When America no longer OWNS America

[Donkeytron]

We live in an entertainment based society and everything from clothing to housing to driving trends are contingent upon that industry. It's an industry built on luxury and w/o the resources necessary to maintain the status quo our entire culture would switch priorities in a way that is so drastic that our culture itself would change.

I think what you mean is, our society is built on private consumption and consumer preferences. I dont know what the rest of your post means.

 

[k]

Really? That surprises me...got a source?

http://ific.org/food/agriculture/index.cfm

 

[LogicChristian]

That's taking it to the extreme...clothing ourselves would not be an issue...the driving part would be in 50 or so years...but as long as we keep invading oil rich countries that won't be a problem.

Oil rich countries are going to sell their oil one way or the other whether there is a war or not.

 

[k]

I think what you mean is, our society is built on private consumption and consumer preferences. I dont know what the rest of your post means.

Its deeper, much deeper than private consumption and consumer preferences.

What makes it possible for our culture to revolve around Ipods, Xbox 360, Superbowls, Hummers, etc?

 

[k]

Oil rich countries are going to sell their oil one way or the other whether there is a war or not.

Ummm...yeah...but that wasn't the point.

 

[LogicChristian]

I think Neverstop is telling us the American economy and consumer culture requires war.

 

[Donkeytron]

Its deeper, much deeper than private consumption and consumer preferences.

What makes it possible for our culture to revolve around Ipods, Xbox 360, Superbowls, Hummers, etc?

The fact that a huge middle class exists and has disposable income and therefore consumes certain goods and services in certain allocations?

 

[LogicChristian]

Ummm...yeah...but that wasn't the point.

What is your point then? I'm showing you the US economy isn't based on war and your argument seems to be the opposite.

Unless I'm mistaken?

 

[k]

I think Neverstop is telling us the American economy and consumer culture requires war.

To maintain the current rate, it does. Why do you think the Bush admin recently laid out a 30 YEAR WAR PLAN???

 

[k]

The fact that a huge middle class exists and has disposable income and therefore consumes certain goods and services in certain allocations?

The middle class is shrinking and the economy is not as good as the Bush admin wants us to believe. In fact, the disparity between minorities and the middle class today is WORSE than it was in 1960.

 

[k]

What is your point then? I'm showing you the US economy isn't based on war and your argument seems to be the opposite.

Unless I'm mistaken?

Two recent examples. Afghanistan--we invade--BOOM!--gas pipeline contract gets signed--Halliburton is CURRENTLY doing work in IRAN---we invade Iraq--Halliburton's stock does what?? Doubles? Triples???

It would help to look at a timeline from 1945 to present on US in War/armed conflict.

 

[LogicChristian]

To maintain the current rate, it does. Why do you think the Bush admin recently laid out a 30 YEAR WAR PLAN???

The meager economic benefits you've shown from the wars certainly don't outweigh even their monetary costs, and certainly aren't a crutch for the economy.

 

[k]

The meager economic benefits you've shown from the wars certainly don't outweigh even their monetary costs, and certainly aren't a crutch for the economy.

okay, have a good one.

 

[LogicChristian]

God Bless.

 

[JPPT1974]

Yeah tell me about it
I wish thee well!

 

[Donkeytron]

The middle class is shrinking and the economy is not as good as the Bush admin wants us to believe. In fact, the disparity between minorities and the middle class today is WORSE than it was in 1960.

I dont see what this has to do with my response to your question. First it was war drives the economy. Then it was entertainment related spending. Then you asked me what makes people buy xboxes. I dont see where this is supposed to be going.

 

[simplicity]

I think hustlers and opportunists have invaded the power structure of the United States. It's not a safe scenario. So it's hard to say whether or not this port deal is safe.

Look at the fellow Brown from FEMA. There's a guy who hustled himself to the upper ranks. At least some segment of the U.S. population believes in rewarding liars and cheaters. It's like a romanticized skill. Folks are so busy hustling and lying they kind of forget the fundamentals.

Iraq there for instance is close to civil war. But the spin doctors and social architects just keep lubing the friction - hoping that in time everything will slide into place. Ignoring the fact that it's perfectly healthy for humans to work with their hands, manufacturing jobs have been discarded in favour technology jobs. Adding insult to injury, lots of computer-intesive jobs are being outsourced to cheap-labour countries or eliminated entirely.

It's amazing how things have been going downhill since the Apollo missions to the moon when nothing could stand against the quality and value of American manufacturing.

 

[k]

Yeah tell me about it
I wish thee well!

Piggyback ride?

 

[k]

I dont see what this has to do with my response to your question. First it was war drives the economy. Then it was entertainment related spending. Then you asked me what makes people buy xboxes. I dont see where this is supposed to be going.

Okay, not sure what to say...was the article read?

 

[Donkeytron]

Okay, not sure what to say...was the article read?

Yeah I actually edited my post about it a page or two back.