I agree that it's not *just* about "Buying American". The more important point is, you/we don't need to, and it is not desirable for ourselves, nor the economy as a whole, to continue to purchase a lot of useless junk manufactured in foreign countries using ever increasing amounts of consumer debt. If you really want to help the economy, then buy as local *as possible* (sometimes it isn't possible for something you need). Don't fall for all the marketing hype that says "you just HAVE to have this or that". Definitely don't buy the hype that for the U.S. economy to recover, you must continue to spend your hard-earned dollars on a bunch of junk manufactured in foreign countries using effectively slave labor. Ask yourself, "Who is selling this line? Who are the beneficiaries?"
Well, as someone who created the software that managed the sales, finances, inventory, customer relationships, etc for a national retailer, I can say, without a doubt, that without Christmas, the company was a bust!
Well, as someone who created the software that managed the sales, finances, inventory, customer relationships, etc for a national retailer, I can say, without a doubt, that without Christmas, the company was a bust!
But, there is the technical meaning of "Average" and then there is the colloquial meaning. I was using the colloquial meaning, which is to say, average is 1/2 the members at or below, and 1/2 at or above. I know that isn't the correct mathematical meaning of average, but, it is the meaning that *most* average people think of.
How did things get this way? How did the U.S. go from being the world's preeminent manufacturer to today? You would like everyone to believe it is because Americans are Lazy and Stupid. Sorry, but, you are in for a BIG SURPRISE.
It happened because, in this country, people gave a damn about one another and so pushed/fought for worker protections, health care, job safety, living wages, and a modicum of respect. They fought (with their blood) to not have factories dumping toxic pollutants into their water supply and poisoning their environment for themselves, and their progeny. They fought to have some semblance of a fair and equitable society where even the least amongst us could live with some dignity.
Then, along came the profiteers, regrouping, realizing that they had lost the battle here and they could no longer exploit the American worker. But, here, there, and everywhere they saw where the poor of the world could be exploited while at the same time undercutting the advancement of their own countrymen. They gave not a hoot for their fellow Americans, just like they give not a hoot for anyone else in the world. The only thing the believe in is enriching themselves, no matter the expense to others.
That's OK, the people of America will RISE UP! They will grab their guns and their ammunition. They will suffer what they must suffer and they will BURY YOU! We are not cowardly livestock waiting for you to dole out our daily feed. We come from the stock of pioneers and risk-takers. For too long, the American people have been sung a lulla-bye to make them sleep. But, you shall see, the sleep will awaken!
You align yourself with those that would exploit the common man (American or otherwise) at your peril. The will of the many will surely put the egomaniacle few who think they are beyone reproach and are entitled to the fruits of others labors in the gallows. They will line them up against the wall and put a lead slug directly in their skull-cap. Make no mistake, your arrogance will be YOUR undoing!
Haven't got any. I, unlike you, live within my means. Still, my point remains valid. There is absolutely NOTHING in it for the average American to continue to go an buy things for Christmas in order to prop up the economy. That is a fantasy that far too many have been sold on for far too long. Frankly, there is not one thing imported that this country needs (besides Oil). All the rest of the crap everyone buys is a bunch of over-marketed hype. Shove it up your ass!
What do you think the early years of Flight were? Don't you think, in retrospect, it very much looked like "Agile" development? What about early attempts at rocketry/spaceflight?
Financial Services? Yeah, that is something. Fuck You! Real Americans (White, Black, Hispanic, whatever) will soon see the likes of you in the Gallows!
You are not a "Conscientious American". You sir, are a piece of shit! I say, try "exporting all the White Trash". They will fucking kill you! You are a complete asshole. What is so great about the JUNK selling in the stores. It is all complete crap! Any time you want, you and I can go toe to toe. I'll stand for my countrymen. You are a piece of garbage.
"Black Friday" is the Friday after Thanksgiving in the U.S. Thanksgiving is always the last Thursday in November. It is "Black" because retailers throughout the country count on the Christmas shopping season for the majority of their yearly profits. In other words, it is the day beginning the season when they hope to bring themselves "into the Black" (on an accounting sheet "Red" ink is used to indicate money owed, "Black" ink to indicate money made). If a retailer is "in the Red" they owe their suppliers more than they've taken in. If they are "in the Black" they have made a profit.
