What is Your Lifestyle?

[Dogmaphobe]

They sure as hell are.
The Democrats are full socialist/Marxists now. Anybody who denies it hasn't been paying attention.

I registered as a Democrat back in 1972. I have watched the shift towards authoritarianism with great dismay since.

I don't think there are any Democrats in this forum who support even a single liberal principle. They just believe what the party tells them to believe.

 

[Papageorgio]

Yes the rich have taken over our government. And you guys think Trump, a rich guy, is going to take it back for you.

Reagan was the beginning of the end for the middle class. So you say he eliminated loopholes? Well that was just slight of hand. He must have added new others elsewhere.

I won't waste time looking for it and posting it but I know of an op ed piece before Trump was POTUS that said "don't just roll back the bush tax breaks. Roll back the reagan tax breaks too. Well now add the Trump tax breaks to that list.

If the government doesn't make it right it'll never be right.

Did you know Trump 1.0 doubled the number of companies who don't pay any federal taxes? I remember Republicans would say "how come Obama doesn't do anything about it? Or How come Obama gave GE that zero federal tax deal? Duh. They're GE. As if Obama is just as responsible. No he isn't. Bush created the tax laws that allowed so many companies to pay zero. Then Obama got in and didn't double that number. But Trump did.

You are lying about Reagan, because you have researched and go off your bigotry. I stay away from Op-Ed BS and go to the facts.

As far as your thinking government will make it right, that is just stupidity. Trump isn’t and better or worse than Biden, Obama, Bush Clinton and on and on, they spend more than they bring in. Hell, Obama knew how bad the tax cuts by Bush were that he didn’t repeal after promising to do so. lol!

But but but… Dems are good! lol! Sucker.

 

[Papageorgio]

What if I think you should be paying 52%, like Mondami wants for select New Yorkers?

sealybobo needs to pay his fair share, so he needs to pay more!

 

[Orangecat]

Yes the rich have taken over our government. And you guys think Trump, a rich guy, is going to take it back for you.

Try asking me what I think instead of telling me what you think I think, please. Poor debate tactic, that.

 

[Papageorgio]

Try asking me what I think instead of telling me what you think I think, please. Poor debate tactic, that.

That is his favorite tactic, it is a weak tactic to try to control a narrative that is false. It seems to be popular.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Lifestyle refers to an individual's unique way of living, encompassing their habits, attitudes, behaviors, and interests. It is a combination of what people repeatedly do, including their work, leisure, and social patterns, and can be healthy or unhealthy, active or inactive.

What got me thinking about this? This guy called in to the Howard Stern Show and said every morning he wakes up at 6am, takes a bath and then plays tennis. Then he sees 8 clients a day. I think he was a therapist. It got me thinking, is this all there is? Every day, bath, tennis and then work? What is my lifestyle? What's my routine? And what's yours? What makes you happy?

I live by myself. SINK. I have a dog. My main habit has to be walking the dog. Morning, first thing we do. If I'm off, mid day walk and a walk before dark. 3 walks a day. If that sounds boring, I actually like it. But like the guy who takes a bath and then plays tennis, walking the dog helps me pass the day. Pass the time. But are we all so bored that we have to find things to do? I guess if I didn't have the dog I'd be going to the gym 5 days a week like that guy goes and plays tennis. Only I would go after work. 6-8pm. Then come home and watch TV till midnight. I would get to sleep in an extra hour in the morning if I didn't have a dog.

A lot of us are weekend warriors. What do you look forward to on your days off? Besides walking my dog, I go with friends on long Ebike trips. We have lots of trails in Metro Detroit. Old railroad tracks tore out and pavement put down. Each city pays for their own section of the trail and these trails go on for miles and miles and miles. Connecting many many cities. I do this any chance I get except Winter.

In the Winter I work from Florida for a month. Actually I take the Ebike with me. But this is huge as far as giving me a break from Winter in MI. I hate the cold and so does my dog.

