10 Reasons Why Your Economic Pain Isn’t ‘Mental’
10 Reasons Why Your Economic Pain Isn’t ‘Mental’
Yesterday, Phil Gramm backtracked from his candid view that America has “become a nation of whiners.” (Watch the video of his original comment.) But he refused to back down from his assertion that Americans and the media are to blame for the current economy. “I said we are in a mental recession. We keep getting the steady drum beat of bad news…it’s become a mental recession,” Gramm said. That comment tracks John McCain’s own view that the economic pain experienced by Americans is largely “psychological.”
From his lucrative perch atop Wall Street, Gramm may not be able to see the suffering of most Americans. And McCain’s own life of luxury may have clouded his understanding. So here’s a reminder of 10 real examples of how Americans are hurting in the current economy:
HOUSING FORECLOSURES INCREASING: As a result of the subprime lending crisis, “housing foreclosures nationwide were up 50% in June compared with the same month in 2007.” In California alone, foreclosures have reached an average of 500 per day.
HOMELESSNESS INCREASING: The number of homeless over the age of 50 are “steadily increasing.”
HEALTHCARE COSTS RISING: According to a report by the Government Accountability Office, “health-care costs are growing much faster than the economy.” Costs are rising so significantly, some Americans are delaying retirement.
GAS PRICES RISING: The national average gas price is $4.09, up 33% from this time last year. Gas prices are now expected to hit “$4.25 by the fall and then stay at more than $4 a gallon until the end of 2009.”
JOB LOSSES INCREASING: In the first six months of this year, a total of 438,000 jobs have been lost, bringing unemployment to 5.5%. The CEO of Bank of America commented, if unemployment continues to rise, “all bets are off.”
FOOD COSTS RISING: “U.S. food prices rose 4 percent in 2007″ making it the fastest rise in 17 years and, as a result, food stamps have considerably less buying power.
HEATING AND ELECTRICITY COSTS RISING: Heating oil costs across the north are expected to be “up 60 percent from last year” and utilities across the country are “raising power prices up to 29%.”
REAL WAGES DECLINING: “Slower wage growth and faster inflation has led to falling real hourly and weekly earnings for most workers.”
LEISURE SPENDING DECLINING: As a result of the rising cost of living, Americans are “tightening their belts and thinking twice about spending extra bucks on entertainment and leisure products.”
VALUE OF DOLLAR DECLINING: The dollar “has been declining steadily for six years against other major currencies, undercutting its role as the leading international banking currency.”
Got any other examples to whine about? Let us know in the comments section.
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Thanks TP, for a minute I thought I was a mental defective.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:34 amYeah, but only the serfs feel this pain. And their commonors anyway, they don’t matter. The aristocracy is doing very well thank you.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:34 amSematics aside, the American people ARE worse of after 8 years of George W. Bush, and THAT is the bottomline.
So what that some pompous rich fool tells us that we’re imagining things. What does he know?
July 11th, 2008 at 11:34 amTHEY’RE that is.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:34 amPhil Gramm, the President of UBS? That Phil?
Phil, you’re own business is feeling the affect of bad bush’s blundering. Yes, it’s still worth billions, but watch that quicksand, it grabs business & sucks them down before you know it.
I know, I’m in a mental recession & just whining, but I warned you.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:38 amThere has not been 2 consecutive quarters of negative growth, none of this disproves a “Mental Recession”.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:40 amHeckuva job, Dubya!
Heehaw, now we have McCain to carry on your wonderful legacy and good times!
July 11th, 2008 at 11:43 amrozerze Says: There has not been 2 consecutive quarters of negative growth, none of this disproves a “Mental Recession”.
Since when do you care about official definitions of words?
How’s your financial well-being rogers?
July 11th, 2008 at 11:44 amrozerze Says:
There has not been 2 consecutive quarters of negative growth, none of this disproves a “Mental Recession”.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:40 am
______
This comment, however, proves beyond any shadow of a doubt the ongoing mental recession in your brain.
:pwn:
July 11th, 2008 at 11:44 amFlag the white trash troll, rozerze, for posting insane drivel to get a lift out of everyone.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:45 amAlso – sales are declining in much of the retail sector as consumers flock to dollar stores and major discounters.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:48 amYou must be insulated from all of this, rozerze. Did you win a sweepstakes for a year’s supply of Cheetos?
July 11th, 2008 at 11:48 amso obama’s the elitist how?
July 11th, 2008 at 11:49 amOK, so the DOW is down 200, under 11,000 for the first time in 2 years. Our stock, dedicated to our 4 children’s college funds, is dwindling by the minute.
Whiner? Guess you can count me among those.
Solution? Not. Senator-in-Title-Only. McCain.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:50 amMcWars Says:
Sorry if you feel your economic woes have been undermined, but the post was accurate.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:51 amI really detest those who keep citing a rule of thumb in defining recession. The Motley Fool brings us up to date on how recessions are defined:
The problem is that these four indicators are lagging indicators and will not clearly signal a recession for up to six months after it happens. The Republicans constantly want to use the rule of thumb because it suits their purpose. We have an essentially stagnant economy from that measure. However, the indicators in terms of the other indicators have all been in the wrong direction.
Rozerze also fails to understand the economic conditions of real people. The old GDP rule of thumb was a very good and quick indicator of recession under the old conditions of the economy. There was far less income distribution disparity. We have seen the concentration of wealth all go in one direction. Thus, the vast majority of US citizens feel the pain as the economy slows. They have a smaller slice and they suffer the most.
Rozerze, do you really contend that US citizens are better off after this unfortunate period of Republican rule than under Clinton?
