[quote=briansd1][quote=bluehairdave]
Paid more in taxes in 2010 than im guessing you made the last 5 years from the sour postings you have made.
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The taxes argument is made all time on the Net.

It’s the equivalent of saying “I’m the biggest most badass guy so my opinions count for more.” (BTW, part of the American Dream is that all men are created equal).

But, really, if you’re the most bad-ass guy, then what do you care what people do?

In my opinion, if people who bought truly believe that they are most privileged, then they ought to lay low and keep quiet.

I personally don’t care if people buy or not. But I like to take the opposing point of view because it’s funny to hear people defend their decisions, especially if they made them recently, without the benefit of hindsight to prove they were right. I believe that it’s part of the utility of loss avoidance and the human psychological need for acceptance.

One very interesting legacy of the real estate bubble is that, to this day, you will hear people who lost their properties argue that they were absolutely correct when they bought. They don’t repent or acquire some humility, but they double-down and go for broke.

[quote=bluehairdave]

You see..While you have been pouting about how crappy everything is I have been working my ass off to make sure my family doesnt have to worry about where they will live in a few years or if they will be homeless. Some of us would rather “do” than to cry and whine about how everything sucks and instead we stand up and fulfill our obligations. If you have ever been really poor you might know the fear that is instinctive about becoming that poor again.[/quote]

IMO, if homeownership is part of the American Dream, it should be owning something smaller, more affordable and enjoying life, rather than maxing out and working your ass off.

If generally as a nation, we would be content to live in the same square footage as our grand-parents, we could plenty afford our houses without stretching. But we are now drowning in debt.

[quote=bluehairdave] You see, America is the easiest place to make a buck and to get by and not have to worry about things like running water, power or destitute poverty. And I feel really bad if you think its such a bad place or such a lie to able to live comfortably. When really its quite simply a huge stroke of fortune to live here.
[/quote]

Flag waving and chest thumping. A favorite American past-time when you want to shut down opposing view points. God bless America!

Anyway, who said anything about America being a bad place to live. We were talking about buying at the right time, right place, or renting.

BTW, homeownership was never part of the American Dream. It’s a political and marketing cliche.[/quote]

hmm. That’s funny. My family came to the US specifically to have the chance to excel and own a home and send their kids to college. Different priorities I guess.

I enjoy life tremendously. I’m not maxed out and im not chest thumping or flag waving. If you mistake my particular life details as such then I guess Ill have to lie next time.

I just appreciate the fact that I live somewhere with running water, reliable electricity with no food shortages and the ability to thrive. Lost of places have this but I was born here so Id like to remember how luck I am and take advantage of that.

Being a nihilist is easy. Probably why you take that route. Its very convenient. I used to be much like you until I came close to losing everything and that put things into perspective for me. I happen to think its noble to build and create things and provide the best I can for my family.