Grassroots for Bernie Sanders 2016

[BRT]

Does it really matter? The fact remains, that the very political system you're afraid of creates a happier society and one which is economically successful. To say, well, we're soooo big it's hard to make everyone happy is ridiculous. Then it's ok that we leave many unhappy? Which ones? While that is essentially what's happening it goes to the point. The US is willing to see fewer participate in the economy to satisfy the few who will benefit the most from it. This is a country full of resources that needlessly are squandered.

So, about this elusive "happiness". Regarding the countries who "top" the US in "happiness"; maybe it would do them a bit of good to fear the society they've created. Need I remind you that it was this permissiveness which led to their being invaded and occupied. It was the "unhappy" old USA that crossed the pond, freed them from the Nazis, and financially rebuilt them. Where do you think they will be when it happens next time? Russia might be the next one on their doorstep. They've already taken over Crimea and the Ukraine is next : http://www.economist.com/news/brief...part-broader-and-more-dangerous-confrontation

Again--to me, that is one of the silliest models for a culture. Happiness--here today, gone tomorrow. Give me freedom Hoss--I'll make my own happiness. But you know; you can't turn that around? Just because you give someone happiness, that doesn't guarantee that they can attain their own freedom.

"Which ones? While that is essentially what's happening it goes to the point. The US is willing to see fewer participate in the economy to satisfy the few who will benefit the most from it. This is a country full of resources that needlessly are squandered."
I don't follow.

"Those who have dropped out of the labor force have never been counted as part of the unemployed so that's a non-starter."
Yes...before they dropped out, they were counted in the unemployed number.

"Median income from 2012 to 2013 went up but not statistically significantly."
2008--$55, 313 https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/MEHOINUSA672N
2015--$52,250 http://www.mybudget360.com/how-much...-2015-household-income-wages-real-income-gdp/

"• The Startup Activity Index... ...each month during the year.
source: http://www.kauffman.org/~/media/kau...dex_startup_activity_national_trends_2015.pdf"
Until 2008, startups outpaced business failures by about 100,000 per year. But in the past six years, that number suddenly turned upside down. http://www.gallup.com/businessjournal/180431/american-entrepreneurship-dead-alive.aspx

"food stamps…. ...October 2015 Participation Tables — 1-Month Change, 1-Year, 5-Year Change, and State-by-State Analysis (pdf)"
“Food stamp usage is rising nationwide,” reported Food World News in November. “The figures are becoming unprecedented and they speak volumes of President Obama’s food policy. The usage of food stamps in the United States has reached an all time high after a continuous growth that has seen up to one in every five Americans enrolled on the program.” http://www.breitbart.com/big-govern...rcentage-americans-struggling-to-afford-food/

 

[treehumper]

I'll get to the rest in a bit, but just off hand, what sort of nonsense is this? Happiness? Really? How was that measured Treehumper? You do know that happiness is a relative term? Are we kindergarteners?

Read the report. Yes it's a relative term so, what was meant by it in the declaration of independence? It was important enough for those overaged, wigged out kindergarteners or better known as the founding fathers, I guess its important enough for us. Besides that, the point is there is wealth, entrepreneurship, success, freedom and even happiness in countries that have a social democratic government. So, put away your childlike fear of the communist bogeyman. He's not a social democrat.

 

[treehumper]

BRT, when looking at unemployment numbers one doesn't count those not participating ever. Yes they are counted when participating. The point being when looking at the rate year over year it is an apples to apples comparison not some sleight of hand that the current government is using to skew the numbers.

All in all, America is doing alright, could be better but the commies ain't comin' so chill. In the end, you'll only see the evidence to support your beliefs. And I do believe I'm going to bed….

 

[BRT]

Read the report. Yes it's a relative term so, what was meant by it in the declaration of independence? It was important enough for those overaged, wigged out kindergarteners or better known as the founding fathers, I guess its important enough for us. Besides that, the point is there is wealth, entrepreneurship, success, freedom and even happiness in countries that have a social democratic government. So, put away your childlike fear of the communist bogeyman. He's not a social democrat.

The "right...to the pursuit of happiness" can in no way be compared to guaranteeing happiness for any given population. Furthermore, if the founders would have found out through a poll that their population was unhappy, they wouldn't have tried to fix it by taking money from this group and giving it to that.

