As are the disabled in a unique situation or people who pay taxes, fall on hard times and need entitlement programs to supplement them.I wasn't the person suggesting moeny was going to the undeserving, just point that out. All of these programs are made f... moreAs are the disabled in a unique situation or people who pay taxes, fall on hard times and need entitlement programs to supplement them.I wasn't the person suggesting moeny was going to the undeserving, just point that out. All of these programs are made for 'unique situations,' all who use dollars pay govt. in some way, why are only some worthy of a return on that investment?
I don't disagree with you, it's money that was taken from their family, it should be returned. Really, my broader point is not everyone who receives from these programs has paid into them and rightly so, their are many incapable of paying in order to rece... moreI don't disagree with you, it's money that was taken from their family, it should be returned. Really, my broader point is not everyone who receives from these programs has paid into them and rightly so, their are many incapable of paying in order to receive from them, namely people with disabilities. There are also many who have paid in who may never receive that back, likewise with food stamps, welfare and medicaid / medicare.To suggest that any particular group is more or less deserving when we all pay in some form is a mischaracterization. imo Anyone who spends money is contributing to govt., anyone who pays a bill, anyone who makes a large purchase.If govt. is going to dish out funding to anyone, it should be to the people as that's where the money comes from in the first place, you know? I don't think the people receiving govt. funding are the villains here, the politicians spending it in all the wrong places are and it's no wonder they'd try to pit us against one another over it... makes it a lot easier t... less
Is a wife who never worked entitled to the SS benefits of a husband who worked his whole life and payed into it? Is an ex-wife? There are plenty of people who receive SS and Medicare yet never paid into it.The thing is, people who don't receive those bene... moreIs a wife who never worked entitled to the SS benefits of a husband who worked his whole life and payed into it? Is an ex-wife? There are plenty of people who receive SS and Medicare yet never paid into it.The thing is, people who don't receive those benefits have paid into them as well. People who receive no food-stamp, welfare or medicaid benefits pay into them... maybe those programs will aid them when they need it, maybe not. Who is to say they'll get out what they put into SS and Medicare? Why shouldn't they get it in healthcare. To suggest that the only people entitled to receive back what govt. has taken from them are those on these two programs is to overlook a great many pertinent facts. less
Everyone who pays for anything in this country is paying a tax of some form... whether it's through inflation, a direct tax on goods / services or a straight dispensation to the state.No one moves money without paying the piper. Rather than fighting with ... moreEveryone who pays for anything in this country is paying a tax of some form... whether it's through inflation, a direct tax on goods / services or a straight dispensation to the state.No one moves money without paying the piper. Rather than fighting with each other over it, I'd really rather turn the light on the people stealing from U.S. I'm done playing that game.
Oh, believe me, he has accomplished more than you might think.Thus far, his greatest achievement has been something no other politician could do. He has convinced a multitude of voters that he isn't a politician at all. A great many truly believe he is a ... moreOh, believe me, he has accomplished more than you might think.Thus far, his greatest achievement has been something no other politician could do. He has convinced a multitude of voters that he isn't a politician at all. A great many truly believe he is a complete political outsider. They're convinced that he's just like them, just a regular guy. After deeming Hillary, Cruz and Rubio untrustworthy liars, his supporters are not only okay with his lies, they believe it one of his greatest characteristics... they think his lies and policy ignorance are part of some greater strategy!Maintaining the "Trump is just a regular American like me" lie, the "Trump is a highly successful business man" lie and the "Trump is the best man for the job because he's a successful D.C. outsider" lie have been his single greatest achievement of all.His loyalists honestly think he's an outsider even despite the fact that he so obviously surrounds himself with highly influential, dynasty political operatives with political histories dat... less
There are a ton of experiences just waiting to be had, just depends on where you are, what you're interested in doing and how much you have to put toward it.I went to a few science / history museums with my kid this weekend and we had a blast. Wasn't that... moreThere are a ton of experiences just waiting to be had, just depends on where you are, what you're interested in doing and how much you have to put toward it.I went to a few science / history museums with my kid this weekend and we had a blast. Wasn't that expensive either. There are some amazing hiking experiences as well, the world over for that matter.
