Values or the Economy?
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| Sat, 07-10-2004 - 1:41pm |
I have also read threads that address the questioned why do people vote against their own economic interest. Why are they content to see the Republicans time and again pass legislation that benefits the corporations at the expense of the people. The answer is of course they place abortion, gay marriage and school prayer ahead of their economic interests. Therefore, Ken Lay and other corporate execs can walk away with billions and a short term in prison. It’s OK that their children and grandchildren will be paying back a national debt. It’s OK that the medicare bull gives money to the corporations at the public expense with little benefit to seniors.
I saw a article in the Washington Post –the beginning is quoted below:
Rhetoric On Values Turns Personal
Attacks Sharpen In Presidential Race
By Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, July 10, 2004; Page A01
BEAVER, W.Va., July 9 -- The growing debate over the presidential candidates' values turned personal Friday, as Sen. John F. Kerry blasted President Bush for laziness and lax pursuit of Enron Corp.'s Kenneth L. Lay, while the Bush campaign accused the new Democratic ticket of condoning a "star-studded hate-fest."
Kerry, who is trying to make values a centerpiece of his campaign, unexpectedly found himself on the defensive after he praised performers who called the president a "thug" and a killer during a Democratic fundraiser Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Friday's debate demonstrated not only how personal the attacks have become, but also the aggressiveness of both campaigns as they move toward their national conventions. With polls showing the two sides still running essentially even nationally, advisers to Bush and Kerry have made clear they are unwilling to cede any issue or any ground with so much at stake in such a competitive election. It also shows how values and cultural issues will play a prominent role in each party's strategy for victory, especially in the South and in rural communities.â€
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38595-2004Jul9.html
My first thought: Kerry is playing into Bush’s hand;Bush must be delighted, Kerry is diverting the issue to culture not the war or economics. What a way to loose, or is it?
There is a book out entitled “What is the matter with Kansas?" By Thomas Frank, It's "the same thing that's been the matter with America for so many years: the culture wars." In his book WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH KANSAS Frank, a native Kansan and onetime Republican, seeks to answer some broader American riddles: Why do so many of us vote against our economic interests? Where's the outrage at corporate manipulators? And whatever happened to middle-American progressivism? The questions are urgent as well as provocative. Frank answers them by examining pop conservatism -- the bestsellers, the radio talk shows, the vicious political combat -- and showing how our long culture wars have left us with an electorate far more concerned with their leaders' "values" and down-home qualities than with their stands on hard questions of policy.
A brilliant analysis -- and funny to boot -- What's the Matter with Kansas? presents a critical assessment of who we are, while telling a remarkable story of how a group of frat boys, lawyers, and CEOs came to convince a nation that they spoke on behalf of the People.
http://www.henryholt.com/holt/whatsthematter.htm
http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/culturewars.html
Knowing the game should make the election more interesting.

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Always? No, but most of the time people do prosper.
"Also companies benefit when they send their work out of country"
Outsourcing is a difficult challenge. However, I prefer to look at it from a different angle. Yes some jobs are going oversees. However, because we are an intelligent and skilled populous we can adapt. Did farm hands go out of business with the invention of the plow? Yes but perhaps they got a job in the expanding manufacturing field. Our citizens will adapt, we always have.
"comanies have started hiring contractors, so they don't have to pay for inusrance, sick leave, vacation etc"
True but consider this. When one works for a full time employer they make $30 an hour but when one works for other companies as a consultant they charge $75 or more an hour. The company pays the money just not to multiple receipients.
"Employees are exploited and it is disgusting that President Bush has created laws that would let them do it."
Come on....lets get over this class warfare.
>>>Come on....lets get over this class warfare.<<<
I will when situation improves.
By the way have you hired a plumber? $75/hr isn't uncommon, in fact its cheap.
"I will when situation improves."
Don't be a pessimist, the situation isn't going to change dramatically regardless of politcal party. Situations change when you change them. If you are being "exploited" change the situation. Freedom is a wonderful thing, use it to the best of your abilities.
Jim
The struggle for power can be most vicious, but I don't know how religion and politics works in India. I will look for the movie "DEV", although I don't know if my local Blockbusters will have it.
What is Hindutva?
Previously, jobs have been lost to technological advancement and the advancement required different skills. In the present case jobs are being lost because of greed, and there is no change in technology to create new jobs. Of course Americans will adapt, but the government should have stepped in to alleviate some of the pain.
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I just don't buy your argument, it is much to facile. Many more factors are involved. What I do know is that companies never make a decision that doesn't benefit its bottom line. Employees become victums of this drive for a greater profit.
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I could turn aroung and tell you to wake up, this is class warfare!
Well aren't you successful! Sarcasim intended. Your personal tale doesn't make Palak wrong. BTW, she is entitled to her opinion without your judgment.
"Well aren't you successful! Sarcasim intended. Your personal tale doesn't make Palak wrong. BTW, she is entitled to her opinion without your judgment."
Nice. Ok. First, I was not bragging, so your sarcasm was unnecessary.
My personal tale, anecdotal evidence of others, along with 100s of other sources of information and examples make Palak wrong. I suspect that Palak's information is based on her experiences in life about what someone can make in a particular field, therefore my experiences are just as pertinent.
By her opinion I am assuming you are referring to the class warfare comment. When you post to a board about how the little man is being abused by the evil corporation it is important to point out other alternatives. If you go through life believing you are a victim then you will be one. Stand up, quit looking for excuses, find what you are good at, and go succeed. Failure is only an option if you let it be. If that is passing judgment then so be it.
By the way, none of this is personally aimed at Palak or anyone else. My comments are directed at the larger idea that corporations are not always evil. Believing you are a vitim to a larger faceless corporation allows you to be.
I agree that I can change the situation, I am in no way pessimistic. My husband and I were optimistic even when we didn't have job. But I think it is the job of govt to help indivuduals by laws and policies when the number of people affected are in thousands.
Hindutva means Hindu religion, hindu culture, hindu philosophy etc, but it has been politically used in the last few years to divide the nation. They say India belongs to hindus/Aryans. Here are couple of links that will show the abuse of hindu religion.
http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl1720/17200150.htm
http://www.foil.org/politics/hindutva/hindutva.html
Where exactly did this come from. Just curious, why do you fill the need to make judgments, they are just your conclusions.
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Who said corportions are evil. Corporations are just that an enterprise to make money. This is not evil, even the men who run these businesses are not evil. My contention is that the goal of any business to make money, the more money the better, anyway possible. Employees are not necessarily victims, but they do suffer when corporations make decision, that adversely effect them, and to expect corporations to regulate themselves is unrealistic. I find fault with a government who backs corporations at the expense of the people. Government should be for the people not wealthy, powerful corporations. Further, I don't see the world as black/white or good/evil; therefore, you should not extrapolate from my comments to those judgments.
History tells us that when businesses aren't restrained by law, the little guy get's hurt.
I
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