As far as why it is important? IT ISN'T. Not anymore. Whether or not retailers have a "good year" is now irrellevant to the U.S. economy. I've been carefully watching what is for sale in stores and almost none of it is manufactured in the U.S. So buying a bunch of stuff made in other countries (especially using further consumer debt) will do absolutely ZERO to improve the U.S. economy. Everyone should refuse to buy anything this year except for necesseties. If you want to give gifts for the spirit of the season, buy only locally made goods and services. Here are some suggestions:
Hire a Maid/House Cleaning service to give the house a good cleaning for your spouse, mother, or other special person
Hire someone to paint a room or fix something on the home of your loved one
Commission the making of a crotcheted Blanket, Sweater, Afghan, from one of the many people in your local neighborhood who does such crafts
Hire someone to "Detail" your loved ones car
Hire someone to "Cater" your Holiday Dinner or Family Get together
Buy your loved one a "subscription" to yard mainenance/landscaping service for one year
Buy your father, brother, or other loved one a "Gift Card" for automobile maintenance at the local Mechanic and/or Car Dealer
Buy locally hand-made furniture (from the Amish or other local providers), like a wooden rocking chair or dining room table, for your loved ones
Hire someone to "prepare a vegetable garden" for your loved one (turn the soil, remove the weeds/roots etc, get it ready for planting in the spring and/or do the initial planting)
...You get the idea...
ANY of the above are 100% guaranteed to be better for the U.S. economy. If everyone did one of the above, the economy would be 100% back on its feet in no time flat.
Wealth is access to/plenty of/control of: Water, Food, Shelter, Air. In other words, those things that permit members of our species to survive and procreate. Everything else is window dressing and is nothing more than a display to prove that you have wealth so as to make oneself more attractive to a mate.
The U.S. should stop using its incredibly expensive Army, Navy, and Air Force to provide safe Air, Land, and Sea Ways for international trade. Instead, we should begin taking vessels at Sea and taking any and all manufactured goods for ouselves and stop paying for them. Besides, why should we give a rats ass about some other countries imaginary property?
You should be personally responsible for preventing me from breaking into your house, murdering you and your family, and stealing all your possessions. If you can't be personnaly responsible, then you don't deserve life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness (wealth).
What? Ever hear of 9/11? The Taliban? Who were on a rampage destroying anything that didn't adhere to their "Moral Code". Saddam Hussein who all but dared the rest of the world to "Stop Him".
Sorry, but, I'm not a big supporter of the war(s), but, to argue that there was absolutely no provocation is disingenuous at best.
Slashdot Mirror
Yes, release it! Security through obscurity isn't. This is needed.
What does the IRS have to do with it?
I agree that it's not *just* about "Buying American". The more important point is, you/we don't need to, and it is not desirable for ourselves, nor the economy as a whole, to continue to purchase a lot of useless junk manufactured in foreign countries using ever increasing amounts of consumer debt. If you really want to help the economy, then buy as local *as possible* (sometimes it isn't possible for something you need). Don't fall for all the marketing hype that says "you just HAVE to have this or that". Definitely don't buy the hype that for the U.S. economy to recover, you must continue to spend your hard-earned dollars on a bunch of junk manufactured in foreign countries using effectively slave labor. Ask yourself, "Who is selling this line? Who are the beneficiaries?"
Didn't I say they needed to STOP living this way?
...the point still stands.
What makes you think Gold is stable in value with respect to all other commodities?
The pen is mightier than the sword.
Yes, just words!
Well, as someone who created the software that managed the sales, finances, inventory, customer relationships, etc for a national retailer, I can say, without a doubt, that without Christmas, the company was a bust!
Well, as someone who created the software that managed the sales, finances, inventory, customer relationships, etc for a national retailer, I can say, without a doubt, that without Christmas, the company was a bust!
But, there is the technical meaning of "Average" and then there is the colloquial meaning. I was using the colloquial meaning, which is to say, average is 1/2 the members at or below, and 1/2 at or above. I know that isn't the correct mathematical meaning of average, but, it is the meaning that *most* average people think of.
How did things get this way? How did the U.S. go from being the world's preeminent manufacturer to today? You would like everyone to believe it is because Americans are Lazy and Stupid. Sorry, but, you are in for a BIG SURPRISE.
It happened because, in this country, people gave a damn about one another and so pushed/fought for worker protections, health care, job safety, living wages, and a modicum of respect. They fought (with their blood) to not have factories dumping toxic pollutants into their water supply and poisoning their environment for themselves, and their progeny. They fought to have some semblance of a fair and equitable society where even the least amongst us could live with some dignity.
