The massive U.S. humanitarian effort in Haiti has led some to charge America with becoming occupiers. However, if this was true, we didn't have to wait until an earthquake to re-colonize Haiti and if we had it would have been much to the benefit of Haitians. Just compare our Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with independent Haiti.
Worry not. When we are done helpoimg the people of Haiti, we will exit and leave the Haitians and the do-gooders to continue their destruction of a once beautiful country, much like liberals and their crazy policies have done in inner city America.
If you guys come to Texas you can apply for one of those "green jobs" you have always dreamed about. There are currently a few openings in our master planned community's landscaping department. You will have to learn some Spanish lingo though because most of the workers are illegal Mexican immigrants. All you need is a few phrases like "el lawnmowero" and "el weed whipo" and you can qualify for your "green job." Leave your rainbow flags and shirts back in the "State of buckeye nuts" though.
Been there, done that, got the hat. I have a full time job its called retirement. It not easy collecting all of those pensions and keeping the economy above water. As for the rainbow clothes I believe they sell those out by Bush's ranch.
WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! Press "1" for English. Press "2" to disconnect until you learn to speak English. And remember only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, JESUS CHRIST and the AMERICAN SOLDIER. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
Well, I have enjoyed reading this forum, and always wish I had something important to add... Anyway, I think that (even though it all seems unfair), one thing that (still)makes this country great is that in spite of the cheesy promises made by the rest of the world, the USA has made an effort to be compassionate, charitable, and kind. Never mind the administration's promises, and the military, and all the institutional aid - there has been an amazing and gratifying grass roots response from Americans to the Haitians' misery. None of us has ever known that kind of despair, and it's appropriate that as Americans - churches, Boy Scouts, entertainers, whoever - we add our drop to the bucket of aid that has been provided to those people.
Randy's bragging about his pensions, but they're nothing compared with mine. I need a wheelbarrow just for the change. And John, it's true that there are lots of Mexicans here in Texas. They do all the work while we Nothern transplants are relasxing in our gated master planned communities. It's 73 degrees today here with a little breeze. How do you guys like freezing you asses off in the rust belt? I also heard that they are working on changing the Ohio State flag to the rainbow flag. You and Randy would probably vote for that.
Fred Are you using a illegal to push your wheelbarrow. When you go to Goodwill do you speak your native language or do you speak texas ebonics. (Spanish with a drawl) We don't have to change our state flag. Texas is the only state that I know of that changed there flag. You should try bottled water maybe you can get some of you brain power back. make sure its from up north. Put some on the grass too, maybe it will correct your color vision problem.
If the goal in life is to maximize ones net worth (assets minus liabilities) and accumulate the most toys, then by definition, it's impossible to do it by borrowing. Credit card balances and 2nd mortgages are foolish. Every dollar spent on interest decreases the income statement and eventually the balance sheet.
I lived in Texas twice and it took me 3 days to remember why I left the first time. I'll stay in Ohio where the men are men. You would show me how to drink the water and I'm dumb enough now.
Is an automobile actually an extended penis or just transportation? When a wimp drives a huge pick up truck does he become big and strong or is he still a little wimp? Are people who drive BMWs and Lexus cars really cool or are they still assholes? Are people who drive Volvos intelligent or just stupid enough to buy an over-priced piece of shit. Is it rational to drive a huge gas hog back and forth to work? Why is it essential for every soccer mom to drive a huge SUV to deposit their brat, one soccer ball and one lawn chair to the soccer complex?
Well done John! My finances were also ship shape too before I retired. I guess we have both been conserbative with our money. Someone should explain that to Obama as he seems hell bent on spemding the country into oblivian.
John, sorry about your friend. I have lost a dozen friends who I worked with since I retired who were my age or younger. I never thought I would out live them but maybe retirement has been healthy for me.
Every entity: family, corporation, government has the same financial challenge. They can either be careful (conservative) with their spending and thrive or borrow and die. General Motors now is living on government handouts from a Federal government that is insolvent. Republicans haven't done any better than Democrats with their spending. The Fed will either default on their bonds or print increasingly worthless money.