July 11th, 2008 at 11:52 amHey, as long as Rogerze can drink his Pabst Blue Ribbon, hang with his trailer park women, and watch NASCAr or Wrastlin’, everything is fine and dandy.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:54 amJohn Sidney McMental III
July 11th, 2008 at 11:55 amrozerze Says: Sorry if you feel your economic woes have been undermined, but the post was accurate.
Then explain all the bad sh*t going on.
And tell us how you’re better off now than you were when gas was $0.92 a gallon, the economy was booming, and we weren’t at “war”…
July 11th, 2008 at 11:55 amDaryll Says: I can attest that things are alright.
Well as long as YOU say so, screw what everyone else can attest to, as well as all the evidence that things seriously s*ck right now… You’re not one for facts or evidence are you Daryll?
July 11th, 2008 at 11:57 amFirget it, JMOHR. rozerze is one of those who will stick with the literal until it stops suiting his purposes.
In this case, he’ll claim that he never said that US citizens are better off after this unfortunate period of Republican rule than under Clinton? He’ll merely restate his original statement and refuse to elaborate on what it means.
The fact that a “mental recession” implies an otherwise healthy economy is lost of roz. He doesn’t take responsibility for his implications.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:57 amWhy is the Preformance Artist Known as Daryll™ here? There’s nothing outwardly gay about this thread, is there?
July 11th, 2008 at 11:58 amEurope is smaller than the U.S., and they have excellent public transportation in place because unlike us, they actually took the oil crisis of the 1970’s seriously. Not many Europeans drive, so you cannot compare us to them.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:59 amDaryll Says:
Gas isn’t that bad when Europeans are paying $9.00 a gallon. The same goes for heating and cooling costs. We are just becoming equal to the world.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:55 am
______
Good point. I can only assume that you’d also support us becoming equal to the Europeans in our health care system, as well, right? I mean, Europeans may be paying $9.00 a gallon, but they’re also not dying due to lack of health insurance.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:02 pmIf we’re “catching up with the rest of the world”, and it’s a positive thing, then that means that Daryll wants National Healthcare, Equal Rights for women, alternative energy, realistic sex education in high schools, maintaining legal abortion and a separation of church and state. About time you woke up Daryll.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:02 pmWall St is the apex of the financial pyramid.
It is also ‘behind’ many of our current economic woes. Speculation in real estate, oil & other commodity futures has become like, (pardon the descriptor) money masturbation.
It’s one big circle jerk. Buy short! Sell long! Buy Long! Sell short!, ad nauseum. Homeowners in default are paid lip service.
Wall St in default are paid $32BILLION.
30-60% of oil prices are due to speculation in the market. Even at the low end, that would put gas at $2.80 / gallon.
No, McMental, we’re not whiners & this is not all in our heads. The problem in America is with THOSE BACKING YOU.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:02 pmDaryll says: “Gas isn’t that bad when Europeans are paying $9.00 a gallon. The same goes for heating and cooling costs. We are just becoming equal to the world.”
That is perhaps the most hypocritical statement I have ever read from a right wing nutjob. For YEARS AND YEARS the right wing has sung the praises of America’s gas prices in relation to Europe’s. They claimed it was an inevitable result of the free market’s superiority over Europe’s socialist model.
Now, we’re just catching up with the rest of the world.
GIVE ME A GODDAMN BREAK DARYLL.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:02 pmD-bag, you’re slipping. You used to bring an entertaining, imaginative perspective on fundamentalist Christian dogma to primarily gay issues.
Now you’re just sounding like another troll. We don’t need another troll. We’ve got trolls.
We need the old Daryll back. Can you do that for us? We’ll try to get TP to post a gay thread, okay? Would that get you hot? –er, I mena, inspired? Would that get you inspired?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:02 pmWhat gets me is that for a couple of years has been bad economic news but the consumer confidence and consumer spending stayed high.
If anything, the public has had a rosy, polly-anna view for years and finally corrected for reality.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:02 pmRozerze — Sorry if you feel your economic woes have been undermined, but the post was accurate.
Good lord. Where’s Dr. Matt when you need him for a translation?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pmunbelievable Says:
the economy was only booming during the tech bubble, which led to the 2000s recession, which would’ve been worse if interest rates hadn’t been lowered, and guess were that led.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pmFrankly, I think Gramm’s plan of insulting the American Public is a grand idea! What a way to endear one’s self to the huddled masses. I’m sure Gramm garnered a lot of votes with his observation…
Excellent campaign strategy. So glad that McCain restructured his campaign staff.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pmRoz, the technical meaning of “recession” was made up by corporate/government economists and is irrelevant. What matters is that most of us are working harder and longer for less money, while prices rise. This “system” is unsustainable and I’m looking forward to its collapse.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pmMrs. McCain, no not the one who is the mother of his children who he dumped for a rich trollop, the other one, the trollop, spent $750k on her charge cards in ONE month.
“Have you seen the price of beluga caviar these days? And I paid over $500 a bottle for this Cristal! It’s absolutely outrageous! Seriously John, I don’t know how the little people do it. Do they just eat caviar one night of the week or what?”
But Obama is the elitist.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:05 pmThis must be one of the pages from the Republican play book when it comes to explaining disasters, economic failures, any other kind of bad news. We hear it all the time:
1. Blame the victim
July 11th, 2008 at 12:06 pm2. Blame the media
3. Repeat
Good. You embrace this theme, Daryll. Please keep telling ordinary Americans that their economic pain is just “whining”.
That seems like it’ll be a winning theme in this election.
