Skyrocketing Prices

Originally Posted by Slaymate

Not to take down America, it's just a ploy to elect Obama.

I have a friend serving in Afganistan and his wife forwarded this email to me. I removed his name and rank.

Indeed not realy something good that Obama did there. He could at least have had some talks with the American troops (not only that Major General) and some locals (if possible).

If Obama was too afraid to get out of the armored vehicle lomger then 5 minutes or so, then why did he actually go to Afghanistan? And saying "good work, lads" shouldn't be too hard for a future leader, especially not in the middle of a base.

Originally Posted by Gazz

Dont try to win the battle by being so degrading of our younger age. Both Richard and me are well educated persons who both went to university and have a fair understanding how the world (and a bit of respect towards others) work. You might learn something from that.

Dont we all love how Slaymate is one of many scared Americans who believe anything the republicans tell them. Oh no, its a scheme of the democrats and Europeans to take down America. Lolz.

What I love how two Dutch 20 somethings who have never even set foot in our country, are so quick to decide they know all about how the world works based on their education (and we all know how far theory takes you in the world), and OBVIOUSLY know far more about how our own politics function.

And then lecture a native on his arrogance for disagreeing!

You Europeans are always telling us how much better your social system is, because you have all these social welfare programs. The average American wants no part in that. We bust our ass and reap our own rewards. If we fail, we fall down, pick ourselves back up and try again. You all can keep your cradle to the grave, Big Brother government.

By the way, you guys keep railing on about the weak dollar. I've said it before, but you don't seem to be able to grasp the concept, so let me try again... a weak US dollar is GOOD for the US economy.

Why? Because that means US manufactured goods are cheaper overseas, which means more exports. It also boosts the US tourist industry because Americans stay home to travel, and foreigners come here.

You all keep bitching about the weak US dollar cause it is hitting you hard. We actually like it, thank you very much.

Originally Posted by Bucky

What I love how two Dutch 20 somethings who have never even set foot in our country, are so quick to decide they know all about how the world works based on their education (and we all know how far theory takes you in the world), and OBVIOUSLY know far more about how our own politics function.

And then lecture a native on his arrogance for disagreeing!

You Europeans are always telling us how much better your social system is, because you have all these social welfare programs. The average American wants no part in that. We bust our ass and reap our own rewards. If we fail, we fall down, pick ourselves back up and try again. You all can keep your cradle to the grave, Big Brother government.

By the way, you guys keep railing on about the weak dollar. I've said it before, but you don't seem to be able to grasp the concept, so let me try again... a weak US dollar is GOOD for the US economy.

Why? Because that means US manufactured goods are cheaper overseas, which means more exports. It also boosts the US tourist industry because Americans stay home to travel, and foreigners come here.

You all keep bitching about the weak US dollar cause it is hitting you hard. We actually like it, thank you very much.

Not everyone is able to "pick up again" after they "fail". And the average American wishes to ignore that, because he/she his/herself is alright, and is thinking that a better society demands them to pay higher taxes, which is not necesarily true. The Dutch tax system for example, makes a difference between the "rich&(in)famous", "Jan Modaal" (i.e. Joe Sixpack) and the less fortunate. So the rich pay the highest percentage, thus making it possible for the government to have those social programmes (and thus making life a bit better for both Joe Sixpack and the "less fortunate").
And increased welfare for the working class and unemployed, is good for the economy.

A weak dollar is good for the exports to Europe, but not good for the US economy in general. Or have you forgotten that lots of companies in the financial section have been deeply in trouble? It wouldn't surprise me at all, if much people lost their jobs because of that.

"Big Brother" is not a good nickname for our governments, since we live in a democracy as well. We are not being surpressed, nor are we characters from G. Orwell's "1984".
You are saying we don't know enough about the USA, but because you are saying that our government is "Big Brother", you made it obvious you don't know that much about us either.

