One thing Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Phoenix has confirmed is that the social fabric of America is in serious decline. The thought that thousands of Americans would take to the streets and demand entitlements without having to earn them not only angers me, but also causes serious concern.
In a public relations stunt, these activists have replaced “capitalism” with the word “greed.” Our country was based on capitalism, the understanding that any American can earn as much money as their skills and work ethic will allow. Now we are accusing the very people who put millions of Americans to work as being greedy. They are not greedy, just more successful. They have figured out the system and beat it. They’re earners, not takers. Let’s face it, the demonstrations are more about envy than they are about righting any wrongs.
I saw one sign that read, “Stop corporate greed. Take our country back!” Doesn’t this moron realize that capitalism, greed or whatever you want to call it, is what this nation was built upon? It is the foundation of a truly free society, which affords its citizens the freedom to pursue their own happiness and success. The freedom to build the life they want for them and their families.
I say that many of the protestors who are occupying cites around the nation are the ones who could be called greedy. How many handouts do Americans want from the federal government and the wealthy? It’s never enough. And we have a government that is always looking for new programs that create laziness and apathy. That is the true definition of greed.
There are no doubts that corporate America needs some modifications. We need to seriously examine the tax code and loopholes available to corporations. I get that, but I wish the Occupy Phoenix demonstration was about that rather than the demonstrators’ own greed. If that were the case, the demonstrations would be held in Washington, D.C. If that were the case, America wouldn’t be the laughingstock around the globe.
In fact, that is where the unemployed and those who feel they are being mistreated unfairly should go and occupy. It’s the federal government’s oppressive hand that is the majority cause for this nation’s economic problems. Not those in the private sector that could, if the government would allow them, give hope to the misguided and uninformed protesters. They could and would bring millions of jobs to our economy. The protesters should be asking the question, “Why are we unemployed? Why are we in our current situation? Who truly is responsible for our problems?”
It leads me to wonder how a group of people could be so ignorant to the realities of the world and what principals this great country of ours was founded upon. I wonder how much of the blame should be laid at the feet of our educational and university systems.
So, many graduates are leaving school with a crippling entitlement attitude. It not only harms them, but also proves to be a detriment to our nation as a whole. What future do we have as a nation when many of our universities’ professors are indoctrinating rather than educating? When they are attempting to create socialists in a capitalistic country. When they are influencing young people into thinking they can take from others when life doesn’t go as planned. That is what these “Occupy” demonstrations are all about. Attack the wealthy by calling them greedy and demand that they give back more and more of their hard-earned money to support those who believe they are simply entitled to it.
If your education has led you to believe that you are entitled to other Americans’ hard earned money without having to work for it yourself, then you should occupy your educational institute’s office and demand a refund for your education. They have failed you.
• Michael “Winey” Weinstein can be heard on The Mike & Winey Show on 550 KFYI. (www.mike&winey.com).
Slabside posted at 5:21 pm on Mon, Oct 24, 2011.
Good commentary Michael. If our Campaigner in Chief wasn't so busy running around in his Canadian built RV or vacationing I believe he would be cluttering up the parks as well.
Mike McClellan posted at 7:06 pm on Mon, Oct 24, 2011.
Gee, Weinstein, why don't you just copy and past a transcript from Limbaugh or Hannity? You say nothing of any substance here.Let me count the ways:1. You call OWS a "public relations stunt" -- really? By whom? And for what reason?Greed did almost bring down our economy -- regardless of what you say. Consumer greed, financial services greed, political greed.2. As you say, "capitalism is what our nation was built upon." However, unchecked capitalism lends itself to the avarice. And both parties legislated in such a way to remove many of the checks that kept that avarice under control.3. You absolve Wall Street and claim demonstrators should be in D.C. -- you're half right. And contradictory to boot.4. These kids coming out of college with big student loans and no prospects -- you think the lack of jobs is just a coincidence? Please. 5. You talk about the wealth and their "hard-earned money." Yes, some worked very hard to make the money they do. But many make money through investments, making money off the work of others. How hard is that?6. Your overgeneralization about university professors is typical of the knee-jerk -- emphasis on "jerk" -- reaction of the Fox Nation that you seem so ardently a part of.In toto, you say nothing of any insight or value, just patching together the tired sound bites of the Harder Right.I hope your radio program is more interesting, though I doubt it.
