OT--The Future of This Great Country

[mikemarrs]

wonder what is going to happen here in the next few years.we are already at war and hopefully we don't enter another with iran.the economy absolutely stinks.the gas prices are through the roof and might go even higher.the crime is certainly getting worse.i'm only 33 years old but when i grew up in the 80's it seemed like the future was looking great.we didn't even look our doors then.none of the violence and negativity you see now.i certainly feel for my children and others who will grow up in this harsh reality.does anyone see things getting better???

[Rip Rokken]

I don't see things getting too much better, thanks to too many politicians who have looked out for their own interests at the expense of the entire country. I heard Pat Buchanan on the radio the other day saying how many experts think America is in line for a "perfect storm" -- a collision of several very serious issues that have been allowed to grow out of control, and these included things like Social Security, debt, and the problem with illegal immigration. One thing is probably guaranteed... taxes will rise, rise, rise before it's all said and done.

[Perrydise]

Unfortunaley no. The Abu Dhabi gov't yesterday poured 7.5 billion dollars into CitiCorp. Another little known fact is the Chinese gov't has bought major stock in a little known American company called Blackstar. What's Blackstar? Well Blackstar builds computer components and PROGRAMS for the U.S military. Makes me wonder why the CEO of Fisher Price went to China kissing their ass and apologzing to them over the lead paint in toys scandal. The dumb ass chinese made them - our children risk getting sick and the chinese gov't gets the apology. What the hell am I missing here?


Guess I better start liking egg foo yung! But I WILL NOT START WEARING THEM FUNNY LITTLE SHOES

[mikemarrs]

scary times are indeed ahead.....

[Saint John]

Things are great and they'll continue to be great.

[ScarabGator]

First-I love this country. Second-it appears we are in trouble. The next presidential election is gonna be huge.

[mikemarrs]

i predict this election will be the closest in margin ever.the winner will win but barely.the country will be evenly divided.

[Monker]

I don't see things getting too much better, thanks to too many politicians who have looked out for their own interests at the expense of the entire country. I heard Pat Buchanan on the radio the other day saying how many experts think America is in line for a "perfect storm" -- a collision of several very serious issues that have been allowed to grow out of control, and these included things like Social Security, debt, and the problem with illegal immigration. One thing is probably guaranteed... taxes will rise, rise, rise before it's all said and done.

Oh, please, he is only going on about those issues because he's a conservative.

The true problem in this nation is that there are only two political factions, the left and the right...each having their own party. There are hardly any lefties who are Republicans and hardly any Righties who are Democrats. There are NO mixture of ideas any longer. We either get one, or the other...not the best of both worlds - as it should be. Instead, we get the baggage of whatever party is elected and half-assed ideas brought to the table because of their right/left wing agendas. There is no 'middle'. There is no effort to reach beyond the party or philosophical ideal to find the BEST solution.

If a Democrat is elected, we'll go through the exact same cycle again, except with lefty faults...socialized this and that, higher taxes, weaker military, blah, blah, blah....some will be 'real', some will be exagerated by right-wing politics. And, of course there will be some type of 'corruption'. That's the politics of this country.

The bottom line, however, is Bush is the worst President of our generation. Many of his own party have lost respect for him. He accomplished nothing for his eight years. I don't think people in general feel better off economicaly compared to 8yrs ago, or security-wise then we were 4yrs ago. Whether that is 'fact' or not is irrelevant. That is how people feel. It's the Democrats election to lose, just as it was four years ago....and 8yrs ago. The Democrats are very good at finding ways to lose.

[AR]

What you all ought to be worried about is the ridiculous use of cameras in our society. Red light cameras, speed cameras, crime watch cameras.

How long before the government puts a camera in your house if you commit a crime (or are accused of doing so). I could easily see cameras being put in homes of couples with small children after domestic disputes in the name of "the child's best interests".

Did anyone read Orwell's 1984? It's really starting to happen.

