High Prices & Cheap Labor

[Moonglow]

Granny says dat would make a good sized dent in the deficit...

Tax havens: Super-rich 'hiding' at least $21tn
22 July 2012 - James Henry says his $21tn figure is a conservative estimate

A global super-rich elite had at least $21 trillion (£13tn) hidden in secret tax havens by the end of 2010, according to a major study. The figure is equivalent to the size of the US and Japanese economies combined. The Price of Offshore Revisited was written by James Henry, a former chief economist at the consultancy McKinsey, and commissioned by the Tax Justice Network. He said $21tn is a conservative figure and the true scale could be $32tn. A trillion is 1,000 billion.

Mr Henry used data from the Bank of International Settlements, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and national governments. His study deals only with financial wealth deposited in bank and investment accounts, and not other assets such as property and yachts. The report comes amid growing public and political concern about tax avoidance and evasion. Some authorities, including in Germany, have even paid for information on alleged tax evaders stolen from banks. The group that commissioned the report, Tax Justice Network, campaigns against tax havens.

Mr Henry said that the super-rich move money around the globe through an "industrious bevy of professional enablers in private banking, legal, accounting and investment industries. "The lost tax revenues implied by our estimates is huge. It is large enough to make a significant difference to the finances of many countries. "From another angle, this study is really good news. The world has just located a huge pile of financial wealth that might be called upon to contribute to the solution of our most pressing global problems," he said.


'Huge black hole'

The report highlights the impact on the balance sheets of 139 developing countries of money held in tax havens that is put beyond the reach of local tax authorities. Mr Henry estimates that since the 1970s, the richest citizens of these 139 countries had amassed $7.3tn to $9.3tn of "unrecorded offshore wealth" by 2010. Private wealth held offshore represents "a huge black hole in the world economy," Mr Henry said.

Other findings in the report include:

$ At the end of 2010, the 50 leading private banks alone collectively managed more than $12.1tn in cross-border invested assets for private clients
$ The three private banks handling the most assets offshore are UBS, Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs
$ Less than 100,000 people worldwide own about $9.8tn of the wealth held offshore.

BBC News - Tax havens: Super-rich 'hiding' at least $21tn

that is alot of dough. I bet alot is made illegally. Joe Kennedy made his first fortune on illegal booze imported to his secret warehouses.

 

[Rshermr]

To EdwardBaiamonte: I don’t get your point.

it is that conservatives and libertarians are right!!

To EdwardBaiamonte: Okay. I see it now. I was a bit confused because of your WW 2 analysis. I’m still not sure how you tie your first and second paragraphs together?

Wow. A post made up of Ed and someone even more ignorant.
You guys love libertarianism. Have you an example of a libertarian economy that we should envy?
Of course you do not. There are none. Never have been. In every attempt, the population rebels well before any such economy can get there. But I am sure that won't stop you from pushing those libertarian ideals. Makes the wealthy much more wealthy, which means it makes your leaders much more wealthy.
Tea party dogma slingers.

To Rshermr: How original! A liberal halfwit telling someone else what they are. Had you researched my messages you would know that I am not a Libertarian or a Republican.

I advocate a return to limited government; i.e., a return to the laissez faire economy that made America the wealthiest, most envied country ever seen not to mention the most individual liberties and the highest standard of living for the most people. Socialists/Communists feed off of the very form of government they would replace with oppression in the name of the common good.

Since you ask for an example perhaps you can give me an example of a Communist economy envied by no one except totalitarian butchers and tax dollar parasites.

Flanders said: To Rshermr: How original! A liberal halfwit telling someone else what they are. Had you researched my messages you would know that I am not a Libertarian or a Republican.

I advocate a return to limited government; i.e., a return to the laissez faire economy that made America the wealthiest, most envied country ever seen not to mention the most individual liberties and the highest standard of living for the most people. Socialists/Communists feed off of the very form of government they would replace with oppression in the name of the common good.

Since you ask for an example perhaps you can give me an example of a Communist economy envied by no one except totalitarian butchers and tax dollar parasites.

Flanders, me boy, you are reading things that do not exist. I am positively certain that communism never had a chance of success, and have believed so since I first studied it in the 1970's. And if you would be so kind, let me know when Laise Faire economics has been followed in this country, and when we did so well with it. I am truly puzzled when you believe such a true market system existed. In case you do not know what a market system requires, perhaps you should go back to school. It requires, for instance, a lack of monopoly power in business. Only if your head is fully fixed up your arse will you not have noticed that that particular provision does not exist.

But what you seem to be is a libertaraian. No gov intervention in anything, and true let the buyer beware. Good luck on that one. No libertarian economy has ever succeeded, just as no communist economy has ever existed. Named themselves as such, but never met the requirements or anything close.

 

[expat_panama]

So robber baron capitalists are not parasites?

The people who're parasites are those stupid idiots that call others 'parasites'.





Ooops...

 

[Moonglow]

So robber baron capitalists are not parasites?

The people who're parasites are those stupid idiots that call others 'parasites'.





Ooops...

like these parasites?

Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors and European regulators are close to arresting individual traders and charging them with colluding to manipulate global benchmark interest rates, according to people familiar with a sweeping investigation into the rate-rigging scandal.

