Wondering Aloud............................

[BlueStreak]

If the economy would recover any quicker if we;

1.) Could get the Politicians, Pundits and Purveyors of "news" to stop it with all of the infighting, negativity and fear mongering.

2.) Could get the people to understand that it isn't this group or that that's going to fix everything for us. It isn't the government, the small businessman, or the big businessman. It's all of us. We all need to do our part. And it starts at home and in the workplace.

3.) Could get more people to understand the importance of supporting our own businesses and industry.

Why are these things so hard to achieve?

That's what I want to know.

Dave

[finnbow]

If the economy would recover any quicker if we;

1.) Could get the Politicians, Pundits and Purveyors of "news" to stop it with all of the infighting, negativity and fear mongering.

2.) Could get the people to understand that it isn't this group or that that's going to fix everything for us. It isn't the government, the small businessman, or the big businessman. It's all of us. We all need to do our part. And it starts at home and in the workplace.

3.) Could get more people to understand the importance of supporting our own businesses and industry.

Why are these things so hard to achieve?

That's what I want to know.

Dave

You're right IMHO (at least in part) because the economy depends a great deal on consumer confidence. However:

1) Bad news and controversy sells news

2) Political parties feel a need to distinguish between the parties. They can't say "We're both equally good on the economy" when the economy is the big issue.

3) Most people buy on the basis of price (or at least price vs. quality). Also, in a perfect world, economies of scale and the relative capabilities of different societies/cultures result in them doing things better/cheaper than others. In theory, free trade based upon this allows the consumer the best choices in quality/price. In practice, protectionism tends to rear its ugly head and mucks up the theory.

[merrylander]

If the economy would recover any quicker if we;

1.) Could get the Politicians, Pundits and Purveyors of "news" to stop it with all of the infighting, negativity and fear mongering.

2.) Could get the people to understand that it isn't this group or that that's going to fix everything for us. It isn't the government, the small businessman, or the big businessman. It's all of us. We all need to do our part. And it starts at home and in the workplace.

3.) Could get more people to understand the importance of supporting our own businesses and industry.

Why are these things so hard to achieve?

That's what I want to know.

Dave

Tunnel vision.

[Combwork]

If the economy would recover any quicker if we;

1.) Could get the Politicians, Pundits and Purveyors of "news" to stop it with all of the infighting, negativity and fear mongering.

2.) Could get the people to understand that it isn't this group or that that's going to fix everything for us. It isn't the government, the small businessman, or the big businessman. It's all of us. We all need to do our part. And it starts at home and in the workplace.

3.) Could get more people to understand the importance of supporting our own businesses and industry.

Why are these things so hard to achieve?

That's what I want to know.

Dave

"why are these things so hard to achieve?"

Because it depends on collective decision making; collective action. Working together for the benefit of all and as everyone knows, this inevitably leads to.......................communism.:eek:

[BlueStreak]

Sad, truly sad......................

[DarkDefender]

If the economy would recover any quicker if we;

1.) Could get the Politicians, Pundits and Purveyors of "news" to stop it with all of the infighting, negativity and fear mongering.


Watching the Americans from across the pond, it seems to me as though your news organizations pick and choose silly topics to enrage the public with. Whether it's DADT, NY mosque or Obama-Care, these topics are brought up for a few weeks at a time to let the citizens argue back and forth over an issue that is relatively black or white.
These are the kind of stories that rile up emotions and are used to distract the general American population. It is sad to see so many get riled up over issues, particularly something like DADT, that in the overall scheme of things aren't that big of a deal. The 24/7 news channels have done an excellent job of helping to polarize a nation into left/right viewpoints.

[finnbow]

Watching the Americans from across the pond, it seems to me as though your news organizations pick and choose silly topics to enrage the public with. Whether it's DADT, NY mosque or Obama-Care, these topics are brought up for a few weeks at a time to let the citizens argue back and forth over an issue that is relatively black or white.
These are the kind of stories that rile up emotions and are used to distract the general American population. It is sad to see so many get riled up over issues, particularly something like DADT, that in the overall scheme of things aren't that big of a deal. The 24/7 news channels have done an excellent job of helping to polarize a nation into left/right viewpoints.

Your vision from across the pond is 20/20 (unfortunately). Conflict sells.

