I was out tonight with my sister at a mall, and it was mobbed! Here we are on the 1st of December and the shops are packed with people spending money they haven't got. Shops and businesses have become super greedy 'hungry ghosts'. Christmas here in GB starts the last week of October. The shops then are feeling schizophrenic they are full of Halloween bumpf and starting to stock mince pies, xmas cards, wrapping paper, and tinsel.
I am sometimes accused of being anti-American but I can't help think that everything bad in the world had it's origin in American or American ways of thinking. Americans need another revolution because what you have now is "Terror abroad and repression at home." Are there no American patriots here at Susan's? Have you never thought of joining your state's Militia?
I say money they haven't got because unemployment is at a near '80s high. Youth unemployment is higher than it was in the evil Maggie's day. Jobs are being advertised more and more as 20 hours a week and/or temporary. Stupid, crap jobs are treated like they were interviewing for the head of Microsoft. They should invite to an interview the first 5 people who submit an application and employ the first half-decent person they see, but no they force applicants to undergo three rounds of interviews before they will offer someone a boring, dead-end job paying rock-bottom minimum wage of £9,600 or around $15,000 for a 40 hour week.*
Strange as may seem to Americans here in Britain we follow American fads and fashions slavishly.
I have long believed that Britain has to break away from our false friend America and embrace Europe. We must stop playing the obedient and highly impressionable 'little brother' to America and go our own way. Britain has never been the same since the wicked Maggie chose to become Reagan's biatch. That might explain my studying Italian, French, German and Spanish.
:)
* Please do not say 'well maybe food and the cost of living is cheaper in Great Britain than it is in America?' When I was in Florida we were astonished at how cheap the food was in supermarkets, and how cheap cars and even houses were. Did you know that Scotch whisky is cheaper in France than it is here in Scotland where it is made?
Quote from: Happy Girl! on December 01, 2011, 08:45:36 PM
I am sometimes accused of being anti-American but I can't help think that everything bad in the world had it's origin in American or American ways of thinking. Americans need another revolution because what you have now is "Terror abroad and repression at home." Are there no American patriots here at Susan's? Have you never thought of joining your state's Militia?
Let's take a look at that statement to see if it is actually true.
You say that is all bad in the world came out of America. Now if that is actually true then there should never have been any empire building before America exited.
Let's see there were the Germans,British,Dutch French,Spanish,Chinese,Romans Mongols etc that all wanted to build empires and repress other societies so much so that many of the countries around them had to pay tribute to keep the peace or they would be wiped out. Many also had kingdoms and fiefdoms that were very repressive to their own people.
Slavery I believe started long before America even existed.
Most of what is happening in the world has been happening since man came into existence. (It's only the technology has changed)
This thread deviated from what I intended so the thread title is misleading.
My local mall used to have great shops now there are more charity shops and cheap crap shops than ever before.
We'll all be living in the woods and trying to avoid the cannibal armies if the bankers have their way.
Unfortunately it's not just the bankers. You also have to include the politicians and corporations. They all have their hands in the cookie jar and if you do not have power,money or influence it seems that they would just as soon that the rest of us just go away.
American speculators wrecked the Greek, Portuguese and Italian economies. The fleas have finally killed the dog!
Quote from: Happy Girl! on December 01, 2011, 08:45:36 PM
I was out tonight with my sister at a mall, and it was mobbed! Here we are on the 1st of December and the shops are packed with people spending money they haven't got.
So, what where you doing at the mall ? Spending money you do not have just like the rest of AMERIANS UR POOPOING
u COME AS AN HYPOCRIT
Quote from: Jen61 on December 01, 2011, 09:21:30 PM
So, what where you doing at the mall ? Spending money you do not have just like the rest of AMERIANS UR POOPOING
u COME AS AN HYPOCRIT
Actually we were at the library and didn't spend a penny.
:laugh:
I intended this as a ' how do Americans see Christmas' and it turned into a socio-economic rant.
QuoteAre there no American patriots here at Susan's? Have you never thought of joining your state's Militia?
1. The "second Revolution", if there will be one, will *not* be announced, planned, or talked about online. First rule of security: STFU (not to be rude, but...)
