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DrTentacles Cephalopod Lothario from Land of the Deep Ones Since: Jul, 2012 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Cephalopod Lothario
#49526: Feb 14th 2013 at 3:28:33 PM

"Because they want more answers about Benghazi, apparently."

Or so some Rep was saying.

Trivialis Since: Oct, 2011
#49527: Feb 14th 2013 at 3:38:24 PM

I was actually talking about the "crazy right wing reactionist party" or someone who may have voted/supported it in something. My wish in this topic is that if such a person comes here, he/she is given a chance to openly lay out a view and is given elaborated response, without a negative tone rising. It should be for that person's benefit in understanding a different view, rather than "our self-esteem".

I noticed something here. In TV Tropes most of us are left-leaning in various ways, so we get the sense that someone who disagrees is an outlier. But an opinion given here could sometimes be a minority view with respect to the United States population. I feel that if we don't keep that in mind, we may get a wrong impression.

Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#49528: Feb 14th 2013 at 3:38:55 PM

I'm curious, why are people so concerned that our currency isn't backed by gold anymore? I told a girl in my class about this today and she got upset.

DrTentacles Cephalopod Lothario from Land of the Deep Ones Since: Jul, 2012 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Cephalopod Lothario
#49529: Feb 14th 2013 at 3:41:24 PM

[up][up] It wasn't what he was saying. It was the way he was saying it. We were being calm and respectful, and he kept screaming talking points and ignoring us.

...Then he got really ugly, really obnoxiously fundie christian, and really homophobic. I think Fighteer's view is it's not our job to educate those who want to listen, and that the person was pretty toxic to rational, reasoned debate.

[up] And no idea. I think people just don't understand fiat currency, and get all upset that our money isn't "real." It just doesn't match up with their worldview.

edited 14th Feb '13 3:42:42 PM by DrTentacles

tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#49530: Feb 14th 2013 at 3:41:27 PM

Wasn't there a conservative poster who came in and had their opinion of tge GOP changed without going to explosivly?

[up][up]My guess is that people believe that having something material backing a currency is much better than a speculated currency.

edited 14th Feb '13 3:44:11 PM by tclittle

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
Trivialis Since: Oct, 2011
#49531: Feb 14th 2013 at 3:43:30 PM

[up][up]I know. I sensed it. Still, the conversation tone seemed a bit condescending as it built up.

I think Fighteer's view is it's not our job to educate those who want to listen

I don't follow...

[up]Starship Maxima?

edited 14th Feb '13 3:44:17 PM by Trivialis

DrTentacles Cephalopod Lothario from Land of the Deep Ones Since: Jul, 2012 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Cephalopod Lothario
#49532: Feb 14th 2013 at 3:43:32 PM

[up][up] Starship? Yeah. That's because he's an awesome guy who's willing to listen and consider facts, and not just reject them out of hand. He can be a bit thick at times, but he tries, and we love him anyway.

[up] I'll admit that I was probably a bit...brusque. And I regret that, because I'd rather have a reasoned debate/try to help someone work past their conditioning than start a fight. (Not that I think it would have worked with this guy anyway.) I've got to work on. I just...tend to have a low opinion of people who skim/read rational arguments, and rebut them with "I'm entitled to an opinion." And give no evidence to support that.

edited 14th Feb '13 3:45:22 PM by DrTentacles

Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#49533: Feb 14th 2013 at 3:48:09 PM

Dr Tentacles: That seems likely. Her primary concern was that its value was imaginary. I told her gold is the same way but she couldn't seem to understand that.

Tclittle: I don't see why it matters if people accept it.

edited 14th Feb '13 3:48:33 PM by Kostya

DrTentacles Cephalopod Lothario from Land of the Deep Ones Since: Jul, 2012 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Cephalopod Lothario
#49534: Feb 14th 2013 at 3:49:57 PM

We really should have a mandatory, basic macro-economics course in our schools...

Trivialis Since: Oct, 2011
#49535: Feb 14th 2013 at 3:50:35 PM

Actual gold does have more use than paper. It's also not as easy to make, and has more limited quantity. Probably better off in another thread though.

Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#49536: Feb 14th 2013 at 3:54:25 PM

[up][up]That depends on how it's taught. Austrian economics are considered valid in many circles.

[up]Yes but most of it that's used as currency sits in a vault.

