Yeah the small businesses I shop at aren't exactly abusing their "local monopolies." Part of my job involves driving around the state to different sites, and I've developed a mental laundry list of small businesses along of the way that I like to stop and look at, because they can have things that huge chain stores do not. Anything from a unique fruit smoothie, to a giant bulk sack of dried corn at rural price to a mature strawberry plant that costs the same as a starter would from Lowes.Macbeth wrote:
It isn't about the race. Lets drop the Korean part so that Cyborg isn't offended.
Price competition isn't something many small businesses especially in rural areas have to worry about. Usually they are the only game in town. They have a captive customer base that has no choice but to buy at the rates the small business sets.
Lets compare this again to Wal-Mart which has obscenely low prices on a vast range and options of items.
I am not only talking about Wal-Marts. A small CVS provides many more benefits to a small neighbourhood than an independent corner store.
yes, you could say the same about britain... in 1800. it's called 'industrialisation'. however america is already industrialised. it is rich. developed. advanced. not still building roads and trying to establish an economy and manufacturing sector. it doesn't have 'sweatshops'. these situations are not fucking comparable. america is extraordinarily wealthy. the problem is the wealth is entirely concentrated at the top. the problem is there's a pernicious ideology, seeded in the 80's, that suggests everyone on minimum-wage are helots that 'deserve' their status, and should not be paid a penny more. it is stupid.Cybargs wrote:
China wouldn't be in it's position toady if it wasn't for sweatshops tbh. 20 years of shitty conditions and now they are an economic powerhouse. Same goes for Taiwan. Factory work at my gramps place used to be just average pay, now the pay is doubled compared to the national avg salary. We pay our people well because hey why not, they bust their ass and make more monies for us. Kinda cool for a small company where tons of employees have worked for us since they were 18.
Everyone has seen this by now, how can you say it's not concentrated at the top?RAIMIUS wrote:
Lol, Uzique, you need to go back and get some historical background. The "people deserve their place in society" idiocy has been around for a LONG time. American wealth isn't "entirely concentrated at the top," even though it is trending toward the extremes. The NYT actually had an interesting piece on economic mobility by region today. I'd recommend reading it. It was thought provoking.
Last edited by Adams_BJ (2013-07-23 19:12:35)
america has one of the lowest social mobility rates in the entire advanced western world. i suggest you read up on that.RAIMIUS wrote:
Lol, Uzique, you need to go back and get some historical background. The "people deserve their place in society" idiocy has been around for a LONG time. American wealth isn't "entirely concentrated at the top," even though it is trending toward the extremes. The NYT actually had an interesting piece on economic mobility by region today. I'd recommend reading it. It was thought provoking.
Social mobility is even worst when you're black too.Uzique The Lesser wrote:
america has one of the lowest social mobility rates in the entire advanced western world. i suggest you read up on that.RAIMIUS wrote:
Lol, Uzique, you need to go back and get some historical background. The "people deserve their place in society" idiocy has been around for a LONG time. American wealth isn't "entirely concentrated at the top," even though it is trending toward the extremes. The NYT actually had an interesting piece on economic mobility by region today. I'd recommend reading it. It was thought provoking.
You can live the american dream but not too much of it. rockefeller learned that lesson when he was #winning@americandreamz.Uzique The Lesser wrote:
i hate americans who still think it's all 'the american dream' and yada yada. have you been in a coma since 1950?
Please stop posting in D&ST.Cybargs wrote:
You can live the american dream but not too much of it. rockefeller learned that lesson when he was #winning@americandreamz.Uzique The Lesser wrote:
i hate americans who still think it's all 'the american dream' and yada yada. have you been in a coma since 1950?
how is that not accurate. he built a huge ass company and then got broken up when it was too successful.Jay wrote:
Please stop posting in D&ST.Cybargs wrote:
You can live the american dream but not too much of it. rockefeller learned that lesson when he was #winning@americandreamz.Uzique The Lesser wrote:
i hate americans who still think it's all 'the american dream' and yada yada. have you been in a coma since 1950?
