How do you feel about Occupy Wall Street?

[mawilson 2,133]

I don't think that's what this is about. It's about people realizing that this once proud country has descended into a Banana Republic. The middle class has been squeezed for decades now and here we are at a breaking point where the many say to the few: ENOUGH!

Just in this country? Isn't it a global phenomenon?

Globalization was delayed for 100 years - by World War I, World War II and the Cold War - and now it's finally here.

Any attempts to preserve the middle class amount to protectionism. I'm not against protectionism by the way, but let's call it what it is.

[dalegg 143]

You apparently don't seem to care that the FED is lending trillions of dollars to wall street banks, using money it simply created out of thin air, in order to allow said same banks to plug holes in their balance sheets, because many of their customers are unable to repay money that the banks themselves also created out of thin air in the first place.

...

You don't seem to mind that as long the huge debt that the average US citizen is burdened with exists, then there can be no meaningful economic growth for years to come.

Where did you get these ideas from?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Just in this country? Isn't it a global phenomenon?

Wealth and income distribution aren't tilted toward the top anywhere in the developed world. Only Banana Republics such as ours have it.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

What is the use of teaching evolution in schools if it can't be applied to society in general?

[^_^ 5,021]

What is the use of teaching evolution in schools if it can't be applied to society in general?

Evolution happens whether you like it or not.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Evolution happens whether you like it or not.

So all attempts to inhibit natural selection are not only counter productive, they are futile in the long run?

[mawilson 2,133]

Wealth and income distribution aren't tilted toward the top anywhere in the developed world.

Not true.

Let's take the UK, for example:

• 93% of all wealth in 1999 was held by the top 50 per cent of the population
  
• In 1999 the top 10% of the population own over half of personal wealth.
  
• Between 1988 and 1999 the top 1% of the population have increased their share of personal wealth from 17% to 23%, suggesting that wealth inequality is worsening.
  
• Currently the top 2.4m households own assets worth about £1,300bn, while the bottom 12m households own assets of £150m.
  

link

[^_^ 5,021]

So all attempts to inhibit natural selection are not only counter productive, they are futile in the long run?

Yes because you don't get to decide who has how many babies.

(but you can cause those babies to die sooner... i am starting to see why you're so anti-ppaca)

[mawilson 2,133]

Let's take a look at wealth distribution in Canada:

In terms of distribution, the report finds a worsening situation with regard to wealth inequality.

• The largest gains in net worth accrue to the top quintile (up 43% from 1999) and things scale down from there; the bottom quintile had a 70% decline in net worth.
  
• There are now over one million households with over a million dollars in net worth. These households, 8.2% of families, hold 46.5% of the total net worth.
  
• Overall, the top 20% had 69.2% of total net worth, while the bottom 20% had 2.4% and the bottom 60% had 10.8%.
  

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Yes because you don't get to decide who has how many babies.

(but you can cause those babies to die sooner... i am starting to see why you're so anti-ppaca)

What does Obamacare have to do with kangaroo rats and spotted owls?

But, on a serious note, my main objection to Obamacare is that it attempts to perpetuate everything that is wrong currently with the medical industry, rather than letting it collapse under its own weight. The only solution is nationalizing the whole system. Rationed, mediocre care for everybody is better than a system designed only to keep old people alive at any cost.

[웃 910]

What does Obamacare have to do with kangaroo rats and spotted owls?

But, on a serious note, my main objection to Obamacare is that it attempts to perpetuate everything that is wrong currently with the medical industry, rather than letting it collapse under its own weight. The only solution is nationalizing the whole system. Rationed, mediocre care for everybody is better than a system designed only to keep old people alive at any cost.

I've heard the costs are much lower in places with Medical Socialism. They live longer, they don't pay a dime, never go bankrupt, no deductibles, no medical debt, and are probably happier as a result.

Did I mention it is cheaper as a % of GDP?

[mawilson 2,133]

They need a geography lesson. Wall Street is in New York.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

They seem to be protesting Canada as well. So much for the RCMP keeping Canada scumbag free.

[mawilson 2,133]

I've heard the costs are much lower in places with Medical Socialism. They live longer, they don't pay a dime, never go bankrupt, no deductibles, no medical debt, and are probably happier as a result.

I like the US system better.

[Golden Gate 530]

Map: Occupy Wall Street Spreads Worldwide, Arrests on the Rise