A victory for Socialism! Hollande defeats Sarkozy!

[thegreekdog]

I hope people realize that one can increase spending and also reduce the deficit (and the debt). One need only raise taxes sufficiently. Which would probably be awesome for the European economy right now.

[Symmetry]

I hope people realize that one can increase spending and also reduce the deficit (and the debt). One need only raise taxes sufficiently. Which would probably be awesome for the European economy right now.

We've put enough money into the banking sector- it's not like they're actually using that money to invest in businesses. May as well take it back from what they actually spent it on- high wages and bonuses for their staff.

[Phatscotty]

I have always said, I will support tax increases the same day the government can show me it's not the greediest most wasteful entity on earth.

We don't trust our gov't, why would we give them more money? They don't know how to not abuse the money and power. They don't deserve it, and they people the money is supposed to help are only getting a fraction of what we send them, while the gov't fatcats get fatter and grow larger. It's not working.

[Symmetry]

I have always said, I will support tax increases the same day the government can show me it's not the greediest most wasteful entity on earth.

We don't trust our gov't, why would we give them more money? They don't know how to not abuse the money and power. They don't deserve it.

Are you saying that the US government is the most greedy, wasteful entity on earth? Or are you advocating global anarchy?

[Phatscotty]

I have always said, I will support tax increases the same day the government can show me it's not the greediest most wasteful entity on earth.

We don't trust our gov't, why would we give them more money? They don't know how to not abuse the money and power. They don't deserve it.

Are you saying that the US government is the most greedy, wasteful entity on earth? Or are you advocating global anarchy?

I'm saying....

I have always said, I will support tax increases the same day the government can show me it's not the greediest most wasteful entity on earth.

We don't trust our gov't, why would we give them more money? They don't know how to not abuse the money and power. They don't deserve it, and they people the money is supposed to help are only getting a fraction of what we send them, while the gov't fatcats get fatter and grow larger. It's not working.

[Symmetry]

I have always said, I will support tax increases the same day the government can show me it's not the greediest most wasteful entity on earth.

We don't trust our gov't, why would we give them more money? They don't know how to not abuse the money and power. They don't deserve it.

Are you saying that the US government is the most greedy, wasteful entity on earth? Or are you advocating global anarchy?

I'm saying....

I have always said, I will support tax increases the same day the government can show me it's not the greediest most wasteful entity on earth.

We don't trust our gov't, why would we give them more money? They don't know how to not abuse the money and power. They don't deserve it, and they people the money is supposed to help are only getting a fraction of what we send them, while the gov't fatcats get fatter and grow larger. It's not working.

But when you say "the government", you mean the US government, right? You're not one of these crazy conspiracy theorists talking about a global governing illuminati or something like that? Or saying that government in any form is the most greedy and wasteful entity- i.e. anarchism?

You're saying that the US government is the most greedy wasteful entity on earth?

[Phatscotty]

You are correct I was talking about the US gov't. I am not some shallow troll who rants and raves daily about a foreign country.

I understand some foreigners are obsessed with how America chooses to live, and that's just sad. Foreigners should mind their own business. I hear their countries have far too many problems of their own. Maybe that's because their subjects spend so much time worrying about a country they do not even live in.

[Symmetry]

You are correct I was talking about the US gov't. I am not some shallow troll who rants and raves daily about a foreign country. I would not allow myself to let everyone see me speak so foolishly about something that I did not understand and is none of my business.

I understand some foreigners are obsessed with how America chooses to live, and that's just sad.

So you see the US government as the greediest most wasteful entity on earth.

[Phatscotty]

You are correct I was talking about the US gov't. I am not some shallow troll who rants and raves daily about a foreign country. I would not allow myself to let everyone see me speak so foolishly about something that I did not understand and is none of my business.

I understand some foreigners are obsessed with how America chooses to live, and that's just sad.

So you see the US government as the greediest most wasteful entity on earth.

Oh goody! Are we almost to the part where you tell me I don't know anything about my own country and I get to learn about my own country from a foreigner who hates my country?

[Symmetry]

Having established that, Scotty, how do you feel about people who wage open war on the entity that you describe as the most greedy and wasteful in the world, i.e, the US government?

Or would you care to walk back some of your statements to the point of reasonable discussion?

[thegreekdog]

I hope people realize that one can increase spending and also reduce the deficit (and the debt). One need only raise taxes sufficiently. Which would probably be awesome for the European economy right now.

We've put enough money into the banking sector- it's not like they're actually using that money to invest in businesses. May as well take it back from what they actually spent it on- high wages and bonuses for their staff.

Okay. We'll see what happens then.

[Symmetry]

I hope people realize that one can increase spending and also reduce the deficit (and the debt). One need only raise taxes sufficiently. Which would probably be awesome for the European economy right now.

We've put enough money into the banking sector- it's not like they're actually using that money to invest in businesses. May as well take it back from what they actually spent it on- high wages and bonuses for their staff.

Okay. We'll see what happens then.

Not meaning to be pithy, or anything, but we're seeing what happens right now. Austerity to fund bankers isn't a popular move in a democracy. Especially when said austerity doesn't equate to economic recovery.

[thegreekdog]

I hope people realize that one can increase spending and also reduce the deficit (and the debt). One need only raise taxes sufficiently. Which would probably be awesome for the European economy right now.

We've put enough money into the banking sector- it's not like they're actually using that money to invest in businesses. May as well take it back from what they actually spent it on- high wages and bonuses for their staff.

Okay. We'll see what happens then.

Not meaning to be pithy, or anything, but we're seeing what happens right now. Austerity to fund bankers isn't a popular move in a democracy. Especially when said austerity doesn't equate to economic recovery.