Exclusive: Prosecutors, regulators close to making Libor arrests - Yahoo! Finance

 

[expat_panama]

...try running a company that puts out competetion against the big guys, they will crush you anyway they can.

Sounds like you've never figured out how to beat the big guys. Not sure what your problem is because the rest of us have been doing it--

--for thousands of years...

 

[expat_panama]

So robber baron capitalists are not parasites?

The people who're parasites are those stupid idiots that call others 'parasites'.





Ooops...

like these parasites...

That one when right over your head. How about this:
I know what you are, you're nothing but a NAME-CALLER!!!

You see the contradiction yet?

 

[Flanders]

So robber baron capitalists are not parasites?

To there4eyeM: Robber barons never forced anybody to work for them. The parasite class forces everybody to work for them with the tax on income. Now you have the worst of all worlds. Tax dollar robber barons who force everyone to work for them.

Rshermr;5664950

Flanders, me boy, you are reading things that do not exist. I am positively certain that communism never had a chance of success, and have believed so since I first studied it in the 1970's.

To Rshermr: You cannot count as high as the number of halfwits who told me I don’t know what I’m talking about because they “studied communism.” The minute I see that I know I am talking to a boob trying to sound politically astute.

Rshermr;5664950

No gov intervention in anything, and true let the buyer beware. Good luck on that one.

To Rshermr: Caveat emptor is unchangeable human nature. Only fools and dirty little moralists try to legislate against it. Caveat emptor not only made the buyer entirely responsible for assessing the quality of a purchase before buying —— caveat emptor also purifies lies. “It ain’t a lie when you’re selling something” has been the rule since let the buyer beware became the moral standard in commerce way back when man was selling dinosaur teeth to his neighbors.

And in case you missed it, the government never intervenes on behalf of the buyer; furthermore, there is not one law in this country that restricts the seller from selling legal products for the highest price he can get, and every time price controls are tried they cause more harm than good. Even anti-tobacco laws do not prohibit selling, (Alcohol for drinking was a legal product that was made illegal and look what that did to the country.)

Rshermr;5664950

. . . no communist economy has ever existed. Named themselves as such, but never met the requirements or anything close.

To Rshermr: At last! The oldest Communist chestnut of all. “True communism was never tried.” The fact is that no matter how many times socialism/communism fails true socialism was not tried. It’s the eternal excuse for establishing the next totalitarian government.

Finally, communism’s apologists never mention that brutality is true communism and it is tried every time. When you were studying communism were you told that Communist regimes slaughtered more of their own people than soldiers who were killed in all of the wars in the past 500 years. Conservative estimates tell us that Communist China alone killed 100,000,000 million.

 

[Rshermr]

[
Flanders, me boy, you are reading things that do not exist. I am positively certain that communism never had a chance of success, and have believed so since I first studied it in the 1970's.
To Rshermr: You cannot count as high as the number of halfwits who told me I don’t know what I’m talking about because they “studied communism.” The minute I see that I know I am talking to a boob trying to sound politically astute.

Rshermr responds: Well, then color me a boob in your mind. I have a degree in economics and taught it at a 4 year school. If I had a buck for ever time I have heard some ignorant clod tell me that they know all about the subject, I would give you my retirement. Typical con clod who does not believe in the concept of studying a subject.
Quote:
Rshermr;5664950

No gov intervention in anything, and true let the buyer beware. Good luck on that one.
To Rshermr: Caveat emptor is unchangeable human nature. Only fools and dirty little moralists try to legislate against it. Caveat emptor not only made the buyer entirely responsible for assessing the quality of a purchase before buying —— caveat emptoralso purifies lies. “It ain’t a lie when you’re selling something” has been the rule since let the buyer beware became the moral standard in commerce way back when man was selling dinosaur teeth to his neighbors.

And in case you missed it, the government never intervenes on behalf of the buyer; furthermore, there is not one law in this country that restricts the seller from selling legal products for the highest price he can get, and every time price controls are tried they cause more harm than good. Even anti-tobacco laws do not prohibit selling, (Alcohol for drinking was a legal product that was made illegal and look what that did to the country.)
Rshermr responds: Well, you have a little truth in the two paragraphs of pure crap. You can indeed sell any legal product, assuming that you have the licenses, etc. required to do so.
So, I am not real interested in dinosaur teeth. Totally irrelevant statement. What I am stating is that since the government of this country was founded that there have been federal, state and local rules about what and how you can sell MANY things. Sorry that you missed that. But since you have indeed done so, I am sure you will continue to believe the absurd concept that you choose to believe. If you know a lawyer, ask him some time. You (and only you) will be amazed.

Quote:
Rshermr;5664950

. . . no communist economy has ever existed. Named themselves as such, but never met the requirements or anything close.
To Rshermr: At last! The oldest Communist chestnut of all. “True communism was never tried.” The fact is that no matter how many times socialism/communism fails true socialism was not tried. It’s the eternal excuse for establishing the next totalitarian government.

Rshermr responds: Obviously you also need reading lessons. I did not say that communism had never been tried. It has indeed. What I said was (now pay attention) that no communist economy ever existed. Tried, but failed, as communism always has and always will.

