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LAND OF OPPORTUNITY?

Reader comment on item: Europeans Fleeing Eurabia
in response to reader comment: Wrong Analysis

Submitted by DANIEL REDMOND (United States), Apr 24, 2008 at 22:05

The United States may still be considered the ultimate "land of opportunity" in the world today but the American dream has been tarnished considerably in recent years. To put it bluntly, we have an economic system, and a society itself, that is dysfunctional on a very fundamental level.

Consider these facts:

1) INFLATION RATE: Our currency is rapidly being eroded by inflation. Here is a shocking statistic. Between the years 1867 and 1967 the inflation of the U.S. dollar was a mere 125% for an entire century. In other words, one 1867 dollar bought as much as two dollars and twenty-five cents did a century later. Between 1967 and year 2007 inflation of our currency was 632%. That's six hundred and thirty-two percent. In just forty years! One 1967 dollar bought as much as six dollars and thirty-two cents did last year in 2007 forty years later. What's wrong with this picture?

2) BALLOONING DEBT: How can we think of ourselves as an economic power house when we remain the biggest debtor nation on Earth? Our federal government now holds a debt of neary TEN TRILLION DOLLARS. I know it's hard to wrap your mind around such a big number but another way of describing it is as TEN THOUSAND BILLION DOLLARS. Add to that a minimum of another one trillion dollars in consumer debt and you realize that we have an economic system that simply demands massive amounts of debt in order to sustain itself. Again, what's wrong with this picture?

3) LOST JOBS: Bottom line, there is nothing less patriotic than a large American corporation. Their only loyalty is to their stockholders and the bottom line. If this means moving jobs to Mexico or Korea to increase profits, that's what they'll do without blinking an eye. More and more we are becoming a nation of service providers, not a nation of manufacturers and builders. How can any economy remain robust when it has lost its manufacturing base? It can't. What's wrong with this picture?

4) THE GAME IS RIGGED: More and more the working class of Americans are sliding into poverty. Once upon a time a college degree virtually guaranteed a good job. Not anymore. People spend upwards of one hundred thousand dollars for a four year college curriculum and find themselves working for ten dollars an hour afterwards. So who is making money these days? The entire system has been designed to reward a few speculators. Among the latest group of financial 'masters of the universe' are hedge fund administrators. Last year the top dog in that racket made a personal profit of 3.7 billion dollars, with several others not far behind. And all they do is move other people's money around. Liberal icon George Soros once made a billion dollars profit in one single day on the London currency exchange. We now live in a society that thinks creating one multi-billionaire is more significant and admirable than offering employment to a million members of the working class. What's wrong with this picture? This imbalance cannot go on.

5) THE GREAT CAPITALIST CONUNDRUM: Do you know what capitalist economies have to regard as their biggest problem? Here's a clue: turn on the television and watch how many advertisements for new cars you see in ten minutes of air time. The adds are relentless. Buy a Buick! Buy a Ford! Buy a Nissan, a Toyota, a Honda, a Jaguar, a Chrysler, a Lincoln, a Cadillac!!! and buy it NOW NOW NOW!!! So think about it, does this indicate a shortage of cars out there or a shortage of buyers? Fact is, any advanced capitalist society becomes over-productive very quickly, and therein lies a difficult conundrum. With literally the ability to create a surplus of everything, how do we pretend that we can't? Well, preserving the monitary economic system takes precedence over distributing goods, so we pretend there is a lack of money, which is, after all, only a man-made medium of exchange. Did you know that during the Great Depression in the 1930's there was plenty of food around? Farmers deliberately burned grain and slaugtered livestock in order to keep prices high. Of course, this led to starvation on a wide scale but that was considered acceptable in order to preserve the dollar. Again, what's wrong with this picture?

