by MrBill » Thu 18 Sep 2008, 03:31:47
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('coyote', 'I') don't know enough about this system to really make a meaningful addition to the discussion, though these threads and times have been fascinating. All I know is that, as someone who has not lended irresponsibly, has not borrowed irresponsibly, did not cheer the Iraq War and did not vote for Bush either time, I get the shaft from my fellow American idiots - politician, lender and borrower alike. My taxes go to prop up an industry that I've been waiting patiently for years to correct itself so that I can afford to buy my own real property in a responsible manner. Looks like I'll be waiting a bit longer - though I hope I can be forgiven for hoping that my tax dollars, though I consider them wasted money, at least wind up being ineffective at working against my own interest as they are intended to do.
No real cause for complaint, though, I suppose - lots of people don't have food.
"I can't complain, but sometimes I still do..."
As they say, "the rain falls on the just and unjust alike." So as snowrunner said, there is enough blame to go around. Both those that acted irresponsibly and those that profited from those actions.
If we turn it into a two by two matrix using the Pareto Principle (like a consultant would right?) then you end up with something like
Responsible, made informed decisions: Made money = 80%
Responsible, made informed decisions: Lost money = 20%
Irresponsible, made uninformed decisions: Lost money = 80%
Irresponsible, made uninformed decisions; Made money = 20%
So some people are just in the wrong place at the wrong time and through no fault of their own they get hurt because of the collective actions of others or because their government is irresponsible. Of course, there is always a small minority that just happens to get lucky, and they end up alright, but through no particular skill or effort of their own. Sort of like being born at the right time and happily benefiting from economic growth and a surplus of cheap energy.
The organized state is a wonderful invention whereby everyone can live at someone else's expense.