Best tweets to a Hollywood socialist . . .

Philosopher Larry Powers published an interesting paper in 1995 arguing that there's only one logical fallacy which arises when terms are used to mean more than one thing.

IMHO, people almost always are arguing apples and oranges. The article is attached.

The One Fallacy Theory
Lawrence H. Powers
Informal Logic 17 (2) (1995)

"My One Fallacy theory says there is only one fallacy: equivocation, or playing on an ambiguity. In this paper I explain how this theory arose from metaphilosophical concerns. And I contrast this theory with purely logical, dialectical, and psychological notions of fallacy."

"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields

The One Fallacy Theory

It makes me laugh when..., posted on February 12, 2021 at 14:47:47
Rod H. Audiophile Posts: 1918 Location: Oregon Joined: May 18, 2005	people will perpetually argue about which is the best system when all are imperfect, and the most successful systems combine the best attributes of capitalism, socialism, and Libertarianism into a working balance.

The blind men and the elephant : an essay on isms, posted on February 13, 2021 at 11:47:00

Jay Buridan
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Posts: 10311
Location: Michigan
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Attached is an interesting paper by Evsey D. Domar whose expertise was in comparative economics. Agreed, ideologies and isms should be mixed with Nihilism kept out of the mix.

"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields

Comparative Ideologies

The accomplishments of 45, posted on February 12, 2021 at 17:05:59

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

Agree and America is obviously better than MOST countries. The issue is countries have various holes or blind spots. People are far too "team" oriented. If it's my team they can do no wrong.

This works in sports, religion, and politics. If a player on my hockey team dirty hits someone - excuses are made. If the other team's player makes a dirty hit that is far less of a dirty hit - outrage - he should get suspended.

So Beau (a police officer trainer and vet) talks about 45's accomplishments. Noting what his supporters see in him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M6CXhUS-x8&fbclid=IwAR1mo2G

And the choice of teams..., posted on February 13, 2021 at 06:13:34
MaxwellP Audiophile Posts: 1623 Location: New York Joined: September 19, 2007	Often has no rational basis...as flippant as a 12 years old deciding what his favorite car brand or football team is.

RE: It makes me laugh when..., posted on February 12, 2021 at 15:37:21

rivervalley817

the emotional investment on display isn't very humorous at all

why some people treat the production, allocation and reinvestment of human capital as a team sport is both confounding and distressing; the only race you'll win with that attitude is a race to the bottom

maybe it's just me ... I always thought 'the perfectibility of man' was a noble goal requiring 'community' not diffraction through distraction

with regards,

RE: It makes me laugh when..., posted on February 12, 2021 at 15:53:12
Rod H. Audiophile Posts: 1918 Location: Oregon Joined: May 18, 2005	Not literal laughter. The consequences are not funny.

RE: It makes me laugh when..., posted on February 12, 2021 at 17:38:42
rivervalley817	of course ... humor & irony are very often two sides of the same coin IME you'll run out of humor and coin before you run out of irony though with regards,

You really HAD to srir that nest :), posted on February 10, 2021 at 11:16:50
Victor Khomenko Manufacturer Posts: 55320 Joined: April 5, 2000	It is great fun watching them scramble for some lame bits of "sense".

RE: You really HAD to srir that nest :), posted on February 11, 2021 at 08:02:55
tinear Audiophile Posts: 65782 Location: Kansas City, KS Joined: April 9, 2006	Socialism does not equal communism, nor is it "the first step." I suppose Finland or Sweden could suddenly have a revolution and become communist states, but it's more likely your adopted country would do so and become a fascist one. Came pretty close a few weeks ago...

RE: You really HAD to srir that nest :), posted on February 12, 2021 at 06:56:59

RGA
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Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

These countries have all been around quite some time. Always curious to see how they are "fascist" or "becoming fascist" - The people live longer and are happier and safer in all of them vs the US. Curious indeed.

Canada
New Zealand
Australia
Great Britain
Norway
Japan
Sweden
Denmark
Switzerland
France
The Netherlands
Finland

I mean even Trump - he's a billionaire and he always looks miserable - sourpuss's face. The Happy Trumpers killing people at Capital Hill - so so happy apparently.

It's a good idea to take trips and actually SEE some of these places - then you know why a Tokyo shits on any US city!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoCZgykBynw&t=31s

Add to your list Nazi Germany, USSR, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania... etc, etc, , posted on February 12, 2021 at 07:03:44
Victor Khomenko Manufacturer Posts: 55320 Joined: April 5, 2000	There are many more examples, but the title line is too short.

RE: Add to your list Nazi Germany, USSR, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania... etc, etc, , posted on February 12, 2021 at 07:09:06

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

So what's your point? Current Germany is not Hitler Germany.

The Nordic nations have been around longer than the USA and were not fascist.

Trumpland is far closer to Hitler and Fascism than the likes of Bernie Sanders, AOC, or Justin Trudeau.

You just had a president who refused a peaceful transfer of power and is guilty of sedition and wanted to commit a coup. The USA is FAR closer ot fascism than Canada or the countries I listed.

I think you are mixing up corrupt countries that call themselves socialist versus the MAJORITY of countries that are democratic socialist.

How funny it is, that the only people who extall the "virtues" of socialist syphilis don't live under it, posted on February 12, 2021 at 07:24:22
Victor Khomenko Manufacturer Posts: 55320 Joined: April 5, 2000	It would be informative to remind the proponents of that syphilis, that for some strange reason the number of people moving from those paradises to the rotten US is about 100:1 the number of idiots moving in the opposite direction. Such is the irony. It is perfectly acceptable to call yourself a "socialist" while enjoying what the more free forms of society can give you. It is called hypocrisy.

This is merely a dislpay of your disconnect with reality, posted on February 14, 2021 at 12:51:40

Analog Scott
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Just about every other first world nation on the planet has socialized medicine. And when asked virtually no one from any of these countries would exchange it for our system of health care. The people actually living in these "socialist" countries are actually quite vocal about the virtues of their socialist programs. You are merely pretending this is not true. And it is funny that you would single out Cuba as an example. A country that has been forced into poverty by the rest of the world lead by us to preasure them into revolt. And yet even poor poor poor Cuba has higher rated healthcare system than us.

RE: How funny it is, that the only people who extall the "virtues" of socialist syphilis don't live under it, posted on February 12, 2021 at 08:32:31

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

100:1 evidence please. Which countries to which countries. America doesn't keep track of those statistics with any degree of accuracy. I have met many Americans abroad - I have yet to meet a single one of them who wants to move back to the US.