Three things:Uzique The Lesser wrote:
i wasn't really talking about rockefeller. more like anyone born into a lower-class family, or with non-white skin. people talk about 'the world's greatest democracy' but it is literally the least equal nation in the entire western MEDC group.
Last edited by Jay (2013-07-24 04:45:02)
Last edited by Uzique The Lesser (2013-07-24 05:04:21)
Last edited by Uzique The Lesser (2013-07-24 05:16:29)
I guess it depends on your viewpoint. My grandparents struggled to get to a middle-class lifestyle. My parents were solidly in the "middle 33%" of income, and they have a decent house, cars that don't breakdown, reasonably nice stuff, etc, etc. I took advantage of educational and employment opportunities and am currently in the "top 25%" and am not even 30 yet. Do I ever expect to become a "top 1%" multi-billionaire? Nope. That said, I can maintain a comfortable lifestyle within my means (honestly, I can waste a fair amount of money and still be in the black). So, I have nothing to complain about financially, but I'll never approach the top of the chart for wealth. Sure, having a G650 to fly to my 5th house in the Alps would be kind of cool, but it's hardly something I worry about.Uzique The Lesser wrote:
i wasn't really talking about rockefeller. more like anyone born into a lower-class family, or with non-white skin. people talk about 'the world's greatest democracy' but it is literally the least equal nation in the entire western MEDC group.
Every needy kid gets one or more free meals at school.Uzique The Lesser wrote:
america is meant to be a western superpower. how many of your kids can't afford school meals? how many people are on foodstamps? medicare/medicaid? you have generated an extraordinary amount of wealth under the relaxation of regulation and the chummying of business/lobbying to politics. all under the shibboleth of 'trickle-down' economics. well, where's the trickle? right now the only trickle most poor people in america are feeling is the cold alkaloid drip of crack cocaine down their esophagus.
Last edited by Uzique The Lesser (2013-07-25 15:17:42)
Have you ever tasted public school lunch? I would never let my children have that garbage.Jay wrote:
Every needy kid gets one or more free meals at school.
The Obama administration loosened the requirements for food stamps, so use has skyrocketed. Free money.
What relaxation of regulations? More get added every day.
Now fuck off with the marxist class warfare rhetoric trust fund baby
I have, and from what I can remember it was bad but edible. Quality may be bad compared to what I'm used to now, but it's free calories.13/f/taiwan wrote:
Have you ever tasted public school lunch? I would never let my children have that garbage.Jay wrote:
Every needy kid gets one or more free meals at school.
The Obama administration loosened the requirements for food stamps, so use has skyrocketed. Free money.
What relaxation of regulations? More get added every day.
Now fuck off with the marxist class warfare rhetoric trust fund baby
There is an increase in food stamps users but it doesn't mean more money is being spent on the program. They are just splitting up the money and lower the amount a person receives.
You're right about the rules and regulations, although the tax laws here are designed to be manipulated.
I think what Uzique is trying to say here is that compared to the advanced Western world (parts of Europe, the US and Canada), the United States is in last place when it should be taking the lead. We're talking about social programs and level of education, right?
I think a lot has to do with the social aspects nowadays, people give shit to "nerds" who like math and science, creating a social stigma towards STEM subjects. There's been a huge drive in aussieland trying to get more girls into science and math if they are capable. Lots of girls would rather do a degree besides STEM.Uzique The Lesser wrote:
STEM is always pushed by people who chose 'cooler' degrees? what? STEM has been a giant social drive since the 1950's and the reinvention of the modern research university in the states. STEM was the bona fide way for 'the american man' to 'make himself' at college, post-ww2. heavily encouraged because of its benefit to industry and invention, building america up and securing your world-wide lead. STEM is pushed by people with 'cooler' degrees? honestly where do you get this from.