Paco Dennis
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Lets here what Kissinger says about this...
The End Of The American Empire Is Here
- Thread starter Paco Dennis
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Aunt Bea
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I support the money being spent to help Ukraine and appreciate how fortunate we are that the fight for democracy and freedom has historically been waged outside of the United States, but at some point, we need to pay for that luxury.
I suppose I'm part of the problem drawing more each month from the government than I contribute.
I'm willing to double down and pay my fair share if the rest of America is willing to do the same, but I'm afraid it has become a dog-eat-dog every man for himself world in recent years.
"Don’t Tax You. Don’t Tax Me. Tax That Fellow Behind the Tree." - Russell B. Long
I suppose I'm part of the problem drawing more each month from the government than I contribute.
I'm willing to double down and pay my fair share if the rest of America is willing to do the same, but I'm afraid it has become a dog-eat-dog every man for himself world in recent years.
"Don’t Tax You. Don’t Tax Me. Tax That Fellow Behind the Tree." - Russell B. Long
Thanks for your reply. Russian propaganda has expanded its capabilities for years, tirelessly laying the groundwork for the massive and maniacal invasion of Ukraine. Sad but true, Russia has allies in the US. Henry Kissinger says Ukraine should cede territory to Russia to end the war. I never trusted him. He is thinking along the lines of Palestine ceding to Israel.
There is no propaganda on Ukraine’s part, there is no “fog of war” , it is true, it is happening, Putin wants to rebuild the Russian empire and is intent on destruction.My wife and I continue to pray for Ukraine.
Paco Dennis
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- Mid-Missouri
As a new day begins, I have no ax to grind here. I appreciate all/any info on this subject, and hope that that the war ends soon.
Oh, no, we're not getting off that easy. WE did it; WE the People allowed for distraction and division, it was US and our government reflects the stupidity and greed of US.
Paco Dennis
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- Mid-Missouri
Here is the reason that America has 90% of military bases in the world.
Alligatorob
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I did some research and you are right, at least according to the Pew Research Center, the middle class has shrunk from 61% in 1970 to 50% in 2021. However much, not all, of that shrinkage came from movement to the upper class, 14% in 1970 to 21% in 2021.
Unfortunately the lower income group grew also from 25% to 29%.
According to the U.S. debt clock, the U.S. has already paid in $434 billion. Our debt ratio to GDP stands at 129%. It used to be when a country hit 78% of GDP, they were considered insolvent.
We have a $4+ trillion budget, but we spend $6+ trillion. The Congress looks at the treasury as a blank check. Every dollar we send to Ukraine is borrowed. I have asked this before, but here goes again, “Does any other country contribute money to Ukraine?” Not just weapons.
I am just a little guy compared to all the billionaires in this country. My tax bill this year was in excess of $10,000.00. This is the most I have ever paid in. Many new billionaires were created during the COVID crisis. The stock market presented many great buying opportunities.
What a load of BS......no one pays Kissinger any attention for a good reason, the man is out of touch.
Another BS video, you'd get a completely different answer if you ask the countries that host our military bases. I'm a little weary of all the anti American crapola.
Paco Dennis
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That is knowing misinformation. Please stop it. Many people take Kissinger seriously. Geez!
Timewise 60+
Senior Member
I disagree with this in so many ways that I cannot find enough time to detail it! Let's just say your thought are difficult, at best, to support with facts...
Paco Dennis
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Please cease with your vitriol attitude.... can you actually post some information about these countries whon ask us to have THAT many bases around the world. I will bet that the majority of countries in our world do not want our bases in their country. info please.
Timewise 60+
Senior Member
Again, pure craziness....facts do not support your hypothesis! Have you noticed the droughts over the last couple of years, especially in the west? Water on our planet never leaves, it only changes form...think about it!
Paco Dennis
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- Mid-Missouri
Corporations produce just about everything we buy, use, and throw away and play an outsized role in driving global climate change. A recently published report identified that 100 energy companies have been responsible for 71% of all industrial emissions since human-driven climate change was officially recognized.
https://www.nrdc.org/experts/josh-axelrod/corporate-honesty-and-climate-change-time-own-and-act
Timewise 60+
Senior Member
Jackie....I am glad someone else get's it! I am a lot weary of all the anti American crapola! I blame our educators on much of this as they have fed our kids for generations, lots of lies, misrepresentations and exaggerations about our history and country!
Paco Dennis
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- Mid-Missouri
Timewise 60+
Senior Member
Paco...ask yourself who in America owns our corporations! You bet; we the American people own the Corporations...! Do you own any stock, do you vote every year at the board meetings? If you do, then YOU are the owner of that corporation...
Paco Dennis
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- Mid-Missouri
Yea, and it is of course American exceptionalism tht we were taught, until the famous book by Howard Zinn
"A People's History of the United States is a 1980 nonfiction book by American historian and political scientist Howard Zinn. In the book, Zinn presented what he considered to be a different side of history from the more traditional "fundamental nationalist glorification of country".
Paco Dennis
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- Mid-Missouri
Study the history of corporations since the 80's and you will find that corporations no longer have to benefit the public, they are a major source of the trickle up economy. Why do CEO's make 1000 times what the worker makes?
fuzzybuddy
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I don't believe we need to put a "For Sale" sign on the US just yet. The 1950s, when the US won WWII, and were the only one with " The Bomb", plus almost the sole post-war intact industrial complex, are long passed. Today, most of the world lives above the poverty line. Regional economies are becoming global. And Americans faced the fact that 95% of the world's population does not live in the US. The US still has a technologically advanced military. But that suggests it exist because of a formidable foe. It might seem the American Empire is faltering. The nation is what it is, and subject to any label you want to attach to it. It's either the "best of time/worst of times". Unless the populations is wiped out, it will exist. I believe the "American Empire" is a concept. It is a growing democratic amalgamation. It's on its way toward a global "NATO", and a "Global Union".
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Timewise 60+
Senior Member
Anyone recall the 'Babyboomers' the generations following WWII. At the time, they were the largest segment of the population. Guess what all those middle class families have been doing since the 50's? Working, Going to School, advancing their careers, etc. Now, 50+ years later a great many of them are upper middle class or higher...that is how this all happened, or at least a big part of it!
Timewise 60+
Senior Member
Empires typically have to be under a single supreme authority or controlled by one person...in America that is not and will never be true, thanks to the second Amendment!
I know, I know...you think the Roman Empire is an exception! They were an Empire until the formed their Senate in 753BC. Rome is said to have begun around 27BC and lasted until 476AD. 1,000 appx. years! But, 726 of those years were without a Senate, they were controlled by one person as we say the Roman Empire... Rome stopped being an empire when they formed their Senate in 753BC..
But the USA has had a Senate, in its current form, since 1789!
I know, I know...you think the Roman Empire is an exception! They were an Empire until the formed their Senate in 753BC. Rome is said to have begun around 27BC and lasted until 476AD. 1,000 appx. years! But, 726 of those years were without a Senate, they were controlled by one person as we say the Roman Empire... Rome stopped being an empire when they formed their Senate in 753BC..
But the USA has had a Senate, in its current form, since 1789!
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Alligatorob
SF VIP
Another interesting graph from The Atlantic Monthly.
It would be interesting to know the primary drivers behind the growing lower income class. That does concern me, but without a good understanding as to why I wouldn't really know what best to do about it.
It would be interesting to know the primary drivers behind the growing lower income class. That does concern me, but without a good understanding as to why I wouldn't really know what best to do about it.
Alligatorob
SF VIP
I believe you are right about the upper classes, why do you think the lower income group is growing?