Please run with it.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:09 pmDaryll Says:
Wrong, I believe in the free market. Companies should be able to operate, from a business standpoint, as they please. That is true democracy. Socialism is not welcomed in this country or by God. Both believe in self reliance and accountability.
Daryll, we’re still waiting (been weeks or months now) for you to prove that Jesus told people to get to work. As usual, you’re making claims for God without any proof, and that makes Jesus cry.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:10 pmrozerze Says: the economy was only booming during the tech bubble, which led to the 2000s recession, which would’ve been worse if interest rates hadn’t been lowered, and guess were that led.
Wrong. The entire economy was booming, not just Tech. Gas prices were under a $, jobs were made, life was affordable, and people were much better off.
The 2000 Recession, by the way, was considered mild compared to other Recessions – and is expected to dwarf the one we’re now in…
July 11th, 2008 at 12:10 pmTHERE we go! That’s the Daryll we were hoping would show up!
Daryll, can you point out exactly where in the Bible God did not welcome “socialism”?
Thanks.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pmDaryll Says:
Hey it is not my fault that Americans mortgaged homes out of ignorance.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
_______
True – it’s not your fault. The blame for that lies with “Foreclosure Phil” Gramm and the predatory lending practices he deregulated into existence.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pmDarryl and Roz, I’m sure everything seems just fine if you’re living off of a big fat trust fund. How do you support yourselves?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pmrozerge spatters, “and guess were that led.”
Anyone have a clue here? It’s an anagram I think, some sort of puzzle. Curious pre-human signs of attempts at communication.
Maybe the other simian-not-quite-human Brother Daryll can translate. He speaks in tongues. His Uncle Leonard showed him how to use that tongue when he was butt a child.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pmRepeat after me:
No more Presidents with a “C” or lower average.
Hey. Wouldn’t a Constitutional Scholar be nice?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pmrozerze Says:
the economy was only booming during the tech bubble, which led to the 2000s recession, which would’ve been worse if interest rates hadn’t been lowered, and guess were that led.
stop whining.
learn to spell.
*
good luck
*
July 11th, 2008 at 12:13 pmDaryll Says:
Companies should be able to operate, from a business standpoint, as they please. That is true democracy.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
_______
Really? Is that why fully-deregulated free-market capitalist havens only operate in totalitarian states like China and Argentina and Chile?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:13 pmDr. Hussein Matt Says:
Daryll Says:
So?
Your futile attempt at an @nalogy is obtuse and completely flawed.
Maybe Daryll is really Cheney. That would at least explain his complete ignorance of The Bible.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:13 pmDaryll Says:
So?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
So that places your argument in the garbage disposal. Dr. Matt then flips the switch.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:13 pmDaryll Says: Hey it is not my fault that Americans mortgaged homes out of ignorance. they are the blame. Besides that, the economy is okay. Even though I have to pay $25 per bag to check in my luggage at the airport, I’m not crying. I do not consider $4.00 milk expensive. Libs, grow up and stop whining.
You’re a good little Fascist Daryll. Did Jesus teach you to be so sympathetic and loving of your neighbors?
Sheesh Darryl, did you not read the thread? There’s more to this than greedy bank lenders ruining the housing market with their irrational interest rate hikes that were not comprehensible to the average American.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:13 pmAnd don’t forget that the crime rate generally goes up when the economy is down. That hurts us all.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:14 pmJesus Christ was a Socialist. He may also have been gay.
I mean, who else spends their lives with 12 men & feeds everyone?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pmrozerze Says:
There has not been 2 consecutive quarters of negative growth, none of this disproves a “Mental Recession”.
That is such a stupid definition of a Recession. So, you have to be in a recession for two quarters for it to be called a recession. That makes a lot of sense. But, anyone who isn’t in the top 2% knows not only that we are in a recession they also know that it’s getting perilously close to a depression.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:16 pmDaryll Says:
Therefore, I refuse to feel sorry for those who are suffering.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
______
Spoken like a true Christian.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pmDaryll, Capitalism = property/money rank supreme. Socialism = society/people rank supreme. How do you figure God prefers capitalism?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pmunbelievable Says:
We are not in recession, so the one after clinton’s bubble was obviously worse, .but he did not handle the economy by any exception.
And peak oil didn’t occur during clinton either.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pmI have a serious question for rozerze and Daryll and any other Crumbling Economy Deniers:
President Bush has had seven and a half years to implement his economic vision for America, right? Six of those years he had a fully compliant Republican Congress who gave him everything he wanted.
In those seven-and-a-half years the Dow Jones has risen from 10,535 to 11,011.
Virtually every significant economic indicator is worse than it was on January 20, 2001.
You guys will probably try to blame 9/11 and Katrina, but let’s face it — truly robust economic policies should be resilient enough to withstand major events, right? And it’s been three years since Katrina.
My question is this: if tax cuts and deficit spending are so great for the economy, how long should it take for the benefits to really kick in?
Because obviously, we’re still waiting.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:19 pmDaryll Says: Therefore, I refuse to feel sorry for those who are suffering.
Just like Jesus, huh?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:20 pmHussein_toasterhead says this to Darryl:
“Really? Is that why fully-deregulated free-market capitalist havens only operate in totalitarian states like China and Argentina and Chile?”
Smackdown. Beatdown. Tarred and feathered. Caned. Placed in a stockade in town’s square.