The problem with the dopey argument is that many Americans buy into the bill of goods ra ra sis boom ba you're either with us or against us brainwashing from cradle to grave. They don't GO ANYWHERE and see anything so they sit and watch Fox News tell them that everywhere else is bad.

https://www.aetnainternational.com/en/about-us/explore/living-abroad/culture-lifestyle/where-are-Americans-emigrating-to-and-why.html

America has a nasty little policy of double taxation on world income which many other countries do not have. When I teach in Hong Kong I pay only HK income tax - not Canadian income tax. An American pays both which limits his earning power and thus lessens the desire to work abroad.

The dire situations in Mexico - well sure the USA looks pretty good in comparison. They'll come in droves. It's not like they can afford a plane ticket to fly to Denmark - but they can walk to the border for free.

Different countries have means tests to be able to immigrate. For example - my Qualifications allow me to teach in most US States - an American teacher's qualifications are "lesser" and they can't get a job teaching in Canada without taking several more courses at a Canadian University.

So there is a better chance that a Canadian Teacher would emigrate to the States than the other way around. But the only reason they would move to the States - is for employment. I know several - they all wanted to and or have moved back to Canada.

Lots of Americans move abroad and lots of people move to the States.

The argument of immigration is a red-herring. Jobs, geographic location, weather, marriage, religion impact immigration. Since many Americans live paycheque to paycheque and have no education they may want to move but can't. They do not have the means.

But you didn't address the fact that there isn't the slightest sign or hint of fascism in any of the countries I listed which would ALL be vastly better for a middle-income earner. The country that has been closest to fascism has been the USA for the last 4 years. The Capital was a pretty big alarm bell.

You watch a lot of holocaust films - I guess you only watch movies "skin deep" like the cinematography - you sure as shit didn't learn anything watching Trumpism grow its fascist head.

RE: How funny it is, that the only people who extall the "virtues" of socialist syphilis don't live under it, posted on February 13, 2021 at 18:36:22
pictureguy Audiophile Posts: 22597 Location: SoCal Joined: October 19, 2008	I see lots of 'sort-of' discussion where facism and nazism are term thrown about as if synonomous. Isn't it true that one is primarily an economic system.....National Socialism. this brought us the VW. While the other part is the political arm? Where COULD you move if you wanted out of the States? Costa Rica? Shetland Islands? I'm kind of at a loss here. Too much is never enough

Move to Canada, posted on February 13, 2021 at 19:40:21

RGA
Reviewer

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You are still close to the US border so you can visit family and friends and in general, it's similar in terms of pop culture and most values. Liberal values.

Pick a city.

Some reasons to move to Canada

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNgHZ7IIGv4

Canada implemented a points-based system in 1967, posted on February 14, 2021 at 15:47:29

Jay Buridan
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Posts: 10311
Location: Michigan
Joined: January 21, 2004

I looked at it thirty-five years ago but didn't qualify

Windsor was a lovely city back then and I worked in Detroit. It's still a nice city but it lost a fair amount of its charm after the casino was opened and many riverside restaurants closed.

I'd move to Vancouver, Victoria, or Montreal in a heart beat.

"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields

Point Systems

RE: Move to Canada, posted on February 13, 2021 at 20:18:12

pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008

Weather is 'on the list' of considerations.
Other things on the list include...and in NO particular order,
Medical? Cost of Living? Ability to buy / own home? Or Build, maybe?

I don't think I'd be happy in a place with a REAL winter. Wife definately wouldn't go for it, being a warm weather person. And Virtually all her family is around here, so 2000 miles and change is certainly not trivial.
But I DO get the idea. Even Vancouver might be nice....though SNOW! Back east to Montreal or ??
Summerland and Penticon get HIGH MARKS for 'Banana Belt' weather. Worth a 2nd look.....

Can you get a CCW in Canada?
Too much is never enough

You will NOT be arrested for having a ccw in your wallet, posted on February 14, 2021 at 05:28:08
Victor Khomenko Manufacturer Posts: 55320 Joined: April 5, 2000	Don't believe all those nasty rumors!

RE: You will NOT be arrested for having a ccw in your wallet, posted on February 14, 2021 at 11:27:07
pictureguy Audiophile Posts: 22597 Location: SoCal Joined: October 19, 2008	Not worried particularly about a piece of paper. It's what goes WITH it that may be the problem? Too much is never enough

There is no ccw in Canada, posted on February 14, 2021 at 12:03:56
Victor Khomenko Manufacturer Posts: 55320 Joined: April 5, 2000	Was meant to be a joke... I must be losing my tough. :( Canada is California on steroids.

RE: There is no ccw in Canada, posted on February 14, 2021 at 12:41:28

pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008

You never had much 'tough' but your touch IS failing........

Canada has SOME attractive features. I'd LOVE to take the Trans Canada train ride, for example.

Montreal has been used as a 'stand-in' for I think Helsinki in a few movies. The list of Hollywood productions both set in and just using Montreal is quite extensive.

And as kind of an aside? Viking Runes and other 'signs' have been found in the Eastern 1/3rd of the USA for a long time. I wonder if anything similar has been found in Canada? A little cold didnt' seem to bother the Vikings.
Too much is never enough

RE: Move to Canada, posted on February 14, 2021 at 00:11:21

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
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Well the weather isn't great outside of Victoria or Vancouver and there may be difficult requirements to get in.

There are plenty of websites that talk about the best placed in the world to retire - I have considered places like Equador and Portugal. Nicer weather for sure. And it helps to move to places with a lot of English.

example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmbbmC3eo-4

RE: Move to Canada, posted on February 14, 2021 at 11:25:29

pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008

While on Holiday a few years ago, I made a brief visit to Costa Rica. ONLY downside was the number of nasty reptiles / bugs.
Plenty of Volcanoes, too.
Country is clean and nice people. Plenty of Ex-Pats and several places to move with that in mind.
You can even get a decent PIZZA. Good medical and no danger of a military takeover. Nicaragua to the North is a problem.
But generally a few choices of Climate Type. Do Not go in the Ocean in several places. We saw Crocs / Gators in a few rivers, at least one of which was maybe 12 feet..... The boss. So I guess water skiing is OUT.
Too much is never enough

The US is no longer in the top 25 for individual freedom, posted on February 15, 2021 at 17:10:33

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
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So much for the "Land of the Free"

Here are the LEAST free nations on earth - as in political, economic, and personal freedoms. It also shows the steep decline in US freedom since 2016 https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2018/democracy-crisis

The top 27 freest nations. Note too that right-wing Republican owned think tanks like the Cato Institute are also involved in this evaluation so it is not lefty propaganda.

You have more freedom in Tuvalu than the USA - LOL - I mean Tuvalu - what? where? FFS!!

