[asmack]

Someone wrote the following at another forum. Do you agree or disagree?

I think what happened to the great power of the Soviet Union will soon happen to the US. No, it won't break up, but it will be broken as a superpower. If you look at Russia, the main reason they aren't super-strong anymore is that they simply can't afford it. I honestly think that will inevitably happen to the US, barring the most extensive reforms ever undertaken by a nation-state.

Already the power is melting away. Remember that article awhile back about how the Monroe Doctrine is becoming moot because the US can no longer guide events in Latin America? A good example. All over the world, countries are thumbing their noses at Washington and getting away with it. That's the first sign of serious decline -- a lack of fear by friends and enemies alike.

The inept handling of the Katrina hurricane disaster prompted this thread. Is the USA as we know it already in decline? Or shall we see greater things to come yet from this superpower nation? Discuss...

[loki74]

I do not think we will fall, but we do need to be careful, as things are definately more fragile. The person made a good point about not being able to afford it. Our private sector is doing well, but the government isnt cutting it. Soon enough, the gas thing will start to affect the private sector (well I guess it already has, but we've managed) Its all about the money.

[asmack]

I hope the US doesn't lose its superpower status anytime soon, but: with its resources being stretched so thin; always being on the edge due to terrorism; fighting multiple wars simultaneously; having natural disasters such as Katrina; the presence of intense political, religious and racial division within; widening gap between rich and poor; intense global economic competition; lack of fear by friends and enemies alike; decreasing money and resources... these are all recipes for decline of a superpower.

I don't know when it will happen, but if things keep getting more and more fragile, I won't be surprised if it happens during my lifetime.

[mojo2]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/pro...8&n=283155

Amazon.com
Jared Diamond's Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed is the glass-half-empty follow-up to his Pulitzer Prize-winning Guns, Germs, and Steel. While Guns, Germs, and Steel explained the geographic and environmental reasons why some human populations have flourished, Collapse uses the same factors to examine why ancient societies, including the Anasazi of the American Southwest and the Viking colonies of Greenland, as well as modern ones such as Rwanda, have fallen apart. Not every collapse has an environmental origin, but an eco-meltdown is often the main catalyst, he argues, particularly when combined with society's response to (or disregard for) the coming disaster. Still, right from the outset of Collapse, the author makes clear that this is not a mere environmentalist's diatribe. He begins by setting the book's main question in the small communities of present-day Montana as they face a decline in living standards and a depletion of natural resources. Once-vital mines now leak toxins into the soil, while prion diseases infect some deer and elk and older hydroelectric dams have become decrepit. On all these issues, and particularly with the hot-button topic of logging and wildfires, Diamond writes with equanimity.
Because he's addressing such significant issues within a vast span of time, Diamond can occasionally speak too briefly and assume too much, and at times his shorthand remarks may cause careful readers to raise an eyebrow. But in general, Diamond provides fine and well-reasoned historical examples, making the case that many times, economic and environmental concerns are one and the same. With Collapse, Diamond hopes to jog our collective memory to keep us from falling for false analogies or forgetting prior experiences, and thereby save us from potential devastations to come. While it might seem a stretch to use medieval Greenland and the Maya to convince a skeptic about the seriousness of global warming, it's exactly this type of cross-referencing that makes Collapse so compelling. --Jennifer Buckendorff

[Pendergast]

Originally Posted by asmack

Someone wrote the following at another forum. Do you agree or disagree?



The inept handling of the Katrina hurricane disaster prompted this thread. Is the USA as we know it already in decline? Or shall we see greater things to come yet from this superpower nation? Discuss...

All great empires fall.

We know that it will happen. We don't know when. Also, civilization renew themselves, so nothing is really lost, but the dream we hold dearly.

These dreams are what is sutaining the idea of civilisation. But people change and so are their dreams. And because of these changes, civilisations changes just as much.

The problem is to find the breaking point. When does it occur, really? No one can really tell. We are talking of a process that requires time. Human perception is not adequate to see it happen, even if we can have a feeling about it and that we see things that lead us to think that way.

A few years ago, thunderousfunker (IIRC) started a thread on this topic. Maybe its is time to get it back and look at it?

[Athens]

I think North America as a whole will, and for different reasons which I have posted here http://forums.macnn.com/89/macnn-lounge/268654/can-north-america-survive-next-50-a/

[el chupacabra]

the US isnt like russia. Russia put all their money into military and then tried to take over countries it couldnt handle. Russia never had the money to do what they did, they just ran up huge debts. They were never strong or a super power; they were pretending to be.