I don't go out to eat as much as I used to. Or go see movies at the theater. I don't go to bars anymore. Why do we stop doing these things later in life when we have the time and money to do them? I don't play video games either. I should get my 81 year old dad hooked on a PS3 or Xbox. Call of Duty shit. LOL. But he wouldn't even try it. Getting old sucks.

I show up early to work but I leave right at 5pm. Proper work/life balance. But I work really hard when I'm here. Well, I get a lot done.

I heard somewhere recently it's not the destination it's the journey. So instead of wishing or waiting for retirement, appreciate that you are on track to retire on time and you have a good job now and you are putting a lot into your 401K.

I'll never forget Keith Urban sang "these are the days we will remember" It's so true. In 10 years from now you'll look back at today as the good old days and wish you could go back. But that's because future you knows nothing bad happened to past you. Past you is worrying about reaching that finish line.

And when you do reach that finish line, then what? I have recently run into a lot of people recently retired who bought a home up north in the country, bought a RV and are going to travel the country, bought a place in Florida, or they go rent a place in Florida for 4 months. One guy showed me him and his wife's itinerary of where they are going and it looked amazing. I'm so jealous.

I don't envy people sitting at home bored wasting away with nothing to do. And a lot of them have the money. It's not that they can't afford to do things they just don't do shit. Stay home and watch TV. Then again, I love doing that too. But I can't even get through an entire movie without the dog bugging me to take him out for a walk. God I love that guy.

I ignore all the "experts" and I just eat a balanced diet. I avoid doctors and just do physical work, so I don't waste money on gyms. I'm planning to work until my joints determine otherwise. Then when I'm very late 70's/early 80's, I'm hoping to go out with a heart attack so I don't sit in an old folks home shitting my pants.

 

[Lockback]

I registered as a Democrat back in 1972. I have watched the shift towards authoritarianism with great dismay since.

I don't think there are any Democrats in this forum who support even a single liberal principle. They just believe what the party tells them to believe.

Exactly.
If you listen to a Bill Clinton speech from, say, 1992 and compare it to any speech from a modern "Democrat", the difference is staggering. The leadership has changed radically and moved Far Left and most - but not all - Democrat voters have moved Far Left with them.
It's a hugely dangerous trend.

 

[sealybobo]

"Appropriately" is far too subjective of a term. How about a flat 10% consumption tax across the board, with food being exempt?

It's never been tried because people with brains who know economics know a flat tax would not work and would benefit the rich.

If you want us to tax poor people don't you think companies should pay them more?

Something is out of wack. Since 1978 CEO pay went up 1322% and our pay only 18%. Maybe that has something to do with it.

I remember my brother became VP of a fortune 500 company. He was making $500,000 a year. Pretty good huh? Well then explain to me why when he retired he was making $1 million dollars a year? Maybe that's the problem? I know he can justify why he made so much can you?

These guys at the top for the last 40 years have been giving themselves all the raises. Add to that they sent our jobs overseas in order to give themselves such raises.

Stop blaming illegal immigrants and China. Your boss is the problem. It's class warfare and for 40 years you've been losing

Fox News Poll: Voters say White House is doing more harm than good on economy​

Some 76% of voters view the economy negatively. That’s worse than the 67% who felt that way in July and the 70% who said the same at the end of former President Biden’s term.

Large numbers, overall and among Republicans, say their costs for groceries, utilities, healthcare and housing have gone up this year.

Voters blame the president. About twice as many say President Donald Trump, rather than Biden, is responsible for the current economy. And three times as many say Trump’s economic policies have hurt them (they said the same about Biden’s last year). Plus, approval of how Trump is handling the economy hit a new low, and disapproval of his overall job performance hit record highs among core supporters.

— After the government shutdown, the GOP and the Democratic Party have lower favorable ratings, and roughly 6 in 10 say the president and lawmakers on both sides don’t care about people like them.

— Voters think Republicans have a better plan for border security, immigration and crime, while Democrats are seen as better on affordability, wages, healthcare and climate.

— Views are divided on Trump’s peace deals making the world safer and the administration’s strategy for dealing with alleged drug-traffickers.

Here are the numbers behind those findings.

