Food stamps

[Mountain trapper]

It's fine. My thoughts are that I will do whatever I can to make myself happy.
I don't think anything will change as long as there are many people that are willing to pay the bill. If you want the system to change, first you have to make it go away. Once enough people think and do like me, the system will go away. It will have no choice.
Besides, we DO work very hard actually. We just don't make any money. We produce food. If you want to eat decent food you should eat the kind of food we produce and not cheap factory farm walmart food, but that's the thing. You cannot produce good food and make money in this county.
All these things I do make perfect sense to me.
You know who benefits the most from the system as is? Large coorperations and politicians they pay off
edit: oh and don't forget China

The system may go away, but it will be replaced with communism. Are you OK with that? Right now all we have is socialism, just a step away from communism. The more that people purposely try to break the system the quicker we'll become slaves to the system. To each their own though.
BTW, it's the corporations that employee most people in this country. It's the corporate stocks that many people depend on for retirement income. I've worked for some of the largest corporations in the world, at the top executive level. Never had a problem. I did what was expected of me and I was compensated very well.

 

[angie_nrs]

If you want the system to change, first you have to make it go away. Once enough people think and do like me, the system will go away. It will have no choice.

Be careful what you wish for. It can get much worse.....and likely will. I won't push the accelerator down on that. When the system crashes, it will usher in CDBC's issued by the Fed to 'save our democracy!'......and bury our republic. Once that happens, it's game over for the average American. You'll have no rights, no belongings, no privacy, no defense, no justice, no choices, no control, no freedom.......and YOU'LL LIKE IT!

If the guv want's anything you have, they'll get it. They'll either make it impossible for you to afford to keep it or they'll just make up a reason to take it outright. You'll have no recourse b/c you won't have any control over your money b/c they can just take it whenever they want to. Lawyers won't touch you b/c they don't want to get crushed with you. Even if you have land and other assets that are already paid for, they can just issue a 'wealth' tax on what they think your assets are worth and deduct those taxes from your account. When your account runs dry....those assets belong to the gov. Thanks for playing. Game over.

 

[Supervisor42]

On topic - food stamps:
I will never get to spend a single food stamp in this lifetime.

 

[Magus]

Nobody else will either, they come on ATM cards here.

 

[Supervisor42]

Nobody else will either, they come on ATM EBT cards here.

Fixed it forya'!

An ATM card you can stick in an ATM machine and get cash, not with an EBT card. And I'm pretty sure people knew what I was saying when I said: "a single food stamp"

 

[sonya123]

The system may go away, but it will be replaced with communism. Are you OK with that? Right now all we have is socialism, just a step away from communism. The more that people purposely try to break the system the quicker we'll become slaves to the system. To each their own though.

Why does it have to be replaced by communism?
The system as is , is completely unfair. It favors special groups and screws the rest.
So changing it would be good. But most likely I will be long dead before that happens, so oh well
Personally I think US style capitalism sucks almost as much as Soviet style communism. So at this point I try to benefit from the system as much as I can. I would do the same if I lived in a communist country. You have to work with what you got.

 

[Dani]

Playing devil's advocate....

There is a cultural aspect of the type of car sneakers etc people choose to adorn themselves.

I worked with an engineer from India ...

Who's life goal was to earn enough in the US to buy his hometown

that was expecting a son. He hired a consulting firm to choose a name for the boy. After a month and about $50k they decided " Jim". He was happy. I was confused.

Point is that there is a variety of standards of social norms that govern people's life choices.

For me the critical aspect of a vehicle is "does it run?". Others not so much.

Ben

Am I the only clueless one on how this relates to @Supervisor42 post? He is talking about people that maybe taking advantage of government assistance but @Neb is talking about a rich guy. I just don't see you playing the "devil's advocate" at all.

 

[Neb]

Am I the only clueless one on how this relates to @Supervisor42 post? He is talking about people that maybe taking advantage of government assistance but @Neb is talking about a rich guy. I just don't see you playing the "devil's advocate" at all.

Hmmm

The trend of this thread prior to my post was...

Food stamps and nice cars don't mix.

Some people's life goals are to drive fancy car and anything beyond that is just fluff. Sure they may live in a dump but hey they have a nice car. If they have to utilize food stamps to get that car so be it.

The point being different people have different goals that may not make sense to others.

Ben

 

[Dani]

Why does it have to be replaced by communism?
The system as is , is completely unfair. It favors special groups and screws the rest.
So changing it would be good. But most likely I will be long dead before that happens, so oh well
Personally I think US style capitalism sucks almost as much as Soviet style communism. So at this point I try to benefit from the system as much as I can. I would do the same if I lived in a communist country. You have to work with what you got.

