Welcome login | signup
Language en es fr
OccupyForum

Forum Post: where is your paycheck going? Why we all must Occupy and left + right unite!!!

Posted 11 years ago on Feb. 5, 2013, 8:09 p.m. EST by elf3 (4203)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

Government 25 percent (give or take)

Wallstreet (oil, gas, utilities, food, car payment, insurance, interest, student loans, rent or mortgage, communications) if you don't live in a log cabin and live in society. What percentage of your pay are these few monopolies getting from you? Are they leaving any pay for you, for saving, for purchasing things fron non-monopolies?

If it's not 150 percent, like mine, it may well be oneday...as jobs become scarcer, as more become unemployed as outsourcing continues...even if it's shifted into taxes, what you are really paying for is for Wallstreet to keep the status quo, when the unemployment rate shoots to 50 percent, and commodities still don't come down while wages do, the government will demand you pay the difference to keep the prices artificially high so Wall Street (who is actually our government since they have infultrated, bribed, and outright taken it over) can thrive and the masses don't revolt. There you'll be slaving away so WS and a few monopolies and the officials who serve them can profit no matter what happens to main street. Welcome to Pottersville.

Government = Wallstreet

Wallstreet = Government

82 Comments

82 Comments


Read the Rules
[-] 3 points by frovikleka (2563) from Island Heights, NJ 11 years ago

Good post elf. In a lot of ways this country has become like a big 'ole 'company town' much like the coal mining towns in the early 20th century in West Virginia

We must build community to overcome this 21st century 'company town' that we are living in because there is UNITY in COMMUNITY, and in that.... there is POWER..... these are roughly the words of a great speaker at St Jacobi church in Brooklyn, w/o reference to the company town ...and those words ring so true

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_battle_of_blair_mountain_20120716/

~Odin~

[-] 2 points by LeoYo (5909) 11 years ago

Welcome to the Network of Global Corporate Control: Meet the Global Corporate "Supra-Government" (Part I)

Thursday, 07 February 2013 10:53 By Andrew Gavin Marshall, Occupy.org | News Analysis

http://truth-out.org/news/item/14404-welcome-to-the-network-of-global-corporate-control-meet-the-global-corporate-supra-government-part-i

.

The Real "Recovery": Welcome to the Network of Global Corporate Control

Thursday, 07 February 2013 09:50 By Andrew Gavin Marshall, Occupy.com | News Analysis

http://truth-out.org/news/item/14396-the-real-recovery-welcome-to-the-network-of-global-corporate-control

How have your personal finances been since the global economic crisis began in 2008? Are you in debt? Unemployed? Struggling? Are you below the poverty line? Has your standard of living stagnated – or declined? Turns out, it doesn’t matter how the population is doing, because, we are told, we are in an “economic recovery,” or haven’t you heard?

Why is this a “recovery”? It’s simple: because global banks and corporations are making record profits, obviously everything is "back on track."

Despite international turmoil in financial markets, a collapsing Europe, natural disaster in Japan, and increased food and fuel prices spurring social unrest and poverty, global corporations had a wonderful year in 2011.

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

Still not down with the Tea Party. I don't care how many times that you dress it up, you cannot take that out.

[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

Did the corporate media propaganda get to you you heard the Occupy propoganda about us pooping on cars and raping eachother in tents right? The MSM goal is to keep us divided we would have far too much power if w ecombined forces on the core problems and issues which we share

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

Your stances haven't altered on public education, social security or unions. That is you trying to rope others into Right wing shit.