The US has a long long long ways to fall to even come near to 2nd place on the world map. Saying it will fall someday in the future is a nostradamus prediction as it makes the accuser right even if it happens in 3000 years from now.

Other countries should hope it never happens because the US has managed its powers rather responsibly compared to other countries throughout history. I doubt china would be so nice.

[Rolling Bones]

Originally Posted by el chupacabra

the US isnt like russia. Russia put all their money into military and then tried to take over countries it couldnt handle. Russia never had the money to do what they did, they just ran up huge debts. They were never strong or a super power; they were pretending to be.

hmmmm.....Replace USA where you have Russia and what do you get?

[Spliffdaddy]

The USA will fall long after all other countries have fallen.

Kinda sucks to be them.

[iLikebeer]

Originally Posted by Pendergast

All great empires fall.

We know that it will happen. We don't know when. Also, civilization renew themselves, so nothing is really lost, but the dream we hold dearly.

These dreams are what is sutaining the idea of civilisation. But people change and so are their dreams. And because of these changes, civilisations changes just as much.

The problem is to find the breaking point. When does it occur, really? No one can really tell. We are talking of a process that requires time. Human perception is not adequate to see it happen, even if we can have a feeling about it and that we see things that lead us to think that way.

A few years ago, thunderousfunker (IIRC) started a thread on this topic. Maybe its is time to get it back and look at it?

That is the worst kind of argument. I notice it more and more around here in anti-US people. That all previous empires have fallen is a fact. That fact has nothing to do with the future of the US and its status as a superpower. I think you're taking the phrase "history repeats itself" a bit too literally. If the US falls, it's not likely to be in your lifetime just because you may want it to be so.

I would argue that the advances of the 20th century have contributed to a unique world situation that could allow superpowers like the US to maintain our "empire."

[ebuddy]

Originally Posted by iLikebeer

That is the worst kind of argument. I notice it more and more around here in anti-US people. That all previous empires have fallen is a fact. That fact has nothing to do with the future of the US and its status as a superpower. I think you're taking the phrase "history repeats itself" a bit too literally. If the US falls, it's not likely to be in your lifetime just because you may want it to be so.

I would argue that the advances of the 20th century have contributed to a unique world situation that could allow superpowers like the US to maintain our "empire."

Good points and with our fall comes the fall of a great many more. I'm thinking Canada first off.

[Moderator]

Something will need to happen soon....the gap between the rich and poor is astounding and ever increasing (Katrina demonstrated this fact to the world). We're becoming a country of peasants and noblemen.Every year a few more gigantic corporations a merging into mega-corporations. A few big companies control most of the media we consume..and largely control our politicians as well.

This everyman for himself culture is a recipe for either decadent decline or revolt. Katrina has exposed our dirty little secret...this country doesn't care about its sick and poor. Its a selfish, primitive, not to mention un-Christian manner of living. Everyone rips the left for its "socialist" leanings...give me a break...where do you think every man for himself ends. Maybe we'll find out.

If this country reserves the right to draft any one of us and push us into enemy gunfire in the name of patriotism, then I think the least it can do is provide basic insurance...at least those of us who can't afford it ourselves..Is that alot to ask? To me, that'd be progress. I'm not asking for Communism....I'm talking about a basic, fundamental acknowledgement that in the worlds richest country, everyone, even the poor, ought to be able to see a doctor every now and then.

....Is this so unreasonable?

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Eeesh. So now we've devolved to using Katrina to push socialist nonsense.

Okay, who's next on the soapbox to use Katrina to push their cause? So far it's global warming, it's racism, it's capitalism, it's Christians, it's because Allah wanted to punish the Infidel, it's 'da Man'...

Maybe if we were all lesbian vegetarian libertarian Budhist theologians who fast on Tuesdays this wouldn't have happened??

Everyone repent your sinful ways, switch to the les/veg/lib/Bud/theo lifestyle and let's find out!

[Moderator]

Yes...expecting that the citizens of the world's wealthiest country should be able to see a doctor is socialist nonsense. Wow.

[placebo1969]

Originally Posted by Moderator

Something will need to happen soon....the gap between the rich and poor is astounding and ever increasing (Katrina demonstrated this fact to the world). We're becoming a country of peasants and noblemen.