The USA ranked 58th! FFS! Let's see where the US ranks in 2024

https://www.businessinsider.com/countries-most-freedom-in-th

RE: The US is no longer in the top 25 for individual freedom, posted on February 16, 2021 at 11:31:34

pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008

I see what you mean and don't doubt what your sources say. But I might add one thing.

A society is free in proportion to the ability of its members to exercise self-control. A people with little self control will need more 'policiing'. In a perfect society, you wouldn't need police since everyone would want to behave themselves. And would do so. Mechanisms other than vioience would be needed to mediate the inevitable disputes.

The politics of me-firstism from the right AND left just makes it worse.

Don't forget to ADD that the US Incarceration Rate is among the highest on the planet.

If you look at the LINK, It would be interesting to chart the politics of those states having a HIGHER than USA Average incarcertaion rate V the remainder. US rates very highly by this measure, which is to say, poorly for personal freedom....which people seem unable to cope with.

I wonder where China lies on this measure?
Too much is never enough

https://www.prisonpolicy.org/global/2018.html?gclid=EAIaIQob

Consider Georgia, posted on February 14, 2021 at 12:06:25
Victor Khomenko Manufacturer Posts: 55320 Joined: April 5, 2000	Very nice climate, good people, great food, cheap local wine, VERY friendly towards the Americans.

RE: Consider Georgia, posted on March 5, 2021 at 04:21:45
Bill the K Audiophile Posts: 8395 Joined: June 3, 2006	Perhaps should avoid Gori, Georgia. Bill

RE: Consider Georgia, posted on February 14, 2021 at 12:33:57

pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008

Georgia USA or Independent Georgia, formerly of the USSR?
If the European version, would I get issued an AK at checkin? Is there a good Stereo store in Tbilisi? Or perhaps a good camera store? Must have a Trader Joe's Market, too....

Georgia USA is in the Hurricane Path. And within 100 miles of the coast is WAY to humid for human life. And based on 'Housewives', I don't want anything to DO with ATlanta. Further inland?
Too much is never enough

RE: Consider Georgia, posted on February 14, 2021 at 12:27:16
rivervalley817	'friendly towards the Americans' well, they 'went blue' which should help [sic] regards,

RE: Consider Georgia, posted on February 14, 2021 at 12:45:01

pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008

I'd leave politics OUT of my travels. I've found that people treat you as you treat them. If you are an imperialist, you'll get the cold shoulder. If meeting someone half-way? You'll get along better.

I've had people 'suddently' decide they DID speak English after deciding me and wife weren't jerks.

Europen trains are an especially neat place to meet people. We even met tourists from Asia while on a boat ride in Lake Lucerne.....

You should probably leave your MAGA hat and Biden t-shirt at home.
Too much is never enough

Croatia, posted on February 14, 2021 at 15:55:15

Rod H.
Audiophile

Posts: 1918
Location: Oregon
Joined: May 18, 2005

Our neighbors moved to Croatia about ten years ago. When they first mentioned thinking about it about 12 years ago I said "what!?"

But they did, and they love it there. Bought a place on an island off the coast and with the help of local workers renovated it.

Some young people there speak English, but not many older folks. There was an old guy at a local store who never said a word to them for months, then one day began speaking amazingly good English with them. Come to find out he has spent time in the US long ago, but I guess he wanted to size our friends up a bit before commiting to converse!

RE: Croatia, posted on February 14, 2021 at 18:51:55
Victor Khomenko Manufacturer Posts: 55320 Joined: April 5, 2000	Many people don't realize that their Medicare does not work in other countries. Me... I am staying here, I am not going anywhere. There is no better place on Earth.

99 reasons you're wrong, posted on February 22, 2021 at 02:49:43

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

The 99 reasons the USA is inferior to Canada.

"(11) We're less prudish: An Angus Reid poll found 83 per cent of Canadians believe sex between an unmarried man and woman is acceptable, versus just 59 per cent of Americans.

12. We're better educated: 48.3 per cent of Canadians have a post-secondary degree, compared to 40.3 per cent in the U.S.

13. We're fitter: The percentage of American adults who are obese is 35.9. In Canada, it's 24.2.

14. We have more sex: According to a survey by condom-maker Durex, 59 per cent of Canadians say they have sex weekly, versus 53 per cent of Americans.

The money stuff which is probably what you and TWB care most about (or only about)

16. We're richer: Canada's average household net worth of $363,000 is higher than America's, at $320,000.

21. We live in bigger houses: We have 2.6 rooms per person in Canada, versus 2.3 in the U.S.

22. Canada has greater economic freedom: So says the U.S.-based Heritage Foundation Index of Economic Freedom. Canada scores 6th place, while America comes in 10th. Credit our sounder public finances.

25. Our banks are better: Earlier this year Bloomberg ranked the world's strongest banks. Four of the top 10 were Canadian, and all scored higher than the top U.S. bank, Citigroup, which came in 9th.

There's more: (28) Our corporate taxes are lower (PricewaterhouseCoopers ranks Canada 8th out of 185 countries for its advantageous corporate tax structure while the U.S. is 69th). (29) We embrace transit: Seven of the 10 North American cities with the most people taking transit to work are in Canada. (30) We get more paid holidays: America has no mandated paid holidays or vacation time, so 23 per cent of U.S. workers get no paid time off, compared to Canadian workers who get at least two weeks and nine paid public holidays.

Also better for audiophiles -

34. Our opera house is tops: There's no city in North America with an opera house to compare to the Four Seasons Centre in Toronto. Jack Diamond, who built it, was promptly handpicked by Valery Gergiev to build the new Mariinsky II theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Also less censoring (You know that FREEDOM of speech you Trumpers supposedly value (but only if you agree with it).

36. Our broadcast TV doesn't have to treat adults like children: Maybe it's because Americans are such sensitive folk, or it's our ill-defined role as cultural bridge between the U.S. and Europe, but Canadian TV regularly gets away with showing things broadcast networks south of the border can't: nipples, F-bombs and the like. When The Sopranos aired unedited on CTV, executive producer David Chase said that could never happen on U.S. network TV: "It's just not possible, we have rules against that."

Sports

46. Better football: Since the late 1970s, the National Football League has been tweaking its rules to encourage more passing—that is, to make the U.S. game more exciting. Up here, we got it right the first time: a three-down game on a great, big field. So on second and 10, you can bet that ball will be in the air.

49. We have better skiing: Canada's most popular ski resort, Whistler, trumps America's most-visited resort, Vail, with more trails (200 vs. 193), longer runs (a total of 36,960 feet vs. 15,840 feet) and more snow (469 inches vs. 348 inches)

And the stupid detector:

(79) We're more rational: Most Canadians (61 per cent) accept evolution, compared to just 30 per cent of Americans. Incidentally, the same percentage believe Bigfoot is "definitely" or "probably" real.