[-] 2 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

I voted for Obama 1st time and Jill Stein the last election see speculation isn't good no matter who s doing it but thanks for a laugh. I think it was you or Gypsy King that were voting green party as well decided to vote against the duopoly that inspired me there, but seriously, the entire political system is corrupt we are only voting for ideas and dreams fantasty that will never be real. I know that I cast my fantasy football card and realize that both parties are a three headed democratc/ republican /corporate dragon and the rest of us are just the tail . I'm married to a pretty great guy who proclaims himself tea party but not the ones you see on tv he who supports Occupy whole heartedly he can't understand how on the base issues you don't see how we agree I guess I can because we have so many discussions about all this stuff and some stuff we agree to disagree but choose our battles and forge ahead on the common ground and cause between us which is to get money out of the political process and put power in the hands of main street not bankers . Constitutionalists, Ron Paul, all those kinds agree with freedom and power of people over corporations. A lot of righters live on Main Street too and if WS is treading on you they believe it gov duty to stop them.

Also GF as a leftish is it fair that a working class secretaries taxes pay so much in tax for programs that put eveyone else to school but for which she can't qualify and doesn't make enough to garner a bank loan? Secretary is still the number one female profession so while our taxes pay for big development and every joe construction schmoes unemployed winter off because they didn't save even though they made quite a salary during those few months more than we see in a year? Now we're supposed to subsidize them doesn't seem so fair does it? Especially when our wages froze solid over the last decade. I happen to agree with SSI but fraud pisses me off too and I think ending subsidies on school and apartments would force prices to come back down but really we know that gov is keeping that stuff up because the schools and wealthy landlords profit from the subsidy money

I know I'm rambling but there must be allowance and consideration for a wider political array allowed Occupya spectrum and be open minded about the varied ways money finds its way into the WS coffers from the left and the right

[-] 2 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

Ya, I'm all good with the Constitutionalists and anybody who thinks that we should just continuously latch on to the group of people who say destroy the government and want to march there instead of wall street and then spend hours working against the people by trying to get rid of unions and social security and public education so that they can line their pockets in the name of freedom and liberty when really they just want to get their hands on the money to steal from the public coffers and freedom to make two dollars an hour like they do in third world countries because that is what freedom is all about but then they sell it as if they were really looking out for the public's interest but they aren't thanks for the laugh

[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

As per the corporate media and staged infultrations of the Tea Party by the Neo Corporate propaganda machine

Anyway - So you think it's fair then that a cop gets 40 plus dollars an hour to sit on the side of a highway with flashers going or that he will retire at 45 with full pension ? Or that a teacher can sit flipoing through a newspaper instead of doing their job and get paid to have three months off? Public Unions are corrupt as hell...you can not go after one form of corruption only to ignore others which are just as blatant. If you are anti- corruption you must condemn all corruption or you are a hypocrite.

Also privatization is Absolutely NOT my answer that just paves the way for more hidden less obvious dicking of the tax payer but yes we still need to come down on those committing fraud union or not.

[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

Seriously wrong and close minded so wow because I've taken time to understand the different and varied mechanisms of corruption and how the common citizen is being abused by both WS and Gov makes me in the wrong somehow even as I'm a member of IFAW and support the EWG and against GMO's and driven to insane fits of rage at the mere smirk on Willards smarmy face ask my rightish husband about the foam and spittle oh well a horseshoe has two extreme ends that happen to almost touch extremists are about control and defending their side even at cost of being close minded and wrong extreme right and left are at the same end of the shoe

[-] -1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

No way there you just keep trying to sneak your agenda in there and you get busted for it all the time because underneath the number of ways that you keep trying to present it everyone knows what you are really about and what it boils down to is that you guys are getting pretty desperate but a sow's ear dressed up like a silk purse, is still a sow's ear....sow

and i like watching you go back to edit your posts it makes it funner.

[-] 0 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

I think you might be a troll you haven't stopped posting for like years now need a twelve step or getting paid to slant the movement as extreme left?

[-] 1 points by berrysimon (24) 11 years ago

What is GirlFriday's problem with your posts?

[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

she's an extremist and idealist that I'm sensing hasn't been forced to confront the normal everyday realities of the common working man and woman

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

I have a career and I am all out of idealism and I have no use for Tea Party folks who have advocated and continue to advocate against the people.