 

[sealybobo]

I ignore all the "experts" and I just eat a balanced diet. I avoid doctors and just do physical work, so I don't waste money on gyms. I'm planning to work until my joints determine otherwise. Then when I'm very late 70's/early 80's, I'm hoping to go out with a heart attack so I don't sit in an old folks home shitting my pants.

Howard Stern is 70 now. He keeps asking why he still works. But come on dude. It's 3 days a week for 4 hours a day. It makes you a lot of money. It makes you important. What will you do when you retire? You will regret quitting and miss it. Wish you had it back. So if I were him I'd eventually just do 1 day a week like Jon Stewart does the Daily Show TDS. Let your crew host the other days. But basically do a one day a week podcast. Shit I'd do that forever. And I believe he can do it from anywhere.

When I'm ready to quit at 62 I will offer them to let me do my job remotely 5 days a week. And do it till I get sick of doing it. But why go from $90K a year to whatever you get from ss when you retire at 62. Probably $2000 a month?

I worked with a guy who was one of our best salesmen. His wife would drive the RV for a couple hours when they were touring America while he sent some quotes and responded to emails. Why stop if you can do that?

 

[sealybobo]

Try asking me what I think instead of telling me what you think I think, please. Poor debate tactic, that.

You don't believe Trump cares about fixing America for the middle class? You're finally starting to realize he don't give a shit about you?

He's a brilliant campaigner. Makes lots of promises that sound good to both you and me. Only different between us is I didn't fall for it.

Did you see the new Fox News poll?

Fox News Poll: Voters say White House is doing more harm than good on economy​

Some 76% of voters view the economy negatively.

Where do you and Correll fall? Do you think Trump is doing more harm than good or more good than harm?

I think I know your answer better than you

 

[Orangecat]

It's never been tried because people with brains who know economics know a flat tax would not work and would benefit the rich.

Appeals to authority aren’t valid debate techniques, bobo. And what’s wrong with something that benefits “the wealthy”? Are you angry with “the wealthy” for some reason? Jealousy, perhaps?

 

[Orangecat]

You don't believe Trump cares about fixing America for the middle class? You're finally starting to realize he don't give a shit about you?

Trump doesn’t even know I exist. I have no problem with that whatsoever.

I think I know your answer better than you

GFY with that garbage. You’re obviously clueless and the only card you play is that of a pretend mind-reader.

 

[sealybobo]

Appeals to authority aren’t valid debate techniques, bobo. And what’s wrong with something that benefits “the wealthy”? Are you angry with “the wealthy” for some reason? Jealousy, perhaps?

Typical. Here is who you are. In the days of England before America, England had a small ruling class, a small merchant class and the masses were known as the rabble. America is turning into this. Right now, you are in the merchant class. Most Republicans are. So as the merchant class gets smaller, you don't care because you got yours. And you're old enough to be a part of the investor class not the working class. So you don't care about the future. This is why young people are more into socialism than you boomer.

Today we are just like England. Only we don't have kings and princes we have billionaires. But really it's the same thing.

Our founders also worried about extreme wealth and corporations taking over our government. Well, they have taken over our government. Meanwhile two merchants (you and me) are arguing about who or what is destroying the merchant class. You say it's China, illegals and unions. I say it's American corporations, Republicans and Billionaires who have destroyed the American middle class. All so they could make more money.

Nothing wrong with a CEO sending 10,000 jobs to China and doubling his pay as a reward. NOTHING wrong with that. And according to you even if it's destroying our economy we should do nothing about it. Oh but when Trump tries to do something about it, you're all in. Even though what he's doing is never going to accomplish what you are hoping for.

 

[Dogmaphobe]

Appeals to authority aren’t valid debate techniques, bobo. And what’s wrong with something that benefits “the wealthy”? Are you angry with “the wealthy” for some reason? Jealousy, perhaps?

The entire "benefits the wealthy" cliche this ignorant fool uses happens to ignore the fact that the political party he clings to so fiercely is the party of Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and so many other globalist billionaires.

