Heres a idea to discuss lets go to socialism. Why discuss it since half the population is conservative and "the democrats are leading the charge for socialism" is their rallying cry now and even most liberals are against it. Simply because I don't think that either side really understand quite whats happened in this country in the last 3 years.

In 2007 87.8% of the total investment assets were owned by 12.2% of the population and I'm gonna bet that when the next figures come out that figure jumps into the 90% level. I know, I know, people are gonna say its always been that way but theres a big difference between 1960 and now. In 1960 we were manufacturing economy and now we are a service economy and as we are seeing now service economies are about as strong as a grass hut in a hurricane. I think everybody is going to agree that jobs are going to continue to migrate overseas and corporations are going to continue control congress. So what does that leave us 90% and our children with socialism or anarchy? Social revolution isn't an option any more despite what the tea party people think because the power doesn't reside with the people any more.

Heres an interesting site that I think bothe left and right leaning people can learn something from http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/change/

Just something to talk about.

Bill, I personally believe there are certain sectors of buisness in our country that have used the name of capitalism to actually destroy our cpitalist nation from within. It is because of these rougue buisness practices that only socialist networks be placed to protect a capitalist interest.

For example: Healthcare
We can no longer trust in our best interest the charges afforded us between Drug, Hospital and Insurance.

For example: Big Banking
We can no longer trust in our best interest the practices afforded us between our Investments and CEO Bonuses.

It is of my opinion that these two industries are no longer possible under capitalist interest because both are rougue runnaways. As an owner operator truck driver, unable to purchase health insurance, I've never once heard of "socialist" as being a scapegoat when it comes to protecting our nations highways. The next time you pass by a weigh station on a highway, notice the 3rd degree all the drivers are going through in the name of safety. It's called regulations. Put in place to protect all of our innocent children from being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

To bad there's no one there to make sure the insurrance company covers the entire medical cost of a factory workers stress test. To bad there's no one there to say no when the Bank decides your $80 investment is worth $800. $799 to split between CEO's and $1 to you.

Capitalism has not been working. Do I want it's principals saved, of course I do. For the time being, it's been turned over to loan sharks and medicine men to sell the unknowing at any cost it so wants, unfortunately these cost outweigh the purchace power of 95% of Americans. I will tell you this, it did not start with Obama. On a side note, America has less than 10 years left before China becomes the worlds number 1 economic power.

China is going to the moon and we aren't. Didn't any of these politicians read Heinlein's The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. Control the moon and you control the world.

...I don't have a problem w/CEO's (or entrepreneurs, either) making multi-millions of dollars in salary, stock options, or
bonuses; as long as they do it legally.

Hell-I'm still working on my "big kill", to get there.

Neither do I have a problem with a Jamarcus Russell becoming a multi-millionaire at 22 years of age and likely being
unemployable by age 30.

During my life-all the good folks who worked the mines, plants, and farms pledged
upon their sacred honor they were doing so in order that their children would become attorneys, physicians, accountants
and never darken a mine, plant, or field where they'd spent their lives.

As we consumed more , following OPEC flexing it's muscles in the early '70's and the
Credit Card level mortgage rates of the late '70's ; it became apparent that
manufacturing jobs would be the "odd man out".

We couldn't sustain low-price consumption while paying for the labor and benefits to workers.

We rapidly went from a manufacturing economy, to a service economy, to a consumption economy.

Enter Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Hyundai.

Enter China.

Will we ever go back "to work" ?

I doubt it.

But-we're learning (I hope) that there is more to life than consumption...

We traditional Americans realize the very scary situation our County is in. I really don't think we can rescue our country from the socialists. Just to give myself heart failure, I zero in on all the George Soros sites I can find and read them again and again. I realize how weaked willed our people have become, how dependent. I am amazed at the number of people who don't know who Soros is, or the role he has played in steering our country toward socialism and the power he brought to bear on the Obama election and presidency. Thank heavens he is 80 years old, he cannot keep this up. But, he has set a lot of organizations in motion that will press his case when he is dead, and he will leave them enough money to keep them going for a long time. Most of those in the hippy generation have returned to the American fold in their thinking, but there are many who did not and they have positions of power now with Obama and have brought government dependency thinking with them. Living in communes where everything was shared, housing, food, work in the communes, taking care of the children, sex, clothing everything. Make Love not War the theme of that generation. Spread the wealth, share and share alike. Earth Care and Green living were in vogue in the communes. Throw our weapons in the oceans and study war no more. They considered this heaven on earth, and it might be if it would work. We know it will not. It will make us so weak we cannot protect our nation from those who want us dead. Certainly the Muslims would like to kill us, others would like us to become a 3rd world nation. I don't know really, how many of us care.

There are two kinds of people - ants and grasshoppers. I consider myself to be an ant - and I will do my best to help my fellow ants during times of need.

But I detest being told by the government that I have to help the grasshoppers.

What exactly is a "traditional American", TCC?

Please enlighten us all as to what groups are excluded from your version of America and exactly what your basis for excluding them is. And before you take your typical defensive position and claim that I'm just putting words in your mouth let me preempt you by saying that one can logically conclude that if your view is that there are "traditional Americans" then it would follow that there would also be "non-traditional Americans".

This might be the most bizarre statement you have ever made on here.

The only "traditional Americans" that I can think of are American Indians and I'm pretty sure you're not posting from the reservation.

I bet Glen Beck has sold a bunch of Gold to Old People who watch Fox News and he scares the Chit outta them! PEACE!

A traditional American says "merry christmas", approves of the 10 commandments being posted in public, believes in a strong National Defense which means our military has the new and uptodate equipment it needs
to protect us. All citizens treated equally under the law and in accomplishing their goals. A helping hand is there for those who need it in order to attend school, get medical exams and treatment, dental work, food for their table if jobs are lost, a safety net for the truly needy, and as they say not the greedy. Work for those who need it. Teachers who are not only qualified by Depts of Education, but who actually know their subjects and can teach. School boards who can require that students be dismissed from school for bad behavior and disturbing the class room preventing students who are there to learn from doing so. There are other options for those parents who want to sue - they can home school, or try private school. Silent prayer or meditation in school early morning. Long prison sentences for child abusers and treatment while there. a chain gang heavy work approach to those who murder and maim. White collar criminals must do community service work, as should those under 18. Those who have not committed violent crimes must do community work and can live at home with a leg bracelet. Fair taxes, closing loophole, and restraint in Congress in spending money. Keep our Jobs in the United States by lower taxes for businesses. I think you can get the idea. Not every traditional American will agree with all, but a great number of them they support.

I have several friends in NM who's family's have been there since the early 1600's. They say and do the same things you are talking about but the same traditional Americans call them Mexicans rather than Americans.

I bet Glen Beck has sold a bunch of Gold to Old People who watch Fox News and he scares the Chit outta them!

This might be the most bizarre statement you have ever made on here.
The only "traditional Americans" that I can think of are American Indians and I'm pretty sure you're not posting from the reservation.

KILL THE MESSENGER...darn him!!!