[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

Would that be a white collar career not a job with a dead ended existence? You have achieved upward growth but still unsatisfied in you career. So upward mobility isn't what you're advocating you want a whole new system ...me too aside from themobile growth aspect I don't have a career just a job/ survival but I wouldn't be happy serving profit I'd rather serve people and personal goals and above all have the time to do that which means the cost of living and commodities must come down so they are not the masters of our existence we live to pay for oil it's fucked up Ameticans don't all need toget rich or win the lottery, or work 6 jobs, they just need to end monopolies and kill the dragon

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

[-] 1 points by elf3 (1219) 3 minutes ago Would that be a white collar career not a job with a dead ended existence? You have achieved upward growth but still unsatisfied in you career. So upward mobility isn't what you're advocating you want a whole new system ...me too aside from themobile growth aspect I don't have a career just a job/ survival but I wouldn't be happy serving profit I'd rather serve people and personal goals and above all have the time to do that which means the cost of living and commodities must come down so they are not the masters of our existence we live to pay for oil it's fucked up Ameticans don't all need toget rich or win the lottery, or work 6 jobs, they just need to end monopolies and kill the dragon ↥twinkle ↧stinkle reply permalink


You have no idea what you are talking about.

Stop union busting, stop faux privatization of the criminal justice system, stop faux privatization of public education and stop trying to take down Social Security and get my people off the streets.

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

'Cept I'm not a troll you are and we all know this to be true you're just pissed off that you keep getting caught for the same shit.

[-] 1 points by berrysimon (24) 11 years ago

What is elf3's agenda?

[-] 0 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

Tea Party shit.

[-] 1 points by berrysimon (24) 11 years ago

Good luck with that one here.

[-] 1 points by Nader (74) 11 years ago

What does any of that have to do with the Tea Party?

[-] 0 points by vaprosvyeh (-400) 11 years ago

From your post, this “slavery” you speak of results in the Government/Wallstreet PROVIDING the following in return for the daily labor of society-

*Fuel to travel and move about, and an enormous number of products made using petroleum (gas, oil)

*heat and air conditioning, electricity for light and conveniences and entertainment as well as appliances that minimize human workloads and save time, water to drink and bathe and clean with and nourish plant life, trash removal so your own consumption does not bury you (utilities)

  • the ability to fuel the body and mind and sustain life; good or bad, healthy or merely enjoyable (food)

  • transportation to and from anywhere at any time (car payment)

  • financial protection and health care in the event of auto or home accidents and illnesses (insurance)

  • a formal education that broadens the mind, improves understanding, teaches skills, and enhances society in numerous ways (student loans)

  • a roof overhead, a safe place to sleep, to live, learn, make memories, build a life, restore, keep the things that belong to you (rent/mortgage)

  • the ability to speak to others, connect with loved ones, gather and share information, learn, study, discover (communications)

Your list does not include clothing which most of us would deem a necessity, but I can only assume that you do not live your life naked 24/7. You seem to argue fairly successfully that our “government/wall street” is the source from which society obtains nearly all of its basic necessities in return for our manual/skilled labor.

And hundreds of millions of Americans support hundreds of thousands of businesses that make products or provide services that were not included on your list so clearly there must be a great deal of "pay" left over or those companies/products/services would not exist.

If you are spending 150% of what you bring in, then you either have an income problem or a spending problem. So does the Government/Wallstreet entity you speak of.

[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

You have an inability to see a world where people are self reliant and not under the thumb of monopolies or government the fact is we need local people run economiesand markets that allow small entrepeneurs and inventors to thrive. A ycorporate education that prepares people to be a function of the machine is not innovation nor self reliant. Get rid of monopolies. Simplify . There is a cost to all this "convenience" and that is freedom and your time/ life on this planet. Wall Street and government continue to force us to serve these large monopoly owned markets that have prevented all innovation and even the idea that there could be other ways of doing things- even you have been so indoctrinated you can't see beyond it, nor all the ways we've been stifled. You're saying you're willing to serve monopolies for the sake of convenience. With 50 percent of wage earners making under 26,000 per year, there are plenty of people forced to borrow to live to meet monopoly fixed prices. On BASIC survival items just to afford basic needs. We're reliant on monopolies to provide these things because they have made it so we can not. exist side by side or apart from them. Our feudal lords dictate our rations and our labor. Personally makes me long to be a farmer back in the 1800's plowing fields and bartering goods. We could still have a modern version of this as well as convenience and technology, but a barter entrepeneur society can only exist in the absence of monopolies.

