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Forum Post: Why do YOU think corporations are powerful when the opposite is true

Posted 12 years ago on Dec. 6, 2011, 9:11 p.m. EST by DunkiDonut2 (-108)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

YOU claim corporations have all the power. If so, please explain the following:

If the Big Tobacco industry is SOOOO big and powerful, why are they NOT ALLOWED to adverstise on TV with all that power?

If BIG Oil companies are SOOOOO big and powerful, why are they NOT ALLOWED to drill for oil where and when they want to with all that power they have?

If BIG Insurance companies are SOOOOO big and powerful why are they not allowed to sell insurance across state lines with all that power they have?

IF Boeing is SOOOOOO big and powerful why are then being prevented from opening a new plant that is in a non-union state if they are so powerful?

It would appear to me, YOU ARE WRONG and spreading fear to make a point when your point has no POWER.

89 Comments

89 Comments


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[-] 2 points by ScrewyL (809) 12 years ago

Here ya go little troll, have a cookie.

[-] 0 points by Farleymowat (415) 12 years ago

Trolls are hungry too. But as you know, if you can trick a troll into staying out of his cave until sunlight, he turns to stone!

[-] -3 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

You are GREAT.

At keeping me at the top of the list.

[-] 3 points by JesseHeffran (3903) 12 years ago

they are more powerful than the will of the majority; therefore, they are too powerful. who cares if they are not more powerful than an un corrupt government, that is what makes America great. now, if the government would once again be the sword and shield of the majority, America would once again be great.

[-] 7 points by BlueRose (1437) 12 years ago

You don't know your history, you have been indoctrinated. Corporations tell the people whether to believe the scientists (global warming). Corporations want you to work as a child, 100 hours a week, die working with no benefits. It is unions and activists that block this from happening. I mean, your question ignores the entire last century. Somebody else take over for me here, I am losing patience with this crap here.

[-] 2 points by thrasymachus (20) 12 years ago

We just can't beat stupid.

[-] 2 points by Thrasymoque (-11) 12 years ago

True Dat, True Dat

[-] 1 points by MVSN (768) from Stockton, CA 12 years ago

So everyone is a mind numbed zombie enslaved by advertising. We are ALL that stupid.....

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 12 years ago

Not advertizing. Marketing.

[+] -4 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

You just proved how wrong you are. YOU SAID, unions block "this" from happening. So YOU ADMIT corporations have little power. You must feel pretty stupid thinking corporations were stronger than unions. Corporations have NO power and your wasting your time trying to bring down something that your unions have already defeated. You must be sick after posting your comments.

[-] 3 points by dkhforchange (5) 12 years ago

Actually, I belong to a Union, right now we are going through negotiations. Our company wants to reduce our wages to 2008 pay, eliminate all medical benefits for current and future retirees. They also want to eliminate most holiday pay (inc. Thanksgiving) and implement a new pay structure that wouldn't let employees reach Journeyman wage for 25 years. We will see how strong the Union is when pushed against a not even very big corporation. By the way, I am a single mom with three kids, (divorced) and we live in a tiny apartment (all I can afford even with child support) because I only get part-time hours (anywhere from 24-40 ave. 30) And I never know what days I have off or my hours til two days before the next week starts. Also Unions are down to 11% of workers, used to be 40%. So Unions are currently losing.We get paid less and less, with each contract, pay more for benefits, and get fewer hours.