And oh, I forgot to tell that an American member of this site (I will not mention his name) would be a much more happier man, if whatever social welfare program could help him through trouble until he can "pick himself up again".
And nearly 200 dollars for visiting a regular doctor (same native source) once is really expensive, maybe that G.P. is one of the few who is asking that much but still that is pain in the ass for many people needing that guy.

Bucky & Slaymate, I don't say your country is crap, but it could have been much, much better.

conditioning, Some ass on cnn says the gas prices are going down....he says, can you just imagine $3.00 gas. WTFF, before 9-11 gas was 99 cents a gallon!!

Originally Posted by Skunch

conditioning, Some ass on cnn says the gas prices are going down....he says, can you just imagine $3.00 gas. WTFF, before 9-11 gas was 99 cents a gallon!!

3 bucks per gallon still is next-to-nothing, Skunch. In Europe, it's 2 euro per liter. As long as you don't posess a SUV or so, the price is tiny. I actually cannot imagine that you're paying so little for a good that is getting scarcer and scarcer (decreasing oil reserves), and still complain about the price.

Originally Posted by Skunch

conditioning, Some ass on cnn says the gas prices are going down....he says, can you just imagine $3.00 gas. WTFF, before 9-11 gas was 99 cents a gallon!!

Ok, just looked it up... regular unleaded broke $1 in 98 and hasn't gone back below.

Originally Posted by Richard_Rahl

Not everyone is able to "pick up again" after they "fail". And the average American wishes to ignore that, because he/she his/herself is alright, and is thinking that a better society demands them to pay higher taxes, which is not necesarily true. The Dutch tax system for example, makes a difference between the "rich&(in)famous", "Jan Modaal" (i.e. Joe Sixpack) and the less fortunate. So the rich pay the highest percentage, thus making it possible for the government to have those social programmes (and thus making life a bit better for both Joe Sixpack and the "less fortunate").

Here again, you have no idea what you are talking about. We have graduated tax brackets also. What you are ignoring is that the "rich" represent less than 1% of the population, so their tax contribution, even at a higher percentage rate, is negligible in any economy.

And increased welfare for the working class and unemployed, is good for the economy.

What is good for a strong economy is leaving more disposable income in the hands of the people who earn it. Having the government take it and redistribute is called Socialism. That expirement worked out real well in the USSR.

A weak dollar is good for the exports to Europe, but not good for the US economy in general. Or have you forgotten that lots of companies in the financial section have been deeply in trouble? It wouldn't surprise me at all, if much people lost their jobs because of that.

You are just plain wrong in so many ways here. I assume the 'LOTS' of financial companies in trouble would be the 9 (yes 9) banks in jeopardy becaus of aggresive lending practices? How does the value of the dollar effect them one way or the other? If the falling value of the dollar negatively impacts our economy, there would be a straight relationship between the value of the dollar and the stock market, right? Prove your theory.. go research a NYSE price index and its relationship to the value of the dollar.

"Big Brother" is not a good nickname for our governments, since we live in a democracy as well. We are not being surpressed, nor are we characters from G. Orwell's "1984".
You are saying we don't know enough about the USA, but because you are saying that our government is "Big Brother", you made it obvious you don't know that much about us either.

The obvious difference here, is that I am not on here once a week telling you all the problems with your country.

And oh, I forgot to tell that an American member of this site (I will not mention his name) would be a much more happier man, if whatever social welfare program could help him through trouble until he can "pick himself up again".
And nearly 200 dollars for visiting a regular doctor (same native source) once is really expensive, maybe that G.P. is one of the few who is asking that much but still that is pain in the ass for many people needing that guy.

Bucky & Slaymate, I don't say your country is crap, but it could have been much, much better.

Don't try to patronize me by telling me how bad others have had it. You haven't the foggiest notion what I have been through. Let's just leave it that I am an expert on 'picking myself up'.

Health care is a big issue in this country. Socializing medicine is NOT the solution, however.