Daryll, you just got schooled big time. Now, go watch Jerry Springer and read your bible some more. Eventually you may understand it.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:20 pmOne thing that wasn’t mentioned in the list is this:
The 2 wars that this administration has started is all on the credit card. It doesn’t show up in the budget. But this bill will come due for our grandchildren. And it will have to be paid for somehow. It certainly won’t be paid for by the top 1% of the elite (like Gramm and Bush and McHoover or the oil companies that have benefitted the most from this war for oil in Iraq)
For the first time in the history of this country, taxes weren’t raised in order to pay for a war of choice — even an illegal one like the one in Iraq.
Too bad we don’t get any REAL straight talk from McCain, just more of the McSame.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pmI guess Daryll shows us exactly what President Bush meant when he called himself a “Compassionate Conservative.”
God bless you, Daryll: “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.”
Words to live by, regardless of your theology.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pmBump.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pmHey Darryl, question for you. What would ever happen to our economy if the Communist Chinese, you know, the people that are funding your leader’s ‘war on terror’, ever decided to call in their debt?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:22 pmAlmost every single person I know or come in contact with is struggling and worried to the point that it HAS become a pschological issue.
Bank accounts are emptying, IRA/401k & house values are plunging, layoffs everywhere and people are wondering “how in the world am I going to pay for heating fuel this winter?!”.
I just got my quarterly statements for my IRA savings and almost cried. What’s the point of investing anything when it just goes down, down, down? The dollar is so low we’re stuck here.
I guess I should have invested in the Euro eh?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:22 pmrozerze Says: We are not in recession, so the one after clinton’s bubble was obviously worse, .but he did not handle the economy by any exception. And peak oil didn’t occur during clinton either.
Of course we are. And it’s going to really bottom out after the rebate checks are all spent…
Clinton didn’t start a war in the middle east causing gas prices to sky rocket when oil supply went down.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:23 pmDaryll Says:
Gas isn’t that bad when Europeans are paying $9.00 a gallon. The same goes for heating and cooling costs. We are just becoming equal to the world.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:55 am
It’s for that the reason I use a pass for public transportation that costs me 46.25€/30 days for unlimited trips in every public transportation system in my city and neighbouring ones. I bet you pay far more than I do in a month to go to work and back in one or two weeks of oil for your car.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:23 pmDaryll Says: BLASPHEMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Speak for yourself Satan-lover.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:26 pmDaryll Says:
I blame the liberal MSM
Yeah, and you believe in a Magical, Invisible, Non-existing Faerie in the Sky also.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:27 pmDaryll, kudos for being a financial wizard. What about the children who haven’t achieved your level of genius and are living in poverty. Not even a little sympathy from you or God?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:27 pmDaryll Says:
The economic government of China made a profit last fiscal year. What is the problem. Leave the free market alone.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:24 pm Recommend (0) | Report Abuse
Yay! Let’s recall corporation welfare! Make these agro and petro macro bussiness fare without federal help!
July 11th, 2008 at 12:27 pmUm, has anyone forwarded this to Grampy McMental?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:27 pmIt’s really kind of fun to watch the trolls try to explain how Clinton’s policies, which led to the longest sustained peacetime economic expansion in US history, reduction of the poverty rate and rising real wages across the board, were destructive, and bush policies, which have led to collapse of the dollar, the most anemic job growth record of any two-term president in history and the first time since the Great Depression that the national savings rate was negative two years in a row, are the way to prosperity.
It’s even funnier watching them try to convince us that we’re living in prosperity now.
But, as with all great comedy, there is an element of tragedy too. It’s very sad to see people so irredeemably deluded, and so willing to reveal it in public.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:28 pmDaryl,
jesus said,
“giveth thy donkey
and they sandals to
the poor.”
amen.
*
thank you.
&
July 11th, 2008 at 12:29 pmDaryll Says: The economic government of China made a profit last fiscal year. What is the problem. Leave the free market alone.
Go visit China Daryll. They have one of the worst records for abuses of workers in the world. They are polluted. They are a totalitarian dictatorship in which the currency the people use is worthless on the global market. They use abortion to kill female fetuses. They are ATHEISTS (well, there had to be something good about them).
July 11th, 2008 at 12:30 pmDaryll Says
You might want to think about investing in India.
Yeah, that’s real American of you, fcuk wit.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:31 pmSo, all of the human rights abuses and oppression and religious persecution — that’s all cool because “the economic government of China made a profit last year”?
You do know that China is communist, right? And a totalitarian government? And they persecute Christians — you knwo that, right?
And all that is cool with you, as long as they make a profit?
Wow, Daryll. I’m impressed. Seldom does anyone with values a screwed up as yours have the courage to admit to them in public. Kudos.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pmDaryll Says: You might want to think about investing in India.
Unpatriotic!
You’re supposed to invest in AMERICA only Daryll…
July 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pmDaryll Says:
You should have invested in commodities, preferably oil, a long time ago. Don’t let someone handle your investments. It is up to you to take charge and educate yourself on sound investments. You might want to think about investing in India.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
So USA corporations with their headquarters in Grand Cayman can build factories in India, exporting there the USA manufacturing jobs. Ever heard of the ultra-cheap indian cars Tata? Have you used sometime a call center for a USA company where all the people talk in “funny” accents”?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:33 pmDaryll Says:
You’re kidding me. Haven’t you been taught to thoroughly read each detail within a contract/legal binding document before adding your signature. No, it is the fault of American consumers for not doing the proper research. Remember, self reliance and accountability is the key.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
______
Yes, and I do. Unlike the vast majority of the people who were targeted by the predatory subprime lenders, I have a college education and speak English as my first language. Which is why I’m not the target customer for these predatory lenders, who mainly sought out people with low incomes, low English skills, and low education levels who COULDN’T read and understand the fine print.
