The American Way.

[montgomery]

The American way, which is promoted by both major parties, can't work in a 21st. century world. Sharing the wealth between the world's countries on an international basis, and sharing the wealth in America are not in sync with the American way.

What does the American Way mean to you?

To start the discussion off: Trump is causing larger wealth inequality which is the exact opposite of what is needed in America. Promotion of that sort of ideology is an example of 'the American way'.

 

[Boris The Animal]

So? Most Americans, except for the lilly Left snowflakes, could give two shits what the rest of the World says. We are NOT the world's bankroll, nor should we be.

 

[Bourbon]

The Best Puncher

 

[kudzu]

So? Most Americans, except for the lilly Left snowflakes, could give two shits what the rest of the World says. We are NOT the world's bankroll, nor should we be.

Did you actually READ what Montgomery wrote?

The middle class in America is shrinking. Is THAT the American way?

 

[jimmymccready]

Nope.

 

[LV426]

The American way, which is promoted by both major parties, can't work in a 21st. century world. Sharing the wealth between the world's countries on an international basis, and sharing the wealth in America are not in sync with the American way.

What does the American Way mean to you?

To start the discussion off: Trump is causing larger wealth inequality which is the exact opposite of what is needed in America. Promotion of that sort of ideology is an example of 'the American way'.

I see the American Way as American society pulling together to address problems that are too great for individuals or states to address by themselves.

Specifically, health care, education, and the environment.

 

[LV426]

So? Most Americans, except for the lilly Left snowflakes, could give two shits what the rest of the World says. We are NOT the world's bankroll, nor should we be.

You should care what the world thinks since we live in a globalized economy.

 

[Ross Dolan]

There are precedents for how the people of nations handle this "wealth inequality" thingy when it gets out of control.

The people of France did it in the late 18th century.

The people of Russia did it in the early 20th century.

That may be the way we will have to handle it. But, we might get lucky. The American far right (which helps justify and further the wealth inequality...may finally be sent to the Hell it so richly deserves...and we may be able to handle the problem without all that revolution and killing mess.

 

[montgomery]

I see the American Way as American society pulling together to address problems that are too great for individuals or states to address by themselves.

Specifically, health care, education, and the environment.

Basically, the American way is about greedy capitalism that is flaunted on the people for the purpose of enriching the 1%, at the expense of the other 99%. And the American people have continued to buy into it. The Trump scam and Bernie's honest approach were to be the answers to the people who were finally saying that they had enough of it. But then we know what happened to that effort.

It's a huge danger facing the powers that be (the 1%) in the near future. The people are coming to understand that socially responsible capitalism is possible and it' not Socialism or Communism.

So let's see if the discussion can go anywhere from here?

 

[montgomery]

Did you actually READ what Montgomery wrote?

The middle class in America is shrinking. Is THAT the American way?

Yes! You've got it and you seem to understand it. The American way was the promise and it really did work for a long time. But now the people and their rotten lots in life is now making it out to be an unsustainable lie.

 

[LV426]

Basically, the American way is about greedy capitalism that is flaunted on the people for the purpose of enriching the 1%, at the expense of the other 99%. And the American people have continued to buy into it. The Trump scam and Bernie's honest approach were to be the answers to the people who were finally saying that they had enough of it. But then we know what happened to that effort.

It's a huge danger facing the powers that be (the 1%) in the near future. The people are coming to understand that socially responsible capitalism is possible and it' not Socialism or Communism.

So let's see if the discussion can go anywhere from here?

I'd largely agree with you here. I'd also go further and say that it's why Ocasio has the media and the Establishment in such a tizzy; she's speaking truth to power, and makes herself accessible.

 

[montgomery]

There are precedents for how the people of nations handle this "wealth inequality" thingy when it gets out of control.

The people of France did it in the late 18th century.

The people of Russia did it in the early 20th century.

That may be the way we will have to handle it. But, we might get lucky. The American far right (which helps justify and further the wealth inequality...may finally be sent to the Hell it so richly deserves...and we may be able to handle the problem without all that revolution and killing mess.

You likely also understand that Trump is the opposite of fixing the problem and has really turned out to be the 'American Way' in disguise. He promoted himself as the saviour of the people and his followers have yet to come to the realization that he is their enemy.

 

[LV426]

There are precedents for how the people of nations handle this "wealth inequality" thingy when it gets out of control.

The people of France did it in the late 18th century.

The people of Russia did it in the early 20th century.

That may be the way we will have to handle it. But, we might get lucky. The American far right (which helps justify and further the wealth inequality...may finally be sent to the Hell it so richly deserves...and we may be able to handle the problem without all that revolution and killing mess.

My wife thought I was nuts for saying that during the Financial Collapse, we should have executed the heads of all the TBTF banks, and their families, and strung their bodies from the board of the NYSE as a warning to the rest.