[-] 1 points by vaprosvyeh (-400) 11 years ago

Let's see...if you were a farmer back in the 1800's, you'd get up at the crack of dawn, and do back breaking manual labor until the sun went down. You'd come home, eat whatever you had either killed, canned, cured, or grown yourself by candlelight, fall into bed, and do the same thing day in and day out. If your crops failed, you'd either starve, beg, or borrow money-making you under the thumb of whomever you borrowed money from. You wouldn't be part of any machine, you'd be the entire machine itself. That would BE the whole of your entire time/life on this planet.

If you didn't have any skills worth bartering, you'd be stuck with farming or raising cattle, or working for someone else for food and shelter. The 1800's.....good times. Yeah.

I don't pay interest because I don't own credit cards any more. I don't make car payments. I pay now, not later because I believe in self reliance as much as possible. I pay for electricity and water because I WANT THEM. I can sew, preserve my own food, woodwork, landscape, garden, and I barter my skills all the time with people I know who want what I can offer. (you only live well in a barter society if you have something people want to barter for) I live in a place filled with small businesses of every kind. I innovate all the time when I see something I want or need but cannot afford and I find a way to recreate it. I don't allow anything, or anyone to "stifle" me. I have no student loans because I didn't go to college, and neither did my spouse, and we manage to work and save up just fine thanks.

Your life experience is different than mine.

[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

PREDICTABLE response which was predicted with my final sentence that we don't have to nesc. forsake technology we just have to adapt it which you chose to ignore even though hard work like that living off the land seems good to me. If I have to guess because you type a's always enjoy "the game" I would say typical of most "self made assholes" you make your money by investing with what you were given in a far different economy and now pretend all your little projects made you wealthy when in fact it was your tennants ...your barter is probably land you bought or got cheap and now rent out at an inflated rate because you played the game better than younger people who have never even been given a shot in this economy by being born in the correct economic bubble congratulations for not screwing up that's a real accomplishment I suppose you were just born with all these desirable skills people are clamoring for? Oh wait you bartered for them? See barterting as I suggested can work but your just waiting to hit the big time on WS and poof there goes your little economic lesson because it only proves my point it can only exist in the absence of monopolies and the reason I think you have rentals is you seem to have all this spare time to get shit done and be learning new skills to barter all the time see most people who work all day and don't have time for all that and you don'tmind paying monopoly prices because you can afford them because your rental rates far exceed he going pay rates? I could be wrong give or take a few details

[-] 1 points by vaprosvyeh (-400) 11 years ago

Not wealthy. wasn't "given" anything in any other economy. Don't own rentals. Only own the land our home sits on. No investments on Wall Street other than 401k. Didn't say I have "desirable skills people are clamoring for". Not a type A either. Wrong on every detail. But I'm sure you predicted that too.

[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

Than what the hell is your argument? ...seems like an argument against changing the status quo because your life is dandy therefore the rest of us should stop whining because we aren't sharing your experience of dandiness...?

[-] 1 points by vaprosvyeh (-400) 11 years ago

I merely commented on your post and offered you my perspective. Then you went to town imagining all kinds of things about me and my inabilities and abilities and the dandiness of my life.

As long as either side continues to presume what everyone else is thinking, or going through, and makes wild stereotyped assumptions about every single person they meet based on titles or labels or associations, there cannot be unity. Unity requires all stepping voluntarily into a space of common ground and agreement-not attempting to drag or shove or threaten others into stepping into YOUR territory.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 11 years ago

I'm always editing old posts when I come across them

[-] 1 points by vaprosvyeh (-400) 11 years ago

I'm sorry....not sure what you are referring to. ??

