The American Conundrum.

[Navvet]

This was posted on the Free Republic website ...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3189946/posts

Conundrum---------------------------------------------------------

Free people are not equal. Equal people are not free.

"A gun is like a parachute. If you need one, and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again."

The definition of the word "Conundrum" is: something that is puzzling or confusing.

Here are six Conundrums of socialism in the United States of America:

1. America is capitalist and greedy - yet half of the population is subsidized.

2. Half of the population is subsidized - yet they think they are victims.

3. They think they are victims - yet their representatives run the government.

4. Their representatives run the government - yet the poor keep getting poorer.

5. The poor keep getting poorer - yet they have things that people in other countries only dream about.

6. They have things that people in other countries only dream about - yet they want America to be more like those other countries.

Think about it! And that, my friends, pretty much sums up the USA in the 21st Century.

Makes you wonder who is doing the math.

These three, short sentences tell you a lot about the direction of our current government and cultural environment:

1. We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics.

Funny how that works. And here's another one worth considering...

2. Seems we constantly hear about how Social Security is going to run out of money. But we never hear about welfare or food stamps running out of money? What's interesting is the first group "worked for" their money, but the second didn't.

Think about it.....and Last but not least,

3. Why are we cutting benefits for our veterans, no pay raises for our military and cutting our army to a level lower than before WWII, but we are not stopping the payments or benefits to illegal aliens.

[shooter]

These and many other questions was supposed to be addressed by "The Change". You are preaching to the choir brother. Its the entitled half that needs to change. Thanks for posting that. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only 'one'. Its good to know there are others like me.

[taxfree4]

George answered those questions

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hYIC0eZYEtI

[F6B1911]

Its the entitled half that needs to change.

Yes, therein lies the problem.
The entitled half no longer has the ability to change, they been told how to vote in order to continue receiving entitlements for way too long.
They think their elected officials are helping them, when they are actually being held back.
Tell someone they "NEED" food stamps, healthcare, housing assistance, etc. year after year, they lose their ability to stand on their own two feet.
The only way to fix the entitled have is to give them a deadline.

[Limoles]

George answered those questions

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hYIC0eZYEtI

George - we miss you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[taxfree4]

George - we miss you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I worked in Manhattan I used to drink at the bar, Cannons Pub on 108th st. and Broadway, that Carlin's father used to frequent very often and they have Carlin's autographed picture front and center. If you catch Carlin's short lived sitcom that's the bar in the opening scenes.

[Limoles]

I drove George Carlin many times . He always refused to be driven in limousine's passenger area and was sitting beside me . He was goofing and our conversations were always ending with jokes about women , which he did like and hate in the same time. Each time he was asking me to get rid of "such a funny strange" accent , intimidating my sporadic speaches , always ended with mutually hilarious laughs . Ones he asked me : "Do you know , what's the difference between Las Vegas and Atlantic City" ? Even before my answer , he interrupted me with smile :
"You know shit - I'll tell you" . In his explanation he quoted:
- Whatever happened in Las Vegas , stays in Las Vegas" ( as they say ) ,
but ... "Whatever happened in Atlantic City .... will stick to your shoes" .
How far could he be from the truth ? He loved to be recognized as a social , political critic and patriot , whose sharp , intelligent and boldly expressed observations will not find equally courageous successor in any time soon . He left empty chair in comic's shows arena. I truly miss him .

[bobbyf6b]

I drove George Carlin many times . He always refused to be driven in limousine's passenger area and was sitting beside me . He was goofing and our conversations were always ending with jokes about women , which he did like and hate in the same time. Each time he was asking me to get rid of "such a funny strange" accent , intimidating my sporadic speaches , always ended with mutually hilarious laughs . Ones he asked me : "Do you know , what's the difference between Las Vegas and Atlantic City" ? Even before my answer , he interrupted me with smile :
"You know shit - I'll tell you" . In his explanation he quoted:
- Whatever happened in Las Vegas , stays in Las Vegas" ( as they say ) ,
but ... "Whatever happened in Atlantic City .... will stick to your shoes" .
How far could he be from the truth ? He loved to be recognized as a social , political critic and patriot , whose sharp , intelligent and boldly expressed observations will not find equally courageous successor in any time soon . He left empty chair in comic's shows arena. I truly miss him .

