Our Flag

[twodko]

Just a little rant today. I'm so disgusted with the constant destruction of my country by politicians, fatcats, lobbists, Wall St/Bankers, leeches(read welfare fraud etc) and let's not forget the slobbering pig that is corporate America. The last example are those who have shipped millions of jobs everywhere except HERE!!!!!! I'd hate to think our country has teetered over the edge of no return but I'm hard pressed to see it otherwise.
This Labor Day I'll be flying my US Flag upside down, the sign of ultimate distress. Our country is in dire trouble. 

OK, I'm done.

[resq302]

Actually what is pathetic is that the USA flag probably has on the tag.... "Made in China"   

[Chryco Psycho]

A friend of mine out it this way ....
The US is like Wiley Coyote , 20 feet over the edge of the cliff with no support & not knowing he is falling yet !!
I pray he is wrong .

[rollingthunder]

Actually what is pathetic is that the USA flag probably has on the tag.... "Made in China"   

you are right I bought a house in 2000 and the realtor gave me a new flag to fly on my new house as soon as I realized it was made in china I gave it back and told them what they can do with there made in china crap.   

[41husk]

Actually what is pathetic is that the USA flag probably has on the tag.... "Made in China"   

you are right I bought a house in 2000 and the realtor gave me a new flag to fly on my new house as soon as I realized it was made in china I gave it back and told them what they can do with there made in china crap.   

I would also bet you can't sell the house for what you paid for it in 2000!

[bull]

What can you really do about it other than shake your head in disgust? You try to make a positive influence on your family and the others around you but other than that I guess you just have to wait and pick a side at the onset of the impending apocalypse.

[RallyeMike]

The country is mostly controlled by wealthy persons of special interests and corporations.
Prepare for the eventual revolution, because they aren't giving up control. It's too profitable.

[sunfire69]

TWODKO,
You have every right to do that.....and I gave the better part of my adult life...and part of my sight to make sure you do.....so do what you feel you have to......
But......in doing so remember it makes you no better than the rest of those that have just thrown up their hands and given up....
As I was growing up outside of DC in the 60s I saw the smoke as DC burned, we kept a loaded gun by the door and at the age of 7 I was told what I had to do to protect my mother and sister if my dad wasn't home.....I saw the thousands or protesters peeing in the reflecting pool.....I saw the bodies from Kent State on TV......and I was sure our country could never survive all this...but it did...
The greed...correption...has always been there we just didn't see it but it was there....this country has survived a whole lot worse...you can still find bullets imbeded in the trees in Manassas they call them witness trees here....you can still see the battle scars on buildings in Winchester, and Richmond, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg.....
So ....do what you feel is right.....I'm going to keep plugging away..things might just get worse before they get better but we will get thru this.....
Ok, I'm done.

[Stretch]

TWODKO,
You have every right to do that.....and I gave the better part of my adult life...and part of my sight to make sure you do.....so do what you feel you have to......
But......in doing so remember it makes you no better than the rest of those that have just thrown up their hands and given up....
As I was growing up outside of DC in the 60s I saw the smoke as DC burned, we kept a loaded gun by the door and at the age of 7 I was told what I had to do to protect my mother and sister if my dad wasn't home.....I saw the thousands or protesters peeing in the reflecting pool.....I saw the bodies from Kent State on TV......and I was sure our country could never survive all this...but it did...
The greed...correption...has always been there we just didn't see it but it was there....this country has survived a whole lot worse...you can still find bullets imbeded in the trees in Manassas they call them witness trees here....you can still see the battle scars on buildings in Winchester, and Richmond, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg.....
So ....do what you feel is right.....I'm going to keep plugging away..things might just get worse before they get better but we will get thru this.....
Ok, I'm done.

Well said!!!
Thank you for your service. If we were talking in person I'd shake your hand as I thanked you for serving our country!