I've heard this and similar statements for years--the rich get richer, the poor get poorer. It sounds like a cliche at this point. Serious question: Even if this is true (I think there is some truth to it), what is the issue? Don't we have free will? Isn't America about making something better for yourself and your family? Why do people risk their lives to come to this country?

Of course, I guess I have to have the standard disclaimer: I'm not saying the US is perfect and without problems, blah blah blah...

[Spliffdaddy]

word up, CRASH.

Yet again we have other (aka, lesser) countries *not* leading by example. Instead, they move lips and warm chairs and somehow fancy their opinion as meaningful.

Puhleeze.

We hear your lips moving....but we aren't inclined to take advice from folks who aren't doing any better than we already are.

[alphasubzero949]

Originally Posted by Moderator

Yes...expecting that the citizens of the world's wealthiest country should be able to see a doctor is socialist nonsense. Wow.

[Moderator]

Originally Posted by placebo1969

I've heard this and similar statements for years--the rich get richer, the poor get poorer. It sounds like a cliche at this point. Serious question: Even if this is true (I think there is some truth to it), what is the issue? Don't we have free will? Isn't America about making something better for yourself and your family? Why do people risk their lives to come to this country?

My only argument is this: If I'm expected to die for my country when it needs me, then I don't expect my country to let me die when I need it.

I'm sorry I didn't realize that ensuring our citizens can visit a doctor when they're sick would prevent you from taking care of your family. If that's the case..then you already are in the lower class and you could probably use the help.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/04/ny.../04income.html

The top fifth of earners in Manhattan now make 52 times what the lowest fifth make - $365,826 compared with $7,047 - which is roughly comparable to the income disparity in Namibia, according to the Times analysis of 2000 census data. Put another way, for every dollar made by households in the top fifth of Manhattan earners, households in the bottom fifth made about 2 cents.

That represents a substantial widening of the income gap from previous years. In 1980, the top fifth of earners made 21 times what the bottom fifth made in Manhattan, which ranked 17th among the nation's counties in income disparity.

This will continue..especially while people hang on to the romantic notion that the only barrier to upward mobility is lazyness. I'm not quite sure why suggesting a basic shared social responsibility (i.e the ability to see a doctor when you're sick) is such an affront to people...I see it as a fundamental priniciple of an enlightened civilization..but if survival of the fittest works for ya..then hey..fcuk poor people..let em drown.

By the way, if you've ever spent time in a high school classroom in Misissippi, you'd know that everyone doesn't have a chance...not by a long shot.

[Spliffdaddy]

Medical care is free in the US - to those that cannot or will not pay. Which explains why those that *do* pay end up paying quite a lot.

Folks, we're already subsidizing health care for the poor.

[Kitschy]

So, we should just go communist before it's too late. Heaven forbid some make more than others.

[Dale Sorel]

The sky is falling, the sky is falling

[placebo1969]

Originally Posted by Moderator

My only argument is this: If I'm expected to die for my country when it needs me, then I don't expect my country to let me die when I need it.

I'm sorry I didn't realize that ensuring our citizens can visit a doctor when they're sick would prevent you from taking care of your family. If that's the case..then you already are in the lower class and you could probably use the help.

That's not what I was saying. I was talking about the poor/rich gap in general terms. If that gap is getting bigger, then that would be more people would have access to health care, not less. If anything, it's the middle class that has some problems. I have great health care coverage as well does my wife.

[dcmacdaddy]

Originally Posted by asmack

Someone wrote the following at another forum. Do you agree or disagree?


The inept handling of the Katrina hurricane disaster prompted this thread. Is the USA as we know it already in decline? Or shall we see greater things to come yet from this superpower nation? Discuss...

I think we are in an inevitable decline. ALL great powers throughout history have been diminished in importance at some point in their history. I think the good folks at PNAC are aware of this and are fighting to stem the natural tide of history, namely that those on top cannot stay on top forever. And 21st-century Americans strike me as no different than citizens of other great powers of the past who not only reject any notion of decline but act to increase their nation's stature on the international stage.

Will we succeed in this endeavor? I hope not. I hope the US gradually declines in global significance to become more staid and less internationally involved. Although with our willful unwillingness to stop suckling at the teat of petroleum-based countries I don't think our decline will be gradual. Oh well. In a couple hundred years History will let us know just how the American decline happened.

[Moderator]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

Medical care is free in the US - to those that cannot or will not pay. Which explains why those that *do* pay end up paying quite a lot.

Folks, we're already subsidizing health care for the poor.