Great story and well said!

[Steve 0080]

The next civil war...throwing folks out of the wagon...

[terrydj]

I'm not an American but live in a country settled by convicts, England's waste
That has a free health care system that is for everyone
A terrific education system where everyone can go to university paid for by the govt with a loan that is paid back when you are working at 4%
Very low unemployment
A country that's the size of America with only 20 million people in it
A country that has a single farm that's Anna Creek Station, the world's largest working cattle station, roughly 6,000,000 acres ( 9,400 sq mi) which is slightly larger than Israel. located in South Australia which is 1,977,000 acres (3,089 sq mi) larger than its nearest rival in the North and around 10 times bigger than any ranch on america ?
The best beer in the world
The best place to live'
And still people whinge :icon_cool:

[taxfree4]

I'm not an American but live in a country settled by convicts, England's waste
That has a free health care system that is for everyone
A terrific education system where everyone can go to university paid for by the govt with a loan that is paid back when you are working at 4%
Very low unemployment
A country that's the size of America with only 20 million people in it
A country that has a single farm that's Anna Creek Station, the world's largest working cattle station, roughly 6,000,000 acres ( 9,400 sq mi) which is slightly larger than Israel. located in South Australia which is 1,977,000 acres (3,089 sq mi) larger than its nearest rival in the North and around 10 times bigger than any ranch on america ?
The best beer in the world
The best place to live'
And still people whinge :icon_cool:

Those are probably the Liberals. We have a lot in common with Australia:
We hate the Royal Family
We have the best beer in the world
It's the best place to live

[taxfree4]

George - we miss you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not to get off the subject but, in my opinion, probably the best interview ever of Carlin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um8x4FibURM

[Westernbiker]

These and many other questions was supposed to be addressed by "The Change". You are preaching to the choir brother. Its the entitled half that needs to change. Thanks for posting that. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only 'one'. Its good to know there are others like me.


Shooter, you are not the only one my friend! :icon_mrgreen:

[Steve 0080]

I'm not an American but live in a country settled by convicts, England's waste
That has a free health care system that is for everyone
A terrific education system where everyone can go to university paid for by the govt with a loan that is paid back when you are working at 4%
Very low unemployment
A country that's the size of America with only 20 million people in it
A country that has a single farm that's Anna Creek Station, the world's largest working cattle station, roughly 6,000,000 acres ( 9,400 sq mi) which is slightly larger than Israel. located in South Australia which is 1,977,000 acres (3,089 sq mi) larger than its nearest rival in the North and around 10 times bigger than any ranch on america ?
The best beer in the world
The best place to live'
And still people whinge :icon_cool:


True...but a motorcycle part is 5 X's the cost here in the U.S.A. ...just sayin......

[bigbird]

True...but a motorcycle part is 5 X's the cost here in the U.S.A. ...just sayin......

I guess you had to come up with at least 1 reason not to live in Australia.

If I had to emigrate somewhere from Canada, OZ is where I'd go, followed by the Scandinavian countries, then the Netherlands and Belgium.

Sorry, American neighbours, but the USA wouldn't be on my list.

[taxfree4]

I guess you had to come up with at least 1 reason not to live in Australia.

If I had to emigrate somewhere from Canada, OZ is where I'd go, followed by the Scandinavian countries, then the Netherlands and Belgium.

Sorry, American neighbours, but the USA wouldn't be on my list.

That's OK we'll take the loss.

[shooter]

I guess you had to come up with at least 1 reason not to live in Australia.

If I had to emigrate somewhere from Canada, OZ is where I'd go, followed by the Scandinavian countries, then the Netherlands and Belgium.

Sorry, American neighbours, but the USA wouldn't be on my list.

Yeah I wouldn't want to move to the greatest country on the planet either.

[shooter]

The next civil war...throwing folks out of the wagon...

Unfortunately Steve that's what needs to happen.

[edgeman55]

Yeah I wouldn't want to move to the greatest country on the planet either.