[-] -1 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Your life SUCKS as a union member. You should get smarter and stop paying the union dues so the union bosses dont get rich off of your money. If you are an example of unions,,,,, ouch,, it sucks. Glad I dont pay union dues. Maybe you should try something else. Mother Unions are just like Mother Government. You get what you vote for. ((((PS,,, I am sorry for your life. I truly hate thinking about what you are going through. You are probably a good person and deserve more for you and your children. Tough love is what I use on my children, family and friends. Unions and living off of the government is not the answer. If unions were so great, everyone would wait in line to join one. They dont. A liberal agenda has failed for 50 years where the poor keep getting poorer and the RICH DEMOCRATS get richer than the rich republicans. Again, I honestly wish you the best ))))

[-] 2 points by grapes (5232) 12 years ago

Unions are formed as corporations so unions blocking other corporations just means that union corporations have more power in a few cases but that is by no means a majority of the cases. Many people see the world through a slit and cite what they see as the gospel. One has to see huge number of slit views and piece them together to see the big picture which is much more complete. Did you spend time to take a really good look around?

[-] 1 points by classicliberal (312) 12 years ago

Why does no one else realize that unions are corporations?

[-] 2 points by grapes (5232) 12 years ago

Perhaps few here on OWS forum were on the receiving end of the union corporations. They are no longer as powerful as before due to their declining memberships but in any good ecosystem, balance is needed. Unions' decline has decimated the U.S. middle class but we really should all (especially the unions) try to lift up the lives of those foreign worker bees who toil under horrible conditions. We need to enforce child-, prison-labor, environmental laws worldwide. As consumers, we need to boycott all corporations which do not help lift up the lives of all. Some say that globalization implodes the Earth; I say that our new consciousness needs to explode the Earth to balance.

[-] 1 points by flip (7101) 12 years ago

there are none so blind as those who will not see

[-] 1 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

"When all is said and done (OWS),,,, at the end of the day, more will be said than done"

[-] 2 points by flip (7101) 12 years ago

you should know - mr i love the capitalist corporations - they are the best aren't they? they give us jobs and help people everywhere and all for nothing - just because they are such good people - they are people right - people who can be everywhere on the globe at once - people who never sleep - people who are sociopaths - poor helpless corporations - i wonder how they got so much money? the movie "the corporation" is something you might want to watch - smoke a big doobie - you will need it - do you know the term quisling - look in the mirror

[-] 3 points by whisper (212) 12 years ago

It would have been more effective if you had made the point that only government possesses the power that is often attributed to corporations. While it is true that corporations often buy government officials in order to wield this power, the solution to that is simple (though few on this forum and in this movement realize it). Simply take away the government's power to interfere in the economy and you take away the corporation's power to interfere in the economy.

[-] 2 points by ModestCapitalist (2342) 12 years ago

Thats easy. For the same reason that the world's strongest man can't bench press a dump truck. The strong man and the major corporations have something in common. They are both very powerful. But their power is not infinite. Its a damn good thing too. Otherwise, our world would be even more screwed up.

The most profitable industries in the world (energy, healthcare, finance) have been given billions in government handouts and tax breaks. Meanwhile, they keep raising charges causing hardship for millions. With all those massive handouts, tax breaks, and obscene charges, profits rise to record high levels. Millions in bonuses are paid to the executives. With record high profits, record high dividends are paid. 40% of all dividends in the United States are paid to the richest one percent. All of this causes a gradual concentration of wealth and income. This results in a net loss for the lower majority who find it more and more difficult to cover the record high cost of living, which again, is directly proportional to record high profits for the rich. As more and more people struggle to make ends meet, more and more financial aid becomes necessary. Most of which goes right back to the health care industry through Medicare, Medicaid, and a very expensive prescription drug plan. This increases government spending. This has been happening for 30 years now. During the same time, tax rates have been lowered drastically for the richest one percent. Especially those who profit from investments. These people pay only 15 percent on capital gains income. As even more wealth concentrates, the lower majority find it more difficult to sustain there share of the consumer driven economy. Demand drops as more and more people go broke. Layoffs results. Unemployment rises. This results in less revenue and more government debt.

Massive subsidies and tax breaks for Wall Street, massive tax breaks for the super rich, heavy concentration of wealth, record high charges along with record high profits and record high cost of living, more hardship for the lower majority, more government spending in the form of financial aid to compensate, more concentration of wealth, less demand, layoffs and unemployment. All of this results in slower economy and less tax revenue. At the same time more and more financial aid becomes necessary. It's a horrible downward cycle which gradually pushes the national debt higher and higher.