Edited by staff.
Rich posted at 8:41 pm on Mon, Oct 24, 2011.
Mr. McClellan
1. "You call OWS a "public relations stunt" -- really?" Yes, really. "By whom?" Actually a retread of 1936, when liberalism failed they went after the rich. "And for what reason?" Worked once, why not twice?"Greed did almost bring down our economy -- regardless of what you say. Consumer greed, financial services greed, political greed." Not really, Wall Street, various people's job is greed, without it the system fails, it's a motive force. Other forces should balance it, when they don't, greed isn't to blame, the other forces are. OWS's real problem is with an incompetent government, not a competent business community.
2. "As you say, "capitalism is what our nation was built upon." However, unchecked capitalism lends itself to the avarice. And both parties legislated in such a way to remove many of the checks that kept that avarice under control." Exactly, the problem is that you prove his point, not yours. The government has failed to do it's job, avarice is doing its.
3. "You absolve Wall Street and claim demonstrators should be in D.C. -- you're half right. And contradictory to boot." But this is your point in #2. What is lacking is adequate control, that has to come from D.C. Are you arguing with yourself or Weinstein?
4. "These kids coming out of college with big student loans and no prospects -- you think the lack of jobs is just a coincidence? Please." They should know how to make money, build, create. Isn't they why they got an education? Or is public education just a way to enslave people to work for the friends of those who control that education?
5. "You talk about the wealth and their "hard-earned money." Yes, some worked very hard to make the money they do. But many make money through investments, making money off the work of others. How hard is that?" Statistically, it's the hardest, chanciest, and most difficult way to make a living. It's one of the few ways there is to work eighteen hours a day and come out of a year making significantly less than nothing.
6. "Your overgeneralization about university professors is typical of the knee-jerk -- emphasis on "jerk" -- reaction of the Fox Nation that you seem so ardently a part of.
In toto, you say nothing of any insight or value, just patching together the tired sound bites of the Harder Right." Actually, been there, done that and it's a generalization, but not an over-generalization. People who spend their lives in school, and not in the real world, tend to have a view that is, for the most part skewed by that perspective.
Basically, I think Weinstein makes very little sense and chances are real good he isn't coming up with any original ideas, even his rather heavily edited writing doesn't indicate he has much of an education. However, when you answer in kind, with knee jerk liberalism, you sink to his level.
Ring of Gyges posted at 12:04 am on Tue, Oct 25, 2011.
Weinstein proclaims, "It leads me to wonder how a group of people could be so ignorant to the realities of the world and what principals this great country of ours was founded upon." I feel entitled to point out your poor grammar. You need to use the word 'principles' not 'principals'. 'Principal' is an adjective (unless you are talking about money or a person of high authority). 'Principle' is a noun, which is how you are using it here. Maybe you should occupy a dictionary, and stop copying and pasting other people's work.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 7:25 am on Tue, Oct 25, 2011.
Isn't is sickening to see how the Left-Wing Liberal Politics of the 1960's on up have done to America.
People diagraming "Comments" instead of contemplating them.
We have an American President (well somepeople "think" he is American...lol) who is never in the White House but flying ..."willy-nilly"...back and forth....up and down..to all corners of America desperately trying to be Re-Elected........instead of doing the Job he was Elected to in the First Place.
DIAGRAM THAT............[wink]
mnjcpa posted at 9:41 am on Tue, Oct 25, 2011.
Mike - I couldn't have said it any better. Great job!
