Our advantges resulting from the ending of ww2 not withstanding, it is has always been our inherent, obnoxious, cowboy attitude that has won us our place in this world, not random chance.
And, as I pointed out elsewhere, the giant ocean between us and nearly all significant threats.
And don't forget the genocide! That's the real lesson. To become like the US, find a large territory of land with abundant resources inhabited by a civilization with a large technological disadvantage, and murder them.
So you're saying that every democratic leader we've assassinated and replaced with an American-friendly dictator was necessary to prevent a horrible bloody war.
Ok, time to pony up with some evidence. I'll be waiting.
As it's been pointed out to you, the US is the world leader because of this "I am not a victim" attitude, an attitude that it has fostered ever since it was little more than a loose collection of British colonies standing up to a world-class empire.
No, the US is a world leader because it came out of WWII relatively unscathed, while most of its competitors were devestated by war.
If the decision ever came to it, to shoot down the next 9/11 plain, filed with 300+ people, what would your decision be? Sometimes you have to do the cold math.
That's one hell of a non sequitir you've got there.
Notice I said it's one of their problems, not one of our problems. I live in the US, so cut out the ad hominems; they don't apply anyway.
It's a debatable point that the USA hasn't entered into an unprovoked conflict since 1812 (sorry to the canadians, that one was our fault).
Right now it's heavily debated. Unless, of course, you watch Fox "News" and think Iraq orchestrated 9/11 (sadly, there are plenty of people who believe this). Also, I'm pretty sure we were still committing genocide on the Native Americans after 1812. And then there's the various covert ops the US has conducted, specifically the cases where the US has assassinated democratically elected leaders and installed America-friendly dictators.
Seems like a much better strategy for the large corporation is this: first time this happens, use the discovery process to get as much dirt as possible on this guy as you can (or even manufacture it). Drag up all this in court, get the papers to print all this guy's dirty laundry, and drag out the process until the guy is bankrupt. You can even countersue the guy a lot of times. Basically, ruin the guy's life. Get him fired if you can, and blackballed.
Then, the next time somebody sues your company, hand them a copy of the newspaper front page discussing the case.
It's unlikely you'll ever be sued by individuals again. Frankly, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more.
Don't forget China! I'm sure this administration will be invading them any day now. That is, as soon as we take them off the list of most favored countries to trade with.
It's not like they're all-powerful. They can't restrict immigration of skilled workers (which, assuming that your assertion of the physicians per capita is true, would be the most likely reason for it). The reason is because the number of physicians trained in this country isn't directly related to the number of physicians in the country, as they can be trained elsewhere.
Perhaps the problem is that health care just follows the laws of supply and demand. In this case, demand is essentially infinite. Therefore, price rises until it literally consumes EVERYTHING.
Don't forget about the supply side. The AMA does everything in its considerable power to restrict the number of new doctors trained every year, to keep the competition way down.
I think that taxes should be consolidated to one source and kept as simple as possible. Many people like the idea of a sales tax, as they believe that to be the easiest/fairest to administer. Some would prefer an income tax. Heck, a flat percentage would make figuring taxes much easier.
Hardly. A flat percentage would make only one part of the tax code easier, and that is listed in the back of the tax book anyway.
The flat-taxers ignore the fact that it's the deductions portion of the tax that complicates everything, not the brackets.
Health savings accounts are fine, as long as everybody qualifies
This is key. I can't get individual insurance because I'm on antidepressants (actually just got off of them). I have no other problems that would preclude coverage: I'm 25 and have only had one surgery, which was to remove my wisdom teeth.
So right now I'm on COBRA just to make sure I don't have a period of time that I'm not covered by insurance.
talking points is what these news networks are all about these days. i don't know how it happens but all of a sudden every one is calling kerry "a flip floppper" and backing it up with stats and numbers.
It's called the Echo Chamber, the Great Right-Wing Wurlitzer.
Basically, the conservative think-tanks come up with a new talking point for the week. Then, the president, his VP and all his advisors and cabinet members start using this talking point, Rush Limbaugh starts using it, Fox "News" starts using it, etc. So, the people who listen to these pundits and politicians and accept what they say as gospel start using it.