The other big factors are the wars in the Middle East. One of which was was waged to secure one of the largest oil reserves in the world. The oil industry has not contributed one dime to the effort. Instead, they lobby congress for continued tax breaks and subsidies.

This post is not intended to excuse those who sit on the couch collecting welfare, make no attempt to find work, or squease out kids they can't provide for.

[-] 2 points by ZenDogTroll (13032) from South Burlington, VT 12 years ago

Ah, and now we see some of the motivation for dismembering the United States Government by seditious little bastards like yourself . . . .

where's my rope

[-] 2 points by JesseHeffran (3903) 12 years ago

Power is a relative thing. Government is more powerful than corporations, and corporations are more powerful than a swarm of individuals. Corporations get subsidized, and it is called supply side economics. Individuals get subsidized, and they are called lazy.

[-] -1 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

If power is relative then subsidized is relative too. If a corporation is creating jobs, producing something that people will buy and pay taxes on the purchase and get subsidized are you saying a person that contributes NOTHING to society and get subsidized is wonderful?

[-] 1 points by JesseHeffran (3903) 12 years ago

Wow, I take it you have never lived on the bottom rung. If subsidized nations, oops freudian slip, companies are allowed to not invest in America's most vulnerable, ie job creation, but in BRiC nations and other emerging markets, then why should we subsidize them? Those nations that are getting our companies are not contributing to our national debt relief so why should we be employing them with our subsidies?

[-] -1 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Give me some examples.

[-] 1 points by JesseHeffran (3903) 12 years ago

GE received money from American taxes, which we are now in debt, but middle class America is now stuck holding the bag. A tithe, or as I see it a bribe, was given to placate the bottom rung. I would rather have a job than a food stamp stipend. What say you?

[-] 0 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

I will go back to my original comment and stand by it. GE is not as powerful as the people on here claim or they would not need government assistance.

[-] 1 points by JesseHeffran (3903) 12 years ago

I give up. If you can't see that GE extorts money and invests it in ways that hurts Americans, I can't help you; you are hopeless. Keep subsidizing my food intake, and I hope you don't work yourself to death. I am going to go take my free time, not at my own accord but because there is not enough work, and go play with my nieces and nephews. Adios Kimosabe!

[-] 0 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Do you really wake up each morning and THINK about GE? GE has been around for,,,,, I dont know, 100+ years and suddenly some guy in Phoenix is going to have a heart attack over a subsidy to them? This country has been working just fine for 200+ years,,,, get a life man.

[-] 1 points by JesseHeffran (3903) 12 years ago

You said, "Give me some examples." That was my example. Does your feeble mind need another one? That example is the model that all companies use. I made it as simple as I believed necessary for you to get the clue. But I guess I failed, or maybe someone failed you. You spend so much time staring at a tree that you never see the forest. For shame.

[-] 0 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

nobody creates jobs. jobs come as a result of demand. with 50% of Americans quantified as poor and 35% living in poverty. there is not enough demand to require an acceleration in hiring. it's purely a matter of disposable income. period.

[-] 2 points by imhotep3223 (81) 12 years ago

Its called implied assumption. You assume they don't have the power to do that so you don't watch them close enough to see them do it. are you a CEO of Boeing?

[-] 2 points by Freebird (158) 12 years ago

Corps are like teacher's pet. They get away with a lot of shit, and to the other kids, it looks like power, but the teacher's still in charge.

Corps have made a deal with the devil - in order to get an advantage over their competitors. They give bribes, inside info, campaign donations and jobs to politicians when they leave office. But they know that Pols can change the rules anytime, throw them under the bus, pick new favorites etc.

OWS doesn't want to accept that Gov is the problem, cause they want to be teachers pet. That's why they are protesting Wall Street and not Wash DC. They want to use the Gov guns to force "the rich" (what ever that means) to pay for the stuff they want.

