Hundreds of Occupy Wall Street protesters arrested

[JU_88]

I swear America seems like this....

LEFT, RIGHT,
LEFT, RIGHT,
LEFT, RIGHT,
LEFT, RIGHT,
LEFT, RIGHT,
LEFT, RIGHT,
LEFT, RIGHT,
LEFT, RIGHT,
LEFT, RIGHT,

Annnd march off the edge of the cliff because no one was looking ahead!


Why has every single political thought got to conform with right or left? WHY?
seems like its blinding everyone away from common sense.

[August]

Originally Posted by JU_88

...march off the edge of the cliff...

People have been expecting us to do that for over 200 years but we're still here.

[Dread Knot]

Originally Posted by JU_88

I swear America is like this....

LEFT, RIGHT,
LEFT, RIGHT,
LEFT, RIGHT,
LEFT, RIGHT,
LEFT, RIGHT,
LEFT, RIGHT,
LEFT, RIGHT,
LEFT, RIGHT,
LEFT, RIGHT,

Annnd march off the edge of the cliff because no one was looking ahead!

Well, we used to have this weird thing called a "political center", but it was polarized out of existence years ago by the various 24-hour media machines that consider politics some sort of bloodsport.

[JU_88]

No offence But a 'dead centre' temporary dictatorship just might do you guys the world of good, give you all a chance to calm the f- down?
I think the problem with 'Dead center', is that it wouldnt inspire Americans as it wouldnt be able to demonstrate any real passion or ambition, just objectivity and / or indifference.
Its not macho enough for what American politics has become.
@Dread Knot, you have a media fuelled political bloodsport, because most of your country laps it up like a kitty with a saucer of warm milk.

Im not saying the UK is better or anything, but the line between Right and Left has now become so blurred its barely recognisable. To some extent I think its a good thing, since it forces more people to look carfully at whats on the table in terms of policies (the big picture)- rather than just blindly bowling for the same team as mommy daddy.
On the down side it also creates indifference.... just look at our last election (hung parliment).

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by Dread Knot

Well, we used to have this weird thing called a "political center", but it was polarized out of existence years ago by the various 24-hour media machines that consider politics some sort of bloodsport.

Well said!

[Dread Knot]

Originally Posted by JU_88

No offence But a 'dead centre' temporary dictatorship just might do you guys the world of good, give you all a chance ot calm the f- down?

Temporary dictators....that sounds about as appealing as those temporary taxes that never are.

People have been expecting us to do that for over 200 years but we're still here.

You have been doing that for the past 200 years and continue to do so, hadn't you noticed.

[JU_88]

Originally Posted by Dread Knot

Temporary dictators....that sounds about as appealing as those temporary taxes that never are.

It also sounds like a joke

[Dread Knot]

Originally Posted by JU_88

It also sounds like a joke

Glad to hear it. I think the prospect of an American 'Cromwell' would be just as terrifying across the pond as here.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by JU_88

Why has every single political thought got to conform with right or left? WHY?
seems like its blinding everyone away from common sense.

Originally Posted by Dread Knot

Well, we used to have this weird thing called a "political center", but it was polarized out of existence years ago by the various 24-hour media machines that consider politics some sort of bloodsport.

Not quite true. One of the stated desires of the founders was to have no parties, as they had seen what that was like in Britain and France. They then immediately began to engage in partisan politics. You can blame the media all you want, but in their time the newspapers were sock-puppets for the politicians themselves. Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson waged war in the papers over several issues right from the start. The media are not solely to blame. People want to be right, and they want 'the other guy' to be wrong.

If you have an opinion on an issue, great. If you "know" you're right about it, you're part of the problem. Blaming someone else is the source of all partisan politics, so blame yourself first.

[Sea Demon]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

Jobs are created by demand, not by tax breaks to the wealthy.

Well, demand is usually derived by innovation. For example, the demand for cell phones was made possible by the invention of the product. A product from someone's creativity. A creativity that usually needs capital to help it flourish. "Tax breaks to the wealthy" is merely a slogan used to create class division among our citizens. Socialist politicians use it as a tool. The reality is that government does not make effective use of the tax dollars they receive, and too much waste comes from that direction. Because of this, it makes no sense to fork over more money to excess government waste. Government needs to keep taxes low and reasonable, and use the taxes they receive in smarter ways. The money is better kept in the pockets of citizens who can make better use of it.