And by the way, there ARE differences between socialism and communism. Fairly major. And yes, there are many successful socialist nations. But most, my ignorant friend, are neither socialist, not capitalist, but some combination of the two. I am sure you do not believe this, because it is the truth.


Finally, communism’s apologists never mention that brutality is true communism and it is tried every time. When you were studying communism were you told that Communist regimes slaughtered more of their own people than soldiers who were killed in all of the wars in the past 500 years. Conservative estimates tell us that Communist China alone killed 100,000,000 million.

Rshermr responds: I am not a communist apologist, you ignorant twit. And yes I do know of the brutality and killing. Did you believe you were saying something profound??? Is world history new to you??? Jesus, it would be good to talk with someone who had a clue. You are truly showing your extensive ignorance.
__________________

 

[waltky]

Granny's economic theory - High Prices + Cheap Labor = More Poverty...

US poverty on track to rise to highest since 1960s
July 22, 2012 WASHINGTON (AP) — The ranks of America's poor are on track to climb to levels unseen in nearly half a century, erasing gains from the war on poverty in the 1960s amid a weak economy and fraying government safety net.

Census figures for 2011 will be released this fall in the critical weeks ahead of the November elections. The Associated Press surveyed more than a dozen economists, think tanks and academics, both nonpartisan and those with known liberal or conservative leanings, and found a broad consensus: The official poverty rate will rise from 15.1 percent in 2010, climbing as high as 15.7 percent. Several predicted a more modest gain, but even a 0.1 percentage point increase would put poverty at the highest level since 1965.

Poverty is spreading at record levels across many groups, from underemployed workers and suburban families to the poorest poor. More discouraged workers are giving up on the job market, leaving them vulnerable as unemployment aid begins to run out. Suburbs are seeing increases in poverty, including in such political battlegrounds as Colorado, Florida and Nevada, where voters are coping with a new norm of living hand to mouth. "I grew up going to Hawaii every summer. Now I'm here, applying for assistance because it's hard to make ends meet. It's very hard to adjust," said Laura Fritz, 27, of Wheat Ridge, Colo., describing her slide from rich to poor as she filled out aid forms at a county center. Since 2000, large swaths of Jefferson County just outside Denver have seen poverty nearly double.

Fritz says she grew up wealthy in the Denver suburb of Highlands Ranch, but fortunes turned after her parents lost a significant amount of money in the housing bust. Stuck in a half-million dollar house, her parents began living off food stamps and Fritz's college money evaporated. She tried joining the Army but was injured during basic training. Now she's living on disability, with an infant daughter and a boyfriend, Garrett Goudeseune, 25, who can't find work as a landscaper. They are struggling to pay their $650 rent on his unemployment checks and don't know how they would get by without the extra help as they hope for the job market to improve.

In an election year dominated by discussion of the middle class, Fritz's case highlights a dim reality for the growing group in poverty. Millions could fall through the cracks as government aid from unemployment insurance, Medicaid, welfare and food stamps diminishes. "The issues aren't just with public benefits. We have some deep problems in the economy," said Peter Edelman, director of the Georgetown Center on Poverty, Inequality and Public Policy.

More US poverty on track to rise to highest since 1960s | CNSNews.com

See also:

Senator says food stamp partnership with Mexico 'pressuring' immigrants to enroll
July 19, 2012 - The Mexican government has been distributing information about the U.S. food stamp program through its embassy and dozens of consular offices, a partnership that one Republican senator says is the latest example of an "aggressive" push to "expand enrollment regardless of need."

Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, raised concerns about the program in a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack -- one week after he complained about a Spanish-language ad campaign encouraging residents to go on food stamps. The USDA ended the campaign following criticism, but Sessions warned in his letter that the U.S.-Mexico partnership is a symptom of the same approach.

His concern -- that Mexican immigrants are being guided toward government assistance instead of "gainful employment." "It has become increasingly clear that the mission of the food stamp program has moved from targeted welfare assistance for those in need into an aggressive drive to expand enrollment regardless of need," he wrote.

Both the Spanish-language ad campaign and the U.S.-Mexico partnership were launched under the George W. Bush administration. The partnership dates back to 2004 -- it was signed between then-Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman and Mexico's foreign affairs secretary at the time. The USDA says on its website that it is meant to "educate eligible Mexican nationals living in the United States about available nutrition assistance." To do that, Mexico distributes materials through its embassy and 50 consular offices.

The USDA stressed Thursday that consulates "within the United States" distribute the information about eligibility criteria, as some Mexican Americans and Mexican nationals might not know that information. "Congress has directed USDA to perform outreach to eligible populations who may be in need of nutrition assistance to help reduce hunger in America," the department said in a statement Thursday. "To that end, the partnership with the Mexican embassy was established in 2004. USDA does not perform outreach to immigrants that are undocumented, and therefore not eligible for (the program)."

The USDA has made a special effort to target Hispanic families. According to the USDA, Hispanic households represent more than a quarter of eligible residents who don't enroll in the food stamp program. Still, roughly 46 million people in America are on food stamps -- known officially as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -- and Sessions has argued that the government should not be pressuring more people to enroll.