The rest.

https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/99-reasons-why-its-bette

I understand that Uruguay is more advanced as well, posted on March 5, 2021 at 09:11:54
Jay Buridan Audiophile Posts: 10311 Location: Michigan Joined: January 21, 2004	It's not hard to be more advanced than the USA. "Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. " ― W.C. Fields

RE: Croatia, posted on February 21, 2021 at 17:01:13

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

There is no better place on Earth.

You don't get out much do you? It's not even the best place in North America.

RE: Croatia, posted on February 14, 2021 at 16:49:10
pictureguy Audiophile Posts: 22597 Location: SoCal Joined: October 19, 2008	Near enough to Italy to be interesting. I expect regular ferry service to / from half a dozen places on either side. But overall? Too many words without Vowels. I'll bet the climate is terrific. And being around where so much Euro and 'Western' history happened must be a study into itself. I'll bet the photographic possibilitties are limitless. Too much is never enough

RE: Move to Canada, posted on February 13, 2021 at 20:11:40
rivervalley817	I've got people in Van City ... there's a great place! gotta get back there some day too bad you just can't 'move to CN' though best regards,

RE: Move to Canada, posted on February 13, 2021 at 20:30:01
pictureguy Audiophile Posts: 22597 Location: SoCal Joined: October 19, 2008	Before I do a search out of simple curiosity? What are requirements for permanent resident status? Financial? Educational? Gotta know somebody? Good on skis or snowshoes? Too much is never enough

RE: Move to Canada, posted on February 13, 2021 at 20:35:41

rivervalley817

check the link ...

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/se

RE: Move to Canada, posted on February 13, 2021 at 20:44:20
pictureguy Audiophile Posts: 22597 Location: SoCal Joined: October 19, 2008	Got it. I'll read in detail tomorrow and expand the search. Need buy-in from wife, which is about a 20:1 shot against. But I'll try it out....... I need to look at a good map, too......(my bookshelves have 3 or 4 Atlase including the Britannica) Too much is never enough

RE: Move to Canada, posted on February 13, 2021 at 20:53:44
rivervalley817	Vancouver is just a jog up the coast VanCity rocks ... I really gotta go back sometime a little too old to really rock but ... maybe roll? regards,

RE: Move to Canada, posted on February 13, 2021 at 21:57:39

pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008

From where I sit, it's 30" to the train station. North on Amtrack to Union Station. Depending on when I arrive and Coast Starlight departs, I may have time to dodge over to ChinaTown and have lunch at 'Philippe The Original' which is the inventor of the French Dip. In business since 1908.

Wife and I took our Prissy Neice there several years back and she WOULDN'T eat. Sawdust on the floor took her off her feed. Good Grief! (LOL alert)

Train to Seattle and public transport UP to Vancouver. It's about a 30 hour trip.....one NITE on the train so you may want a 'roomette'......
Too much is never enough

RE: How funny it is, that the only people who extall the "virtues" of socialist syphilis don't live under it, posted on February 13, 2021 at 18:54:17
rivervalley817	Gilligan's Isle all the conveniences and off the grid! regards,

RE: How funny it is, that the only people who extall the "virtues" of socialist syphilis don't live under it, posted on February 13, 2021 at 19:14:16

pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008

Another 'do as I say, not as I do'......situation.

Like everybody has to retire by 65 or 66 or whenever. UNLESS you are an elected person to either the Congress (House and Senate) or as Chief Executive.....POTUS.

Congress has of course passed lots of laws to which they are immune.....

Too much is never enough

https://www.legistorm.com/congress_by_numbers.html

RE: How funny it is, that the only people who extall the "virtues" of socialist syphilis don't live under it, posted on February 13, 2021 at 19:46:57
rivervalley817	I tell myself that maybe I'll get an 'lol' out of you one of these days if you weren't so ornery ... who knows? ; ) best regards,

RE: How funny it is, that the only people who extall the "virtues" of socialist syphilis don't live under it, posted on February 13, 2021 at 20:28:14

pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008

To be perfectly honest? As I get older I get LESS tolerant. Of politicians and other elected hacks.
And as my boss once told me? 'I'll start acting nicer, if you start acting smarter'....or some such!
Being on the edge of Obsessive / Compulsive isn't easy. I have difficulty relaxing and turning the brain cell OFF for sleep. I'm up about 18 hours / day.

For example? Here in San Diego? SDGE (Sempra Energy) had its 50 year contract run out last month.
I wrote to several politicians asking WHEN information was sent out to eligible companies to BID on the gas and electric utility. No meaningful answer.....and never will be. We can't let anything interfere with the Executive Bonus Program.

BTW? We pay the highest electric rates in California, which means upper 10% in the nation.....

I'll give fair warning for a LOL moment. This wasn't one....
Too much is never enough

RE: How funny it is, that the only people who extall the "virtues" of socialist syphilis don't live under it, posted on February 13, 2021 at 20:48:38
rivervalley817	you'll give fair warning that you'll laugh? good gawd man what happened to you? never mind, don't say anything, it's not a good idea with regards,

RE: How funny it is, that the only people who extall the "virtues" of socialist syphilis don't live under it, posted on February 13, 2021 at 21:41:43
pictureguy Audiophile Posts: 22597 Location: SoCal Joined: October 19, 2008	Fair Warning to YOU of a LOL moment. God, you can be thick...... Too much is never enough

RE: How funny it is, that the only people who extall the "virtues" of socialist syphilis don't live under it, posted on February 13, 2021 at 21:55:47
rivervalley817	if I have to explain that when someone is being intentionally obtuse ... ah, never mind regards,

Classic oversimplification. The US is a democratic republic , posted on February 12, 2021 at 07:51:48

tinear
Audiophile

Posts: 65782
Location: Kansas City, KS
Joined: April 9, 2006

with a capitalist/socialist hybrid system. The first-tier nations earlier mentioned decided democratically, in free elections, that they would invest more in equality for all their citizens.
Those repressive countries you mentioned aren't known for free elections, are they? They have no histories of democratic rule.

Consider Germany and its economy, Victor. Do you not see that country's economic success, after being torn apart (understandably) by your former country, has been predicated on providing top-notch free education and services to all? Second, you do realize the US lags FAR behind these other top countries in upward mobility? Genius isn't restricted by zip code. It is a very rare thing that is as likely to spring up among the poorest as it is amongst the rich. Need I remind you, there are a lot more poor...
And can you please, please leave out the personal insults? We all enjoy good discussions, but personalized demonizing subverts them.

