France on the verge of a crisis like Greece. (72)
Thalassa: From Ray: "Yes, that's true to a certain extent. The Greek people were happily complacent in the face of corruption as long as their personal lifestyle was good.
The same is true for the US and most western nations. Personal interest is all that counts for most people. They may rationalize and invent reasons for their political stance, but in truth, perceived economic interest is the only real issue for most, especially the wealthy."
Truer words were never spoken. Bravo and cheers!
The same is true for the US and most western nations. Personal interest is all that counts for most people. They may rationalize and invent reasons for their political stance, but in truth, perceived economic interest is the only real issue for most, especially the wealthy."
Truer words were never spoken. Bravo and cheers!
yep...perceived economic interest is the only real issue here. viva das capital!(that's what the wealthy say). But we don't really wana know what the poor says
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mnowsa: yep...perceived economic interest is the only real issue here. viva das capital!(that's what the wealthy say). But we don't really wana know what the poor says
Remember what the Reverend Ike said?
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mnowsa: yep...perceived economic interest is the only real issue here. viva das capital!(that's what the wealthy say). But we don't really wana know what the poor says
I don't know you and you don't know me, but I would venture to say that we are (at least most of us here) all poor...so...viva das capital?? Not so much for me. But nor do I say "to hell with capitalism" for that is not an answer that serves me well, either. Don't we tend to find our moralistic, patriotic, and economic ideals shaped by our own circumstances in life? Or do we form our circumstances based on our financial, moral, and patriotic ideals?
Aren't we all a bit "happily complacent" when things are going our way? We turn a blind eye to the injustices and inequalities because to do otherwise would be akin to shooting ourselves in the foot, as has been the case in Greece and other countries now dealing with "Ta Metra"....the measures...the austerity measures, that is. Everybody knew that the only way to get proper medical attention was to slip the doctor and the anesthesiologist and God knows who else a few extra hundred euros; everybody knew that you could buy your way out of something or into something else. This was implicit, it was understood. Now, however, it seems that accountability is required.
Wow.
What a concept!
I love my adopted nation, Greece...but she is in serious trouble. This should not, to the rest of us, serve as an example of pity or a "woe is me" scenario....this, but for the will of God or the gods, must serve as a warning...an example...of what can happen when the fat hands of corruption tighten around our necks, even if those same hands seemed at one time alluring. The reality is that the cliche is true....what goes around, comes around....even if it takes decades. And there is a part of me that says, "Hell, Yes!"
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RayfromUSA: RayfromUSA:
Ultimately they plan a cashless global economy using rfid chips instead of cash. But that will probably take a few years.
Yep.
But look how they hype it up as something great that will enhance your personal security.
But once implanted the chip will give authorities (or anybody with the know how) instant access to not only medical records, but also police records, job records, income records, tax records, travel records, purchase records, credit records, ...whatever.
Once chipped the person can be tracked and located instantly 24/7 by satellite or by street scanners.
This video shows how people can be tracked, identified and investigated instantly using rfid. (bear with the annoying beep at the beginning)
So yes it's scary.
I doubt if they will force it on people, but they'll make life practically impossible without it.
Ultimately they plan a cashless global economy using rfid chips instead of cash. But that will probably take a few years.
Yep.
But look how they hype it up as something great that will enhance your personal security.
But once implanted the chip will give authorities (or anybody with the know how) instant access to not only medical records, but also police records, job records, income records, tax records, travel records, purchase records, credit records, ...whatever.
Once chipped the person can be tracked and located instantly 24/7 by satellite or by street scanners.
This video shows how people can be tracked, identified and investigated instantly using rfid. (bear with the annoying beep at the beginning)
So yes it's scary.
I doubt if they will force it on people, but they'll make life practically impossible without it.
Even if the chip ain't implanted on us, and it's embedded on our integrated ID-driver's license-money-medical card, it's scary enough. A card representing everything we are and everything we own
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pierrot_le_fou: Even if the chip ain't implanted on us, and it's embedded on our integrated ID-driver's license-money-medical card, it's scary enough. A card representing everything we are and everything we own
Well, that's an easy one! We don't own anything! They gave it all to the banks!
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Worst Problem being It will spread to all the surrounding countries, Like a Wild Fire.... Out of Control...
and it will cause severe Havoc, inn a short time...
This is only My Opinion...
But Put your money on It....
and the whole world is Sinking Like a Ship that has holes in it.....
and it will cause severe Havoc, inn a short time...
This is only My Opinion...
But Put your money on It....
and the whole world is Sinking Like a Ship that has holes in it.....
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HotrodLarrys: Worst Problem being It will spread to all the surrounding countries, Like a Wild Fire.... Out of Control...
and it will cause severe Havoc, inn a short time...
This is only My Opinion...
But Put your money on It....
and the whole world is Sinking Like a Ship that has holes in it.....
and it will cause severe Havoc, inn a short time...
This is only My Opinion...
But Put your money on It....
and the whole world is Sinking Like a Ship that has holes in it.....
We're all gonna snuff it in 2012 anyway!
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pierrot_le_fou: Even if the chip ain't implanted on us, and it's embedded on our integrated ID-driver's license-money-medical card, it's scary enough. A card representing everything we are and everything we own
I haven't been back to the states for several years now.
Is that the case already?
One card for ID, DL, cash withdrawal, and medical?
And I'll bet its got biometric data on it like retinal patterns or fingerprints.
It might also have an rfid loop antenna to allow tracking.
