One of the interesting outcomes of the Greek crisis is the move to boycott Germany

Who's calling on people to 'Boycott Germany'? - BBC News (http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-33538098)

Interestinly I have been proving how I can live without german products for years, I don't shop at Aldi, I don't drive a BMW or an Audi and I don't have any german products in my home tha I am aware of. However there are interesting implications here of the manner in which Germany, in particular, has shafted the Greeks. They have long forgotten that they were forgiven massive debts after WWII and that austerity like they inflicted on the greeks was the reason for the rise of right wing extremeism in their own nation.

What nonsense ! . I'll make it a point to eat a meal at our local Brauhaus in the next few days . Don't know what other German products I use ,but I'm sure they are made with the highest quality .

Nonsense? No, responsible action by responsible people who have an opinion. You remember opinions Tom, they are like arseholes, everyone has one and sometimes you can't tell the difference

If the Greeks collected taxes, they wouldn't need as much austerity. They sort of bent themselves over the barrel with that inability.

I have no problem with boycotts . It's misguided to blame Germany for the problems the Greeks brought upon themselves .

I agree Tom, the Greeks have had many years to make adjustments, yet they didn't. Not worth me giving up German Chocolate Cake over.

Germany is one of the best run and successful countries in the European Union. They have come a long way to achieve this.

I would suggest Boycotting Greece.

As was mentioned. Germany has gotten where they are through decades of hard work and discipline. They earned their position. Unlike Greece that was run with no discipline or accountability what so ever. And worse protesters thinking they are ENTITLED to free handouts without making ANY changes to everything or anything that got them into the mess to begin with.

If I ran the EU.. I would have told Greece if you want ANYTHING from us again (after several previous bailouts where they changed almost nothing)... these are the terms... take it or leave it. If they complained I'd pull that option from the table altogether. its OUR money and OUR risk... and WE lay down the conditions of any aid.

Smoothy I think that is what was done it remains to be seen whether the will of the greek people is to change after centuries of tax evasion they may just see this as the return of empire

They have a long history of socialist entitlement mentality. It's a hard habit to break... few people there actually know how to be responsible. The mindset as a culture just isn't there. That's not saying it won't ever change... just that its going to be a very hard lesson to learn before they can change. And its going to take some serious hardships before most of them will.

Greece isn't alone with that mindset in Europe...they are just the worst.

Yes it is a legacy of communism and socialist thinking, When I see the VAT there I shake my head but if you can't collect income tax you have to get it somehow, they must be among the laziest people in the world. What I don't get is why they haven't slapped a massive property tax on the place, it is not like socialist governments not to be innovative about collecting taxes

VAT would be ok and preferable, if they eliminated income taxes . But having both is over the line.

What nonsense. The idea of taxation is to extract the maximum fleece from the sheep with a minimum of bleeting. There are various methods for doing this. You can die the death of a thousand cuts or you can give it all up in one blow. VAT is an efficient method of collecting tax unfortunately it is regressive, that is it hurts those least able to pay the most. I thought you were in favour of such methods so as to allow the wealthy to minimise their tax. Greece is an example of tax minimisation gone mad until the rate of tax has to be continually increased because the collection methodology is inefficient. Why do you think we have a tax rate of 10% and they have a rate of 23%? It is because the method of collecting tax operates to collect based both on income and expenditure. They can't collect tax on income effectively so they have a VAT.

You on the other hand have an effective collection methodology, unfortunately the rates are set too low and you run continual deficits which will lead you into the same dilemma as Greece. It si a problem of advanced economies that have sucked on the teat of growth too long

oh yeah ,we are under taxed ...lolololololol !!!! It's always the same story ...it's never that government spending is out of control . It's never that the government makes too many promises to redistribute too much of other people's money . I favor consumption taxes over income taxes . Not every earns income . But people who have money spend it . Consumption taxes also encourages savings ....something EVERYONE says that we don't do enough of .

But if we insist on taxing income ,it should be a single rate /no exceptions ,deductions ,credits etc .

oh yeah ,we are under taxed ...lolololololol !!!! It's always the same story ...it's never that government spending is out of control . It's never that the government makes too many promises to redistribute too much of other people's money . I favor consumption taxes over income taxes . Not every earns income . But people who have money spend it . Consumption taxes also encourages savings ....something EVERYONE says that we don't do enough of .

But if we insist on taxing income ,it should be a single rate /no exceptions ,deductions ,credits etc .

Always with the let's tax the poor because it is fair. A VAT certainly fits in your plan so why are you against it. You have a flat rate tax on corporations and it is so ineffective that you have to find a way of taxing the population more effectively, You have Obamacare a tax but is it flat rate or can the rich opt for a higher level of service? No the poor have to be looked after by subsidy so set your flat rate tax at 50% and subsidise the poor, you might balance your budget. I don't think you will because your idiot politicians will still want to glad hand their constituents

Always with the let's tax the poor because it is fair. Maybe you think they should get a free ride ? A VAT taxes exactly the way you like it . The rich spend more and are thus are taxed more .