Ha! I'm not talking about getting your arm amputated in some last ditch emergency operation...I'm talking about going to a doctor, checkups, medicine, hearing aids. The notion that this is somehow Communist is laughable...just goes to show you how long it takes cultures to change because that's 70's talk right there. What? Doctors visits? Damn Commies!


How any one of you can support refusing people basic health care and call yourselves Christian is beyond me. What Christian value is that anyway?

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Originally Posted by Moderator

Ha! I'm not talking about getting your arm amputated in some last ditch emergency operation...I'm talking about going to a doctor, checkups, medicine, hearing aids. The notion that this is somehow Communist is laughable...just goes to show you how long it takes cultures to change because that's 70's talk right there. What? Doctors visits? Damn Commies!


How any one of you can support refusing people basic health care and call yourselves Christian is beyond me. What Christian value is that anyway?

Who exactly is being refused healthcare?

The left sure is a bunch of drama-queens.

[Krusty]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

Yet again we have other (aka, lesser) countries *not* leading by example. Instead, they move lips and warm chairs and somehow fancy their opinion as meaningful.

Puhleeze.

We hear your lips moving....but we aren't inclined to take advice from folks who aren't doing any better than we already are.

You mean like Cuba, that proactively moved 1 million people out of the path of Hurricane Dennis last year such that only 10 people ended up dying in that storm ? They mobilized their resources and went in and physically removed to safety all the people who didn't have cars and/or couldn't move themselves quickly enough. Our "plan" was to just tell everybody to "HEY, RUN !!" knowing that many, many people couldn't. I'm not picking out Cuba because its communist, I'm picking out Cuba because its a "2nd world" country whose emergency reponse makes us look like a bunch of amateurs. Having a decently organized and effective emergency response structure in a place where we knew exactly such an emergency would probably arise one day doesn't really have anything to do "socialism", it has to do with having your sh!t together.

[Moderator]

Originally Posted by CRASH HARDDRIVE

Who exactly is being refused healthcare?

Apparently alot people you will never interact with. Get out from under your rock they're easy to find.

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Originally Posted by Moderator

Apparently alot people you will never interact with. Get out from under your rock they're easy to find.

So name one. Show me someone refused heathcare. Step up.

[Macrobat]

Originally Posted by Krusty

You mean like Cuba, that proactively moved 1 million people out of the path of Hurricane Dennis last year such that only 10 people ended up dying in that storm ? They mobilized their resources and went in and physically removed to safety all the people who didn't have cars and/or couldn't move themselves quickly enough. Our "plan" was to just tell everybody to "HEY, RUN !!" knowing that many, many people couldn't. I'm not picking out Cuba because its communist, I'm picking out Cuba because its a "2nd world" country whose emergency reponse makes us look like a bunch of amateurs. Having a decently organized and effective emergency response structure in a place where we knew exactly such an emergency would probably arise one day doesn't really have anything to do "socialism", it has to do with having your sh!t together.

What it does have to do with tis the FACT that Castro, unlike Bush, can order his soldiers to force the evacuation, at the point of a gun. Castro also, unlike Bush, doesn't have to deal with separate sovereign entities, like states, with their OWN Chiehf Executives.

You need to seriously get past this bit that it's all Bush's fault. The evacuations were the purview of the local and state governments, not the federal government. Worked PERFECTLY well in Florida, worked here in North Carolina, worked in South Carolina, worked in Alabama and Mississippi in THIS CURRENT STORM, yet you INSIST on blaming the wrong person for the fiasco in Lousiana.

"We're" not a bunch of amateurs. Nagin, his Police Chief, and Governer Katherine Babineaux Blanco are the morons.

[finboy]

Originally Posted by Moderator

Apparently alot people you will never interact with. Get out from under your rock they're easy to find.

Bullsh*t. My mom processes Medicaid claims all day -- they get better care than some paid insurance plans. And some of us are one paycheck away from needing it.

[italiano]

Medicaid is ONLY available to some - my wife draws $649 a month (Social Security @ 47 years old due to falling off a roof in 1992 while we were working for ourselves as painting contractors)... because I make $13.00 an hour she is denied Medicaid - now add those 2 figures together then subtract my Mortgage payment and all our monthly bills and we can't afford SQUAT let alone health care for me or prescriptions they keep prescribing for her?