With two advanced degrees you would think I would encourage my 23 old daughter to plunk her hard earned money down for a fancy education. But I changed my thoughts about that over two decades ago when it became clear how governmental influence had corrupted the school systems. Schools teach as if we're all going to work for large, public multi-nationals when 80% of the jobs are created by small businesses. We should have never given little Timmy that trophy just for showing up. Now he expects (insists) to be rewarded just for breathing. Yes, Timmy is an entitled American.
Entitlement " is a form of narcissistic personality disorder - a unrealistic, unmerited or inappropriate expectation of favorable living conditions or treatment at the hands of others. Failure to comply is considered an attack on their superiority - much like McClellan's take - and the perpetrator is considered an awkward or difficult person. Tell me how it's okay to put your capital at risk - navigating the ridiculous regulations the liberals harness businesses with - and to be incensed that someone makes money off the work of others (those that take no risk?). My answer - how hard is it? A herculean effort given the roadblocks of liberal policies.
One thing we can definitely say about many Americans is that we love ourselves. We tend toward victim status when our unearned sense of entitlement is not immediately satiated. I continue to think the Founding Fathers would not recognize the place.
Arizona Willie posted at 10:50 am on Tue, Oct 25, 2011.
Slabside ... take your right wing blinders off and plug the Fox News earplugs out of your ears.
You condemn Obama for using a Canadian made bus and ignore the fact that your hero Bush used a Canadian made bus also.
Your gluteus maximus is showing.
Arizona Willie posted at 10:51 am on Tue, Oct 25, 2011.
Editors --- would you please replace this comment system with one that lets us edit our posts. I hate posting something only to discover a typo that I can't fix.
There are other, better systems out there than this one.
Arizona Willie posted at 11:10 am on Tue, Oct 25, 2011.
Weinstein doesn't call it greed when the finance companies that made huge fortunes on 10% interest up until the 80's when they held their money out of the market until the government changed the usery laws so they can now charge 30% interest on credit cards? AND THEY CLAIM IT ISN'T ENOUGH?
He doesn't call it greed when banks decided computers could handle debit card transactions and they could lay off thousands of people who used to handle checks and they begged us to use their debit cards instead of checks -- and those same banks now want to CHARGE US EXTRA for doing WHAT THEY BEGGED US TO DO?
On TOP of the RECORD PROFITS THE BANKS ARE ALREADY REPORTING.
He doesn't call it greed when a bank makes a mistake and forecloses on THE WRONG HOME --- but refuses to stop the foreclosure even though it has been proven wrong?
He doesn't call it greed when mortgage companies start a foreclosure and the people come up with the back payments but the mortgage company won't stop the foreclosure?
Why are those people ' occupying '? Because they are fed up.
The whole occupation thing is government run to take the pressure off.
It's like if you have a covered pot of water on the stove and you hear it bubbling. You know it is about to boil over.
What can you do?
Reduce the heat or take the lid off.
The " Occupation " was organized to take the lid off and release pressure before the people boil over and do much worse.
The " Occupation " is relatively harmless.
The ' occupiers ' walk around waving signs and feeling like they are doing something. A few get smacked around by the cops ( if the cops didn't the people would wake up a realize something was wrong ) and arrested.
But they blow off steam.
If the government didn't organize something like the " Occupation " they would probably soon wind up facing European style riots where the people would be burning the banks and executing the executives a la the French Revolution.
Just as Mexico sends it's discontented over the border to relieve the pressure at home to avoid a revolt ... our government has created the " Occupation ".
Nothing but a sham.
Slabside posted at 11:21 am on Tue, Oct 25, 2011.
Willie, is it true that Obama had a glass bellybutton installed so you would be able to see out?
Arizona Willie posted at 1:40 pm on Tue, Oct 25, 2011.
Slabside, I don't know why you would say that.
I voted for Ron Paul, not Obama.
I consider Obama a failure / traitor to the liberal cause.
I call him Barack " Cave Man " Obama because he caved into the Republicans on every issue -- except letting the queers come out of the closet in the service and now, possibly, ending the war(s) in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But I will defend him when people slander him unfairly such as your comments about him riding on the Canadian bus. Republican Presidents have done exactly the same thing.
