Bankruptcy in the United States: Guess what I just found out?

[Hydrosun]

interesting. so you're saying the U.S. should embrace the black market? i did not see that coming. the examples you give are illegal, profitable only because they are prohibited. but what if they were legal? - would black market ho's still be able to compete with gov regulated ho's? doubtful. and isn't that why so many growers oppose the legalization of cannabis? 'cause they'd lose all that loot?

Gambling is profitable if legal or not. Prostitution exists whether legal or not. Prohibition does not equal profitable. These oldest pastimes have and will be enjoyed despite the church, government, or gang involved. The folly of it all is that the US Government claim to be better than what you would get if they weren't there to regulate things.

I argue that paying to have the worthless government employees makes all of our pastimes worse.

 

[Cojito]

The folly of it all is that the US Government claim to be better than what you would get if they weren't there to regulate things.

legal whores get health checks per regulations. and given the choice between a legal, grade A hooker, and black market street meat, i'd choose the govt regulated hooker every time. mostly 'cause i don't want AIDS.

I argue that paying to have the worthless government employees makes all of our pastimes worse.

sure. fuck worthless govt employees. but surely they're not all worthless. and should prohibition be reversed and cannabis becomes legal then i think you'll see pot prices fall and that black market economy collapse. in fact, one might argue that its govt intervention (prohibition) that has made these markets profitable and not their inherent freedom.

 

[SpasticGramps]

legal whores get health checks per regulations. and given the choice between a legal, grade A hooker, and black market street meat, i'd choose the govt regulated hooker every time. mostly 'cause i don't want AIDS.

This is how it is in Singapore. Which is funny because they are so strict on "illicit drugs". Death penalty for trafficking. It's no joke over there.

Government should be pragmatic. It should understand that humans have certain natural desires and that it's better to have a safe environment for these desires to be manifested in. You cannot legislate out human desire. To do so will only institutionalize the population who engages in these desires. Hence the Drug War.

 

[echo_chamber]

Yes personal responsibility is paramount. But that get's completely "clouded" in a capitalist society where money is king and the divide between rich and poor is unconquerable without insane luck. Especially when you are in the "poor" category. Its not fun struggling to pay rent, not eating for 3-4 days straight just so you can pay the bills. Most Americans are 1 paycheck away from being on the street so when an opportunity comes along to get in a home, you bet they are gonna take it.

I fault Capitalism, Television/Radio media and its commercials promoting "moral standards" and "promotion of a living a lifestyle you cant afford by using credit"

I would fault the person if they are rich and make these decisions.. The poor are just trying to survive..

 

[whodare]

i fault parents for letting the tv and schools raise their children...

they handed the sheep to the wolves and we now are facing at least 2 indoctrinated generations...

the future starts at home by instilling good values in our children, it's our jobs as a parent to teach our kids responsibility, and while we are at it dont be such materialistic people.

when they see their parents buying this and that, and fun for them is a trip to the mall, not out fishing or hiking or gardening we see were our problems begin.

 

[dirk d]

i worked in the mortgage industry for a long time. mortgage literally means "till death". debt is the process the govt has to make sure everyone is a slave to the system. they raise everyone from birth to want a house, nice car, expensive clothes, expensive bs things so they can enslave them. borrow borrow borrow till you cant then borrow some more. only way out is to stop using credit cards and getting loans for anything. its harder but its a lot easier in the long run. good luck. ever wonder why we have so many "holidays". its so everyone can spend $$$.

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

i worked in the mortgage industry for a long time. mortgage literally means "till death". debt is the process the govt has to make sure everyone is a slave to the system. they raise everyone from birth to want a house, nice car, expensive clothes, expensive bs things so they can enslave them. borrow borrow borrow till you cant then borrow some more. only way out is to stop using credit cards and getting loans for anything. its harder but its a lot easier in the long run. good luck. ever wonder why we have so many "holidays". its so everyone can spend $$$.

Slave to system is merely personal outlook. Nobody forces people to borrow. The vast majority of homeowners never get that opportunity w/o a loan. The vast majority close the note and own as opposed to tossing rent money. Do we have poor money managers? You betcha.

We've had televised marketing since the 1930s. IMO, folks forgot about the depression, mass unemployment and frugality in general. Barring any further catastrophic economic consequences, we may be old dogs but we'll still relearn old tricks. Given more economic pain, we'll just learn these old lessons faster.

I'm not old enough to remember the depression but both of my parents were victims. 'Save every dime you possibly can' and 'compound interest is your friend' were common lectures. Throw a penny away with the dustpan trash and you'd get a ass whoopin'.

I feel cheated that trickle up economics came along at my stage in life. But I'm lucky I'm not 10 years younger, austerity for me isn't as painful as it could have been.