[-] 2 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

Matt is referring to the conversations he enjoys having with himself part happens in post part happens in his brain and we're all supposed to be desperate to understand his hidden meanings ...which are as deep as a puddle...I admit occassionally I edit grammar not content because I hate the grammar trolls on here and the one in my head and awww Matt you notice when I add a comma? Are you sweet on my posts or something?

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 11 years ago

type a behavior

not that I support that categorization

[-] 1 points by Nader (74) 11 years ago

A lot of what you say is true but the convenience is a big deal. When I put gas in my car I would much rather swipe my card than drill a test hole, find some crude, and then refine it. I would also rather buy that car from a big manufacturer as opposed to a custom made car from a Mom and Pop shop that will cost $150K. Economies of scale sometimes require we have companies that are huge.

[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

What about seeing beyond oil to run your car? Why does something innovative need to cost so much? Answer is it doesn't ...if monopolies weren't dominating the system pricing structures would change entirely research would open up and would cease to be so expensive how about ending all the corporate welfare and instead invest in small entrepeneurs with ingenious ideas also when monopolies go away along with their fixed markets prices come down plus what happens when people come together and do things for the good of their community like inventing a small box that generates enough power for a village and putting it into the commons or like the Polio vaccine it benefits the inventor too such mentality used to exist doing something because it's good and not just to make a killing in some over-scaled market perhaps we also need to recuce the scale and bring economies local again

[-] 1 points by Nader (74) 11 years ago

Innovative things should be expensive. If there weren't large rewards, people wouldn't have the drive to innovate. Millions of dollars (in 1950 dollars) were poured into polio research.

And my car runs on gasoline. I have a hard time seeing beyond that because I love my car and it needs gasoline on a regular basis. And even if it ran on something else, that something else will likely be most cheaply produced by a huge company.

And seriously, get yourself some periods and commas. There is no monopoly on those.

[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

Some people are motivated by deeds others by dollars and thus the revolution and revolt is born because those with money can pay off government to make sure their side wins....money or deeds is the question what motivates you?

[-] 1 points by vaprosvyeh (-400) 11 years ago

Punctuation is a great innovation that helps people communicate more effectively. And it's free.

[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

....touch screen keypad that makes ounctuation and typing difficult (damn i hate this stuff but twas a gift) not very useful unless posting here is accomplishing anything which I doubt very much although since its being infultrated by a propaganda machine that has fear of Occupy and Tea Party uniting seems someone is afraid enough to bother

[-] 0 points by NVPHIL (664) 11 years ago

If we could drop the social issues then wecan unite. But as long as people keep pushing the party line we divide ourselves and give the corps everyadvantage they want.

[-] 0 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

You mean like social security? You mean like public education? You mean like unions?

[-] 1 points by NVPHIL (664) 11 years ago

No. those are core issues for any not making millions a year. I mean gun laws that are more show then substance, trying to teach religion in school, or restricing gay marriage for example.

[-] 0 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

The Tea Party will need to drop those.

[-] 1 points by NVPHIL (664) 11 years ago

If they don't they will fade out. The point I wanted to make was besides these engineered issues most Americans have a lot of similiar beliefs we could rally around such as being against the corruption of the gov't over the past 30 years.

[-] 0 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

Well, I'd say that they were "engineered issues" if there wasn't any real impact happening (text books changes/attempts to restrict gay marriage and NRA shit). What I refuse to do, myself, is to change my stance because they need the footwork while at the same time they are backstabbing the people. I will not.

[-] 1 points by NVPHIL (664) 11 years ago

You don't have to change your stance on those issues to work together on a larger threat. And I say engineered because they are pushed by the politicians because they divide us when we need to be united.

[-] 0 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

You may not have to, but I sure do.

The Tea Party is for everything that Occupy has stood against. The Tea Party desperately wants a lot of people to go anti government and go right up to the steps in DC. Even though protests there are a dime a dozen.

