Flame
  • Space/Science
  • GeekSpeak
  • Mysteries of
    the Multiverse
  • Science Fiction
  • The Comestible Zone
  • Off-Topic
  • Community
  • Flame
  • CurrentEvents

Recent posts

Trouble on the way BuckGalaxy January 28, 2026 1:47 pm (CurrentEvents)

Artificial Intelligence ER January 28, 2026 6:56 am (Flame)

Emily Blunt's favorite sandwich. ER January 27, 2026 7:46 am (Comestible Zone)

Being a tech bro gets you a commission and a uniform podrock January 28, 2026 11:16 am (CurrentEvents)

hey hey SDG January 26, 2026 10:38 pm (6)

‘Yes, it’s going to crack’ - a spacecraft not everyone thinks is safe to fly BuckGalaxy January 23, 2026 10:42 am (Flame)

Trump’s Greenland Gambit Has Broken Brains Across Washington BuckGalaxy January 21, 2026 8:38 pm (Flame)

This is so strange, on so many levels. ER January 21, 2026 5:13 pm (Off-Topic)

Mark your calendars for February 6 BuckGalaxy December 22, 2025 11:24 pm (Space/Science)

Anne Applebaum: Trump’s Letter to Norway Should Be the Last Straw BuckGalaxy January 19, 2026 7:18 pm (Flame)

What's in your wallet? ER January 19, 2026 8:10 pm (CurrentEvents)

Have Republicans lost control of the House already? BuckGalaxy January 8, 2026 11:35 pm (CurrentEvents)