[scarygirl]

wonder what is going to happen here in the next few years.we are already at war and hopefully we don't enter another with iran.the economy absolutely stinks.the gas prices are through the roof and might go even higher.the crime is certainly getting worse.i'm only 33 years old but when i grew up in the 80's it seemed like the future was looking great.we didn't even look our doors then.none of the violence and negativity you see now.i certainly feel for my children and others who will grow up in this harsh reality.does anyone see things getting better???

NO. We're stuck smack dab in the latter years of the end.

[scarygirl]

What you all ought to be worried about is the ridiculous use of cameras in our society. Red light cameras, speed cameras, crime watch cameras.

How long before the government puts a camera in your house if you commit a crime (or are accused of doing so). I could easily see cameras being put in homes of couples with small children after domestic disputes in the name of "the child's best interests".

Did anyone read Orwell's 1984? It's really starting to happen.

Don't forget the micro chips. Verichip corp anyone? Now it's voluntary, give it another few years, it won't be.

Another reason why not to have kids.

[mikemarrs]

What you all ought to be worried about is the ridiculous use of cameras in our society. Red light cameras, speed cameras, crime watch cameras.

How long before the government puts a camera in your house if you commit a crime (or are accused of doing so). I could easily see cameras being put in homes of couples with small children after domestic disputes in the name of "the child's best interests".

Did anyone read Orwell's 1984? It's really starting to happen.

nah i haven't read it lately but i'm playing it.....

[Monker]

What you all ought to be worried about is the ridiculous use of cameras in our society. Red light cameras, speed cameras, crime watch cameras.

How long before the government puts a camera in your house if you commit a crime (or are accused of doing so). I could easily see cameras being put in homes of couples with small children after domestic disputes in the name of "the child's best interests".

Did anyone read Orwell's 1984? It's really starting to happen.

When 'conservatives' start pointing to this and that as not being patriotic, you said this or that and you don't love this country or you don't 'support the troups', or 'whatever...It reminds me of the "Ministry of Love", and "thought police"....where even THINKING something that disagreed with the powers in charge was considered a crime.

I also find it ironic that so many 'conservatives' supported giving the President so many avenues around the Constitution...around OUR rights. Guess they were too short sighted to see that the next person to weild those powers may be Hillary.

[AR]

What you all ought to be worried about is the ridiculous use of cameras in our society. Red light cameras, speed cameras, crime watch cameras.

How long before the government puts a camera in your house if you commit a crime (or are accused of doing so). I could easily see cameras being put in homes of couples with small children after domestic disputes in the name of "the child's best interests".

Did anyone read Orwell's 1984? It's really starting to happen.

When 'conservatives' start pointing to this and that as not being patriotic, you said this or that and you don't love this country or you don't 'support the troups', or 'whatever...It reminds me of the "Ministry of Love", and "thought police"....where even THINKING something that disagreed with the powers in charge was considered a crime.

I also find it ironic that so many 'conservatives' supported giving the President so many avenues around the Constitution...around OUR rights. Guess they were too short sighted to see that the next person to weild those powers may be Hillary.

What the fuck does that have to do with my post?

BOTH parties are in the spy cam business. The Repubs erode civil liberties in the name of "National Security". The Democrats put up cameras in the name of "revenue". Equally evil.

[Monker]

What you all ought to be worried about is the ridiculous use of cameras in our society. Red light cameras, speed cameras, crime watch cameras.

How long before the government puts a camera in your house if you commit a crime (or are accused of doing so). I could easily see cameras being put in homes of couples with small children after domestic disputes in the name of "the child's best interests".

Did anyone read Orwell's 1984? It's really starting to happen.

When 'conservatives' start pointing to this and that as not being patriotic, you said this or that and you don't love this country or you don't 'support the troups', or 'whatever...It reminds me of the "Ministry of Love", and "thought police"....where even THINKING something that disagreed with the powers in charge was considered a crime.