[ChargerD100]

Actually what is pathetic is that the USA flag probably has on the tag.... "Made in China"   

my Confederate flag says made in USA   

prob gunna get one of these from somebody cuz of that 

[Orange_Crush]

TWODKO,
You have every right to do that.....and I gave the better part of my adult life...and part of my sight to make sure you do.....so do what you feel you have to......
But......in doing so remember it makes you no better than the rest of those that have just thrown up their hands and given up....
As I was growing up outside of DC in the 60s I saw the smoke as DC burned, we kept a loaded gun by the door and at the age of 7 I was told what I had to do to protect my mother and sister if my dad wasn't home.....I saw the thousands or protesters peeing in the reflecting pool.....I saw the bodies from Kent State on TV......and I was sure our country could never survive all this...but it did...
The greed...correption...has always been there we just didn't see it but it was there....this country has survived a whole lot worse...you can still find bullets imbeded in the trees in Manassas they call them witness trees here....you can still see the battle scars on buildings in Winchester, and Richmond, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg.....
So ....do what you feel is right.....I'm going to keep plugging away..things might just get worse before they get better but we will get thru this.....
Ok, I'm done.

SONOFABITCH!!!!

A voice of reason on Dodgecharger.com!  Sometimes, I forget that there are people here who don't see the boogeyman around every corner.

Fact is, if you look back through the history of the good ol' ewe ess of ey, you will see many dark chapters.  The depression, the dust bowl, the war between the states as well as the civil rights movement and the subsequent race riots and the student protests and civil unrest of the sixties.

The president we have right now is not the best....but he sure as hell is FAR from the worst.

We, as a nation have seen some pretty dark times.  Giving up every damned time things get tough is pretty pathetic.

[Orange_Crush]

BTW, if you're worried about Wall St. fatcats, politicians, and corporate greed ruining our country, I invite you to do some research on the following:

Black Friday 1869
Whiskey Ring 1875
Teapot Dome Scandal 1922
The Great Depression 1929
Watergate 1972
The Keating Five 1989

What has been will be again,
   what has been done will be done again;
   there is nothing new under the sun.
                                    --Ecclesiastes 1:9

[PocketThunder]

BTW, if you're worried about Wall St. fatcats, politicians, and corporate greed ruining our country, I invite you to do some research on the following:

Black Friday 1869  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(1869)

Whiskey Ring 1875  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiskey_Ring

Teapot Dome Scandal 1922  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teapot_Dome_scandal

The Great Depression 1929 

Watergate 1972

The Keating Five 1989  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keating_Five

What has been will be again,
   what has been done will be done again;
   there is nothing new under the sun.
                                    --Ecclesiastes 1:9

[Tilar]

The country is mostly controlled by wealthy persons of special interests and corporations (that have politicians in their shirt pocket).
Prepare for the eventual revolution, because they aren't giving up control. It's too profitable.

[twodko]

TWODKO,
You have every right to do that.....and I gave the better part of my adult life...and part of my sight to make sure you do.....so do what you feel you have to......
But......in doing so remember it makes you no better than the rest of those that have just thrown up their hands and given up....
As I was growing up outside of DC in the 60s I saw the smoke as DC burned, we kept a loaded gun by the door and at the age of 7 I was told what I had to do to protect my mother and sister if my dad wasn't home.....I saw the thousands or protesters peeing in the reflecting pool.....I saw the bodies from Kent State on TV......and I was sure our country could never survive all this...but it did...
The greed...corruption...has always been there we just didn't see it but it was there....this country has survived a whole lot worse...you can still find bullets embedded in the trees in Manassas they call them witness trees  here....you   

can still see the battle scars on buildings in Winchester, and Richmond, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg.....
So ....do what you feel is right.....I'm going to keep plugging away..things might just get worse before they get better but we will get thru this.....




Ok, I'm done.

I'm Nam era vet (70-76) and I, like so many others, served proudly and would do so again. This is one of my underlying reasons for being hyper aware about the countries "no end in sight" problems. I believe most of us are      "standup, let's get it done" citizens. We're hogtied at every turn by partisan bickering, one up manship, corporate control over the direction the US goes with complete disregard for the direction the majority of citizens want to see
the country go and the me me me attitude of those who are supposed to be working toward the needs and well being of this country and its people. My own dispare at being unable to get anything done is
damned frustrating. I too witnessed the unrest of the 60's and 70's and still hold very harsh feelings toward those  who vets the bad guys while it was us who made it possible for them to enjoy the freedom to express their
displeasures. Can you imagine the national impact if many of us hung our flags upside down as a symbol of this country being in dire trouble? What stronger message can we send to those who are selling this country out? Go out and vote? I always have and always will. It's the best system we've got for the voice of the people to be heard but this, too, is broken. I just don't know guys, I'd want the best life and future for all of us.......I don't see this happening in my lifetime. I just don't know how we can redirect the national focus inward instead of everywhere
else. Thank you all for allowing me to vent........OK, now I'm really done.
Orange, I hear your words and agree with them except I haven't "given up" on our country

[RallyeMike]

BTW, if you're worried about Wall St. fatcats, politicians, and corporate greed ruining our country, I invite you to do some research on the following:

They ARE ruining it. Will they succeed? I don't think so - sooner or later it reaches a breaking point. I still have faith in Americans as a whole. The longer and farther the the fat cats/corporations are allowed to take it, the harder and more dramatic the breaking point will be.