Home » Flame
Can America survive without a middle class? by bowser January 23, 2012 12:23 am
  • Hey Bowz....we already ARE a banana republic, run by monied interests and backed up by private military. You know that ... by Lindy 2012-01-23 11:57:01
    • These folks remind me of someone who has jumped off the 20th floor of a building. Passing the 5th ... by bowser 2012-01-23 17:24:04
      • Got it, like watching the republican debates...I'll bet Tom was playing with himself... by Lindy 2012-01-23 21:32:59
    How conservatives appeal to the middle class to work against itself. by bowser January 20, 2012 10:49 am
    • It’s the economy stupid by RobVG 2012-01-20 13:57:20
      • That, Rob, is as impressive an example of what I just described as I could have created. "Thought about it, started ... by bowser 2012-01-20 14:19:29
        • Any time...n/t by RobVG 2012-01-20 14:59:51
      • There's a lot of truth there. And let's not forget the influence of culture, either. Our upbringing and ... by ER 2012-01-20 11:43:18
        • I don't speak for anyone other than myself, so this opinion is just about as subjective as Salvador Dali's critique ... by Jody 2012-01-20 11:31:40
          • You are typical of conservative middle class folks. A misunderstanding of issues and solutions is clear in your posts. ... by BuckGalaxy 2012-01-20 13:31:45
            • Buck...get ready to hit the floor again...5 second rule does not apply. I see you as a dreamer. You actually ... by Jody 2012-01-20 15:06:56
              • Jody, this is really really sad. You just can't wrap your brain around the FACT that modestly higher taxes ... by BuckGalaxy 2012-01-20 15:41:26
                • Thank you Buck for your usual irasciblation. Did you miss your caffeine window again? As Tom so calmly pointed out...I, too will ... by Jody 2012-01-21 09:43:37
                  • EVERYONE, PLEASE ADDRESS ONLY MY POINT: Very simply, if we have a single payer system Jody will not ... by BuckGalaxy 2012-01-21 16:24:26
                  • Facts are immaterial, everyone believes what they want to believe by FrankC 2012-01-20 18:54:56
                    • When I'm 65 I won't have a choice. by TB 2012-01-20 17:33:58
                      • Where does your health care come from now? As an unemployed or contract employed man do you pay for ... by bowser 2012-01-20 19:14:01
                  • Didn't shock me. by TB 2012-01-20 14:09:54
                    • That is exactly how I feel Tom. Buck!!! Now get up off that floor soldier! by Jody 2012-01-20 14:50:58
                      • As someone who gets his medical needs taken care of for free, I don't mind paying my share in taxes ... by ER 2012-01-20 14:46:00
                        • "As someone who gets his medical needs taken care of for free, I don’t mind paying my share in taxes ... by TB 2012-01-20 16:50:06
                          • I don't qualify for Medicare, my wife does. She goes to the same doctor we went to when I ... by ER 2012-01-20 17:37:33
                            • The entire fundamental premise of social spending is about a large majority helping out a small minority. by TB 2012-01-20 18:10:47
                              • The same premise is true for insurance premiums. Doh! by BuckGalaxy 2012-01-22 16:53:57
                                • Tom, its not my problem. by ER 2012-01-20 19:16:57
                              • And I guessed you missed the part about people who CAN'T afford alternatives, and the little bit about a social ... by BuckGalaxy 2012-01-20 17:02:41
                                • The "social contract" is already pretty damn healthy. by TB 2012-01-20 17:57:16
                                  • To have a chance at real success in this world, you need a college degree. It is a necessity, ... by ER 2012-01-20 17:52:51
                                • Bravo! (see comment) by BuckGalaxy 2012-01-20 15:43:44
                                  • When is government hand outs enough for you? Where do we draw the line? by Jody 2012-01-20 15:08:43
                                    • You might have noticed it will never be enough. by TB 2012-01-20 18:03:05
                                      • We draw the line where those whose parents couldn't afford to send them to school have to work all their ... by ER 2012-01-20 15:22:14
                              • Oooh, now try this one! by TB 2012-01-20 11:28:00
                                • Republicans have long used wedge issues to distract voters away from their anti-middle class economic policies. by BuckGalaxy 2012-01-20 11:15:55
                                  • Yep. The nation is besieiged with crisis, foreign and domestic, and they worry about gay marriage and prayer in ... by ER 2012-01-20 12:03:31
                                    • The author points out that conservatives are erasing the entire 20th century. Which, by the way, is when America ... by bowser 2012-01-20 14:12:05
                                      • Yep. That was what 2010 was all about. Gay marriage and prayer in the schools. by TB 2012-01-20 13:13:54
                                        • TB, you have this impressive way of saying "That's wrong" and believing it. Now tell me that gay marriage, ... by bowser 2012-01-20 14:15:43
                                          • Apparently I wasn't specific enough. by TB 2012-01-20 16:42:28
                                        • I know Conservatives appear to be stuffed olives, but they do not speak for everyone. Conservatives think they preserve. Democrats think they ... by Jody 2012-01-20 12:09:25
                                      Why a conservative can win. by bowser January 17, 2012 12:45 am
                                      • I love how you and ER will go on the attack and then turn around adding a qualifier here ... by RobVG 2012-01-21 16:28:40
                                        • I can't help it, Rob. Politeness is in my genes, goes to the very heart of my being. ... by bowser 2012-01-21 17:00:05
                                          • Seriously, that was good for a laugh, Thanks. Have a good day at work. by RobVG 2012-01-21 17:12:51
                                            • Thank you. I enjoyed it. GTG, have a wild and riotous Saturday evening. by bowser 2012-01-21 17:24:56
                                              • My Saturday evening has turned into a real blast...Ma plugged the toilet...overflowed...shit water everywhere. Right after dinner. Damn my life rocks. by Jody 2012-01-21 19:03:16
                                          • If we ever have "a national sales tax" it will be because those on the left who fight it will ... by alcaray 2012-01-21 16:58:04
                                            • I'm in favor of a 10% national sales tax on stocks, bonds and derivatives, including hedge funds. No food, ... by bowser 2012-01-22 03:12:07
                                              • You're right by RobVG 2012-01-21 17:31:43
                                                • We've been over this. by TB 2012-01-21 18:24:04
                                                  • What percent of the wealth of America is owned by the top 1%? by alcaray 2012-01-21 20:08:12
                                                    • The 2007 pre-recession numbers are in this article, divided into income, investments, and general financial assets. by TB 2012-01-21 21:32:53
                                                      • Nice of you to link to a source that makes my point: "But an analysis of the Fed data is ... by alcaray 2012-01-21 21:41:58
                                                    • Is a sales tax regressive by RobVG 2012-01-21 18:54:56
                                                      • I know what regressive means. by TB 2012-01-21 19:46:33
                                                        • In other words, there's only so much room in the economy for the wealthy. n/t by RobVG 2012-01-21 19:26:48