I also find it ironic that so many 'conservatives' supported giving the President so many avenues around the Constitution...around OUR rights. Guess they were too short sighted to see that the next person to weild those powers may be Hillary.

What the fuck does that have to do with my post?

BOTH parties are in the spy cam business. The Repubs erode civil liberties in the name of "National Security". The Democrats put up cameras in the name of "revenue". Equally evil.

What does it have to do with your post?

I didn't say "Republicans"...I said 'conservatives'. They are of the mindset that everybody who does not think their way is in some way "evil" and needs "corrected". If THAT is not like "1984", nothing is.

Then there is the state of perpetual war which was in "1984", which we are told we should be in today. War is peace. That has been shouted to us very loudly since 9/11.

[bluejeangirl76]

What you all ought to be worried about is the ridiculous use of cameras in our society. Red light cameras, speed cameras, crime watch cameras.

How long before the government puts a camera in your house if you commit a crime (or are accused of doing so). I could easily see cameras being put in homes of couples with small children after domestic disputes in the name of "the child's best interests".

Did anyone read Orwell's 1984? It's really starting to happen.

You're probably right, Ed. They're already talking about making spanking illegal, even in one's own home ...

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3924024

Now, I'm not a child-hater nor do I condone abusing children, but you're telling me a kid disobeys, gets a simple smack on his ass, and you go to jail for it? Most folks our ages can say they were swatted on the ass for doing something wrong. I hardly think its cause to start punishing parents. Spend all that time coming after every Dick and Jane who swat their kid for acting a fool in the middle of a store instead of devoting that time to stopping the ones who are really downright abusing their kids or wives or husbands or dogs or whatever.

But maybe first they'll stick a camera in your house to see what else they can get you doing.

[TxStorm]

I will continue to pray for the United States. As bad as things are now(and they've been bad for at least a decade and a half now), I can see matters getting a whole lot worse in the next administration. I sincerely hope that the next president (whomever that becomes) will make the safety and security of all Americans the top priority, and be very serious about it. Someone who will think things through and ask themselves "Is this really the right thing to do?" "How would the WHOLE country feel about this?" before signing a bill that will inevitably affect the lives of all Americans, even if the bill may improve the quality of life for some. We need someone who will be fair and caring to everyone. The days of playing favorites need to end now!

[conversationpc]

I said 'conservatives'. They are of the mindset that everybody who does not think their way is in some way "evil" and needs "corrected". If THAT is not like "1984", nothing is.

Your quote applies to very few nutjobs on the right as well as on the left. Most conservatives don't believe that way. I've been around boards you've been on long enough to know you're not quite that stupid.

[ohsherrie]

I said 'conservatives'. They are of the mindset that everybody who does not think their way is in some way "evil" and needs "corrected". If THAT is not like "1984", nothing is.

Your quote applies to very few nutjobs on the right as well as on the left. Most conservatives don't believe that way. I've been around boards you've been on long enough to know you're not quite that stupid.

I think it applies to a lot more of the right wing than the left and a lot more of the 'conservatives' than you might want to think.

You're right about Monker though, he ain't stupid. I liked this part of his post the best:

I also find it ironic that so many 'conservatives' supported giving the President so many avenues around the Constitution...around OUR rights. Guess they were too short sighted to see that the next person to weild those powers may be Hillary.

[AR]

Speed & red light cameras as well as cameras in public places are supported almost unanimously by Democrats. You can check the voting records here in the state of Maryland. It's always done in the name of "safety". Usually it's done as a revenue source though.

Republicans are giving away our freedoms in different ways in the name of homeland security and things like the Patriot Act.

BOTH parties are equally culpable in the eroding of our freedoms.

By the way, how do you like that attorney's are subpoenaing EZ-Pass records to catch cheating spouses in the act? What's next?

[conversationpc]

I think it applies to a lot more of the right wing than the left and a lot more of the 'conservatives' than you might want to think.