[-] 1 points by NVPHIL (664) 11 years ago

That is true for the organizers and politicians but notnecessarily the man in the street. The original message for the tea party was valid until they were taken over by the extremists. We probably won't agree but I believe the enemy of my enemy is my allyand my main enemy is the ceos and crooked politicians.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 11 years ago

perhaps

the tea party views he government as the toll of big business to suppress diverse business.

indeed, the government is used in that fashion

passing regulations and requirements that independent business can't compete

[-] 0 points by NVPHIL (664) 11 years ago

The original tea party movement, not the bought out version of today, was for taking on the issue of funneling money to the banks. If we could work with some of the members who left when they got bought out then we could go after reps and dems from the base. Once the gov't is controlled by the people is the time to worry about the other issues of the day.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 11 years ago

much of the bank funneling is interest on the national debt

[-] 1 points by NVPHIL (664) 11 years ago

What do you mean by that. They own the loans and charge high interest?

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 11 years ago

the government borrows money than pays interest on that

[-] 1 points by NVPHIL (664) 11 years ago

How about we stop paying the banks we bailed out. Considering they would be out of business without us that seems only fair. Plus I'm sure the money they loaned us was money that has been stolan from us in the first place.

[-] 0 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

They are still extremists.

[-] 1 points by NVPHIL (664) 11 years ago

What about cons that joined the tea party because of the wall street bailout but left when the extremists took over? We could work with them if we stuck to the issue of corruption in gov't. That is if people stopped attacking them everyday. And I'm not talking about specific people being attacked just the generalizations being made.

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

Why would you align yourself with a group that was hell bent on stabbing you in the back?

[-] 1 points by NVPHIL (664) 11 years ago

Because we have a enemy in common. I equate it with us allying with the soviets during WW2. We know they want to see us destroyed but the ones who recognize wall street as the threat they are realize we will both be destroyed if we don't work together.

[-] 0 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

No, they want to redirect it so that it is government and not wall street. They are against unions, social security and public education.

No, they are the enemy.

[-] 1 points by NVPHIL (664) 11 years ago

We will have that fight no matter what. Any truely representative gov't will include representatives from conservative districts. Our politics have usually been rough and will remain so. The thing is those are our problems and what truely pisses me off is the thought that we no longer matter to our gov't. With the elite feeding them money and the media feeding us bullshit they aren't even afraid of passing the most insane laws. Illegal search and seizure, Indefinate detention, freedom of assembally where and when they see fit, targeted assassinations, torture, and I could keep going but I'm sure you know of them. I'm not suggesting becoming best buddies just agreeing to recognize we as americans share a goal and push from both ends of the political spectrum.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 11 years ago

they push for no government

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

They push for the combination of religion and government. They are out to destroy social security and unions. Fuck 'em.

[-] 0 points by Storm1 (2) 11 years ago

Do you have proof to back up your accusations?

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

Sure and I'll be happy to do that right after you log in with your original ID. Don't be a chicken shit.

[-] 0 points by DeathsHead1 (-111) 11 years ago

Oh please. You know damn well none of you want anything to do with the Right.

[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

My husband and I manage to share the same bed though we are of opposing political persuasions, we both agree with the foundation of this movement . Where is your labor / time/ pay going, who do you give it to, or rather, who is giving it to you? A. Wallstreet since ur too busy to notice

[-] -1 points by DeathsHead1 (-111) 11 years ago

Works for you. Won't work for everybody. The is no real grounds for compromise between Left and Right anymore.

[-] 3 points by quantumystic (1710) from Memphis, TN 11 years ago

absolutely correct. the right wingers have left the reservation. no negotiating with the insane.

[-] -1 points by DeathsHead1 (-111) 11 years ago

Yep. So what's the solution. Dictatorship?

[-] 1 points by Narley (272) 11 years ago

That’s the biggest roadblock. The left and right hate each other with such venom no discussion is possible. Until we start talking to each other nothing will change. You can’t convince me we can’t agree on some things. I hate it when the only solution is “hate the other side”.

