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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2016 20:19:10 GMT -5
I love the USA, but it's a capitalistic country where greed rules. Which country isn't? There, I said it.... |
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Post by realjla on Feb 15, 2016 20:50:08 GMT -5
Which country isn't capitalist? Or which capitalist countries aren't ruled by greed?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2016 22:37:02 GMT -5
Which country isn't capitalist? Or which capitalist countries aren't ruled by greed? Is there a difference? Everyone wants a positive balance of trade...at someone else's expense of course. |
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Feb 16, 2016 10:22:18 GMT -5
Which country isn't capitalist? Or which capitalist countries aren't ruled by greed? Is there a difference? Everyone wants a positive balance of trade...at someone else's expense of course. True, but many countries have rules that enforce a certain level of redistribution of wealth within their own borders, at least in the form of services. I had a tumour removed last year and plastic surgery to repair my nose. My mom got a new metal knee. My father in law got a new hip a few years ago. How deep into debt did we go? Not at all... it was all paid for by the state. And I hear services are even better in Scandinavia! That doesn't mean we don't have our share of greedy pigs here (or even enlightened and socially-aware capitalists for that matter) but the rules aren't written so they can simply exploit everything and everyone to their heart's content. Capitalism doesn't need to equate unlimited greed. Social democracy, which integrates capitalism but doesn't give it a completely free rein, seems to produce societies that have fewer major problems stemming from inequality, poverty and despair. The biggest problem it faces is that people get spoiled easily and don't like to be told that we can't really afford five weeks of paid vacation a year. |
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Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 10,202 
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Post by Confessor on Feb 16, 2016 12:25:57 GMT -5
Capitalism doesn't need to equate unlimited greed. Social democracy, which integrates capitalism but doesn't give it a completely free rein, seems to produce societies that have fewer major problems stemming from inequality, poverty and despair. The biggest problem it faces is that people get spoiled easily and don't like to be told that we can't really afford five weeks of paid vacation a year. Bravo! Well said, Roquefort. And that's why I'm a socialist. It's also why I'm glad to finally see the UK Labour Party get a leader like Jeremy Corbyn, who is a proper "old school" socialist and not some inanely grinning, spin-doctored, centre-left, Blairite f***wit (see Ed Miliband for further details). |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 15:13:28 GMT -5
Last weekend, I had my mailbox at my Condo place broken into and my Driver's License is expiring this year and between Friday and Saturday - I had my mail stolen and I just spent 3 hours and 30 minutes taking care of my problems and this is one of those days that it's takes a whole morning to have this thing resolved.
Anyway, I was able to get a temporary until a new one being delivered at my Brother's place of which his mailbox is much more secure than mine. Pretty soon all my mail will be sent to his home instead.
It nuts to spend all that time for one lousy driver's license.
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Feb 16, 2016 15:33:05 GMT -5
Holy &?%$, that's infuriating!
What kind of lowlife breaks into a mailbox?
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Post by Phil Maurice on Feb 16, 2016 16:09:44 GMT -5
. . .easy access, one-stop hopping location for those criminally inclined.  
Too true, mrp. The same applies to outgoing mail. That little red flag is a solid indicator that the box contains payments to creditors in the form of checks which contain all your banking information. I've been taking my bills to work to mail, as we have a secure pick-up location inside the building (yes, I am old and still write checks  . In my defense, they are Marvel Superhero checks and are way cool).
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Feb 16, 2016 16:21:44 GMT -5
Holy &?%$, that's infuriating! What kind of lowlife breaks into a mailbox? Identity theft is a growing criminal enterprise. Lots of people receive/send documents via mail that contain sensitive data useful for identity thefts. In the U.S. first of the month is when many checks are sent via mail for those not using direct deposit for pensions, Social Security, etc. In the U.S. people receiving income tax refund checks via mail (rahter than direct deposit) and who filed early will start receiving checks in February. etc. So yes mailboxes hold all kinds of lucrative lures for lowlifes i.e. criminals and make a tidy, easy access, one-stop hopping location for those criminally inclined. -M My question was more rhetorical than practical, mrp!  I have little respect for those who would steal grandma's social security check or someone's personal identity. I don't know about superstitious, but they are a cowardly lot. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 18:23:14 GMT -5
We have had both our business and personal credit card info stolen this year.