                                                    • Bingo. It will be accompanied by a reduction on taxes on the ultra-wealthy, who will buy enough Congressmen to ... by bowser 2012-01-21 17:01:32
                                                  • Narcissism and paranoia. by ER 2012-01-17 05:54:39
                                                    • Actually, I think we're already in a state of decline; thanks to the corporate ladders of greediness, protected by the ... by Lindy 2012-01-18 16:13:43
                                                      • Roger that! Welcome back, Lindy. by ER 2012-01-18 20:12:24
                                                        • I made it here two days in a row; doesn't mean I'll remember to come back a third....nice to see ... by Lindy 2012-01-19 11:16:23
                                                    Boy, howdy! There are some ruthless folks around here. by bowser January 20, 2012 8:02 pm
                                                    • This is one reason why I left the ZONE.....I felt uncomfortable in the presence of some of the Conservatives, even ... by Lindy 2012-01-21 13:23:05
                                                      • Hey Lindy! by BuckGalaxy 2012-01-21 15:54:36
                                                        • How many is too many conservatives? One? Two? by TB 2012-01-21 14:21:06
                                                        • Hey, I'm nice! Sorta... kinda.... Somewhat..... Side note though: Jesus was sort of a jerk. *ducks for cover* by VelociraptorBlade 2012-01-21 01:30:13
                                                          • Ivory tower by RobVG 2012-01-20 20:48:30
                                                            • Don't hear much about the old Ozone Hole lately, do you? by TB 2012-01-20 21:27:34
                                                              • I'm gonna let the water run the whole time I brush my teeth. by Jody 2012-01-20 21:15:49
                                                              • It's always nice to have that Right-Wing Scarecrow you can bring out of your closet when the real arguments here ... by TB 2012-01-20 20:12:03
                                                                • And a little note on Jesus: by TB 2012-01-20 20:14:19
                                                                  • And you don't have any awareness of what He DID say, do you? Or, do you know, and just disagree? by bowser 2012-01-21 01:23:14
                                                                    • This would be a lot easier if people could follow the simplest train of thought. by TB 2012-01-21 10:33:15
                                                                      • Read your post, TB, and try to track. Just read your own post. And try to understand it. ... by bowser 2012-01-21 17:05:36
                                                                        • Your problem is you're expecting them to act like adults by RobVG 2012-01-21 16:27:52
                                                                          • Yeah, and Obamacare is the first step of a slippery slope which will inevitably lead to an American Soviet Socialist ... by ER 2012-01-21 12:37:39
                                                                            • Kind of like that. by TB 2012-01-21 13:09:00
                                                                    Top eight politicians who led double lives by TB January 21, 2012 10:45 am
                                                                    • ABC News left out....Gingrich? by ER 2012-01-21 13:17:59
                                                                      • Oh, for God's sake ER. Gingrich asked for and received redemption from a genuine fundamental Christian megachurch founder. Kennedy and ... by bowser 2012-01-21 13:59:05
                                                                        • C'mon Bowz. You won't say HIS name either! Who is Tom trying to get us to avoid mentioning (I ... by ER 2012-01-21 14:07:04
                                                                          • Your hysterical gibbering doesn't change the point, does it? by TB 2012-01-21 14:15:47
                                                                            • Yeah, TB. You're so subtle. You've made your point about the Bolshevization of the media so effectively. You've just ... by ER 2012-01-21 14:28:25
                                                                      And a thought as to the dissatisfaction with education in the US by bowser January 20, 2012 11:30 pm
                                                                      • And as a centrist, my philosophy on learning is "Do as thou wilt". People should be able to learn ... by VelociraptorBlade 2012-01-21 01:17:58
                                                                        • The people here dismissing "business" are making some fundamental errors. by TB 2012-01-21 09:52:30
                                                                          • Yes, but you have to admit, by ER 2012-01-21 13:39:49
                                                                            • In "Only a Poor Old Man," Scrooge saves his fortune from the Beagle Boys, who have obtained legal salvage rights ... by TB 2012-01-21 14:20:31
                                                                          • “They hate you if you’re clever, but they despise a fool.” by ER 2012-01-21 07:11:47
                                                                            • As with all problems, ask first "What is my goal?" Then be realistic. If you want to make money, choose ... by bowser 2012-01-21 01:51:50
                                                                            Evil Red State update by TB January 20, 2012 9:35 pm
                                                                            • Isn't unemployment a capital offence down there? I think that would account for the lower rate. by bowser 2012-01-20 22:12:19
                                                                              • I'll believe corporations are people when Texas starts executing them. by ER 2012-01-21 09:15:31
                                                                                • The law has "executed" quite a few corporations that have committed crimes, and sent their principals into prisons. by TB 2012-01-21 10:21:50
                                                                                  • Who? by Robert 2012-01-21 12:19:25
                                                                                    • Bowser continuously trots out Enron and Worldcom as his examples. Where are they now? Where are the people responsible? by TB 2012-01-21 13:08:15
                                                                                      • Nothing good has ever come out of Texas. by ER 2012-01-21 12:30:55
                                                                                Does anyone believe getting rid of Saddam and installing a new dictator was worth it? by bowser January 19, 2012 11:00 am
                                                                                • I believe the Iraq adventure will be remembered as the beginning of the decline in American power and influence in ... by ER 2012-01-19 15:17:20
                                                                                  • One can see many problems for the US and few bright spots. The 20th century was America's, the 21st ... by bowser 2012-01-20 11:02:56
                                                                                    • It ebbs and flows. by TB 2012-01-19 16:22:13
                                                                                    • You could ask the Iraqis. by TB 2012-01-19 11:17:53
                                                                                      • Population growth looks normal,BUT there were 114,540 DEAD IRAQI CIVILIANS...to take out ONE DICTATOR. Not very good odds. And WikiLeaks ... by Lindy 2012-01-19 19:06:24