There have definitely been a few times in my life when I was genuinely afraid, not temporarily spooked, but that heart-dropping sort of fear, you know? The common denominator was that someone other than me was in real, immediate danger. Three of those tim... moreThere have definitely been a few times in my life when I was genuinely afraid, not temporarily spooked, but that heart-dropping sort of fear, you know? The common denominator was that someone other than me was in real, immediate danger. Three of those times involved my son and another child. Others involved myself and friends or relatives. I've actually had a gun stuck in my face on more than one occasion and while it's certainly a show-stopper, at the time that elicited more anger than fear. When two unpredictable pitbulls broke through a fence and charged me barking and nipping while I was holding my then 2 year old, terrified son, I was legitimately afraid. lol My heart felt like it was going to explode. less
The greatest proof is in our electoral process, we don't elect the potus. The framers didn't want us electing the potus, they wanted the potus to be appointed by senators and I'm sure you recall, under the original Constitution, we didn't elect senators e... moreThe greatest proof is in our electoral process, we don't elect the potus. The framers didn't want us electing the potus, they wanted the potus to be appointed by senators and I'm sure you recall, under the original Constitution, we didn't elect senators either. Granted the parties of today didn't exist back then, but that's really beside the point. This was intended to be a system wherein prominent figures basically elected themselves, with the exception of congress and state govts.Today we have primaries run by political parties, the primaries are not subject to fed election laws, they can make whatever rules they want and we just have to suck eggs. less
Downloaded anything recently that may have had adware? *You may want to try restoring all the default engines in your browser. Or you could just use MBAM, it's pretty good at removing Adware / Pups that cause issues like that.
Top of your browser window: Tools>Options>Search>Choose Default Search EngineCould be that google was inadvertently deleted from your list of search engines? If it isn't in the list, you can't put it back until you add it to the list.
That's the way the machine is built. People really need to understand that no one ascends to the top of the party nominations without bumping elbows in the bs crowd. The whole concept of a 'man (or woman) of the people" is almost perverse. It doesn't exis... moreThat's the way the machine is built. People really need to understand that no one ascends to the top of the party nominations without bumping elbows in the bs crowd. The whole concept of a 'man (or woman) of the people" is almost perverse. It doesn't exist, not in American politics.
It is designed so that no matter who wins, we lose, that doesn't happen each time by mistake. Change it? Yeah, we can do that. Let's start with a state by state referendum to abolish the two political parties' control over our primaries. These two parties... moreIt is designed so that no matter who wins, we lose, that doesn't happen each time by mistake. Change it? Yeah, we can do that. Let's start with a state by state referendum to abolish the two political parties' control over our primaries. These two parties control our primaries process, they're not subject to fed election law, and this is from whence our choices come. I think we should seriously consider flushing that model down the proverbial toilet.Let's revisit the electoral college, do we want it? If we keep it, are we content with the method by which electoral votes are allocated? What's wrong with approval voting? Why can't we try that instead? This is supposed to be a representative government anyway, right? Those are a few of my ideas... less
No one in particular stands out... Most all of them are crazy. Course, that could mean it's me. Now that I think about it, that fits. I wasn't cast out, I withdrew voluntarily. lol
Oh, now that you mention it, I remember that one well. I did not remember that it premiered on Easter. Or perhaps I did, lol. Thanks for pointing that out!
That's a great point, it isn't always underhanded. I suspect the vast majority of it, online especially, comes from a place of genuine concern on the part of the person introducing it. I think much of it is done unknowingly because it is so ingrained in o... moreThat's a great point, it isn't always underhanded. I suspect the vast majority of it, online especially, comes from a place of genuine concern on the part of the person introducing it. I think much of it is done unknowingly because it is so ingrained in our concept of thought / debate / discourse.