Yeah, I mean what happens after that. No austerity for us could also mean no money for us. I think we should see what happens in Greece (and Portugal and Italy and now France) before we celebrate democracy in action. I mean, it's all great that the French have replaced Sarkozy, but it doesn't mean that the citizens have selected someone who will help the country. Remember when the United States citizenry elected Barack Obama? Things going better now? I would venture to say the people who voted for Barack Obama are for the most part worse off (and the people who voted for John McCain are for the most part better off).

[Symmetry]

I hope people realize that one can increase spending and also reduce the deficit (and the debt). One need only raise taxes sufficiently. Which would probably be awesome for the European economy right now.

We've put enough money into the banking sector- it's not like they're actually using that money to invest in businesses. May as well take it back from what they actually spent it on- high wages and bonuses for their staff.

Okay. We'll see what happens then.

Not meaning to be pithy, or anything, but we're seeing what happens right now. Austerity to fund bankers isn't a popular move in a democracy. Especially when said austerity doesn't equate to economic recovery.

Yeah, I mean what happens after that. No austerity for us could also mean no money for us. I think we should see what happens in Greece (and Portugal and Italy and now France) before we celebrate democracy in action. I mean, it's all great that the French have replaced Sarkozy, but it doesn't mean that the citizens have selected someone who will help the country. Remember when the United States citizenry elected Barack Obama? Things going better now? I would venture to say the people who voted for Barack Obama are for the most part worse off (and the people who voted for John McCain are for the most part better off).

I sort of get this thing where everything has to be tied back in to US politics, then you get to say "you know nothing about US politics", but dude, take a look at Hollande. He won for a pretty good reason.

[Night Strike]

I sort of get this thing where everything has to be tied back in to US politics, then you get to say "you know nothing about US politics", but dude, take a look at Hollande. He won for a pretty good reason.

Because people don't want to live or govern responsibly?

[Symmetry]

I sort of get this thing where everything has to be tied back in to US politics, then you get to say "you know nothing about US politics", but dude, take a look at Hollande. He won for a pretty good reason.

Because people don't want to live or govern responsibly?

Seriously dude, get a passport, visit another country.

[betiko]

You are correct I was talking about the US gov't. I am not some shallow troll who rants and raves daily about a foreign country.

I understand some foreigners are obsessed with how America chooses to live, and that's just sad. Foreigners should mind their own business. I hear their countries have far too many problems of their own. Maybe that's because their subjects spend so much time worrying about a country they do not even live in.

so if foreigners should mind their own business, who are you to talk about french politics? you are a foreigner bringing in his 2 cents about the politics in my country, in a thread about french politics as far as I know. and i don't mind freedom of speach.

Regarding Hollande, most people have more voted against sarkzy than for Hollande. Many stupid people haven't put our national debt as the number 1 priority. our national debt is really bad, but not as bad as the american that goes beyond its gross national income.
I think that Hollande is not qualified to become president. I would've voted for Strauss Khan, but unfortunately he has some penis problems and feels like banging anything with a pair of tits. This guy was a great economist and surely would've known what to do to reboost the economy.
And yes, i think that it's normal that wealthier people pay more taxes than people in need, but to a reasonable extent. french people have a problem with rich people which is just ridiculous; and yes, they also have a problem with strikes.

I voted center for the first ballot (bayrou) who was all about reducing the debt, and right (sarkozy) for the second ballot and i'm really concerned about how this guy is going to greek my country in 5 years time.

[thegreekdog]

I sort of get this thing where everything has to be tied back in to US politics, then you get to say "you know nothing about US politics", but dude, take a look at Hollande. He won for a pretty good reason.

There's a lot wrong with this post:

(1) I cited the example I cited because I follow American politics. I'm not saying Sarkozy is Bush and Hollande is Obama.
(2) I cited the example in response to your post where you indicated that "The people have spoken" (I'm paraphrasing). My response, generally, was that the people speaking doesn't necessarily reflect something good happening (and I provided an example).
(3) I've never indicated that you don't know about US politics. I do question why you have such a seemingly vested interest in US politics. And I also obviously rarely agree with your take on US politics.
(4) I'm sure he won for a good reason. President Obama won for a good reason. It doesn't mean that Hollande is going to do better - hence, the "Okay, we'll see" post from me.

[AndyDufresne]

I sort of get this thing where everything has to be tied back in to US politics, then you get to say "you know nothing about US politics", but dude, take a look at Hollande. He won for a pretty good reason.

Because people don't want to live or govern responsibly?

When I'm elected president, we will all be able to live and govern irresponsibly. Please, sign-up below if you want to be one of the first adopters.


--Andy

[Neoteny]

I hate living responsibly.

Sign me up for nationalized bananas.

[Timminz]

Everyone knows that the only people who support being responsible at all are American, Christian, conservatives. The rest of us are going to hell for a reason.

[AndyDufresne]

I hate living responsibly.

Sign me up for nationalized bananas.

We'll take on the world, one irresponsible move at a time.


--Andy

[vodean]

You are correct I was talking about the US gov't. I am not some shallow troll who rants and raves daily about a foreign country.

I understand some foreigners are obsessed with how America chooses to live, and that's just sad. Foreigners should mind their own business. I hear their countries have far too many problems of their own. Maybe that's because their subjects spend so much time worrying about a country they do not even live in.

well... the US is a good example, but it is by no means the only, nor is it the worst. In fact every nation wastes incredible amounts of money. all of em.

its too bad so many of the best candidates have penis problems, and that the media is so good at pointing them out.

[Phatscotty]

[Phatscotty]

Everyone knows that the only people who support being responsible at all are American, Christian, conservatives. The rest of us are going to hell for a reason.

Just because you think debt = prosperity does not mean you are going to hell. It just makes you a fool

Debt is the oldest cause for slavery