Thanks to the free market, which allowed this to happen as a prefectly legitimate business practice, the mortgage brokers made HUGE commissions by formulating loans that encouraged customers to lie about their income, without explaining the consequences that would occur when their variable rates adjusted. And these brokers passed on the responsibility for these fraudulent mortgages by selling the debt into CDOs.
The subprime mortgage industry built a system, on a base of faulty data and false promises, that was designed to fail. Yes, some buyers tried to game the system and got burned. But plenty more just wanted to buy a home for their families in an era of ludicrously inflated housing prices, and the mortgage industry saw them as easy prey.
The fact that you would defend the bankers as the victims of this debacle shows how truly deviant your worldview is. I pity you.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:33 pmDaryll Says: Question answered.
You are a very immoral person, Daryll. Very.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:34 pmExcuse me, Daryll, I may have missed it — did you ever enlighten us on where in The Bible God says He doesn’t welcome Socialism?
Thanks again.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:35 pmralph the wonder llama Says:
You do know that China is communist, right?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
_____
Well, that’s not true. They may call their ruling party the Communist Party, but their economy hasn’t been communist for two decades now.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:36 pmSomehow, some way. this is great news for ordinary Americans.
Now we just have to wait for rozerze or Daryll to tell us how.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:37 pmdaryll,
paul the apostle
spoke unto the cantalopians,
“you can run from the lord
jesus christ but you can’t hide.”
*
think about that daryll.
and how it applies to you.
question answered.
$
July 11th, 2008 at 12:37 pmA higher being called, Darryl. He wants to know where you get off of spouting insane drivel in his name.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:38 pmThe latest news….
——————
‘Straight Talk Express’ bus lost three tires.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:38 pmLatest news also :
Bus was driven by Phil Gramm…trying to pass a detour.
Oh thank you for that investment advice Daryll.
Other than investing in the oil companies and in India, is there anything else I should be investing in? How’s Halliburton looking these days for example? Will there be another war soon to give them another boost?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:38 pmDaryll Says: I will admit, my mother is a high level financial advisor for Wells Fargo, so I’ve been taught about investments since I was 10 years old.
Of course.
You’re still immoral.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:39 pmWow, Darryl, if Jesus had been a Republican – this crucifixion shit never would have happened, right?
But, Darryl – didn’t Jesus die for all our sins? You know, to save us all from suffering?
Huh??? I’m so confused, Darryl!!! Help me out here, OK?
If I understand you correctly, Darryl, Jesus doesn’t feel sorry for those who are suffering and doesn’t approve of socialism, right…?
In other words, Darryl, if He was a Republican, He would have just said, “Screw you, sinners – I’m OUTTA here!!”
Is that it??
July 11th, 2008 at 12:39 pmThanks, HTH. I knew that, but I didn’t think facts mattered to Daryll. In the past he’s pretty much relied on labels to judge things and I figured that since he knows for a fact that God doesn’t welcome socialism, that he would be against the Chinese Communist Party as well.
The totalitarian bit stands, though.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:39 pmDaryll Says
You are ACCOUNTABLE.
I invested in rental properties, fcuk wit, I am doing fine, IT IS OTHER AMERICANS THAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT, unlike you, you unamerican piece of filth.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:41 pmhussein toasterhead Says: Well, that’s not true. They may call their ruling party the Communist Party, but their economy hasn’t been communist for two decades now.
Well, actually, in order to be truly Communistic, you first had to be Capitalistic, as that was Marx and Engles premise for true Communism taking power from the few rich to give to all the people. They were never Capitalistic – just Agrarian – therefore they never were really Communistic either. They just used the lingo like Big Brother.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:42 pmIt seems that Daryll knows a different Jesus than the true Christians who frequent here. Daryll’s Jesus loves the rich and wipes his ass with the poor, turns his back on suffering, likes to kill innocent people, and likes to fck with Daryll by feeding him bad information. Where’s Huckabuck Brother D?
Or maybe it’s just Daryll who is a truly fcked up individual who is blaming it on this defective Jesus.
If I were a Christian, I would find this POS posing as “Daryll” and get him to STFU. His pseudo Jesus is tainting the religion.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:42 pmDaryll Says: I will admit, my mother is a high level financial advisor for Wells Fargo, so I’ve been taught about investments since I was 10 years old.
So, basically, the elitist-born Saint D wants us to believe in pulling ourselves by our own bootstraps.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:43 pmDr. Hussein Matt Says:
BREAKING NEWS: DOW falls below 11,000 for the first time in 2 years and oil hits another all-time high
But, it’s just mental
this wouldn’t have happened
if daryll’s mother had been
in charge.
*
and people were more
responsible.
:)
July 11th, 2008 at 12:43 pmDaryll’s Jesus would have negotiated a cut of the money-lender’s profits instead of upturning their tables!
July 11th, 2008 at 12:46 pmralph,
we lost rog (jabber)
we back at the last
curve.
*
but at least daryll’s still
hanging in there.
:)
fun.
&
July 11th, 2008 at 12:46 pmDaryll Says: Not my fault. Did you invest in oil a year ago? Did you inform your broker to max out on oil?
No, but then again, unlike you, we’re not greedy vampire pigs who will screw other people to make a nickle.
Shame on you.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:46 pmDarryl’s mom is part of a national problem in raising kids to be ignorant adults. I also take it that she’s part of the national economic problem in her position as an ineffective financial advisor.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:46 pmdaryll,
our lord hated
small caps and no load
mutual funds.
so why do you make
the baby jesus cry
with your blasphemous
investment advice?
*
beware your immortal
soul.
