Trump
- Lazy8 - Jan 16, 2021 - 1:33pm
COVID-19
- Red_Dragon - Jan 16, 2021 - 1:13pm
Language
- rhahl - Jan 16, 2021 - 1:03pm
Social Media Are Changing Everything
- Ohmsen - Jan 16, 2021 - 12:10pm
Trump Lies
- ScottN - Jan 16, 2021 - 12:05pm
Outstanding Covers
- R_P - Jan 16, 2021 - 11:48am
The Obituary Page
- ScottN - Jan 16, 2021 - 8:47am
Radio Paradise Comments
- islander - Jan 16, 2021 - 7:26am
Breaking News
- KarmaKarma - Jan 16, 2021 - 7:13am
Mixtape Culture Club
- KurtfromLaQuinta - Jan 16, 2021 - 6:27am
What Are You Going To Do Today?
- miamizsun - Jan 16, 2021 - 5:54am
Today in History
- Red_Dragon - Jan 16, 2021 - 5:43am
Vocabulary Quiz
- rhahl - Jan 16, 2021 - 5:31am
Flim Festivals on Now
- rhahl - Jan 16, 2021 - 3:59am
2020 Elections
- haresfur - Jan 15, 2021 - 8:44pm
Baby words that stuck in your family
- Manbird - Jan 15, 2021 - 8:06pm
Things You Thought Today
- Isabeau - Jan 15, 2021 - 2:30pm
Name My Band
- oldviolin - Jan 15, 2021 - 2:29pm
Our tolerance for opposing views
- Isabeau - Jan 15, 2021 - 2:14pm
What is the meaning of this?
- Isabeau - Jan 15, 2021 - 2:00pm
Climate Change
- R_P - Jan 15, 2021 - 12:47pm
what the hell, miamizsun?
- oldviolin - Jan 15, 2021 - 10:20am
What the hell OV?
- miamizsun - Jan 15, 2021 - 9:51am
Physics questions
- oldviolin - Jan 15, 2021 - 8:56am
Classical Music
- rhahl - Jan 15, 2021 - 6:48am
Capitalism and Consumerism... now what?
- miamizsun - Jan 15, 2021 - 6:10am
RightWingNutZ
- Red_Dragon - Jan 15, 2021 - 5:55am
Back to the 10's
- rhahl - Jan 15, 2021 - 5:37am
Museum Of Bad Album Covers
- Proclivities - Jan 15, 2021 - 4:58am
Twitter's finest moment
- Jiggz - Jan 15, 2021 - 1:28am
Country Up The Bumpkin
- oldviolin - Jan 14, 2021 - 8:14pm
What The Hell Buddy?
- oldviolin - Jan 14, 2021 - 8:09pm
In My Room
- oldviolin - Jan 14, 2021 - 7:58pm
Looting & vandalism isn't protest
- R_P - Jan 14, 2021 - 5:25pm
Insane-looking Lawyers
- rhahl - Jan 14, 2021 - 4:14pm
Bug Reports & Feature Requests
- KurtfromLaQuinta - Jan 14, 2021 - 2:54pm
Joe Biden
- black321 - Jan 14, 2021 - 2:07pm
Race in America
- sirdroseph - Jan 14, 2021 - 12:32pm
New Music
- R_P - Jan 14, 2021 - 12:11pm
hallucinogenic drugs
- sirdroseph - Jan 14, 2021 - 11:09am
Back to the 90's
- rgio - Jan 14, 2021 - 7:47am
Concept Albums
- oldviolin - Jan 14, 2021 - 7:34am
Democratic Party
- kurtster - Jan 14, 2021 - 6:17am
Capital Punishment
- R_P - Jan 13, 2021 - 8:54pm
Biden Crime Family
- westslope - Jan 13, 2021 - 6:59pm
2 questions.
- miamizsun - Jan 13, 2021 - 5:30pm
Australia has Disappeared
- haresfur - Jan 13, 2021 - 5:12pm
Impeachment Time:
- R_P - Jan 13, 2021 - 2:49pm
Back to the 60's
- kcar - Jan 13, 2021 - 2:45pm
Oh, The Stupidity
- R_P - Jan 13, 2021 - 2:16pm
Know your memes
- black321 - Jan 13, 2021 - 12:02pm
Republican Party
- miamizsun - Jan 13, 2021 - 10:53am
The Global War on Terror
- westslope - Jan 13, 2021 - 9:36am
Counting with Pictures
- Proclivities - Jan 13, 2021 - 8:11am
Great guitar faces
- yuel - Jan 13, 2021 - 6:37am
DQ (as in 'Daily Quote')
- miamizsun - Jan 13, 2021 - 4:41am
• • • Poopoo • • •
- miamizsun - Jan 13, 2021 - 4:15am
Those Lovable Policemen
- haresfur - Jan 12, 2021 - 5:26pm
The death penalty on trial?
- Ohmsen - Jan 12, 2021 - 4:41pm
Live Music
- Ohmsen - Jan 12, 2021 - 3:39pm
Military Matters
- Ohmsen - Jan 12, 2021 - 2:00pm
Dear Retail Fashion Industry
- Ohmsen - Jan 12, 2021 - 1:30pm
Pernicious Pious Proclivities Particularized Prodigiously
- R_P - Jan 12, 2021 - 10:30am
HALF A WORLD
- oldviolin - Jan 12, 2021 - 10:22am
Net Neutrality
- Ohmsen - Jan 12, 2021 - 9:55am
FOUR WORDS
- Ohmsen - Jan 12, 2021 - 9:43am
TWO WORDS
- oldviolin - Jan 12, 2021 - 9:40am
ONE WORD
- oldviolin - Jan 12, 2021 - 9:38am
THREE WORDS
- oldviolin - Jan 12, 2021 - 9:38am
• • • The Once-a-Day • • •
- oldviolin - Jan 12, 2021 - 9:18am
The Dragons' Roost
- Ohmsen - Jan 12, 2021 - 9:07am
Positive Thoughts and Prayer Requests
- GeneP59 - Jan 12, 2021 - 8:31am
Crazy conspiracy theories
- Ohmsen - Jan 12, 2021 - 7:20am
Philosophy, anyone?
- miamizsun - Jan 12, 2021 - 4:30am
What you need to know - No Jokes
- rhahl - Jan 12, 2021 - 3:47am
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Index »
Regional/Local »
USA/Canada »
Thoughtful Suggestions for Improving America
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Page: Previous 1, 2, 3 ... 8, 9, 10, 11 Next |
dionysius

