NPR: “Offshore Tax Havens”

[blahblahblah]

This thread is a perfect example of why nothing will change or get better. Look at how people who should all be on the same side are so easily pitted against one another. It is classic divide&conquer and it works every time. Here is the playbook for those that missed it the first time:

1) Declare war on private sector employees using insourcing/outsourcing, elimination of benefits/pensions, etc…

2) Private sector employees quit watching the Super Bowl/Dancing With The Stars on their 60″ flatscreens long enough to notice that they are being screwed. Looking for answers, they switch to Fox News where Glenn Beck tells them that it’s all the fault of greedy public sector workers and unions. They still have benefits and pensions — those greedy bastards!

3) The private sector people start screaming for blood from their public sector counterparts. Much anger and vitriol is released. Politicians move in to establish a consensus – public sector workers will get ass-raped just like their private sector neighbors. Now everyone is equally screwed.

As for the silly comments that there is no difference between some crooked unions shaking someone down for tens of millions and hedge funds and bankers ass-raping the entire country to the tune of trillions, these are orders of magnitude apart. Once you stop handing the country over to the financial interests, once you stop the bleeding, THEN you can deal with the crooked unions. Again, when a bear has got your leg in its mouth, you’d better reach for the axe. Sure those mosquitoes are annoying but wait until the bear is dead before trying to reach the Off spray.

Nothing is going to change. The sheepdogs will keep barking and the sheep will go whatever direction they want them to.

[briansd1]

[quote=CONCHO]This thread is a perfect example of why nothing will change or get better. Look at how people who should all be on the same side are so easily pitted against one another. It is classic divide&conquer and it works every time. [/quote]

I agree.

That’s probably why Arraya wants the whole system to collapse so that we can start fresh. I’m not sure that’s the answer because the uncertain new order might be a lot worse what we know now.

What about the working-class Real Americans getting pitted against immigrants, clamoring to marginalize immigrants and their children who are already here? For better and for worse, that immigrant population is here to stay. So driving them to go further underground is not going to help the economic status of those a couple steps above.

I pick my battles, and I support those who deserve the most compassion.

[briansd1]

[quote=CONCHO]This thread is a perfect example of why nothing will change or get better. Look at how people who should all be on the same side are so easily pitted against one another. It is classic divide&conquer and it works every time. [/quote]

I agree.

That’s probably why Arraya wants the whole system to collapse so that we can start fresh. I’m not sure that’s the answer because the uncertain new order might be a lot worse what we know now.

What about the working-class Real Americans getting pitted against immigrants, clamoring to marginalize immigrants and their children who are already here? For better and for worse, that immigrant population is here to stay. So driving them to go further underground is not going to help the economic status of those a couple steps above.

I pick my battles, and I support those who deserve the most compassion.

[briansd1]

[quote=CONCHO]This thread is a perfect example of why nothing will change or get better. Look at how people who should all be on the same side are so easily pitted against one another. It is classic divide&conquer and it works every time. [/quote]

I agree.

That’s probably why Arraya wants the whole system to collapse so that we can start fresh. I’m not sure that’s the answer because the uncertain new order might be a lot worse what we know now.

What about the working-class Real Americans getting pitted against immigrants, clamoring to marginalize immigrants and their children who are already here? For better and for worse, that immigrant population is here to stay. So driving them to go further underground is not going to help the economic status of those a couple steps above.

I pick my battles, and I support those who deserve the most compassion.

[briansd1]

[quote=CONCHO]This thread is a perfect example of why nothing will change or get better. Look at how people who should all be on the same side are so easily pitted against one another. It is classic divide&conquer and it works every time. [/quote]

I agree.

That’s probably why Arraya wants the whole system to collapse so that we can start fresh. I’m not sure that’s the answer because the uncertain new order might be a lot worse what we know now.

What about the working-class Real Americans getting pitted against immigrants, clamoring to marginalize immigrants and their children who are already here? For better and for worse, that immigrant population is here to stay. So driving them to go further underground is not going to help the economic status of those a couple steps above.

I pick my battles, and I support those who deserve the most compassion.

[briansd1]

[quote=CONCHO]This thread is a perfect example of why nothing will change or get better. Look at how people who should all be on the same side are so easily pitted against one another. It is classic divide&conquer and it works every time. [/quote]

I agree.

That’s probably why Arraya wants the whole system to collapse so that we can start fresh. I’m not sure that’s the answer because the uncertain new order might be a lot worse what we know now.

What about the working-class Real Americans getting pitted against immigrants, clamoring to marginalize immigrants and their children who are already here? For better and for worse, that immigrant population is here to stay. So driving them to go further underground is not going to help the economic status of those a couple steps above.

I pick my battles, and I support those who deserve the most compassion.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=CONCHO]
As for the silly comments that there is no difference between some crooked unions shaking someone down for tens of millions and hedge funds and bankers ass-raping the entire country to the tune of trillions, these are orders of magnitude apart. [/quote]

CONCHO: Orders of magnitude? Not quite. While I agree with Gandalf that proportionality is key here, there are estimates that put the total unfunded liability (for all states) for pensions and benefits at nearly $1.5 Trillion. That isn’t “orders of magnitude”.

Your post also omits certain facts. One of those being that public sector unions have enjoyed tremendous influence over politicians because they represent a well-organized, well-financed and vociferously vocal voting bloc that consistently delivers votes. This influence has translated into expensive and unsustainable pension and benefit programs and the bill is coming due.