You have a flat rate tax on corporations and it is so ineffective that you have to find a way of taxing the population more effectively

It probably won't suprise you to learn that I think taxing businesses at all is a waste of time and resources . All corporate taxes get passed on to their customers in higher prices so what's the point ?

Tom your ideology stinks, Who do you think created the poor? It is a great shame the French revolution didn't happen in your country. Loping a few founders heads might have made a difference, but the French reverse engineered your idea and look what they came up with. They solved the problem of the rich at least for a while but eventually, like you, they thought they could conquer the world and introduce their system of government and law everywhere

Nothing surprises me about your ideology, By the standard of your thinking your shouldn't tax the population because they will pass it back to the employer in higher wages. You are completely illogical, it is no wonder a person like Trump could think that he would gain support. Your whole system is smoke and mirrors and you wonder why you get nothing done

Who do you think created the poor?

Wasn't that the guy that invented the idea of property? A Greek, wasn't he?

but the French reverse engineered your idea and look what they came up with. Napolean's dictatorship


it is no wonder a person like Trump could think that he would gain support Not from me ;Trump is a rent seeking crony corporatist ;the type of business man tailor made for the type of government you like .

Ha Ha Trump could never get anywhere in our political system, We had one like him at the last election, thought he could buy the elctorate, we haven't heard from him in months, it is hard to even remember his name but not many bought a PUP.

Trump's campaign is going to fizzle out very soon . This weekend he attacked John McCain and said he wasn't a war hero.

It's his one foot in mouth moment, and he was applauded for it, in the eyes of his supporters he can do no wrong. Maybe he thinks there arn't that many Vietnam vets who vote republican. What is worrying is a poll has suggested he would be 20 points ahead of Hillary should he win the nomination. A maverick in the White House, a very concerning thought

All S*it, the Repubs. Eat their own. It would be great to see a Real Business Man in the White House. Who started jumping on Trump First? The politicians. McCain is a Sap Sucking Rhino who is looking out for himself and kissing the Dems. A*s. He has been in office way to long and that goes for Scary Kerry, the Medal Tosser.

All S*it, the Repubs. Eat their own. It would be great to see a Real Business Man in the White House. Who started jumping on Trump First? The politicians. McCain is a Sap Sucking Rhino who is looking out for himself and kissing the Dems. A*s. He has been in office way to long and that goes for Scary Kerry, the Medal Tosser.

I don't like this type of post. McCain is still a war hero and your comments are harsh.

All of this is off topic anyway.

All S*it, the Repubs. Eat their own. It would be great to see a Real Business Man in the White House. Who started jumping on Trump First? The politicians. McCain is a Sap Sucking Rhino who is looking out for himself and kissing the Dems. A*s. He has been in office way to long and that goes for Scary Kerry, the Medal Tosser.
When you find a real businessman let me know . Trump is a rent-seeking crony corporatist . Besides stirring up everyone over illegal immigration (as if there are any Repubs who are against building a wall); his positions on some key issues are closer to Bernie Sanders than any conservative (ie when he toyed with running before ,he published a paper lauding the Canadian health care system and said we should bring it here . ) .
http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/conservative-with-a-heart#.gmvGG2v2J

All S*it, the Repubs. Eat their own. It would be great to see a Real Business Man in the White House. Who started jumping on Trump First? The politicians. McCain is a Sap Sucking Rhino who is looking out for himself and kissing the Dems. A*s. He has been in office way to long and that goes for Scary Kerry, the Medal Tosser.

Other than supporting term limits in the Congress, did you have any point other than potty-mouthing?

He is just being negative, he will do it to any front runner

Who brought up Greece and then Trump? Not Me. As far as John McCain goes, I never attacked his military record. Yes, he is a Military Hero. As for his time in the Senate, that is another story, what a loser. Tickle and Cat's meow sorry if I offended you. Term Limits would be the best thing this country could do. Better yet kick the whole, excuse me, (damn) bunch of them out and start over. I know you girls have an exclusive club of member on here but I did think one could speak without getting attacked. It would be much better if some of you could stick to an OP's question and not criticize the OP as I have observed many times on here. You know who you are.

When you find a real businessman let me know . Trump is a rent-seeking crony corporatist . Besides stirring up everyone over illegal immigration (as if there are any Repubs who are against building a wall); his positions on some key issues are closer to Bernie Sanders than any conservative (ie when he toyed with running before ,he published a paper lauding the Canadian health care system and said we should bring it here . ) .
http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/conservative-with-a-heart#.gmvGG2v2J

If he published a paper lauding the Canadian Health Care Program then he is all wet. I still would like to see what he can do as Commander in Chief, the pack of others are not up to my liking so far. Words are cheap.