Location: The People's Republic of Austin Gender:  
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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 2:48pm |
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javahnagila wrote:one word: tolerance
I will not just tolerate your new av, I will wholeheartedly support it.
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Red_Dragon


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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 2:30pm |
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maryte wrote: Wha? I didn't say "state's rights."
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Lazy8

Location: The Gallatin Valley of Montana Gender:  
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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 2:28pm |
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maryte wrote: Not parsing for you? Works for me.
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maryte

Location: Blinding You With Library Science! Gender:  
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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 2:22pm |
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oldslabsides wrote: A state has no rights, only people have rights. That so many of them choose to give them up to the state is very disturbing to me.
oldslabsides wrote: They all assume responsibilities that are not those of the national government. They all represent the abdication of rights and state responsibilities. They are all financed by a confiscatory system of robbery called taxation. They are all backed by the police power of the national government.
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Red_Dragon


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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 2:13pm |
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maryte wrote:
Of course I accept that about you! I sure as hell can't change how you feel. Although I've got to wonder about your concerns that the poor state is having its rights usurped. Oklahoma must be heaven, because state gubmint in Texas imposes on its citizenry far worse than the federal gubmint...
A state has no rights, only people have rights. That so many of them choose to give them up to the state is very disturbing to me.
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maryte

Location: Blinding You With Library Science! Gender:  
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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 2:11pm |
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oldslabsides wrote: Acceptance, say, of the fact that some of us feel very threatened by the power of the state? That some of us just want to be left alone to take responsibility for ourselves without the intrusions of a nanny state? Just askin'...
Of course I accept that about you! I sure as hell can't change how you feel. Although I've got to wonder about your concerns that the poor state is having its rights usurped. Oklahoma must be heaven, because state gubmint in Texas imposes on its citizenry far worse than the federal gubmint...
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Red_Dragon