[finboy]

Originally Posted by italiano

Medicaid is ONLY available to some - my wife draws $649 a month (Social Security @ 47 years old due to falling off a roof in 1992 while we were working for ourselves as painting contractors)... because I make $13.00 an hour she is denied Medicaid - now add those 2 figures together then subtract my Mortgage payment and all our monthly bills and we can't afford SQUAT let alone health care for me or prescriptions they keep prescribing for her?

Sounds like Blue Cross/Blue Shield is your local option:
https://shopblue.bcbsfl.org/IHOS_planinfo.asp

The linky doesn't flow through. In any case, the quotes are free.

[Moderator]

Originally Posted by CRASH HARDDRIVE

So name one. Show me someone refused heathcare. Step up.

You can't really be this dense. They'll take you...and then you'll get a $10,000 bill. What do you think people with no insurance do knowing that, they don't go..because they can't afford it. So they just hope it gets better. Or they do without meds that could help..and so do they're kids.

Here are 2 million people who went bankrupt because they were sick...of course..that was before the bankruptcy laws changed....thanks Uncle Sam!

In 2001, 1.458 million American families filed for bankruptcy. To investigate medical contributors to bankruptcy, we surveyed 1,771 personal bankruptcy filers in five federal courts and subsequently completed in-depth interviews with 931 of them. About half cited medical causes, which indicates that 1.9–2.2 million Americans (filers plus dependents) experienced medical bankruptcy. Among those whose illnesses led to bankruptcy, out-of-pocket costs averaged $11,854 since the start of illness; 75.7 percent had insurance at the onset of illness. Medical debtors were 42 percent more likely than other debtors to experience lapses in coverage. Even middle-class insured families often fall prey to financial catastrophe when sick..

link

[Moderator]

Case in Point. Thank you

Bankrupt families lost more than just assets. One out of five went without food. A third had their utilities shut off, and nearly two-thirds skipped needed doctor or dentist visits

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...-2005Feb8.html

[Spliffdaddy]

Newsflash

Those who cannot or will not pay for medical care are still entitled to medical care.

If you are deemed to be financially unable to pay for medical care - they won't even send you a bill.

Get over it. *Nobody* is refused necessary medical care for financial reasons.

There's nothing to fix. The folks that can afford to pay are already paying for those that do not or will not pay. What's your solution? To make the folks that *can* pay - pay for those who cannot? That solution is already in effect.

[Moderator]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

Newsflash

Those who cannot or will not pay for medical care are still entitled to medical care.

If you are deemed to be financially unable to pay for medical care - they won't even send you a bill.

Get over it. *Nobody* is refused necessary medical care for financial reasons.

There's nothing to fix. The folks that can afford to pay are already paying for those that do not or will not pay. What's your solution? To make the folks that *can* pay - pay for those who cannot? That solution is already in effect.

If they aren't sending bills to people who can't afford to pay...then how are people going bankrupt?

[italiano]

it's a case of the "Have's and Have nots" - the "Have's" attempt to justify the PUTRID system we have and the have nots go without... This country is going down the toilet thanks to the almighty dollar. I preached revolution in the 60's and still believe in a "spiritual" revolution... go get some of that FREE medical care - it's a JOKE! If you don't have expensive insurance or a lot of cash you're going to be left by the side of the road. That's CRIMINAL.

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Originally Posted by Moderator

You can't really be this dense. They'll take you...and then you'll get a $10,000 bill. What do you think people with no insurance do knowing that, they don't go..because they can't afford it. So they just hope it gets better. Or they do without meds that could help..and so do they're kids.

Here are 2 million people who went bankrupt because they were sick...of course..that was before the bankruptcy laws changed....thanks Uncle Sam!
link

So now you’ve gone from lying about people being refused heathcare, to whining, “So nobody is refused, b-but *sniffle* you’ll actually have to *pay* for what you need! WAHH!” Heaven forbid. But hey, you’re not alone. I notice someone else ignored a link where they’d have to confront the fact that they can easily obtain insurance if they need it. Typical.

Funny you cry about bankruptcy. It’s been gone over before when it first came up, average debts of $11,000 are not amounts that drive most people into bankruptcy- anyone who is driven under by such small amounts, rather than working out repayment, has other debt issues going on not medical related. Once again, heaven forbid anyone pay for anything.

Those always whining about poverty in the US have to be the world’s most pathetic people. I don’t give a rat’s ass if it’s non-PC to say so, it’s true. We’ve got the most overweight, cell-phone glued to ears, bling-bling wearing, TV watching, video-game playing, car driving, jewelry wearing ‘impoverished’ people the world has ever seen. Sell the sympathy for the up to their eyeballs in needless consumer debt ‘impoverished’ elsewhere- it doesn’t sell well to those of us who actually live here.

