Debates
22 Dec 22
I dont think any country gives us money. I know we give billions, including to countries like Romania and Netherlands. And believe it or not, they accept it, while certain of their citizens say disparaging things about the USA. Given this fact, do you think these countries evolve more and more into having dependent citizens, who sort of take free money for granted?
A fair question.
22 Dec 22
@booger saidThe real estate hucksters would howl with fury if the government ever got back into the business of building public housing. It would drive down the price of housing and cut into their profits, after all.
Imagine how many apartment buildings could have been built for the homeless with that 50 billion that was just given to the Ukraine.
I'm hearing now the USA has given 100 billion to the Ukraine.
Is this the build back better plan they promised the USA? 🤣
It's the same thing with local or state governments trying to set up a public wifi system. Comcast, Verizon, and all the digital robber barons would come screaming to Washington to block it.
It's the same thing with the very good idea of letting the IRS figure people's taxes. H&R Block has fought that for decades, so taxpayers have to pay hundreds of dollars to determine what they owe or are owed.
The entire country is geared fully toward fattening private enterprises and speculators at the expense of the little people. We can't have a public health care option -- lobbyists for the private insurance robber barons make sure of that, though I can think of no better way of forcing them to charge reasonable rates short of a fully socialized medical system.
23 Dec 22
@soothfast saidAustralia had a balanced system where private medical operators and insurers could charge what they liked, and poor people were "bulk billed" to govt. at a lower fixed rate. Market forces kept charges reasonable until a new conservative (business before people) government pruned back the "bulk bill" fee and a lot of private operators refused to use it, sort of like an employers' strike in relation to a mandated pay increase. Now there aren't enough doctors to go around in the country areas where the sickest people live. So we get sicker, needing more treatment.
The real estate hucksters would howl with fury if the government ever got back into the business of building public housing. It would drive down the price of housing and cut into their profits, after all.
It's the same thing with local or state governments trying to set up a public wifi system. Comcast, Verizon, and all the digital robber barons would come screaming to ...[text shortened]... no better way of forcing them to charge reasonable rates short of a fully socialized medical system.
Gotta say, I'm much happier now that the "people before business" lot are back in power.
Capitalism is a great idea in theory, but unrestrained and unregulated capitalism is just as bad for humanity as unrestricted communism. The first ones to the top always pull up the ladder behind them.
23 Dec 22
@averagejoe1 saidOur country has a foreign aid budget too, but we have one-thirteenth of America's population so the dollar amounts are tiny by comparison. Is there any place where you can find comparative foreign-aid statistics on a per capita basis?
Yes to all of that, but to the point, do any of you live in a country that relies on money from the USA? Like, can you admit to it, and then we will refer back to where you've said ugly things about the USA.
Hey libs,, do you get it yet? Geez.
@averagejoe1 saidThat depends on how you define America.
I dont think any country gives us money. I know we give billions, including to countries like Romania and Netherlands. And believe it or not, they accept it, while certain of their citizens say disparaging things about the USA. Given this fact, do you think these countries evolve more and more into having dependent citizens, who sort of take free money for granted?
A fair question.
What money does the US directly give, for example, to the Netherlands?
23 Dec 22
@averagejoe1 saidWE give money to Israel, but that is earmarked for weapons sales, so we really give them weapons. That is how you know Israel is a defacto colony of the empire. We don't give to any nation we do not control. Provide would be a better term to describe it. Empires always provide for their puppet nations.
I dont think any country gives us money. I know we give billions, including to countries like Romania and Netherlands. And believe it or not, they accept it, while certain of their citizens say disparaging things about the USA. Given this fact, do you think these countries evolve more and more into having dependent citizens, who sort of take free money for granted?
A fair question.
23 Dec 22
@soothfast saidWhat other country would even consider privatizing the prison system ? Only in America ! 😆
The real estate hucksters would howl with fury if the government ever got back into the business of building public housing. It would drive down the price of housing and cut into their profits, after all.
It's the same thing with local or state governments trying to set up a public wifi system. Comcast, Verizon, and all the digital robber barons would come screaming to ...[text shortened]... no better way of forcing them to charge reasonable rates short of a fully socialized medical system.
23 Dec 22
@moonbus saidUnfortunately Australia has not only copied the idea, but we've gone overboard. The highest percentage of prisoners are in privately-run facilities.
What other country would even consider privatizing the prison system ? Only in America ! 😆
On the other hand, not many actually get there. Community corrections orders and suspended sentences are the preferred punishments.
@shavixmir saidWe feed your prostitution racket.
That depends on how you define America.
What money does the US directly give, for example, to the Netherlands?
Any more brain Busters?
Go on... Ask me another tough question 🙄
23 Dec 22
@averagejoe1 saidThe amount per capita that nations donate for international development is given here:
I dont think any country gives us money. I know we give billions, including to countries like Romania and Netherlands. And believe it or not, they accept it, while certain of their citizens say disparaging things about the USA. Given this fact, do you think these countries evolve more and more into having dependent citizens, who sort of take free money for granted?
A fair question.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_development_aid_sovereign_state_donors
The US is #17 on the list of Development Assistance Committee (DAC) member nations (which has about 30 members total).
What countries give money to Norway, which is #1?