Conservatives aren't the ones wanting to silence talk radio with the so-called "Fairness" Doctrine. Conservatives aren't the ones on college campuses shouting down conservative speakers and military recruiters and throwing pies in their faces, not even giving them a chance to exercise their freedom of speech and engaging in civil or even un-civil debate, for that matter.

I agree that there are some on the Republican side who do the same kinds of things but it's not even close to the radicals on the far left (and notice I said far left, not Democrat).

You're right about Monker though, he ain't stupid. I liked this part of his post the best:

I also find it ironic that so many 'conservatives' supported giving the President so many avenues around the Constitution...around OUR rights. Guess they were too short sighted to see that the next person to weild those powers may be Hillary.

I've already said that I agree with you on the Patriot Act but then again, I must agree with him on everything because I'm just a Bush apologist.

[Rip Rokken]

What you all ought to be worried about is the ridiculous use of cameras in our society. Red light cameras, speed cameras, crime watch cameras.

Did anyone read Orwell's 1984?

It's already here, and ironically supported by our own citizenry -- it's called YouTube!

Joking aside, I personally feel things like MySpace and YouTube have had a "training" effect on our society, making them used to waiving their privacy and being on camera all the time. Serious business... Also, yes, had to read "1984" in high school, but I preferred the album much better.

Oh, please, he is only going on about those issues because he's a conservative.

Ok, Monker -- I try not to do the libs vs. conservative or Repub vs. Dems arguments, because they are someone useless -- but I will ask you this: Do you think we could be headed for a real crisis with Social Security, illegal immigration, etc? Anyone who does the math realizes that the numbers don't bode well for the future in either situation. If you don't feel that either is in danger, that's ok, too, but tell us what do you think about those situations?

[Rip Rokken]

Speed & red light cameras as well as cameras in public places are supported almost unanimously by Democrats. You can check the voting records here in the state of Maryland. It's always done in the name of "safety". Usually it's done as a revenue source though.

Republicans are giving away our freedoms in different ways in the name of homeland security and things like the Patriot Act.

BOTH parties are equally culpable in the eroding of our freedoms.

By the way, how do you like that attorney's are subpoenaing EZ-Pass records to catch cheating spouses in the act? What's next?

This is what I was talking about in the other thread -- basically, that politicians (from BOTH parties) allow things to get out of control to the point they are nearly unsolvable without some kind of huge government interraction in a way that strips us of our freedoms, and people accept it because the problems are so out of control. We could have focused more on real education and addressing those many societal factors that lead to poverty, crime, etc. (without redirecting the income of the workers to do it), but that's not PC -- PC is nothing but a way to continue to make excuses for everyone, to keep them hyper-sensitive and reliant on a "mediator" (the government) to step in and solve their problems. How about self-reliance, and self-responsibility? Why don't they teach those things as well, and there's your drop in crime, hence, no need for cameras on every street corner.

Every year I try to find some cause to support for the holidays, and I just heard on the radio this morning about a home for people trying to get back on their feet, and their room/board and food is covered, but the rule is they have to get a job and save 75% of their income so they will have a head start when they leave the house -- the goal is for them never to return. They are getting my support this year, and in that effort alone, are doing far more than the government has done to really address problems like poverty.

[ohsherrie]

Conservatives aren't the ones wanting to silence talk radio with the so-called "Fairness" Doctrine. Conservatives aren't the ones on college campuses shouting down conservative speakers and military recruiters and throwing pies in their faces, not even giving them a chance to exercise their freedom of speech and engaging in civil or even un-civil debate, for that matter.

I agree that there are some on the Republican side who do the same kinds of things but it's not even close to the radicals on the far left (and notice I said far left, not Democrat).

I guess I read a little deeper, or maybe just different meaning into what Monker said. I interpreted it to mean that ever since Bush managed to use 9/11 as an excuse to invade Iraq the conservatives have had this "your either with us or against us" attitude and if your not with us your not a Patriot. If you didn't support a war that you have every right to disagree with then you weren't supporting our troops and weren't patriotic. What's most frightening to me about that is how willing so many people were to fall for that kind of manipulation. To me it's a lesson on how easy slightly a less enlightened people can be manipulated into living under a regime such as the one in North Korea.