It’s the attitude of people like you that cause heathcare to be as expensive as it is to begin with. People that think they are entitled to everything, that think nothing of hanging their bills on everyone else. But when it comes time for you to pay the inflated amounts that are the result of others like you hanging their own bills, you want to pout. The two-way street of cause and effect never occurs to you ‘entitlement’ types.

The irony is you’re whining about bankruptcy- basically a system which many use to skip out on debts, when what you really want is a socialist system that’s nothing but legislated PERMANENT BANKRUPTCY whereby you can have all the ‘positives’ of hanging your debts onto others, without the social stigma attached. You want it legislated that surrogate mommies and daddies pay your bills for you by default, rather than a more round-about system whereby those you owe even have the recourse of trashing your credit after you’ve saddled others with your debts.

[Moderator]

Sorry man...if your government's entitled to send you to war to die when it needs you, then you ought to be entitled to be kept healthy when you need it. Quid pro quo.

Clearly you have no compassion for people less priviledged then you..its typical of the sheltered, narrow minded, me me me, set that makes up most of the right. God forbid you put yourself in someone elses shoes. Jesus who?

If you can't pay for healthcare, you don't get it....that's the way it is here. Its uncivilized and we're the last modern country to leave its own people high and dry. No money? Fcuk you then.

The reason the health care debate pisses you guys off so much is because you know you are, morally, on the wrong side. I'm not thinking about myself...you are. Sucks to be the selfish one eh.

In a country as wealthy as ours, which claims to put a premium on human rights...I believe people shouldn't have to avoid a doctor when they are sick..you think they should. There's something to be proud of.

[Macrobat]

The government ISN'T entitleed to send "you" to war whenever it needs. It sends the VOLUNTEER service members who get NEWSFLASH! FREE MEDICAL AND DENTAL to fight.

Yet another of your "arguments' blown out the window.

No one here lacks compassion. You simply wish to foist your own definition of compassion upon all of us, and we refuse to accept it.

[Moderator]

Originally Posted by Macrobat

The government ISN'T entitleed to send "you" to war whenever it needs. It sends the VOLUNTEER service members who get NEWSFLASH! FREE MEDICAL AND DENTAL to fight.

XXX! Wrong! The US reserves the right to draft any of us. They are entitled to send you to die...and have done so.

XXX! Wrong! You don't get health insurance for life if you fight, you get it while you're enlisted...you need to retire (20 years) in order to qualify for health insurance benefits for life. Once you leave, you're on your own..that Iraq vet working at your gas station....probably no health insurance.

Thanks for risking your life...now Fcuk Off!

[Spliffdaddy]

omg, CRASH, that was the most ruthlessly correct *SMACKDOWN* I've ever seen.

Being "poor" in this country is to live like a king in any other.

[porieux]

...

[placebo1969]

Originally Posted by porieux

I will be happy to see this country fall if it means assholes like Spliffdaddy and Crash suffer from it.

Why would you be happy if the US crashed??

[Rolling Bones]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

omg, CRASH, that was the most ruthlessly correct *SMACKDOWN* I've ever seen.

Being "poor" in this country is to live like a king in any other.

"And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this (she chuckles slightly) is working very well for them."

-Barbara Bush.

Obviously you don't know that many parts of the USA are third world.

[Moderator]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

omg, CRASH, that was the most ruthlessly correct *SMACKDOWN* I've ever seen.

Being "poor" in this country is to live like a king in any other.

You need to get out more.

[loki74]

Originally Posted by porieux

I will be happy to see this country fall if it means assholes like Spliffdaddy and Crash suffer from it.

That is pretty pathetic...

[Rolling Bones]

Originally Posted by loki74

That is pretty pathetic...

Originally Posted by porieux
I will be happy to see this country fall if it means assholes like Spliffdaddy and Crash suffer from it.

Well, when it quacks like a duck....

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Originally Posted by porieux

I will be happy

Now we know you're lying!

[Zubir]

Originally Posted by Rolling Bones

"And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this (she chuckles slightly) is working very well for them."

-Barbara Bush.

Obviously you don't know that many parts of the USA are third world.

Four words come to mind regarding Mrs. Bush's statement:

"Let them eat cake."

And we all know what happened to the woman who was stupid enough to say that, don't we?