6) MONEY AS A RELIGIOUS PURSUIT: I am not at all religious and don't wish to be either, whereas most Americans consider themselves to be Theists of one type or another. But what I've noticed in my nearly sixty years of life is that for real religious devotion you need look no further than the typical American's fetish with the DOLLAR. To us everything has a dollar value. How much is it worth? is a question applied to virtually everything and anything. Ever watched the Antiques Road Show on public television? What is it that everybody wants to find out about everything from a Chippendale writing table to a letter penned by Abraham Lincoln? That's right, how much is it worth? meaning, of course, how many dollars can I get for it. And when do people on the show suddenly become emotional? Only when they hear that their cherished object is worth a lot of money. Then they often break down in tears. And why not, suddenly coming in to a lot of money is the American version of a religious experience. Our heroes are last week's lottery winner or the guy who made his first million as a computer geek in his father's two-car garage. A house, a car, a lawn mower.....virtually anything, really.......has its price tag attached as a part of its very identity, as in that's a million dollar house or that's a ninety thousand dollar Mercedes. In pursuit of the money religion all things are reduced to the same common denominator and yet millions of our own citizens live in poverty. What's wrong with this picture?

THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY AIN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE...

Submitting....

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Reader comments (123) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
2Convincing Muslims of a hard truth [366 words]PrashantApr 26, 2021 02:32265989
2Converting Muslims out of Islam [288 words]A very concerned readerApr 26, 2021 17:14265989
2I'm a third world immigrant who pretty much fled Europe [215 words]JApr 19, 2021 19:52265791
info [59 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
more infoMar 7, 2015 07:01222165
Forget Newsweek, Check This Out ... [26 words]AlexAug 4, 2014 22:31216520
3Western (or otherwise) freedom is a two way street [251 words]PrashantNov 30, 2012 02:27201066
2emigration continues despite Geert [73 words]y Brandstetter MDJun 20, 2011 06:00186494
French Jews in Quebec? [33 words]Abu NudnikJul 6, 2010 13:02175181
Try more Calgary--Toronto aka Pigtown is venal and worthless! [107 words]DevasahayamJul 6, 2010 19:44175181
The topic was Jews fleeing Europe [84 words]Abu NudnikJul 19, 2010 13:46175181
Ridiculous [292 words]Joel CuerrierAug 3, 2012 10:15175181
Reasonable without the unnecessary insults [51 words]Abu NudnikAug 15, 2012 11:17175181
True [546 words]Joel CuerrierAug 17, 2012 20:06175181
1Another view from the U.S. [958 words]Cassandra (of Troy)Jun 5, 2010 08:38173874
1To Cassandra [556 words]Kepha HorAug 11, 2014 14:36173874
New Zealand not an option [109 words]TommoJan 14, 2009 19:11148056
1New Zealand secular, Australia not so much [127 words]Marwan JumaMar 16, 2010 18:53148056
1Come on over! [123 words]RockmelonJan 14, 2009 15:25148036
wake up [21 words]awakeJun 19, 2011 20:50148036
1Well aware of the Muslim President [387 words]RockmelonJul 5, 2011 23:18148036
Eurabia, The global insurgency has begun. The resistance is watching. [13 words]Michel du FerDec 29, 2008 16:18146176
It's a small world [168 words]RockyMay 26, 2008 23:59130120
soft [12 words]lukeMay 26, 2008 19:28130074
Unfortunately, some have "fled" to the US [23 words]DevasahayamMay 27, 2008 15:05130074