The other fact is that state budget deficits do exist. Are the public sector unions responsible for all of them? Nope, but they are responsible in part and this needs to be acknowledged and dealt with. Again, this is not a demonization of public sector WORKERS, but public sector UNIONS. There is a difference.

So, using your “getting eaten by a bear” example: Wall Street has hold of your leg, but public sector unions, metro political machines, etc have hold of your arm.

$1.5 Trillion ain’t exactly mosquitoes.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=CONCHO]
As for the silly comments that there is no difference between some crooked unions shaking someone down for tens of millions and hedge funds and bankers ass-raping the entire country to the tune of trillions, these are orders of magnitude apart. [/quote]

CONCHO: Orders of magnitude? Not quite. While I agree with Gandalf that proportionality is key here, there are estimates that put the total unfunded liability (for all states) for pensions and benefits at nearly $1.5 Trillion. That isn’t “orders of magnitude”.

Your post also omits certain facts. One of those being that public sector unions have enjoyed tremendous influence over politicians because they represent a well-organized, well-financed and vociferously vocal voting bloc that consistently delivers votes. This influence has translated into expensive and unsustainable pension and benefit programs and the bill is coming due.

The other fact is that state budget deficits do exist. Are the public sector unions responsible for all of them? Nope, but they are responsible in part and this needs to be acknowledged and dealt with. Again, this is not a demonization of public sector WORKERS, but public sector UNIONS. There is a difference.

So, using your “getting eaten by a bear” example: Wall Street has hold of your leg, but public sector unions, metro political machines, etc have hold of your arm.

$1.5 Trillion ain’t exactly mosquitoes.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=CONCHO]
As for the silly comments that there is no difference between some crooked unions shaking someone down for tens of millions and hedge funds and bankers ass-raping the entire country to the tune of trillions, these are orders of magnitude apart. [/quote]

CONCHO: Orders of magnitude? Not quite. While I agree with Gandalf that proportionality is key here, there are estimates that put the total unfunded liability (for all states) for pensions and benefits at nearly $1.5 Trillion. That isn’t “orders of magnitude”.

Your post also omits certain facts. One of those being that public sector unions have enjoyed tremendous influence over politicians because they represent a well-organized, well-financed and vociferously vocal voting bloc that consistently delivers votes. This influence has translated into expensive and unsustainable pension and benefit programs and the bill is coming due.

The other fact is that state budget deficits do exist. Are the public sector unions responsible for all of them? Nope, but they are responsible in part and this needs to be acknowledged and dealt with. Again, this is not a demonization of public sector WORKERS, but public sector UNIONS. There is a difference.

So, using your “getting eaten by a bear” example: Wall Street has hold of your leg, but public sector unions, metro political machines, etc have hold of your arm.

$1.5 Trillion ain’t exactly mosquitoes.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=CONCHO]
As for the silly comments that there is no difference between some crooked unions shaking someone down for tens of millions and hedge funds and bankers ass-raping the entire country to the tune of trillions, these are orders of magnitude apart. [/quote]

CONCHO: Orders of magnitude? Not quite. While I agree with Gandalf that proportionality is key here, there are estimates that put the total unfunded liability (for all states) for pensions and benefits at nearly $1.5 Trillion. That isn’t “orders of magnitude”.

Your post also omits certain facts. One of those being that public sector unions have enjoyed tremendous influence over politicians because they represent a well-organized, well-financed and vociferously vocal voting bloc that consistently delivers votes. This influence has translated into expensive and unsustainable pension and benefit programs and the bill is coming due.

The other fact is that state budget deficits do exist. Are the public sector unions responsible for all of them? Nope, but they are responsible in part and this needs to be acknowledged and dealt with. Again, this is not a demonization of public sector WORKERS, but public sector UNIONS. There is a difference.

So, using your “getting eaten by a bear” example: Wall Street has hold of your leg, but public sector unions, metro political machines, etc have hold of your arm.

$1.5 Trillion ain’t exactly mosquitoes.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=CONCHO]
As for the silly comments that there is no difference between some crooked unions shaking someone down for tens of millions and hedge funds and bankers ass-raping the entire country to the tune of trillions, these are orders of magnitude apart. [/quote]

CONCHO: Orders of magnitude? Not quite. While I agree with Gandalf that proportionality is key here, there are estimates that put the total unfunded liability (for all states) for pensions and benefits at nearly $1.5 Trillion. That isn’t “orders of magnitude”.

Your post also omits certain facts. One of those being that public sector unions have enjoyed tremendous influence over politicians because they represent a well-organized, well-financed and vociferously vocal voting bloc that consistently delivers votes. This influence has translated into expensive and unsustainable pension and benefit programs and the bill is coming due.

The other fact is that state budget deficits do exist. Are the public sector unions responsible for all of them? Nope, but they are responsible in part and this needs to be acknowledged and dealt with. Again, this is not a demonization of public sector WORKERS, but public sector UNIONS. There is a difference.

So, using your “getting eaten by a bear” example: Wall Street has hold of your leg, but public sector unions, metro political machines, etc have hold of your arm.

$1.5 Trillion ain’t exactly mosquitoes.

[Coronita]

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[Coronita]

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Never mind deleted…. carry on…

[Coronita]

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[Coronita]

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[Author]

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