Trivialis Since: Oct, 2011
DrTentacles Cephalopod Lothario from Land of the Deep Ones Since: Jul, 2012 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Cephalopod Lothario
#49538: Feb 14th 2013 at 3:56:59 PM

[up][up] Even if they don't focus on Keynes, they should at least give all schools a good deal of time in the spotlight. Anything would be better than what we're doing now, which is allowing the republican's brand of bastardized Austrianism run wild. It's not even real austrianism. Most people aren't even aware macroeconomics are a thing, much less that they're different from micro.

edited 14th Feb '13 3:57:54 PM by DrTentacles

Belian In honor of my 50lb pup from 42 Since: Jan, 2001
In honor of my 50lb pup
#49539: Feb 14th 2013 at 4:17:42 PM

Why do people need a basic macroeconomics course? The economy works and all people need to do is believe in the power of money in order for it to continue doing sonote . You can know something works and know how to use it without knowing why it works (comparison: most modern electronics).

Now, I would advocate that a basic general buisness course be manditory. Give people enough knowlage about buisness (economics, statistics, accounting, and management) so that they know what sort of questions to ask the people who do know the "how" and "why".

edited 14th Feb '13 4:19:14 PM by Belian

Yu hav nat sein bod speeling unntil know. (cacke four undersandig tis)the cake is a lie!
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#49540: Feb 14th 2013 at 4:21:35 PM

Because people use the general lack of understanding to fool others. If everyone knew the basics they could spot bs easier.

DrTentacles Cephalopod Lothario from Land of the Deep Ones Since: Jul, 2012 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Cephalopod Lothario
#49541: Feb 14th 2013 at 4:22:24 PM

[up][up] So people can elect politicians who actually have a basic understanding of how the economy works? Rather than getting conned?

edited 14th Feb '13 4:22:58 PM by DrTentacles

Belian In honor of my 50lb pup from 42 Since: Jan, 2001
In honor of my 50lb pup
#49543: Feb 14th 2013 at 4:31:19 PM

Note that I do like the idea of a general buisness course that would touch on economics (micro and macro). I just don't see why a whole course on just economics sould be manditory.

The point of Collages/Universitys is to expand your views and help you figure out what you are interested in then provide a way for you to learn more about those interests. Forcing a full econ class on someone who doesn't care for it seems like a bit much to me.

Yu hav nat sein bod speeling unntil know. (cacke four undersandig tis)the cake is a lie!
DrTentacles Cephalopod Lothario from Land of the Deep Ones Since: Jul, 2012 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Cephalopod Lothario
#49544: Feb 14th 2013 at 4:33:40 PM

[up] I'm not talking an in-depth course. Just an overview, so they have a decent understanding.

And one of the reasons they aren't interested is they have no idea how much it effects them.

DeviantBraeburn Wandering Jew from Dysfunctional California Since: Aug, 2012
Wandering Jew
#49545: Feb 14th 2013 at 4:35:13 PM

Leading tea party group FreedomWorks made fake Hillary Clinton sex video

BTW 'Clinton' is having sex with a Panda.

edited 14th Feb '13 4:55:53 PM by DeviantBraeburn

Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016
Trivialis Since: Oct, 2011
#49546: Feb 14th 2013 at 4:36:55 PM

I agree with Dr Tentacles's suggestion on "giving schools a coverage". I don't mind having basic macroeconomics based on the mainstream (which is largely neo-Keynesian) and providing more advanced courses having a survey of the different schools, in economic history or alternative-systems courses.

But I'll note that Republicans don't actually follow Austrian economics, except for some libertarian minority.

theweirdKiddokun What a Wonderful World! from Last Place in the Race Since: Jun, 2012 Relationship Status: Maxing my social links
What a Wonderful World!
#49547: Feb 14th 2013 at 4:38:10 PM

[up][up]WTF?!

The Reaper Games starts anew.
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#49548: Feb 14th 2013 at 4:38:47 PM

[up][up][up]...Did they actually claim it was her? She might actually be able to sue them for libel. Probably won't happen, and its blatantly fake, but Clinton is technically a private citizen now. Harder to get away with character assassination in that case.

EDIT: Yeah, its pretty obvious that its fake. Next question: what the fuck were they hoping to accomplish?

edited 14th Feb '13 4:42:29 PM by Rationalinsanity

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
DrTentacles Cephalopod Lothario from Land of the Deep Ones Since: Jul, 2012 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Cephalopod Lothario
#49549: Feb 14th 2013 at 4:39:33 PM

Not even the guy with the tentacle-face avatar wants to see that.

DeviantBraeburn Wandering Jew from Dysfunctional California Since: Aug, 2012
Wandering Jew
#49550: Feb 14th 2013 at 4:46:34 PM

[up][up]

Hoping to preemptively tarnish her reputation in case she decides to run for president in 2016?

Former San Diego Mayor Maureen O’Connor acknowledged in federal court Thursday that she took $2 million from her late husband's charitable foundation to pay for her addiction to video poker — and lost $1 billion wagering over the course of a decade.

I think she might have a gambling problem.

Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016

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