4th July celebration - Page 2

*Ratmagiclady* · 07-04-2009, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Blue

The asterisks were supposed to be in a circle but alas, they collapsed.

Well, I'm not writing the United States off yet, let's say.

The secession talk makes for a certain amount of useful rhetoric, (As well as ways to quietly pass laws that say a state like Georgia will ignore Federal civil rights law if they feel like it, now that they can't use their 'permanent majority' to interfere in more liberal states,) ...but these secessions aren't going to happen.

The fact is, there's a perception cultivated in the media that red-state tax money subsidizes the blue-state cities, but it's really the other way around.

'Private enterprise' may find the 'small government' line very useful, but it's not really private enterprise. They use public roads and infrastructure basically for free. Especially without agricultural and infrastructure subsidies, a lot of the Red states would quickly find themselves exporting resources, and that's not a winning equation.

So, it's not gonna happen.

*Ratmagiclady* · 07-04-2009, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Blue

Farmers et al. pay taxes RML. Everyone that puts gas or diesel in their vehicles pays taxes to use the roads. That dog don't hunt. As far as our agriculture base goes, those big old cities would starve without guaranteed source of food and fiber. Its about time someon did a study on the environmental degaradation and resource use in those big cities. If it wasn't for our infrastructure as a nation, those cities wouldn't be sustainable. They would be dependent on foreign food.

Yes, everyone pays *taxes* (though agribusiness actually gets more than it gives) ...but basically, the money, in the aggregate, flows the other way across those state lines. Without those subsidies, a state like, say, Kansas, would have to live off prices set by others. And pay prices set by others for what they need to farm. It really wouldn't work out. Texas wouldn't do so well, either, and with what oil's there, they're probably the ones the idea would be most viable for. But I believe they're still a net energy importer. At least it's no Saudi Arabia, even with all the public funds that found their way to Big Oil during the Bush administration.

People are *spoiled* by what they take for granted about the United States of America. They may resent the notion, but when it comes down to brass tacks... we need each other, and actually, there's some states the US of A would probably do better without.

But that's not how we do things, here in the United States.

*Blue* · 07-04-2009, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by Ratmagiclady

Yes, everyone pays *taxes* (though agribusiness actually gets more than it gives) ...but basically, the money, in the aggregate, flows the other way across those state lines. Without those subsidies, a state like, say, Kansas, would have to live off prices set by others. And pay prices set by others for what they need to farm. It really wouldn't work out. Texas wouldn't do so well, either, and with what oil's there, they're probably the ones the idea would be most viable for. But I believe they're still a net energy importer. At least it's no Saudi Arabia, even with all the public funds that found their way to Big Oil during the Bush administration.

People are *spoiled* by what they take for granted about the United States of America. They may resent the notion, but when it comes down to brass tacks... we need each other, and actually, there's some states the US of A would probably do better without.

But that's not how we do things, here in the United States.

The only 2 states that could operate as independent republics are really Texas and California. NY & Florida could come close but not quite. Bama & La would be possible but a long shot.

*séamuis* · 07-04-2009, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by Blue

The only 2 states that could operate as independent republics are really Texas and California. NY & Florida could come close but not quite. Bama & La would be possible but a long shot.

controlling the Gulf and its ports, Texas could do just fine.

*Ratmagiclady* · 07-04-2009, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by séamuis

controlling the Gulf and its ports, Texas could do just fine.

Well, what I say to Texas is, don't let me keep you. It'd really simplify a lot of things.

Lived there. Really *is* a 'whole other country.'

Just, yaknow, give us back the nukes, and let people who want to leave *out,* I'm sure it'll be *spectacular. *

I mean, really, anyone who wants to trust their children's future to the benificence and far-sightedness of unregulated corporations... That's your thing, you know?

*séamuis* · 07-04-2009, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Ratmagiclady

Well, what I say to Texas is, don't let me keep you. It'd really simplify a lot of things.

Lived there. Really *is* a 'whole other country.'

Just, yaknow, give us back the nukes, and let people who want to leave *out,* I'm sure it'll be *spectacular. *

twill be *spectacular* but we will be keeping the nukes. our facilities are more than capable of keeping them safe from the 'war mongering' US. and our militia will need them for leverage. though it will probably make us a part of the 'axis of evil'.. wait, does that still exist?

spectacular

I mean, really, anyone who wants to trust their children's future to the benificence and far-sightedness of unregulated corporations... That's your thing, you know?