A system that bails out GM, Chrysler, Wall Street brokerages, etc., posted on February 13, 2021 at 16:59:05
Jay Buridan Audiophile Posts: 10311 Location: Michigan Joined: January 21, 2004	Is most definitely hybrid. In pure capitalism firms would be allowed to fail. "Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. " ― W.C. Fields

+1. nt, posted on February 14, 2021 at 06:47:56
tinear Audiophile Posts: 65782 Location: Kansas City, KS Joined: April 9, 2006	d

RE: A system that bails out GM, Chrysler, Wall Street brokerages, etc., posted on February 13, 2021 at 17:58:14
rivervalley817	ah yes ... economic top tier = privatize my gains / socialism for my losses 'middle tier' = privatize my gains / eat 'our' losses 'lowest tier' = eat my gains / eat my losses we all get a 'phone' so it's fair <> ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ <>

Top Tier AKA don't tax me but socialize my losses, posted on February 14, 2021 at 15:59:38
Jay Buridan Audiophile Posts: 10311 Location: Michigan Joined: January 21, 2004	"Only the little people pay taxes." "Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. " ― W.C. Fields

RE: Top Tier AKA don't tax me but socialize my losses, posted on February 14, 2021 at 19:41:19
rivervalley817	'"Only the little people pay taxes."

Do you lack reading skills?...., posted on February 12, 2021 at 08:11:53
TWB Audiophile Posts: 7408 Location: Long Beach, California Joined: January 5, 2001	Who exactly did Vic insult? As I pointed out to you before, why don't you take your perennial soapbox and move on to a forum more suited to your obsession....

Socialism is like syphilis, posted on February 12, 2021 at 06:02:59
Victor Khomenko Manufacturer Posts: 55320 Joined: April 5, 2000	Just like any other fascism, it goes through stages. You can have trains run on time. Next you are gonna hear about "free" education and medicine.

You don't believe in public education or Medicare? nt, posted on February 12, 2021 at 07:44:08
tinear Audiophile Posts: 65782 Location: Kansas City, KS Joined: April 9, 2006	d

Both are badly broken. I hope you manage better examples. nt, posted on February 12, 2021 at 09:53:55
Victor Khomenko Manufacturer Posts: 55320 Joined: April 5, 2000	.

Medicare is exceptionally popular, far more than private care. If one, posted on February 13, 2021 at 06:40:20

tinear
Audiophile

Posts: 65782
Location: Kansas City, KS
Joined: April 9, 2006

truly wants better public education, it will cost more.

Ask yourself: am I anti-tax? If your answer is positive, there's no solution.

The US has the highest percentage of poor of any developed nation. Educating that group will be expensive for a time until that elevates a higher percentage than now.

Let me guess: you're for privatizing Social Security, too? Being logical, you're also for allowing big banks to fail, farmers to go bankrupt, and for corporate loopholes being eliminated? I know you and your family happily will volunteer to don Hazmat suits and clean up Superfund sites, also. Those are corporate cesspools that we, taxpayers, now pay to clean up. Those corporate guys also so bleed many corporations that the pension funds are bare and the government has to fund them.

And yes, I lived in a dictatorship for several years, a horrible and repressive and violent one. It was a right-wing military variety.

My problem, posted on February 14, 2021 at 17:34:59

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

with for-profit care is that it chooses dollars over lives every single time.

Examples like the above is why it needs to change. How it changes is what needs to be debated - but those on the right never actually do anything - they are anti-policy and anti-fix. Just tax cuts and more tax cuts.

speaking of examples, perhaps you couls cite some examples of..., posted on February 12, 2021 at 10:28:31
Analog Scott Audiophile Posts: 9933 Joined: January 8, 2002	Countries that have no public health care and no public education and it's working just fine for the common people. Given your disdain for public health care and public education surely you must know of some such success stories out there.

Your confusion is telling, posted on February 12, 2021 at 11:35:06
Victor Khomenko Manufacturer Posts: 55320 Joined: April 5, 2000	According to you Medicare is a public health system. I guess you just don't know the difference.

Nice dodge. No confusion on my part. You failed to cite any examples, posted on February 12, 2021 at 21:18:38
Analog Scott Audiophile Posts: 9933 Joined: January 8, 2002	for obvious reasons. There aren't any examples.

RE: Your confusion is telling, posted on February 12, 2021 at 11:46:45
rivervalley817	but that's what it is Victor, paid for under the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration ... what do you think it is? it is considered public because all US citizens will qualify upon reaching a certain age with regards,

Medicare is..., posted on February 12, 2021 at 12:00:55

Victor Khomenko
Manufacturer

Posts: 55320
Joined: April 5, 2000

...a public fund, that pays for PORTION of private medical care. It has no doctors, no clinics.

For true "public health systems" you need to go to the USSR or Cuba. Where all doctors are state employees, all clinics with their equipment are state property.

We still, fortunately, have private medical care system.

It is a VERY reasonable assumption, what removing that private element from the health care would cause it to collapse to the above mentioned examples.

Constantly, I read some British articles: "WOW! A new, breakthrough cancer treatment is now available in the UK!!!!"

Cool... we had that treatment here 18 years ago. And the British system is not even a true public one.

BTW... to be exact, not ALL US citizens are eligible for Medicare.

RE: Medicare is..., posted on February 12, 2021 at 17:31:53

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

Then the model that works better is the Single Payer system in Canada and not the USSR or a badly run system heavily weakened by the GOP over the years turning Medicare to crap. It needs to be properly run. But that is a separate issue.

In Canada - the government doesn't run hospitals. The government merely pays the bills. You go to your doctor you need an operation - the doctor and you decide what you need - the doctor does the operation and prescribes the pills and sends the bill to the government.

The doctor in the US wants to put you on X drug but has to phone up an HMO and the HMO says - our plan doesn't cover X it covers a pill that is "almost the same" in Y - so the doctor is now prescribing pills based on what the HMO and your coverage will allow.

The US healthcare system ranks at the very bottom of all industrialized nations in most metrics - so private hospitals and you pay for it all isn't working - you actually pay MORE to get less. This doesn't mean Canada is anywhere near perfect - it's got problems - wait times on non-urgent elective surgery is long because there simply aren't enough people in the medical field to do the elective operations. However, we do have private clinics so if you don't want to wait for an MRI on your knee you can pay for that instead of waiting in line.

I get it you are uber rich guy so your perspective is different than the bottom 99% but if you are at all capable try to pretend you are in the middle of the middle class. Pretend that the majority is more important than the one.