1Unfortunately, the British are coming to Canada too [98 words]Canadian Republican ( very rare species)Jun 1, 2008 08:23130074
And Canada has even worse INTERNALS [114 words]DevasahayamJun 2, 2008 09:13130074
Bouchard and his Parliamentary snub [272 words]Abu NudnikJul 6, 2010 13:23130074
2allow in Jews, not islamists who hate us. [36 words]Phil GreendApr 27, 2008 22:57127003
Welcome friends, not enemies [75 words]ChrisJan 12, 2009 15:48127003
Wrong Analysis [264 words]ghlobeApr 22, 2008 22:26126532
LAND OF OPPORTUNITY? [1001 words]DANIEL REDMONDApr 24, 2008 22:05126532
Leaving Eurabia or Eurocracy? [998 words]DéMillicanKunAhThalaiMay 10, 2008 11:24126532
Immigration in Sweden: The numbers and nothing but the numbers [335 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
pongApr 22, 2008 16:32126499
Tried to read their Lundgren article [42 words]YnnatchkahApr 22, 2008 12:39126486
Ynnatchkah: statistics [255 words]pongApr 22, 2008 17:58126486
I've found the exact numbers now! [63 words]pongApr 22, 2008 18:29126486
And where did they come from ? [124 words]pongApr 22, 2008 19:26126486
1Muslim migration to western countries [116 words]sejudeMar 15, 2012 06:48126486
1ANY WORD ON FINLAND? [121 words]DANIEL REDMONDMar 15, 2008 10:07122710
poor Finland [39 words]JMar 25, 2008 14:39122710
5JUMPING THE SINKING SHIP OF EUROPE [242 words]DANIEL REDMONDMar 25, 2008 20:06122710
1sorry to disappoint you . . . [107 words]Rebecca MouldsApr 22, 2008 22:16122710
1The Word on Finland [109 words]Straight_Talk_LuigiApr 22, 2008 22:45122710
1response to Rebecca Moulds [213 words]DANIEL REDMONDApr 23, 2008 19:31122710
2Amazing Finns [122 words]finnamericangirlApr 29, 2008 20:10122710
1REPLY TO 'FINNAMERICANGIRL' [118 words]DANIEL REDMONDMay 5, 2008 22:10122710
1Cultures of the North [278 words]Straight_Talk_LuigiMay 30, 2008 01:55122710
2Rabid dogs !!! [347 words]dfwhite19438Mar 14, 2008 17:27122657
2serves Europe right [73 words]Yuval Brandstetter MDMay 31, 2007 18:1495580
1Democracy [35 words]SarahJun 12, 2010 20:2195580
1Finally someone is waking up. Welcome to America [72 words]George AustinApr 12, 2007 21:2889098
Isn't it a bit lemmingish at this point for Jews to be emigrating to Israel? [150 words]traehApr 7, 2007 03:2688773
2Isreal Is Surrounded By Bees, But Will Survive [35 words]AnneMApr 12, 2007 06:4688773
taking over [17 words]eurabiaMar 18, 2008 11:4388773
2Possible mass flight from Europe? [118 words]MelMMar 17, 2007 20:5486665
1RE: EUROPEANS FLEEING EURABIA [70 words]DANIEL REDMONDMar 17, 2008 19:1486665
1Oh please come !!! [206 words]dfwhite19438Mar 14, 2007 16:4786306
Well said. [1 words]RichardApr 9, 2007 16:2286306
Leaving Europe [429 words]BenSep 23, 2006 14:4757200
Masterly [237 words]TerryMar 18, 2007 19:0257200
well said [135 words]LindaFeb 13, 2008 01:1557200
1RE: TERRY'S COMMENTS ON BRITAIN [407 words]DANIEL REDMONDMar 19, 2008 03:4157200
REALITY OF THE SITUATION [249 words]The Real OneJul 15, 2006 03:4949718
Catalysts of immigration [142 words]Man of the WestAug 2, 2006 16:1349718
USA the beacon of hope for many [327 words]The Real OneAug 31, 2006 19:1449718
Beacon of Hope [161 words]Man of the WestSep 1, 2006 16:1649718
What countries are people moving to? [15 words]PeterJun 6, 2007 12:5649718
2REPLY TO 'THE REAL ONE' [327 words]DANIEL REDMONDMar 15, 2008 09:5449718
2Dutch cowardice reaches the lowest of lows... [114 words]Unrepentent TexanJul 14, 2006 11:4249651
1Wrong attitude [157 words]Man of the WestAug 2, 2006 16:2449651
1I can't agree [147 words]Mary ConnorMar 22, 2007 08:2249651
1don't judge all in the same manner. [598 words]martMar 30, 2008 21:4449651