+
July 11th, 2008 at 12:49 pmDaryll Says: Wealth is spiritual happiness, not worldly happiness.
I cant touch money, therefore it’s material. Period.
Worldly happiness comes from having morals. You have none. Just rationalization. I pity you. You are a sick individual.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:50 pmThey’re trying to divide us again.
Whiners vs.Clingers
July 11th, 2008 at 12:51 pmcan touch money
July 11th, 2008 at 12:52 pmDarryl, shame on you. You’ve made the baby Jesus cry today.
Didn’t He say, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me”? and “that which you do to the least among you, you do also to Me”…?
You are evil, Darryl, and you ought to be ashamed of yourself.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:56 pmWealth is spiritual happiness
Where in GOD’S NAME is claim true?
July 11th, 2008 at 12:57 pm*this
July 11th, 2008 at 12:58 pmsorry to be ot fellow tp’ers,
but i saw this link at huffpo
and had to share it.
*
imagine if our media
had questioned bush
this way?
+
or mccain for that matter.
(but i repeat myself.)
*
thank you.
%
July 11th, 2008 at 1:01 pmWell, that closes the book on this suspect. We’ll have to look elsewhere for who’s at fault for this bad economic news.
By the way, who accused Daryll of being at fault for this, anyway? That was really stupid, whoever it was.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:01 pmDaryll Says: I resent your comment.
Boo – freaking – hoo.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:01 pmDaryll Says: I come from a humble family. Therefore, I am a humble person.
I call bullsh*t.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:03 pm.
Someone’s being a little bit McMental…
.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:05 pmI don’t think Daryll knows what the term “elitist” really means. One does not demonstrate “elitism” by “lying to the American people about resolving economic issues.”
And Daryll’s father’s family “practically owns” a state university supported by taxpayers? How’s that work? That’s demonstrating some real “self-reliance” there, D.
By the way, Daryll, any word on that Bible verse that confirms that God doesn’t welcome socialism? I know you’re busy. You’ll get to it when you can.
Thanks.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:07 pmlol – thanks for the laugh Daryll. I really needed that.
Anyone who describes themselves to a group of people as humble is, of course humble (not!).
Especially after claiming that your father’s family pretty much “owns” Tennesse State.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:07 pmDr. Hussein Matt Says:
DOW is down 230 points.
Mission Accomplished, herr dubyah, you destroyed our economy.
“stop whining,
it’s all in your head!”
– phil mcsame.
*
July 11th, 2008 at 1:07 pmWe feel, as progressives, that real wealth comes from real work, Darryl. That’s why we’re interested in job creation and the ability for anyone who wants a job to have one. That’s why we’re interested in an education system that creates a logical thinking process instead of worrying about whether we’ll hit the jackpot in lieu of one.
You and your ilk, on the other hand, whine about capital gains taxes for sitting in a chair and surfing TDAmeritrade.com.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:10 pmTherefore, I am a humble person.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:15 pmLMFAO, oh that’s a good one you piece of $hit.
Daryll Says:
I resent your comment.
So?
Not my fault.
I refuse to feel sorry for you.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:16 pmDr. Hussein Matt Says:
When a bunch of lame internet companies went under, the vast majority of Americans didn’t even notice.
Unfortunately I was one who noticed. I lost $200,000 in the dot com crash. That cured me of investing in the stock market.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:17 pmTo echo some commenters here, it’s pretty much a given that if you have to tell people how humble you are, then you’re not.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:17 pmDaryll Says:
My father’s family pretty much owns Tennessee State University (even though he attended Troy State). I come from a humble family. Therefore, I am a humble person.
interesting.
nothing here about
daryll’s father’s family
“pretty much”
owning it though.
*
July 11th, 2008 at 1:19 pmDaryll Says:
——————————————————————————–
Evil Spaniard Says:
——————————————————————————–
Daryll Says: I will admit, my mother is a high level financial advisor for Wells Fargo, so I’ve been taught about investments since I was 10 years old.
So, basically, the elitist-born Saint D wants us to believe in pulling ourselves by our own bootstraps.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:43 pm Recommend (1) | Report Abuse
——————————————————————————–
I resent your comment. Hussein Obama is a true elitist by lying to the American people about resolving economic issues. I grew up in a middle class conservative family. Father, a Sr. electrical engineer at GE. Mother, a rising financial advisor. My father’s family pretty much owns Tennessee State University (even though he attended Troy State). I come from a humble family. Therefore, I am a humble person.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I resent your lying about Obama ; I’m also pretty sure Jesus most certainly does not approve either , d0uchebag………..
July 11th, 2008 at 1:19 pmJust finished a pbs series on history of globalization and free markets. Commanding Heights Series.
Good economic history of the last 90 years. Highlights pros and cons of globalization and free markets.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/
July 11th, 2008 at 1:22 pmunbelievable Says:
Worldly happiness comes from having morals. You have none. Just rationalization. I pity you. You are a sick individual.
Darryl truly is an evil and sick human being. He is going to be very surprised when he meets his maker because there is no way this cretin will be allowed anywhere near the pearly gates.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:23 pmCorrection, Bilbo:
Daryll is truly an evil and sick character.
Much like Dr. Evil, only without the power, ambition, intellect or worldwide network of evil henchmen.