Some good points here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z2XRg3dy9k

RE: Medicare is..., posted on February 12, 2021 at 19:28:47
rivervalley817	RGA your post is presumptuous despite making some good points it posits what someone's financial position is that you can't possibly know then beats up a straw man no personal offense or snipe is intended I just hate to see good points get lost in a scrum best regards,

RE: Medicare is..., posted on February 14, 2021 at 08:02:02

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

The "I got mine so screw you" mentality tends to emanate from one financial class of person. While some in the middle and lower financial class have been duped to vote against their own self-interests the majority have not.

And these things are not based on singular posts but across months and years of posts with various patterns.

Please understand something - my posts to certain posters here are not to try and convince them or to change their minds. Teaching old dogs new tricks is like convincing people to get out from under the thumb of religion. For me, it's more about that game at the old arcades called "Whack-a-Mole" (photo above).

Arguments of reason don't work so it's just whack-a-mole. People here only preach to their choirs. As I have traveled and lived in several different countries my perspective is different than some others who don't get out much and see the world first hand.

The things we are taught in school are often BS to keep us in check. America has just proven the statement "No one is above the Law" is complete and utter bullshit. "Violence doesn't solve problems" when in reality it is the only thing that usually does. Flower Power wasn't taking down the Nazis. Americans must agree because the US Industrial complex is where most of the taxes are going. No one stops to think that you should have a country worth defending before you spend all your money to defend it.

It's more about being frustrated at seeing the obvious potential and a relatively easy fix but the guy you brought in to fix the Rolex only has one tool - a sledgehammer. Nuance isn't in their mindset.

Frustration River Valley. Plus too much time on my hands with Covid I suspect. Granted this is mostly an American board so it's just that I see things from a different perspective - something that is obvious to me is not seen as obvious to some posters on this board. So it's kind of baffling to me.

But hey - have a laugh - Canada sure ain't perfect either :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V5ckcTSYu8

RE: Medicare is..., posted on February 14, 2021 at 11:35:31

rivervalley817

'Frustration River Valley'

by golly, there's an Americana song title right there!

thanks for the reply & trust that I understood your POV before reading it

there's not much nuance in dismissal though some ideas deserve it out of hand

it's difficult to peer behind what's said for why it's said

which is why one should never assume it's been seen & stop looking

sounds like a self help ditty from pop-sci but I've found it to be true

with regards,

RE: Medicare is..., posted on February 12, 2021 at 13:05:48

rivervalley817

'For true "public health systems"'

you appear to be defining what constitutes a public health care system based on it's delivery mechanism of services which removes it from the proper context; basically redefining the terminology involved

'Medicare' is a publicly funded [via the FICA tax] publicly administered [via Gov't] program with services provided via private contractor participation in said public program subject to Gov't oversight ... this meets all criteria for being a 'public health care system' ... it just doesn't cover all of 'the public'

best regards,

"with services provided via private contractor" Where is the confusion?, posted on February 12, 2021 at 13:10:39

Victor Khomenko
Manufacturer

Posts: 55320
Joined: April 5, 2000

Private providers is what gives us the exceptional medical care that we get.

There is no other driving mechanism for excellence. Remove it, and you will get second, then third, then forth rate service.

Give our doctors Russian salaries, and see who is left there to treat you.

Once again - fortunately, Medicare covers only a portion of our health care. No good private system would be able to survive on its rates.

And BTW - I am currently being shafted by Medicare to the tune of $7K, and dealing with them is like nothing you have seen. If you think dealing with a private insurance can be hard... think again.

RE: "with services provided via private contractor" Where is the confusion?, posted on February 12, 2021 at 14:51:55

rivervalley817

I'm sorry to hear that you're having problems with the system

on the other hand, there's at least a system to have problems with

the 'least' part of that is, of course, a problem in itself

of course since Medicare is an 'opt in' program, if someone can afford private medical coverage they're not required to sign on ... conversely, if one could afford to pay cash they wouldn't need either one

'exceptional medical' care being tethered to private practice hasn't really been studied / examined very thoroughly since it's not widely available, usually only to those who can afford that cash option

what has been studied and examined very closely is socialized medicine and those results point to a much higher comparative degree of efficacy in populations / societies where it's available

I don't think pure reward factors drive people into medical fields, so competition in this area doesn't give us 'pacers' vs. 'racers' as far as practicing their craft ... maybe in the more specialized area of plastic surgery, but overall ... ? I'm not sure ... those I know didn't get into it for the $$ though ... of course they expect as much compensation for their efforts possible, but like anything else that's a component of life style choices [where they practice: small town vs. city etc.] and work environment

well, I certainly didn't mean to write a short story responding but hey, this health coverage stuff is really complex

thanks for expanding on your other post I can see where you're coming from and the element of frustration you're dealing with ... it's unfortunate that health insurance matters have become so conflated with the care itself

with regards,

Dealing with government, posted on February 12, 2021 at 15:10:14

Victor Khomenko
Manufacturer

Posts: 55320
Joined: April 5, 2000

A few weeks ago we received - out of blue - a letter, from the Treasury Department, that we owe them $7K in Medicare bills.

Long story short - back in 2016 I was hit by another car. I had a couple of visits to my family doc, and maybe 10 visits to a chiropractor. That's it. All were charged under the car insurance PIP portion.

The letter, however, stated, that all the visits on the list were related to that car accident.

There were 26 pages of charges, from 2016 to 2019, none of which was related to the accident - just some routine visits and some surgeries.

My wife spent a lot of time on the phone, and all she managed to get was: write us a letter. So we did.

We received a form reply that we will be given a response in 60 days.

In the meantime, in about 3 weeks, they told us, they will start withholding up to 15% of my SS benefits.

There is no one to talk, to discuss... just one huge impersonal machine.

And if you think this is all about $7K - you are wrong... because there is absolutely no telling that this accumulation of debt stopped in 2019.

For all we know it might still be counting... perhaps forever. We were not able to get ANY answer to this question.

Prior to my getting on Medicare I spent about 36 years on private insurances... and there was never anything even close to this.

RE: Dealing with government and FEDEX, posted on February 21, 2021 at 11:20:33

Wojciech
Audiophile

Posts: 4144
Joined: June 23, 2009

I sent a pair of speakers from Detroit to neighborhood of Toronto (Canada), so over the river.The charge was $250 for a pair. Each speaker was 50lbs. After a week I was notified that the speakers are being returned to the sender. The confusion was the reason for return. At first they quoted lack of custom form then they reversed to "natural disaster" (covid). One of the speakers arrived on the porch .The other one was lost. After the inquiry they located the second one and delivered it. I was promptly charged $1200 for "overweight package" A nice customer support lady told me that the charge is for 150 Lbs and it is only the first of the two since they have to charge the same amount (another $1200) for a return shipping. There was no arguing since the "internal investigation" revealed that the package was scanned 4 times along the way and each time it confirmed 150 Lbs.
I had to report my credit card missing to avoid the extorsion and my relationship with fedex ended. I still "owe" them that money.