[Edit] I just thought of something: When we talk about the weak US dollar, we are only referencing the value of the dollar in comparison to another currency. ie, The dollar is worth less in comparison to the pound now than a year ago. This has no impact on my day to day life unless I am invested in foreign companies.

I think you might be thinking of inflation. ie a loaf of bread costs more today than last week. Inflation is low here, so it really isn't an issue.

Originally Posted by Bucky

Here again, you have no idea what you are talking about. We have graduated tax brackets also. What you are ignoring is that the "rich" represent less than 1% of the population, so their tax contribution, even at a higher percentage rate, is negligible in any economy.

What is good for a strong economy is leaving more disposable income in the hands of the people who earn it. Having the government take it and redistribute is called Socialism. That expirement worked out real well in the USSR.


You are just plain wrong in so many ways here. I assume the 'LOTS' of financial companies in trouble would be the 9 (yes 9) banks in jeopardy becaus of aggresive lending practices? How does the value of the dollar effect them one way or the other? If the falling value of the dollar negatively impacts our economy, there would be a straight relationship between the value of the dollar and the stock market, right? Prove your theory.. go research a NYSE price index and its relationship to the value of the dollar.


The obvious difference here, is that I am not on here once a week telling you all the problems with your country.



Don't try to patronize me by telling me how bad others have had it. You haven't the foggiest notion what I have been through. Let's just leave it that I am an expert on 'picking myself up'.

Health care is a big issue in this country. Socializing medicine is NOT the solution, however.

[Edit] I just thought of something: When we talk about the weak US dollar, we are only referencing the value of the dollar in comparison to another currency. ie, The dollar is worth less in comparison to the pound now than a year ago. This has no impact on my day to day life unless I am invested in foreign companies.

I think you might be thinking of inflation. ie a loaf of bread costs more today than last week. Inflation is low here, so it really isn't an issue.

I didn't say I am a socialist, nor do I say that socialism is a solution to improve health care. I only said that health care is an issue in the states. Or do you think it's alright to pay nearly 200 dollars for visiting a doctor but once?

And I said "lots", because 9 banks are still 9 banks to much. Like you said, the trouble was caused by "agressive lending practices". Something quite simple to avoid, in my opinion.

And socialism is a different thing compared to comunism. I know you didn't mean it litterally, but in this way it's like you're saying that people like Tony Blair (British politician of the labour party, even one of the UK's former Prime Ministers) are like Stalin.

I admit I have been wrong in certain ways, but that is not a reason to act like that. Skunch only asked for our opinions, either positive or negative. Well, my opinion is simply "less positive", or "negative" as you regard it. And I have the right to have it, since we both live in a democracy. I haven't been rude (not intentionally at least), you even said I was right when it comes to the health care issues. So why all those hostillities between us? Is it so hard to respect an opinion that is a bit different then yours?

Originally Posted by Richard_Rahl

I didn't say I am a socialist, nor do I say that socialism is a solution to improve health care. I only said that health care is an issue in the states. Or do you think it's alright to pay nearly 200 dollars for visiting a doctor but once?

And I said "lots", because 9 banks are still 9 banks to much. Like you said, the trouble was caused by "agressive lending practices". Something quite simple to avoid, in my opinion.

And socialism is a different thing compared to comunism. I know you didn't mean it litterally, but in this way it's like you're saying that people like Tony Blair (British politician of the labour party, even one of the UK's former Prime Ministers) are like Stalin.

I admit I have been wrong in certain ways, but that is not a reason to act like that. Skunch only asked for our opinions, either positive or negative. Well, my opinion is simply "less positive", or "negative" as you regard it. And I have the right to have it, since we both live in a democracy. I haven't been rude (not intentionally at least), you even said I was right when it comes to the health care issues. So why all those hostillities between us? Is it so hard to respect an opinion that is a bit different then yours?

Dont confuse disagreement with hostility.

Originally Posted by Bucky

Dont confuse disagreement with hostility.

Sure, I won't. But coming with comparisons with socialism / communism in that way made it a lot harder to do so, since I regard that as less "polite".