17 Nov 2023 7:51 am
That label was originally put there in 06'/07', pre Obama(on original site). I did believe it back then, that you could work hard, save some money, and obtain the American Dream. I was an excellent mouthpiece for the Republican party. Bootstraps, get a job, 2 or 3 for that matter, make it on your own, etc. etc.. I've spent the last 2 years reading on anything related to the financial status of Americans. Average and median incomes, 401k/IRA balances, savings, HSA's, social security, mortgages, debt, it's not a pretty picture. As far as I can tell, 9 out of 10 families get left behind, 8 out of 10 for sure. Is it the system or the people? A little of both I would say. At this point can come up with more cons than pros concerning capitalism, so I guess my religion is changing.Cannonpointer » 16 Nov 2023, 12:17 am » wrote: ↑ Then on what magical thinking do you predicate your vaunted belief in capitalism?
Your very FIRST sentence overtly and expressly casts **** on it.
Don't hope - BELIEVE.
You BELIEVE in capitalism.
Do you have some particular affinity for the lucky few, such that you BELIEVE?
Funny funny thing.
Human beings are social creatures who developed around camp fires, spending copious amounts of leisure time in communal fellowship and comaraderie. Many sociologists theorize that the reason people "drop out" and become bums is that their need for leisure and socialization exceeds their need for creature comforts.
Our parents' generation considered the american dream to be owning a home and getting your kids educated in a trade or profession on a single salary - all while participating in society through boating or bridge or golfing or bowling leagues or ball clubs, etc. Their generation SOCIALIZED. They were not atomized, hard at the grind stone, alone like Sisyphus pushing a boulder up a hill. Working multiple jobs, scrimping as a wage slave to risk it in the market or in some start up was not what THEY saw as the american dream. I would describe that as something quite apart from self-actualization and realization of your human potential. Where does PARENTING fit into that can of ****?
Is that GENUINELY your idea of the american dream? Working yourself to death and passing the children you don't know and don't play ball with in the hall?
****, ***, that isn't capitalism. That's nepotism. You believe in NEPOTISM. People have been inheriting **** since ancient times - it was all the rage in feudal europe.
Synthesis.
We have arrived.
I was already a Grandpa when wife #2 and I got together and made our situation happen. The step dad and grandpa that always lived multiple states away. Judging from all the drama that has gone down over the years with the step daughter and kids and other family members in the Spokane area, I'm glad I wasn't there or I'd probably be in jail. (staying in the same town as the ex was not an option and the outcome would not have been the same)
If you want to call an inheritance Nepotism, that's on you. There's not much of that going on, the average inheritance is $46k, the median is less than $10k. Only a few get to be lucky ****. My luck hasn't run out yet. There is an Estate grinding through probate for about a year now. One of Mom's cousins passed in 2022 without the proper paper work in place. He died young in his early 50's and both his parents who lived in the Seattle area died the year before. They may have been quite wealthy or on Medicaid, I have no idea. Those Lawyer groups don't normally chase small potatoes.
If you want to rile up the conservatives and get their panties in a wad over the failures of capitalism with a thread, I'll be your best Bernie Bro!
P.S. Blood was just about drawn over the homemade dog food, never happened with kibble!