The Welfare-Industrial Complex Is Booming

dilettante said:
With less military spending and other subsidies to the favored regions net costs could be far more favorable. Even as prices rise we might see a return to higher quality production creating longer-lived and repairable products again, more sustainable all around.
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Sustainable yes - but I'm not convinced consumers care very much. Price rules. And even people with money are happy to get iPhones even though they know it's made by what amounts to slave labor. Of course, Apple hide all this by tying phone upgrades into contracts. Yuk.

I'd love the world to go back to my childhood. Each High Street was different, because businesses were local. Heaven. Now? You can go to a High Street in the US and UK, and you see the same old things - clothes, shoes, groceries sold by a major chain..........
 

VaughanJB said:
It would be better is EVERYONE had a basic set of free medical services, I agree.
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Perhaps, but I would suggest that California should start with its own tax paying citizens. Instead the governor proposes universal care limited to illegal aliens. How would it be paid for, and if it actually happens, wouldn‘t it turn California cities into a magnet for illegals now pouring into other states, a magnet financed by California‘s tax paying citizens who themselves lack a universal care system, a system that has already been rejected for lack of a method to pay for it.
 
ElCastor said:
Perhaps, but I would suggest that California should start with its own tax paying citizens. Instead the governor proposes universal care limited to illegal aliens. How would it be paid for, and if it actually happens, wouldn‘t it turn California cities into a magnet for illegals now pouring into other states, a magnet financed by California‘s tax paying citizens who themselves lack a universal care system, a system that has already been rejected for lack of a method to pay for it.
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I think California is already a magnet. The weather is better there than in other places. If you knew you'd be living on the streets, would you head to Oklahoma or California? It's also worth noting that certain states have already been giving free healthcare to illegal immigrants: New Jersey covers pregnant women. Texas covers children under 19. Illinois covers 18 and under, and will soon cover those 42 and over. California are looking to cover those 42 to 49 with this new law - other age groups were already covered (and have been since 2015).

In fact, almost 15 million people are currently using the same system in Cali. The program isn't specifically for migrants, it's for people on low incomes.

Of course, if you're on the side of those who want all illegal immigrants thrown out of the country, this is just more wood for the fire. On the other hand, others believe that Healthcare is a human right, and as such yes, even the very poor should have access to it.
 

Knight said:
If current events bother you then don't read my posts about what is taking place that doesn't paint the rosy picture liberals want to project as happening.
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Current events are fine, they need to be known - however turning positive news like 2.8 million net new jobs into a bad thing is a false narrative, it's marketing, turning a positive into a negative. Somehow hiring teachers and health care workers and waiters is a bad thing; there is no pleasing some people.

I'm surprised the WSJ opinion writer couldn't find fault w slowing inflation, 5% CD rates, growing GDP, 25% gain in the stock market yoy, rising wages compared w inflation, and cheaper gas prices.
 
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againstthegrain said:
Current events are fine, they need to be known - however turning positive news like 2.8 million net new jobs into a bad thing is a false narrative, it's marketing, turning a positive into a negative. Somehow hiring teachers and health care workers and waiters is a bad thing; there is no pleasing some people.

I'm surprised the WSJ opinion writer couldn't find fault w slowing inflation, 5% CD rates, growing GDP, 25% gain in the stock market yoy, rising wages compared w inflation, and cheaper gas prices.
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It's a big problem today. People only have their preferred propaganda. Everything else is "fake news".
 
It's not fake news, it's cherry picked and then twisted to suit the desired narrative. There is "bad" news out there and it's got to considered along w all the other news. It's like the next recession which has been predicted for the last 2 years, I'm sure they'll be right some day.
 