When people finally realize the problem is the Gov, then things will start to change.

[-] 2 points by SparkyJP (1646) from Westminster, MD 12 years ago

30 Major Corporations Paid No Income Taxes In The Last Three Years, While Making $160 Billion

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/11/03/360185/30-corporations-no-taxes/

[-] -1 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Please take the time to explain just one of those corporations. I will select and you tell me about it. OK? Tell me about GE. The CEO of GE, Jeffrey Immelt, is a close friend of Obama. He serves on an economic development commission for Obama. Immelt has personally donated to Obama and the DNC,,, huge amounts. GE got a major waiver from taking part in ObamaCare. So,,, Sparky,,, fill me in on GE and your love for liberal democrats that dont pay taxes... Sparky,,,,, you there?

[-] 1 points by SparkyJP (1646) from Westminster, MD 12 years ago

I don't care if they're repubs or dems - if they made their money here they can pay their taxes here too! As far as the two parties ...... both are corrupt and on the take. Cheers!

[-] 2 points by shoozTroll (17632) 12 years ago

1.) Insurance corporations won out on this fight. Kinda like seat belt laws.

2.) Why would you want them to drill where ever they want? Are you in that big a hurry to run out? besides, when the law suits decline they will drill where ever they want.

3.) They do. Just under different names.

4.) Just red herring anti-union crap. Boeing will make money where ever they build them.

If they are so weak, how come you believe whatever they say?

[-] 0 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Looks like you agreed with my statement. You made zero claims to support your side of my comments. Corporations have no power, the government creates the restrictions. You lost your argument.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 12 years ago

Not really. You're just confused.

Care to answer my question?

[-] -1 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Was the question about why I believe in whatever they say? Welllll,,,, I dont. I buy stocks in companies I believe in. I dont if I dont believe in them. Huge number of companies in operation a few years ago arent in business today. New companies are created daily. According to the Kauffman Foundation, more that 50% of Fortune 500 companies were created during a recession or down economy. There are companies that will fail and I dont believe in any of those. I dont believe in every republican in congress. If you have watched,,,, you have been too busy in your tent at the park,,, but there are currently debates between the republican frontrunners for president. If you watch the polls,, you will notice we dont agree with every candidate. Some of the candidates will win to the next round,, others will fade away. REPUBLICANS DONT AGREE with everything that is pitched. We are free thinkers. However,,, it appears like every democrat LOVE every other democrat. A democrat in congress can hide their personal jet and not pay $300,000 in annual taxes and Ya'all will turn your head and continue to kiss their feet. Theres my answer.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 12 years ago

You actually have the gall to call those things debates?

[-] 0 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

You said, "Care to answer by question?" I did and you reply with a stupid comment.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 12 years ago

Sorry. I found your comment stupid, as it had nothing to do with what I said in the first place, nor did it offer any kind of response.

[-] 2 points by dkhforchange (5) 12 years ago

They actually are, what they do is send lobbyists to Washington and block bills, regulations, or get regulations to protect big business added to a bill or agenda.The lobbyists are former Congressmen and women who have connections and use them. They are rich, so they send the best and send a lot of them.

[-] -1 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

YOU need to re-read the original post. It appears like corporations dont have the power you claim they do or they could do anything they want. You must be wrong or you can explain how many restriction there are.

[-] 2 points by HarryCrew07 (433) 12 years ago

Simply because a few actions have been blocked, doesn't meant that these companies are powerless. They certainly hold a lot more power economically, ecologically, politically, even philosophically, than I do as a single person. Perhaps as a collective however, the people have more power :)

[-] 2 points by poltergist22 (159) 12 years ago

Corporations are powerfull they, hire people for one do you know what some people will do for a job now adays? they influence elections with donations, They lobby on a huge scale influencing laws and policy...corporations win more than they lose in those arenas. This is what I think should be done to level the field www.nationalday911.org

[-] 2 points by scvblwxq (155) 12 years ago

BIG tobacco is still selling cigarettes to its addicted customers. BIG oil has the government geologists finding oil for them then they keep most of the profits. BIG Insurance sells insurance across state lines like Allstate, State Farm, GEICO etc. If Boeing hasn't been able to open a non-union plant yet I'll bet they are providing campaign contributions to be able to.