I believe that you only have so many heart beats and it decided when your born. I hope everyone has lived there life to the fullest every day of there life. I know that I have been blessed and have lived a great life. I don't have the money that Fred and John have but he who dies with the most toys wins. But like you guys I don't pay interest. I like zero percent. I keep newer cars because I spend all my time on the old car. The one thing about retirement is that I don't care what the government does any more. The crooks in Washington have been there longer than I have. They will keep stealing after I'm long gone. I believe there is something in the constitution that says everyone shall be treated the same. There must be a addendum some where that says it dosen't include the house or senate. Just my two cents
If you run your weed whip up against the femce and break the string do you cut the machine in pieces and throw it in the trash or do you thread a new string on it?
If that is true then why do people cut up their credit cards? Cards are useful tools too that can provide convenience and which can actually increase your net worth through miles and cash back if used properly.
Sometimes weed whip operators and credit card users nedd re-training.
You might want to look at some of your cards. I under stand that the card companies are going to start charging fees for not using them, or fees if you pay them off every month. You might want to check it out. Google (new credit card fees) I'm sure the Fred the Grouch will be back.
The house you live in may be your biggest asset but never think of it as a good investment but as just a good place to live. After you poured all that mortgage interest, real estate taxes, home insurance, maintenace, paint, carpeting, new roof, new windows, new appliances, and labor into the dump how can you call it an investment? If you sell it for a profit, it will all go towards another equally inflated hovel unless you want to live in a tent. And here is the dumbest idea: make expensive upgrades just before you sell the rat trap so the next people can enjoy them. Your house is a home not an investment.
I've lived a great life, better than I desrve. America is such a wonderful country. It would be interesting to send some of the welfare types who are always complaining to Haiti or Zimbabwee and give them something real to complain about. They couldn't complain anymore about not getting another free lunch because those lard asses would BE LUNCH.
I believe that it should be a mandatory for each senior in high school to go to a foreign country before they graduate. They might find out how the people in other countries live. In turn they might respect this country a little more.
We take a lot for granted in the USA. Most people have cars, dish washers, electricty, phones ect. I have been in country's that don't have public transportation let alone cars. They don't have the privilage to get in there cars and go see there grand kids. (They walk) They have to haul the water to cook and clean with. No faucets to turn on and leave running. No light switches to leave on.
I don't remember my Dad ever telling me to mow the grass but the grass was always mowed. And the list goes on.
The kids today just want more and more not realizing how good they have it.
A trip would benifit them as much as us I think.
In the 80's Hugo took my parents home out. They were visiting me in Ohio when it happened so they didn't get hurt. There house was destroyed and just about everything in it. I took my son out of school to go to South Carolina and help salvage what we could. He got a great education, we lived with no electricty or water. To flush the toilets we poured lake water in the toilet tank that we hauled from the lake. When the sun went down we went to bed. Didn't have to worry about talking on the phone there wasn't any for miles. When he returned to school he gave lectures of what it was like there.
I agree with your idea of sending high school students abroad to learn about other cultures. If we are lucky many won't come back. There are no jobs here for them anyway. I was overseas for 5 years and didn't really want to come back.
I was in Puerto Rico a few years after Hugo. When we took a tour of the rain forest we were surprized to see that the whole rain forest was less than five feet tall. It seemed that Hurricane Hugo had knocked it down. Such is life on a Caribbean Island. Nothing is permanent. Haiti is a recent example. But Haiti was a basket case before the earthquake. They are not much worse off now.
Gotta stop because I am starting to ramble like Randy
I agree that the peace corps is a good way for young people to learn about other cultures. The war corps (military) is good too. Randy and I could tell you a few stories about our cultural experiences in the US Army to make your hair stand on end. I learmed a lot from being stationed overseas for 5 years, but it made me realize what a great country we live in.
