Iolo

It is grass root only in the special sense that it is a peasant movement set up by oilmen though, surely? Here we have a division between 'nationalist' movements - allowed subsidiary parliaments to get them out of the way - and movements like the Greens that are ignored totally. How much publicity do your minority movements get?

tecoyah

I prefer to base my opinions (and comments), on something more than a wonderful imagination and speculation. I have found that over time....as we become "Known" in these forums, being so amazingly skillful at fabricated theory, presented as fact, those I actually want to engage have become disinterested.

So....instead I listen, think, and then try to interact rather than Alienate.

This is no way a prescription, I enjoy you....entertaining to say the least. Merely a suggestion for improvement.

Dirk

See "Independence Day" for proof.

Iolo

Thanks - but I base my posts entirely on experience or (passably wide) reading, and one part of my experience tells me that trying not to alienate the bosses is a sure way to being bossed forever.

tdbatista

The America have Chuck Norris!!!!

tdbatista

Cliché conspiracy to monopolize is an institution as a typical villain's HQ.

Not saying that the U.S. are the good guys, but in the category of villain they are not alone. It has very government that says pacifist who finances wars, terrorism, poverty and nobody realizes.

Iolo

They have as much military poer as the next twenty countries, most of which they control anyway. Who does this benefit but the oilmen and AIPAC? I think you should ask for some benefit from your taxes meself.

tdbatista

American socialist is the same as the general Hittler a Jew, a black man in the KKK, or a woman leader of the Taliban.


I say this because for a foreigner to become American that he has sworn not to belong or be sympathetic to the communist party.

David

Hitler actually changed his surname because the name he was born to was Jewish in origin, a black woman owns the KKK's national HQ and the Taliban has nothing to do with the US.

As for your last 'point', a communist has to be a socialist but a socialist doesn't have to be a communist. Indeed American socialism has traditionally been vary anti-communism, to rival Sen. McCarthy even though not as loudly.

Bill

I, like many Americans, have relatives and friends in Europe and I hear this line about the rich dominating America all of the time. I agree that wealthy Americans have an inordinate amount of influence at the federal level but I'm curious how you think absolute rule by the rich is being accomplished.

The "War on Drugs" has been a horrible mistake in my opinion, but believing that Americans don't understand this is incorrect.

How are you defining social mobility here? Do you mean accumulation of assets or are you talking about racial groups and their standing in society? Maybe a little of both? There's definitely a debate to be had here.

We are the middle of an economic downturn but over the long haul I can tell you the standard of living in America is just peachy

Obligatory Nazi blast, groovy. I suppose the America you've described might be marvelous for a psychopath but it doesn't bear much resemblance to the America I know.

6stringnut

Unfortunately you just hit the nail on the head, if most Americans knew what was in the Patriot Act or Victory Acts 1 & 2, this nation would cleanse itself once and for all of the evil regimes that intend to impose their will against the American public at large. Now it's supposed to be patriotic to support our politicians and not ask questions. I agree with Benjamin Franklin who said,"support your country every day and politicians when they deserve it" or something similar.

tdbatista

Socialism is not always in the manner Soviet communism (see several European countries as an example). Only just listed them say an American who is adept at socialism or the left in general was something typical "go Bonfire inquisition", not generalizing.

Fact is that this joke of cold war against the Communists, is that the world is in chaos, and makes a lot of people from other countries (like here in my country) have an anti-American sentiment. (So far I am in favor of communism that to me also is a cancer of humanity.)

David

That's kind of what I said...

Iolo

It is the nature of ideology that we find an accurate description of what we've been brainwashed into accepting entirely weird. I define social mobility as the Economist does, in terms of social class and economics, and it is the Economist I am quoting about the lack of social mobility over there. What this 'nazi' codswallop may be in what seems a sensible post I don't know, but I suppose that in a society dominated by bullies you have to make some acceptable noises. It is a waste of time: they won't be happy till you all learn silent obedience, like proper peasants.

tecoyah

Though I agree there is a serious problem with our system where the ability to climb ladders toward a higher tier of social/financial position is concerned, I also note the many instances of past change forced by "Noise" from the masses.
Though it is never an immediate or dramatic adjustment, the complex and somewhat hidden force we call the population, or citizenry does influence the way the system moves forward. No one can know where it may lead, yet it has managed to do so thus far...and I must have faith it will continue.

Patience seems a needed trait in this form of Government.

Iolo

The trouble is that, as for the victims of McCarthy and many others, the waiting tends to outlast living. I too have faith in the American people, oddly enough. We were in a similar position back in the Nineteenth Century, and we came through it, though we are sinking back now. I've liked almost every American I've ever met. fair play.

Protectionist

American "peasants" receive a lot more money than do those in dozens of countries, which is why some American business owners close up shop here and move their operations to those countries, to take advantage of cheaper labor costs, less workers' rights, and less environmental regulation.

Protectionist

It benefits everyone in the world. Without US troops in Afghanistan, for instance, where would we be now ? Or I might better ask WHAT would we be now. And the answer might be piles of Pakistani nuclear missle ashes.

David

Maybe a decade ago. We're actually the outsourcing destination now due to a combination of lower taxes, higher tariffs and 'cheap labor' countries enacting pro-labor laws. Basically if it isn't manufacturing, the job is getting sent to America. If it is manufacturing, the job is obsolete though the uniformed think they were outsourced away.

Protectionist

America has, for many years, been an outsourcing destination. That is, for what we in America could call domestic outsourcing (AKA immigration). 3rd world nations send their poor people here who then take jobs away from Americans by underbidding them, and then pillage the American economy with big Billions$$$$ in remittances$$$$, as well as raid treasuries for Billions$$$$ more in human services payouts, by way of the anchor baby racket. It started out that this was applicable to all those job categories wherein the work could only be done INSIDE the USA (landscaping, construction, janitorial, etc), but it has expanded to include many other things including skill jobs, and in manufacturing too.

Result to the American worker is the same. Big American companies screwing Americans out of jobs by using cheap, foreign labor. Inside the US or outside of it.

That's the only way that America is a destination for outsourcing that I know of.