[John_Kunkel]

The country is mostly controlled by wealthy persons of special interests and corporations.

Yep, and watch the naive show up on the first Tuesday to elect the puppets they offer up to them.

Prepare for the eventual revolution, because they aren't giving up control. It's too profitable.

I hear ya bro, can't wait. Thomas Jefferson foresaw it.

[hemi68charger]

BTW, if you're worried about Wall St. fatcats, politicians, and corporate greed ruining our country, I invite you to do some research on the following:

They ARE ruining it. Will they succeed? I don't think so - sooner or later it reaches a breaking point. I still have faith in Americans as a whole. The longer and farther the the fat cats/corporations are allowed to take it, the harder and more dramatic the breaking point will be.

I think there will be too many "groups" that want their own agenda and the cultural union that once brought us together will divide us.

[bull]

What has been will be again,
  what has been done will be done again;
  there is nothing new under the sun.
                                   --Ecclesiastes 1:9

Since we're quoting scripture: "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows."  1 Timothy 6:10

The love of money or "stuff" is, IMO, the reason the US is in the dire condition it is now. Every class of person in this country is made up of certain members who crave wealth and aren't concerned how they get it and who gets hurt in the process. It might be the 22-year-old with $30k in credit card debt, it might be the married couple biting off way more than they can chew with a $400k mortgage, it might be the 50-year-old corporate fat cat who'd sell his mother for a five-, six- or seven-digit bonus. And what's stupid is this mentality that what these individuals, coporations and governments do with their own finances has no effect on others. Really? Ironically this whole "me" attitude is very self-depreciating, and when enough people jump on the "me" bandwagon the whole nation depreciates along with it. You see it in every walk of life from Enron to the grade school playground. Until this improves on the most basic human level, nothing will improve overall. The way it's set uo this nation should have billions in surplus cash but there are too many people thinking about "me" when they should be thinking about "us."

[Chargen69]

There's no way this thread is getting  ed

[RallyeMike]

The country is mostly controlled by wealthy persons of special interests and corporations.


Yep, and watch the naive show up on the first Tuesday to elect the puppets they offer up to them.


Quote
Prepare for the eventual revolution, because they aren't giving up control. It's too profitable.


I hear ya bro, can't wait. Thomas Jefferson foresaw it.

Ya, but when we give up on voting, the end only draws nearer.

Another foresight from TJ you may want to consider:

"If once the people become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and Governors, shall all become wolves. It seems to be the law of our general nature, in spite of individual exceptions."

(the guy was a cynical genius)

[HPP]

What can you really do about it other than shake your head in disgust?

Elect politicians who do not cater to the whims of the two predominate parties, push to eliminate the Federal reserve, demand congress produce a budget rather than listen to them whine about it, write reasonable, well thought out, and pointed letters to your politicos demanding results.

[ITSA426]

...in other words "get involved" 

[RECHRGD]

...in other words "get involved" 

First step IMHO would be to get rid of the bribery system called lobbying.  That's what draws all the blood suckers into politics in the first place.   

[440]

What is "American" anymore ?    We are slowly losing our identity. 

[PocketThunder]

...in other words "get involved" 

First step IMHO would be to get rid of the bribery system called lobbying.  That's what draws all the blood suckers into politics in the first place.   

How do you become a Lobbyist anyways?  Is there a college course for that? 

[ITSA426]

Tragically Paul many professional lobbyists are retired or unelected politicians.  You get the job through connections more than education.  You can lobby your representative, but if you don't have a check in hand or a fundraiser invitation it feels pointless though it's not necessarily so. 

It isn't just lobbyists but the money has to be leveled off.  There is enough money spent on "elections" that they are now mostly "auctions".  Corporations through the Citizens United decision now have more free speech than you or I can afford.