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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 2:03pm |
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maryte wrote:
better: Acceptance
Acceptance, say, of the fact that some of us feel very threatened by the power of the state? That some of us just want to be left alone to take responsibility for ourselves without the intrusions of a nanny state? Just askin'...
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maryte

Location: Blinding You With Library Science! Gender:  
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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 1:59pm |
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javahnagila wrote:one word: tolerance
better: Acceptance
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javahnagila

Location: Spaced Coast of Florida Gender:  
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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 1:55pm |
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one word: tolerance
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Red_Dragon


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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 1:55pm |
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zipper wrote: I so love your communication skills and your ability to grasp the details and apply them to the big picture in a way that anyone can comprehend.
That makes at least two of us.
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zipper


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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 1:53pm |
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Lazy8 wrote:kurtster wrote:If the only end user of your product is the government, then it makes sense to me. The landscaper in Waukegan probably isn't netting more than $400K. And what if it isn't? The burden of compliance would fall on anyone doing business with the feds at any level. Or do you want to add yet another accounting/compliance requirement: state what portion of your company's income comes from federal contracting as well, documented with this form and that table and audited by this certified accounting agency, paid for out of overhead. None of which cuts the grass. It doesn't matter that the guy cutting the grass doesn't make more than $471,000/year (and as far as I'm concerned, bully for him if he does)— he has to prove he doesn't, and proving he doesn't takes time and money. It means there's no point taking on a federal contract for a small job—you'll lose money. You need to take on lots of federal contracts or charge more for them, putting you at a disadvantage to a company that does nothing but. You're accomplishing the opposite of your intent. You might consider this feel good legislation, where as I see it as a backlash to the outragous missuse of the TARP fund and similar proposals. A line must be drawn somewhere. I consider it both: a misguided attempt to fix a problem caused by red tape with more red tape. Motivating it by a desire to punish those who took advantage of the system Congress put in place doesn't change the outcome or punish those truly responsible. The guy cutting grass didn't get any TARP money. Imagine the impact on Major League Baseball, which exists in its present form by an Act of Congress as an Anti Trust exempt organization. Sure, there will be ways to seek out loopholes, there always are. But just putting this out there for consideration should make people shudder, especially those who have been milking at the governments teet for far to long. I can imagine the impact on MLB: none at all. An exemption from antitrust law can be undone separately, at any time. So do that, and leave the lawn maintenance guy alone. Wouldn't you love to see the wages at Haliburton affected by this approach ? Or how about the wages at Exxon Mobil if they sell fuel to the government ? Let these companies reinvest the difference in their companies or pay dividends to the stock holders and pay more taxes on earnings not diverted to the same. I realize this isn't perfect, but do you have a better idea ? Trillions of dollars have disappeared down ratholes overnight and no one seems to have a meaningful idea as to how to stop it.
No, I wouldn't. I'd rather see each company's owners set compensation based on the value added by the employee, or the scarcity and necessity of the work s/he does. Or whatever the owners of the company want to use—it's none of our business. If they pay too much the cost of their goods and services will go up and somebody who pays less gets the job. You want my idea? Scrap the requirements irrelevant to the actual work. Eliminate the intrusive and burdensome accounting rules that govern every minute detail of doing business with the government; rules that bloat administration within companies and make them uncompetitive with non-governmental customers. As for TARP and other such boondoggles: even easier. Don't do it. Admit there are problems government is helpless against, and concentrate on the ones it can help with, and should help with. I so love your communication skills and your ability to grasp the details and apply them to the big picture in a way that anyone can comprehend.
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Lazy8

