pirana

The positive about capitalism is it is very effective at wealth generation. The negative is that it funnels most of that wealth to a very small elite while sharing only scraps with the labor that produced it. Capitalists then use that wealth to shape laws that assist them in accumulating more wealth. In 40 years labor has increased productivity by 50%, increasing corporate profits by 600 to 800% (depending on source). For that effort capital has rewarded labor with a 20% increase overall (hiding the fact that the majority of labor has seen flat wages for at least 20 years, some sectors for more. Our system of governance combined with our economic system are a recipe for the disaster we are experiencing because it allows capital to purchase the government. The corruption is so obvious and in our face the majority are totally desensitized to it and just see it as the way the system is and needs to be. Hope and change my ass. " . . . 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

Don't know how the rich can even begin to whine when they are paying less a percentage of their gross than middle class working stiffs. I'm not saying we need 50 or 70% brackets like some have; but how about 30% of net income - with no loopholes to hide income. How can any of them even use words that rhyme with fair share when they pay less % than average? " . . . 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

Yes, it has utterly destroyed the Scandinavian countries. " . . . 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

Nothing about the cost of care will change significantly until the stranglehold on the supply of docs is loosened. " . . . 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

Nothing new here; just another subset of people who believe they need to be exempted from fiscal responsibility. A free set of Cadillac-level benefits is a distant memory in the real world. This is another group with the as-long-as-it-isn't-me syndrome. And what's with the A/C argument? Joking right? I never even attended a school with A/C. " . . . 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

Here's a nice Ann Romney quote: “I love the fact that there are women out there who don’t have a choice and they must go to work and they still have to raise the kids." (Stamford, CT, April 2012) Wish I knew what she meant. Is there a context for it? On it's own it is a rather bizarre thing to say. " . . . 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

How could you have missed the parade of pandering? It's like a light bulb finally went off and they suddenly just realized they have alienated women and minorities. So now we get hit with totally shameless pandering by the parade of tokens. So now we are supposed to believe they genuinely want women to play a role in shaping policy? Yet they do not invite a single woman to be on their panel to discuss women's health issues. When there is a discord between what people say versus what they do, you can bet what they do is where they are coming from. In other words, actions are much more revealing than words. Notice though that they are not budging on gays and lesbians. I think they are hard-wired on that issue and would not even know the words to properly pander on the topic. " . . . 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

Amusing. So she is born into extreme wealth, but "knows" all the poor people just need to work harder? The only thing she did to become rich was be born. She's a billionaire (despite the "socialist" government tendencies?) So the government's "socialist" policies are keeping her from getting richer? Poor baby. She wants the wages for the poorest people lowered? And her taxes reduced? She needs to plug in her brain and review a primer on logic. Actually, I think people like her are aware, at least at some core level, of these things. They are simply blind with greed. " . . . 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

The economy went in the shitter before Obama became President, and the Republicans dedicated themselves not to solutions, not to helping all Americans, but to dragging their feet and doing whatever it took to make Obama look bad. They have even stated their top priority as being to oust Obama, from the day he took office. They have never given him even the slightest chance - they went straight to 4 years of shameful behavior. Now they've given us a ticket with 2 ultra right wing conservatives and an agenda to do exactly the things that landed us in this mess to begin with; not to mention the oogie-boogie, anti-intellectual slant their so called morals have put on things. Simply allow the Bush tax cuts to expire and close the loopholes used by the rich that allow them to pay a lower net tax rate than the middle class and we will be half way home. " . . . 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

That seems a bit to me like saying we should teach people how to drive 100mph, and allow them to do so on public roadways, because some are going to do it anyway. " . . . 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

No way. Smokers are way more expensive. Yes, they live a bit shorter lives on average, but their expenses, on average, are much higher. Most people would probably be surprised at where the real expense of smoking is - it's in the chronic illnesses like emphysema (sp?) - not the cancer. I believe the cancer bullet strikes 1 in 9 smokers; whereas all smokers suffer from a host of other illnesses, usually for years before they die. " . . . 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

That's like asking if a person would contain or release Santa Claus if they caught him in their house on Christmas Eve. " . . . 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

Because they fight tooth and nail any efforts to pass firearms control laws that might make a difference. " . . . 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

They are no more a terrorist org than any other powerful single-issue lobby. Bullies yes, irresponsible yes - but not terrorists. " . . . 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

This is what happens when sport becomes commerce. When there is money on the line, sportsmanship goes in the shitter and cheating becomes part of the game; unofficaily of course. " . . . 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

How about standing in front of speeding trains? If someone has that as a fear, should they face it; or maybe just a sideways glance? " . . . 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

Of course you only mean that for people with ingrained beliefs other than yours. If they agree, then it's ok. At least that's how I understand it... Depends on the specific belief. Belief that "genuine rape" is not likely to, or doesn't lead to pregnancy, is simply false and the people adhering to that are somewhere between dishonest and really stupid. All ideas are not valid. There may be a multiple sides to a story; but sometimes only one side is valid. " . . . 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

A shooting in NYC is hardly news; not when there are children falling down wells and ducklings crossing the highway. Wait, hold the presses Diane. There's an insurgency in Syria? Isn't that the Middle East, and don't brown people live there? Never mind then; back over to you and the ducklings Bob. " . . . 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

. . . a message from God. What else? Everything that has ever happened is a message from God. The message is "Please pick up a gallon of milk on the way home." At least that is the message I keep getting from my God. " . . . 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

Similar phenomenon with clothing. Wealthy people tended towards overdoing layers in order to show off their collection of clothing. Having more than was needed was a status signal; with the historical remnant being the cultivated preppie look of at least 3 layers worn it a fitted manner, and perhaps another layer or two loosely draped (capes, scarves, sweaters tied around waist, etc). " . . . 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

What's the difference who wrote it if it is true? I feel sorry for the mainstream Republicans whose party has been hijacked by fundie wackos. These anti-intellectual fucks seem to solidify their base the farther they move into fringe lunacy ideas. Very bizarre thet they have any backing at all. " . . . 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

Certainly; just politicians being politicians. We've gotten so used to it, sorta like kids being kids. " . . . 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

Thought some might enjoy this: http://www.upworthy.com/barack-obama-should-hire-this-guy-to-attack-mitt-romney?c=bl3 " . . . 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

The beer rules only apply if the veterans freely and regularly jump with the newbies (the folks experiencing most of the firsts and therefore buying most of the beer). If the veterans are rather cliquish (sp?) and shun newbies, don't buy 'em a thing. If it's somewhere in between, use your judgement. I started out buying freely and putting it in the fridge, but after seeing that only a small portion of the vets even noticed I existed, changed to only sharing with those that made me feel welcome. " . . . 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

Looks to me like just another emotional plea. What secrets were divulged by Obama? Seriously, exactly what was disclosed in his supposed taking credit that would not have been obvious upon investigation? " . . . 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