[vtsnowedin]

I started with nothing and still have most of it. I see no reason to apologize for what I have got and I am far better then Hannity or Rush.

[Herr Meier]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', 'H')ow can a people be expected to into the middle class when the facilities that make that life possible NEVER EXISTED. .

[Herr Meier]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '[') and the poor can only blame themselves for their poverty:

[ralfy]

From what I know, middle class conveniences are essentially purchased through increased credit and jobs in the service industry that offer higher wages. Meanwhile, more of manufacturing and food production are mechanized and offered to overseas businesses. The workers in these industries also want middle class conveniences and the move to service industries. Costs are kept low by bypassing environmental laws and through various political and military means (such as using the military to protect the petrodollar).

Progress is introduced in poor countries that have a lot of natural resources to exploit given the public view of fostering democracy, economic freedom, etc. The main purpose, though, is to secure access to resources and at the same time to expand the market of consumers.

Some of the reasons for immigration include population aging (i.e., to ensure that young health care workers are available to care for the growing number of elderly), jobs that lack workers, etc.

Thus, the current middle class is dependent not only on a growing number of workers overseas or contracted to work in their country, but also on a growing market of consumers (especially a growing middle class) to ensure steady, if not increasing, income and returns on their investment.

Of course, all of these factors assume more than enough oil and material resources needed not only to ensure economic growth but to solve environmental problems as well.

[vtsnowedin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ralfy', 'F')rom what I know, middle class conveniences are essentially purchased through increased credit and jobs in the service industry that offer higher wages.

[Keith_McClary]

I think most US infrastructure was built near the time of peak US oil production.

[vtsnowedin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Keith_McClary', 'I') think most US infrastructure was built near the time of peak US oil production.

[Subjectivist]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vtsnowedin', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Keith_McClary', 'I') think most US infrastructure was built near the time of peak US oil production.

[ralfy]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vtsnowedin', 'T')he economy is expanded not by credit but by investment with credit being just the first step in the cycle. Sound investment combines capital with labor , resources and management to produce a useful product that is sold for a profit after all the bills are paid including the initial credit. It is when the money is borrowed and misused and not paid back that causes trouble.

[Keith_McClary]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vtsnowedin', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Keith_McClary', 'I') think most US infrastructure was built near the time of peak US oil production.