Read more: Senator says food stamp partnership with Mexico 'pressuring' immigrants to enroll | Fox News

 

[Flanders]

Rshermr;5669318

Well, then color me a boob in your mind. I have a degree in economics and taught it at a 4 year school.

To Rshermr: Are you trying to convince me that you should be believed because you are a teacher? And economics no less! You’re out of your mind if you think that impresses anyone. See this thread for a few words about economists:

http://www.usmessageboard.com/europe/228728-academy-award-for-baking.html

Rshermr;5669318

If I had a buck for ever time I have heard some ignorant clod tell me that they know all about the subject, I would give you my retirement. Typical con clod who does not believe in the concept of studying a subject.

To Rshermr: LEARNING about forms of government is different than studying it in a classroom being taught by a parasite with a political agenda. In short: Parasite teachers think they own a subject because the government pays them to brainwash students. The thing that angers education industry parasites the most is not being able to flunk non-students.

You might try learning this: Intelligent people don’t give a rat’s ass about you or any education industry parasite giving them a failing grade.

Rshermr;5669318

What I am stating is that since the government of this country was founded that there have been federal, state and local rules about what and how you can sell MANY things.

To Rshermr: Keep reading it until you get it:

“. . . there is not one law in this country that restricts the seller from selling legal products for the highest price he can get. . .”

Rshermr;5669318

To Rshermr: At last! The oldest Communist chestnut of all. “True communism was never tried.” The fact is that no matter how many times socialism/communism fails true socialism was not tried. It’s the eternal excuse for establishing the next totalitarian government.

Rshermr responds: Obviously you also need reading lessons. I did not say that communism had never been tried. It has indeed. What I said was (now pay attention) that no communist economy ever existed. Tried, but failed, as communism always has and always will.

To Rshermr: Are you serious? You obviously cannot comprehend your own statement:

. . . no communist economy has ever existed. Named themselves as such, but never met the requirements or anything close.

Now, you seem to be saying that communism and a communist economy are separate government functions. I hope to hell your students do not fall for that crap.

Rshermr;5669318

And by the way, there ARE differences between socialism and communism. Fairly major.

To Rshermr: You’re wrong again:

Quote OP

The only difference between socialism and communism is how each one gets to totalitarian government. Socialists do it incrementally, while Communists prefer violent revolution. Communist prefer violent revolution until they are opposed with violence —— then they holler human rights, democracy, and every piece of philosophical garbage they can think up to stop violence being done to them.

Had you done a minimum of research into 19th century socialism/communism you would know:

"Fabian Socialism" uses incremental change over a long period of time to slowly transform a state as opposed to using violent revolution for change. It is essentially socialism by stealth, a slow march towards World Government.

The Fabian Society Exposed - YouTube

Rshermr;5669318

And yes, there are many successful socialist nations.

To Rshermr: Wrong again. Nations that try socialism/communism appear successful for a short time. The FORMER Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was considered successful up until the day it imploded. In the same vain American Socialists/Communists never stop telling us how successful Communist China is.

Rshermr;5669318

But most, my ignorant friend, are neither socialist, not capitalist, but some combination of the two. I am sure you do not believe this, because it is the truth.

To Rshermr: If nothing else you are consistent —— consistently wrong. Capitalism is an economic system that works to perfection for the most people under a limited form of government. Socialism is a form of government. The two are, and always will be, incompatible.

NOTE: Rank & file Socialists believe, and try to convince others, that socialism and capitalism can co-exist; whereas, capitalists know better.

Rshermr;5669318

I am not a communist apologist, you ignorant twit.

To Rshermr: Of course you are. Everything you’ve said in this thread screams it.

Rshermr;5669318

And yes I do know of the brutality and killing. Did you believe you were saying something profound???

To Rshermr: Hardly profound since it is well-known and extensively documented. I simply take every opportunity to point it out to communism’s apologists who go to great lengths to avoid mentioning communism’s inherent brutality. Go back to the above video link and move the cursor to 2:32 to see how GBS justifies brutality. Today’s Socialists/Communists are doing their best to implement Shaw’s brutality under a false banner like universal healthcare.

Rshermr;5669318

Is world history new to you???

To Rshermr: Neither fact nor history manipulated by teachers is new to me. Over the years I’ve have posted many messages critical of teaching history. I’ve been especially critical of an education industry advertising slogan attributed to George Santayana:

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

I do not know what Santayana had in mind, but those who learn about the past from history teachers and authors looking to make a buck are certain to repeat it.

Finally, I’ve done my best to put you on a path to wisdom no teacher can impart. Admittedly, I do not expect success. Your kind spend your lives justifying the lies your teachers told you instead of facing what they did to you. Your bitterness over the damage done to you turned into a grim determination to preserve the lies rather than admit to yourself that you remain too stupid to think for yourself.

 

[Rshermr]

Rshermr;5669318

Well, then color me a boob in your mind. I have a degree in economics and taught it at a 4 year school.