Remember, the US is split pretty much down the middle, left and right. So whatever victory one side has will be undermined by the other side. It’s time to lose the “my way or the highway attitude” Everyone wants to solve the problems, we just have different solutions. So, how about taking a A Tea Party member to lunch. Dutch of course.

[-] 4 points by frovikleka (2563) from Island Heights, NJ 11 years ago

"So, how about taking A Tea Party member to lunch..."

Errr..can I ease into this Narley, and start with a moderate Republican? ;-)

~Odin~

[-] 3 points by Narley (272) 11 years ago

HA!, Sure. Some Republicans can be civilized. But face it, At some point you’ll need to talk to a Ron Paul supporter. Just giving you a heads up so you can brace yourself.

[-] 2 points by frovikleka (2563) from Island Heights, NJ 11 years ago

Thanks Narley. I don't think most Ron Paul supporters, are as crazy as Tea Partiers.

From experience I have found the best way to start the conversation is to say, 'this is not about Left vs. Right, but rather it is about right vs. wrong, and that both parties are to blame for our current situation. That usually takes the wind out of their sails

Could you call up one of your Tea Partier friends, ask him to lunch and, and let me know how it goes

~Odin~

[-] 2 points by Narley (272) 11 years ago

Oh, I deal with an ultra right wing Tea Party member every few weeks. He’s my brother. If he had his way we’d arrest and deport every Hispanic who couldn’t prove citizenship. He’d put the army on the border. He’d bring back the draft. He’d require gun ownership. He’d do away with all government entitlement programs as part of balancing the budget. I could go on, but you get the point.

I call him a redneck, hillbilly Taliban, who thinks we can bring back 1950’s America. He says I’m a tofu eating. flower child who doesn’t live in reality. And we both smile as we rag on each other. After all we are brothers, so we can call each other assholes with love.

Alas, I doubt we’ll ever change each others mind,

[-] 2 points by frovikleka (2563) from Island Heights, NJ 11 years ago

Wow Narley, you old "..flower child.." you. How did that happen? How did you become so enlightened, and him so......

Thanks for putting up the good fight all these years. Sounds like you deserve an award or something

Have you thought about having him hypnotized lol

I'm glad to hear that your politics does not come between you and your brother, and it is probably a sign of having good parents, and being taught good values

The Republican party has relied heavily on people like your brother, but as we both know, the world has changed tremendously since 1950, and now they are in big trouble.

Thanks for sharing that, and needless to say..Good Luck at the family barbecue, and be careful. ;-)

~Odin~

[-] -1 points by Shayneh (-482) 11 years ago

And who was the one to cause that split - it was the news media -

[-] 0 points by Narley (272) 11 years ago

Yep, but I don't have a clue how to fix biased news. Free speech and all that you know.

[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

That is true for the political scene or if you are a monopoly but for main street? We must or they will dominate and dictate what our lives are going to be = the end of free will they have more power than us our only hope is to combine on these very core issues WS rules the roost it's time to put the hens in charge and take back our house time to put main street in charge

[-] 1 points by OTP (-203) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

There is no real compromise between the people and a sold out DC.

[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

No but there is room for compromise between the people we can find common ground

http://occupywallst.org/forum/abortion-without-consent-or-knowledge-right-and-le/

[-] -1 points by Shayneh (-482) 11 years ago

Well there are options - do you know how to can preservaties or have a "root celler". or dehydrate food supplies -

The list goes on and on but the vast majority of people in this country want to go to fast food eateries and would rather spend their time texting, facebooking and bloging rather then do these things.

[-] 0 points by vaprosvyeh (-400) 11 years ago

I can personally attest that one doesn't have to even know those basic skills, although they are practical and maybe even necessary here soon.

Simple addition and subtraction is all one needs to know in order to calculate their monthly expenses vs income and create a budget. It's not fun or easy to dig yourself out of debt, but average, common people making average, common wages do it all the time.