Whats going on in america?

[neorichieb1971]

Well freedoms are what get you into debt, get you into trouble and conflicts. The fact that you had a choice to make the wrong decision is the problem.

I can't say much about Japan because i've never been there. But people are more open to change it seems, probably because change is better than keeping it the same, where an obvious problem situation has developed. I think in America they have this "we do it this way, because thats the way we have always done it". But people change, situations change.. so the rules of engagement must change also. Regardless of rules, constitutions etc.

The US debt crisis is a bit like the housing market situation in the UK. In the UK you could get a home (in the 80's) for 3 times your annual salary pre tax. When homes got to 4 or 5 or even 6 times your annual salary, schemes were thought of to keep the boat sailing regardless of the consequences. The rule was put into place so that damages were controlled. But here we are in 2013 with people desperately trying to get on the housing ladder even though they can barely afford much beyond paying the bills. The government in the next term will surely be faced with an even bigger economic crisis because everyones cash is going into too few hands. Like power companies, mortgage companies etc. Who can afford a big TV or a holiday when 95% of your income goes out the door within 24 hours of pay day?

I am not expert, but in my eyes if a for periods of time you have fundamentals at a cheap rate.. It does free up cash for people.. Giving them the confidence to spend and make everyone happy. Obviously this cannot go on for long as when you have everything you want you end up being miserable anyway. I don't think there will ever be a situation where everyone will be happy. But governments should definitely be in control of their debt, and it seems some are not. Probably because in the next term they will be voted out and its someone elses problem. Which is my eyes is a shambles.

[BulletMagnet]

If that were true, Mitt Romney would be president right now.

That's just the thing, though: even when they're not "in power", at least not to the extent they were during the Bush years, they still get to do whatever they want with no consequences. EVERY TIME. As I said earlier, this has little to do with popular support, since they already act in the interests of a very small minority and nobody else: the problem is, that plutocratically-empowered minority, and by extension their political representatives, not only get to write their own rules, but break them whenever they find it convenient, and are as a result seldom met with anything but shrugs.

Yet again, as happens far too often, it falls to Jon Stewart to explain why the GOP, and particularly the "Tea Party", not to mention most of the media that's supposed to be helping the rest of us sort through this mess, deserve absolutely nothing but scorn and derision (and, in a rational world, an utter shellacking next election cycle, though this will never happen) for the path they're taking.

[CMoon]

Yet again, as happens far too often, it falls to Jon Stewart to explain why the GOP, and particularly the "Tea Party", not to mention most of the media that's supposed to be helping the rest of us sort through this mess, deserve absolutely nothing but scorn and derision (and, in a rational world, an utter shellacking next election cycle, though this will never happen) for the path they're taking.

Anyone who hasn't seen this clip needs to check it out immediately. Obviously this whole business is comedian fodder, but Stewart grabs the ball first and runs with it. Oh poor, sad Republicans...

[Domino]

I tried to go on the Heathlcare.gov website but it was so buggy I couldn't sign up for an account as this time. Doing the research and talking with local heath care agencies in my area the results were the same.

For someone who is 23, doesn't smoke, single, and low 30k income the amount I would have to pay is $2400 a year (Bronze plan). With my employer the current rate is $1090 a year. I do expect rates to go up due to the new law next month. The rates the government gives out are insane for those who are in the low 30k salary range (and this is for a single guy, no families).

I say let the Repubs have their fun. I knew from the start the bill was a piece of shit to being it. I'll take that Obamacare bill and wipe it with my ass.

Edit: If you can't tell I'm very angry with the history of the ACA. Except for lower income (where the ACA will benefit the most) this will not end too good for middle/higher class folks. The family plan at my work place is too high as it is, I feel sorry for them the most.

[GaijinPunch]

I can't say much about Japan because i've never been there. But people are more open to change it seems, probably because change is better than keeping it the same, where an obvious problem situation has developed.

