stevenash

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By the way, those evil profits of British Petroleum stopped the need of some government payout and related tax hike to pay for the damages they did in the Gulf

So somebody thinks big business is some sort of benevolent uncle? Just as some believe the Federal Govt is the same? In case you arent aware, businesses were NOT created to generate employee benefits. They are established with a profit motive which is a very good thing. Competition is what brings about compensation whether it be payroll or benefits. Having quality employees and minimizing turnover also brings more $ to the bottom line. Stock repurchases do not always drive a stock price up. IBM has been buying back shares for years while the stock has continued to decline. The main reason wages are finally beginning to rise is because the economy is doing better than it has in a long time and much of that has to do with regulations strangling and stymying businesses to the point they would not reinvest their cash in any form for fear of being short in the event of a downturn.

The government is an EXTREMELY poor money and/or business manager. Once again, reference the VA

No Look- would you happen to know whether or not Nazareth has any speed traps in their community?

Ah yes, the benevolent, efficient, thrifty federal government is the solution to all issues. Seems like Cuba and Venezuela found out that statement is somewhat less than veracious.

Remember LumRaiderFan, the perception of the left is that the evil rich, the capitalistic pig, the guy who never has enough, ought to pay for everything.

Yes, it might be. I wonder what the revenues from those tariff policies are used for? I wonder what the revenues from the 21% VAT tax are used for? To me, its pretty simple. You create a system( the way a country is operated) and try to stay within the boundaries of that system, knowing full well that there will be some characteristics you like and some that you don't like. As I stated in another thread, when gasoline was double what it is right now, so many were crying about how "unfair" it was to the little guy( the standard grievance theme) and that government should "do something about it". Sorry, but government was not able to do anything and the markets eventually resolved the issue.

Thanks very much for the non answer from the guy who cries for civilized reasonable debate.

I certainly am not defending the costs. What I am questioning is how to deal with it. The government doesn't run many things well and I am convinced they would not be particularly competent in the health care business as evidenced by the problems with the VA. I am amazed that every time there is a problem in this country, we believe that a new law, regulation, or tax can solve it. I can remember when gasoline got close to $4 per gallon and so many were calling for "something to be done about it". It is in the low to mid $2 area now and the government did NOT play a part in the solution

Cost disparities are often hard to understand. Since you seem to understand them, can you explain to me why a pair of Levis is priced 125% higher in Belgium than in the US? Why is a bottle of water 59% higher in Belgium? Why is a coke 78% higher?

my point was that, in this country, we are taking care of considerably more than our own citizenry

Belgium has one of the highest effective tax rates in the world. That "system" has a 21% VAT tax. Their system covers 98% of their population while the U.S. system covers 91% . I would also guess that Belgium does not have, within their cost structure, the expense of covering a very large sum of non citizens getting coverage

those flat out lies were either overt, intentional lies and if they were not lies, they were then spoken by an extremely naïve individual who is not, as portrayed, the "smartest man in the world"

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We are not sending them back on a bus because that effort does not provide any political fireworks and hatred for Trump

You are right but then again, we are only half way through the first term. Does it remind you of " you can keep your doctor and healthcare plan if you want", "my new healthcare plan will save the average family $2500 in annual premiums" " Benghazi was caused by an internet video" " Bowe Bergdahl served this country with honor and distinction" " I will build a 21st century VA" " My stimulus plan will provide shovel ready jobs" It may be hard for me to square the former with the promise. However, I am guessing your efforts at " squaring" all of the latter will be more difficult.

Since Steve Kerr became the coach of the Warriors, Boston is 3-2 against warriors on their home court. Best in NBA

So drawing from 2.8 million is ok but not 3 million?

I cant disagree with that. However, this is symptomatic of the "I am a victim and it's somebody else's fault " theory going around. Therefore, those in charge need to be "compassionate" and make the pain go away rather than doing it myself. And I can tell you that this theory was NOT perpetuated by the left.

I think you could consider Magic Johnson as student A and Larry Bird as student B if you know their respective histories.

Mandated equality!!! Doesn't get any better than that!! Rather than equal opportunity, the left values equal outcomes.

Maybe so. But just think how "compassionate" we are.