…but other than that, the resemblance is astonishing.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:28 pmBush idiot has taken this nation for a spin. Now more than ever the concept of the ‘american dream’ is mere illusion. The rope is being stretched by both ends and it is about to snap. On one side, the same dollar we’ve been working so hard for throughout the years buys LESS AND LESS. On the other getting around and to work costs way much more and the price of gas keeps rising. And as for the rich that keep getting richer: as their bank accounts get larger the dollar is worth less and less. Yes you may have more money alright, but now you need to dish out more dollars because they are worth so much less than they used to! Bush has turned the so called ‘american dream’ into a nightmare : THE GREAT AMERICAN RIPOFF! His entire legacy reeks of FAILURE! Why is this idiot still at the helm? The ‘havemores’ want him there and obviously have the clout the average middle class worker lacks.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:28 pmjoe cantwell Says:
sorry to be ot fellow tp’ers,
but i saw this link at huffpo
and had to share it.
I didn’t even get half way through the video. It made me want to throw up. That man is simply evil and probably insane to boot. I have to give the woman interviewing him credit for maintaining her composure. The third time he interrupted her, if it had been me, I would have been going for his jugular.
I simply can’t listen to Bush for more than a minute or two. It makes me sick.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:29 pmBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
how long ago was it
that we stopped having
journalists like her and wound
up with the lap dogs that
follow mccsame around?
*
thank you.
&
July 11th, 2008 at 1:34 pmDarelll, I think god must be gay. What’s up with those rainbows?
July 11th, 2008 at 1:38 pmSomething else that was left off the list is the Construction Industry. Both residential and commercial.
The guy I work for has lost literaly 1/2 of the tenants in one of his commercial office condominiums. Every one of the tenants were involved in the construction industry in one way or another.
My husband is a structual superintendent for one of the bigger general contractors here in Florida and he is TCOing a building today. Generally, a couple of weeks before a TCO or a CO is issued, most superintendents are told to get ready for their next building and are given the prints and specs to begin proofing. He hasn’t been told to get ready for his next building yet and we are becoming more than a little concerned at the moment.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:45 pmDaryll on a non gay thread? What is the world coming to?
July 11th, 2008 at 1:46 pmOh, and Darryl, you’re an mental midget.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:46 pmDaryll, enlighten me. Where exactly in the bible did Jesus Christ say I got mine, screw the rest of you?
July 11th, 2008 at 1:47 pmShayne Says:
Daryll, enlighten me. Where exactly in the bible did Jesus Christ say I got mine, screw the rest of you?
It’s interesting but a google search landed me on a church website page that was entirely concerned with “proving” that Jesus was completely cool with rich people and that Christians should go out and make the big bucks. It starts out by “proving” that Jesus and the Disciples weren’t poor and that you can be rich and still go to Heaven, just as long as you’re not obsessed with your money. Or something. Greed, apparently, isn’t really a sin at all.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:52 pmWe keep getting the steady drum beat of bad news
Yes but not from the media. I get the bad news from the gas station, the grocery store, my declining buying power.
the Disciples weren’t poor and that you can be rich and still go to Heaven
Only if you’ve figured out how to squeeze a camel through a needle’s eye
July 11th, 2008 at 2:00 pmThe Greedy Ole Men who have been taking from the people down here may say anything they want to justify their crimes. This is bad.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:02 pmjabberjaw Says:
Isn’t it fun to play pretend, Jabber?
July 11th, 2008 at 2:07 pmDaryll seems to have upset you… is it hard to have competition?
You know JJ when we want your opinion we’ll ask for it. Why don’t you hold your breath until then.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:07 pmWell the Republicans got so good at rewriting the Constitution I guess they felt they should start rewriting the Bible.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:10 pmYep Dr. Matt that line got my attention too. I’m pretty sure Daryll reserved his special place in Hell with that one. And while up until now I didn’t really believe in Heaven or Hell I’m pretty sure any place Daryll spends time feels like Hell.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:12 pmHey Darryll,
Got your next gig lined up after Obama takes away your consulting company’s DoD contract next year?
Good Luck with that, or maybe god will take care of you, or maybe Darth will take you to Dubai or Dubya to his mom’s basement in Paraguay.
Heh heh
July 11th, 2008 at 2:12 pmOoooh, I know you are but what am I? What are you, in fifth grade, idiot.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:13 pmDo you think if I called and told the administrators of my mutual funds that the whole economy problem was a “mental thing” they would put all the money I’ve lost back into my accounts?
July 11th, 2008 at 2:15 pmAs opposed to jj, who has a wider selection of pitches he can throw.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:16 pmYou’ve just showed us why you need to cut and paste your talking points JJ. Obviously original thoughts aren’t your forte. Do you have a forte besides being incredibly annoying?
July 11th, 2008 at 2:17 pmSay, Jabby? Jesus hates you.
Ask Darryl.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:18 pmShayne Says:
You’ve just showed us why you need to cut and paste your talking points JJ. Obviously original thoughts aren’t your forte. Do you have a forte besides being incredibly annoying?
He had a snow forte once, but no one would play in it.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:18 pmTime to take your meds JJ you’re not making any sense. And by that I mean even less than usual.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:19 pmI sense that too, but I don’t knwo wht that should be.
After all, Daryll is a richly-developed character with subtle dimensions to him, but so is jj.
jj, I don’t think you have anything to be jealous about. You’re every bit the entertainment value, in your own way, as Daryll is.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:19 pmYeah, on the Javelin Team.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:20 pmGummitch, I think you’re ready to go back to work on Monday. :)
July 11th, 2008 at 2:21 pmjj, it pains me, but I gotta take back some of the nice things I just said about you.
Daryll would never stoop so low and lazily as to make a bizarre accusation like this.
It reeks of desperation, jj. And there’s no need. You’ve got a lot to offer as a Concern Troll. You and Daryll are just different, that’s all. Don’t be jealous of Daryll.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:23 pmJabberedjaw, why don’t you pitch us a fast one?