Most of our everyday manufactured products except food are from China where the US corporations moved their factories to take advantage of China's currency devaluations and the US government couldn't do a thing to stop them, that's POWER.

[-] -3 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Insurance companies are NOT allowed by LAW to sell across stateline, idiot. You need to google it or shut up.

[-] 2 points by scvblwxq (155) 12 years ago

They just have an office in each state.

good night all.

[-] -3 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Based on the rates for THOSE states. That is the catch you cant see. My FACT is still correct as I posted. Big Insurance corporations can NOT sell across state lines, even after you claim they have all the power. I"M RIGHT.

[-] 1 points by scvblwxq (155) 12 years ago

They probably like it they way it is overall right now.

[-] 0 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Ok,,,,, fine,,,,, you dont get the point. Fine...........

[-] 1 points by NewEnglandPatriot (916) from Dartmouth, MA 12 years ago

Corporations are the employers. That gives them a lot of power but not all. Insurance companies still have to deal with state regulations in place. Oil companies gained ground when energy market de-regulation took place. Big tobacco was set back when the people forced this to happen by taking it to court. If there is money to be made by the lawyers suits will get filed. They have whatever power they are allowed to have, and will remain in power as long as they are large and have a big wallet to pay off whoever gets in the way of what they currently do. Big oil still is under regulation.
Do not forget they all have lawyers to stay within the laws. As they lobby for law changes and it happens, they will gain more control. Whatever big players that are left can always resort to the final trump card. Mess with us , and we will outsource the jobs over seas. Done, they still have an upper hand.

[-] -1 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Employers,,,, you say? That means people are WORKING? Working,,, now that seems like a strange concept for OWS posters.

[-] 0 points by NewEnglandPatriot (916) from Dartmouth, MA 12 years ago

I see your point. My story in a nutshell. Not a working issue, a loss of standard living issue, and I wasn't living beyond my means at all, no debt except house. Foreclosures drove prices down lost all equity hung on 3 1/2 years with no real money coming in. Done good but not enough to qualify for anything

I am not working @ moment. In 08 lost my un-interrupted 15 year career, 9 years with last company to unemployment, extensions, part time and temp work, contractor/self employment work and much less pay. I had a good job, not that there are no jobs but would have to work 3-5 min wage jobs when awake, sleep very little and not even come close to what I had. I tried and got sick from burnout. I gave up. No life is worth living being a slave to a house or debt. I will work to survive and let them take the house they won't modify my loan. Screw that life. Then they will come after me for taxes owed on income based on excusing debt, and I will work forever and not recover. Say they sell my home for 100K less than owed, the other 100K gets written off as income/gains, and I have to pay 30,000 taxes on money I never got. They will garnish me until I die. This is happening to everyone. This is where the help is needed. I keep trying and it keeps getting harder and they will keep taking more. I got screwed. I haven't pointed fingers, it is the system as a whole that has failed. I still try though and am surviving. Just will be living in a shack, tent or slums that is all I will be able to afford soon. There is nothing I can do and take no handouts, only unemployment when I qualified. I even went back to work temp, got a layoff,only 13 wks @ $200.00 less per wk then cut off while the lazies that stayed home and claimed no work available got 99 weeks. I would have rode until end if I knew this is what would happen. The system wants you not to work. There is work, but slim pickings. I did my best.