Originally Posted by JU 88

Unfortunately capitalism only provides us with a good standard of living, because it denies it to somebody else.

That's simply not true. Capitalism requires participation. And not all outcomes are guaranteed. Some people fare better than others under this system. And that's OK as it also allows individuals the ability to fail and get back on the saddle to attempt another try at it. The fact is, capitalism has fed the world, brought tremendous innovations to the fore, and allows freedom of the individual to pursue their ideas. Socialism does not. I'll take this Capitalist imperfect system any day with all it's choices and freedom before I would take the inherent slavery, misery, and staleness of socialism.

[Sea Demon]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

I find it funny that the same people around here who got butthurt when anyone referred to the Tea Party as teabaggers or anything but "a movement of red blooded Americans exercising their constitutional rights of free speech" are the same one to call those who want money out of politics trash or scum. If wanting a fair democracy where the voice of the people holds more sway than money makes you trash and scum, then call me trash and scum.

The tea party and the "occupiers" are two distinct entities with no real similarities. The OWS crowd have had thousands of arrests, have harassed citizens trying to go to work and do their jobs. They have had confrontations with law enforcement and have destroyed public property. They are a disorganized unruly mob of shiftless protestors that has been reinforced by union and organized labor thugs. There were 700 arrests in New York city alone over the weekend. Their goal is to cause as much disruption as possible and force anarchy.

In contrast, there have been thousands of peaceful and respectful Tea Party rallies across the USA over the past three years. The Tea Party Express alone has hosted over 301 and there has not been one arrest or incident of violence. Usually they say a prayer, recite the pledge of allegiance and sing the national anthem before each rally.


Tea partiers usually have informed opinions and clear articulation of their principles and goals. The socialist mobs sitting around in NYC and other "occupied" zones rely on mind-numbing chants, bongo drums and bullhorns, because there is no substance to their message.

[AVGWarhawk]

You will never convince Mookie that the Tea Bag party is ok.

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by Sea Demon

Tea partiers usually have informed opinions and clear articulation of their principles and goals. [/FONT]

That's good for a laugh. The "keep your government hands off my Medicare" guy was a great example of this. A willful and proud ignorance of history, science and economics are the hallmarks of the Tea Party. Sorry, but I just ain't buying it.

I'm on the side of someone who wants government to serve the people, rather than the donors. No matter how they attempt to smear the messenger, that's a message that's hard to fault.

And you have to ask yourself - why would people go to such lengths to smear someone with that message. Interesting....hmm...

In any case, they're two sides of the same coin. Both angry at a government who they feel is not serving their interests.

[JU_88]

Originally Posted by Sea Demon

That's simply not true. Capitalism requires participation. And not all outcomes are guaranteed. Some people fare better than others under this system. And that's OK as it also allows individuals the ability to fail and get back on the saddle to attempt another try at it. The fact is, capitalism has fed the world, brought tremendous innovations to the fore, and allows freedom of the individual to pursue their ideas. Socialism does not. I'll take this Capitalist imperfect system any day with all it's choices and freedom before I would take the inherent slavery, misery, and staleness of socialism.

Im afraid it is.
'Some people fare better than others' is an understatment.
I suggest you do some research in to the worlds wealth distribution.

Why do you think we have a third world?, is it because those people are just lazy can cant be bothered to create their own opportunities?
Or is it because they are trapped at the bottom of the pyramid, harvesting our crops and manufacturing our goods for next to nothing so we make a tidy profit?

We have half the world near enslaved. Its is not possible for everyone one of earth to have a high standard of living under Captialsm, the system simply cannot function that way.
Also it requires constant economic growth meaning we are tearing though the world resources like there is no tomorrow (and their wont be if we keep it up)
And you dont need me to tell you how wasteful we are either.

Yes it does have its benifits, the last century has indeed been increadible for innovation but at what cost to the planet and its people?

Lastly I was not suggesting Socialism as a better alternative, read my post carefully, critisizing captialism doesnt automatically make me a socialist. please dont jump to conclusions.