Better the card than the chip though.
Cards can always be tossed if need be.
But I'd hate to have to operate on myself to remove a chip.
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Godsgift: We're all gonna snuff it in 2012 anyway!
I wouldn't count on it.
All the doomsday scares of the last few years were hoaxes.
I doubt if the translation of the Mayan texts is anywhere near genuine .
Besides what did the Mayans know anyway.
I think it's a scam.
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No use shouting Conrad, you'll get your egg facial when things have run their course sufficiently and not a second before.
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RayfromUSA: No use shouting Conrad, you'll get your egg facial when things have run their course sufficiently and not a second before.
Ray I like you but you´re always full of doom and gloom.
I live in Spain so I know all about the crisis and how it has affected people. Fortunately for me it has meant people are looking to improve their employment prospects by by learning English and as a result I have more work than ever.
That doesn´t make me smug, I really do feel for those who have lost their jobs, but they are making the most of the situation in so far as I can see, and aiming to move away from their beloved country in the SHORT-TERM to find employment, mainly in the UK, The States, or Australia. But, I stress, in the short-term, few people I know or have met through my teaching here in Spain wish to reside in another country permanently.
I read your posts and often wonder why on earth you live in France if it is so bad. Politicians are the scourge wherever you live, and I really do suspect you prefer living in Europe than in your birthplace America for reasons which you you have never actually disclosed, at least not to my knowledge, so I apologise if you have and I missed it.
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RayfromUSA: No use shouting Conrad, you'll get your egg facial when things have run their course sufficiently and not a second before.
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I keep seeing the lie in the media that the strikers are upset about being asked to work until 62 instead of 60.
That's not true. The retirement age was already 65 for full pension but people could retire at 60 with a reduced pension.
That was actually a way for the government to save money because the difference was a lot.
The new changes make it 67 for full retirement and 62 for reduced retirement. And then the age is going to be raised another 3 years over the next few years so that the age for full retirement will be 70.
Imagine retirement at 70.
Too old to really do much of anything.
That's the idea.
What it would do is to force people with failing health to opt for the early retirement and thereby cheat them out of a lot of their retirement pay.
That's not true. The retirement age was already 65 for full pension but people could retire at 60 with a reduced pension.
That was actually a way for the government to save money because the difference was a lot.
The new changes make it 67 for full retirement and 62 for reduced retirement. And then the age is going to be raised another 3 years over the next few years so that the age for full retirement will be 70.
Imagine retirement at 70.
Too old to really do much of anything.
That's the idea.
What it would do is to force people with failing health to opt for the early retirement and thereby cheat them out of a lot of their retirement pay.
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RayfromUSA: I keep seeing the lie in the media that the strikers are upset about being asked to work until 62 instead of 60.
Another media lie is that they are underreporting the degree of participation. The government media claims that gas is available in all areas, but in fact most of the stations in France are shut down. Someone I know tried 30 different stations in the Lyon area and never found any gas.
Another media lie is that they are underreporting the degree of participation. The government media claims that gas is available in all areas, but in fact most of the stations in France are shut down. Someone I know tried 30 different stations in the Lyon area and never found any gas.
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The media intentionally overhypes the story.
Trying to make it sound like a revolution when in fact its mostly just peaceful demonstrators and striking employees.
This article will help to put things into perspective.
Trying to make it sound like a revolution when in fact its mostly just peaceful demonstrators and striking employees.
This article will help to put things into perspective.
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RayfromUSA: The media intentionally overhypes the story.
Trying to make it sound like a revolution when in fact its mostly just peaceful demonstrators and striking employees.
This article will help to put things into perspective.
Trying to make it sound like a revolution when in fact its mostly just peaceful demonstrators and striking employees.
This article will help to put things into perspective.
But when France farts, the whole world smells it.
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I just read that sarkozy's unpopularity is over 80%.
I feel pretty sure that this strike will either bring down Sarkozy's administration or he will impose martial law. Probably the latter as the parliament supports him. But the people are certainly not going to just accept retiring at 70 years old.
I feel pretty sure that this strike will either bring down Sarkozy's administration or he will impose martial law. Probably the latter as the parliament supports him. But the people are certainly not going to just accept retiring at 70 years old.
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RayfromUSA: I just read that sarkozy's unpopularity is over 80%.
I feel pretty sure that this strike will either bring down Sarkozy's administration or he will impose martial law. Probably the latter as the parliament supports him. But the people are certainly not going to just accept retiring at 70 years old.
I feel pretty sure that this strike will either bring down Sarkozy's administration or he will impose martial law. Probably the latter as the parliament supports him. But the people are certainly not going to just accept retiring at 70 years old.
What's up? TV stations are reporting changing it to 62?
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Tomorrow, the 23rd of October, is the big day for the French strike. The Government has not backed down on their intention to raise the retirement age (for the full pension) to 67 now, and to 70 in 3 years time.
Tomorrow will be the big showdown. If the workers don't make a strong show of force to force the government to compromise they will have lost everything. I expect a lot of trouble tomorrow.
Tomorrow will be the big showdown. If the workers don't make a strong show of force to force the government to compromise they will have lost everything. I expect a lot of trouble tomorrow.
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The same is true for the US and most western nations. Personal interest is all that counts for most people. They may rationalize and invent reasons for their political stance, but in truth, perceived economic interest is the only real issue for most, especially the wealthy."
Truer words were never spoken. Bravo and cheers!