You'd think so but Japan is absolutely petrified of change. It has suffered 20 years of economic stagnation. America is cutting edge compared to Japan, in terms of almost everything political or economic. America has made big changes, but they are mainly social.

I tried to go on the Heathlcare.gov website but it was so buggy I couldn't sign up for an account as this time. Doing the research and talking with local heath care agencies in my area the results were the same.

Word on the streets is they outsourced the coding side to caveshop.jp.

I say let the Repubs have their fun. I knew from the start the bill was a piece of shit to being it. I'll take that Obamacare bill and wipe it with my ass.

Why do you refer to them in 3rd person?

[antron]

I would have to pay is $2400 a year (Bronze plan). With my employer the current rate is $1090 a year.

employers often cover large portions of health insurance they offer as part of the job. Most people in your shoes are not even supposed to go to healthcare.gov.

Do you know how much they contribute for you.?

[Domino]

employers often cover large portions of health insurance they offer as part of the job. Most people in your shoes are not even supposed to go to healthcare.gov.

Do you know how much they contribute for you.?

My job currently covers 75% of the cost. The issue is they have been raising the rates due to ACA. The family plans are already high enough at work for those who enroll with that plan. The issue is if the company will be willing to continue doing the 75% covering the cost as time goes on, and if so how much more our rates will go out.

[Skykid]

Fuck me, Republicans are stupid.

[trap15]

[Jonathan Ingram]

You'd think so but Japan is absolutely petrified of change.

Well, with the Liberal-Democratic filth fully back in power and Shinzo Abe spearheading rather drastic amendments to the Japanese constitution to restore Japan`s status as a "normal country", I`d say the change is not too far off. Although it`s not one for the better.

[GaijinPunch]

Haha -- well said. But, even so, none of the other parties would do any better. They may be less dipshitty about it, but Hatoyama was supposed to be a breath of fresh air (a la Obama) and he totally shit the mattress. Well, sorta. Maybe just bad timing. The Futenma air base thing totally fucked him though.

[Jonathan Ingram]

Very true. I`d wager that even if JCP(which I hear is quite strong on a local level and made considerable gains in the last general elections) magically assumed the position of power tomorrow, they`d pursue the same policies as practiced by LDP with a few cosmetic changes here and there(less nationalism and militarism). On the somewhat bright side, hopefully the DPJ fiasco showed the general public in Japan that positive social and economic changes are unlikely to be achieved through the elections process raising a chance of the appearance of grassroots democratic movements in the future... Bah, who am I kidding? :/

[GaijinPunch]

As the population gets older, it will get more conservative. So, until they start multiplying, we are likely to see real reform.

[Moniker]

Fuck me, Republicans are stupid.

This. I think I've said before that I favor Republicans over Democrats, since I favor base over superstructure... but damn. It looks like they're trying really hard to get rid of my vote. My own kin got furloughed because of this bullshit.

Right now, I'm guessing they're betting on American ADD to save them in the 2014 elections. (Not a bad strategy, to be sadly honest.) Unless a superstar emerges (and how shallow must I be to fall for that? [Oh wait, I voted for Obama in 2008.......]), I'll be voting straight libertarian ticket next time out. And I'm not even a straight libertarian.

The only solace is that if you vote stupid in America, you probably won't end up with a Communist or Fascist in control. Probably.

[Skykid]

The only solace is that if you vote stupid in America, you probably won't end up with a Communist or Fascist in control. Probably.

Bush wasn't a fascist?

Act like a patriot or spy, pilgrim.

[BryanM]

Oookay, news for today:

The house began doing it's dead on arrival "piecemeal re-funding" series of bills by majority. They didn't do this yesterday because Democrats could have proposed voting on the Real Budget, but they couldn't get the piecemeal stuff through with a super majority since they didn't have the votes. Entertaining as frog poop? Yes.

So anyway, that happened, Dems tried to counter by putting up the Real Budget for a vote to vote as expected, and precisely zero of the so-called "moderate republicans" who claimed to be willing to vote in favor of the Real Budget went for it, so it's still sitting on the backburner. They dare not cross Leadership on this one.

