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Roark, William Walker was trying to procure slave workers for the US. Che, was trying to free people. At least that was his intent. There may be some similarities, but a difference in principle and intent.
I don’t think we all walk to the beat of the same drummer. In fact I know we don’t
“I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.” TJ.
A little understanding goes a long way.
In the past week we have been discussing more about the US than CR., and the implications of a country gone out of control. We see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it isn’t one visible within the borders of the US. We all have our own reasons and opinions of why we want to leave. Some stronger than others. The common theme is, We just don’t like it here anymore, or maybe never have.
All the arguments in favor of leaving, gives us a reasonable assumption there are many others in the US who share our sentiments. This common ground has brought many political philosophies to the same conclusion. Some want to get out immediately, others just part-time. Still, they just want to get out.
Given the situation I have, it will be many more years before the final exodus, My family and I have to make the stand, and see what happens. Ron Paul, in theory makes sense. In practicality, he hasn’t got a chance. The die is always cast for which type of head of state we receive. Voter apathy, along with media campaigns, almost assures the result. With congressional approval ratings at 11%, a presidential rating below 30%, and no meaningful reaction from the electorate, or “media,” how can business as usual not continue? Ron Paul is a great idea, it just ain’t gonna happen. That’s not defeatist talk, just a fact of how the system works. We always get the government we deserve. I guess we deserve very little.
It has only taken one administration to so radically change the political landscape in this country as to bring about this situation, real or perceived. The 1960s were about civil changes needed to be brought about by government. The 21st century is about governmental changes that need to be brought about by civilians.
No way 20 years ago would there be such a want to leave here. The more we shy away from the process that brings us these elected officials, the faster the decline in civil liberties, happiness and prosperity. The forces have divided us, heaven forbid they conquer.
The media and politicians have so divided this country to their benefit, that GOOD people of whatever political stripe feel the need to get out of here. It’s a damn shame.
Fishrman, If the US brought down the towers, don’t you think by now, somebody would have talked. Conspiracies on such a scale as that, always spring a leak. I know there are a tremendous amount of conspiracy theories out there, and I have seen many of them. Some of them are compelling. But really….There would have to be such a grand cover-up, from the politicians on both sides, to the airlines, the families that lost loved ones on the flights, to a whole host of others, it just could not be so. Having not prevented it from happening through inept national security departments, yeah, I can believe that.
Nobody died and left me boss, so I won’t speak for others but, I don’t think my life in particular, is sniveling or pathetic. I care enough for my family and myself, and we are not too thrilled about what is going on. It also appears that many of us here have enough concern to supply generous input. You are not the only one watching out. I’m paying attention…
Sprite, we can’t turn back the clock. Enjoy what you have. Sometimes I find myself wishing I was already at retirement age. But wishing my life away is not a good thing. I’ll just have to wait till retirement comes along. I’ve developed patience over the years, and it serves me well.
I wish that catastrophic event never happens, and hope there is plenty left for all of us to retire happily. We’ll both keep our fingers crossed, even in the face of grim realities.
I can understand your feeling the way you do about the US. I personally don’t want to see it flush itself down the drain. My patriotism is linked to what this country used to be and what the principles were of its founding. That patriotism I will always carry, and it is my duty to criticize this country when I believe it has not lived up to those principles. Some of the most patriotic friends of mine are now starting to feel the way many of us are these days. We see the things that are wrong and can be silent no longer. Fortunately we still have the right to do so. If the day ever comes where we lose it, I’m outta here in a New York minute, retired or not.
Pura Vida
Bradbard, Because that’s where the oil is…. Also Iraq is strategically located, and that’s the reason we are building so many bases there. The “Worthy Cause” mantra can be heard everyday by the Neocons of the airwaves.
Rebecca, I was still writing mine when you posted yours. I did not see it until I finished writing. Looks like I stole part of it. I didn’t. Just a slow typer. Yours is much better, however.
I can’t watch Survivor either.
Roark, Scientific evidence for global warming, and the effect humans have on it, is inconclusive at best. On that point we agree. True science is the ability to observe conclusivly the actions of a theory. There has not been any concrete proof, one way or the other, on global warming. After all, we were not driving cars and burning fossil fuels, when the last ice age left North America. Until such time, it would be prudent to err on the side of human activity and try to clean up the environment. If it is not warming the planet to drive so many cars, there may be other serious issues we have not yet discovered.
There are scamsters in every situation, from cures for disease, to global warming. There are also scientists, on both sides of the issue, who look specifically for evidence to bolster their theory only. Let’s not throw out the baby with the bath water on this.
Sprite, I agree most companies, with the exception of many US companies, are at about the same risk. The Perfect Storm was for the US economy primarily. The one disturbing thing is that sub-prime mortgages were bundled and sold to international hedge funds. I believe Britain has a lot of exposure in that area.
I’m not as fortunate as you, and still have many more years before retiring. The market is cyclical and historically has always come back. This time it may or may not happen. The Great Depression was caused by 90% leveraging, and that has changed. Still, you have to be careful of your investments.
I am quite concerned by the lack of leadership in this country. The changes we are about to face, come at a time when I don’t think there is substantial guidance for us to weather that storm.
You are right about money and power being corruptive. Let’s hope the change of social focus arrives before it is too late for the next generation. Someone said to me, ” America’s greatest days are behind us, it is now the time of China and the third world.” This is an unsettling thought to someone who has lived in what was once considered the greatest nation on earth.
Good luck in your retirement and in your investments.