VaughanJB said:
Of course, if you're on the side of those who want all illegal immigrants thrown out of the country, this is just more wood for the fire. On the other hand, others believe that Healthcare is a human right, and as such yes, even the very poor should have access to it.
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Much to your dismay, I suspect, I am on the side of those who believe that all immigrants to the United States should enter in compliance with our laws. Those who refuse to do so should be subject to deportation.
 
againstthegrain said:
It's not fake news, it's cherry picked and then twisted to suit the desired narrative. There is "bad" news out there and it's got to considered along w all the other news. It's like the next recession which has been predicted for the last 2 years, I'm sure they'll be right some day.
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By declaring mainstream media is "fake news", the people making the claim are simply trying to push their desire to be the only source of truth. It's how cults are formed. Don't read/trust media that doesn't agree with the message, just listen to me and I'll give you the truth....

It's such a transparent tactic, but too few people see it. Hidden in clear view, I guess. The whole "fake news" thing has been an effort to clear the decks and only listen to very restricted set of opinions, creating echo chambers all over......
 
No one on this Earth should have to fear lack of medical care or basic needs. I think those evolved enough see that. One life time around of needlessly suffering is just too much. Not everyone is lucky enough to strike it rich, in fact, not a whole lot of people.

It would greatly enhance everyone's mental and physical health to have basic needs met.
 
ElCastor said:
Much to your dismay, I suspect, I am on the side of those who believe that all immigrants to the United States should enter in compliance with our laws. Those who refuse to do so should be subject to deportation.
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I don't know why you think I'd be dismayed. I too think immigrants should comply with the law. On the other hand, I don't think entering and applying for asylum is against the law. Let's not forget, the vast majority of immigrants coming in right now go through legal entry. Those who overstay aren't committing the most heinous crime, and I think there are far larger issues that should be addressed first.
 
ElCastor said:
In your opinion where should we look if we are seeking accurate and truthfully reported news?
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It's never good to have a single source of truth. There is no single source. You have to read multiple sources, the whole time keeping an open mind, accepting you may be wrong, and that you have assumptions that have a foundation of the propaganda you've been taking in. Of course, along with being told not to read certain media because it's propaganda, we're also told experts don't know anything, and an education is actually "indoctrination". Science is just lies and manipulation. Blah blah blah.

As I say, it's an attempt to undermine information, and to get people to only believe in one source - usually some figure. It's a cult. A cult of personality.
 
ElCastor said:
Well, OK, but surely you have some
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I really don't. If I want to research something I do what others do - Google it. I then read the stories, and try to cross-reference the facts to see if they're supported, or just made up. Doing this you very quickly spot the bias, the trigger words used, and the sensationalism a lot of outlets use.

Key is being aware of your own bias. You have to make efforts to set that aside, or at least weigh your bias against sources with a different bias. Mostly, if you stick to the facts of a subject, you're on safe ground.

I also don't believe there is something called "alternative media". It's a nonsense. There's simply media. People stick with those that fit their bias. I abhor the move to discredit all so called "mainstream media", as I see it as an attempt to control the message, much like Putin does in Russia. It's a way to control the information that's coming out, and to indoctrinate the audience into dismissing anything that's off message.

Finally - not all stories need a bit of research. I just posted a story about a dog that ate some money. I just found that on the BBC site and posted it here, I didn't double/treble check it. If I'm posting numbers, or stats, I'll have checked my facts before posting.
 
VaughanJB said:
I really don't. If I want to research something I do what others do - Google it. I then read the stories, and try to cross-reference the facts to see if they're supported, or just made up. Doing this you very quickly spot the bias, the trigger words used, and the sensationalism a lot of outlets use.
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From my post #1.

Goggle this
"New York City is spending $394 a day—or $143,810 a year—to house and feed each migrant"

Then Google a response that shows that the cost is significantly less. Then post where the assistence is being paid by other than taxes.
 
Knight said:
From my post #1.

