patrick.net

This is an awesome video.

People need to understand that almost every war that the US entered since WW2 was UNNECESSARY, and in most cases just caused a lot of death, pain and suffering that was completely avoidable.

and yet nothing really new there.

we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. Added to this, three and a half million men and women are directly engaged in the defense establishment. We annually spend on military security more than the net income of all United States corporations.

http://coursesa.matrix.msu.edu/~hst306/documents/indust.html

that from eisenhower's departure speech in 1960.

so actually, this kind of thing clearly is fairly sustainable. i object to our excessive expenditures on the military, having bases all around the world, and supporting oil theocracies, but i'm pretty sure nothing is going to change as long as money buys elections.

perhaps the problem is actually representative democracy itself. representatives sell out. we could have direct democracy fairly easily via the internet, but then we would still have the problem of obscure laws written by policy wonks hiding benefits for corporations, and the problem that normal people with full-time jobs don't have the time to read all the laws being proposed. and the problem that the president would still be elected and could still screw us over like george w bush did in iraq.

any realistic, practical suggestions on how to change things?

and yet nothing really new there.

any realistic, practical suggestions on how to change things?

We could start by electing Bernie Sanders. If we could get a properly democratic election system based on proportional representation, that would be a good next step.

you've got a chicken and egg problem there. if it were possible to get bernie elected, you wouldn't need to get bernie elected. similarly, why would any representative want to change our current system of representation? after all, it worked for them.

don't want to be critical, but i need more concrete details and explanation of motivations for change.

why does swiss direct democracy seem to work? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_democracy#Switzerland

justme says

If we could get a properly democratic election system based on proportional representation, that would be a good next step.

Could be misunderstood. I meant that that the above would be a good next step AFTER Bernie Sanders got elected.

"any realistic, practical suggestions on how to change things?"

No can't think of a one

That you would hear...

Swiss are lackeys of Marica. Had to close my account with Credit Suisse couple years ago. To answer your question, no. Got to put your faith somewhere. This light col. a hard charger and I beleive speaking the truth. Cheers.

Bernie and Trump have a lot in common. I mean that no shit. People on both sides reaching for straws as we have all been lied to. Looking for someone to tell us the truth. Peace bro.

I thought the video was good, especially his closing statements. It was refreshing to hear an army guy be candid.

100 years ago Edward Bernays convinced everyone that bacon and eggs was for breakfast, can you imagine what they can do today?

The Statists say they are at the mercy of the people, the people's opine what the statists tell them to opine, the whole thing is a lie.

Doing a poll is tantamount to asking a fish how the water is.

The stat CIC posted the other day showing 66% of the millennial's favor democrats and the way demographics are changing tells me that this country is doomed. It will be fine for a while if the demographics can trump (see what I did there?) the accumulated budget irresponsibility but sooner or later the empire will fall.

indigenous says

Yet the current dollar is worth less than a nickel in 1912. But you want to torture numbers until they are in the same zip code as your delusional narrative

And wages have gone up more than enough to compensate.. What's your point?

tatupu70 says

And wages have gone up more than enough to compensate.. What's your point?

My point is the Cantillon effect.

that from eisenhower's departure speech in 1960

And while that part of the speech is well-known and often quoted, a later warning from part IV is seldom referenced or even known:

"The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present and is gravely to be regarded.
Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific/technological elite."

P N Dr Lo R says

a later warning from part IV is seldom referenced or even known:

Good one, I did know that, very precient.

indigenous says

My point is the Cantillon effect.

And your problem is? You prefer that people with money have it forever? And that social mobility is permanently low?

Read up on Cantillon Effect.

indigenous says

Read up on Cantillon Effect.

Yep, I did. Now why don't you explain why you think having a higher purchasing power is bad

tatupu70 says

Yep, I did. Now why don't you explain why you think having a higher purchasing power is bad

That is explained, why don't you read it again, this time for comprehension.

justme says

People need to understand that almost every war that the US entered since WW2 was UNNECESSARY

If the draft had been dismantled after the end of World War II as it was after the first world war, that might have caused second thoughts about plunging into Korea only five years later. There was a ready supply of young men, so it was only natural the government jumped at the chance. Fortunately there was a stalemate so it didn't drag on for the ten miserable years of Vietnam, but claimed close to the same number of lives. By that time the draft was such a firmly ingrained part of everyday life it persisted, becoming a rite of passage for every young man born between 1922 and 1953. Of course I realize we have the advantage of hindsight and this was the Cold War era when it seemed everything could go up in a cloud on a moment's notice--making one wonder in that instance what the value of a standing land army was worth. The atomic blasts of 1945 forever changed the way of waging war. However, there was a drove of young men available in 1965 because of the baby boom so there was no hesitation--changed to a lottery arrangement in 1969. By the early 70's the public was fed up and the end came in 1973.

Nope business investments requires price discovery which never occurs in the face of the stock market Casino.

Not to mention the onerous effects of Frank Dodd.

No dumb ass i'm talking about two different things, try to keep up.

Let me say it in a way you may understand.

Capital goes where it is treated the best. I.E. to stocks instead of small busines.

By being treated best, it means gives the best return. The stock market has given a very good return for the last 7 years, thanks to the Greenspan and Bernanke put.

Small business start ups have languished over the past 7yr. This is because of Frank Dodd, onerous regulations when hiring employees, demographics, and the life blood of a business cash, which is treated better in the stock market or RE

war is the only thing holding this world together. thank your lucky stars this country is so good at it.

landtof says

war is the only thing holding this world together. thank your lucky stars this country is so good at it.

At instigating it...

perhaps the problem is actually representative democracy itself. representatives sell out.

We get to see billionnaire's from both sides elect politicians through heavy spending. It's the rest of us suckers who get no say in it. Today they were showing some billionnaire hedge fund guy from the D side. He was talking of running for governor after Jerry is out of office. Currently he just spends millions to elect D's who will do what he tells them. That just reminded me why I really hate politics.

Oilwelldoctor says

People on both sides

This indicates that young Americans are mostly pleased with their new Corporate Overlords:
"For Americans born in the 1930s, living in a democracy holds virtually sacred importance. Asked on a scale of 1 to 10 how important it is to them to live in a democracy, more than 70 percent give the highest answer. But many of their children and grandchildren are lukewarm. Among millennials — those born since the 1980s — fewer than 30 percent say that living in a democracy is essential."
http://www.vox.com/polyarchy/2015/12/18/9360663/is-democracy-in-trouble

Yes fine products of the school system/culture...

indigenous says

Yes fine products of the school system/culture...

Along with Nuclear Power, the Apollo Moon Landing, and 99% of those who worked on the software on your computer.

WTF does Frank Dodd have to do with opening up a Cookie Kiosk?

thunderlips11 says

Along with Nuclear Power, the Apollo Moon Landing, and 99% of those who worked on the software on your computer.

Able bodied individuals that aren't working doesn't add up.

thunderlips11 says

WTF does Frank Dodd have to do with opening up a Cookie Kiosk?

It limits lending.