America's Future

**Tsen** · 05-08-2006 01:55 AM

I'd typed this earlier, then my internet went to hell so I gave up and worked on reviving the freaking modem. But now all's well, so here it is:

The USA is in a downspiral. I mentioned it in the "Preserve Network Neutrality" thread, so here's the deal. The US has been facing a lot of issues lately. The NSA was caught sticking their nose where they shouldn't have (Though I'd wager it wasn't the first time they'd done such a thing). Bush's popularity is incredibly low, and we're still at war while the majority of the country opposes it.
The problem stems from technology, to a certain degree. Media has the ability to get news out to nearly everybody in the country rapidly, so everybody hears about why something is or isn't controversial. The problem is that there isn't a counter to that--a way to get the people all the relevant background information. Or at least, there isn't a way to get the people relevant background information that is used regularly enough to keep the masses well enough informed to make intelligent decisions.
A large part of the blame falls on the masses: The internet is an amazing tool. Google could give people all the information they need in seconds, but people don't use it to the level they should. You've all probably heard of the poll lately. 63% of Americans 18-24 can't find Iraq on a map. Half can't find New York. 90% can't find Afghanistan. 75% can't find Iran.
Getting the idea?
Most people in America think themselves informed enough to make a decision. As the same people what they think we should do about Iran, and they'll probably have an opinion of some sort. Ask what they think about Iraq and they'll most certainly tell you what they think ought be done. But they don't have all the information they need to make intelligent, informed decisions. They're only half-way there.
In reality, that's good news. People actually know SOMETHING about what's going on. Most people know that Iraq is controversial because no actual WMD's were discovered. A handful know that Iran's trouble because of nuclear non-compliance. The problem is that not enough people know enough to make decisions, but they still try to make them.
Which leads me to make the statement that the US is in for some serious trouble if things don't shape up.
More people need to get more active NOW, or things are going to go from bad to worse in short order. People want Bush out. Ask them why. Domestic spying, unwanted war, perhaps hurricane Katrina still.
Okay, down to business. The NSA's domestic spying was only controversial because the NSA doesn't have the jurisdiction to tap wires INSIDE the US. If the Pres asks, they're allowed to tap wires from other countries. 'Course, that could get the US into trouble if we're caught doing it, but that's what the NSA does. There's other agencies that have been tapping various wires in the US for quite a while now. Even some talk of intercepting cell phone calls and filtering them digitally for key words, though I don't think that's been validated. Either way, the point is that people are all in a fuss. They know the NSA tapped wires. Listened to conversations. But they DON'T know that it isn't NEARLY the first time such a thing has happened. This sort of thing needs to change.

People need to know things. Iran's an issue because they're flogging the NPT in the face of the UN. Katrina was a responsibility of LOCAL government immediately after the crisis. National government made some bloopers, but the majority of the blame falls on the local government. Especially considering that several million dollars was funded to improve the levees, but 'mysteriously' disappeared, into the pockets of corrupt officials. We know that Iraq DID have WMD's at some point. ONE, they surrendered a small number to us before we invaded. TWO, they USED THEM on their own civilians just a few years before. We just didn't know how many or where, a dramatic failure on the part of military intelligence.

So, the reason I'm starting this discussion is this: What do you think can be done to stop the situation from worsening. Or do you not feel the problem exists? I'm open to whatever opinions you've got. Post 'em, discuss 'em.

**mongreloctopus** · 05-08-2006 10:11 AM

the way i see america is as a nice car that a guy is driving down the street. then all of a sudden another guy runs up at a stoplight and pulls the owner out of the car slitting his throat, then sells it for a few hundred bucks.

pj · 05-08-2006 12:40 PM

But they DON'T know that it isn't NEARLY the first time such a thing has happened. This sort of thing needs to change. [/b]

No - not nearly. Search and learn about Echelon and Carnivore... and note who was in office when both were implemented and how much attention the "press" gave them.

"They" - the people of the United States and the world - don't WANT to know. There would have been a revolution decades ago if they did.

This isn't a right/left, Conservative/Liberal or Republican/Democrat thing. It is a corruption thing - and it is global. The US just happens to be the brass ring right now because of her power and wealth.

If you want to understand geo-politics, study the history of organized crime.

Then live today for all the good there is available in it, because this stuff will smother your spirit and crush your soul if you let it... which is why most people don't want recognize reality or know truth. The fantasy worlds and false battlefronts that are left to us are far more comfortable and entertaining.

**Alric** · 05-10-2006 08:08 AM

Most people also don't know that over the past 50 years the US dollar has lost over 95% of its value due to inflation. They also don't know that the reason for the inflation is because we make money out of thin air just by printing it, and that it isn't back by anything at all.

pj · 05-10-2006 10:40 AM

Originally posted by Alric
Most people also don't know that over the past 50 years the US dollar has lost over 95% of its value due to inflation. They also don't know that the reason for the inflation is because we make money out of thin air just by printing it, and that it isn't back by anything at all.

It's not quite like that, but close. If there was no corresponding wealth being created, that would be so - but there IS wealth being created. Fiat money systems like almost all the world's currencies rely on it. When the money being printed exceeds the wealth being created, you get inflation - which is a very sneaky way to tax income and savings. Go the other way, and you get DEflation - where the money you have actually increases in value.

And if you are one of the many who does not believe wealth is created, consider this rather simplistic illustration. You and I are seated at a table. In front of each of us is a lump of wet clay which we have each dug up and brought in. I let my lump sit there. You skilfully shape yours into a lovely vase - which can serve as decoration or to store liquids in.

We started with the same resources. Whose clay is worth more?

Where did that value - that wealth - come from?

Life is not a Zero Sum Game. That is a truth that even China's Communists have come to acknowledge.

**Alric** · 05-10-2006 06:30 PM

The thing is, the value of the dollar wouldn't have lost over 95% of its value if they weren't printing way to much of it. I agree with you in theory however in practice governments can't seem to help themself when it comes to making extra "free" money for themself.

pj · 05-10-2006 07:03 PM

Originally posted by Alric
The thing is, the value of the dollar wouldn't have lost over 95% of its value if they weren't printing way to much of it. I agree with you in theory however in practice governments can't seem to help themself when it comes to making extra "free" money for themself.

If it were "free," that would be different. Whether by inflation, taxation, tariff, nationalization or whatever else, governments never produce wealth. They only take it - usually at the point of a gun. Civilized people people generally refer to this as extortion or robbery. Governments refer to this as "service."

PJ's Axioms of Politics:

1) All governments, governmental entities, bureaus, commissions, and anything else financed by taxation of wealth producers are corrupt.

2) All governments, governmental entities, bureaus, commissions, and anything else financed by taxation are self-perpetuating.

3) All governments, governmental entities, bureaus, commissions, and anything else financed by taxation will defend themselves and one another against all threats - especially those leveled by the wealth producers who are supporting them.

4) Public Service is an oxymoron.

**Alric** · 05-11-2006 12:11 AM

Your right its not free, their stealing it from us through inflation. That should make most people mad but most people don't even know.

**mongreloctopus** · 05-11-2006 04:02 PM

Originally posted by pj

PJ's Axioms of Politics:

1) All governments, governmental entities, bureaus, commissions, and anything else financed by taxation of wealth producers are corrupt.

2) All governments, governmental entities, bureaus, commissions, and anything else financed by taxation are self-perpetuating.

3) All governments, governmental entities, bureaus, commissions, and anything else financed by taxation will defend themselves and one another against all threats - especially those leveled by the wealth producers who are supporting them.

4) Public Service is an oxymoron.

well said.

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