Post your random thoughts/feelings etc
- Thread starter Remus
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LoyalXenite
Well-known member
One of the hardest parts of a breakup is no longer having someone to just cuddle with... The dogs are ok for it, but the pup keeps farting and killing the mood... 
GraybeardGhost
Well-known member
Why do I torture myself? Because it's fun! :bigsmile:
Or something. :sad:
Please kill me.
Or something. :sad:
Please kill me.
Odo
Banned
This is your opinion, not the result of you knowing more about the subject than anyone else.
Why do minimum wage increases always mean more taxes? Taxes on what/who? Unless you're talking about some medieval warlord who only wants to wage war or the modern neo-feudal states that subsidize corporations/weapons manufacturers, the whole point of taxes is to redistribute wealth to the poor. In most liberal democracies, public works and government investment are guaranteed jobs-- the private sector offers no such guarantees.
The only thing that private companies care about is making money. I know that a lot of college economics courses are selling the whole 'corporations are your friend' narrative, but it's simply not true. Large corporations (or even smaller corporations) don't want to make the world a better place, they want to show growth and keep their shareholders happy... if that means paying you less, they'll do it. If that means replacing you with a robot, they'll do that. If that means destroying the environment, they will do that too. If it means deliberately lying to the public about what they're selling, then they'll make sure that anyone who knows the truth is silenced. And then they'll tell you that they're doing it because people will lose their jobs if they don't-- but it's bullshit. These same people are hiring MBAs to come in and axe as many high-paying positions as they can.
Why do you think that corporations/businesses can't afford to pay higher wages? How are impoverished consumers supposed to spend money they don't have when their salaries are too low? Are you suggesting we rely on loan sharks to keep the economy going?
Selling everything that matters to the lowest bidder over some notion of 'how the world must work' doesn't improve your quality of life... it makes you a fool.
Communist society is classless and stateless... there has never been a major stateless classless society. Of course this is when people use the tired argument that 'well, there must be a good reason why it has never been achieved-- therefore it is impossible'. No--this doesn't mean it could NEVER be achieved. It's difficult to implement, but not impossible... and you definitely can't say that it doesn't work when it has never been achieved.
There haven't been any true so******t societies either.
I don't know how much corruption you have in your country, but even if the government is selling false promises, it doesn't mean that the banks and corporations are your salvation.
Yes, let's pretend that the right is the perpetual victim in politics! It's always the right wingers who will call you a hopelessly deluded idealist who doesn't understand the economy, politics, or the world... and then get upset because the left has its own set of attacks.
I'm not so keen on buzzwords and Nazi references myself, but let's at least not pretend that your side is being totally reasonable and adult while my side is behaving like spoiled, silly children.
In this thread alone, you've called everyone who votes left stupid and declared that if only they were as educated as you are, they would agree with you. So you don't think that there are any left-wing economists or intellectuals in the world? You think that every single person who votes left is doing so because they're confused? Seriously???
That's funny because in the US a lot of right wingers seem to think Obama is a Muslim who hates America and is currently planning to mobilize the military to take their guns away from them. This is of course because he doesn't want them to be able to fight back when he uses global warming fearmongering to tax them into poverty. He'll probably give the tax money to illegal immigrants, btw!
I have yet to meet a libertarian (I'm assuming you the whole free-market-is-god variety) who isn't at least 84.5% stuck in the 19th century. It's odd that you think utopian ideologies are dangerous and yet respect the libertarians...
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FountainandFairfax
in a VAN down by the RIVER
Ithior
Well-known member
I'll stop talking about this after I clarify a few things, I'll try not to raise any point that could lead to a discussion. I'm spending way too much time writing these posts.
In Portugal's situation it's kinda complicated. On one hand you have private companies that may have the possibility of paying higher wages. If this was the only thing to care about, I'd be all for raising the minimum wage because I think a lot of the private companies are just being stingy.
However, in Portugal a very large part of the population is employed by the State, so this would put a huge toll on those working in the private sector, specially considering this wage increase will be solely supported by the increase in taxes. We already have a pretty big deficit and external debt as well, and huge interest rates. But the only measure this new party proposed to save us from our financial problems was to increase taxes.
Anyway, I'm not going to discuss a classless and stateless communist society because I can't understand how it would work in practice. It sounds like it would be some sort of anarchy where everyone is willing to share everything. I guess it could work in villages where everyone knows everyone, but I don't see how it would work natiowide.
