Tax Dollars at Work

[TheArtist]

 Was just listening to NPR and they were talking about how people in the US see expanding freedom vrs in Europe.  Epanding freedom in the US tends to mean "freedom to", in Europe it tends to mean "freedom from". US "freedom to own a stash of weapons"  Europe, join together to promote, "freedom from tyranny".  US, "freedom to choose your own healthcare plan"  Europe, "freedom from catastrophic healthcare bills". etc.

As per gas prices.  Interesting to note that many EU countries pay double what we do in the US.  Just saw that Germany has surged ahead in exports to become the second largest exporter in the world.  Its exports have reached their highest levels since record keeping began.  Not bad for a country that not long ago had to absorb its poor, eastern half.  

As the world becomes flatter and Europe continues to get its act together after unifying and absorbing a lot of poorer countries... Gonna be interesting to see which model (car oriented vrs mass transit oriented) is more cost effective, which labor force will be able to be more competitive cost wise.  The labor force that goes into a panic everytime the gas prices go up a bit, or the one where you can manage without having to pay for a car.

[carltonplace]

Have you seen the Oklahoma legislature?

http://www.oksenate.gov/Senators/Default.aspx?selectedtab=0

http://www.okhouse.gov/Members/Default.aspx

stupid and lazy or ignorant and apathetic?

[Townsend]

stupid and lazy or ignorant and apathetic?

Yes on three and apathetic on most things.

Anything having to do with the current federal administration seems to get them all riled up.

[Conan71]

Appetite suppressant:

[Gaspar]

It might in fact lead to a restriction of choice.  But that's not an argument for ignorance.

Thank you.

[Gaspar]

Was just listening to NPR and they were talking about how people in the US see expanding freedom vrs in Europe.  Epanding freedom in the US tends to mean "freedom to", in Europe it tends to mean "freedom from". US "freedom to own a stash of weapons"  Europe, join together to promote, "freedom from tyranny".  US, "freedom to choose your own healthcare plan"  Europe, "freedom from catastrophic healthcare bills". etc.

As per gas prices.  Interesting to note that many EU countries pay double what we do in the US.  Just saw that Germany has surged ahead in exports to become the second largest exporter in the world.  Its exports have reached their highest levels since record keeping began.  Not bad for a country that not long ago had to absorb its poor, eastern half.  

As the world becomes flatter and Europe continues to get its act together after unifying and absorbing a lot of poorer countries... Gonna be interesting to see which model (car oriented vrs mass transit oriented) is more cost effective, which labor force will be able to be more competitive cost wise.  The labor force that goes into a panic everytime the gas prices go up a bit, or the one where you can manage without having to pay for a car.

Every country you mentioned relies on the economic engine of the United States for the existence of their economy, and the very social programs they value.  The pendulum swings at a different pace in Europe and you are correct, they are in a phase of laying down more and more freedoms at the feet of government.  This always evolves into abuse, then tynary, and ultimately collapse.  We have a constitution that prevents us from moving this fast, but does not stop us. 

Some argue that the cycle is necessary, but the framers of our constitution had the forethought to erect enough impediments as to freeze this development (or at least slow the decline).

Unfortunately most people are very myopic and unaware of the natural patterns.  The "Wu Li" of government is that it will, much like a snowball rolling down hill, gain momentum and size in whatever direction you send it in.

Freedom from freedom is not freedom, it is surrender.  A slave is still a slave, even if he adores his master.

In the end they will lay their freedom at our feet and say to us, "Make us your slaves, but feed us." – Dosteovsky

[Red Arrow]

What I have noticed is that a European will ask if the law allows something.
An American will ask if something is against the law.

[nathanm]

Every country you mentioned relies on the economic engine of the United States for the existence of their economy, and the very social programs they value. 

You may not have noticed this, but the total EU economy is presently larger than that of the US. Luckily for us, at least if you believe we must be #1 in all metrics, their system is more like the articles of confederation, making it impossible for the weak central government to make the changes necessary to fix the problems in Greece and elsewhere. Not in the traditional sense of politically impossible, but in the "impossible under the current political system" sense.

[guido911]

This disgusting display of the entitlement mentality is just sickening:

[Gaspar]

These are rich!

The National Science Foundation will be publishing some important studies this year funded by your taxes.

The NSF is spending over a half-million dollars on a study to figure out whether or not online dating sites are racist?

and. . .$2 million to figure if people who often post pictures on the internet from the same location at the same time are usually friends.

and. . .$1 million for an analysis of how quickly parents respond to trendy baby names.

and. . .$315,000 study suggesting playing FarmVille on Facebook helps adults develop and maintain relationships.

[Townsend]

These are rich!

The National Science Foundation will be publishing some important studies this year funded by your taxes.

The NSF is spending over a half-million dollars on a study to figure out whether or not online dating sites are racist?

and. . .$2 million to figure if people who often post pictures on the internet from the same location at the same time are usually friends.

and. . .$1 million for an analysis of how quickly parents respond to trendy baby names.

and. . .$315,000 study suggesting playing FarmVille on Facebook helps adults develop and maintain relationships.

Linking the story might help change everyone's perception of you.

[Hoss]

Linking the story might help change everyone's perception of you.

Not likely.

[Townsend]

Not likely.

It was a thought.

[nathanm]

Gaspar, do you think i'm stupid? Of course across the board cuts are political! The entirety of yor political views are founded on that single goal. It's utterly dishonest to claim that your proposed solution is apolitical.

I think i've mentioned before that there are many third world countries that provide dining examples of what you get with a weak government of the sort you propose we have in the US. I prefer tio have the universal rule of law and drinkable tap water among the many other things we get for our money.

[Conan71]

Either Nathan is already enjoying rum drinks or he left his "nice" pills in Tulsa.