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We could always raise minimum wage so that people could afford the high prices. Then, companies like food processors and stores will have to increase prices so that they can afford to pay the higher wages. And those new higher minimum wage people will need a raise to afford the new prices... Wait... that's not right...

No, it isn't right. When people at the top end of capitalism can take as much capital as they want without having to raise any prices, that argument falls flat. They can afford $100 million dollar salaries and bonuses for CEOs and higher echelon employees, but raising wages for lower-end employees would require price increases? Where's the logic there?

The profit margin is what allows them to give the $100 million bonuses... and if you think that they are doing away with those you are kra-Z.

Right, so the argument that they can't afford wage increases is bullshit. They COULD, they just don't wanna.

I usually don't stick around long arguments, so I'll just interject with an ironic observation. The welfare state was invented in the late 19th century by conservative European states to keep the little people happy pacified (that is, keep them from breaking out the guillotines, or other devices of similar intent). It was invented to protect the rich from their own excesses, in essence.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm with Jim on eliminating fraud and abuse of the system, but CPH is right; the percentage of people who actually need help is higher than most people recognize. I think the entire welfare program should be transformed into a job training and placement program to help people get on their feet, and usually, the system penalizes people who are working two jobs, and are trying to get out of the hole; that's where the change needs to occur; stop punishing people who want to have a better life. Help people who need a hand until they can get on more solid ground.

Tsukiyumi wrote:Don't get me wrong here, I'm with Jim on eliminating fraud and abuse of the system, but CPH is right; the percentage of people who actually need help is higher than most people recognize. I think the entire welfare program should be transformed into a job training and placement program to help people get on their feet, and usually, the system penalizes people who are working two jobs, and are trying to get out of the hole; that's where the change needs to occur; stop punishing people who want to have a better life. Help people who need a hand until they can get on more solid ground.

1. thanks
2. those jobs still need to exist (that is, policy needs to promote much higher job growth. many job seekers have dropped out of the market because they can't find jobs - that and not increasing job numbers is the primary cause for reduced unemployment rate)
3. abuse can be curtailed without gutting the whole thing, throwing out the baby with the bathwater. the recent conservative House is attacking welfate with broad-axes, chainsaws and sledgehammers, not scalpels.

Now, I'm off to lunch.

1. no problem.
2. agreed.
3. agreed.

Back from California. It was... kind of a good trip and kind of not. Also, my family was on food stamps for a couple of years in the late 80's, until we didn't need them anymore. And I've seen some people who were definite abusers of them... and people who mocked those with genuine need.

So, Leia just backstabbed me out of nowhere; told me that since her "husband" feels like our relationship is more substantial than theirs, she's decided that we shouldn't see each other, or speak anymore. A 17-year relationship wrecked for an abusive asshole who treats her like shit. One of my other friends said he gets it: abusive dickheads like to isolate their victims, and I agree with that assessment. This is just like what my dad did to my mom, though it's not the first time the guy has reminded me of my dad.

So, my best friend just tosses our relationship out like it's no big deal, and "hopes I understand". I understand that it's a terrible decision, yes.

Fuck.

Well, that's just... Sorry to hear, Tsuki.

Tsukiyumi wrote:So, Leia just backstabbed me out of nowhere; told me that since her "husband" feels like our relationship is more substantial than theirs, she's decided that we shouldn't see each other, or speak anymore. A 17-year relationship wrecked for an abusive asshole who treats her like shit. One of my other friends said he gets it: abusive dickheads like to isolate their victims, and I agree with that assessment. This is just like what my dad did to my mom, though it's not the first time the guy has reminded me of my dad.

So, my best friend just tosses our relationship out like it's no big deal, and "hopes I understand". I understand that it's a terrible decision, yes.

Fuck.

That is shit. I know how you feel. But it was flipped.

Flipped how? You told a long-time partner and best friend to fuck off because your abusive shithead wife asked you to, or your mom beat your dad?

Tsukiyumi wrote:Flipped how? You told a long-time partner and best friend to fuck off because your abusive shithead wife asked you to, or your mom beat your dad?

When did my parents did get into this?

No it was the best friend who was married to a manipulative and abusive wife that he couldn't hang out with me ever again because she was jealous of how we 'hang out' together. Then he eventually started to believe in shit she was saying that I am the one who was causing her to ruin her marriage. Eventually I was blamed for everything wrong in life. Basically got driven out.

That was eight years ago and only last year did he eventually sought me out to say sorry the way she and he treated me.

That is the incredibly short story of a six month ordeal I went through. BTW, my best friend, we were friends since 6th grade and went through Boot Camp, A school and went to the same command together. Then he knocked up and married the chick.

So maybe I shouldn't have said anything here.

Okay, gotcha. I was looking through my post, trying to figure out what could be flipped.

Oh, and now she says she didn't want to stop being friends. I said "If we never see each other, and never talk, isn't that essentially the same thing?" She says she just needs some space for an indeterminate length of time.