We may be the best and I feel that can be debated but being the best is not a high bar to attain looking at all around this wonderfull planet we live on.:banghead:

The more people I meet-The more I love my Dog!

[terrydj]

True...but a motorcycle part is 5 X's the cost here in the U.S.A. ...just sayin......

Currently 30% because of the exchange rate of our dollar but our dollar has been worth 15% more than the American dollar.
But the extreme postage rates from America is the killer?
For example ?
Postage rates from WingStuff for a Farkle Shelf. pillion cup holder and Glove Box Cubby was $180 American around $250 Dollars Australian but I got em to knock it down to $130 Australian????
I weigh around 40 times as much as the items I brought and can fly to Los Angeles and back for 5 times the postage they quoted? And get to sit on a seat, not in baggage.
Basically $500 one way?
American postage rates suck :icon_cool:

[shooter]

I agree with you edge but any direction you go from here is still downhill. We aren't respected and feared like we used to be. And that is because the leadership of this country is a joke.

[bigbird]

We aren't respected and feared like we used to be.

Respect, yes.
Living in fear of other countries only provokes aggression and ultimately, war.
History can prove that time and again.

[taxfree4]

Respect, yes.
Living in fear of other countries only provokes aggression and ultimately, war.
History can prove that time and again.

The only time your opponent respects you is when he fears your retaliation. The Soviet Union didn't buckle till they knew we could implement Star Wars, which they feared. What good were their nukes if we could pick them out of the sky? That's check and mate, "Now sign on the dotted line you commie bastard or we'll blow you and Mrs. Gorby out of the Kremlin" Reagan was heard to have said.

[Limoles]

I guess you had to come up with at least 1 reason not to live in Australia.

If I had to emigrate somewhere from Canada, OZ is where I'd go, followed by the Scandinavian countries, then the Netherlands and Belgium.

Sorry, American neighbours, but the USA wouldn't be on my list.

Actually you should go not only to mentioned above countries , but another remaining around the world as well . You can find many unknown yet values among various cultures and nations almost everywhere . Recognition of all of them will tell you , that in USA we have them all . If interested , ask me and find the reason of this statement .

[taxfree4]

Actually you should go not only to mentioned above countries , but another remaining around the world as well . You can find many unknown yet values among various cultures and nations almost everywhere . Recognition of all of them will tell you , that in USA we have them all . If interested , ask me and find the reason of this statement .

If I was forced to live outside the US:

St. Maarten,-the Dutch side only mainly Phillipsburg, the French side can snap off and fall into the ocean.

Tortola B.V.I.- Cane Garden Bay, it is one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean.

Belo Horizonte Brazil

Inside the USA other than where I am now:
Utah - The most picturesque state, so far, I had the pleasure of riding a bike through.

[BIGLRY]

Actually you should go not only to mentioned above countries , but another remaining around the world as well . You can find many unknown yet values among various cultures and nations almost everywhere . Recognition of all of them will tell you , that in USA we have them all. +1

[Limoles]

If I was forced to live outside the US:

St. Maarten,-the Dutch side only mainly Phillipsburg, the French side can snap off and fall into the ocean.

Tortola B.V.I.- Cane Garden Bay, it is one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean.

Belo Horizonte Brazil

Inside the USA other than where I am now:
Utah - The most picturesque state, so far, I had the pleasure of riding a bike through.

Are you relating that to the climate , or .... THOSE GORGEOUS GIRLS up there ? ( just be honest ) :icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin:

[taxfree4]

Are you relating that to the climate , or .... THOSE GORGEOUS GIRLS up there ? ( just be honest ) :icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin:

I would say climate because that is what forces the gorgeous girls to dress appropriately = microkinis. You have to do something on the beach while the wife is crocheting.

[shooter]

Respect, yes.
Living in fear of other countries only provokes aggression and ultimately, war.
History can prove that time and again.

You're wrong again Bird. Let me ask you a question. When you was a little fledgling and you did something wrong , did you fear your daddy spanking you? Of course you did. And out of that fear you came to respect your dad for everything he was. Fear breeds respect. Its not the only way to get respect , but it is one way. I'm glad Canada has you buddy. We have enough tree huggers down here as it is.

