The funniest thing is that all the young people are demanding a system that is so expensive that they won't be able to get anything when they are older. The benifits given out now are not sustainable, to the point of even Socialists, once they are in power like in Spain, are saying they have to cut stuff.
Then the people who would get the most out of restructuing the systen, the young people, protest.
... people figure out they can use it as a way of using the government as an intermediary to take other people's stuff and give it to themselves. Once that happens, it is only a matter of time before we see governments like those in Europe that are essentially dead men walking.
That is why ideas that were originally in our Constitution but have since been re-interpreted into non-existence were so important.
The idea of a government with strictly limited powers -- powers that most certainly did NOT include the ability to have a social security system, corporate welfare, hire persons on behalf of Monsanto, medicare, medicaid, afdc, etc etc etc -- is a government that cannot be used as a proxy for theft on a grand scale, and hence would never overextend itself into oblivion.
Of course, the powers granted in article 1 section 8 have now been misconstrued to the point of expansive meaninglessness. So we aren't far away from emulating the folks in Europe.
I simply hope that the huge wake-up call we've gotten by seeing the mess we're in (and the bigger mess the Europeans are in) will get us to change course before it's too late.
Human nature is what it is. Though the behavior of any given individual is impossible to predict; aggregate behavior of large groups is pretty predictable and it can be summarized as: gimme gimme what I want right the fuck NOW and I don't give a shit that 6 months from now I'm gonna die or that you had to steal it or kill people to give it to me!
Just look at the spoiled punks in Europe.
If this were not the case here as well, we wouldn't have a 14 trillion dollar debt.
When people scream for spending cuts right up to the point where it affects them! Oh, no! Don't cut Federal and State aid to my school district. But don't you dare increase local taxes, either! Just one of many examples of the 'ol NIMBY factor.
The other thing that should be noted is the brain drain from Europe continues.
Excluding Americans who are working for U.S. countries and are temporarily in Europe and excluding ex pats who are rich and can live anywhere, it is very rare to find Americans who have moved to Europe to live and be part of the working classes. In the 30 years I have been going there, I have run into a tiny number, and usually they haven't "moved" to Europe, but are living with a boyfriend and working as a waitress, or similar situations.
On the other hand, the talent that moves from Europe to the U.S. continues.
I cannot count the number of talented European business people I know in L.A. alone. Look at the cooking world and that is just the start. I can't guess at the number of restaurants, bakeries, chocolate shops, specialty food places.
Outside of the cooking world I know scores of Europeans in all fields. Dentists, doctors, teachers, etc.
I was just talking to a woman from Bologna, who still loves her "homeland," but wants the "opportunity" she finds here.
Unfortunately it looks like your attempt to purchase VIP membership has failed due to your card being declined. Good news is that we have several other payment options that you could try.
VIP MEMBER
, you are now a VIP member!
We thank you for your purchase!
VIP MEMBER
, Thank you for becoming VIP member!
Membership should be activated shortly. You'll receive notification!
