pirana

And they often get it wrong. The only major media outlet that predicted it incorrectly was Faux News. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

But God does exist, and once you finally see yourself for what you really are, it is easy to let go and embrace God for Who He is, and accept what He has to offer. I think what we really are is people. Let go of what? (I think what you're asking people to let go of is anything that resembles logic). What's He offering? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

So precisely what is His plan? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

special treatment abounds everywhere progressive tax structures penalties exceptions exemptions mortgage deductions child care deductions educational deductions ad nauseum a little hypothetical math: Guy makes $100K and is taxed at 30% He takes $30K in various deductions - tax on $70K = $21K He has to pay an accountant. Politicians get tons of contributions and votes from the ignorant and not so ignorant for putting in all these deductions and exemptions and credits, etc etc etc alternatively: Guy makes $100K and is taxed at 21% with no special perks - tax = $21K (oh crap - the math does work, it's revenue neutral) the left screams bloody murder - "OH MY GOD, you gave RICH Guy a 9% tax reduction - you're a racist and a sexist creep" the right screams bloody murder - "OH MY GOD, you took away all the TAX BREAKS that encourage small businesses - you hate the little guy just wanting a home and a business" REALITY - politicians lose power because they don't have any special freebies to hand out. And a few accountants lose some business. no way a simple tax code will ever work .......but I digress - what were we talking about? Shorter version for you - it won't work because nobody gets to feel special. Evolution to large frontal lobes has been a boon to our creativity and ascendancy amongst species. It also unfortunately makes the bulk of humans prisoners to their emotions. Anybody expecting the masses to intelligently and diligently investigate the issues of their life is dreaming. Most people just want to let everyone know how they feel. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I think they are just pandering to the Fundies - don't want to lose that vote. Truly despicable nonetheless. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I don't know about that. I've heard plenty say that Obama is actually too centrist and doesn't do enough to appeal to his far left base. I think most political analysts have agreed with that statement. Agreed. Both are seen as centrist by the extremists of their party. Both pander to those extremists to keep them from going off and voting for some nutcase like Paul. Both take liberty with facts in order to get elected. The biggest difference is that Romney appears to have made the most about-face changes while pandering. He has done a complete 180 on so many topics it is ridiculous. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Depends on what you mean. If you mean have we ever done anything that would upset somebody's sensitivities, then the answer is yes for EVERYBODY. So in that sense, nobody vetts out as acceptable to all. But that is not important. If your intent is to ask if we would make a successful politician, or what it takes to make one, here's your answer: What makes for a successful politician is having better shit on all the people that have shit on you. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

It's called MAKING SHIT UP AS WE GO. Allowing for exceptions that may exist that I am unaware of; it is what most religions do most of the time. Don't religious people ever wonder why specific religions dominate certain distinct areas, nations, groups of people? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Unfortunately, our involvement is probably making things worse. Sometimes it occurs to me that some of these nations would have matured past the current point if we would not have played a role in their history. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Correction: People are buying more guns because of what the NRA threatened will happen. The propaganda of the NRA is behind the frenzy; not Obama. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Either that is disingenious bullshit, or you did not understand the article. Obama has those holdings as part of a pension plan. If it is anything like most pensions out there, it is invested in at least 10's, probably 100's, and maybe 1000's of individual line items that are part of broader funds; some industry specific, some quite random. No way do people with those kinds of funds know all the specific investments - and the bulk of them are trivial in specific value compared to the total of all the funds. No way is that anything close to Romney's investments via Bain or otherwise; which were often in the tens of millions for transactions specific to a single organization. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Short version: We didn't fix anything - we engaged in stall tactics such as working more hours, increased productivity, sending women into the workforce in mass (basically making the 2-earner family the norm). All we did was delay the inevitable for a few decades. What made the tactic even more or a disaster is that the income situation we were propping up by heaping hope on the back of labor is that labor was actually becoming less valuable due to global competition. Now he we are, 40 years later, totally fucked, no way out, and seeing boogeymen in everything and anybody not like us. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Must depend on location; but everything you claim is untrue where I live. Here in WI USA, one application (doesn't even have to be in person, can be done online in less than 15 minutes) can get a person free food stamps, free comprehensive health care, free school lunches, and if the income level is low enough - a bit of cash. I'm pretty certain if a person requests General Assistance cash an in-person interview is required. Service is very fast; almost always 1 week or less. If a more urgent need is expressed - no validation whatsoever required - they'll cut a food card same day. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

As they should, because they have the vast majority of the nation's wealth. I've never figured out why people don't get that the lower income people don't pay much (or nothing) because they don't make much (or nothing). Angry Republican: "Why aren't those poor people paying taxes? They've got no housing to pay for, no vehicle to maintain, no need to maintain a business casual wardrobe; step up to the plate jobless or barely employed scum!" It's laughable to hear them complain that the small percent of people making most of the discretionary money need to pay even lower taxes than they are - which are nearly at an all-time low. I've said it before and feel the need to say it again - it is the propaganda coup of the century that the wealthy have somehow formed a coalition out of the very folks to whom they are giving the worst fucking. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Best. Sketch. Ever. "It's pinning for the fjords" For me it's a toss-up between Bicycle Repair Man and The Cheese Shop. Though the World Hide-N-Seek Championship is right up there. I think Bicycle Repair Man would be a great Halloween costume, but for good effect you'd need several normal people (Superman civilians complete with briefcases) to hang with you. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley