Iriemon

In some ways we do because of technology. On the other hand, the richest in the 17th century usually didn't have to worry about having a roof over their head and something to eat.

Goobieman

The poorest in America today live better than the large majority of the people in the world.

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Artificially supporting the weak, slow, sick and stupid strains already limited resources and weakens the species as a whole.
-Goobieman

LaMidRighter

[QUOTE] Now Wait a minute! I am an independent insurance agent and can end up either wealthy or flat broke, I am young and have around five years in the business so I am in the risk/no reward phase at the moment, but I contribute greatly, if someone takes out a life policy or major med with me and the worst happens, they are financially solvent, the trade off to them is possibly needing to forgo a couple of luxury items for a year or so to afford some of my products, that is their choice as a family/client and I fully leave it to them to make it, how am I greedy or not "earning" my money when I have offered financial protection to someone else. I also plan to go series 6 and 7 eventually which would allow me to give market advice and broker stocks, respectively, the insurance for myself AND regulatory work/license fees are very burdensome, I would essentially be working some hours on my time(not paid) to stay out of regulatory trouble, how is that not "earning" what I do make, considering I can completely make someone's current or retirement plans financially solvent.
And a second point for you to consider, Lawyers and Doctors are professionals who hold licenses as do insurance and other financial professionals, some doctors milk the system and I have seen a case in my area of a doctor who is indicted for medicare fraud, and many lawyers in my area have been disbarred for unethical conduct, some of them are currently in prison. All professions have the potential for abuse, and many of those come from greed, but it is completely unfair to make blanket statements that any professional hasn't earned a living because some choose to game the system.
See above, but also consider frivolous lawsuits, such as the John Edwards class action against obstatricians in Mississippi, or the Tobacco, Gun Manufacturer class actions, other abuses of negligence/malice standards, medicare fraud, excessive testing/medication, etc. , that could also be considered theft.
Sorry you were with an idiot, but I know quite a few brokers around here and most of them are consumate professionals.

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Neither side in an argument can find the truth when both make an absolute claim on it.

LMR

Iriemon

Thank goodness for our socialist system eh? Who would want to live in an America with the slums and poverty we see elsewhere in the world?

obvious Child

No one suggested otherwise.

And what mentality would that be? All I stated was that the tax cuts according to the GAO and CBO led to increased deficits and thus raised the debt.

The mantra of some Republicans is that tax cuts actually increase revenue over the baseline. That simply is not true. And no respectable economist including those from Reagan's years would say otherwise.

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No, cops cannot threaten to rape and murder your family during interrogations.

UtahBill

[QUOTE=LaMidRighter;1057824695]yes, SOME doctors, and SOME lawyers, are crooks, but regardless, neither of them are crooks on the same scale as most of the denizens of wall st.
So far I have been called a marxist, socialist, idiot, and what was the other one? I lose track. Good to know that name calling is what you have to revert to when you have nothing to offer.
Here, let me get even with you for calling me an idiot...I will do what you do, I will call you a name...
YOU ARE A NAME CALLER....there, I did it, but I doubt you have the balls to report me....

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Education is expensive, ignorance is costly.

Each generation should have more opportunities than the last, but not at the expense of the next.

UtahBill

Would you have us return to the 17th century? You could have your own herd of peasants...

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Education is expensive, ignorance is costly.

Each generation should have more opportunities than the last, but not at the expense of the next.

Iriemon

Well I do -- if your tax cuts are funded by debt, as has been the case over the past 27 years, they are not effectively tax cuts but tax defferrments. Future taxpayers have to pay additional taxes to pay interest on the debt; much less principal.

Even today the total interest on outstanding debt approaches half a trillion a year.

We are running up more debt today just to pay interest on debt mostly accumulated since 1981.

But it sure sounds sweet to those who benefit from big tax cuts. Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies.

Republicans: "Honey, this little tax cut will increase revenues and won't cause deficits."

The pass the buck generation: "I love you. Take me, I'm yours."

obvious Child

I just realized that Ireimon. Debt funded tax cuts do need to be paid back. And it will be significently more then what we borrowed. What is disturbing is that we are likely borrowing debt to refinance. Not necessarily a bad idea, but when you need to do it just to stay afloat, that's a bad, bad sign.

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No, cops cannot threaten to rape and murder your family during interrogations.

Iriemon

But we are not just refinancing the debt. That would be the case if we only balanced the budget. We are having to borrow more just to pay the interest. That's even worse!