[-] -1 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

I have no idea if you are telling the truth or tossing out some long bullshit story. You have two options. 1) Give up and you will probably die soon. 2) Fight like hell. If you pick 1) then there is nothing anyone can do for you if you think OWS is the answer. OWS is a childish game. LET ME STOP,,,, I agree with some of the OWS concerns. There is corporate crap, there is government crap. The OWS people think its the rich republicans at fault but it isnt. Rich liberal democrats in congress want you poor. They need you to be poor. They have zero power if there are no poor people. They create this dangerous support system that encourages everyone,, EVERYONE,,, to believe government fixes things and ,,,, government is the problem. Hard working people that have short-term problems are encouraged to get help and then suckered in to long-term crap. Suddenly everyone is in the same hole and the only way out is to raise your hand toward a liberal democrat that pats you on the top of your head and gives you more liberal drugs. You can get out of the hole. It may take time but think of the hole you are in as the liberal grave and dont fall for the tent crap. Every life is worth living and you wont be slave when things get better and they will.

[-] 0 points by NewEnglandPatriot (916) from Dartmouth, MA 12 years ago

Whoa, I am pointing out facts - If you foreclose or short sell you get taxed on what you owe. I know many who took the easy short sell approach and got taxed into submission back in 09. They have to pay $800 a month to cover this through wage garnishment, barely covers interest. NO BS but I am sure people are not going to post their tax retun info. Look it up? Tax implications for foreclosure and short sale. I am fighting. I am putting my story out there I can relate and share in the pain. I agree with concerns also, what I am saying, it got worse and worse for me and if I had stayed on unempoyment I could have collected much longer at higher amount. I go back to work, new benefit year , new claim , two quarters only eligible for 1/2 claim 26 wks/2=13 is what I got. I am facing the truth, I went from 60+K/yr to 40 to under 30 and no matter what I do I cannot keep up. I wont quit on my life the system is forcing middle class to poor class that is all I am trying to point out. No BS, just a lot of venting. Sorry you don't understand what a hit to a standard of living is, no matter what you did to prepare. This is happening to many. Simply a point of view, and truth nothing more. That is my point they force you into a corner, no matter how far out I want to come back my choice of jobs is limited to p/t and temo at a fraction of wages, double hours no life and for what. I tried for 3 1/2 years and am hitting bottom now. Most people would hit it within months. I was living in my means too. This is crap.I don't want the liberal "drugs" I am being encouraged by unemployment to go on food stamps EBT/SNAP, transitional assistance and work part time, fuel assistance and food pantires. As soon as your claim runs out they give you the next package of info or if you are low on income scale. I am stating face, 250K home worth about 150K owe 200K you do the math. Foreclosures in my area highest 170K property taxes based on 2005 rates when market was high it is all BS; banks short sell to each other, get the debt off the books and remarket the home for 80-100K so it is written off by on bank, then sold by next that is what all these credit default swaps and derivatives are.one ponzi after another. Who gets stuck? me again, no home, and a tax debt to the IRS, you cannot file bankruptcy for that and they soak your remaining assets lie vehicle, bank accounts (nothing left) etc. I have 2 personal friends that this happened to this is truth - I am pointing out the government wants people on the system. Class warfare , class separation the middle class will be weak, they secure votes it is happening before my very eyes my friend. Gee go easier on me, I don't want sympathy I want people to know truth.

[-] 0 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

A few thoughts. A 60K salary meant after taxes and other, your take home pay was around $50K. You bought a $250K home on a low salary. Your fault for buying more that you could afford. Dont understand your comment about home worth down to 150K. That only matters if you sell the house because house prices will at some time go back up. The bigger issue,,, is government. Congressman Barney Franks (D) and others forced banks,,, yes forced banks,,, to give loans to people that they knew could not pay the loan back. For 2 hundred years banks looked you in the eye and only gave you a loan if they thought you could afford it. Then Barney and his liberal friends told banks they MUST give loans that were high risk because as he said, "It is a right for people to own a home." The only problem,,,, people had their homes taken away because they could pay for them. Who's fault is that??? Barney and the liberal government. Too many people had a home they could not afford. I dont know your situation but bet you bought more than you could afford. My second thought. TAXES. You claim the government is ON YOUR BUTT over taxes. Everyone is over taxed. Yet this OWS group want to raise taxes and increase the debt which means higher and higher taxes down the road. We need less taxes not more. The government needs to follow the same rules households need to do,,,, live within your means. When time are good, save and enjoy. When times are bad, cut and enjoy. Our government is out of control and OWS wants the government to be even more out of control. If taxes were fair, you probably would not be in the same problems as you are now. MY suggestion to you... dont fall for the OWS line because it will take you down the hole more than you are now. You need to keep your head up,,, not down.