To Rshermr: Are you trying to convince me that you should be believed because you are a teacher? And economics no less! You’re out of your mind if you think that impresses anyone. See this thread for a few words about economists:

http://www.usmessageboard.com/europe/228728-academy-award-for-baking.html

Rshermr;5669318

If I had a buck for ever time I have heard some ignorant clod tell me that they know all about the subject, I would give you my retirement. Typical con clod who does not believe in the concept of studying a subject.

To Rshermr: LEARNING about forms of government is different than studying it in a classroom being taught by a parasite with a political agenda. In short: Parasite teachers think they own a subject because the government pays them to brainwash students. The thing that angers education industry parasites the most is not being able to flunk non-students.

You might try learning this: Intelligent people don’t give a rat’s ass about you or any education industry parasite giving them a failing grade.



To Rshermr: Keep reading it until you get it:





To Rshermr: Are you serious? You obviously cannot comprehend your own statement:


Now, you seem to be saying that communism and a communist economy are separate government functions. I hope to hell your students do not fall for that crap.



To Rshermr: You’re wrong again:



Had you done a minimum of research into 19th century socialism/communism you would know:





To Rshermr: Wrong again. Nations that try socialism/communism appear successful for a short time. The FORMER Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was considered successful up until the day it imploded. In the same vain American Socialists/Communists never stop telling us how successful Communist China is.



To Rshermr: If nothing else you are consistent —— consistently wrong. Capitalism is an economic system that works to perfection for the most people under a limited form of government. Socialism is a form of government. The two are, and always will be, incompatible.

NOTE: Rank & file Socialists believe, and try to convince others, that socialism and capitalism can co-exist; whereas, capitalists know better.



To Rshermr: Of course you are. Everything you’ve said in this thread screams it.



To Rshermr: Hardly profound since it is well-known and extensively documented. I simply take every opportunity to point it out to communism’s apologists who go to great lengths to avoid mentioning communism’s inherent brutality. Go back to the above video link and move the cursor to 2:32 to see how GBS justifies brutality. Today’s Socialists/Communists are doing their best to implement Shaw’s brutality under a false banner like universal healthcare.

Rshermr;5669318

Is world history new to you???

To Rshermr: Neither fact nor history manipulated by teachers is new to me. Over the years I’ve have posted many messages critical of teaching history. I’ve been especially critical of an education industry advertising slogan attributed to George Santayana:

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

I do not know what Santayana had in mind, but those who learn about the past from history teachers and authors looking to make a buck are certain to repeat it.

Finally, I’ve done my best to put you on a path to wisdom no teacher can impart. Admittedly, I do not expect success. Your kind spend your lives justifying the lies your teachers told you instead of facing what they did to you. Your bitterness over the damage done to you turned into a grim determination to preserve the lies rather than admit to yourself that you remain too stupid to think for yourself.

Flanders, me boy, you are completely ignorant. I will not take the time to respond to much you said. I have seen many vacuous claims on this web site, but in your case it is you that is vacuous. To have and idiot call you an idiot is too much. Believe what you will, which is your wont.
You are among many who love to believewhat makes you mad. Here is a good link for you. It will help to explain you mental issues.
Low IQ & Conservative Beliefs Linked to Prejudice | Racism, Bias & Politics | Right-Wing and Left-Wing Ideology | LiveScience

And another:

It

By the way, Flanders, I did not choose teaching, but rather did it while going to graduate school. MBA, now retired, was last a vp of a technology company doing business worldwide. So, you believe teachers are bad - typical con dogma. You prefer to get your ideas from ideologues. That science and study shit is really stupid, eh, when you can just make it up yourself. Or get the dogma from your favorite outlet, based on their interests.

you should be especially concerned about your interest in communism. You apparently believe you run into them all the time. Odd. Have not run into a single one in eons. You are obviously lying, Flanders, there is no communist threat. But it would be good if you would, at some point, look up the definition of socialism, then communism. If you have any ability to think, you will see the difference. But then, you probably will not because you prefer to believe what you want to believe, and what makes you angry. You enjoy being angry, flanders, it is obvious.
Your comments about socialism and capitalism not being able to coexist is particularly stupid. You may want to tell that to the people of Sweden, or Canada, or Germany, or Finland, etc. You are completely and absolutely wrong, as usual. Amazing.

 

[Flanders]

Rshermr;5672739

You are among many who love to believewhat makes you mad.

To Rshermr: The opposite of mad better describes my emotions. There is no greater political joy in this world than being wise to people like you. No small thing considering the decades of garbage the media, Hollywood, and the education industry dumped on this country.

Rshermr;5672739

By the way, Flanders, I did not choose teaching, but rather did it while going to graduate school. MBA, now retired, was last a vp of a technology company doing business worldwide.

To Rshermr: Something smells fishy. I’ll take a guess and say your technology company was involved in green energy and tax dollar subsidies. It makes sense that a parasite would go from one seat at the public trough —— teaching —— to a company that hires people for their knowledge of the public trough.

Rshermr;5672739

So, you believe teachers are bad - typical con dogma.

To Rshermr: Bad only in the sense they are parasites. Put it this way: There are two fictional images of teachers in America:

1. Ichabod Crane.

2. Mr. Chipping.

Novels, Hollywood movies, and television shows worked long and hard to make Americans believe that Mr. Chips is the true picture of today’s teachers. It’s not working. The image of Ichabod Crane persists because he, too, was an accomplished parasite before there was a public trough as it exists today.