Thank God my husband checks his credit card accounts online, daily (several times a day now), and caught it both times.
And thank god both our credit card companies protect us, and we were able to have both charges denied and stopped.
But it's getting BAD.
And we're SUPER careful about where we use our cards.
We NEVER store credit card info online. And now we do not use our credit card when we go out and about. We pay cash in person.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 22:04:14 GMT -5
We have had both our business and personal credit card info stolen this year. Thank God my husband checks his credit card accounts online, daily (several times a day now), and caught it both times. And thank god both our credit card companies protect us, and we were able to have both charges denied and stopped. But it's getting BAD. And we're SUPER careful about where we use our cards. We NEVER store credit card info online. And now we do not use our credit card when we go out and about. We pay cash in person.I always pay cash in person daily and I don't use Credit Card at all. Thanks for posting this ... everyone should be extra, extra, extra careful in their daily transactions for all their monetary needs. |
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Post by Cei-U! on Feb 17, 2016 8:23:20 GMT -5
Back in the late '90s when I was with the Washington State Attorney General's Office, I attended several seminars on identity theft and other online crimes. Even back then, the numbers were staggering. I can't remember the exact statistics but something like 4% of *all* online financial transactions ended up in the wrong pockets, costing banks and other institutions billions of dollars in lost revenue a year.
Cei-U!
I summon the not-so-fond memories!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2016 7:02:36 GMT -5
We have had both our business and personal credit card info stolen this year. Thank God my husband checks his credit card accounts online, daily (several times a day now), and caught it both times. And thank god both our credit card companies protect us, and we were able to have both charges denied and stopped. But it's getting BAD. And we're SUPER careful about where we use our cards. We NEVER store credit card info online. And now we do not use our credit card when we go out and about. We pay cash in person. All depends on what businesses you are patronizing. A fair amount of money laundering is done via cash transactions at "small businesses" that are actually fronts for larger (often shadier) organizations. Colbert even had a joke at the end of his monologue on the Late Show the other night about legislating a requirement for businesses that deal is cash only transactions be transparent to reveal who they are laundering money for in all advertisements and restaurants that do so be required to state it on the menu. Being seen carrying large amounts of cash often puts a target on your back for muggings, pickpockets, purse-snatchers, panhandlers and other potential annoyances/hazards, especially in larger urban environments. And of course if you get passed a counterfeit bill and try to pass it along unknowingly and it gets spotted, you are out the money at the minimum and could face charges or fines for passing it, even if you didn't know it was counterfeit. So you take risks no matter how you engage in payments. Cash being safe is just as illusionary as secure credit transactions. It's just easier to delude ourselves into thinking it's safer. -M Do you hate me? You hate me, don't you? We are not carrying around enough cash to buy cars or houses. I'm not walking around in an over-crowded area, with my cash hanging out of my purse. Yes, there's ALWAYS a risk of sorts. No matter HOW you pay. But, for a purchase of $100 or so, I think we'll be safe enough to pay cash in person. I'm not going to sketchy places and paying cash. I'm also not pulling out wads and wads of of 100s when I pay for something. I think I'm going to be okay. If not, I'll report back here and let you say "I told you so, dumb@ass.". |
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Post by adamwarlock2099 on Feb 18, 2016 10:09:20 GMT -5
If a purchase is around or over a $100 I go with a card. Otherwise I keep cash on me. I might use my card even if I have cash, but I have that as a back up. I've had cards fail probably half a dozen times, over the years, and not because of insufficient funds, that I do not like to rely on them 100%. Also there are still businesses that operate 100% cash that I frequent, and I don't blame them. I would think I'd do the same if I were a business owner.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2016 10:51:22 GMT -5
lol, mrp.
Everytime you school me I feel like a scorned child who has just had the world's thickest Encyclopedia of the Universe thrown at her.
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. In my defense, they are Marvel Superhero checks and are way cool).
