A brief lesson in politics and economics

[atl]

Politics and economics are basically the same thing. They're inseperable. If the blogosphere wishes to preach something different, let them; it's their fantasy:

If I am the owner/CEO of a company of 1000 people, how do I make a $1,000,000?

I take $1,001.00 from each of the other 999 employees and put it into my pocket, or I take half of the money and put it into the bank and take the other half and pay off my local politicans to make sure the rules are in my favor. If the employees make a stink about it, just make up an excuse (probably something to do with the economy) and they usually buy into it. If some of them still won't play along, then can them.

Don't like that? Too bad, I can't hire you then. Nothing personal, it's just good business.

Politicians, same way. They can make an easy $500,000 or so from the same CEO who screwed over his/her employees. Just give the owner(s) the same benefit of the law and you will see your payment real soon. I suppose you'll have some of your voting block protest, but if it gives the rest of the shmucks jobs and benefits, who cares? That's all what really matters, right?

Okay then. If I'm the CEO of some major company in your state that employs 50,000 people, then I suppose I could get $50,048,999 from the other 49,999 people that work for me. That's a lot of politicians to pay. If there are dozens of companies in the same size range operating in your community, then you have a lot of wealthy people to pay off your so-called leadership.

Sorry, but that's how politics works. THere are two ways in the world to make a ton of money in a short time. One is to go the political route. Start out as a lowly poll worker for the various fly-by-night local politicians in the Union and hope that your immediate boss sees potential in you. Move up the ranks, kiss a little butt, and be sure to wear that lapel pin and the world is yours. Make the top politicians mad, and kiss your career goodbye.

YOu could also be in some small business and find a friend in the Legislature that likes you and is willing to take bribe money from you. Give him donations, and he/she/it/whatever will see to it that you are able to do business as you see fit. It doesn't matter if your business is some pigpen diner or a realtor firm, the right cash and the right contacts work every time. Your business grows thanks to your 'government' and voila - you're a rich man/woman/whatever. (Dell and MSFT grew this way)

THe only other way to make big money in a short time is in finance. YOu could start out in a pawnshop loaning obscene money to clowns down on their luck. Pretty much every state allows it; if someone 'pawns' a tool like a power saw for $100, they pay $10 per week until they can pay back the whole balance. Even if they only pay four weeks until they come up with the $100, they make $140 off some clown. If they pay the four weeks and never come back, then put the saw up for sale at $75 and you still make money. DO this with with a lot of items and you're in the money. (YOu should see the crap they sell at pawnshops. Most of it is junk not worth a penny, and the clientele that buys it is a bunch of goombas usually).

YOu could go the credit card route. Borrow money from a commerical bank at 5% and loan it out to someone at 16%. A loan of $100,000,000 at 5% interest for 120 months will cost you 1,060,655.15 per month. Cut it up into $500 blocks and loan that to 200,000 cardholders wanting credit and they run an average of $400 per account monthly which equals $20 minimum monthly payments for most companies. Even with a 20% nonpayment rate that's $38,400,000 in yearly revenue from minimum monthly payments. If the non-paying customers make you mad, sell their accounts to collection agencies and get maybe $0.10 on the dollar and you still make good money. Find a state like Delaware or Nevada where the credit and usury laws are lax, incorporate there, find a bunch of people willing to work in customer service, and you have your own credit card company.

That's how the jist of it is. They were loaning money and playing political games all over the world 2000 years ago. Nothing is new in American politics today versus the politics of the Roman EMpire or any other country in history. It's all Mickey Mouse games really. It's how your job was likely created and how your neighbor's was created and so forth. It's very likely what helped to fund the start of this site along with the rest of the Internet.

[stickmanjim007]

[Tal]

You either didn't read atl's post or you didn't get it at all.
He/she provided a very basic but comprehensive post about how it all works on a general macro level. Your post makes no sense in relation to the OPs.
In other words, what the hell are you on about?

[stickmanjim007]

I took you off ignore, just long enough to read what you wrote tal.