Sprite, if you don’t think economics are really changing in the US, take a look at this link.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21718926/The economic powerhouse that was once the US economy is beginning to falter. We have allowed other nations to do better at what we once did greatly. We have all but lost the ability to manufacture, We have not built an oil refinery in the last 30 years, and the dollar is dropping faster than we can hope for it to help what little exporting we have left.
For a nation that runs on oil we have not kept up with the pace of our own gluttonous needs. We import just about everything, outsource our service sector, then have the gall to say everything is peachy keen.
The handwriting is on the wall. We are entering into that Perfect Storm with our eyes closed.
The dynamics that run the financial/economic world are shifting to other places around the globe. As much as I don’t like it, it’s time to remove our heads from out of our collective posteriors and take a look around.
Even though investment in companies are becoming more of an international affair, we in the US are lagging behind. We are not graduating the engineers and infrastructure builders of our nation. We are failing to improve our educational system, while other countries are delivering students able to take on the challenges of the 21st century. Taken as a whole, this storm encompasses more than just simply the financial entities we have. It is symbolic of the breakdown in every facet of our society.
There are still opportunities around the world to successfully invest in. Having said that, the US may find itself in the unenviable position of being one of the least attractive. How long do you think other foreign manufacturers, like Honda, Toyota, Hyundai and a multitude of others will want to build factories in the US if we slide into an economy that is constantly struggling, and going into recession or worse? The reason they build here is because they can sell here. Once the economy slows, so will investments.
I am probably the least educated on economics and finances of the group, but I can still see a mess forming just as clearly as most.
If you want to invest offshore, I would assume as an American, you do it at your own peril.
A perfect answer to the question I always wondered about Cuba, Rebeca. The country is 90 miles off the coast of Florida, has never attacked the US, and we can’t go there or trade with them for nearly fifty years. Yet, other communist nations with questionable, and even terrible human rights records, are given most favored nation status or freely traded with. It is not a matter of conscience, it is a matter of money. We can go against our beliefs when money is on the table.
When the vote in the UN comes out as it did, and has for the last fourteen years I believe, and US companies are down in Cuba vying for economic position, you know that the embargo has to be very close to ending. Before you and I can travel there though, the businesses in this country want to set up shop, so they can take a profit off of the inevitable boom in tourism that will follow. I wonder how many hotel companies were there at the trade fair. I can just see the sign now.
El motel seises, dejaremos las luces encendido para usted. (I hope that’s correct, I used Babelfish translator), my Spanish is horrible.It is not fair that travel restrictions from the US for people with families in Cuba are to the point of being inhuman. I can’t see it being in any way, shape, or form, reasonable to punish people by keeping them separated from their loved ones. Again, we have to have a moral conscience, not an economic one. And only then will we truly be able see the value of people’s lives.
I believe it’s time to throw a little gasoline on my own fire. This week in Cuba, their international trade fair was held. The US had 100 companies showing there. How can this be? Don’t we have an embargo still in effect, except for food sold on a cash basis. 213 representatives attended. ooops, I thought we couldn’t travel there? Are all these companies selling grain? I’ll also be willing to bet small and medium sized business were well represented….Right. Did anyone happen to see this on the nightly news?
Here’s the link.
http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2007/noviembre/mar6/45feriai.htm.
Nov. 6, 2007
The Havana Trade Fair is also being attended by 213 representatives of 100 US companies, as well as four agriculture secretaries from different US states. The US group was led by Nebraska Governor Dave Heinemann.So, what I’m trying to get at is, why do we apparently talk out of both sides of our mouth? Try to tighten restrictions on Cuba, yet obviously get invited, and participate in a trade fair. Could it be only business has access? Are we trying to perform some more nation building? Mixed signals bug me.
I know I’m just trying to stir the pot, but you have to ask yourself, what is going on, and why do you have to read this only in Cuba’s newspaper. What happened to a free press here? Maybe it just wasn’t newsworthy.
There are plenty of things still right in the US, and those things that are left, are seemingly going down the drain daily. We have to vote in responsible leaders, if you can find them in this crop of politicians. And we have to hold the present ones feet to the fire. They are elected to represent us, not just big business or themselves. It is time to stop being a divided country, and pull together for what is right. Our children and future generation deserve a better country.
Greed has taken over in every facet of life. The breakdown of all our institutions, family, economic, and social traditions, are ruining what we have left. At the rate we are going, in one or two generations, we will be nothing of our former nation. Some people would like to see that happen. I do not. Our family has been in this country a little over 100 years. Four generations have lived here, and I would hate to see what my grandchildren will have to look forward to.
If I sound a bit down on the US, it is because I look around and see the situation for what I think it is. If anyone can provide a little ray of sunshine, I would gladly listen.
Now I think I’ll go read a little Jimmy Buffett. Somehow the tropics look good right about now.
What about the air in all our houses in The Northeast US in the winter. Many of us are either burning oil or wood to heat our homes. When you don’t air out a house for 4-5 months, the quality of what we breathe has to be none too good. Look, I just found another reason to move to Costa Rica.lol
Coffee, good or bad, I still want my three cups a day. I keep myself in denial by thinking I’m loading up on antioxidants.
Lotus, I contacted Dr. Kokayi’s office via email yesterday, and am waiting for their response. My son went to his doctor yesterday and told him of his wishes to cut down on the meds. You can guess the doctor’s answer…
I was talking to one of my friends today who takes about 8 medications a day. He has gained over 40 pounds since being on them, and has now been getting pains in his legs. He is also interested in how we make out with Dr. Kokayi.
Keith, We can’t thank you enough for recommending us to him.