 

[Orangecat]

Meanwhile two merchants (you and me) are arguing about who or what is destroying the merchant class. You say it's China, illegals and unions.

I said no such thing. Your strawmen won't save you from looking like a fool to any intelligent person reading this thread.

 

[sealybobo]

I said no such thing. Your strawmen won't save you from looking like a fool to any intelligent person reading this thread.

You asked me a very ignorant question. Am I jealous of the rich? No. Jealous they have the money to ruin our economy for the middle class over the course of 40 years? Are you stupid for allowing it to continue? Every time we even bring up fixing what's broke you go into this mode where you ask us if we are jealous. God damn how many times are we going to have this stupid conversation. Are you rich or a dumb mother ****** who's brainwashed by the rich? A merchant who's happy with his lot in life and so doesn't care about the middle class. Not really. You're all about you. And you're good.

Are you okay with what they've done to us? Or are you still stuck on stupid and blaming CHINA for entering an agreement with our government to start trading. Reagan started NAFTA you know? So corporations own our government. We both admit that right? And they got our politicians to pass laws where they could send our high paying union jobs overseas and they sold us (you) on it by telling you that you'd save money. Meanwhile the price is just as high today but instead of it being because of union workers, it's because the CEO wants to make $20 million and is gouging us.

I don't have the time to explain it all to you. I'm sure you will argue back so I'll just stop here.

 

[playtime]

i live in the country with my hubby of 40 yrs, been a homemaker for most of them, encourage nature's habitat for many critters & also live below our means, so it's a comfy existence.

 

[Orangecat]

You asked me a very ignorant question. Am I jealous of the rich? No. Jealous they have the money to ruin our economy for the middle class over the course of 40 years? Are you stupid for allowing it to continue? Every time we even bring up fixing what's broke you go into this mode where you ask us if we are jealous. God damn how many times are we going to have this stupid conversation. Are you rich or a dumb mother ****** who's brainwashed by the rich? A merchant who's happy with his lot in life and so doesn't care about the middle class. Not really. You're all about you. And you're good.

Are you okay with what they've done to us? Or are you still stuck on stupid and blaming CHINA for entering an agreement with our government to start trading. Reagan started NAFTA you know? So corporations own our government. We both admit that right? And they got our politicians to pass laws where they could send our high paying union jobs overseas and they sold us (you) on it by telling you that you'd save money. Meanwhile the price is just as high today but instead of it being because of union workers, it's because the CEO wants to make $20 million and is gouging us.

I don't have the time to explain it all to you. I'm sure you will argue back so I'll just stop here.

Let it go, clown. You are as irrelevant as you are ignorant.

 

[Correll]

The entire "benefits the wealthy" cliche this ignorant fool uses happens to ignore the fact that the political party he clings to so fiercely is the party of Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and so many other globalist billionaires.

Lefties are getting more and more... divorced from reality as the discussion continues.

They have no excuse for their increasingly delusional antics.

 

[Correll]

You asked me a very ignorant question. Am I jealous of the rich? No. Jealous they have the money to ruin our economy for the middle class over the course of 40 years? Are you stupid for allowing it to continue? Every time we even bring up fixing what's broke you go into this mode where you ask us if we are jealous. God damn how many times are we going to have this stupid conversation. Are you rich or a dumb mother ****** who's brainwashed by the rich? A merchant who's happy with his lot in life and so doesn't care about the middle class. Not really. You're all about you. And you're good.

Are you okay with what they've done to us? Or are you still stuck on stupid and blaming CHINA for entering an agreement with our government to start trading. Reagan started NAFTA you know? So corporations own our government. We both admit that right? And they got our politicians to pass laws where they could send our high paying union jobs overseas and they sold us (you) on it by telling you that you'd save money. Meanwhile the price is just as high today but instead of it being because of union workers, it's because the CEO wants to make $20 million and is gouging us.

I don't have the time to explain it all to you. I'm sure you will argue back so I'll just stop here.

You are talking shit, pretending that these questions have not been addressed.


NAFTA, globalization has failed. WE are teh ones trying to change policy. YOu are on the side trying to keep the course.