2. Have you ever been to a "militia" meeting? I have. There's a saying among such groups: "If 3 militiamen are together, one's a Fed and the second is an informant...the third is a stupid ass for talking to ANYONE about his ideas." (I paraphrase, of course)
3. Christmas being "commercialized" has been a complaint of many people for at least 40 years (when I first heard it). It's because of this Golden Idol we have called "capitalism." Everything HAS to make money, or else it's tossed. (Look at our Halloween celebrations--it used to be just for kids and cheap "hobo" or "princess" costumes...now adults can spend hundreds of dollars on props and sound machines to create the perfect "haunted house"... = money in the bank for the sellers)
4. Buying gifts "with money they don't have"...assuming you are correct (and there could be a debate on that!), you're referring to the use of credit cards. True, that's money the consumer doesn't have...but it is money that the investors have, and they want a return on their investments. Again, we see the Golden Idol of Capitalism.
Welcome to the New World Order.
Btw, have you read "The Lexus and the Olive Tree"?
Quote from: Happy Girl! on December 01, 2011, 09:55:51 PM
I intended this as a ' how do Americans see Christmas' and it turned into a socio-economic rant.
They're tied together. Christmas is our national holiday, celebrating consumerism and wealth. The Christians try to remind people that it's all about Jesus, but since they're buying just as much as everyone else, no one pays them any mind.
Americans have you noticed the rash of crapo shops in your local mall? 'Don't ask the price because everything is £1.00 type of shops?' Do a lot of goods seem cheap and nasty? Have you bought a kettle and seen it last 6-10 months? My mother bought a kettle and it didn't last two weeks. The lacking of purchasing power is behind this. People simply can't afford decent things like £60.00 kettles so they buy kettles at £19.99 and after a year or less they need to pay another £19.99 for a new kettle. What this means is that they have forked out £40.00 in a year when they could have paid £60.00 for a kettle that would last 10 years. This is a false economy spending £200.00 over 10 years keeps factories a humming but people still end up with shoddy goods.
Quote from: Happy Girl! on December 01, 2011, 10:05:22 PM
Americans have you noticed the rash of crapo shops in your local mall? 'Don't ask the price because everything is £1.00 type of shops?' Do a lot of goods seem cheap and nasty? Have you bought a kettle and seen it last 6-10 months? My mother bought a kettle and it didn't last two weeks. The lacking of purchasing power is behind this. People simply can't afford decent things like £60.00 kettles so they buy kettles at £19.99 and after a year or less they need to pay another £19.99 for a new kettle. What this means is that they have forked out £40.00 in a year when they could have paid £60.00 for a kettle that would last 10 years. This is a false economy spending £200.00 over 10 years keeps factories a humming but people still end up with shoddy goods.
It's called planned obsolescence and it's done on purpose so that you will end up having to buy it again sooner. (They have been doing that for about 40 years now)
Quote from: Beth Andrea on December 01, 2011, 10:01:09 PM
1. The "second Revolution", if there will be one, will *not* be announced, planned, or talked about online. First rule of security: STFU (not to be rude, but...)
2. Have you ever been to a "militia" meeting? I have. There's a saying among such groups: "If 3 militiamen are together, one's a Fed and the second is an informant...the third is a stupid ass for talking to ANYONE about his ideas." (I paraphrase, of course)
3. Christmas being "commercialized" has been a complaint of many people for at least 40 years (when I first heard it). It's because of this Golden Idol we have called "capitalism." Everything HAS to make money, or else it's tossed. (Look at our Halloween celebrations--it used to be just for kids and cheap "hobo" or "princess" costumes...now adults can spend hundreds of dollars on props and sound machines to create the perfect "haunted house"... = money in the bank for the sellers)
4. Buying gifts "with money they don't have"...assuming you are correct (and there could be a debate on that!), you're referring to the use of credit cards. True, that's money the consumer doesn't have...but it is money that the investors have, and they want a return on their investments. Again, we see the Golden Idol of Capitalism.
Welcome to the New World Order.
Btw, have you read "The Lexus and the Olive Tree"?
Good points.
I haven't read that book I'll look out for it at my local library. Who was the author?
I'd rather take that book out from my library than pay for it. :laugh:
Actually, I wonder if those $1-for-everything stores are a "front" for money laundering. (Sit for an hour and count how many customers go in, and how much they buy...I don't believe the volume is enough to support the store)
I could be wrong, of course.