[DarkDefender]

This goes right along with voting patterns in the US as well. The people who get excited by this type of commentary will be the first ones to vote based on spoon fed emotion, whereas the educated become so apathetic and disgusted by all of the goings on, that they feel that their vote is worthless against the masses of indoctrinated on either side of the aisle. For the US to rebound, the educated, non-reactionary voter must go to the polls and cast their vote accordingly.
However, this is made even more difficult with the established dichotomy and the inability of a third party to have an political influence.

[finnbow]

This goes right along with voting patterns in the US as well. The people who get excited by this type of commentary will be the first ones to vote based on spoon fed emotion, whereas the educated become so apathetic and disgusted by all of the goings on, that they feel that their vote is worthless against the masses of indoctrinated on either side of the aisle.

Your vision from over there is actually better than 20/20.

[Charles]

This goes right along with voting patterns in the US as well. The people who get excited by this type of commentary will be the first ones to vote based on spoon fed emotion, whereas the educated become so apathetic and disgusted by all of the goings on, that they feel that their vote is worthless against the masses of indoctrinated on either side of the aisle. For the US to rebound, the educated, non-reactionary voter must go to the polls and cast their vote accordingly.
However, this is made even more difficult with the established dichotomy and the inability of a third party to have an political influence.

I take it you're not going to Vegas?

Chas

[BlueStreak]

Watching the Americans from across the pond, it seems to me as though your news organizations pick and choose silly topics to enrage the public with. Whether it's DADT, NY mosque or Obama-Care, these topics are brought up for a few weeks at a time to let the citizens argue back and forth over an issue that is relatively black or white.
These are the kind of stories that rile up emotions and are used to distract the general American population. It is sad to see so many get riled up over issues, particularly something like DADT, that in the overall scheme of things aren't that big of a deal. The 24/7 news channels have done an excellent job of helping to polarize a nation into left/right viewpoints.


A very astute observation, Sir!

This is why I love to get opinions from folks outside the USA.
As a man much wiser than me, (And all of you, BTW.), once told me, "Oftentimes the view is much more clear, looking from the outside in.".

Dave

[merrylander]

A very astute observation, Sir!

This is why I love to get opinions from folks outside the USA.
As a man much wiser than me, (And all of you, BTW.), once told me, "Oftentimes the view is much more clear, looking from the outside in.".

Dave

Or as somenoe observed "They can't see the forest for the trees.":rolleyes:

[d-ray657]

Mr. Darkdefender, you have identified the essence of wedge issues. Issues that don't affect the day to day lives of most of us, but have the emotional appeal to attract wide spread attention. The one I recall most vividly gave us a second Bush presidency - gay marriage. It's proponents had just enough success to create a reactionary backlash. This led to ballot issues in several states to "preserve the sanctity of marriage." Voters who wouldn't otherwise have been interested in the presidential elections, or whose actual interests would be contrary to those playing upon their prejudices, showed up to make sure "that type of folks" wouldn't spoil marriage for others who have tried it one or two or three times. The type of people who were energized by such measures helped give the election to Bush.

Regards,

D-Ray

[merrylander]

Mr. Darkdefender, you have identified the essence of wedge issues. Issues that don't affect the day to day lives of most of us, but have the emotional appeal to attract wide spread attention. The one I recall most vividly gave us a second Bush presidency - gay marriage. It's proponents had just enough success to create a reactionary backlash. This led to ballot issues in several states to "preserve the sanctity of marriage." Voters who wouldn't otherwise have been interested in the presidential elections, or whose actual interests would be contrary to those playing upon their prejudices, showed up to make sure "that type of folks" wouldn't spoil marriage for others who have tried it one or two or three times. The type of people who were energized by such measures helped give the election to Bush.

Regards,

D-Ray

I always wondered about the "sanctity of marriage" in a country with possibly the world's highest divorce rate. It is almost like sharia law where you just have to say "I divorce thee" three imes and it's done.:rolleyes:

[DarkDefender]

I find it particularly funny that the party that so fervently opposes gay marriage has had a number of married politicians involved in gay extra-marital affairs.

[finnbow]

I find it particularly funny that the party that so fervently opposes gay marriage has had a number of married politicians involved in gay extra-marital affairs.

Personal belief/behavior doesn't interfere with their need to pander for the vote - independent thinkers, I suppose.:rolleyes:

[merrylander]

Personal belief/behavior doesn't interfere with their need to pander for the vote - independent stinkers, I suppose.:rolleyes:

Fixed it for ya.:D

[BlueStreak]

I find it particularly funny that the party that so fervently opposes gay marriage has had a number of married politicians involved in gay extra-marital affairs.