In my mind I thought this was going to last only one to two months, tops. In my heart, I thought it might never end.

So it's come to this: Let's Play "Guess how long this is going to go on for."

My entry: Around January 5 2015, after the election. ~Optimism~

Oh, and one more "Will they or won't they drive off the cliff of national default when the debt limit fight comes up if they don't get what they want?" I'm leaning... yes, yes they really will. A soft yes.

I'll be voting straight libertarian ticket next time out. And I'm not even a straight libertarian.

But I thought the shutdown was the libertarian healthcare plan.

Er, I mean "but who was phone?"

I mean its just politics right?

It's just civilization who cares, amirite

imo it's very apropos the general US politics slush thread has Neo as the Opie

or that we're still talking about the same exact thing.

WillFarrellCrazyPills.gif

[Ed Oscuro]

SUDDENLY, UNSTOPPABLE WWII VETS EVERYWHERE
oh nevermind the guy in the photo is from the Korean War

You have to have a chuckle at the thought one of these guys will end up in the House and starts putting transigent Republicans in Peruvian neckties.

As the population gets older, it will get more conservative. So, until they start multiplying, we are likely to see real reform.

This is true if the voters who will form majorities in the future are already conservative. In the US, anybody who became of age during the New Deal is more likely to have a partisan loyalty to the Democrats and they still vote for Democrats. So if the people who will form that aging Japanese electorate bloc are displacing old liberals who are dying (which is a distinct possibility) then what you predict will likely be true.

I'm not sure if things will be different because of the wider variety in parties in Japan, when compared with the US two-party system, but I suspect people will remain partisan loyalties. There are some issues that people can become more conservative on as they get older, but it's not enough to start voting for people from a different party when you've been a lifelong Democrat.

[BulletMagnet]

I'll be voting straight libertarian ticket next time out. And I'm not even a straight libertarian.

If you're upset that government workers (or ANY workers, frankly) are being treated as expendable and voiceless, you'd better stay as far away from the Libertarian ticket as you possibly can. If there's any party more utterly in thrall to the "if you're not a millionaire then you're lower than dirt" mindset than the Republicans, it's them.

[GaijinPunch]

As the population gets older, it will get more conservative. So, until they start multiplying, we are likely to see real reform.

This is true if the voters who will form majorities in the future are already conservative. In the US, anybody who became of age during the New Deal is more likely to have a partisan loyalty to the Democrats and they still vote for Democrats. So if the people who will form that aging Japanese electorate bloc are displacing old liberals who are dying (which is a distinct possibility) then what you predict will likely be true.

Sorry -- this was worded wrong: As the population is getting older, it is becoming more conservative (and will continue to do so). It's not something that might happen... it's something that is happening. Look at the two dick holes that were governers of Tokyo & Osaka until recently. Those two cities make up about 35% of the whole country.

[Ed Oscuro]

That probably means that old liberals are dying, or there aren't as many young liberals in the electorate and old conservatives are just moving through.

Eventually the old folks die and if the young voters are liberal now, they'll take that spot.

Could be quite a wait, though....

[Ed Oscuro]

way more of an old boys club than America is.

Oh, this also: http://www.texasobserver.org/the-texas- ... le-secret/

Might be atypical.

[GaijinPunch]

That probably means that old liberals are dying, or there aren't as many young liberals in the electorate and old conservatives are just moving through.

Eventually the old folks die and if the young voters are liberal now, they'll take that spot.

Could be quite a wait, though....

That's the point... there are no young voters being made... not at the rate to keep up w/ those on the fence going over to the dark side. Japan employs a seniority based system across the board. If you worked like a slave until you were 45 or 50 would you want to change the system that guaranteed you get paid no matter how bad you sucked?

Oh, this also: http://www.texasobserver.org/the-texas- ... le-secret/
Might be atypical.

You want to put Japan up against anyone in a sexist contest? That's cute.

[rancor]

You want to put Japan up against anyone in a sexist contest? That's cute.

lol. If only people knew.