Rshermr;5672739

you should be especially concerned about your interest in communism. You apparently believe you run into them all the time. Odd. Have not run into a single one in eons.

To Rshermr: Go to China, Cuba, Europe, or Washington, D.C., and you’ll be up to your neck in them.

Rshermr;5672739

You are obviously lying, Flanders, there is no communist threat.

To Rshermr: That was the liberal line in the late forties and fifties when the Soviet Union was an obvious threat. The threat is more real today because Communists infiltrated the government in large numbers since the Vietnam War. Today, elected officials do everything they can possibly do to advance socialism/communism without admitting what they are.

Not only were the three branches of government infiltrated there are many in the officer corps in every branch of the armed services who are more loyal to the United Nations than they are to the United States. Throw in China as a replacement for the Soviet Union and the combined threat from every quarter amounts to a huge disadvantage that did not exist in the early years of the Cold War.

Rshermr;5672739

But it would be good if you would, at some point, look up the definition of socialism, then communism.

To Rshermr: Do try to avoid going around in circles if you can’t say something intelligent.

Quote OP & #30 permalink

The only difference between socialism and communism is how each one gets to totalitarian government. Socialists do it incrementally, while Communists prefer violent revolution. Communist prefer violent revolution until they are opposed with violence —— then they holler human rights, democracy, and every piece of philosophical garbage they can think up to stop violence being done to them.

Even you must see that spouting claptrap from a different angle does not change the facts.

Rshermr;5672739

you prefer to believe what you want to believe, and what makes you angry. You enjoy being angry, flanders, it is obvious.

To Rshermr: See my first response about mad.

Rshermr;5672739

Your comments about socialism and capitalism not being able to coexist is particularly stupid. You may want to tell that to the people of Sweden, or Canada, or Germany, or Finland, etc. You are completely and absolutely wrong, as usual. Amazing.

To Rshermr: Yeah, like I’m going to tell parasites who have a vested interest in furthering the myth Socialists/Communist planted at the start of the Cold War: “Communism and capitalism will meet in the middle and everything will be okay.”

Finally, I am always content letting impartial readers who might follow a thread decide the truth of any topic I discuss. More so in your case.

 

[Rshermr]

To Rshermr: LEARNING about forms of government is different than studying it in a classroom being taught by a parasite with a political agenda. In short: Parasite teachers think they own a subject because the government pays them to brainwash students. The thing that angers education industry parasites the most is not being able to flunk non-students.

You might try learning this: Intelligent people don’t give a rat’s ass about you or any education industry parasite giving them a failing grade.

Rserman says:Well, Flanders, my poor ignorant boy, you may want to talk to corporate HR organizations and ask them why they pay much more for educated applicants than for ignorant people like you. I am sure they have it all wrong, and that you are the smart one. And the parasite educators, who provide the worthless education that corporations want, could not care less about your opinion. But I am sure you are correct. It is you who has it right, not them. Because education, research, and scientific methodology are not nearly as good as your method, which is as nearly as I can tell, to pull it out of your ass. No need for that troublesome research.




To Rshermr: Are you serious? You obviously cannot comprehend your own statement:
Flanders, me boy, ???????
Flanders,
Now, you seem to be saying that communism and a communist economy are separate government functions. I hope to hell your students do not fall for that crap.ec
Flanders, my poor ignorant boy, no, they would have understood what I was getting at because they were all much smarter than you. What I was saying was that you were wrong when you said communism and socialism were the same.
So, lets try again, Flanders my ignorant boy:
Socialism is defined as any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods

Communism is defined as a theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.
Both definitions from Answers.com
See the difference yet, flanders me boy. Hint: It has to do with who gets to own property….



To Rshermr: You’re wrong again:



Had you done a minimum of research into 19th century socialism/communism you would know:
Flanders, me boy, you are truly wasting our time. What are you talking about.





To Rshermr: Wrong again. Nations that try socialism/communism appear successful for a short time. The FORMER Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was considered successful up until the day it imploded. In the same vain American Socialists/Communists never stop telling us how successful Communist China is.
Again, Flanders, me boy, the soviet union was never communist. Ownership of all sorts of things went to those with sufficient rubles. And, Flanders, if you are ok with an economy working, poorly at that, for under 50 years, then we are not talking about the same thing, are we. For the time that the USSR was in existence, it was held together with force. And ignorance. And since the 60's all economists saw it as a failing economy, and therefore, nation. And relative to China, it is indeed successful. However, if you look at it closely, it is far from Communist. Ask your friend Ed. Ed is a definite Con, and has been calling China a great Capitalistic success. You guys need to make up your minds. At any rate, if you look at the living conditions of the people there, calling it a success is a BIG stretch.
So again, what I said is indeed true. Communism has no chance. It fails every time.


To Rshermr: If nothing else you are consistent —— consistently wrong. Capitalism is an economic system that works to perfection for the most people under a limited form of government. Socialism is a form of government. The two are, and always will be, incompatible.

