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Originally Posted by Derwood
To this point, I've disagreed with you on many things, but never thought you were the guy who would actually believe bullshit like "Obama wasn't proud of his country before he was elected." That's mis-contextualized GOP soundbite bullshit to the highest degree. I was giving you more credit than you apparently deserve
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That is something his wife said, although not her exact words or mine. Again, I try to explain why some people question who Obama is - when I provide an explanation it is not necessarily my view. If I don't make that clear, I will need to do better.
However, even from my point of view there have been many moments when I have wondered -what the hell did that mean??? - or why in the hell did he do that??? When I ask those questions, not necessarily here, but just based on my asking the question I get labeled in various negative ways - as if name calling will address the concern or make the issue go away.
To give an example, to this day I wonder what the hell does -"...they bitterly cling to their guns and religion..." mean. Who is "they"? Why do I have to be "bitter"? I am not very religious and I don't actually "cling" to my guns. So, was he saying that he is different than me? Is he saying he is superior to me? Is he saying that I am a silly little irrational person? Why doesn't he say it in the light of day? Can you explain it?
---------- Post added at 11:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 PM ----------
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Originally Posted by Willravel
A progressive tax system isn't punishment, it's about creating a fence in which capitalism can play. Without that fence in place, capitalism leads to further and further inequality until you have an economic caste system. It prevents the caste system, when it works properly and isn't full of loopholes.
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I am not sure you understand what this "fence" does. A progressive income tax code help rich people stay rich and poor people stay poor. Rich people do not need income, they have and control wealth. Poor people need income to accumulate assets or wealth. Your progressive income tax systm hurts people trying to improve their lives.
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The United States has laws which protect workers. We have a minimum wage, we have weekends, we have legal recourse against irresponsible or exploitive employers, and we can even unionize in order to organize and improve worker laws. The same is not true of many of the United States' trading partners. All of the hard work that was done in the United States to create our middle class and to protect our workers goes out the window when we start trading the slavers and exploiters. Part of globalization means exporting workers rights to create an even playing field for everyone. If industrialized nations had strict requirements in order to trade, including basic workers rights, we could help the world be a better place and we'd prevent American companies from moving jobs to dirt-cheap areas where they could exploit people to keep costs down. That's my understanding of fair trade.
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Again, I don't think you understand my point. If an employee is worth $100,000 per year in a free labor market and the employer can get away with paying them $50,000 (including salary and benefits), that is exploitation as I define it. How does an employer get away with that? In the health insurance example - a 50 year-old with medical issues on their employers group plan, is locked into that employer. In some cases even changing to another employer with a group plan, there may be a gap in coverage. So the person can not take the risk and stays. The employer knows it and pays below market.
Another example with pension plans. As an employer I devise a plan that vests in 7 years, so you get close and you have to stay or risk the loss of thousands of dollars in accumulated benefits. Then I have a 15 year milestone, a 25 year mile stone. As an employer I get you locked in to hitting these milestones and I can pay you below market. I can be like your local drug dealer or pimp. I get you locked in and then I own you, figuratively speaking. The sad part is that millions don't even know that they are "owned". It is a mean, dog eat dog world and the false belief that government is or can make it better is a joke
---------- Post added at 11:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:35 PM ----------
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Originally Posted by roachboy
ace dear, it's a little baffling that you persist in attempting to erase the obvious racism that animates the birthers.
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I agree some "birthers" are racists.
Some liberals are racist also.
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it's less baffling that you do so using false equivalences and weak logic. the motivation, though...that's mysterious.
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In my life experience it is always better to speak openly and directly address questions and concerns. Although some will always have hateful views, many who have fears and concerns will not have or maintain hateful views. We should never call a person a racist as the initial reaction to questions or concerns regarding cultural differences. What motivates people is often the fear of differences, if the goal is to label people that may be your response, mine is to fix the problem.
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i would wager that you support the birthers because you see them damaging obama.
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I do not support "birthers".
At one point I tried to explain to you how the concept of "shuck'n and jive'n" is racially offensive. You indicated that what I was sharing was not true. I question your credibility on this topic.