That's how it works; it's a very sophisticated and efficient media machine. And since there is no left wing Echo Chamber, the right wing's talking points get the most play.
Frankly, I'm wondering why the main links into India aren't under a constant DDoS. I mean, with tons of programmers out of work and the (at least perceived) cause being India...
The entire reason that capitalism has been beneficial to the country is because of competition between businesses. When they manage to rid themselves of competition (the natural progression of capitalism) then the system is no longer beneficial to the country.
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Hey, several weren't secret at all. Take, for instance, Salvador Allende. We replaced him with Pinochet.
Link. If you claim this is simply tinfoil-hattery, I'm done talking to you.
And don't forget the genocide! That's the real lesson. To become like the US, find a large territory of land with abundant resources inhabited by a civilization with a large technological disadvantage, and murder them.
So you're saying that every democratic leader we've assassinated and replaced with an American-friendly dictator was necessary to prevent a horrible bloody war.
Ok, time to pony up with some evidence. I'll be waiting.
Right now it's heavily debated. Unless, of course, you watch Fox "News" and think Iraq orchestrated 9/11 (sadly, there are plenty of people who believe this). Also, I'm pretty sure we were still committing genocide on the Native Americans after 1812. And then there's the various covert ops the US has conducted, specifically the cases where the US has assassinated democratically elected leaders and installed America-friendly dictators.
Take off the blinders.
Kerry's wife owns approximately 4% of Heinz. She has no say in how the company operates.
Try another distraction.
Seems like a much better strategy for the large corporation is this: first time this happens, use the discovery process to get as much dirt as possible on this guy as you can (or even manufacture it). Drag up all this in court, get the papers to print all this guy's dirty laundry, and drag out the process until the guy is bankrupt. You can even countersue the guy a lot of times. Basically, ruin the guy's life. Get him fired if you can, and blackballed.
Then, the next time somebody sues your company, hand them a copy of the newspaper front page discussing the case.
It's unlikely you'll ever be sued by individuals again. Frankly, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more.
Don't forget China! I'm sure this administration will be invading them any day now. That is, as soon as we take them off the list of most favored countries to trade with.
You're putting your faith in the Washington Times, the paper run by the Moonies? Seriously.
With most newspapers, it's a scandal when they print something blatantly false. With the Washington Times, it's expected.
It's not like they're all-powerful. They can't restrict immigration of skilled workers (which, assuming that your assertion of the physicians per capita is true, would be the most likely reason for it). The reason is because the number of physicians trained in this country isn't directly related to the number of physicians in the country, as they can be trained elsewhere.
Hardly. A flat percentage would make only one part of the tax code easier, and that is listed in the back of the tax book anyway.
The flat-taxers ignore the fact that it's the deductions portion of the tax that complicates everything, not the brackets.
So right now I'm on COBRA just to make sure I don't have a period of time that I'm not covered by insurance.
And most likely homeless. In the Canadian system, you don't have to lose everything you own.
Except of course in the US, when you get that treatment you often have to declare bankrupcy shortly thereafter.
The university I went to allowed you to request an alternate number be used as your student identification number. It was the same length as a SSN.
Basically, the conservative think-tanks come up with a new talking point for the week. Then, the president, his VP and all his advisors and cabinet members start using this talking point, Rush Limbaugh starts using it, Fox "News" starts using it, etc. So, the people who listen to these pundits and politicians and accept what they say as gospel start using it.
That's how it works; it's a very sophisticated and efficient media machine. And since there is no left wing Echo Chamber, the right wing's talking points get the most play.
Frankly, I'm wondering why the main links into India aren't under a constant DDoS. I mean, with tons of programmers out of work and the (at least perceived) cause being India...
Which is the inherent flaw of capitalism.
The entire reason that capitalism has been beneficial to the country is because of competition between businesses. When they manage to rid themselves of competition (the natural progression of capitalism) then the system is no longer beneficial to the country.