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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#119001: Apr 13th 2016 at 2:25:49 PM

[up]X3 In the end thinking that it's acceptable to troll by doing that is itself racist, it's a different type of racism but it's still racism.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
TheWanderer Student of Story from Somewhere in New England (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Student of Story
#119002: Apr 13th 2016 at 2:27:41 PM

How should they elect their nominee, then? Duels to the death?

With cavalry broadswords, the largest that can be found, while fighting in a pit 12 feet deep with a board between that neither opponent may cross. Hey it would be a great way to honor the history of the US and the Republican party.

Otherwise, people could always use Andrew Jackson's dueling pistols.

| Wandering, but not lost. | If people bring so much courage to this world...◊ |
AngelusNox Warder of the damned from The guard of the gates of oblivion Since: Dec, 2014 Relationship Status: Married to the job
Warder of the damned
#119003: Apr 13th 2016 at 2:42:06 PM

For me the ideal is to leave them in a patch of dirt and toss a rusty knife in the middle of it, whoever comes alive gets nominated.

Inter arma enim silent leges
Protagonist506 from Oregon Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
#119004: Apr 13th 2016 at 2:44:43 PM

[up][up]Psh, Jackson was a Democrat! We can't use his system!

Leviticus 19:34
JackOLantern1337 Shameful Display from The Most Miserable Province in the Russian Empir Since: Aug, 2014 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Shameful Display
#119005: Apr 13th 2016 at 2:56:12 PM

[up] But their moving to toss him over the side faster than a race horse Jackson was known to bet on. Besides he advocated small government, something the Dems are very much not in favor of.

I Bring Doom,and a bit of gloom, but mostly gloom.
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#119006: Apr 13th 2016 at 3:09:21 PM

To talk about something that isn't the Republican primary: Hastert's long fall from grace. Apparently your Republican ex-speaker may have been a pederast and child abuser.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#119007: Apr 13th 2016 at 3:17:05 PM

[up]I think there was a law and order svu about something very similar (boys wrestling coach who took "good care" of his boss

Greenmantle V from Greater Wessex, Britannia Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: Hiding
Krieger22 Causing freakouts over sourcing since 2018 from Malaysia Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: I'm in love with my car
Causing freakouts over sourcing since 2018
#119009: Apr 14th 2016 at 5:21:06 AM

War on the Rocks: American anti-Muslim rhetoric is a national security threat.

I have disagreed with her a lot, but comparing her to republicans and propagandists of dictatorships is really low. - An idiot
BonsaiForest Since: Jan, 2001
#119010: Apr 14th 2016 at 7:31:04 AM

People, by and large, are emotional, not rational. (Yes, this includes the whole "rational alpha male" bullshit) And it's emotion - fear - that drives this "get rid of all Muslims, fuck all Muslims" mentality.

Nuance is something that people just aren't willing to take the time to learn.

I think these national security experts need to go on TV and start taking their cause to the public directly. Because as it is, no-one's listening.

BonsaiForest Since: Jan, 2001
#119011: Apr 14th 2016 at 8:54:00 AM

'I have a conscience': the Wall Streeters fighting for Sanders in New York

The financial industry looms large in the coming primary – and some bankers say they’ll push for the Vermont senator even if his policies could hurt their careers

Somehow I'm reminded of Venice and the Book of Gold, and how such mutual asskissing among the rich sunk Venice's economy. Though I doubt that Wall Street's Sanders supporters are doing such for selfish reasons, but that does come to mind.

“That was startling to me,” said one of the other financiers present in the room that day. “Here was a gathering of Wall Street’s greatest minds and what were we discussing? Not how to generate more jobs or create an economy that works for everyone, but how to protect our vested interests and tax advantages.”

edited 14th Apr '16 8:55:15 AM by BonsaiForest

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#119012: Apr 14th 2016 at 8:55:58 AM

Heh, even the most rapacious of us can have a conscience. In a way, that helps to make Bernie's point.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
BrainSewage from that one place Since: Jan, 2001
#119013: Apr 14th 2016 at 9:30:56 AM

[up] Some can, but I doubt they’re all capable. That’s why people end up as hotshot investors, bankers, and the like in the first place—a total lack of conscience, and probably existing largely in an environment that considers the economically inferior to be of no consequence. I’m not holding my breath for any paradigm shift at the higher echelons.

edited 14th Apr '16 9:31:13 AM by BrainSewage

How dare you disrupt the sanctity of my soliloquy?
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#119014: Apr 14th 2016 at 9:33:53 AM

I wouldn't be surprised if some banks were considering throwing in with Sanders in an attempt to try and protect themselves from his reforms.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
theLibrarian Since: Jul, 2009
#119015: Apr 14th 2016 at 9:33:54 AM

Well yes, you can be rich and still want to be paying your share.