NOTE: Rank & file Socialists believe, and try to convince others, that socialism and capitalism can co-exist; whereas, capitalists know better.

Flanders, me ignorant fool. Capitalism is an economic system, yes. Socialism is indeed an economic model.


To Rshermr: Of course you are. Everything you’ve said in this thread screams it.
Sorry, flanders me boy. What I have said, and what I said to students when I taught, was that, in my opinion, communism has no chance of working for any length of time. That is what I said here, over and over to you. But you seem to believe something quite different. Maybe you have a paranoia issue, flanders.



To Rshermr: Hardly profound since it is well-known and extensively documented. I simply take every opportunity to point it out to communism’s apologists who go to great lengths to avoid mentioning communism’s inherent brutality. Go back to the above video link and move the cursor to 2:32 to see how GBS justifies brutality. Today’s Socialists/Communists are doing their best to implement Shaw’s brutality under a false banner like universal healthcare.
So, Flanders, my ignorant boy, you are saying that socialism breeds brutality??? Tell that to the Canadians, Swedes, germans, and so forth. What a laugh, Flanders, but I will keep my eyes open for brutality in those nations.
Quote:
Rshermr;5669318

Is world history new to you???
To Rshermr: Neither fact nor history manipulated by teachers is new to me. Over the years I’ve have posted many messages critical of teaching history. I’ve been especially critical of an education industry advertising slogan attributed to George Santayana:
Quote:
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
I do not know what Santayana had in mind, but those who learn about the past from history teachers and authors looking to make a buck are certain to repeat it.
Flanders, my poor ignorant boy. You keep mentioning the history manufactured or manipulated by teachers. Which, based on your lack of proof, I believe came like most of this, directly out of your ass. If you have any proof, it would be interesting to look at it. But then, you do not like that whole research and proof crap, do you Flanders me boy. Easier and more fun to pull it out of your ass.

 

[Flanders]

Rshermr;5676038

Rserman says:Well, Flanders, my poor ignorant boy, you may want to talk to corporate HR organizations and ask them why they pay much more for educated applicants than for ignorant people like you. I am sure they have it all wrong, and that you are the smart one.

To Rshermr: There is no objection to corporations hiring people with higher education. There is every objection when tax dollars pay for that education and/or subsidize the corporation.

Rshermr;5676038

And the parasite educators, who provide the worthless education that corporations want, could not care less about your opinion.

To Rshermr: They do not care about anybody’s opinion so long as the government is forcing everyone to pay taxes. Take tax dollars out of the mix and see what happens.

Rshermr;5676038

But I am sure you are correct. It is you who has it right, not them. Because education, research, and scientific methodology are not nearly as good as your method, which is as nearly as I can tell, to pull it out of your ass. No need for that troublesome research.

To Rshermr: I am correct for one obvious reason. If they are so smart they would do what they do without forcing everybody to pay for it. For instance, if a corporation wants educated people let them set up and pay for their own training programs. Even a dim bulb like you should see that much of higher education is nothing more than a tax dollar funded training program for corporations. On top of everything it’s an adjunct to the political propaganda that permeates institutions of higher learning.

Incidentally, you are talking about the few that get hired, while you ignore the vast majority who never get that corporate job. The crime is that far too many of those corporate rejects end up with government jobs of one kind or another. After all, one cannot expect an educated person to wash dishes.

The biggest insult of all are those schools for government funded by taxpayers. They are nothing more than Socialist seminaries training future government priests.

The First Amendment issue is too deep for a stupid person like you to grasp; so I’ll keep it simple enough for you to handle. One adult should not be forced to pay for another adult’s education.

Rshermr;5676038

the soviet union was never communist. Ownership of all sorts of things went to those with sufficient rubles.

To Rshermr: Is that your way of saying that capitalism ——an economic system —— and communism —— a form of government —— do co-exist?

Rshermr;5676038

So again, what I said is indeed true. Communism has no chance. It fails every time.

To Rshermr: Then stop apologizing for it.

Rshermr;5676038

What a laugh, Flanders, but I will keep my eyes open for brutality in those nations.

To Rshermr: Start with the Netherlands and the unbelievable brutality in the UK’s healthcare system. And let’s not forget China where unwanted infants and young children in state institutions are left to die of disease and starvation. Apologize for that with economic double-talk if you can.

Finally, I do not engage in Socratic elenchus. In any event you are not clever enough to pull it off. Try saying something intelligent, or at least original. If you can’t handle that stop cluttering up my thread.

 

[there4eyeM]

So robber baron capitalists are not parasites?

The people who're parasites are those stupid idiots that call others 'parasites'.





Ooops...

That would, by your definition, make you a parasite.

By simply posing a question about the word, I fortunately avoided this classification. Does Mr. Romney?

Oh, OK, I just had an 'oops' moment as well, because I didn't notice the original 'oops' that exonerates the poster (but not necessarily the Republican candidate presumptive).

 

[Rshermr]

Rshermr;5676038

Rserman says:Well, Flanders, my poor ignorant boy, you may want to talk to corporate HR organizations and ask them why they pay much more for educated applicants than for ignorant people like you. I am sure they have it all wrong, and that you are the smart one.