[bull]

What can you really do about it other than shake your head in disgust?

Elect politicians who do not cater to the whims of the two predominate parties, push to eliminate the Federal reserve, demand congress produce a budget rather than listen to them whine about it, write reasonable, well thought out, and pointed letters to your politicos demanding results.

There's a big difference between 'voting for' and 'electing' though. And so many people who vote don't care about all those things you mentioned above, they only care about themselves and their short-sighted agendas. And those in power are all too willing to accomodate them in order to keep their positions of power. Neither they or the people electing them have the desire to make the tough choices and sacrifices to benefit the greater good. Like I said in my last post, they want people in power that will put more borrowed money into their pockets in return for doing as little as possible to earn it. Too few people care about the financial future of this county; all they care about is the here and now.

[RallyeMike]

How do you become a Lobbyist anyways?  Is there a college course for that?

There are lobbyists at many levels. My sister is actually a lobbyist for her company at the State level. She was hired as a paralegal and worked her way into the position - now she spends a lot of time on the phone, going to dinners, going to conventions, and traveling down to the capital. Come to think if it, I have never asked her if she goes around greasing people's palms or sending hookers to Statesmen's rooms. I'll have to ask her, but I should probably do it very carefully  

[67440chrg]

 I have a simpler view of how to start to head our country in a better direction.It may be a small step but lets make everyone accountable such as wellfare reform and no hand outs for free loaders if you want a check do something for it. They will get tired of picking up trash off the road and such and may learn a better profession. I was raised with a understanding if you want something work for it. I work in a large hosp in a inner city and it frustrates me to watch parents teaching their children how to get something for free. There is more I would like to say but I had better not. I think our morals and family values are a large part of our problem. Just think how it would be if our politicians had morals and a conscience. God bless America.

[73rallye440magnum]

Born in '88... this is my first exposure to "hard times". I'd like to think that most of us still have more than most of the world in comparison. (health, food, shelter) But that's what makes America great. I plan on lowering my shoulder and barrelling through, because that's what Americans do. Failure isn't an option. We need realistic and innovative leaders.

[mauve66]

my wife used to think i was too hardnosed on the "free-loaders" until she started working for the state welfare office back in march, every day she is amazed at the people that come through the door with the mind set that she "better give me MY money" and "what do you mean i have to show up on time for my appointment to get MY money?"  and "wait till i'm done talking on my i-phone to give me MY money" and "don't mess up my nails girl, i just had them done, NOW GIVE ME MY MONEY"

[67440chrg]

It sucks being middle class you have to pay for so many who are too lazy to. Illegals cost us so much for health care and lost jobs. We need to tell the bleeding heart small group of Americans to shut the f*** up and get back to having a back bone and be hard a$$es and fix it.

[John_Kunkel]

Ya, but when we give up on voting, the end only draws nearer.

The end of what? Some, like me, can't wait for the end of the status quo.
Every time you cast a vote you confirm that you are satisfied with the system as it is.

Another foresight from TJ you may want to consider:

"If once the people become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and Governors, shall all become wolves. It seems to be the law of our general nature, in spite of individual exceptions."

(the guy was a cynical genius)

There's a difference between being "unattentive" and refusing to participate in a corrupt system.

[bull]

Ya, but when we give up on voting, the end only draws nearer.

The end of what? Some, like me, can't wait for the end of the status quo.
Every time you cast a vote you confirm that you are satisfied with the system as it is.

There's a lot of truth in that. However, I find myself voting for what I consider the lesser of two evils, even though it's unusual for me to see less evil in the Republicrats than the Democans.

[64dartgt]

Keep in mind that we actually don't elect the President for crying out loud.  We are just part of the beauty contest.  The President is voted in by the Electoral College.  Which in this day and age is unbelievable.  In most states there isn't any requirement for the electoral votes to go the way of their states popular votes either.

[RallyeMike]

There's a difference between being "unattentive" and refusing to participate in a corrupt system.

If you are trying to send a message that the system is corrupt by not voting, nobody is listening. In fact, the corrupt forces that guide this countries policies don't want intelligent, deductive people voting. They only want people voting who act on emotion and media sound bites.