Thomas Friedman.
http://www.amazon.com/Lexus-Olive-Tree-Understanding-Globalization/dp/0385499345/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322799278&sr=1-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Lexus-Olive-Tree-Understanding-Globalization/dp/0385499345/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322799278&sr=1-1)
Short version: Prior to WW1, the world was divided by empires...after WW2, the world was divided by East (USSR/communism) and West (US/NATO/capitalism)
Capitalism won out, so now the world--the "New World Order"--is based on investors who are willing to cross borders send their money overseas (and thereby influence gov'ts.)
No investors = economy tanks, revolution happens.
If you want investors, you have to do what they say, or else they take their trillions and go elsewhere.
this whole anti american crap is getting old.
You hate america. Fine. People have their own opinions. But writing a sh*tload of forum posts on the same topic is tiring.
You need to get over the whole "I hate America" thing or at least consolidate it in one thread versus two to four new ones a week.
America has our own issues but so does every other country in this world. Including yours. It's assanizing when you push this anti america propaganda in countless of posts when it is clearly obvious you have done very little research on the topic. If you want to blame people for over spending, blame the person themselves. Because, no, not every american spends out of their level. And yes, there are those who do. It's called personal responsibility. It isn't an American trait. It's a human trait.
It's your opinion and I respect that but I get tired when someone bashes the place I live in week after week.
Interesting BA. I've noticed that since the collapse of the Soviet Union things have gotten worse. What I mean is that now the people don't have a choice between communism and capitalism the politicians and business elite don't need to care about what the people are thinking. The 'masters' attitude is one of 'work for us for whatever pay and conditions we decide or sit naked under a tree and eat worms and drink from puddles, and die in Winter." At least the viable presence of the old USSR kept the west focussed upon the peoples' needs in case there was a 1917 style revolution in the West.
Quote from: Happy Girl! on December 01, 2011, 10:37:38 PM
Interesting BA. I've noticed that since the collapse of the Soviet Union things have gotten worse. What I mean is that now the people don't have a choice between communism and capitalism the politicians and business elite don't need to care about what the people are thinking. The 'masters' attitude is one of 'work for us for whatever pay and conditions we decide or sit naked under a tree and eat worms and drink from puddles, and die in Winter." At least the viable presence of the old USSR kept the west focussed upon the peoples' needs in case there was a 1917 style revolution in the West.
One of the things that I' noticed (which ultimately led me to get that book) was the odd coincidences...like "gay marriage" was proposed in a dozen different countries within weeks of each other...immigration backlash/riots/rights also in many countries, all within weeks of each other...mass revolutions in otherwise stable areas (ie, middle east) almost simultaneously...
etc etc.
Ah well, it's beyond my paygrade anyway.
Me and my siblings quit buying for each other years ago because of the economy in the family. Usually the young kids and spouses get the gifts. Any other gifts are simple things like boxed candy to handmade items we make ourselves. We had enough of the cheap "gotta have it before the Joneses" crapola that loses its luster after awhile!
Joelene
Whoa hey why were you in a mall? That looks like pretty American behavior to me.
Personally, my household celebrates the Winter Solstice as our religious/spiritual holiday, although we do participate in Christmas as a secular holiday...largely with friends and family. We have been known to exchange hand-crafted items, but we avoid buying things on credit as much as we can when lack of crafting time drives us to buy our gifts instead. If we do use credit, we pay it off well before the next holiday season. (Our Swiss Colony account has gotten a lot of use in the last few years; who doesn't like to receive free food?) In fact, there will be no gift exchange at my father and step-mother's house this year partly because the economy is lousy. Instead, we will be eating finger-foods, enjoying music, and catching up on family events from the last year.
Overall, I tend to think of debt as slavery; you are basically working for someone else whether you like it or not until the debt is paid off. I would have paid for my house in cash if I had had $80k sitting around at the time. ;) (I could have continued to rent instead of buying, but my mortgage payment was, and still is, cheaper than typical rents around here, so I count it as a win even with the debt.) As it was, I at least realized that the idea of a mortgage interest rate potentially going UP in the future made an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage a very bad idea, even though my lender tried to get me into one; I insisted on a 30-year fixed and was soooo happy for it when the housing bubble collapsed because I could still make my payments, unlike many homeowners with ARMs.
.