I see no "impersonal machine." You were told how to proceed. You were given, posted on February 13, 2021 at 09:45:01
tinear Audiophile Posts: 65782 Location: Kansas City, KS Joined: April 9, 2006	a timeline and you can appeal any decision. What's the problem?

Where did it say anything about the appeal?, posted on February 13, 2021 at 11:55:06
Victor Khomenko Manufacturer Posts: 55320 Joined: April 5, 2000	There was no such a word anywhere in their correspondence. But I get it... the government bureaucrats can do no wrong. There was not even a word of apology.

You were appealing to reverse a decision; gov should apologize before the finding? , posted on February 14, 2021 at 08:53:30
tinear Audiophile Posts: 65782 Location: Kansas City, KS Joined: April 9, 2006	Exactly how much do you think your care would have cost you w/out Medicare, overall, since you've both been Medicare eligible. Under "Vic-Care," it would be privatized, completely, right? No contributions "paying it forward." If you think Americans would pay for expected services in advance, willingly, you haven't followed Obamacare very well.

RE: Dealing with government, posted on February 12, 2021 at 15:14:22
rivervalley817	damn ... let me chew on this a bit and revert, I've got a few ideas rattling around to explore first best regards,

RE: You really HAD to srir that nest :), posted on February 11, 2021 at 03:58:28
RGA Reviewer Posts: 15177 Location: Hong Kong Joined: August 8, 2001	It's all relative - America looks like Audrey Hepburn to a Russian. America looks like Roseanne Barr to a Canadian.

Dunno, Victor - I get my jollies from some of your posts! [nt] ;-), posted on February 11, 2021 at 01:49:53
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26537 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012

what a bunch of B.S., posted on February 9, 2021 at 19:47:30

Analog Scott
Audiophile

Posts: 9933
Joined: January 8, 2002

as one of the few people who actually works in the film industry this is just a bunch of B.S. Social liberal beliefs and advocacy of fiscal policies that provide social security nets and put tax payer's money to work for actual tax payers is not the same thing as wanting to change our society and economy to government run socialist economy. "Hollywierd liberals" are not avdocating that we convert from a capitalist economy to a socialist economy. Period. It's dumb ass prejudicial Bullshit. OTOH a lot needs to be done for us to get out of this neofuedalist economic system and back to a real capitalist economy that is predicated on the idea that given an equal playing field taht people can compete, through hard work and talent the cream will rise to the top and be rewarded and society in general will reap the benefits of their efforts. Remember? That is what capitalism was supposed to be.

+1, posted on February 12, 2021 at 07:24:16

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

Yes, it is nonsense. Basically wanting a couple of things every civilized country on earth has and they run around like Chicken little's that their country will end if they adopt medical for all - lol - I mean getting something for your tax dollars instead of the current system in the USA which is socialism for mega-corporations. The people's taxes are used to bail out billionaires. And they're too stupid to see it.

All these people run around worrying about the spending and yet none had trouble paying for Trump's golf trips? I never understand that fiscal conservatism. Can't a billionaire pay for himself - he needs "socialism" to pay for him? All the Republicans in Congress and the senate getting free 100% universal healthcare - I mean if they are SOOOOO Against medical for all - why are they happy to take it for themselves. Guess it ain't too bad now is it?

Bill, posted on February 8, 2021 at 16:14:46

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

Has some good points - which will go over your head I am sure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3vsGlAvr04

*No time for Bill, sorry. , posted on February 9, 2021 at 09:31:28**
Billy Wonka Audiophile Posts: 3771 Joined: April 25, 2013 Contributor Since: October 15, 2013	.

You can't handle the truth LOL - NT, posted on February 11, 2021 at 16:53:42
RGA Reviewer Posts: 15177 Location: Hong Kong Joined: August 8, 2001	NT

*I can't handle the blind slant of a failed comedian. , posted on February 15, 2021 at 12:20:26**
Billy Wonka Audiophile Posts: 3771 Joined: April 25, 2013 Contributor Since: October 15, 2013	.

*RE: I can't handle the blind slant of a failed comedian. , posted on February 15, 2021 at 16:27:53**
RGA Reviewer Posts: 15177 Location: Hong Kong Joined: August 8, 2001	I am sure he is far more successful than you? If he's a failed Comedian what does that make you?

So, RGA - how do you judge success or failure? Amount of money? [nt], posted on February 15, 2021 at 16:41:58
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26537 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012

RE: So, RGA - how do you judge success or failure? Amount of money? [nt], posted on February 15, 2021 at 17:37:10

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

Well - Americans on the right value money as success. Pick yourself up by your bootstraps is the republican mantra - in other words me vs we. An individualistic society where it is up to you to make money and we're not going to help you.

So taking Bill Maher - if Billy calls him a failed comedian then one needs to provide an example of HOW he is a failure. The onus of providing proof is on the person who makes the claim.

So Bill is on HBO and was just renewed for another 2 seasons. So if he is an epic failure then why would HBO give him another 2-year contract? Seems like a "Successful" comedy political satire no?

He has been doing this show for 19 years. Seems like a success to me?

Before that, he did 8 seasons of Politically Incorrect.

His Documentary "Religulous" is the 27th all-time money-making documentary and the highest-grossing one of 2008.

Bill Maher goes on a stand-up comedy tour through the US and Canada and sells out across both countries. Including a lot of Red States!

It's quite okay not to "like" him but that's like me not liking Prince - yeah I don't like the music but to say he's not popular or a failed musician would be asinine.

And Americans associate success with wealth - he has a net worth of $140 million - For the win!

RE: So, RGA - how do you judge success or failure? Amount of money? [nt], posted on February 15, 2021 at 17:52:18
rivervalley817	'and sells out' you could have started & stopped right there regards,

RE: So, RGA - how do you judge success or failure? Amount of money? [nt], posted on February 15, 2021 at 17:36:30

Wojciech
Audiophile

Posts: 4144
Joined: June 23, 2009

this and having a lot of "model like " girlfriends..:) It's a pretty good lifestyle for a 20-30+ stag. At 50 + though it's ahem.. slightly pathetic..:) (spoken with a hint (or more) of jealousy:)
Richard wouldn't have any job teaching English to a Chinese if America was a socialist shithole and not a ruthless capitalists empire with the biggest army ever assembled imposing it's hideous cultural values over the entire world.

RE: So, RGA - how do you judge success or failure? Amount of money? [nt], posted on February 16, 2021 at 03:02:19

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

I get the humor - :)

I think some misread me - America to me should be able to "do it all" but has become corrupt beyond reason. America can be the world power and it can also look after its people.

