So, just out of curiousity, what would you say should be a good ration between US$ spent supporting each of US industry, agriculture, military or health care versus aid to Africa?
Difficult to give a specific ratio. But I would say that once your industry, agriculture, military, heath care is taken care of, I'm all for donating money to people who need it. I think we should follow the money a lot closer then currently are. We should be watching where its going and how its being spent, and I don't mean just the aid money either.
To put my question in perspective here is an interesting figure I encountered recently:
To add injury to insult I bet that some of the money went to farmers so they would not grow cotton. Some farmers get paid to grow nothing in their fields.
Why do you even post in this forum?
<College Republican>We have to give the blacks something to pick...so in a way it's almost like aid to Africa, right?</College Republican>
Edit: I don't mind if you disagree with me. However, I would prefer that you post a thoughtful response rather than just be a dick all the time. Give it a try.
I dunno man, pie (both kinds) is worth caring about.
Why do you hate pie?
Hell, I actively dislike the average American...you're doing much better than me.
i feel that posts here are worth more, if you will, than those on larger forums. try posting on nasioc.com's off topic board, for instance. a lot of us have been on ridemonkey, and, what's more, a lot of us have actually stuck around (even if that means that a lot of us don't really ride any more)...Why do you hate pie?
The truth is, I don't disagree with you regarding almost everything I've ever seen you post.
The truth is also that this is an obscure little forum on a slightly less obscure MOUNTAIN BIKE forum.
i think the average american is lazy, bigoted, and, yes, apathetic. i think our lifestyle when measured as a whole is unsustainable in the long term, but am especially disgusted by socal style excess. the world is not about money, nose jobs, and AMG mercedes. it isn't about big engagement rings, superbowl rings, or anything you might see on tv. it isn't about black friday.
I agree. That's why I pay more attention this board than many others.
For whatever reasons, we've found an avenue for community.
You can counteract the mormon club down the street that says the EXACT SAME things about you. Only regarding your lack of commitment to christ.
It was more for his post in the other thread. Pie doesn't make me angry.
Sam Walton just rolled over in his grave
I agree for the most part. But doesn't it seem that the ease of staying true to your convictions is being tested at the practical end of the spectrum by the increased affordability of the "less noble" product? Somewhere you/we must decide how important our convictions are in relation to our financial flexibility.
Nicely reasoned lesson in perspective KW. I can't recall if I agree with all of your political posts but I will give credit where I see it's due.I agree. That's why I pay more attention this board than many others.
But still.......what are talking about.....20 people?
Deep significance is still only going to occur in limited scope.
We all have our mental lists of who we'd like to meet, who we're glad we have met, who we NEVER want to see face to face. I post for that short list, and for myself only. I have no problem admitting that.
And this 'friend' base is born out of time though and multiple discussions (for me at least). Not one or two snarky posts.
I've met some people through this website that I genuinely consider friends. But I don't come here for the political board, I come here to talk bikes. Other's results may vary. But jumping on my case for one or two posts in which I chose to be daft.........not worth getting upset over.
So maybe that's something we can admit to caring about. Our short list community formed on an obscure corner of a mountain bike website
I still miss making fun of Damn True though
Naw, the Mormons don't get bitter, they just plot how to get you back. They're like the peppy blonde cheerleader that's still full of vigor and enthusiasm when their team is down 18 touchdowns with 2 minutes left in the fourth quarter...You can counteract the mormon club down the street that says the EXACT SAME things about you. Only regarding your lack of commitment to christ.
Everyone has the same gripes.
don't like the use of "should", but why? the-freer-the-market-the-freer-the-people may be all well & good, but this does lead to socio-economic darwinism, which i guess is fair play, if indeed the word "fair" applies.
the more i think about it, swearing allegiance to your country (that you are very likely to have had no say in your citizenship) is rather silly. from this, we can expect given a choice of "this one or all" is an equally silly question. we care about our own country because it's an extension of ourselves, our values, our identity. this, too, is silly.
i have about a dozen beginnings of answers, but nothing to completion. too many variables there.
wealth would be cheapened if evenly distributed, which may not be a bad thing, but then what would you use for incentive? honor? pride of accomplishment (e.g., nobel prize)? fear? personally, i hate money, that's why treat it like a $20 whore. i hate flash possessions, and those who genuinely feel they've "arrived" by rollin' in their escalade on 20" rims. they're needing validation & approval, and seek it through self-absorption. makes as much sense as a powder-coated nomad or women with hyphenated surnames. the only thing i buy new is food, tires, underwear, paint, & gas.
There is a pie
You haven't lived until you have had a Venison, thyme and red wine pie with a pint of porter!
If you believe that social darwinism is the best way then it's a standpoint that has a basis in rationality. In my opinion it's not an attractive concept and anyone who propounds that view should have to directly confront the consequences of such a philosophy rather than remain detached.
I may be with you on that, the question was worded to generate discussion; a more accurate wording would give the planet as the second choice.
I'm certainly not trying to imply that no one should care about their family, more about how much we should care about mankind generally.
Equitable does not necessarily mean even. Even distribution of wealth is (IMO) unnecessary as well as impossible to achieve. Equitable distribution of wealth would allow all people to have the basics; food, shelter, warmth etc, plus the opportunity to gain more through a fair return on their labour.
Damn ...I was going to say "boobs"... but now I don't want to get in trouble...