[Smiley Lord]

Ooo, is big, cool Jim afraid of a little old witch? Is he so afraid that he has to insult her like a five year old and then hide behind his little ignore screen? Is he so immature that he must spray his venom at a person orders of magnitude better then he'll ever be, only to slither back beyond her retaliation like the pitiful snake he is? Stickmanjim, congratulations, you are a brat and a pussy. Kinda like a 13 year old emo boy, except they actually grow up. You are a coward with no sense of honor, and are a disgrace to this thread and this forum.

[Guardian7347]

Ooo, is big, cool Jim afraid of a little old witch? Is he so afraid that he has to insult her like a five year old and then hide behind his little ignore screen? Is he so immature that he must spray his venom at a person orders of magnitude better then he'll ever be, only to slither back beyond her retaliation like the pitiful snake he is? Stickmanjim, congratulations, you are a brat and a pussy. Kinda like a 13 year old emo boy, except they actually grow up. You are a coward with no sense of honor, and are a disgrace to this thread and this forum.

FYI, he's a she. It kind of takes the wind out of your sails whenever you attack someone stating the wrong gender.
As for being a disgrace to the forums, I believe there is PLENTY of personal attacking that goes on here on DM from many, many people. As a matter of fact, you just engaged in it as well! Does this make YOU a disgrace to the thread and the forum? I would say no. You contribute plenty to the boards without resorting to hateful attacking, but occasionally, you get vindictive whenever someone pushes your buttons, like this posting right here. So...why is the standard different for other people? That said, Tal isn't a defenseless old lady. She's perfectly capable of fighting her own battles if she chooses, as are most of the people on here. Posting tends to make you thick-skinned.

[Smiley Lord]

Ooo, is big, cool Jim afraid of a little old witch? Is he so afraid that he has to insult her like a five year old and then hide behind his little ignore screen? Is he so immature that he must spray his venom at a person orders of magnitude better then he'll ever be, only to slither back beyond her retaliation like the pitiful snake he is? Stickmanjim, congratulations, you are a brat and a pussy. Kinda like a 13 year old emo boy, except they actually grow up. You are a coward with no sense of honor, and are a disgrace to this thread and this forum.

FYI, he's a she. It kind of takes the wind out of your sails whenever you attack someone stating the wrong gender.
As for being a disgrace to the forums, I believe there is PLENTY of personal attacking that goes on here on DM from many, many people. As a matter of fact, you just engaged in it as well! Does this make YOU a disgrace to the thread and the forum? I would say no. You contribute plenty to the boards without resorting to hateful attacking, but occasionally, you get vindictive whenever someone pushes your buttons, like this posting right here. So...why is the standard different for other people? That said, Tal isn't a defenseless old lady. She's perfectly capable of fighting her own battles if she chooses, as are most of the people on here. Posting tends to make you thick-skinned.

I have no illusions of being innocent or having the moral high ground, if that's what you're wondering. Nor do I see Tal as defenseless - far from it. I did this both for my own enjoyment and because I was disgusted by her actions. Attacking people is one thing, but not letting them defend themselves while replying so venomously to a non-hostile post crosses the line for me.

[Guardian7347]

That's a fair enough response with a valid point. SMJ's response was extremely harsh. Tal's post wasn't exactly non-hostile, although I will concede that if you're willing to dish it out, you need to be willing to take the blowback.

[Tal]

I took you off ignore, just long enough to read what you wrote tal.
So here is my last comment to you, afterwards I will put you back on ignore where you belong, you dried up old piece of turd.
Why don't you bust out with the dustbuster and go royally screw yourself, you disgraceful old witch. I've never come across such a foul mouth old woman, hateful, spiteful, and sucking up air and taking up space on God's green Earth that is better used even by dogs taking a dump.

There, now you are being ignored again, and I am
You can say whatever you like to whomever you like and I won't read it. So type until your gnarled old fingers fall off, I don't care TTFN

Yes you will. The block feature only works if you're logged in. I'm serious. You need to get out more and grow a thicker skin. Want a tissue to mop up those tears?

Thanks for the defence too SL. I wasn't expecting an intelligent or even vaguely grown up comeback. But I was serious about the question. I really had no idea how her post related to the OP at all. My guess is she didn't either which explains the ridiculous attempt at a comeback. The stick insect is notorious for insulting other members then hiding behind her block option. If you don't watch out, you'll be next. LOL.