Whenever I see a so-called third-world country doing things a LOT better than both America and Canada it frankly makes me puke in my mouth. How the Frak did we get to a point where bloody Norway or Finland or Hong Kong or South Korea or New Zealand can afford to operate on the neighbor's kid with needing a bloody Go-Fund page begging for money!

It's freaking pathetic when Hong Kong can do it but America can't. Then the excuses get trotted out but what are we a bunch of whiners making excises or can we not actually "outdo" those countries?

I had a finger infection. I live in HK which is very high on the economic income index (ultra-capitalist and ranks ahead of the US for economic freedom) which is why so many Americans open shop here. No sales tax, no import duties and a maximum income tax rate of 17%

I have no medical insurance. I go to the hospital - I was in the hospital for 10 full days. 2 operations - 12 doctors decided how to proceed and save my finger. All drugs, meals in the hospital, physiotherapy, all drugs during and after the operation. My total payout was $350 and 6 of the doctors graduated from Harvard medical and 2 others from Oxford - this was at St. Margaret's hospital one of the best in the world.

$350US total. If I was poor they could get most of that back.

China - third-world nation! FFS - we MUST be BETTER than this. Why do they care about their citizens more than we do about ours? I am not even one of their citizens and they care about me!

If China can do it (now I grant you Hong Kong is a lot different than China) but still it is two systems and one country.

America should be a better beacon - it can't just be words and constitutions and advertising hype and propaganda. I can walk down any street in Hong Kong - and so can any gorgeous woman at 3 am anywhere - and in South Korea and in Tokyo and there is next to ZERO chance she will be accosted - or mugged - nothing. Part of being free is always feeling SAFE and in the US (or Canada) there have been times where I have said - "Richard you're in some trouble here mate" - start putting the key between some fingers in case you have to defend yourself. That isn't "good living."

The feeling of needing a gun to defend yourself at all isn't "good living."

The age thing and dating is kind of funny - I remember watching an Episode of Fraisier - and Frasier is 40 and a 22-year-old is interested in him and he turns her away in part due to "how it will look" to others. A concept not really a concept in Asia. Roz tells him that it's hard enough to find someone without putting obstacles in the way. Fraiser teaches life lessons lol.

I am 47 and my girlfriend is 40. So it's not like that's much of a gap. Still, I would have no problem dating someone significantly younger. And you know well that a lot of women prefer older men for all sorts of reasons from security, wealth, maturity, experience etc.

And from my perspective - I like the fact that some younger women have shown interest in me. More now than when I was young.

And Hong Kong offers a LOT in this regard than living in some small town in Canada or the USA where pickings were slim. When I taught in Port McNeil British Columbia a town of 4,000 people or so - one of my roommates and I, were attracted to the same woman. And as he pointed out, of course, we were - she was the only one in the whole town worth being attracted to LOL. She was a crude redneck lout so we both avoided her in the end. Both roommates married women from Mexico on E-Harmony! Bloody hell they had to import! And no they were not poor - one of them was a banker and the other ran a clothing store chain - made more money! wow.

You live your life - it's not all nation-state politics at "theoretical levels" - it's your day-to-day living IMO that matters.

Mention Singapore and people freak that it is some kind of dictatorship - but on the ground living well yes - you are not free to chew gum and throw it on the road - you will get punished - but then so what? Follow the rules - be considerate of the land and your fellow citizens and you will never have a problem there. I don't have to look down when I walk to make sure I don't step on drug needles or gum or pop cans or whatever other crap is on the road. I don't have to read graffiti everywhere because some ass decides to vandalize something with little punishment. Whip their ass with a Caning. You're free - but not free to be an ass. I see no problem with common sense.

I lived in Mainland China for a year - no problems - work make money go to restaurants pubs site-seeing. Watch movies and TV etc. Just like anywhere. Day-to-day living was free - with the exception of internet sites being blocked. Okay so not good - but still - it's not like it was a gulag or something. Besides we had people who knew how to get proxy servers or whatever and so we always managed to get google and the like.

To read the Western media though it makes it seem like living there would be a true horror show. There is something like 70,000 Americans living in China. And that is in spite of media inducing fear tactics 24/7. It's just not that bad. People need to travel more - not just rely on American news and TV. Go to these places. See it first hand.

Maybe get a drop-dead gorgeous 30-year-old wife. Your friends may talk shit but they'll be envious deep down. LOL.

"People need to travel more - not just rely on American news and TV.", posted on February 16, 2021 at 12:19:03

Chris from Lafayette
Audiophile

Posts: 26537
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: February 17, 2004
Contributor
Since: February 6, 2012

I think that some on this forum would do well to take heed of your statement! ;-)

BTW, this is another one of your outstanding posts. And when you mention China's blocking of Internet sites, it occurred to me that we have the opposite problem here: our tech overlords in Silicon Valley have, at the between-the-lines behest of congress, taken it upon themselves to block people from their de facto public sites on the Internet. LOL! Of course, that was just dandy when it started with the blocking of Donald Trump and Alex Jones - but now they're blocking sites like the socialist workers party and other left-wing organizations - for violating their vague and undefined "standards". Can you say, "slippery slope"? And yet we have the temerity to promote "our values" to the rest of the world!

Wow, those points will go through his head. , posted on February 8, 2021 at 16:38:12
tinear Audiophile Posts: 65782 Location: Kansas City, KS Joined: April 9, 2006	Nah, they couldn't...

RE: Wow, those points will go through his head. , posted on February 8, 2021 at 18:51:30

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

A lot of Trumpers change their minds when it happens to them. So when their wife needs brain surgery and their insurance company does everything and anything NOT to cover it and the bills $2million and people like TWB and Billy only have $400,000 in the bank and have to sell their house - then they might get a clue. But until it impacts them they don't see it.

Same for the dummies at Trump rallies calling Covid 19 a Democrat hoax - then these human blood clots get it and on their death beds they clue in - "oh geez it is real and it's not a hoax - I am sorry I change my mind" - gasp... dead.

Same with Ronnie Reagan - they're all anti stem cell because of abortion (nonsense) then when he gets Alzheimer's, THEN and ONLY THEN do they change track and want stem cell research.

Dick Cheney is against homosexuals then his daughter comes out as a Lesbian - then it's "I'm okay with gay people." Well his daughter anyway.

They're all awful people - they only care about something when it directly happens to them. They are just as bleeding heart as the lefties - but they only begin to bleed "selfishly" when it happens to them.

And some of these clowns actually call themselves Christians - lol. Yes because Jesus cared more about the stock market than his fellow man.

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Films/DVD Asylum

Best tweets to a Hollywood socialist . . .

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