Communism is on it's way full force right now. Have you not seen this documentary?

https://www.brighteon.com/6727f189-69a0-491f-b529-da9cb64dbda7

 

[Mountain trapper]

Why does it have to be replaced by communism?
The system as is , is completely unfair. It favors special groups and screws the rest.
So changing it would be good. But most likely I will be long dead before that happens, so oh well
Personally I think US style capitalism sucks almost as much as Soviet style communism. So at this point I try to benefit from the system as much as I can. I would do the same if I lived in a communist country. You have to work with what you got.

That's just the way it works, after socialism comes communism.
You are so far out in Left field if you think capitalism is anything like communism.
With capitalism anyone who wants to work hard can become successful. Sitting around crying about how unfair life is doesn't accomplish anything. Hard work and recognizing opportunities is what it takes.
Go ahead and suck off the government tit. Many other misguided people do. I worked for everything I have, just like the vast majority of us did. Never had any "help" or handouts or special treatment.

 

[Dani]

Hmmm

The trend of this thread prior to my post was...

Food stamps and nice cars don't mix.

Some people's life goals are to drive fancy car and anything beyond that is just fluff. Sure they may live in a dump but hey they have a nice car. If they have to utilize food stamps to get that car so be it.

The point being different people have different goals that may not make sense to others.

Ben

And I thought the post was about Food Stamps. I'm not stupid and totally understand your post but this thread was NOT about "Food stamps and nice cars don't mix." Yes some people"s life goals are higher than others, And honestly that is a good achievement. Maybe you are trying to make fun of these loafers? I just don't see that in you though.

 

[Wingnut]

And AMC is STILL wishin' this thread had never started, lol...
Can we lighten it up a bit, maybe talk about politics? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!


Dang, sometimes I slay myself... okay, I'm out, time for dinner and a movie! Not a Disney movie, lol...

 

[sonya123]

That's just the way it works, after socialism comes communism.
You are so far out in Left field if you think capitalism is anything like communism.

Europe has been socialist for around 80 years, so has Japan. When are they going to become communist?
Capitalism US style is like communism, is like the old aristocracy. You have a group of powerful greedy people at the top that will do anything to keep their power and wealth at the expense of the rest of the population. You just don't seem to see that. The US stopped being a truly free country when they started public schools, income tax, social security and property tax. So quite some time....
In theory , I also believe what you believe ( that you should work hard to achieve what you want to achieve) but in reality that is not the country we live in

 

[Bacpacker]

Europe has been socialist for around 80 years, so has Japan. When are they going to become communist?
Capitalism US style is like communism, is like the old aristocracy. You have a group of powerful greedy people at the top that will do anything to keep their power and wealth at the expense of the rest of the population. You just don't seem to see that. The US stopped being a truly free country when they started public schools, income tax, social security and property tax. So quite some time....
In theory , I also believe what you believe ( that you should work hard to achieve what you want to achieve) but in reality that is not the country we live in

Actually the things you mentioned, primarily taxes, mostly came about after 1913 when the central bankers were given the authority to print money and loan it to the government. Nothing to do with capitalizm.

 

[angie_nrs]

I know this thread has drifted a bit, but it's still relevant. We no longer live in a republic where capitalism rules. We now live in a facist society with corporatism at it's roots. It's pretty easy to spot the big corporations that are ruling our lives. They pay off the politicians and then the politicians (government) do what they are told to do, just like a good puppet would.

Big corps get huge tax breaks and advantages that small businesses do not. They were allowed to stay open during Covid while the small businesses were threatened by bureaucratic health departments if they didn't close. It made no sense from a purely health standpoint. Big corps can afford big lawyers to bend the law in their favor. They can afford accountants to skew the numbers to avoid tax. Heck, they can change the laws in their favor by buying politicans. So, basically they can do what they want. Covid just made it more obvious.

A prime example would be healthcare. Our system is completely broken. I remember the good ole' days when you could actually get an appointment and see a real doctor. If you needed a specialist, you could get in to see one right away. Those days are long gone for most of us. Obama screwed the pooch with Obamacare. Gee, who do you think wanted that? Big Pharma and Big medical conglomerates did. They forced so much red tape upon private practice doctors that almost all of them went out of business or got bought up by the big facilities. Now, we have crappy healthcare b/c they don't care about health. They care about money. And when you own (or are in bed with) the insurance companies, medical devices, hospitals, and pharma......then you do what you want without reprecussions. With all that money, they can squash you like the annoying bug that you are.