I do not know.

*graphicgr8s* · 07-04-2009, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Ratmagiclady

Ah, one of my favorites.

I was never much of an ASCII artist, myself, but I did consider trying the Bennington flag.

(That, by the way, Graphic, is where the asterisks come from. It's how people used to type bold and italics back in text-only days. Still works on some programs. )

Guess I have never seen it before. I was never a typist. I started out as a typesetter. When we wanted bold or italics or condensed we use to pull the matrices from the correct drawer. (And yes, I set Linotype and Ludlow also) When I started on computerized typesetting we put the correct codes in on 7 bit paper tape and then 8 bit tape. And now, alas I have denigrated myself to graphic design on a desktop computer. Just for the record, you only double space after a period in a business letter. You know how many portfolios I have thrown in the garbage because the "designer" didn't know that basic tenent of design. And back before these stupid keyboards, when we had to actually grab type my spelling was a whole lot better too.

*graphicgr8s* · 07-04-2009, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by séamuis

twill be *spectacular* but we will be keeping the nukes. our facilities are more than capable of keeping them safe from the 'war mongering' US. and our militia will need them for leverage. though it will probably make us a part of the 'axis of evil'.. wait, does that still exist?

spectacular

I do not know.

No, it doesn't. Obama got rid of it. We are totally safe.

*Ratmagiclady* · 07-04-2009, 11:01 AM

I'm sure that's very important, Graphic. Are we distracted, yet?

*graphicgr8s* · 07-04-2009, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Ratmagiclady

Yes, everyone pays *taxes* (though agribusiness actually gets more than it gives) ...but basically, the money, in the aggregate, flows the other way across those state lines. Without those subsidies, a state like, say, Kansas, would have to live off prices set by others. And pay prices set by others for what they need to farm. It really wouldn't work out. Texas wouldn't do so well, either, and with what oil's there, they're probably the ones the idea would be most viable for. But I believe they're still a net energy importer. At least it's no Saudi Arabia, even with all the public funds that found their way to Big Oil during the Bush administration.

People are *spoiled* by what they take for granted about the United States of America. They may resent the notion, but when it comes down to brass tacks... we need each other, and actually, there's some states the US of A would probably do better without.

But that's not how we do things, here in the United States.

Those subsidies are designed to keep prices artificially high. It even prevents some farmers from growing at all. If we made those same farmers grow there would never be a food shortage. Pretty sad when you can buy US grown peanuts cheaper abroad than you can right here.

*Ratmagiclady* · 07-04-2009, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by graphicgr8s

No, it doesn't. Obama got rid of it. We are totally safe.

There's no 'totally safe' in this world, sir.

But excessive fear and belligerence and absolutism doesn't make you safer.

It really doesn't. Anyone who's been in a real fight with *me* learns that. Presidents don't need to terrorize *us* to kick butt as necessary.

*séamuis* · 07-04-2009, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by graphicgr8s

No, it doesn't. Obama got rid of it. We are totally safe.

*I* am safe. you Floridians will need to watch your backs.

*Ratmagiclady* · 07-04-2009, 11:11 AM

I mean, not to *criticise* or anything, but if you really think running scared and squalling for bigger guns is how you want to live your life, there's better places in the world for you to go do that. Someone might even shoot back.

*Blue* · 07-04-2009, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Ratmagiclady

I mean, not to *criticise* or anything, but if you really think running scared and squalling for bigger guns is how you want to live your life, there's better places in the world for you to go do that. Someone might even shoot back.

Writing letters and making sophomoric speeches isn't going to do anything to guys like Imanuttjob, The Ayatollah, or Kim etc but give them a good laugh. The only thing those bastards understand is a lead bullet.

*séamuis* · 07-04-2009, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Ratmagiclady

I mean, not to *criticise* or anything, but if you really think running scared and squalling for bigger guns is how you want to live your life, there's better places in the world for you to go do that. Someone might even shoot back.

sarcasm fails on the internet.

I own no guns. the last time I used one was marksmanship competition as a cadet in highschool. an Anschutz, no matter how great a rifle wouldn't do me any good. would it?

I am a 'distinguished expert' though. NRA/CMP. I should be feared, I don't fear others.

*sarcasm*