I never mentioned the private sector. I think people should be educated so that they understand how these changes in the present affect other things and how they may pan out after a few years. I can tell from discussions with my friends who did not study political science/economics that they don't understand how things affect each other. I'm not saying they're dumb, they simply were never taught these things.
The party I voted for is centre-left (left in the USA). I voted for those guys because they're seriously the only guys who seem to want to do something about the country's situation. I can't say I agree with the way they do things, but at least they're trying. I can't say the same for the rest. Anyway, I asked my sister to explain to me why she's so happy about this extreme-left wing /centre-left alliance so I can provide an example of why people vote for extreme-left-wing parties, but she hasn't answered yet.
My friends think that people could refuse to work for one of these companies with poor conditions and people would go work for those companies with good conditions. In the end the good companies would thrive (because better conditions would mean more productivity and so on) and the bad ones would go bankrupt, so everything would work out.
I don't really think that would work that way though, but that's something that we can only speculate about.
I didn't say increasing the minimum wage always means more taxes, I actually said the opposite. It depends on many things. What I said was that in Portugal's particular case, there are a lot of people employed by the State that will have their wages increased because of this and the increase in wage is going to be mostly financed by taxes. And by taxes I mean those taxes they get straight out of your wage, I don't know if there's a specific name for that.
I don't see how this goes against what I said, I mentioned that I believe ideologies who assume people are selfish by nature are more grounded in reality. This includes the fact that corporations just want money and will only protect the environment or whatever you care about if they benefit from it.
In Portugal's situation it's kinda complicated. On one hand you have private companies that may have the possibility of paying higher wages. If this was the only thing to care about, I'd be all for raising the minimum wage because I think a lot of the private companies are just being stingy.
However, in Portugal a very large part of the population is employed by the State, so this would put a huge toll on those working in the private sector, specially considering this wage increase will be solely supported by the increase in taxes. We already have a pretty big deficit and external debt as well, and huge interest rates. But the only measure this new party proposed to save us from our financial problems was to increase taxes.
In the same way a truly libertarian society has never existed either, so people shouldn't be so quick to dismiss it.
Anyway, I'm not going to discuss a classless and stateless communist society because I can't understand how it would work in practice. It sounds like it would be some sort of anarchy where everyone is willing to share everything. I guess it could work in villages where everyone knows everyone, but I don't see how it would work natiowide.
My problem isn't the current government. In fact, even if I don't agree with them ideologically I liked the fact that they tried to turn things around and towards the right path. My problem is that people don't like that because it is bad for them in the short-term, and then they end up ruining it for everyone in the long-term by voting for those parties who are only concerned about getting elected (really, the leader of this party was changing his speech every week to appease the largest number of people; eventually the news started pointing that out and they lost a lot of votes), regardless of what they have to do to get there.
I never mentioned the private sector. I think people should be educated so that they understand how these changes in the present affect other things and how they may pan out after a few years. I can tell from discussions with my friends who did not study political science/economics that they don't understand how things affect each other. I'm not saying they're dumb, they simply were never taught these things.
What? I didn't say that. I said they were stupid because they're not voting for a government, they are voting to get a couple of laws passed. At a time like this where the country is in a really fragile situation it's important to take these decisions seriously.
The party I voted for is centre-left (left in the USA). I voted for those guys because they're seriously the only guys who seem to want to do something about the country's situation. I can't say I agree with the way they do things, but at least they're trying. I can't say the same for the rest. Anyway, I asked my sister to explain to me why she's so happy about this extreme-left wing /centre-left alliance so I can provide an example of why people vote for extreme-left-wing parties, but she hasn't answered yet.
Heh, there are a lot of stupid people regardless of ideology.
I personally don't think libertarianism would work, but they have put a lot of thought into it. In the end it all comes down to how people will behave. I think that people (as in the workforce) would behave in a way that would let corporations take advantage of them. I think people would think they don't have power to negotiate with corporations for better conditions or wages. I think they'd form syndicates but my friends don't seem to like syndicates so I don't know how that would work out.
My friends think that people could refuse to work for one of these companies with poor conditions and people would go work for those companies with good conditions. In the end the good companies would thrive (because better conditions would mean more productivity and so on) and the bad ones would go bankrupt, so everything would work out.
