that the leadership in washington has no idea what they are doing. It would be nice to have a president that has actual real world experience.

 

[FollowTheMoney]

I will say this, Trump has a very valid point when he says that the leadership in washington has no idea what they are doing. It would be nice to have a president that has actual real world experience.

Did you hear the part of the speech where he gives an exact real world example of how he would deal with companies to bring jobs back to the U.S.? That was just epic. 47:00-53:00. Jeb and Hillary are probably ****ting a brick right now!

 

[NOsaintsfan]

Did you hear the part of the speech where he gives an exact real world example of how he would deal with companies to bring jobs back to the U.S.? That was just epic. 50:30 mark

Yeah and I liked it. I actually watched the whole video.

For anyone else who may want to watch you can skip to about the 45min mark. Everything before that is basically pep rally stuff.

 

[FollowTheMoney]

As a glorified resort for the ultra-wealthy, sure, I guess a "really big cruise ship" could be built. But that's not the libertarian dream.

A libertarian free standing island is about economic and social freedom, not forming a wealthy country club. It is an ideology and way of life. For someone who claims to be a libertarian, I would have thought you understood that. What do you think the "Free State Project" is all about? New Hampshire has a chance to be that "libertarian island", but it is not quite there yet.

 

[BLADEMDA]

1) I've studied the USSR quite a bit, from its formation to its fall. I'd be interested to know what Bernie Sanders said that would make an educated person think he favors a soviet style of government? This statement makes me think you know VERY little about politics/political history. But not as much as your statement that "Trump is the man."
2) Trump is a buffoon. If this isn't obvious to you, than explain a SINGLE solid, clear method that he has outlined for achieving ANY of the things he's said he'll do? I know we're all animals when it comes down to it, but you've gotta be smart enough not to jump at the bright shiny things before thinking.

These kinds of views are why I COMPLETELY disagree with Blade that only educated people should be able to vote.

Where did I post that only Educated people should be able to vote?

I posted that a high school diploma or equivalent should be the requirement; I wouldn't exactly call that a high standard. How hard is it to get a high school diploma these days? I'd venture to say it is the equivalence of an 8th grade education in Thomas Jefferson's day. But, since we are now in the business of giving handouts from taxpayers to more than 1/2 our citizens there is a need for some qualifications; the non productive class is using the force of government to make the productive class give them money and benefits. Their "vote" is nothing more than mob rule where the masses utilize elected officials to steal money from those who have worked to give to those who chose not to.

Bernie Sander's' view of government is exactly opposite of the intent of government as set forth by our founders.

 

[NOsaintsfan]

Where did I post that only Educated people should be able to vote?

I posted that a high school diploma or equivalent should be the requirement; I wouldn't exactly call that a high standard. How hard is it to get a high school diploma these days? I'd venture to say it is the equivalence of an 8th grade education in Thomas Jefferson's day. But, since we are now in the business of giving handouts from taxpayers to more than 1/2 our citizens there is a need for some qualifications; the non productive class is using the force of government to make the productive class give them money and benefits. Their "vote" is nothing more than mob rule where the masses utilize elected officials to steal money from those who have worked to give to those who chose not to.

Bernie Sander's' view of government is exactly opposite of the intent of government as set forth by our founders.

Copy of an 8th grade test from 1912 and from Kentucky at that. Pretty telling of just how far we have fallen with educational standards in this country.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/rare-test-1912-shows-students-quizzed-article-1.1425918

 

[Pooh & Annie]

Where did I post that only Educated people should be able to vote?

I posted that a high school diploma or equivalent should be the requirement; I wouldn't exactly call that a high standard. How hard is it to get a high school diploma these days? I'd venture to say it is the equivalence of an 8th grade education in Thomas Jefferson's day. But, since we are now in the business of giving handouts from taxpayers to more than 1/2 our citizens there is a need for some qualifications; the non productive class is using the force of government to make the productive class give them money and benefits. Their "vote" is nothing more than mob rule where the masses utilize elected officials to steal money from those who have worked to give to those who chose not to.

Bernie Sander's' view of government is exactly opposite of the intent of government as set forth by our founders.

We have very different views on what " handouts" are. We also have EXTREMELY different views about where the power lies. If you said that short-sighted politicians create over-reaching social programs, I might find that a reasonable position. Arguing that the "non-productive class" vote to get the government to "give them money and benefits" is silly. Poor people don't do a lot of voting, and a LOT of poor people are god-fearing, gun toting conservatives. Yes, urban poor vote liberal, but big cities already tend to go liberal.
If your going to blame someone for voting in liberals favorable to social programs, you're looking at the wrong people.