Also when righties slander him for taking days off when Bush the Lessor literally was on " vacation " for HALF of the days of his pResidency. No typo .... little p on purpose.
I'm a lifelong liberal but also against illegal immigration and allowing corporations to move overseas.
So one might say I'm conservative on some issues.
But a fan of Obama's? No, that I'm not.
I don't think he DESERVES another term because he caved in so much and did not fight for things like single payer health care.
Mike1200 posted at 3:13 pm on Tue, Oct 25, 2011.
You may as well save your breath Arizona Willie. I suggested a few months ago that they should include buttons so that we could vote like or dislike on a comment and it hasn't happened yet. Your idea is a good one too. Maybe they'll get the hint one of these days.
Rich posted at 5:48 pm on Tue, Oct 25, 2011.
AW,
So we both voted for Ron Paul, interesting. Why? he isn't much of a liberal. I voted for him because I want government to A) Guard the shore (and currently they stink at that). B) Deliver the mail ( which they are trying to get out of) and C) Stay out of my life. Paul is closest. What are your reasons?
Ring of Gyges posted at 7:04 pm on Tue, Oct 25, 2011.
@mnjcpa. I think there are two key terms that need to defined, or possibly cleared up before a real discussion can occur.
First-"Entitlement." An entitlement, the way that you are attempting to use here, and also in contemporary political discourse, are programs instituted under FDR. which is also called mandatory spending. Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare are all entitlements, and we the people as citizens of the United States, and funders of these programs are entitled to these programs. We are entitled to them because we paid into them. Entitlements are not like insurance companies or the stock market. You invest in each of these with full expectation of reaping more than you sowed. In each of these situations, a system of perpetual funding is devised with a promise of future profitable expectations by you. The difference is this; Social Security is not operated with the intent to profit, but the insurance company and stock market is. When politicians speak of cutting back these entitlements, many people get upset. Entitlement is not a pejorative term, although many sophists like to use it to for talking points purposes (as yourself).
Second-Your small business and college claims-Most jobs are in fact created by small business, but small business is defined as employing 1-500 people. That is quite a large shadow to cast to cover another one of your talking points. Also, you say that colleges train you to work for large corporations? This is silly. You get out of college what you put into it. You supposedly have two advanced degree's, you should know this. How do schools teach you to work for mutti-nationals? This might be true for some degrees, like engineering (Boeing), but I don't see this as a negative. I've never heard a Prof. say anything negative about small business or large corporations. They leave that up to you to decide by instilling fact finding tools, critical analysis skills and evaluation, which manifest themselves in skepticism of everyday problems and beings. This is what college is about. They are not there to promote small business/multi-nationals.
Lastly, what specific liberal regulations are you speaking of that are ruining this country? Also, which one of the Founding Fathers would specifically not be able to "recognize this place." Since the Republic has been around for about 235 years, I'm sure they would be amazed. They would be amazed that we are still here, with the same constitution, the same bill of rights, and amendments that were not arbitrarily decided upon.
Rich posted at 7:34 pm on Tue, Oct 25, 2011.
Whoa, Ring
I hold four, not just two post graduate degrees. My children run businesses in Tokyo and London. Three of them hold two Bachelors. Yes, public education teaches us to be sheeple, slaves to the system, that is why politicos support it. It's a double edged sword, and if you teach children that, they become successful.
Government seeks to control it, our founders gave us a system that is so complicated and convoluted it can't. God lord man, John McCain is your senator, and you're this clueless? Your President can't wipe his rear end without both hands and help. Understand what you've been given and stop looking for sight from the blind.
Slabside posted at 8:26 pm on Tue, Oct 25, 2011.
Willie, I say it because you immediately label me a Bush supporter. I am a conservative. Bush made plenty of mistakes but he sure looks like Einstein compared to the bafoon in the WH.
I will continue to post my opinion and if you don't agree with that opinion, either ignore it or take a shot like you have done. Trust me... I hit back.
Ring of Gyges posted at 8:38 pm on Tue, Oct 25, 2011.
