Greece laid low by its decadence

[Timber Loftis]

I think you're missing the point, JD. Over here we may make a big show out of beating up on the banks.... we may put bank leaders up in front of Congress and beat them up, and whatnot. But we don't really punish them. We don't have massive protest crowds dragging out ballpeen hammers and petrol bombs and tossing them in local branch banks.

You may not feel that the banks own "You" but really, if they own your Congress, your neighbors, your community -- then what difference is it, really? Not much, if you ask me.

Being against TARP is something that crosses party lines. I was all for big gummint spending to get us out of the recession -- but I thought it could all be spent on fixing roads, bridges, etc etc. I was totally against TARP and the auto bailout. So, you on the right and me on the left/center agreed on that.

But our Congressmen, on the right and left, differed with us. They crossed party lines and agreed to enjoy fellating the banks, nom nom nom.

When the majority of the people running the Federal Reserve and the SEC are former Goldman Sachs alums, what can we really expect?

when nearly everybody was screaming about GWB. I said then Wooa wait a minute, it was President Clinton who signed the law repealing the protections put in place after the great Depression.

Plenty of blame to go around here. Clinton was giving the ultimate payoff to the big money people who helped slide him into the Oval Office -- make no mistake, when bankers met the charismatic Arkansas Democrat who was willing to "play ball" with the economy, they were all too happy to back him monetarily and politically getting into office. But GWB then pulled back directives for the SEC and CFTC, essentially having the agencies become yes-men. And let's not forget that Alan Greenspan, a staunch conservative, was the "godfather" of the economy at the time, the one who led the charge against having the CFTC regulate financial derivatives, under both administrations, and the one who worked feverishly to keep the housing bubble propped up, even while saying it was probably a bubble. (Hey at least Greenspan has recanted for his ways, neither GWB or Clinton has had the decency to do that.)

[SpiritWarrior]

Originally Posted by John D Harris That's good thinking, good ole American know how. Fire, all I'm saying is think ahead, as the boy scouts say "be prepared", or as the Gov't PSA's urge make a plan.

Glenn Beck much? You're just ripping his fear rhetoric right from his show. Neither you, or loony Glenn, have any evidence of this armegeddon-like scenario. These are simply the rantings of a paranoid megalomaniac. The difference between you and him is, he gets paid MILLIONS to spew it. You do it for free.

[John D Harris]

Originally Posted by Timber Loftis I think you're missing the point, JD. Over here we may make a big show out of beating up on the banks.... we may put bank leaders up in front of Congress and beat them up, and whatnot. But we don't really punish them. We don't have massive protest crowds dragging out ballpeen hammers and petrol bombs and tossing them in local branch banks. You may not feel that the banks own "You" but really, if they own your Congress, your neighbors, your community -- then what difference is it, really? Not much, if you ask me. Being against TARP is something that crosses party lines. I was all for big gummint spending to get us out of the recession -- but I thought it could all be spent on fixing roads, bridges, etc etc. I was totally against TARP and the auto bailout. So, you on the right and me on the left/center agreed on that. But our Congressmen, on the right and left, differed with us. They crossed party lines and agreed to enjoy fellating the banks, nom nom nom. When the majority of the people running the Federal Reserve and the SEC are former Goldman Sachs alums, what can we really expect? Plenty of blame to go around here. Clinton was giving the ultimate payoff to the big money people who helped slide him into the Oval Office -- make no mistake, when bankers met the charismatic Arkansas Democrat who was willing to "play ball" with the economy, they were all too happy to back him monetarily and politically getting into office. But GWB then pulled back directives for the SEC and CFTC, essentially having the agencies become yes-men. And let's not forget that Alan Greenspan, a staunch conservative, was the "godfather" of the economy at the time, the one who led the charge against having the CFTC regulate financial derivatives, under both administrations, and the one who worked feverishly to keep the housing bubble propped up, even while saying it was probably a bubble. (Hey at least Greenspan has recanted for his ways, neither GWB or Clinton has had the decency to do that.)