To Rshermr: There is no objection to corporations hiring people with higher education. There is every objection when tax dollars pay for that education and/or subsidize the corporation.
So you believe, I am sure. Maybe you prefer that we continue to hire foreigners, by the thousands, to fill positions because education in this country is expensive in comparison with almost all industrialized nations. Your opinion, not mine. Nor most who want this economy to do well.

Rshermr;5676038
y
And the parasite educators, who provide the worthless education that corporations want, could not care less about your opinion.

To Rshermr: They do not care about anybody’s opinion so long as the government is forcing everyone to pay taxes. Take tax dollars out of the mix and see what happens.

I am sure we will all keep that in mind. You believe that our economy does not benefit from education, I am sure, I could provide you with lots of proof otherwise, but see no reason to bother. You believe that everyone should be uneducated as you are.



To Rshermr: I am correct for one obvious reason. If they are so smart they would do what they do without forcing everybody to pay for it. For instance, if a corporation wants educated people let them set up and pay for their own training programs. Even a dim bulb like you should see that much of higher education is nothing more than a tax dollar funded training program for corporations. On top of everything it’s an adjunct to the political propaganda that permeates institutions of higher learning.

Incidentally, you are talking about the few that get hired, while you ignore the vast majority who never get that corporate job. The crime is that far too many of those corporate rejects end up with government jobs of one kind or another. After all, one cannot expect an educated person to wash dishes.
Pretty much all management of corporations are educated. If we could just stop that nasty learning, we could all be as smart as you, Flanders me boy (I am sure you will find a lot of folks wanting to be like you, clown.

The biggest insult of all are those schools for government funded by taxpayers. They are nothing more than Socialist seminaries training future govee rnment priests.
Obvious nonsense. Of course, you have facts to back you up, as always

The First Amendment issue is too deep for a stupid person like you to grasp; so I’ll keep it simple enough for you to handle. One adult should not be forced to pay for another adult’s education.
Sorry you find the first Amendment so deep. I, like most adults, find it quite simple. Must be your own personal problem.
The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.
Nothing about taxes, or education, Flanders my poor ignorant boy.


The 16th Amendment says:
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

So there you go, Flanders, Congressional right to raise and spend taxes, Do you ever check your statements for truth, or are you ok with your vacuous statements?[/B]
To Rshermr: Is that your way of saying that capitalism ——an economic system —— and communism —— a form of government —— do co-exist?

Again, Flanders, you seem to love stating lies about what I said, or meant. No, Flanders, they do not coexist to my knowledge. Unless you still consider China to be Communist, in which case there are elements of capitalism instilled there over the past decade or so. Check it out, Flanders, and you will again find it to be true.

Rshermr;5676038

So again, what I said is indeed true. Communism has no chance. It fails every time.

To Rshermr: Then stop apologizing for it.
I did not, of course. You simply keep stating that I am a communist, or appologist for communism. Perhaps you can show me where I have said anything that any rational person could take as an apology, you twit .

Rshermr;5676038

What a laugh, Flanders, but I will keep my eyes open for brutality in those nations.

To Rshermr: Start with the Netherlands and the unbelievable brutality in the UK’s healthcare system. And let’s not forget China where unwanted infants and young children in state institutions are left to die of disease and starvation. Apologize for that with economic double-talk if you can.
No double talk at all. Just you blathering that there is. Some have brutality, but not all, as you said. And you may want to talk to the citizens of the uk if you think their healthcare system is brutal. It is not, of course. Nor do any of the people of the Netherlands believe your unsupported statements. Most importantly, Flanders me boy, you make accusations that you are unable to back up. Try a little research, you ignorant twit.

Finally, I do not engage in Socratic elenchus. In any event you are not clever enough to pull it off. Try saying something intelligent, or at least original. If you can’t handle that stop cluttering up my thread.

Cluttering up your thread?? You have to be kidding, right flanders me boy. Your thread is clutter. You remind me of a Kiwi Bird, that mythical bird who flys in smaller and smaller circles until he flies up his own ass. You do not deal in facts, simply dogma, and other nonsense you pull out of your own ass. You are easy to counter, as you have no facts. In general, you sugest that you are a great debater, but in fact you should stay away from battles of wit. You do not have any ammunition
?

 

[Flanders]

Senator McConnell is missing one element in Democrat strategy. They want to take the country over the cliff for the reasons I outlined in the OP, but they have to do it so capitalism gets the blame. During the Great Depression too many Americans automatically believed capitalism was at fault; so they turned to collectivism. Socialists/Communists have to be very careful this time lest they and their policies get the blame as they should.

Reid blocks Senate vote on Obama's deficit-reduction plan - The Hill's Video

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

So robber baron capitalists are not parasites?

liberal communists call them robber baron parasites when in reality they were saintly geniuses who made incredible gifts to humanity. John D. Rockefeller comes to mind. He produced oil so cheaply that all Americans could afford light at night for the first time in human history. He was like a God. He turned night into day. He literally added 4 hours to every day for us!! Imagine that?

Liberals hate him but loved Stalin and gave him the A-bomb. That ought to teach us something about the perfect ignorance of liberalism.