Funny you would single out advertising, when Bernays came to America, that was what he did... he applied this technique to advertising / marketing.
One of his most well-known--and simultaneously his least-known--success in the advertising / marketing aren... moreFunny you would single out advertising, when Bernays came to America, that was what he did... he applied this technique to advertising / marketing.
One of his most well-known--and simultaneously his least-known--success in the advertising / marketing arena was the notion that "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/nov/28/breakfast-health-america-kellog-food-lifestyleNow days those familiar with the above refer to it as a 'wives-tale, hardly--this was a highly effective campaign to introduce a false concept to an entire population. And it worked! So well in fact that I can recall hearing this from 3 generations in my family. My great grandfather ate this meal, almost religiously, for most of his adult life. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that little nugget of information. Crazy.Nor did I intend to suggest that all forms of propaganda are comparable to what Goebbels did, but I do think it's noteworthy as an example. Of course that into the extreme. N... less
Yes, he did, he understood that after several generations, it would take on a life of its own. "The Century of the Self," it was a BBC documentary on this topic, they collected multiple interviews throughout his life where he speaks quite candidly about t... moreYes, he did, he understood that after several generations, it would take on a life of its own. "The Century of the Self," it was a BBC documentary on this topic, they collected multiple interviews throughout his life where he speaks quite candidly about that very thing. He admitted that years later, even he was astounded at is evolution. But yes, he talks about that very point in the book sourced above. He openly admitted even at the time that although multiple parties were actively using this method, they were largely unaware even of each other. less
"...we'd all agree on a lot of things..."I disagree, with all due respect, I think that's a great oversimplification. There are competing factions of propaganda, he mentions this, there are also competing motives within those factions that differ greatly ... more"...we'd all agree on a lot of things..."I disagree, with all due respect, I think that's a great oversimplification. There are competing factions of propaganda, he mentions this, there are also competing motives within those factions that differ greatly even within the group target. It is the underlying motivations that make this technique so effective. One thing I've learned in politics especially is even given drastically different motivations within the group, members speak* the exact same language, think within the confines of the same prescribed terms and react in concert when subjected to the exact same stimuli, this smacks of conditioning. I don't mean that as an insult or to belittle any particular group, but I do think it's worth further consideration.There is no greater evidence of the efficacy of this technique than Goebbels use of it in Nazi Germany.I won't try to pick your brain, that wasn't the purpose of this post. The purpose was for the reader to do that, introspection. Take from it what you wi... less
"...even in our interpersonal relationships when people pass along "news" or try to change another's veiwpoint or shame them into conformity." That is so true, painfully true. I've been on both ends of that, sometimes in the worst possible way too. Even p... more"...even in our interpersonal relationships when people pass along "news" or try to change another's veiwpoint or shame them into conformity." That is so true, painfully true. I've been on both ends of that, sometimes in the worst possible way too. Even people who are close fall victim to it. Like you, I recognize it, I actively catch myself and I've tried, still daily, to reprogram my brain out of it. I don't know if it's ever possible to truly pull back from it, like you said, we're all affected by it, whether we acknowledge it or not. And it's tough when you're surrounded by it to not give into it.
What bothers me is that we mostly perceive propaganda as the insidious attempt of a few to corrupt the mentality of the many. And while that is true, there are more propagandists (unwittingly or otherwise) than subjects. It's that common, we've taken it up as a habit of our own and most don't even realize they're doing as this is what passes for "thought." I just don't even know where to start... I've found that th... less
I find it fascinating and terrifying at the same time. Mostly because I see it all over the place. Especially where he talks about how the multitude of people who lack complete understanding of how the mind functions are ever at the mercy of the tiny frac... moreI find it fascinating and terrifying at the same time. Mostly because I see it all over the place. Especially where he talks about how the multitude of people who lack complete understanding of how the mind functions are ever at the mercy of the tiny fraction of those who do. That is so true and it is evidenced in his alternative point about herds moving on pure emotion rather than *thought. I see that everywhere.