Rich, I'm happy that your children are successful and well educated. Unfortunately, your post doesn't convey the same message about yourself. How does public education teach us to be "sheeple?" Can you give me examples? What system are you talking about when you say, "slave to the system?" Are you talking about capitalism? I'm confused. "Politicos" are representatives. They reflect the values of the people they represent. Now, if you want to discuss that Americans in general, lack civic knowledge to be able to run the Republic, that's another question.
You say, "Government seeks to control it." Control what? Us? We control them, no? Is that not what a republic is? What does John McCain have to do with this? He was elected. He is going to be in DC for a six year term, then must decide whether or not to run again. How is this complicated to you? It's pretty clear in the so called "complicated" constitution.
The constitution might seem complicated because people are complicated. A government is needed to preserve man's natural rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of property/happiness, which means different things to different people. That is why we have a bi-cameral legislature and a court system, so we can mitigate power plays, and tyranny of the majority. It's not being a slave to the system, it's called representative government, or a democracy if your idealistic.
Lastly, you exclaim, "Your President can't wipe his rear end without both hands and help. Understand what you've been given and stop looking for sight from the blind." Its comments like these that make me question your education credentials, and unfortunately, you can't be taken seriously from here on out. I should not seek sight from the blind, but I surely should seek justice and other virtues from them.
mnjcpa posted at 2:21 pm on Wed, Oct 26, 2011.
Ring - I will recap for clarity. George Orwell wrote in 1984 - "It's a beautiful thing the destruction of words".
Entitlement - I'm discussing the bizarre mentality that exists in America today that has slowly taken root in our fabric. It's a life-altering virus that has permeated America steeped in non-performance and engulfed in political correctness. I'm not singling out any particular group - but it's a malaise that must go away soon.
For example: Group - Entitled to:
Boomers - Great lifestyle without the hassle of paying for it
Wall Street - Risk the entire financial system without recourse
Public CEO's - Extreme personal wealth without personal risk
Farmers - Massive subsidies regardless of need
Big Oil - see "farmers"
Politicians - Say or do whatever will get them elected
Americans - see Boomers
It starts in our school system when little Timmy gets a trophy just for showing up whether he deserves it or not. Now he expects to be paid because he's breathing. Kids are coming out of our government run school systems absent the appropriate skills to compete.
Colleges out of touch - It's not an issue about getting out of what you put in to it. Business colleges (accounting, finance, management) teach principles applicable only to public markets when they represent only 5% of the US businesses. It's a disconnect that continues and well understand in business circles.
Regulations on small businesses - not sure where to start. I work with businesses daily so I see first hand what the costs to start and run a business takes in America. Then when you top it off with Obama Care or Dodd Frank - the only word for it is suffocating. If you dare risk your capital and be successful and make a profit - then you're considered evil if you don't share it. I'm not sure why anyone with capital would want to start a business in America today.
And that's why our Founding Fathers wouldn't recognize this place.....it's not the documents......their vision has been desecrated.
Slabside posted at 3:46 pm on Wed, Oct 26, 2011.
mnjcpa, well said.
Ring of Gyges posted at 10:40 pm on Wed, Oct 26, 2011.
mnjcpa- George Orwell also stated, "All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome."
First, you say that you are not going to point out a single group, then you proceed to point out single groups. You complain about regulations, yet your list is an obvious example of deregulation gone wild.
This is the second time you have referenced Timmy getting a trophy just for showing up. I still don't know what this is supposed to mean. I don't see too many people expecting to get paid because they are breathing. Your rhetoric is a typical broad brush painted for your talking point convenience.
What specific principles (I'm glad you used the word "principles", unlike Weinstein) are business colleges using that only are used in public markets? You conveniently forgot to mention entrepreneurship, which is a business degree.