You're right Congress makes a show about beating up the Banks, why do they do that? TO GET VOTES from the people, you don't get votes from the people if you are beating up the banks show or not if the people don't feel the banks need beating up. True Congress's talk and actions are rarely the samething. The problem is the debt which keeps rising estemated to be 1.6 trillion this year over 10% of gdp, though I think 1.5 is more accurate. We don't have the protests yet, but if we don't get the debt under control we will. I didn't write we are Greece NOW, I wrote we will be, as in the in the future if we don't get our house in order. Your origninal premis was we aren't going to be like Greece because we don't blame the Banks, yet you mention the FED and all the GoldmanSach (a Bank) folks running it, Congratulations TL you're waking up to it*, so are a lots of other folks. If we don't get our house in order, folks will start blaming the Banks.

TARP and the stimulus package aren't the samething, TARP was pushed through by GWB for the banks, the stumlus was pushed through by BHO. The stimulus was pushed through for the wrong reasons, you don't spend money you don't have on roads to stimulate the economy, when the reason the economy is in trouble is because you've spent to much money. You spend money you don't have on roads because you need roads. If the economy get stimulated Great, if the economy doesn't get stimulated great, because the reason you spent the money you don't have is to build roads. We pissed the money away on an illusion, adding to what is the real problem, debt.

We're getting lectured by communist China???? Told by them we have to get our house in order. Hales bells TL China, has a history of having only two classes the rulers and everybody else, What the Hale do they know about a free market? Right now they are artificaly keeping their money low, same freaking thing the USSR did and we all saw how well that worked out. China does have it right, that we better get our house in order, because they know we are the real engine. Our consumming, but we are penny wise and dollar foolish. We the people are pissing our money away right and left, buying stuff on credit, Hale Leasing cars???? WTF Leasing a car??? Good grief, somehow somewhere we got the bright Idea that we are going to lay down a bunch on money, Money that we have traded our life for on a car, then make payments for years on and when we get done we don't even own the Car. Hale where I come from that's called renting. I own the same beat up Pick-up truck I had 11 years ago when I joined the board. I just put a new tranny in it cost me $1,000 If I only get another 3 years out of it, I'm paid less then $30 a month and I own it. Vs Someone who Leased (rented) ploped $2,500 down and pays $250 a month for 3 years, pays $11,000 and doesn't have anything to show for it.

We as a nation can't keep spending 3.6 trillion when we only take in 2 trillion or so. It ain't going to work. There is no math that will make that work.

TL I made a consious(sp?) choice 28 years ago I walked away from a good job in a big company where I could have gone to the top making a poop load of money. I didn't want to live in the big city I walked away from the rat race. I own my own company, am my own boss, I make less money ajusted for inflation then I ever have, but I work when I want to, I work to pay for what I need and want, happier then I ever have been. My wife and I are saving our money to go completely off grid.

* I don't subscribe to worldwide conspriacy of the banks, trilateral commission, Billaburgers, templars or masons. I subscribe to something much simpler.... basic human greed is the motivator, lust of money and power.

[John D Harris]

Originally Posted by SpiritWarrior Glenn Beck much? You're just ripping his fear rhetoric right from his show. Neither you, or loony Glenn, have any evidence of this armegeddon-like scenario. These are simply the rantings of a paranoid megalomaniac. The difference between you and him is, he gets paid MILLIONS to spew it. You do it for free.

Think what you want SW, what ever gave you the Idea I really care much what you think?

[SpiritWarrior]

Originally Posted by John D Harris Think what you want SW, what ever gave you the Idea I really care much what you think?

The fact that you responded.

[Memnoch]

As long as it's done in a civil manner, everyone's opinion is going to be heard here, whether people care or not. Focus on the topic not the person though.

[ElfBane]

Originally Posted by John D Harris * I don't subscribe to worldwide conspriacy of the banks, trilateral commission, Billaburgers, templars or masons. I subscribe to something much simpler.... basic human greed is the motivator, lust of money and power.

What you don't realize is that it's the Illuminati.

[ElfBane]

Originally Posted by John D Harris My wife and I are saving our money to go completely off grid.

It can't happen soon enough.

[John D Harris]

Elf, If'n anyone wants to contribute I accept cash, check, and credit cards

[SpiritWarrior]

Originally Posted by ElfBane It can't happen soon enough.

LOL! I can hardly believe he even wrote that sentence.