I don't really think that would work that way though, but that's something that we can only speculate about.
Ithior
Well-known member
On a completely unrelated note to the post above, I don't really know what to do about this. This is a bit confusing so I'll try to make it as clear as I can.
I have a bunch of group works to do for uni. I am working with some of these people in more than one group. So it looks something like this:
Person B and C are also in a group by themselves for project 1 (due this month). They also work together at the same place.
Project 2 isn't a problem, everything is going well.
I prioritised working on project 1 and studying for the test because they're both due this month. Then I have a whole month to work on project 3, which is more than enough.
However, my two mates are going straight for project 3. I don't think they have done anything for project 1, and today they skipped class and worked on project 3. They didn't tell me anything, it was the other person in our group that asked in whatsapp if they were going to class and they said they were going to work on this project instead.
I think they are close to finishing it and I have barely even looked at it.
I was considering the following option:
I tried to get in the same group as these guys because we were already doing project 2 together. A few moments later I was asked by other people if I wanted to join them, but I had to decline them and they ended up forming a group of 2.
What I was thinking was leaving my group and join those two that had invited me. The way it is going now I don't think I'll even participate in the project other than doing the boring part of writing the report without having learnt anything.
It sucks that this happened tonight because now I have to wait the whole weekend to talk to everyone involved. Ask the other group if they still want me in, ask the teacher if I can change groups, and ask my own group what they think about it.
Who should I talk to first?
As I said, who should I approach first?
I have a bunch of group works to do for uni. I am working with some of these people in more than one group. So it looks something like this:
- Project 1: person A and me - deadline this month
- Project 2: person B, C and D and me - deadline this month
- there's also a test this month
- Project 3: person B, C and me - deadline at the end of the year
Person B and C are also in a group by themselves for project 1 (due this month). They also work together at the same place.
Project 2 isn't a problem, everything is going well.
I prioritised working on project 1 and studying for the test because they're both due this month. Then I have a whole month to work on project 3, which is more than enough.
However, my two mates are going straight for project 3. I don't think they have done anything for project 1, and today they skipped class and worked on project 3. They didn't tell me anything, it was the other person in our group that asked in whatsapp if they were going to class and they said they were going to work on this project instead.
I think they are close to finishing it and I have barely even looked at it.
I was considering the following option:
I tried to get in the same group as these guys because we were already doing project 2 together. A few moments later I was asked by other people if I wanted to join them, but I had to decline them and they ended up forming a group of 2.
What I was thinking was leaving my group and join those two that had invited me. The way it is going now I don't think I'll even participate in the project other than doing the boring part of writing the report without having learnt anything.
It sucks that this happened tonight because now I have to wait the whole weekend to talk to everyone involved. Ask the other group if they still want me in, ask the teacher if I can change groups, and ask my own group what they think about it.
Who should I talk to first?
- This weekend I can try to talk to my group. I don't want to sound angry or ruin the group chemistry since we're doing another project together. I know I said the deadline is this month but we still have a bunch of other projects to do for that subject after we deliver this first one. What should I say?
- I can also talk to my teacher. I can send him an e-mail and try to ask if it's possible but without actually committing to changing groups.
- As for the other guys who invited me I'd have to talk to them Monday and see if they are still willing to have me.
As I said, who should I approach first?
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nodejesque
Well-known member
My heart goes out to those in Paris. I hope that if there is anyone on here that resides there, they are safe.
MollyBeGood
Well-known member
Those are great! Creepy-mo-fo's all remind me of Disney which we all were subjected to.
... Dolls don't scare me either, or clowns.
I did like the pics of Stevie on the side bar on the same link
vintage everyday: Sexy Women of Rock — 20 Beautiful Portraits of Stevie Nicks in the 1970s
MollyBeGood
Well-known member
Unbelievable.
Looks like Paris is closing it's borders now.
I read somewhere in my research of history and immigration in France that Paris was once a Muslim city. I need to look it up again but I know I have heard that is true from a few sources.
GraybeardGhost
Well-known member
I feel like a Puritan, a prude.
Sex is bad, mmkay? :no:
Strange words coming from a dirty old man. :thinking:
Voices . . .
Sex is bad, mmkay? :no:
Strange words coming from a dirty old man. :thinking:
Voices . . .
PugofCrydee
You want to know how I got these scars?