Keep in mind that we actually don't elect the President for crying out loud.  We are just part of the beauty contest.  The President is voted in by the Electoral College.  Which in this day and age is unbelievable.  In most states there isn't any requirement for the electoral votes to go the way of their states popular votes either.

The electoral college is irrelevant. Now when enough people stop voting and some complete whacko finds his way into office, maybe the electoral college can save us by not confirming that vote? ..... Naw, I don't think they would do it even then. Irrelevant.

 

 

[twodko]

my wife used to think i was too hardnosed on the "free-loaders" until she started working for the state welfare office back in march, every day she is amazed at the people that come through the door with the mind set that she "better give me MY money" and "what do you mean i have to show up on time for my appointment to get MY money?"  and "wait till i'm done talking on my i-phone to give me MY money" and "don't mess up my nails girl, i just had them done, NOW GIVE ME MY MONEY"

A CHP friend of mine reffers to these losers as "throwaway people".

[twodko]

It sucks being middle class you have to pay for so many who are too lazy to. Illegals cost us so much for health care and lost jobs. We need to tell the bleeding heart small group of Americans to shut the f*** up and get back to having a back bone and be hard a$$es and fix it.

Yep!

[John_Kunkel]

If you are trying to send a message that the system is corrupt by not voting, nobody is listening.  

Ever do something simply as a matter of principle?

[flyinlow]

Born in '88... this is my first exposure to "hard times". I'd like to think that most of us still have more than most of the world in comparison. (health, food, shelter) But that's what makes America great. I plan on lowering my shoulder and barrelling through, because that's what Americans do. Failure isn't an option. We need realistic and innovative leaders.

Wow, 23 years old , a 73 Charger and a positive attitude about our countries future......I'm jealous!  .....  About the first part. I have a 73 Charger and try to keep a positive attitude about the future. You did inspire me a little and I will try to shoulder along somemore also. 

[64dartgt]

Keep in mind that we actually don't elect the President for crying out loud.  We are just part of the beauty contest.  The President is voted in by the Electoral College.  Which in this day and age is unbelievable.  In most states there isn't any requirement for the electoral votes to go the way of their states popular votes either.

The electoral college is irrelevant. Now when enough people stop voting and some complete whacko finds his way into office, maybe the electoral college can save us by not confirming that vote? ..... Naw, I don't think they would do it even then. Irrelevant.

Actually...I was thinking the opposite...that the people vote one way (popular vote) but the electoral votes go another (2000 election).

 

 

[67440chrg]

I know I did not start this but I would like to thank everyone for not going to far any direction.Keep it going. Please Buy American

[73rallye440magnum]

Going to school and have a baby on the way. Gotta make the most of everything!

Born in '88... this is my first exposure to "hard times". I'd like to think that most of us still have more than most of the world in comparison. (health, food, shelter) But that's what makes America great. I plan on lowering my shoulder and barrelling through, because that's what Americans do. Failure isn't an option. We need realistic and innovative leaders.

Wow, 23 years old , a 73 Charger and a positive attitude about our countries future......I'm jealous!  .....  About the first part. I have a 73 Charger and try to keep a positive attitude about the future. You did inspire me a little and I will try to shoulder along somemore also. 

[bull]

Please Buy American

You mean like a Toyota Camry or a Honda Accord?

http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=ami&story=amMade0710

[Tilar]

There are only a couple "American" manufacturers left... Ford comes to mind at this point, I think the other makes washing machines.

[67440chrg]

It is not allways where it is assembled it is where the money goes to from the sale.

[Cooter]

I have this friend who's always telling me that driving my Subaru (that's clearly older than any of his cars and will outlast any of them), I should "Buy American"...This coming from him I have to laugh, when I ask him where he shops for groceries....(Wal-Mart)...

[bull]

It is not allways where it is assembled it is where the money goes to from the sale.

That's true to a point, but the blue collar wages of those Toyota and Honda factory workers stays here and gets used in the local economy while the wages for most of the Chevy, Ford and Dodge factory workers is spend abroad. I'd like to see an actual breakdown of how much blue collar Toyota worker wages are spent domestically compared to Dodge or Chevy. I could be wrong but I'd venture to guess that more white collar money is invested overseas than blue collar money.

[RallyeMike]

Ever do something simply as a matter of principle?

Yes. Here are some:

1. Never give up.
2. Never do things that to satisfy only myself at the expense of everyone else.

So I vote. No matter how painful it is.