Lorax, CCbat

littlebuddy · January-03-10, 02:40 PM

While it is sometimes enjoyable to read both of your posts, I just don't always have time to go through all these. But if both of you[[and others)would take the time to list what is important to you as far as solving problems in this life. What are you looking for, what would be your answers in a nutshell. On health care, on globel warming[[if you believe it is happing) on moral issues, on war, views on the consistution, on the bible or christian background of the country and should it continue or move in another direction, etc. I would like to know where people are coming from as it makes it easier to understand for me. Thanks to any who take the time for this.

**Johnnny5** · January-03-10, 03:53 PM

I think they're currently on vacation.

Retroit · January-03-10, 06:42 PM

...or they killed each other.

**Pam** · January-03-10, 07:14 PM

Maybe they are in Hawaii with the Pres. and Rush?

**MCP-001** · January-03-10, 07:16 PM

Do you have at least a week?

Maybe more?

**East Detroit** · January-03-10, 07:21 PM

Attachment 4658

Perhaps they punched out for the holiday and went to the bar together?

Retroit · January-03-10, 07:23 PM

...or a Beer Summit with the Big O...

**smogboy** · January-03-10, 07:31 PM

Somehow I don't think they're spooning one another in some B&B in the Hamptons.

Retroit · January-03-10, 07:48 PM

Since you invited "others" to also respond, I'll offer my 3 cents [[inflation, you see).

Q: "...what is important to you as far as solving problems in this life. What are you looking for, what would be your answers in a nutshell."

A: First, people taking personal responsibility. Second, people taking responsibility for their family. Third, people taking responsibility for their friends, neighbors, community, city, state, country, world [[in that order). Less dependence on Washington to solve all our problems. How can they help us if we are unwilling to help ourselves?

Re: health care: Keep what we have and make improvements where needed. Don't throw out the whole system and start over. There is much about the current system that is working. There are some areas that need to be improved. Yet, instead of finding incremental solutions, the party-in-power is falling over themselves in order that they can all take credit in the hopes of winning votes.

Re: global warming [[if you believe it is happing): I believe in global warming, global cooling, and global steady temperatures. I think we should also reduce our energy consumption. I'm not convinced the relation between energy use and temperature changes are as closely related as Al Gore would like us to believe.

Re: moral issues: We need more of it [[morals).

Re: war: Armies are for killing, not for "winning the hearts and minds of the people". Bring the troops home, leave behind undercover CIA, send in a missile if we find Bin Laden.

Re: the Constitution: Must be more closely adhered to, particularly the limitations placed on the Federal government, which was the original intention of it.

Re: the Bible: Should be read more often, but understood in its historical context, and not blindly followed.

Re: Christian background of the country and should it continue or move in another direction: Should continue, along with Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and any other religion that people choose to believe in, provided those religions are not used as a basis to harm others or deny others of their freedoms.

**gibran** · January-03-10, 08:34 PM

actually retroit makes much sense...a nice compromise to the extremes

**mjs** · January-03-10, 09:34 PM

I agree with all Retroit has said and I want to add some specific soultions to his general principles.

One solution on health care is to encourage people take CARE of their HEALTH and help them understand their responsibility in it by showing them the costs of not doing so. Cover increasing medicare costs with a fat tax, a poly-saturated fat tax, and a salt tax. Lower medicaid costs by creating tax deductions for people with good numbers on health screenings or tax deductions for joining health care clubs. Divert sugar subsidies to organizations such as the YMCA. Move some of the farm subsidies to helping sales of the crops through food stamps good only towards fruits and vegetables. For crying out loud, run a few public service ads on the importance of eating healthy during the late night fast food commercial rampage.

On global warming, treat it as a GLOBAL problem. We borrow alot because we spend alot and we import alot. Our power is that the customer is always right. If foreign goods come from a plant that refuses to obtain US EPA standards, add an import tax. If they want to avoid the tax on a few shipments, they can simply comply with our environmental standards. Most other industrialized nations have protectionist factions that will force them to follow suit. No more issues over the environment versus shifting jobs overseas. Let the Nikes sit in Chinese wharehouses until they go out of style.