 

[BRT]

BRT, when looking at unemployment numbers one doesn't count those not participating ever. Yes they are counted when participating. The point being when looking at the rate year over year it is an apples to apples comparison not some sleight of hand that the current government is using to skew the numbers.

All in all, America is doing alright, could be better but the commies ain't comin' so chill. In the end, you'll only see the evidence to support your beliefs. And I do believe I'm going to bed….

Five times in the last twelve months, the participation rate has been as low as 62.8 percent; but March’s 62.7 percent, which matches the participation rate seen in September and December of 2014, is the lowest since February of 1978. http://cnsnews.com/news/article/ali...-exceed-93-million-first-time-627-labor-force

We're doing alright? Is that the way you run your business? "Well boys, we're doing alright. So just go out there and keep at it. No need to make an extra dollar today. We're doing alright."

We're doing alright? 19 trillion in debt? Half the country works while the other half sits on their backside--and we're doing alright? Bernie is relying on that sort of mindset--Hillary as well.

 

[jim454]

When am I gonna get my free healthcare?!

Is it still George Bush's fault?

 

[macswan]

Five times in the last twelve months, the participation rate has been as low as 62.8 percent; but March’s 62.7 percent, which matches the participation rate seen in September and December of 2014, is the lowest since February of 1978. http://cnsnews.com/news/article/ali...-exceed-93-million-first-time-627-labor-force

We're doing alright? Is that the way you run your business? "Well boys, we're doing alright. So just go out there and keep at it. No need to make an extra dollar today. We're doing alright."

We're doing alright? 19 trillion in debt? Half the country works while the other half sits on their backside--and we're doing alright? Bernie is relying on that sort of mindset--Hillary as well.

The half sitting on their back side, you talking about the rich banker assholes hoarding all the money... Right?

 

[jim454]

That was a good one Mac.

Tell me, how are the public schools in Vermont?

 

[easyphloem]

Hi Jim!

SZ

 

[jim454]

Hi StephAn.

 

[easyphloem]

When am I gonna get my free healthcare?!

Is it still George Bush's fault?

Do you have a second? I'd like to talk to you about our lord and Savior, Barack Hussein Obama.

I'm voting for him again this November, because he still has so much good work to do.

Can I count on you to make the "right" choice?

SZ

 

[jim454]

That was good.

Hypnotic enough, even without the cool-aid.

 

[jim454]

Oh, how much money do I send and where?

 

[treehumper]

As for business, I've helped a start up go from weekend to full-time with double digit growth. We did it with smart growth targeting the type of clients we want to work for and at a profitable price point. The crew has been trained to think in terms of the business not just doing the job including, looking at the opportunities to up-sell. So you're off the mark there BRT. Oh and this during the recession while many in our market are slow and showing no growth.

End of the day, blame the government but, ya still have to get up and do the work.

Hey, I'm Canadian so I think differently….

(btw, the healthcare isn't free, it's universal paid by taxes).

 

[jim454]

Murica!

 

[BRT]

The half sitting on their back side, you talking about the rich banker assholes hoarding all the money... Right?

Nope. How many bankers do you know Mac? Are they lazy? Are they there for you when you need them? Are they idiots with no education who just happen into their jobs, sit back in their chairs while the money rolls in?

The ones I know are pretty smart. They work pretty hard. Many had to acquire an education. They take risks. Make decisions. And none that I know run deficits the way this Federal Gov't is.

 

[BRT]

As for business, I've helped a start up go from weekend to full-time with double digit growth. We did it with smart growth targeting the type of clients we want to work for and at a profitable price point. The crew has been trained to think in terms of the business not just doing the job including, looking at the opportunities to up-sell. So you're off the mark there BRT. Oh and this during the recession while many in our market are slow and showing no growth.

End of the day, blame the government but, ya still have to get up and do the work.

Hey, I'm Canadian so I think differently….

(btw, the healthcare isn't free, it's universal paid by taxes).

I find this sort of communication woefully lacking Treehumper. I was not "off the mark."