Goggle this
"New York City is spending $394 a day—or $143,810 a year—to house and feed each migrant"

Then Google a response that shows that the cost is significantly less. Then post where the assistence is being paid by other than taxes.
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Credible source found here

Not that any of you give AF about NYC and it's problems. NYC has a law that mandates housing for everyone. It also has very expensive housing, and food costs, in addition private companies are taking advantage of the situation reaping huge profits in a an emergency situation. And it doesn't help that he mayor is in WAY over his head.
 
againstthegrain said:
Credible source found here

Not that any of you give AF about NYC and it's problems. NYC has a law that mandates housing for everyone. It also has very expensive housing, and food costs, in addition private companies are taking advantage of the situation reaping huge profits in a an emergency situation. And it doesn't help that he mayor is in WAY over his head.
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Well at least there is recognition that the influx is an emergency situation. The mayor of N Y city isn't alone in having difficulty paying for illegal immigrants. Now that this is an emergency not only in N Y city would you agree that prior to southern states sharing the burden of the influx of illegal immigrants mayors were happy their cities were sanctuaries.

Credible source found here had this credible message.

Hmmm… can't reach this page​

Check if there is a typo in https.



DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

Do you think it's possible that tax payers will have their taxes increased to pay for the massive debt the influx is causing the cities experiencing as you put it "emergency situation"
 
That's pretty wild - that link was live when I posted it. The NYC Controller did publish the daily rate and I'm pretty sure that Allysia Finley found it in the Controller's report as I did.

The US follows our laws regarding asylum seekers in that if they make it here they entitled to apply. It's then our duty as other people to take care of them at taxpayers expense, until they can work or they're denied asylum. If that means taxes are going to be raised so be it.

I'm not interested in debating the WSJ political hit piece, it's raw meat for the "base" solely intended for maximizing the number of views. Her narrative, her opinion as a right wing insider hasn't changed what you're doing economically and it hasn't stopped me from investing in American companies, either. Get back to me when current events force you to go to cash, or short the market because that's when we'll know something's gone really wrong.

NYC controller's article dated 1/4/2024
 
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Knight said:
From my post #1.

Goggle this
"New York City is spending $394 a day—or $143,810 a year—to house and feed each migrant"

Then Google a response that shows that the cost is significantly less. Then post where the assistence is being paid by other than taxes.
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I don't know why you're inviting me to research this topic. I haven't questioned your numbers.
 
CarolfromTX said:
The goal of liberal politicians is to create a permanent underclass that will vote for them forever to keep the welfare coming.
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Is the goal of right wing politicians to create an extremely rich 1% and leave the rest of us to eat from the gutter, living off the scraps, and eventually move into our penthouse sized apartment on a park bench?
 
We have to get beyond Parties. Those have long become cartels of the elite instead of folks who are supposed to be serving and representing us. We need to get up off our knees and stop showing them so much devotion, they haven't earned it.

Firing mortars loaded with memes into opposing Bubbles isn't getting us anywhere except more divided.

Both sides raise valid points, but if you expect to move beyond the status quo... this ain't getting it.

The Parties are close to flipping soon anyway, constituencies are shifting and reforming as the new reality sets in.
 
VaughanJB said:
I really don't. If I want to research something I do what others do - Google it. I then read the stories, and try to cross-reference the facts to see if they're supported, or just made up. Doing this you very quickly spot the bias, the trigger words used, and the sensationalism a lot of outlets use.

Key is being aware of your own bias. You have to make efforts to set that aside, or at least weigh your bias against sources with a different bias. Mostly, if you stick to the facts of a subject, you're on safe ground.

I also don't believe there is something called "alternative media". It's a nonsense. There's simply media. People stick with those that fit their bias. I abhor the move to discredit all so called "mainstream media", as I see it as an attempt to control the message, much like Putin does in Russia. It's a way to control the information that's coming out, and to indoctrinate the audience into dismissing anything that's off message.

Finally - not all stories need a bit of research. I just posted a story about a dog that ate some money. I just found that on the BBC site and posted it here, I didn't double/treble check it. If I'm posting numbers, or stats, I'll have checked my facts before posting.
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Ditto. I'm on a political debate forum that requires anyone who makes a statement to provide a link to it. I have learned quite a bit because I have to find a credible source to back up my claims. Sometimes I even find out that I was wrong before posting my opinion.
 

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