                                                                                        • Don't ask any Sunnis, though. by alcaray 2012-01-19 17:45:13
                                                                                          • No. I'm asking you, and other Americans. Do you think Saddam was worth one American life? 2,000? ... by bowser 2012-01-19 12:22:35
                                                                                            • I'm not in the military, and never have been. My opinion would be coming from the bleachers. by TB 2012-01-19 12:53:54
                                                                                              • Hasn't anyone told you what you believe yet? by bowser 2012-01-19 14:44:49
                                                                                                • No one ever has. Frustrates the hell out of a lot of people. by TB 2012-01-19 16:15:56
                                                                                                  • Nobody likes being told what they need to believe. by ER 2012-01-19 17:17:17
                                                                                            • ARE THERE ANY LEFT? by Lindy 2012-01-19 11:27:35
                                                                                              • Hi Lindy. Nice to read you. And we need you for balance. I find myself a moderate ... by bowser 2012-01-19 15:01:58
                                                                                                • About five million more than when the war started. by TB 2012-01-19 11:40:14
                                                                                              • Hell no! It was a neocon wet dream with capitalist and racist underpinnings...hi Frank! by Lindy 2012-01-19 11:14:03
                                                                                                • LOL, Hi Lindy. If by invoking me you are putting me in a bag with neo cons? I am a seni-con. ... by FrankC 2012-01-19 14:44:20
                                                                                                  • Thanks for your comment Frank. I still think the neocons and the PNAC went in purely for the oil....and it's ... by Lindy 2012-01-19 19:08:26
                                                                                                Enter the "taxers". by ER January 20, 2012 7:25 am
                                                                                                • I wonder...is the outcome of President decided before the elections? A Manchurian Candidate sorta thing? by Jody 2012-01-20 08:10:51
                                                                                                  • No. by TB 2012-01-20 10:32:27
                                                                                                    • As in everything else, the truth is somewhere in between. I don't think there is a colossal conspiracy in ... by ER 2012-01-20 08:57:42
                                                                                                    "Billionaire donates for Washington Monument repairs" by bowser January 19, 2012 1:54 am
                                                                                                    • Yeah, this is the way it's supposed to work: by TB 2012-01-19 09:33:09
                                                                                                      • Confiscated his wealth. Created by the private sector. A hedge fund manager, creating wealth, jobs, paying taxes. ... by bowser 2012-01-19 11:06:45
                                                                                                      The TSA is both a problem and a symptom. by bowser December 26, 2011 1:13 pm
                                                                                                      • Stay out of Tennessee then...the TSA are there with their guns and dogs doing random traffic stops and searches... by Lindy 2012-01-18 16:18:47
                                                                                                        • Y'know, somehow this doesn't bother me. You have an enormous problem, protecting the traveling public from terrorist attack, and it ... by ER 2011-12-26 13:41:13
                                                                                                          • I agree it's a huge problem. I'm suggesting it could be done professionally and competently, with continuity across the ... by bowser 2011-12-26 16:20:27
                                                                                                            • It should not have to be done by a "massive bureaucracy." by TB 2011-12-26 15:05:17
                                                                                                              • Comparing pre- and post-WTC airport security is a bit like comparing kittens and lions. by bowser 2011-12-26 16:22:30
                                                                                                                • I hear the Israeli system is pretty effective, but then again, One of our big airports probably handles more traffic ... by ER 2011-12-26 15:39:08
                                                                                                                  • That's a factor very few people seem to realize when pushing the "Israeli" approach. by TB 2011-12-26 17:05:20
                                                                                                              Night of the Long Knives by ER January 13, 2012 6:56 am
                                                                                                              • Good Lord, I found the reply button! Hey ER...you see exactly the same thing I have seen for years and tried ... by Lindy 2012-01-18 16:10:14
                                                                                                                • Please, tell me, are you just baiting? n/t by RobVG 2012-01-13 20:53:58
                                                                                                                  • No I’ve just been amusing myself by drawing historical parallels between present day United States and Germany in the 1920s. ... by ER 2012-01-13 21:58:58
                                                                                                                    • The hook is empty. by TB 2012-01-13 21:09:29
                                                                                                                    • History repeats.... Strategy for success:pick the tallest, richest stiff you can from Massachusetts. Don't worry that he's rich, nobody will hold it ... by Tony 2012-01-13 11:49:12
                                                                                                                      • Well, if nobody else is going to do it...Howdy Stranger! n/t by RobVG 2012-01-13 18:05:19
                                                                                                                        • :) Thanks Rob by Tony 2012-01-17 07:58:02
                                                                                                                      Page 98 of 111«1...96979899100...111»

                                                                                                                      The Control Panel

                                                                                                                      • Log in
                                                                                                                      • Register

                                                                                                                      Media player cheet sheat