Disqus - Latest Comments for adam_infrequently

Re: • Obama - The Second Tell

adam_infrequently — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 02:00:45 -0000

From personal experience: debt can be a good, motivating thing (at least on a personal level). It can inspire you to work harder than you normally would, in order to get the debt paid off. To increase the limit for what "acceptable" debt is is counter-intuitive. The goal should be to PAY OFF the debt (in the government's case, eliminate extra greenbacks), not to INCREASE IT, not to say, "This amount is acceptable, and let's see what else we can ring up, and we're gonna overlook the short term effects," because the effects are intertwined with exactly what the goal is! That is to say: if the GOV's #1 goal is to eliminate debt, then policy would be recentered, and the goal of our economy would change away from excessive spending. As it stands, the goal of our economy is to spend as much as possible and disregard everything else. I am here to say that it is possible to be responsible and productive at the same time.

Re: • OBAMA – THE FIRST “TELL”

adam_infrequently — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 16:03:06 -0000

In the last couple weeks you've turned into my favorite blog, not because I agree with everything you write, but because I think you're not just repeating what they say on CNN. Where do you get your content ideas?

Re: • G20 LAYS BLAME, BUT NO SOLUTIONS

adam_infrequently — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:04:17 -0000

I agree. And I think I may be trying to say the same thing from a different angle.

All the attempts for new oversight are the baby countries (who we've admittedly pushed down) grappling to be at the top of the new status quo. And were our government to not be so outwardly repressive, one such other entity would already be a world power and partake of our abuses. Having been at the top, Americans will not go down without a fight, especially when an outsider's target is our wealth. Unless the conglomerate has an interest in handing away power. He may be paid well to do that, and not give a rat's ass about our worldwide status. Can you say Henry Paulson? Or George W. Bush? Granted, these people were pushed into the limelight by opportunities our way of life made available, and history is bound to elevate some such schmucks. Our way of life damned itself by not seeing theft for what it is.

Re: • WHAT THEY DIDN’T TELL US ABOUT THE BAILOUT

adam_infrequently — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:53:33 -0000

Dear OP, thank you for this post. Now my addition:

BAIT & SWITCH

About Paulson: His bait was salvation. "We will fix this economy and $700B WILL do it." His switch is, "Of course we can use it for everything! And limit? No, $700B is merely a gateway for more money later on. Actually, much of it's getting deposited into my own account. And the president's. What! Don't blame me! Bernanke is the Chair! He's getting a piece too! Yes it is fair! I'm the secretary dammit and I'm entitled!"

Ok, Emergency Economic Stabilization Act. You labelled yourself. It's an Emergency. I mean, my president said so, so why shouldn't I believe him? And you're supposed to stabilize the economy. You're titled "Act" about "Stabilizing" the "Economy." So stabilize us already. Enough about "we need more." What we need is capitalism to stop resembling communism. Since when can you nationalize a publicly traded company? How on earth is a bailout legal? And why are you no longer proud of the free market? Because subsidizing public companies (or private companies for that matter) is NOT WHAT THE FREE MARKET IS ABOUT! Uncle Sam is supposed to be PROUD of capitalism, and DEFEND IT!

Re: • AMERICA’S OBAMA CAPITAL

adam_infrequently — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:13:38 -0000

My father used to tell me he couldn't imagine the USA being any other way, only the "best" and most powerful place on earth to be. I wonder if he was ignorant, an idealist, or lying to me. While I've never lived anywhere outside the USA, I can see corruption through the ages both inside and outside our borders, and I guess I'm not blindly a patriot, meaning I don't assume my country's history is innocent. Moreover, I know the very "free market" business model we are so proud of is not free at all, but highly regulated, and not necessarily so. The conventions we live by are grown from corruption, greed, lying, cheating, and stealing, and the framework we live by every day has no way of escaping said conventions. Yet I believe in the capitalist system because it's really the only thing that makes sense to me. It offers us a semblance of freedom when other "nations" rule by an iron fist. Or perhaps the citizens of non-capitalist nations are as disillusioned as I am.

So, back to the original topic, I am happy about Obama's win. I don't believe he can bring the "change" I so desperately need for my peace of mind, but his presidency is [will be] 10,000 times more pure than the back room deal-striking money-grubbing presidency of G. W. Bush. I believe Obama has in his heart the good will of commoners and wants to satisfy his inherent need to make life better for those whose lives are truly shitty. Not to further enhance the rich positions of those who are already rich.

Or, as an opposing point of view, he may very well succumb to the same greed.

Re: • A SOLUTION FOR DETROIT, GM, & FRIENDS

adam_infrequently — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:47:44 -0000

john farmer:

I agree with Ms. M and I agree with you, and for that matter I think all these ideas are wonderful proposals, and creativity, as PacificGatePost noted, is exactly what we need. It would be great for us all to put in hours doing community service projects. I, however, especially if I'm getting paid to not work, am really good at not working. Perhaps I didn't completely understand what Ms. M proposed. If there is a company department for idled workers to report to, the scenario might be different than how I immediately reacted. Still, I find it hard to believe a company would pay its auto workers to put in hours at a homeless shelter, for example. Now, in order to disqualify myself (and put an end to me not contributing anything positive), stranger things have happened.

Re: • A SOLUTION FOR DETROIT, GM, & FRIENDS

adam_infrequently — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:12:49 -0000

But how do you enforce volunteerism?

Re: • A SOLUTION FOR DETROIT, GM, & FRIENDS

adam_infrequently — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:15:56 -0000

justathought:

WOW

I am completely impressed by this idea, because it is so "outside the box" and would show real desire for innovation if implemented.