MG....the 'tough, fend for yourself, social pseudo-Darwinian' mindset does not cut it. Heartlessness, cynicism and lack of empathy/compassion and humanity are simply defense mechanisms.

There but for fortune go you and I... " went the words of an old Phil Ochs song.

I cannot bear seeing people living on the street, without healthcare, rummaging in dumpsters for their next meal, while thieving, sleek Politicians pontificate about social justice and the corporate executive elite fatten themselves.

I am not a Socialist, or any other -ist [except Internist]. I do not believe in ideologies. Nothing can replace humanism, caring nor compassion.

M. Ghandi felt that poverty was a form of violence. I agree.

Oh and we need to start taxing the churches since they can't seem to stay out of government.

He got my vote.

As do I. I believe that no American should ever be homeless or hungry. This is America, for Pete's sake! And the thing that a lot of people ignore or don't realize, is that MANY homeless get SSI for disabilities every month, BUT nobody can live and pay rent, utilties, etc. on $674.00 a month!

Earth provides enough to satisfy everyman's need, but not everyman's greed. - Ghandi

As do I. I believe that NOONE should ever be homeless or hungry. This is HUMANITY, for Pete's sake! And the thing that a lot of people ignore or don't realize, is that MANY homeless get SSI for disabilities every month, BUT nobody can live and pay rent, utilties, etc. on $674.00 a month!

Fixed that for you.

I agree with this. Some churches are so ornate, and then there's the Evangilists! Millionaires, and got that way from fraud and basically, begging! Send in $20.00 asking for a prayor or blessing. The staff tears the envelope open, puts the money in a pile and throws the rest away!! FRAUD!

Well, i'm not going to go back and forth, it's just too much typing for my liking, and takes time away from skinning\working...but...

You have to be kidding.

I have to wonder, if you don't watch Fox Craig... or NBC (Msnbc)... and you won't read blogs, where do you get your information?

I'll admit Fox is definately right of center but corrupted? That's a bit extreme, I watch it a lot and it seems to me they go out of their way to deliver both sides of the arguement.

Stack that up against all the Networks, most of the blogs, Daily Kos, Huffington, George Soros etc , on and on.. I'm glad there is at least one network that stands up and tells the other side. You should be glad too. Thing is , you will never see the vile and atrocious 'reporting' on Fox that you see on many of the left wing outlets.

OK! MG and NT! Got me some real buds here!   Just don't drop the soap, NT 

Truly...I take great heart from you both. Thank you. 

Sorry John. If you aren't going to discuss your point of view, then I won't either. I don't play that game.

Still lUv ya though.

Its one thing to survive during normal market conditions, to be hogtied, blindfolded, undercut and intervened upon is another matter.

Capitalism works because people who succeed are rewarded, and people who fail miserably face the consequences of their actions.

If Obama and the left have their way... reward for success will be swapped for punishment for success.

It's what they want, successful people's money. If folks don't see it... then get ready for a society void of capitalists.

= Assualt on capitalism.... The Obama years.

Then the poor should get off their ASS, stop whining and making excuses about being poor, stop feeling sorry for themselves and get rich, as far as I know there WAS this thing called the American dream... It's open to everyone and the only qualifications are that you work hard, are ambitious, use your head, and dont ever ever give up.

Short of a legitimate medical excuse there is no reason why any one person can't make it in this country. I can cite 100 examples of people that hve come from NOTHING and MADE IT.

So what if rich people get rich on the backs of poor folks, no one said life was fair, that is never going to change so why stress on it... do something about getting out of poverty instead of worrying about what the "have's" are doing.

signed,

Poor (ambitious, hardworking, no excuses) guy.

It also helps to live a good, charitable, samaritan life*

But if the average citizen can't pay off their loans because of bad judgment does the Government bail them out? Not just no, but HELL NO! Instead they stick you on a credit bureau for seven years to be hassled everyday.

Or, so I've heard!

OK, let me elaborate. When my sister-in-law got divorced she couldn't keep up with all the credit card payments. They drove her nuts day after day, and one company actually came out and took the kids bicycles!

And that's how I know. Nasty business. And no bailout for her, either. 

  Notice the phrase is called the American "dream" - not the American reality -- and that dream was founded on a lot of heavy exploiting and dirty dealings right from the very beginning against the American Indians; and it wasn't just a rare incidences here and there at the beginning either -- a lot of the plantations in the old south were built by and were homes to Creeks, Cherokees, Chickasaw and Chocktaws; but since the "American dream" got into the heads of the white immigrants they decided to run the rightful owners of those plantations off with the heavy arm of the government, hence there was this little thing called "The Trail of Tears."

You forgot - "it also helps if you marry well or know the right people."

Capitalism isn't going anywhere. Don't listen to the socialist/marxist scare tactics. Nothing has changed except the back and forth whargarble.

I guess I see it this way. Greed got us into this, not capitalism. There is such a thing as too much. Trillions of dollars are hidden in foriegn bank accounts and the rich avoid paying taxes on that money. They spend money on Lobbyists so they can make more and spend money on accountants so they can hide more. If I am going to have to pay my share to get us out of the hole then the people that got rich getting us in this hole should pay dearly.  

The stock market will balance itself out. Investors probably aren't going to invest in nationalized companies. At least not for sometime. Eventually they may fall.  Everything that is going on now is a band aid. When the band aid comes off we are in for a world of hurt no matter if your right or left. 

Obama's tax plan only reverses the taking from the poor and giving to the rich that Bush put into action. We can have a healthy and prosperous capitalist society under Obama's plan. If I prosper and have to pay more so be it. it's the way things should be.

Bush broke us with his silly wars.