Then, along came the profiteers, regrouping, realizing that they had lost the battle here and they could no longer exploit the American worker. But, here, there, and everywhere they saw where the poor of the world could be exploited while at the same time undercutting the advancement of their own countrymen. They gave not a hoot for their fellow Americans, just like they give not a hoot for anyone else in the world. The only thing the believe in is enriching themselves, no matter the expense to others.
That's OK, the people of America will RISE UP! They will grab their guns and their ammunition. They will suffer what they must suffer and they will BURY YOU! We are not cowardly livestock waiting for you to dole out our daily feed. We come from the stock of pioneers and risk-takers. For too long, the American people have been sung a lulla-bye to make them sleep. But, you shall see, the sleep will awaken!
You align yourself with those that would exploit the common man (American or otherwise) at your peril. The will of the many will surely put the egomaniacle few who think they are beyone reproach and are entitled to the fruits of others labors in the gallows. They will line them up against the wall and put a lead slug directly in their skull-cap. Make no mistake, your arrogance will be YOUR undoing!
...who are you going to send to collect? Anyone? Buehler?
Haven't got any. I, unlike you, live within my means. Still, my point remains valid. There is absolutely NOTHING in it for the average American to continue to go an buy things for Christmas in order to prop up the economy. That is a fantasy that far too many have been sold on for far too long. Frankly, there is not one thing imported that this country needs (besides Oil). All the rest of the crap everyone buys is a bunch of over-marketed hype. Shove it up your ass!
What do you think the early years of Flight were? Don't you think, in retrospect, it very much looked like "Agile" development? What about early attempts at rocketry/spaceflight?
I'm calling your bluff. Let's go there. Let's see where things end up.
Financial Services? Yeah, that is something. Fuck You! Real Americans (White, Black, Hispanic, whatever) will soon see the likes of you in the Gallows!
And how is this different from any other country? 50% of people are BELOW AVERAGE on ANY measure you care to choose.
I stand corrected. But, not really relevant to the point.
Bzzzt. Thank you for Playing. I donated over $4,000.00 to Barrack Obama's campaign.
You are not a "Conscientious American". You sir, are a piece of shit! I say, try "exporting all the White Trash". They will fucking kill you! You are a complete asshole. What is so great about the JUNK selling in the stores. It is all complete crap! Any time you want, you and I can go toe to toe. I'll stand for my countrymen. You are a piece of garbage.
"Black Friday" is the Friday after Thanksgiving in the U.S. Thanksgiving is always the last Thursday in November. It is "Black" because retailers throughout the country count on the Christmas shopping season for the majority of their yearly profits. In other words, it is the day beginning the season when they hope to bring themselves "into the Black" (on an accounting sheet "Red" ink is used to indicate money owed, "Black" ink to indicate money made). If a retailer is "in the Red" they owe their suppliers more than they've taken in. If they are "in the Black" they have made a profit.
As far as why it is important? IT ISN'T. Not anymore. Whether or not retailers have a "good year" is now irrellevant to the U.S. economy. I've been carefully watching what is for sale in stores and almost none of it is manufactured in the U.S. So buying a bunch of stuff made in other countries (especially using further consumer debt) will do absolutely ZERO to improve the U.S. economy. Everyone should refuse to buy anything this year except for necesseties. If you want to give gifts for the spirit of the season, buy only locally made goods and services. Here are some suggestions:
ANY of the above are 100% guaranteed to be better for the U.S. economy. If everyone did one of the above, the economy would be 100% back on its feet in no time flat.
Wealth is access to/plenty of/control of: Water, Food, Shelter, Air. In other words, those things that permit members of our species to survive and procreate. Everything else is window dressing and is nothing more than a display to prove that you have wealth so as to make oneself more attractive to a mate.
The U.S. should stop using its incredibly expensive Army, Navy, and Air Force to provide safe Air, Land, and Sea Ways for international trade. Instead, we should begin taking vessels at Sea and taking any and all manufactured goods for ouselves and stop paying for them. Besides, why should we give a rats ass about some other countries imaginary property?
You should be personally responsible for preventing me from breaking into your house, murdering you and your family, and stealing all your possessions. If you can't be personnaly responsible, then you don't deserve life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness (wealth).
...without any provocation from them...
What? Ever hear of 9/11? The Taliban? Who were on a rampage destroying anything that didn't adhere to their "Moral Code". Saddam Hussein who all but dared the rest of the world to "Stop Him".
Sorry, but, I'm not a big supporter of the war(s), but, to argue that there was absolutely no provocation is disingenuous at best.