Location: The Gallatin Valley of Montana Gender:  
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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 1:47pm |
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kurtster wrote:If the only end user of your product is the government, then it makes sense to me. The landscaper in Waukegan probably isn't netting more than $400K. And what if it isn't? The burden of compliance would fall on anyone doing business with the feds at any level. Or do you want to add yet another accounting/compliance requirement: state what portion of your company's income comes from federal contracting as well, documented with this form and that table and audited by this certified accounting agency, paid for out of overhead. None of which cuts the grass. It doesn't matter that the guy cutting the grass doesn't make more than $471,000/year (and as far as I'm concerned, bully for him if he does)— he has to prove he doesn't, and proving he doesn't takes time and money. It means there's no point taking on a federal contract for a small job—you'll lose money. You need to take on lots of federal contracts or charge more for them, putting you at a disadvantage to a company that does nothing but. You're accomplishing the opposite of your intent. You might consider this feel good legislation, where as I see it as a backlash to the outragous missuse of the TARP fund and similar proposals. A line must be drawn somewhere. I consider it both: a misguided attempt to fix a problem caused by red tape with more red tape. Motivating it by a desire to punish those who took advantage of the system Congress put in place doesn't change the outcome or punish those truly responsible. The guy cutting grass didn't get any TARP money. Imagine the impact on Major League Baseball, which exists in its present form by an Act of Congress as an Anti Trust exempt organization. Sure, there will be ways to seek out loopholes, there always are. But just putting this out there for consideration should make people shudder, especially those who have been milking at the governments teet for far to long. I can imagine the impact on MLB: none at all. An exemption from antitrust law can be undone separately, at any time. So do that, and leave the lawn maintenance guy alone. Wouldn't you love to see the wages at Haliburton affected by this approach ? Or how about the wages at Exxon Mobil if they sell fuel to the government ? Let these companies reinvest the difference in their companies or pay dividends to the stock holders and pay more taxes on earnings not diverted to the same. I realize this isn't perfect, but do you have a better idea ? Trillions of dollars have disappeared down ratholes overnight and no one seems to have a meaningful idea as to how to stop it.
No, I wouldn't. I'd rather see each company's owners set compensation based on the value added by the employee, or the scarcity and necessity of the work s/he does. Or whatever the owners of the company want to use—it's none of our business. If they pay too much the cost of their goods and services will go up and somebody who pays less gets the job. You want my idea? Scrap the requirements irrelevant to the actual work. Eliminate the intrusive and burdensome accounting rules that govern every minute detail of doing business with the government; rules that bloat administration within companies and make them uncompetitive with non-governmental customers. As for TARP and other such boondoggles: even easier. Don't do it. Admit there are problems government is helpless against, and concentrate on the ones it can help with, and should help with.
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Red_Dragon


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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 1:44pm |
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Beaker wrote:Sorry Schlabby, I wasn't suggesting you were any one persuasion over another, beyond what we already know - a well-armed man with mullet.  Yer pressin' yer luck, Canuck.
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maryte

Location: Blinding You With Library Science! Gender:  
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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 1:42pm |
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Beaker wrote:Some are more liberal than others. Waaay more liberal. When the far right does the reacharound and runs into the far left, what do ya call that anyway?    Fixed your typo.
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Red_Dragon


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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 1:40pm |
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Beaker wrote:Some are more liberal than others. Waaay more liberal. When the far left does the reacharound and runs into the far right, what do ya call that anyway?   I think anyone would be hard pressed to describe my positions as either liberal or conservative. And those libertarians? Too conservative for me.
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Zep


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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 1:39pm |
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Beaker wrote:Some are more liberal than others. Waaay more liberal. When the far left does the reacharound and runs into the far right, what do ya call that anyway?  
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Red_Dragon


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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 1:36pm |
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maryte wrote:All generalities. Like everyone at RP is a liberal.  There are at least two people around here I can think of who are far better at specifics than myself. I don't think I was quite as general as your analogy.
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maryte

Location: Blinding You With Library Science! Gender:  
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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 1:33pm |
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oldslabsides wrote: They all assume responsibilities that are not those of the national government. They all represent the abdication of rights and state responsibilities. They are all financed by a confiscatory system of robbery called taxation. They are all backed by the police power of the national government.
All generalities. Like everyone at RP is a liberal.
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Red_Dragon


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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 1:29pm |
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maryte wrote:
Articulate where all of these organizations have done more harm than good. That would be thoughtful.
They all assume responsibilities that are not those of the national government. They all represent the abdication of rights and state responsibilities. They are all financed by a confiscatory system of robbery called taxation. They are all backed by the police power of the national government.
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oldviolin

Location: esse quam videri Gender:  
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Posted:
Jan 18, 2009 - 1:27pm |
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kurtster wrote:Life is not without risk  Kurt, in spite of my high ideals, you would know infinitely more about that than I.
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