Consumerism is rampant in this country, but not everyone has succumbed. For some of us Americans, the holiday season is still about love, sharing, and caring. Some of us are still proud to be Americans, even if we are not always proud of our fellow citizens or our government. We have our political and cultural issues, but every nation does. When you read about the trampling mobs in the Wal-Marts and malls, keep in mind that the media generally reports on the lowest common denominator...that's what is considered "news". "If it bleeds it leads," as they say. Fear and gossip are king. The folks who volunteer to serve Christmas dinner to the homeless or the shut-in elderly are lucky to get a 60 second feature in the Human Interest segment at the end of the news hour. That doesn't mean they don't exist.
Heck, my spouse and I are still using "dumb" cell phones that just make voice phone calls and handle ascii text messages (no images) because that's all we need and we can't justify the expense of "smart phones". Our phones don't even have cameras. *gasp* Not all consumers suffer from consumerism.
I regret starting this thread as it has made me depressed.
:'(
[This is my third attempt at posting this.]
I think that my depression was brewing last night,which explains why my original intention to start a happy, relax thread went so off course.
One of my depression triggers is caused by despairing of people buying things they don't need and only serve to chain them all the more to a system that exhausts, and exploits them and benefits only a few.
Let us hope that this time next year we are all living in the woods. Humanity is the earth's fleas.
Quote from: Happy Girl! on December 01, 2011, 09:28:30 PM
Actually we were at the library and didn't spend a penny.
:laugh:
Actually you said you were at the mall. I think you just want to blabber against America and get attention. Well, you got my attention.
I love America just the way it is. Perfect it is not, change is needed but I would not trade it for any other country; and there are countries I love: France, Italy, Netherlands, England, Spain, Chile, Japan. Like people, they all have pro and cons.
Well, all drama aside, I just want to thank Happy Girl for invoking the phrase "cannibal army." That conjures great imagery. ;D
When the economical system collapses beyond all hope of repair then we will see cannibal armies roaming the countryside. The great majority of people believe that they are the body and the body is them. They will cling onto life with a demonic fiendishness. It this belief that we are the body that makes people do and say anything the rulers of society want.
People think "hmm it is a choice between 18 hour days 6 days out of 7 for poverty wages or death?! I choose 18 hour days, no contest" they cry! I would rather be dead than live that life. Let the body moulder in the grave while the mind/spirit/soul goes marching on in non-physical realms.
When the economical system collapses beyond all hope of repair then we will see cannibal armies roaming the countryside.
Some people might see that. You won't. You'll be among the first wave of massive deaths unless you really know how to survive and how to fight.
while the mind/spirit/soul goes marching on in non-physical realms.
Well do write back and tell us all what the weather is like there in Oz, or Hannalee, or Theron or wherever you seem to think (but no one can prove) exists.
Quote from: Happy Girl! on December 02, 2011, 05:34:48 PM
[This is my third attempt at posting this.]
I think that my depression was brewing last night,which explains why my original intention to start a happy, relax thread went so off course.
One of my depression triggers is caused by despairing of people buying things they don't need and only serve to chain them all the more to a system that exhausts, and exploits them and benefits only a few.
Let us hope that this time next year we are all living in the woods. Humanity is the earth's fleas.
Well, there's your problem right there: You shouldn't care what other people do, or do not, do. Their lives are theirs, and if they choose to enslave themselves, so be it. You don't even know if they are enslaving themselves; perhaps some of those happy shoppers won the Lotto, or had a rich uncle die, or maybe even they've more disposable income....
You just don't know. Yes, many of them are indebting themselves...but again, it's not your worry.
Happily Merry ChriHanukanzaa, and to all a Good New Upcoming Orbit Around The Nearest Star.
I am feeling better today. Although my sleep was broken, I did manage to get around 8 hours of sleep. When I am stressed by an external event I plunge into a black depression. This one was not as bad as previous ones. I think that my chakra meditation and general meditation has taken the edge of those old raging black depressions. I managed to eat something tonight, the first since Friday night so I am better than I was Friday and Saturday.
The library is curiously enough almost in the heart of the shopping centre. My sister dropped me off there while she went off to buy Christmas cards. Then we had a wander around the shops. Nothing but those xmas cards were bought.
BA I suppose that your right regarding other people. I read somewhere that 'what people think of you is none of your business'. The trouble with me is that I don't have a compelling reason to go on living. My personal circumstances have to some extent managed to undermine my will to live.