Notice any country missing from this list?:

http://www.forbes.com/power-women/list/

[Ed Oscuro]

Oh, this also: http://www.texasobserver.org/the-texas- ... le-secret/
Might be atypical.

You want to put Japan up against anyone in a sexist contest? That's cute.

True. Been reading "Office Ladies and Salaried Men" recently.

[BryanM]

You want to put Japan up against anyone in a sexist contest? That's cute.

Wanted to share this music video in/Britney thread, seems more apropos in context here. A kind of thing that's Totally Fine on normal tv.

[Jonathan Ingram]

Look at the two dick holes that were governers of Tokyo & Osaka until recently.

Do not forget the Nagoya mayor, Takashi "Nanjing massacre is a lie" Kawamura.

If there's any party more utterly in thrall to the "if you're not a millionaire then you're lower than dirt" mindset than the Republicans, it's them.

Even if due to some bizarre turn of events liberatrians assumed power anywhere(I think there`s a higher chance of spotting a Bigfoot in the wild than meeting a libertarian outside of the internet), the unspeakable amounts of poverty and misery they`d inflict on working people with their shitty social-Darwinist policies, the "homo hominis lupus est" crap, would ensure they wouldn`t last for more than a few years.

Their disconnect from reality and a complete lack of understanding of how capitalism works are simply staggering. Calling for a completely deregulated capitalist economy at the time when the latter heavily depends on insurance guarantees and generous state subsidies just to barely scrape by is akin to kicking a chair from underneath someone who`s about to get hanged.

Not to mention that the isolationist wet dreams of some of them(in particular of American libertarians like Ron Paul) go directly against the logic of capitalism`s development and the interests of multinational capital which is interventionist in nature.

[BryanM]

I think there`s a higher chance of spotting a Bigfoot in the wild than meeting a libertarian outside of the internet

It's a lot more common than you'd think, just like there are more socialists than you'd think. People just don't like thinking about or working on their politics, so lack the labels with which to apply to themselves. For example: you want to see libertarians in power? You've got them: Tea Party.

[brokenhalo]

employers often cover large portions of health insurance they offer as part of the job. Most people in your shoes are not even supposed to go to healthcare.gov.

Do you know how much they contribute for you.?

My job currently covers 75% of the cost. The issue is they have been raising the rates due to ACA. The family plans are already high enough at work for those who enroll with that plan. The issue is if the company will be willing to continue doing the 75% covering the cost as time goes on, and if so how much more our rates will go out.

So you pay $1090 a year and your employer pays 75%, meaning your total non-obamacare healthcare costs are $4360 a year. If your employer wanted to, they could have you sign up for obamacare, cover the full amount, and save themselves $870. And you wouldnt have to pay a dime. You could probably take your $1090 and upgrade to something better than the bronze plan if you wanted to. So why is the ACA so bad again?

[GaijinPunch]

Oh, this also: http://www.texasobserver.org/the-texas- ... le-secret/
Might be atypical.

You want to put Japan up against anyone in a sexist contest? That's cute.

True. Been reading "Office Ladies and Salaried Men" recently.

Sounds interesting! I probably wouldn't learn anything new but perhaps it's worth a gander.

Wanted to share this music video in/Britney thread, seems more apropos in context here. A kind of thing that's Totally Fine on normal tv.

Jimminy Fucking Christmas. And the name "Heavy Rotation". :-/

just like there are more socialists than you'd think.

When I had an office in Roppongi I would jog around the Imperial Palace. Right there in plane view is the HQ of the Japan Communist Party. No shit.

[dcharlie]

So why is the ACA so bad again?

because, as Sarah Palin says, it's every american's right to make absolutely awful choices as long as it's private companies benefiting and not the individual

i spent some time yesterday trying to get to the bottom of what exactly was the problem with ACA and the best i could find was on the teabaggers site where they basically say "bu bu bu the healthcare industry is 20% of the US economy and this will erode into that by making it government owned!"

so... errr....