Really my one sticking point in Bernie is that despite wanting to increase taxes on the rich he also wants less wealthy people to pay like 3K more in taxes.

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#119016: Apr 14th 2016 at 9:38:39 AM

To fund that healthcare plan? Single payer is not cheap, the exorbitant premiums of private healthcare is not just because of insurers wanting to swim in money.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Euodiachloris Since: Oct, 2010
#119017: Apr 14th 2016 at 9:41:47 AM

[up]Still overall cheaper than what you have. And, that's been getting cheaper as is. The wider coverage is the attractive bit. *shrugs*

Oh, and if subject to federal legislation, it'd kill off attempts to strangle women's health. Or, at least, make it a lot harder to do. <_<

edited 14th Apr '16 9:43:57 AM by Euodiachloris

theLibrarian Since: Jul, 2009
#119018: Apr 14th 2016 at 10:20:43 AM

Well there is like one state that's made it so women can now buy birth control without a prescription.

JackOLantern1337 Shameful Display from The Most Miserable Province in the Russian Empir Since: Aug, 2014 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Shameful Display
#119019: Apr 14th 2016 at 11:48:11 AM

[up][up][up][up][up] Forgive me, but I don't see how a person wanting to be rich should necessarily be without a conscience, or want to see others poorer. We are not a communist nation. And no it is not immoral to aspire to have more, hell it isn't really immoral to want to be able to buy a shit ton of expensive yachts or summer homes or whatever shit investment bankers buy.

I Bring Doom,and a bit of gloom, but mostly gloom.
flameboy21th The would-be novelist from California Since: Jan, 2013 Relationship Status: I <3 love!
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#119021: Apr 14th 2016 at 12:16:10 PM

Money is not inherently immoral, nor is consumption of luxury products. Let's not turn this into a debate against strawmen.

However, it has been observed via many, many studies that, as people advance up the wealth ladder, their attitudes and behaviors change. Having money becomes a mark of status, and the more you have, the more you seek. There is a perverse incentive to believe in a Calvinist-style philosophy wherein wealth (or, more broadly, success) is a measure of a person's moral worth. "I succeeded, ergo I am a good person. Wealth is the symbol of my success, therefore acquiring more is good. Moreover, those who are not as wealthy as me are not as hard-working, moral, or deserving." note 

There is also some reason to believe that certain professions that tend towards high wealth status: stockbrokers, money managers, CEOs, etc., have an abnormally high number of people who exhibit sociopathic traits. Said traits can help one succeed in these professions because they give one a competitive advantage against one's more moral peers.

Further, there is a strong tendency among the wealthy to attempt to stack the deck in favor of their progeny. Inherited wealth makes up a significant portion of the "income" of those in the top one percent, and estate tax rates have been eroded over the past few decades. Even if you believe that someone who worked their way up from nothing note  deserves the money they earned, it is really hard to make the case that their children also deserve it when they did exactly squat.

Lastly, it is the observed tendency of the wealthy to believe that their power in markets should also translate to power in politics; they seek to use their wealth to buy influence with politicians and thus sway the government to be more favorable towards their interests. Politicians, in turn, learn to ride the gravy train to reelection and to cushy jobs after they leave office, as long as they faithfully represent the interests of their benefactors.

The corruption inherent to this system is unmistakable.

edited 14th Apr '16 12:51:46 PM by Fighteer

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
flameboy21th The would-be novelist from California Since: Jan, 2013 Relationship Status: I <3 love!
The would-be novelist
#119022: Apr 14th 2016 at 12:21:56 PM

Let's look at the big corporations that oppose North Carolina and Georgia bills. Are they doing this out of the goodness of their heart? I don't know, but they are trying to project an inclusive front to attract a diverse amount of talent, while also attracting customers who believe in equality. They may do this out of self interest, but with positive reinforcement people can make corporations use their power for good.

Non Indicative Username
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#119023: Apr 14th 2016 at 12:23:56 PM

[up] Correct. You need that positive reinforcement, though; otherwise you get Rockefellers and Carnegies running the show.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
FieldMarshalFry Field Marshal of Cracked from World Internet War 1 Since: Oct, 2015 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
Field Marshal of Cracked
#119024: Apr 14th 2016 at 12:24:01 PM

well.... at least it's not violence inherent in the system

advancing the front into TV Tropes
CassidyTheDevil Since: Jan, 2013
#119025: Apr 14th 2016 at 12:36:23 PM

However, it has been observed via many, many studies that, as people advance up the wealth ladder, their attitudes and behaviors change.

Yes, strangely poor people seem to have the strongest empathy, and the more wealth you have the less empathy (and also higher socioeconomic status causes a number of related things, like increased willingness to cheat and lie). This effect seems to be independent of personality (i.e., it's not just more sociopathic people being more successful), it happens even with simulated resources.

I say strangely because it seems like you rarely hear that from rhetoric.


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