[bob109]

You're wrong again Bird. Let me ask you a question. When you was a little fledgling and you did something wrong , did you fear your daddy spanking you? Of course you did. And out of that fear you came to respect your dad for everything he was. Fear breeds respect. Its not the only way to get respect , but it is one way. I'm glad Canada has you buddy. We have enough tree huggers down here as it is.

Shooter, please "go easy" on bigbird! All of his problems revolve around not being a "Dark Sider":shhh:

[bigbird]

You're wrong again Bird.

In your mind, apparently, as always.

Fear does not breed respect. It breeds fear.
When we enter this world, we know nothing of hate, bigotry, violence, and greed. Those are not innate behaviours.

For the rest of your lifetime and possibly into the far future, Americans will always be looking over their shoulders, not only at home, but abroad.
I know you love your country and for you it is the greatest country in the world in which to live. I think that's great.
But..... Do you ever wonder why the USA is the most despised country in the world?
Because you are a threat to every other country.
Whether it's oil or water or money, you want it all, and everybody else be damned.

The future does not look bright for our planet.

I have now donned my flame retardant suit, as I know you armed militia types have now clicked off the safety on your flame throwers.
Let 'er rip!

[bigbird]

Shooter, please "go easy" on bigbird! All of his problems revolve around not being a "Dark Sider":shhh:

I think you're onto something, Bob.
I really need to ride an F6B with gusto with a CT to at least give it a try, despite what logic tells me is wrong.

[bob109]

I think you're onto something, Bob.
I really need to ride an F6B with gusto with a CT to at least give it a try, despite what logic tells me is wrong.

In all truthfulness, you may be pleasantly surprised. At least you'll have a "seat of your pants" comparison under your belt and a$$:039:

Like "Wines"! There are good and there are bad! You have to take a sip to know the difference:icon_wink:

[bigbird]

In all truthfulness, you may be pleasantly surprised. At least you'll have a "seat of your pants" comparison under your belt and a$$:039:

Like "Wines"! There are good and there are bad! You have to take a sip to know the difference:icon_wink:

My only roadblock would be the lack of opportunity. I know of 3 other F6B's in my city of 800k, and no one is running a CT, let alone a high quality run flat recommended CT.

But I would still at least try it if possible.
Never say never!

[shooter]

Shooter, please "go easy" on bigbird! All of his problems revolve around not being a "Dark Sider":shhh:

You could be right Bob. I don't think he will try it though because he isn't a free thinker. He has established boundaries that he lives within. I'm proud to say that at 56 years if age I still have no boundaries. My Dad always told me that if someone else is doing it then I could do it. He was right.

[bigbird]

You could be right Bob. I don't think he will try it though because he isn't a free thinker. He has established boundaries that he lives within. I'm proud to say that at 56 years if age I still have no boundaries. My Dad always told me that if someone else is doing it then I could do it. He was right.

Remember what your Dad told you.
Attack the post, not the poster.

[shooter]

Bird I do respect you , I just don't agree with you. But heck I would sit down and eat a steak with you anytime. Especially if you was buyin.

[bigbird]

Bird I do respect you , I just don't agree with you. But heck I would sit down and eat a steak with you anytime. Especially if you was buyin.

Likewise :beer3:

I think I could say the same about anyone on this board, which is a good thing.

[taxfree4]

http://news.yahoo.com/apnewsbreak-police-foil-plot-kill-people-mall-023334404.html

[53driver]

Good work by them!

Didn't need a good guy with a gun to stop a bad guy with a gun once the crime had started.
The police got to the bad guy first.
If only ever caper had such a willing songbird.....

[taxfree4]

There's always the mall cops as the first line of defense

[Steve 0080]

People on do for you for one of three reasons. Fear, Respect or Love. I would prefer that people do ..._________. For Love, if not Love then out of Respect, if not for Respect then Fear...But they are dam sure going to do it _________.

[taxfree4]

I'm just waiting for Mall Cop 2

[Cool Hand Luke]

I'm just waiting for Mall Cop 2

Me too!

In the meantime...

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