I'll give you three good reasons to start a business tight now. 1. Entrepreneurs don't need as much capital to launch right now because resource and overhead costs are at or near historic lows in nearly every category. 2. With the Labor Department reporting unemployment rates near double digits and more than five candidates per job opening, now is definitely an employer's market 3. Many a successful business can trace its roots back to a particularly ignominious period in the American economy-16 of the 30 companies in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, including household names like McDonalds, General Electric, and Procter & Gamble, began during a recession or depression.
or,
you can do nothing and blame entitlements.
mnjcpa posted at 10:13 am on Thu, Oct 27, 2011.
Ring - While I do my best to get my thoughts across in a column width limited format I would rather focus on the broader issues.
Groups - metaphor - what I'm describing is the malaise that exists in this country and the groups I point out that have these unrealistic expectations. What I'm pointing out is the malaise is not limited to Democrats or Republicans. We've lost our way and the issue has nothing to do with deregulation. It's a cultural attitude that I'm observing- and it's growing.
Timmy reference - another metaphor - we're not training our kids to come out of school to compete. They're expectations are unrealistic given what they know and can apply. I've hired for 25 years - so I think I have an informed opinion. Big education is never held accountable for what they are producing. Kids are rewarded regardless of performance - and we move them along in the school system when many can't read when they leave high school. (Thus my point that Timmy gets a trophy or wants to be paid for breathing).
Education doesn't pay taxes nor are held accountable for rising costs. Teachers retire with life long pensions and health care that is unrealistic in today's world. The student loan business is a racket like sub-prime mortgages. Student loan debt has grown 511% since 1999, yet disposable income has only grown 73%. Finally, Big Education is off-limits from media criticism. My comment is why?
Sorry Ring - this entire system should no longer be immune from criticism.
Small businesses - I appraise businesses as part of my work so I survey small business owners across America. Not one is interested in spending a dime right now until some form of confidence is restored with our economy. With the target on their back right now I don't blame them. Another informed opinion.
Ring of Gyges posted at 1:46 pm on Thu, Oct 27, 2011.
mnjcpa- Now that you have made your arguments sufficiently clear, a discussion of what can be done about the problems of the Unites States can occur.
The malaise that you speak of can be a problem with the lack of civic education that the public school system should, can, is not promoting. The republican ciivc virtues of public participation, being able to rule and be ruled (Aristotle), publicity rather than secrecy (corruption), and to the idea that there is something enriching and intrinsic about public life, is the moral foundation of what is to be an American. All of these are virtues should be taught (they used to be at least) in the public school system.
Also, the classical liberal virtues should not be denied either. These include toleration, inclusion of all, justice and equality. These are just as important to the democracy in the U. S. as republican virtues are. These virtues are also taught/molded in public schools, but more importantly, they are found in the family structure (in the home).
Now, since the public school system is so important to the molding of American civic virtues in children, compensation and respect for the teachers in the public school system is essential. They must be given autonomy to be able to implement a way of learning that is unique to the community they live in. This does not mean that we should abolish the Dept. of Education, this means that certain federal policies (e.g.No Child Left Behind) need to be relaxed so that local communities have the flexibility to choose their own path of learning that is unique to their area; at the same time, they must still receiving the necessary funds that only the federal government has the ability to provide.
Lastly, I think that public participation/civic education is the essential step forward needed to change the social malaise of 'Timmy' into a man that has the ability to view society not of the self-interested and market driven, but a society that is heterogeneous and people driven. Civic virtues are meant to induce critical thinking and to produce the ability to reflect on the problems of todays world. This, I think is the key to understanding and fixing the current economic/political climate.
ValenS posted at 4:41 am on Fri, Apr 20, 2012.
We are in an awful position--thanks to tax cuts for the wealthy, two unfunded wars, etc. etc.- and the only want to recovery may be a truly horrible hit from the shutdown. Sort of like radical surgery to save a life. I've long been bemused by the concept of people who are downright hostile toward government becoming career politicians and making a good living without any need to apply for wageday advance destroying the very edifice they work for. Somehow, it just doesn't make sense. I don't want politicians who hate the organization that employs them. I want politicians who love the organization and want it to shine, by making it the very best it can be.