July 11th, 2008 at 2:24 pmYo Daryll,
All modern Religion is based on Astrology. We are currently in the age of Pisces, hence all the “Fish” references. The “end times” refer to the end of this age. The next age is the age of Aquarius. Jesus is actually a symbol for the Sun. Hence all the symbols of the sun behind his head in many historical depictions of Jesus. It’s all symbolism boy, Jesus really never existed.
Now talk amongst yerself.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:25 pmYou and Daryll are just different, that’s all. Don’t be jealous of Daryll.
It’s important to remember that even though you two are different that doesn’t mean we love one of you more than the other…
July 11th, 2008 at 2:26 pmWhat’s up with that JJ? Are you multitasking? If you troll under two different names to you get .07 a post instead. You are so industrious, incompetent, but industrious.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:28 pmForTruth Says:
Hey! I saw HAIR when if first came out!
Does that mean we get to all dance around naked in the Age of Aquarious?
KEWL!!
July 11th, 2008 at 2:28 pmThat’s right JJ we “love” you both the same.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:29 pmLook what you guys did, JJ must have gone off to have a good cry, poor baby.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:30 pmRoz, Darryl, Jabby, you need healing. Group hug!
July 11th, 2008 at 2:36 pmWhere’d ;you go JJ, did you have to get your diaper changed?
July 11th, 2008 at 2:36 pmThat’s not a group hug that’s a circle jerk. Or a circle of jerks.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:37 pmModern Religion was invented to control folks of the likes of Daryll. It’s worked rather well.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:39 pmShayne Says:
Hussein McCain Says:
Roz, Darryl, Jabby, you need healing. Group hug!
That’s not a group hug that’s a circle jerk. Or a circle of jerks.
Now Shaybe,
Don’t go getting Darryll’s tightie whities all tented up; you know he is on the verge of coming out of the closet!
July 11th, 2008 at 2:40 pmWhen the bank calls me to tell me I’m late on my payments, I’ll tell them they are just whining, and get over it.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:40 pmjabber’s getting a little confrontational now.
is it time for a time-out?
July 11th, 2008 at 2:40 pmNo ralph, JJ just had his diaper changed and now he’s crapping all over himself. Time for another change and then maybe a nap. And JJ we don’t think there’s anything wrong with being gay so stop projecting and enjoy yourself.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:43 pmHey Jab,
You must be new around here. It’s the Darryll character who is homophobic, we are just making sure to remind it of its position in god’s great design, which Darryll says does not include gays or socialists or humanitarians.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:45 pmI think we all owe jabber a debt of gratitude for teaching us what is and what is NOT acceptable “progressive” humor.
Thanks, jj. Since I don’t think I led off with any gay jokes, I’m still eligible to be considered “truly progressive” under jj’s criteria.
Color me relieved.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:46 pmJabber~
July 11th, 2008 at 2:54 pmAre progressives allowed to joke about the ‘mental recession?’
I was wondering ’cause I was working on a few zingers but I’d hate to lose my membership in the progressive union…
Good point, belac.
jabber, can we have a ruling on this?
July 11th, 2008 at 2:56 pmStock market up 350% under Clinton. We went from record deficit to record surplus under Clinton. No problem with Social Security at end of Clinton. Unemployment went from 7% to 3.9% under Clinton. 237,000 jobs created per month average under Clinton (more than 3 times GWB’s). No cities lost under Clinton. Terrorists caught and convicted under Clinton. No troops killed under Clinton. Etc., Etc.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:58 pmSome trolls just aren’t worth responding to. *hint/wink*
July 11th, 2008 at 3:03 pmPuhlease Keith don’t you understand. All those good times under Clinton were just mental too. It was all your imagination, it never happened. Just as Dr. Phil and Slappy McCain.
July 11th, 2008 at 3:04 pmIt’s true ForTruth, some trolls are more fun to play with than others.
July 11th, 2008 at 3:05 pmShayne, you mean it’s all a question of outlook?
July 11th, 2008 at 3:06 pmPeople at Ground Zero and Katrina were just a bunch of whiners?
July 11th, 2008 at 3:08 pmDarryl – this is for you, with love from me:
http://magnets.cafepress.com/design/10511585
~A
July 11th, 2008 at 3:12 pmObviously Keith if it was true we’d be hearing about it from Fox News and Limbaugh. Duh.
July 11th, 2008 at 3:31 pmThat’s good Annie. And Daryll has the advantage of being able to stick them onto the plate in his skull. He must surely have one.
July 11th, 2008 at 3:32 pmAnnie those are very funny. I think Jesus would slap the crap out of many people.
July 11th, 2008 at 3:51 pmit is interesting how
daryll and jabber never
directly address each
other in their comments…
?
July 11th, 2008 at 3:55 pmYes Joe,
Kinda like internet dating. You never really know who you are talking to.
July 11th, 2008 at 3:57 pmForTruth Says:
Yes Joe,
Kinda like internet dating. You never really know who you are talking to.
i see.
you’re wondering why
jabber hasn’t asked daryll
out yet.
*
shy, i guess.
jabber, your thoughts?
?
July 11th, 2008 at 4:01 pmWhat!? Rich people feel the pinch of the bad economy too…instead of buying 3 rolls royce’s encrusted in thick gold this year, they will only be able to afford encrusting them in thin gold.
July 11th, 2008 at 4:05 pmAdd the declining U.S. relationship with foreign leaders and policies. That’s my whine for today as McCain’s Dr. Phil[Gramm]would say.
July 11th, 2008 at 4:56 pm