[-] 0 points by NewEnglandPatriot (916) from Dartmouth, MA 12 years ago

I know I was venting. My salary seemed low, but I was still able to save. I fix my own cars, appliances, electronics, computers, you name it. My energy use is low. So the money I save with no other debt still allowed me to save and survive. The issue is my income is below 30K now. 250 K is not what I owe. If I had not saved, I would not have lasted , 3 years and 9 months now. I am not in foreclosure yet trying to modify. I am ok. I was @ 80K with the bonuses , etc before. I had a good savings . Most people would have crashed in months. @ 3 yrs 9mos, almost 10 mos now without my original income. So I think I was living in my means, since I can do just about anything for myself, heating system repair, work on home, plumbing you name it. I have changed careers due to boredom many times to learn, and save on that end. That is how I did it - most people spend thousands/yr on auto payments, repairs, heating system, basically the upkeep. Do it all myself

[-] 0 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Print some business cards. Find a semi-retired area. Go door to door and pitch "Fix it Guy at Retirement Rates" Time it right and you can make several hundred a day. Treat them right and they will call all their friends. "I fix dripping faucets - Flappers on Toilets - Tune-up your furnace - Stop the darn flashing 12:00am on your clocks - Speed up your computer" Find a friend in the same problem you are in and join forces. Go to the senior citizen centers in your area. Introduce yourself to the managers. Sounds cheesy but there are repair guys making $200,000 a year.

[-] 0 points by NewEnglandPatriot (916) from Dartmouth, MA 12 years ago

I do that, craigs list, angies, people I know etc. I am doing it. Volunteer woking @ elderly center (mainly cause I like volunteer work) this is how I am surviving my friend. 200K? not in this area. It is up and down and as soon as I re-org I will get there....The problem is there are lots of people like me around here and not as much work as there was. I scrap metal, clean houses, basements, yard work, winter is always slow....I will hang on as I can. Now the home is too expensive, i need to be mobile. I never said I quit.....You and I are on the same page my friend...Maybe my approach needs to be tweaked to get more customers. This has always been my "side revenue" and when working my main job allowed me to save and sometimes have "play money" now its all I got....But something is better than nothing.

[-] 0 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

I wish you the best.

[-] 1 points by Fiction (14) 12 years ago

The American Circus- The Central Intelligence Agency http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF5b9StGHaU

The American Circus- The Sideshow Corruption http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNAhn9SwbvM

The American Circus- The 2012 Elections http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wt1tST01uQ

Time Magazine Dec 5 2011 issue: Will be Censored in the United States. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9OLLbC7zFs

Evolution or Mankind? Mass Wildlife Death Sweeps Globe 2011 Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBWNT4JN9bY

Evolution or Mankind? Mass Wildlife Death Sweeps Globe 2011 Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prIOuViMLw4

No Fracking Way- Acid Mine Drainage & Earthquakes?!? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz4VYLBrIgY

Update November 18th 2011: PA DEP Allows Acid Mine Water to be Used in Fracking

http://marcellusdrilling.com/2011/11/pa-dep-allows-acid-mine-water-to-be-used...