With regards to the founders, they were smart folks. They would've looked pragmatically at the changing country. When they were around, people farmed and made things for themselves for the most part. After the industrial revolution people moved to cities and became employees, and their prosperity depended on what someone wanted to pay them. That changed things A LOT. The founders would see that.

 

[BLADEMDA]

We have very different views on what " handouts" are. We also have EXTREMELY different views about where the power lies. If you said that short-sighted politicians create over-reaching social programs, I might find that a reasonable position. Arguing that the "non-productive class" vote to get the government to "give them money and benefits" is silly. Poor people don't do a lot of voting, and a LOT of poor people are god-fearing, gun toting conservatives. Yes, urban poor vote liberal, but big cities already tend to go liberal.
If your going to blame someone for voting in liberals favorable to social programs, you're looking at the wrong people.

With regards to the founders, they were smart folks. They would've looked pragmatically at the changing country. When they were around, people farmed and made things for themselves for the most part. After the industrial revolution people moved to cities and became employees, and their prosperity depended on what someone wanted to pay them. That changed things A LOT. The founders would see that.

We can't afford the social programs we already have yet politicians keep upping the ante. I'm not blaming the poor people as they are voting for their own interests. But, stealing from those who produce to give to those who do not produce is not a way to grow the economy or foster independence among the poor.

In fact, despite trillions of dollars stolen from taxpayers over the past few decades the war on poverty has been an utter failure.

 

[BLADEMDA]

 

[Pooh & Annie]

Did you hear the part of the speech where he gives an exact real world example of how he would deal with companies to bring jobs back to the U.S.? That was just epic. 47:00-53:00. Jeb and Hillary are probably ****ting a brick right now!

Jeb doesn't want to face him. Hillary, without question, is LOVING this. Especially the clips of Trump in 2012 talking about how great she is.

It's pretty clear he doesn't even WANT to be president, or he wouldn't be burning every political bridge in existence. He's going to drop out in a month or two, and then declare himself a winner because he got everybody talking about the "important issues."

 

[BLADEMDA]

This lack of progress in building self-sufficiency is due in major part to the welfare system itself. Welfare wages war on social capital, breaking down the habits and norms that lead to self-reliance, especially those of marriage and work. It thereby generates a pattern of increasing intergenerational dependence. The welfare state is self-perpetuating: By undermining productive social norms, welfare creates a need for even greater assistance in the future.

As the War on Poverty passes the half-century mark, it is time to rein in the endless growth in welfare spending and return to LBJ’s original goals. As the economy improves, total means-tested spending should be moved gradually toward pre-recession levels. Able-bodied, non-elderly adult recipients in all federal welfare programs should be required to work, prepare for work, or at least look for a job as a condition of receiving benefits.

Finally—and most important—the anti-marriage penalties should be removed from welfare programs, and long-term steps should be taken to rebuild the family in lower-income communities.

—Robert Rector is a Senior Research Fellow and Rachel Sheffield is a Policy Analyst in the Institute for Family, Community, and Opportunity at The Heritage Foundation.

 

[BLADEMDA]

 

[BLADEMDA]

Single Parent households:

 

[BLADEMDA]

 

[BLADEMDA]

 

[BLADEMDA]

 

[NOsaintsfan]

If Hilary gets the nomination this should be a guaranteed victory for the GOP. If they put up anyone who can debate with even a little skill and hasn't committed a felony it should be easy. Hilary's gross incompetence as secretary state provides plenty of material to prove that she wasn't qualified or capable of that level of responsibility. She certainly doesn't need MORE responsibility. Ideals are great but at some point we need competence.

It wouldn't surprise me if the GOP completely blows the victory that should be a gimme. If so what does that say about the GOP.

 

[BLADEMDA]

If Hilary gets the nomination this should be a guaranteed victory for the GOP. If they put up anyone who can debate with even a little skill and hasn't committed a felony it should be easy. Hilary's gross incompetence as secretary state provides plenty of material to prove that she wasn't qualified or capable of that level of responsibility. She certainly doesn't need MORE responsibility. Ideals are great but at some point we need competence.

It wouldn't surprise me if the GOP completely blows the victory that should be a gimme. If so what does that say about the GOP.

What it says is those who like free stuff/free handouts will vote for her. Those who want amnesty for illegals will vote for her. Those who oppose capitalism will vote for her. Those who hate carbon fuels and big business will vote for her. Those who support gay marriage and sex change operations for teenagers will vote for her. Those who support socialized medicine and higher taxes on the rich will vote for her.

So, in the end she wins 52-48 over the GOP.

 

[FollowTheMoney]

Jeb doesn't want to face him. Hillary, without question, is LOVING this. Especially the clips of Trump in 2012 talking about how great she is.

It's pretty clear he doesn't even WANT to be president, or he wouldn't be burning every political bridge in existence. He's going to drop out in a month or two, and then declare himself a winner because he got everybody talking about the "important issues."