Thanks for taking the time to read through and respond.
Edward Bernays: Know who he was? He knew a lot about us and how we think. He was the father of propaganda. He studied crowd-psychology and how to manipulate the minds of the masses. After he discovered that Joseph Goebbels was using his work in Nazi Germa... moreEdward Bernays: Know who he was? He knew a lot about us and how we think. He was the father of propaganda. He studied crowd-psychology and how to manipulate the minds of the masses. After he discovered that Joseph Goebbels was using his work in Nazi Germany, he re-branded "propaganda," later renaming it: "Public Relations." Certainly everyone is familiar with that term.Here are some of Bernays' own explanations of propaganda and how it works:"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country... Our invisible governors are, in many cases, unaware of the identity of their fellow members in the inner cabinet...They govern us by their qualities of natural leadership, their ability to supply needed ideas and by their key position in the social structure. Whatever attitude one chooses t... less
I've known both wealthy and low income people who volunteer both their time and money to their community. The only caveat is motivation, that may differ greatly, but the end result is the same.
True, but great intellect doesn't necessarily dictate what someone will do, only how effectively they will do it. For some genius reveals itself in the form of art, for others theory, some in business and so forth.I think the same applies to how we learn,... moreTrue, but great intellect doesn't necessarily dictate what someone will do, only how effectively they will do it. For some genius reveals itself in the form of art, for others theory, some in business and so forth.I think the same applies to how we learn, everyone learns differently. Some are self taught, some require little direct guidance, some require a fair degree of direct guidance and others might rely completely on direct guidance. Some are very visual, others more readily grasp concepts, some minds exist *entirely* in the abstract, it just depends on the person. It can also depend greatly one the method by which one's intellect is being measured, which is something we should attempt to better understand in America specifically.
Don't misunderstand, I'm not suggesting education doesn't have value. I just don't think there is a "one size fits all" approach. For this reason, I don't think a piece of paper is definitive verification of cognitive abilities. less
Edward Bernays: Know who he was? He knew a lot about us and how ... moreEdward Bernays: Know who he was? He knew a lot about us and how we think. He was the father of propaganda. He studied crowd-psychology and how to manipulate the minds of the masses. After he discovered that Joseph Goebbels was using his work in Nazi Germany, he re-branded "propaganda," later renaming it: "Public Relations." Certainly everyone is familiar with that term.Here are some of Bernays' own explanations of propaganda and how it works:"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country... Our invisible governors are, in many cases, unaware of the identity of their fellow members in the inner cabinet...They govern us by their qualities of natural leadership, their ability to supply needed ideas and by their key position in the social structure. Whatever attitude one chooses t... less
Just curious as to how many people even realize this is making i... moreJust curious as to how many people even realize this is making its way through Congress.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/house-republicans-let-employers-demand-100034946.html
I know many agree that something should replace the current heal... moreI know many agree that something should replace the current health-care law should all or parts of it be repealed and would love to hear some opinions of Rand Paul's proposed replacement plan. He outlined the key points in an interview last night... Thoughts?
So I was reading his recent statements about pot legalization:
"... moreSo I was reading his recent statements about pot legalization:
"If we want to expand this universe of people that are addicted and abusing drugs, well, you’ll have that chance in November," he said at a news conference. He added, "I don’t think that any state became stronger by being stoned."
I found his statements to be principally incompatible with the state's gun policy, which is beloved by republicans. Don't get me wrong, I totally support gun rights and all that, I just find it odd that politicians who support un-permitted concealed carry laws, un-permitted open carry laws and don't even support a maintaining a gun registry in the state somehow think pot legalization is such a dangerous policy.
Am I the only one that thinks this is empty fear-mongering? less
Particularly patients with mental health issues that predispose ... moreParticularly patients with mental health issues that predispose them to violence; should they be allowed to own guns, parent children and enjoy the freedoms that non-mental health patients enjoy without permission from govt. at some level?Should all of society be subjected to routine mental health examinations to ensure that no one slips through the cracks?
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