My question was: "Is that the way you run your business?" It was a rhetorical question! I already knew you didn't! Of course you don't run your business that way! (Only a fool would.) You look for additional opportunities; you make hay while the sun shines! That was my point! In a previous post you said, in reference to this miserable Obama economy, "All in all, America is doing alright,..." My point is--we could be doing so much better! The way you encouraged your company to increase by double digits--that's what the economy could be doing right now! You're proud of that business of yours. And you should be! Why isn't this President proud of America? Simple: he has done nothing to help bring this country out of the recession, ie. he has nothing to be proud of. Rather than putting people to work, he's putting them on government subsidies. Don't you see--he's stealing the very soul out of people? It's called misplaced liberalism. By giving able bodied men and women a handout you're indirectly telling them, "You can't make it on your own. You're not good enough. You need us. We're the government and we're here to help. We'll give you food, shelter, child care, medical, cable TV, & a cell phone." Don't you see? They're buying votes, demoralizing an entire generation of Americans, & and stealing from you and me to do it. (I assume you pay taxes here in the US) It's called the "Nanny State". And while it may be fine for other countries of the world--that government model is not what America was founded on. It's not what has made America strong--self reliance and independence shaped America. This economy could be roaring along! Instead, we're looking around in envy at the "rich". Instead of saying, "Hey, I want to do what that guy's doing, cause I want to be rich too," we're tricked into saying, "Hey, you've got tons of money. You must have gotten that dishonestly. You need to give some of that to me, and the rest of my neighbors." And this mindset of envy is keeping us from economic prosperity.

INSTEAD we are experiencing:
- An astounding $7.5 trillion increase in the national debt
- Millions of Americans have dropped out of the labor force,
- Median household incomes have dropped
- More business startups are dying than being created
- 20 more million Americans are on food stamps
- The poverty rate is up to nearly 50 million

I did not know you were Canadian. I believe I can be a little more understanding now. I saw Ridgefield, NJ and naturally made assumptions. I'm not sure what you think I'm "blaming the government for," but unfortunately, down through the years, governments of the world have done some pretty nasty things. Well, history repeats. Oh, I get up and do the work. But let me spell this one out for you--I'm really getting sick of supporting people who stand in line in front of me and purchase bread and milk with their EBT card (my tax money), then turn around and buy cigarettes and lottery tickets with cash. It makes me a little nuts to think that the libs want me to pay for more of the same. In a nutshell; redistribution=theft. And yea, I'm just a little bit sick of it.

 

[Leroy]

Nope. How many bankers do you know Mac? Are they lazy? Are they there for you when you need them? Are they idiots with no education who just happen into their jobs, sit back in their chairs while the money rolls in?

The ones I know are pretty smart. They work pretty hard. Many had to acquire an education. They take risks. Make decisions. And none that I know run deficits the way this Federal Gov't is.

Really? You're hangin out with bankers?

 

[Crash]

Nope. How many bankers do you know Mac? Are they lazy? Are they there for you when you need them? Are they idiots with no education who just happen into their jobs, sit back in their chairs while the money rolls in?

The ones I know are pretty smart. They work pretty hard. Many had to acquire an education. They take risks. Make decisions. And none that I know run deficits the way this Federal Gov't is.

Willing to commit fraud to get rich and know you'll get away with it may not be lazy but kinda dickish...don't you think? These are the banks I think Mac is referring to. Ahh... morals.

 

[treehumper]

Welfare began long before your much despised current president. It was the response to what was an utter collapse of the American economy. Yes, America began on the much vaunted free market but in the end it wasn't free. All the chickens began to come to roost but, who was there to pick up the tab from the decades of unfettered capitalism? Piece after piece has been left for the government to clean up. Why? Simple, they have no choice. When a corporation exhausts the resources of a community they up and leave. What's left behind? All those chasing the American dream whose businesses relied on the incomes of the employees of those corporations. The ruined environment polluted by years of dumping toxins into the air, water and soils. The ex-employees who gave all they had to help build these businesses only to be left behind as so much unwanted chattel.

Don't talk about free markets, they have never been free. The theory is good the execution deplorable. Why? What those "great" American industrialists and capitalist did was recreate the ruling class here but instead of being landed they were provided with an even greater wealth that wasn't shackled to the land and those that dwelt upon it.

American corporations have relied on government intervention in all its operations. The idiocy is that so many believe it's the individual that is to blame for the woes not the corporations and their leaders.

Having worked in training programs for welfare recipients I found them motivated to rise up out of their dependence not the lazy, leaches that they are portrayed to be. But, when those that control the vast majority of a societies wealth withdraw from it they leave many who in the short term struggle to survive.

Therein lies governments role. Aiding at those times of need, because they have no choice.