Edit: And the scariest things were the things that were happening while he had our attention deverted to the war.

You're right about Monker though, he ain't stupid. I liked this part of his post the best:

I also find it ironic that so many 'conservatives' supported giving the President so many avenues around the Constitution...around OUR rights. Guess they were too short sighted to see that the next person to weild those powers may be Hillary.

I've already said that I agree with you on the Patriot Act but then again, I must agree with him on everything because I'm just a Bush apologist. [/quote]

I know.

[conversationpc]

I guess I read a little deeper, or maybe just different meaning into what Monker said. I interpreted it to mean that ever since Bush managed to use 9/11 as an excuse to invade Iraq the conservatives have had this "your either with us or against us" attitude and if your not with us your not a Patriot. If you didn't support a war that you have every right to disagree with then you weren't supporting our troops and weren't patriotic.

There are some who have been spouting that kind of rhetoric but that isn't what most conservatives believe. I believe you can oppose the war and be patriotic but I have heard the "If you don't support the war, then how can you say you support the troops" crap. It's bogus.

[Rip Rokken]

I believe you can oppose the war and be patriotic but I have heard the "If you don't support the war, then how can you say you support the troops" crap. It's bogus.

I completely agree with that. You can definitely oppose a war (if done properly) and support the troops. The people who are hypocritical on this are those like Michael Moore, who says he does just that, but then shows a very skewed view of our troops as bloodthirsty idiots over in the Middle East in his documentaries. Or those who give aid and comfort to the enemy, or those who use war opposition as a political ploy to another end.

[ohsherrie]

I guess I read a little deeper, or maybe just different meaning into what Monker said. I interpreted it to mean that ever since Bush managed to use 9/11 as an excuse to invade Iraq the conservatives have had this "your either with us or against us" attitude and if your not with us your not a Patriot. If you didn't support a war that you have every right to disagree with then you weren't supporting our troops and weren't patriotic.

There are some who have been spouting that kind of rhetoric but that isn't what most conservatives believe. I believe you can oppose the war and be patriotic but I have heard the "If you don't support the war, then how can you say you support the troops" crap. It's bogus.

Thank you. Oh and by the way, I did see last night that you agreed with me about the Patriot Act, but I got distracted and then had to get off line.

The leaders of the conservatives' chosen party are the ones that have spouted it the loudest. The Bush regime started from 9/11 actively cultivating a "Nationalistic" attitude in this country. His "good ole' shoot from the hip, mom, apple pie and rolled up shirt sleeves" personna (that always has made me want to barf) was all part of it.

[conversationpc]

Thank you. Oh and by the way, I did see last night that you agreed with me about the Patriot Act, but I got distracted and then had to get off line.

The leaders of the conservatives' chosen party are the ones that have spouted it the loudest.

Agreed. Can we drop the "Bush apologist" crap then?

[ohsherrie]

Thank you. Oh and by the way, I did see last night that you agreed with me about the Patriot Act, but I got distracted and then had to get off line.

The leaders of the conservatives' chosen party are the ones that have spouted it the loudest.

Agreed. Can we drop the "Bush apologist" crap then?

I haven't called you that since I saw that you agreed about the Patriot Act. I did say that if you support the war then you support everything he's done because the war IS all he's done. I won't call you a Bush apologist any more though.

[Arkansas]

Wow. So much gloom & doom nay-sayers. Just the negative gang mentality of this board I guess. Then again, doomsday preachers have been around for centuries. Every country's politics, no matter what year, has haters and everyone thinks their problems are more important that anyone else's. What's new?

I for one love America, and I love life. I enjoy every single day to its fullest.
I don't want to go anywhere. I'm just waiting for the day we annex Cuba. Then I'll officially retire for good.


later~