Trying to inform the public is the most difficult, Forward this

[-] 1 points by bill1102inf2 (357) 12 years ago

Big Tobacco should be forced to pay smokers for the harm they have caused, they are not, and therefore powerful

Big Oil will not drill in order to keep the prices UP

Big Insurance makes more $ not being able to sell across state lines

Boeing is not allowed to open a new plant so that someone can get paid off.

You are_a_fucking_douche_nozle_that_has_been_up_some_bankster_ass.

[-] 2 points by BlueRose (1437) 12 years ago

Now that's something I didn't know. "Big Insurance makes more $ not being able to sell across state lines".

[-] 0 points by Tinhorn (285) 12 years ago

Because the tobacco companies force the people to smoke? I get that back in the day no one really knew the hazzard other than the companies but this day and age, you can't use that excuse any more.

[-] -3 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Your too stupid to know your wrong.

[-] 2 points by shadz66 (19985) 12 years ago

@ DoNUT : That'll be ; "You'RE too stupid to know you'RE wrong" ... because 'Everything You Know Is Wrong" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xEwbzEBw14 !! And yeah, I put you top of the pile for a fleeting moment there because in your case, The Only 'Pile' that you'RE on top of is made of SH!T .. a bit like what ever it is that passes for your brains !! ;-)

[-] 0 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

If 1,000 protestors can stop everything then how powerful can a corporation really be? Come on people.....

[-] 0 points by raychel (37) 12 years ago

Trolls love to comment in here.

[-] 0 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Troll? What is a troll? In math 99% and 1% equal 100%. If you dont believe in the 99% OWS bit and your not a rich 1% how does your math equal 100% and name someone a troll? Exactly how does that work,,,,,, in math? (waiting for the stupid answer)

[-] 0 points by RosytheRiveted (0) 12 years ago

I think "IF" isn't really the word you're looking for ... I'd go for

Y E T

[-] 0 points by OccupyCapitolHill (197) 12 years ago

The power truly rests with the government just like the Founding Fathers feared it might. Their failsafes that they implemented in the Constitution have been blatantly overridden. No accountability = rampant federal government consuming everything in sight, until it eats taxpayers out of house and home.

[-] -1 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Corporations have zero power.

[-] -1 points by utahdebater (-72) 12 years ago

Great post.

[-] -1 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Which part?

[-] -1 points by utahdebater (-72) 12 years ago

All of it. And I'm being sincere here.

[-] -1 points by stuartchase (861) 12 years ago

Toshiba is powerful because they rip off people worldwide and have sold U.S. military secrets to the Russians and nothing ever happens to them.

http://occupywallst.org/forum/make-a-stand-join-the-clan/

The Revolution starts here!

[-] -1 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

I think the liberal lobby has the power.

[-] -1 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Liberal power.

[-] -3 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Nobody can explain why they think corporations are so bad when they are not allowed to do what they were created to do.

[-] -3 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

You would think corporations could do anything they wanted with the power they have,,,,,,, you would THINK. And thats your problem.

[-] 2 points by TLydon007 (1278) 12 years ago

So you're argument is that they have yet to establish ABSOLUTE POWER??

Because I can agree with you there.

[-] -2 points by DunkiDonut2 (-108) 12 years ago

Here is my beef. I would suggest unions start their own corporations. They could be their own construction companys. Put ads in the phonebook. "Unions-R-Us" and wait for the phones to ring. They could be hired to build things. Then,,,, they could pay THEIR employees as much as they wanted to. Why work for construction companies when you can be one?

[-] 1 points by TLydon007 (1278) 12 years ago

There are unions that do that, but on a much larger scale. Frequently it involves large contracts for a particular business or government. The only difference is that they bargain collectively. Sometimes a union engages in contracts whereby the work is limited by the project. Sometimes a union engages in contracts whereby the work is limited by time-span(in which case the expiration of the contract is usually when the union goes on strike if a failure to agree to a new contract occurs).

I'm not sure "what" exactly you think unions are, but it seems your view is somehow limited to residential service calls.(which usually are not union)