Scumbag cowards are at it again in Paris..
GraybeardGhost
Well-known member
Got a harsh dose of reality in the morning yesterday; got some of my illusions shattered. A pedestal now stands not so high, and a halo (of my own design) shines not as bright. So it goes.
Later, I was out getting some doing done, and I had it all still with me, hauling it around like a body in the trunk. A lot of hurt. Confusion. A lot of arguing in my head: "I can't believe that . . . " and "Well, why shouldn't . . . " and "How is it your business, anyway?" The thinks and the feels don't always get along, y'know?
So I took a spin up on the Parkway because it's right there and I needed a little time. It's dark up there—no streetlights, no neon, just the stars high above and the city far below. The road twists and turns with the agony of the mountains, sometimes woods to either side, sometimes solid rock and empty air. You have to beware and be aware, not too lost in your head, because there are deer and bears and smaller creatures rustling in the dark. And down. There's a lot of down up there, and in some places it's a very long way indeed. It's a threat, an invitation. Scary shit.
It was a cold and windy night, the kind of night when strange and spooky things go down in dark and silent places. As I followed the writhing yellow lines higher and higher, I came across a coven of fallen leaves cavorting in a circle, as though dancing to the Devil's own tune, and later, a dry, dead army marching toward me in a nearly perfect line. The chill became chillier still.
I wanted to stop and look at the lights for a bit, just to gaze and wonder and reflect, but there were cars already parked at the two overlooks I passed—creepers doing creeper things on a Friday night in the dark—so I turned around and slalomed my way back down to the brightness and the noise and the loneliness of life.
I'm still struggling a bit with the conversation in my head. Not too happy with this reality; not too happy with myself. That's nothing new. I wanted to go to a concert tonight—kind of a whim; kind of a burning desire—but I don't guess that'll happen now. Gotta catch up with myself first before I rush out into something new. Gonna need some time and something to eat. Gonna need a nap.
Later, I was out getting some doing done, and I had it all still with me, hauling it around like a body in the trunk. A lot of hurt. Confusion. A lot of arguing in my head: "I can't believe that . . . " and "Well, why shouldn't . . . " and "How is it your business, anyway?" The thinks and the feels don't always get along, y'know?
So I took a spin up on the Parkway because it's right there and I needed a little time. It's dark up there—no streetlights, no neon, just the stars high above and the city far below. The road twists and turns with the agony of the mountains, sometimes woods to either side, sometimes solid rock and empty air. You have to beware and be aware, not too lost in your head, because there are deer and bears and smaller creatures rustling in the dark. And down. There's a lot of down up there, and in some places it's a very long way indeed. It's a threat, an invitation. Scary shit.
It was a cold and windy night, the kind of night when strange and spooky things go down in dark and silent places. As I followed the writhing yellow lines higher and higher, I came across a coven of fallen leaves cavorting in a circle, as though dancing to the Devil's own tune, and later, a dry, dead army marching toward me in a nearly perfect line. The chill became chillier still.
I wanted to stop and look at the lights for a bit, just to gaze and wonder and reflect, but there were cars already parked at the two overlooks I passed—creepers doing creeper things on a Friday night in the dark—so I turned around and slalomed my way back down to the brightness and the noise and the loneliness of life.
I'm still struggling a bit with the conversation in my head. Not too happy with this reality; not too happy with myself. That's nothing new. I wanted to go to a concert tonight—kind of a whim; kind of a burning desire—but I don't guess that'll happen now. Gotta catch up with myself first before I rush out into something new. Gonna need some time and something to eat. Gonna need a nap.
PugofCrydee
You want to know how I got these scars?
I really enjoyed reading this post Graybeard :thumbup: Do you have some experience in writing?
Something-Vague
Well-known member
Someone unfriended me today. They took advantage of my kindness for a long time when they were struggling and hurt me, but I forgave them. We lost contact for a while because I was dealing with my own struggles. Had them added to Facebook for a long time and commented and liked posts here and there. Someone unfriended me today. No warning but a passive aggressive message on their own wall saying that I never made an effort to talk with them. No, they never made an effort for me to be able to talk with them. Someone unfriended me today, but they really unfriended me long ago.
alwayssunnyinphiladelphia
Well-known member
I don't think Paris has ever been a Muslim city, it is illegal for woman to wear the burka in Paris now