Had we done that, we wouldn't be in the shit we're in today. And no one -NO ONE- would have missed those assholes, their greedy spouses, or their spoiled and entitled children.

 

[Ross Dolan]

Basically, the American way is about greedy capitalism that is flaunted on the people for the purpose of enriching the 1%, at the expense of the other 99%. And the American people have continued to buy into it. The Trump scam and Bernie's honest approach were to be the answers to the people who were finally saying that they had enough of it. But then we know what happened to that effort.

It's a huge danger facing the powers that be (the 1%) in the near future. The people are coming to understand that socially responsible capitalism is possible and it' not Socialism or Communism.

So let's see if the discussion can go anywhere from here?

I want more than anything for "socially responsible capitalism" to be possible.

I am not convinced it can exist.

Capitalism almost has to INSIST that each corporate entity do as much as possible to have "capital" be the benefactor of everything. And that almost requires that LABOR be obtained at the smallest expense possible.

Maybe it can be done by incorporating some socialism into the picture...with government competing with the corporations.

 

[Ross Dolan]

You likely also understand that Trump is the opposite of fixing the problem and has really turned out to be the 'American Way' in disguise. He promoted himself as the saviour of the people and his followers have yet to come to the realization that he is their enemy.

Trump is disgusting...and is making the problem worse, not better in any way.

Fact is...the "Republican" or "American conservative" solutions...are NOT solutions. They are merely ways of saying that what is happening is moral and reasonable.

Which is bullshit, of course.

 

[montgomery]

I'd largely agree with you here. I'd also go further and say that it's why Ocasio has the media and the Establishment in such a tizzy; she's speaking truth to power, and makes herself accessible.

I would say, exactly! Ocasio-Cortez is the message right on target and the hate being demonstrated by the subscribers of the American way is proof that they are feeling challenged and vulnerable. But it's likely that she is only the message getting through and there isn't yet enough support to cause it to grow as fast as is needed for the next election. What's one coloured woman going to do?

Is Bernie too old? And was Bernie true enough to his expressed philosophy to make the difference?

Good discussion in any case. I think some people are paying attention because it all rings true, and especially to Trump's supporters who were the first to get pissed off enough to vote for an alternative to the Democratic or Republican parties. (No, that's not my error or misunderstanding)

 

[Ross Dolan]

My wife thought I was nuts for saying that during the Financial Collapse, we should have executed the heads of all the TBTF banks, and their families, and strung their bodies from the board of the NYSE as a warning to the rest.

Had we done that, we wouldn't be in the shit we're in today. And no one -NO ONE- would have missed those assholes, their greedy spouses, or their spoiled and entitled children.

Wow. Well...ummm...okay.

A bit extreme...but I get your point.

I wonder if the lesson could be taught without the executions and stringing of bodies, though.

 

[montgomery]

Trump is disgusting...and is making the problem worse, not better in any way.

Fact is...the "Republican" or "American conservative" solutions...are NOT solutions. They are merely ways of saying that what is happening is moral and reasonable.

Which is bullshit, of course.

You're with the discussion Frank, as long as you understand that the Dem party isn't the solution either.

 

[Ross Dolan]

You're with the discussion Frank, as long as you understand that the Dem party isn't the solution either.

I'm not commenting on the Dem "solution"...if there is such a thing.

My comment is focused on what American conservatives say about the issue...which seems, these days, to translate to, "What the Republicans say about the issue."

They seem no to see the issue as a problem. They seem to consider it a normal and reasonable state of affairs...that leads to more "good" than the "bad" we see.

 

[LV426]

I would say, exactly! Ocasio-Cortez is the message right on target and the hate being demonstrated by the subscribers of the American way is proof that they are feeling challenged and vulnerable. But it's likely that she is only the message getting through and there isn't yet enough support to cause it to grow as fast as is needed for the next election. What's one coloured woman going to do?

Is Bernie too old? And was Bernie true enough to his expressed philosophy to make the difference?

Good discussion in any case. I think some people are paying attention because it all rings true, and especially to Trump's supporters who were the first to get pissed off enough to vote for an alternative to the Democratic or Republican parties. (No, that's not my error or misunderstanding)

Personally, I wouldn't vote for a Democrat over age 60 in the primary. We need youth. I love Bernie, voted for him in the 2016 primary, but I think his function as a kingmaker is what his role should be now. Let Bernie be the progressive conscience of the Democratic Party.

We need youth, and I think there's plenty of awesome young candidates like Abrams, Gillibrand, Gillum, and O'Rourke. I also like Cory Booker despite him being more of a technocrat in the vein of Clinton rather than a populist in the vein of Sanders. I think he can balance the two and transition us to where we need to go; same with Kamala Harris. She's a great technocrat, and would be a capable President.

If there's going to be a Democrat over age 60, Sherrod Brown would be the only one I'd consider. But I'd rather keep him in the Senate because 1) can't give up that OH seat and 2) like Warren, that's where he's most effective.