Hillary is a corrupt idiot and no one likes her. He doesn't want to be president? Are you out of your mind? What kind of sane human being gives up hundreds of millions with a top show on Television and severs business ties with numerous corporations if they are not serious about running? All the liberals hate him now and has become controversial for speaking the truth. I can tell you that is NOT a smart idea if you are not serious about running. He's criticizing everyone because he's not an establishment candidate who wants to keep the status quo. These are important issues... illegal immigration is a serious problem, as is our economy, Obamacare, and the gross incompetence in Washington with this clown socialist in the White House.

 

[NOsaintsfan]

What it says is those who like free stuff/free handouts will vote for her. Those who want amnesty for illegals will vote for her. Those who oppose capitalism will vote for her. Those who hate carbon fuels and big business will vote for her. Those who support gay marriage and sex change operations for teenagers will vote for her. Those who support socialized medicine and higher taxes on the rich will vote for her.

So, in the end she wins 52-48 over the GOP.

I fear you may be right about the outcome.

As for the rest of what you wrote, I think that most people are so tuned out to what is going to with the government that they are basically uninformed voters who make decisions on superficial things like who's more popular on facebook and who TMZ is hyping up.

Our current tax structure I think has a lot to do with this. When 50% of the country has no skin in the game then the issue doesn't really hit home to them.

In my own life, I have always had an interest in the government however when I got my first good paying (6 figure) job and started paying taxes quarterly I all the sudden became MUCH MORE concerned about who was and was not getting elected. Once you start writing checks to uncle sam most people start paying attention, especially when politicians start talking about taking more of your money, ie raising taxes.

 

[FollowTheMoney]

Surprise surprise...

 

[Green Penguin]

If OPEC and the world ever start trading oil in currency other than the US dollar then we here in the USA will be in a world of hurt. The fact that the world buys oil in dollars is the only reason we haven't gone the way of Greece yet. The bad thing is I'm not the only one who knows this. China and Russia are actively working on making that happen.

A couple of months ago I was talking to a British ex-special forces solider who had been in Iraq for years through multiple tours of duty and is still living there as a private security contractor for an oil field. He thought that the real reason for the US invasion of Iraq was to prevent an OPEC plan to trade oil in currency other than USD (euros I think), which would have trashed US currency. It was the first time that I'd heard that idea, I don't know nearly enough about it to say whether it's true or not, but it was certainly interesting and well-reasoned and he didn't seem the type to deal in conspiracy theories.

 

[FollowTheMoney]

A couple of months ago I was talking to a British ex-special forces solider who had been in Iraq for years through multiple tours of duty and is still living there as a private security contractor for an oil field. He thought that the real reason for the US invasion of Iraq was to prevent an OPEC plan to trade oil in currency other than USD (euros I think), which would have trashed US currency. It was the first time that I'd heard that idea, I don't know nearly enough about it to say whether it's true or not, but it was certainly interesting and well-reasoned and he didn't seem the type to deal in conspiracy theories.

Of course, Bush and Cheney had ownership in Halliburton. Anyone who thinks that the Iraq invasion was because of weapons of mass destruction should win the "sheeple of the year" award.

 

[NOsaintsfan]

A couple of months ago I was talking to a British ex-special forces solider who had been in Iraq for years through multiple tours of duty and is still living there as a private security contractor for an oil field. He thought that the real reason for the US invasion of Iraq was to prevent an OPEC plan to trade oil in currency other than USD (euros I think), which would have trashed US currency. It was the first time that I'd heard that idea, I don't know nearly enough about it to say whether it's true or not, but it was certainly interesting and well-reasoned and he didn't seem the type to deal in conspiracy theories.

Check out the link I pasted in post #13 of this thread. It's exactly what your British friend was talking about. I happen to agree with him.

 

[Silent Cool]

Foreign policy for every nation is a mixture of gifts, promises, bargains, threats, and violence. It always has been; it always will be.

The reason there is a "petrodollar" to talk about in the first place is because of our gifts, promises, bargains, threats, and violence. Do you disagree?

I'm not making any moral comment here. Just (yet again) pointing out that the dollar is backed by something besides thin air.

For the most part, our dollars ARE printed out of thin air:

 

[deleted126335]

[removed by moderator]

You are a douche.


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[deleted126335]

For the most part, our dollars ARE printed out of thin air:

Lost your nerve and changed the link in your original post?


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[Silent Cool]

Lost your nerve and changed the link in your original post?


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I didn't change any link. They are different videos that speak to the same idea. The second is an in-depth documentary.

 

[Silent Cool]

You are a douche.


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Thanks for that intelligent response.

 

[deleted126335]

I didn't change any link. They are different videos that speak to the same idea. The second is an in-depth documentary.