**Johnlodge** · January-04-10, 12:28 PM

I think if people took more interest in their local affairs, we'd see some major changes in our political climate. You have more power in a local election than anywhere else, yet turnout and interest is lowest. So I agree with Retroit on his hierarchy of what to care about. On the national level, you're pissing in the ocean. In your own city and county, you can actually have an impact, especially if you organize. And since many politicians rise up through those ranks, you decide who makes it to the national stage.

I also think we need more legitimate parties. People have become so black & white on issues, they don't bother to think about them any more. If "they" believe in it or care about it, it MUST be a conspiracy by "them". If you see something you don't like on the news, it's because the media is biased in favor of "them". No constructive dialogue is possible in that environment.

smudge pot · January-04-10, 02:28 PM

Classic paraphrase:

"He/She was wrapped too tight for Vietnam, probably wrapped too tight for Detroit".

Movie?

**MoparDan** · January-04-10, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by smudge pot

Classic paraphrase:

"He/She was wrapped too tight for Vietnam, probably wrapped too tight for Detroit".

Movie?

"Apocalypse Now" about the character Chef; he was from New Orleans.

**MoparDan** · January-04-10, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Johnlodge

I think if people took more interest in their local affairs, we'd see some major changes in our political climate. You have more power in a local election than anywhere else, yet turnout and interest is lowest. So I agree with Retroit on his hierarchy of what to care about. On the national level, you're pissing in the ocean. In your own city and county, you can actually have an impact, especially if you organize. And since many politicians rise up through those ranks, you decide who makes it to the national stage.

As the saying goes, "All politics is local". You should read some of my responses on the Detroit side thread "Why would anyone come to Detroit?". I can't urge you people on enough in getting involved & changing the path of your city.
http://detroityes.com/mb/showthread.php?t=3966

Originally Posted by Johnlodge;

I also think we need more legitimate parties. People have become so black & white on issues, they don't bother to think about them any more. If "they" believe in it or care about it, it MUST be a conspiracy by "them". If you see something you don't like on the news, it's because the media is biased in favor of "them". No constructive dialogue is possible in that environment.

About people being black & white on issues; to extremists on both ends of the spectrum, if you allow for gray area, then you're a "wishy washy Moderate". That's why I say hard core Conservatives & Liberals have more in common with each other than anyone else:
They're always right, you're always wrong;
If you disagree with them, then something is terribly wrong with you;
If you disagree with them, then you just don't "get it";
They'll sacrifice practicality & prudence for their ideology;
They're always "on";
It's very difficult to have a civil or rational discussion with them about anything;
You're either a bleeding heart Socialist or cold hearted Nazi depending on which one you're talking to.

Off my soapbox.

smudge pot · January-04-10, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by MoparDan

"Apocalypse Now" about the character Chef; he was from New Orleans.

Nice, nice, I'm no jjaba, and I have no prize, but well done, well done! I know every line from that movie. Most quoted personally: "Terminate, with extreme prejudice", the CIA guy offers Capt. Willard the cigarette, and the shaken Willard takes it, though earlier refusing a similar offer from the nervous, bumbling, Harrison Ford dude. But I digress.

**East Detroit** · January-05-10, 07:11 AM

Two sides of the same coin. Maybe they are the same person, entertaining himself. That would explain a lot, actually.

**Sstashmoo** · January-05-10, 09:23 AM

Like Steelers and CraigD, that was kinda sick actually.

**East Detroit** · January-05-10, 11:38 AM

Maybe "left" and "right" refer to the hand in use... for typing, of course.

**Pam** · January-05-10, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Sstashmoo

Like Steelers and CraigD, that was kinda sick actually.

They were equally annoying perhaps, but not the same person.

**Sstashmoo** · January-05-10, 11:48 PM

Oh that's right only one of them wore jorts and claimed himself "just a bad motor scooter" oy

**Pam** · January-06-10, 07:33 AM

I'm starting to wonder if they are on a "permanent vacation".

**Detroitej72** · January-06-10, 07:35 AM

I would be shocked if Bats were to have gotten himself banned.

Stosh · January-06-10, 11:51 AM

It's amazing how much that their absence makes this side of DYES a more normal and sane message board. Actual reasoned opinions and responses for the most part. No Rethuglicans or Socialistic Rand-speak.