If nothing happens to change the way corporations are run, then this deterioration of America will continue. Just look at how much CEO's make. It's not b/c they earn it. Look at who gets board seats. Hunter on an energy board? These are just power positions and money laundering schemes. It's all set up so that the average Joe pays for all the corruption without them even knowing about it. It all circles back to the stock market, which is one huge casino for the elites. The house always wins.

Politicans should wear their uniforms just like NASCAR drivers do. At least it would be more honest.

 

[Magus]

Fixed it forya'!

An ATM card you can stick in an ATM machine and get cash, not with an EBT card. And I'm pretty sure people knew what I was saying when I said: "a single food stamp"

Some of ours also work as cash cards.

 

[AMC]

That depends on whether you've got medicare or not, I think, I don't so I don't get groceries, or food stamps, but I was on them, and I can't thank the people who paid for me to survive enough.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Europe has been socialist for around 80 years, so has Japan. When are they going to become communist?
Capitalism US style is like communism, is like the old aristocracy. You have a group of powerful greedy people at the top that will do anything to keep their power and wealth at the expense of the rest of the population. You just don't seem to see that. The US stopped being a truly free country when they started public schools, income tax, social security and property tax. So quite some time....
In theory , I also believe what you believe ( that you should work hard to achieve what you want to achieve) but in reality that is not the country we live in

Even inspite of all the negatives that you see in capitalism, anyone can still achieve success through hard work. I retired at 57 just under CEO level. Nobody helped me achieve that level of success but me.
Why do you think everyone should all have the same success? Everyone already has the ability to work hard and be successful Shouldn't those that work a little harder, take some risks, look for opportunities and make sacrifices, be rewarded more than those that sit on their ass complaining about their sad lot in life? I don't give a crap if someone has more than me, good for them. It's none of my business how they got it either. I was happy being in the 1.5% level when I was working.
Bottom line, money isn't everything. Health and happiness is far more important.

 

[Wingnut]

Health and happiness are WAY more important... but money helps pay the bills, yeah? I've never been infected with the sickness of greed, but I've worked hard in the past and I earned some pretty good money while doing it. However, the whole trucking scene was more of a lifestyle for me, not some job which I hated, lol... I actually had heaps of fun doing it, and I saw a bunch of cool places which I NEVER would've seen had I NOT gone trucking. Sure, there were some bad days in the mix, but remember Wingnut's famous axiom: the worst day of truck driving is better than the best day in an office or a factory!

P.S. My handle in trucking was actually 'Railsplitter'---it had NOTHING to do with Abe Lincoln, I assure you, lol.

 

[Magus]

anyone can still achieve success through hard work.

HAH! Let's examine that:
First the golden ceiling, if you're not already rich, your life is planned regardless of education.
The glass ceiling for the ladies.
The old boy network.
The elitist education system and the ivy league clans.
All the quota systems.
Selling the "BIG LIE" All over corporate TV and the movies.
There are more, but you know, capitalism is communism's sexy sister, but both build their empires on the backs of the poor and working classes. the individual entrepreneur is the economy of the future, and the future is Anarchy.

 

[Mountain trapper]

HAH! Let's examine that:
First the golden ceiling, if you're not already rich, your life is planned regardless of education.
The glass ceiling for the ladies.
The old boy network.
The elitist education system and the ivy league clans.
All the quota systems.
Selling the "BIG LIE" All over corporate TV and the movies.
There are more, but you know, capitalism is communism's sexy sister, but both build their empires on the backs of the poor and working classes. the individual entrepreneur is the economy of the future, and the future is Anarchy.

I disagree completely. I'm proof that anyone can succeed. I wasn't born rich, not part any old boy network, never went to any college and I planed my own life. I started out as a ranch hand, then worked on a fishing boat in Alaska at 17, then a welders helper, welder/fabricator, foreman, superintendent, manager, senior manager, fleet director, and finally VP.
All I did was work hard, saved my money, did without a lot of things and looked for opportunities. Some of these opportunities took me to other states and even to other countries. Bought my first house at 19. I invested in the stock market while still a teenager. Over the years I bought and sold a lot of properties, from apartments to timber land to farms and ranches.
Anyone can do the same or similar to achieve success. People just need to quit whimpering and whining about how hard life is, or unfair things are, get off the couch, learn a trade and get to work. Success doesn't happen over night, it'll take years. I "retired" at 57, my wife retired also at 57 two years ago. Nobody helped make our success, we did it on our own. Anyone can do the same.
One last thing, while I was working I kept my mouth shut and did what I was told.