Yes, many of us have noticed that as well. Republicans also have an alarmingly odd love of buff men in uniform. Any kind of muscular, tough guy with a square jaw and six pack abs, especially if he is displaying some sort of pointy weapon---sword, rifle.....whatever is long, hard and especially if it gets hot and stuff shoots out the end of it.

Methinks they are about the most faggoty lot on the planet. All of that anti-Gay rhetoric appears to be self-loathing, upon examination.:p

Dave

[noonereal]

Yes, many of us have noticed that as well. Republicans also have an alarmingly odd love of buff men in uniform. Any kind of muscular, tough guy with a square jaw and six pack abs, especially if he is displaying some sort of pointy weapon---sword, rifle.....whatever is long, hard and especially if it gets hot and stuff shoots out the end of it.

Methinks they are about the most faggoty lot on the planet. All of that anti-Gay rhetoric appears to be self-loathing, upon examination.:p

Dave

now that's funny

[Charles]

Yes, many of us have noticed that as well. Republicans also have an alarmingly odd love of buff men in uniform. Any kind of muscular, tough guy with a square jaw and six pack abs, especially if he is displaying some sort of pointy weapon---sword, rifle.....whatever is long, hard and especially if it gets hot and stuff shoots out the end of it.

Methinks they are about the most faggoty lot on the planet. All of that anti-Gay rhetoric appears to be self-loathing, upon examination.:p

Dave

I realized long ago that I was narrow minded in my view of the faggots.

But I find it repulsive, and I always will. That's just me, and I ain't about to change for nobody, couldn't even do it if I wanted to.

Lesbians, however, are more entertaining to the enlightened part of my mind.

Nothing wrong with a good old fashioned fetish.

Chas

[noonereal]

I realized long ago that I was narrow minded in my view of the faggots.

But I find it repulsive, and I always will. That's just me, and I ain't about to change for nobody, couldn't even do it if I wanted to.

Lesbians, however, are more entertaining to the enlightened part of my mind.

Nothing wrong with a good old fashioned fetish.

Chas

lol, a little irreverent but funny

[Charles]

lol, a little irreverent but funny

Are we really that different?

Chas

[noonereal]

Are we really that different?

Chas

yeah, I am considerably taller than you

not to mention better looking

[Charles]

yeah, I am considerably taller than you

not to mention better looking

That I cannot argue with.

And if we eliminate the nose and ears, I believe you have more hair as well.

Chas

[BlueStreak]

I realized long ago that I was narrow minded in my view of the faggots.

But I find it repulsive, and I always will. That's just me, and I ain't about to change for nobody, couldn't even do it if I wanted to.

Lesbians, however, are more entertaining to the enlightened part of my mind.

Nothing wrong with a good old fashioned fetish.

Chas

Now, this I can agree with. I got tired of porn years ago, 'cuz I hated lookin' at ugly ass men spoilin' the view. Then they started turning out the "girls only" videos. The Devil always finds a way. Lord, please have mercy on my wretched soul................

Dave

[JJIII]

yeah, I am considerably taller than you

not to mention better looking

That I cannot argue with.

And if we eliminate the nose and ears, I believe you have more hair as well.

Chas

There ya go! I needed a laugh. Thanks.:)

[Charles]

There ya go! I needed a laugh. Thanks.:)

Just trying to elevate the mood, it could stand it.

Chas

[mossbacked]

If the economy would recover any quicker if we;

1.) Could get the Politicians, Pundits and Purveyors of "news" to stop it with all of the infighting, negativity and fear mongering.

2.) Could get the people to understand that it isn't this group or that that's going to fix everything for us. It isn't the government, the small businessman, or the big businessman. It's all of us. We all need to do our part. And it starts at home and in the workplace.

3.) Could get more people to understand the importance of supporting our own businesses and industry.

Why are these things so hard to achieve?

That's what I want to know.

Dave

No, the reality of the country being over-leveraged would still be the underpinning fact.

[noonereal]

No, the reality of the country being over-leveraged would still be the underpinning fact.

why is it?

[mossbacked]

why is it?

Are you asking, "Why is the country over-leveraged?"

[BlueStreak]

No, the reality of the country being over-leveraged would still be the underpinning fact.

No, at the end result we would possess the revenue to pay debts down and would no longer be over-leveraged.

Dave

[merrylander]

Meanwhile those darned socialists up north have brought their dollar higher than ours. Keep it up guys, I needed a raise.:p