2So fight back already [182 words]Unrepentant TexanApr 8, 2008 10:4049651
2When will Europe "wake up"? (rhetorical question) [155 words]RealistSep 16, 2008 16:3149651
european emigration [227 words]NielsJul 14, 2006 11:4149650
European Left - La Trahison des clercs [212 words]VijayJul 12, 2006 13:2549510
Don't forget the crazy support for the bloody Khmers Rouges by European 'intellectuals'. [76 words]methlenAug 15, 2006 02:1349510
to vijay [8 words]Kepha HorAug 11, 2014 15:0249510
2Europe at a crossroads [211 words]DarrenJul 11, 2006 14:1749408
1Fleeing Europe [70 words]Man of the WestJul 12, 2006 15:4949408
1Stand up [46 words]Concerned AmericanNov 21, 2006 17:2049408
1Ponder.... [56 words]GalwayJan 26, 2007 12:4049408
You are right [5 words]TerryMar 18, 2007 19:2649408
2EuroIDIOTS [80 words]menodhimmiSep 10, 2010 18:0049408
How Will Europe Survive? [18 words]AlexJul 10, 2006 23:1249354
to Alex: How will Europe survive [114 words]Anubhav SinghAug 3, 2006 03:0049354
Coming Apart! [8 words]GalwayJan 24, 2007 12:5449354
Make it harder for Militant Islam [31 words]Octavio JohansonMar 10, 2006 19:2339680
Eurabia is a giant Kossovo [126 words]Octavio JohansonMar 10, 2006 10:0339624
What then [71 words]TerryMar 18, 2007 19:2239624
Neils, Saladin- You are part of the problem [45 words]Octavio JohansonMar 10, 2006 06:0139606
To Octavio [356 words]NielsMar 15, 2006 11:4139606
If at first you don't succeed....deny, deny, again. [127 words]joeJul 11, 2006 15:4839606
Sorry [48 words]TerryMar 18, 2007 19:3239606
Nazi and Soviet Comparison [121 words]SaladinMar 8, 2006 09:3639363
The European press [39 words]Octavio JohansonMar 9, 2006 16:5839363
Van Gogh:' America is the last beacon of hope in a steadily darkening world' [94 words]Ben van de PolderMar 6, 2006 22:5439125
Dutch mistakes and the Van Gogh tragedy [84 words]Octavio JohansonMar 7, 2006 03:3639125
Dutch mistakes? [561 words]NielsMar 7, 2006 14:1439125
Countries willing to fight back??? [113 words]SaladinMar 7, 2006 15:0639125
Saladin, Nazis and Soviets [79 words]Octavio JohansonMar 7, 2006 17:0739125
to Niels [553 words]SiddaMar 7, 2006 19:3239125
to Sidda [748 words]NielsMar 8, 2006 07:1539125
Europeans Fleeing "Eurabia" [179 words]SaladinMar 8, 2006 12:0839125
1back at you, Niels [1386 words]SiddaMar 8, 2006 18:3339125
Neils [140 words]Octavio JohansonMar 9, 2006 10:3239125
and to you Sidda [1231 words]NielsMar 9, 2006 11:0239125
A thoughtful answer to Neil [235 words]Octavio JohansonMar 9, 2006 11:0739125
To saladin [891 words]nielsMar 9, 2006 12:0339125
to Niels and Sidda [23 words]M. al-ContentMar 9, 2006 17:1139125
It is not about the USA [194 words]Octavio JohansonMar 9, 2006 17:1739125
List of Dutch mistakes [20 words]Octavio JohansonMar 10, 2006 06:1839125
Europeans Fleeing "Eurabia"- Octavio [488 words]SaladinMar 10, 2006 22:4639125
Europe will be conquered by muslims, trust it! [207 words]Muhammad AriefJul 12, 2006 10:4639125
Arief [282 words]LisaAug 6, 2006 23:3439125
Thank u Lisa Dear [100 words]RiseDec 12, 2006 06:5439125
Muhammad Arief - Sir [475 words]LisaDec 12, 2006 17:4039125
3Why are Europeans so Wimpy? [124 words]DebraTApr 11, 2007 15:0939125
mongol hordes [578 words]onlineMar 30, 2008 22:3439125
TO THE JEWS OF EUROPE, WELCOME [84 words]DONVANMar 6, 2006 15:3939085
1You throw out peaceful Jews, you invite in Moslems who believe they should destroy you! Smart !! [92 words]farahJul 13, 2006 18:4639085
I agree, Welcome to America! [9 words]KeliMar 13, 2007 08:1339085
1Islam and Europe [368 words]David SternlightMar 30, 2007 03:3239085

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