 

[Magus]

Same here pretty much, but sounds like you had better work choices and luck than I did.
I got "retired" at 45 by a wetback on a pole heister. then my fiancee wiped out my savings and ran off with my boss before I even got off my crutches, I tend to whimper quite a bit, I also tend to tell people to drop dead pretty often too. must be a mental problem.

 

[angie_nrs]

One last thing, while I was working I kept my mouth shut and did what I was told.

Your story sounds very much like ours, except I was never good at the last part you put in there. However, I was a smart, dependable, and hard worker. I tend to do the best that I can when I am working for others, whether that's for a boss or a customer. Excellence was something that we strove for back in our day, and it still applies to this day.

Divorce can certainly side track the best of plans. I'm glad I got one of the 'good ones', so thankfully I haven't had to deal with that. We would not be where we are today without a team effort.

It is getting more and more difficult to make your own way in this world. There's little chance that we would have made the same decisions today that we did years ago. The costs of everything have gone so crazy that it probably wouldn't have been possible without family help. Even then, it would've been hard, if not impossible. That said, there are still a lot of opportunites out there. Today, we probably would have chosen different paths, but I think we still would have been able to build a good future.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Your story sounds very much like ours, except I was never good at the last part you put in there. However, I was a smart, dependable, and hard worker. I tend to do the best that I can when I am working for others, whether that's for a boss or a customer. Excellence was something that we strove for back in our day, and it still applies to this day.

Divorce can certainly side track the best of plans. I'm glad I got one of the 'good ones', so thankfully I haven't had to deal with that. We would not be where we are today without a team effort.

It is getting more and more difficult to make your own way in this world. There's little chance that we would have made the same decisions today that we did years ago. The costs of everything have gone so crazy that it probably wouldn't have been possible without family help. Even then, it would've been hard, if not impossible. That said, there are still a lot of opportunites out there. Today, we probably would have chosen different paths, but I think we still would have been able to build a good future.

I had a divorce. It set me back several years. I had originally planned on retiring at 45. In life there are always setbacks, one just needs to work around them and learn from them. The first time I left home was at 15 to work on a ranch, left home for good at 17.
My philosophy was, if I didn't like how my boss managed things, then I'd work even harder to move up to his level or higher.
Yes, prices have certainly gone up, but I remember it wasn't easy when I was making $2.25 per hour either. Sometimes I worked 2 jobs, and I always volunteered for all the overtime I could get. I never considered complaining about how hard life was, and certainly I would never have thought about taking a handout from the taxpayer.

 

[Wingnut]

I also tend to tell people to drop dead pretty often too. must be a mental problem.

If I had a nickel for every time I told some employer to f#% off, I'd be a rich man today, lol...

Wish I'd done everything right the first time around... but we can't ALL be superheroes!

 

[Mountain trapper]

Same here pretty much, but sounds like you had better work choices and luck than I did.
I got "retired" at 45 by a wetback on a pole heister. then my fiancee wiped out my savings and ran off with my boss before I even got off my crutches, I tend to whimper quite a bit, I also tend to tell people to drop dead pretty often too. must be a mental problem.

I've been fired from at least 4 jobs in my career, three of them were high level executive positions. One time the CEO embezzled 13 million dollars and needed a scape goat, I was it. Another time I wouldn't cover up for my CEO. It's hard to imagine, but the higher up one climbs the ladder, the less job security they have. I took each job loss as a new opportunity. And each new job I hot was a higher position and more pay.

 

[Amish Heart]

Gotta disagree with the communism and capitalism being sisters, Magus. Your life is what you put in it and also what is in you. And a measure of "success" is truly in the eye of the beholder.

 

[LadyLocust]

Salt and sugar don't go bad and are great for trading if not needed for self.

 

[sonya123]

Even inspite of all the negatives that you see in capitalism, anyone can still achieve success through hard work.

I don't think that is true. Small businesses generally get swallowed up by giant cooperations. Universities decide who they want there are not. Giant cooperations pay off politicians to make laws that favor them. I think you are confusing idealistic "capitalism" with the actual system we have here today. It's just like idealistic communism sounds good also. But in reality it turns into the Soviet Union run by the rich elite KGB members and such. The only difference is that you can still leave the US and they still want to give us the illusion we have real elections.

 

[sonya123]

.
One last thing, while I was working I kept my mouth shut and did what I was told.

I never did that
We were what generally goes as " successful" also, so what? I think "successfull " is not equal to "happy"