We do like our health care up here. :D

We do like our health care up here. :D

No one is trying to take it from you. If you like it that is great, I happen to have liked our medical coverage, before it was kidnapped by the present administration.

No one is trying to take it from you.I know, I didn't infer that at all. I was saying something positive. Your turn.

I know, I didn't infer that at all. I was saying something positive. Your turn.

No Problem. See how quickly the subject moves from Germany to Canadian and US Medical Plans. LOL

Current Events has always been that way. No rhyme or reason. Some people live here exclusively.

No one is trying to take it from you. If you like it that is great, I happen to have liked our medical coverage, before it was kidnapped by the present administration.

HOW was it kidnapped? Didn't you find BETTER?

Words are cheap.

Yes and Trump spews them by the mouthful. His old positions (before he evolved )were in his 2011 book 'The America We Deserve' . It was there that he lauded the Canadian system and proposed it as a model for US health care . It was there that he supported an 'assault gun ' ban. He has also proposed both a one time ,and a permanent tax on the wealthy . He is not a capitalist ,and he is not for free trade . He has proposed 25% taxes on imports (which would come right out of the consumer's pockets ) . Like I said ,he is a crony corporatist . He expands his business by using the power of government .His so called 'art of the deal' is in fact negotiating with governments to curry favors over his competitors . For years he lobbied in NY State to prevent casinos because they would compete with his Atlantic City empire .
He has a history of asking local governments to use the power of eminent domain for his private purposes. He tried it in Atlantic City to expand a parking garage (and in the process attempt to evict an old lady who refused to sell) ;and tried it in Connecticut to condemn five Bridgeport businesses so that he may use the land to build an amusement park;terminal and seaport village and office complex on the east side of the harbor .When SCOTUS decided the Kelo case in favor of using the taking clause of 5th Amendment to enrich private business ;he applauded the ruling .
Yes ,I wouldn't mind a business person in the White House . Romney would've been fine .

You forgot the Trump State Park in NY, Tom,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_J._Trump_State_Park


New York State announced the park's closure due to budget cuts in February 2010.[4] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_J._Trump_State_Park#cite_note-NYSP_closures-4)As of 2015, large signs along the nearby Taconic State Parkway (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taconic_State_Parkway) continue to direct visitors to Donald J. Trump State Park.[5] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_J._Trump_State_Park#cite_note-Reisman_signs-5) However, a 2015 visit by a film crew found no sign of any recent upkeep; instead, the publicly-accessible land was found to contain crumbling graffiti-covered buildings, empty map kiosks, and weed-choked parking lots

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=HQ.144302175118&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0

lol ;The land was donated after Trump was unable to gain town approvals to develop a private golf course on the property .
I'm sure "the Donald" never promised to do the upkeep. Once it goes public ,'the tragedy of the commons' comes into play .

You forgot the Trump State Park in NY, Tom,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_J._Trump_State_Park



https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=HQ.144302175118&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0

What is your point? Did the Donald have the Mowing Contract on the Park?

Some people are just good at looking a gift horse in the mouth

While we're on "the Donald," Here's an interesting article:

Obama and Trump: Two of a Kind| National Review Online (http://www.nationalreview.com/article/421403/obamas-inner-trump)

While we're on "the Donald," Here's an interesting article:

Obama and Trump: Two of a Kind| National Review Online (http://www.nationalreview.com/article/421403/obamas-inner-trump)

Have no time to read it right now. Without reading it, I will give you a quick
response on the subject. Obama Does NOT Love This Country And is Evil whereas
I think the Donald Loves this Country and wants everything GOOD for the USA. Period.

Have no time to read it right now. Without reading it, I will give you a quick
response on the subject. Obama Does NOT Love This Country And is Evil whereas
I think the Donald Loves this Country and wants everything GOOD for the USA. Period.

I think you have to understand the difference between a person who is educated from birth in the US and one who is not. This doesn't mean they don't love their country but it does mean they have a different perspective. Obama is more about people than is about supremacy of country

I think you have to understand the difference between a person who is educated from birth in the US and one who is not. This doesn't mean they don't love their country but it does mean they have a different perspective. Obama is more about people than is about supremacy of country
Clete.. you don't get to know much about the real Obama outside the USA (which I do know is a fact having seen foreign news coverage of him myself)... Obama is all about himself... As much of a narcissist as Bill Clinton was, Obama makes him look like the Pope... whats more he hates Americans. His wife actually said it on the record... several times.

He hasn't helped any people... except drug dealers recently. Heaven forbid the people getting our kids on drugs actually sit in jail.

So Tom you are saying he hasn't helped people by pushing Obamacare into reality, he hasn't helped people by withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan, he hasn't helped people by finding an accord with Iran, the fact is he has put people first beyond the interests of the US abroad. He achieved what Bush couldn't do and cut the head off the snake of Al Qaeda. He didn't sow the seeds for the rise of ISIS, that was Bush. Now if he says that he hates what your country has become, I can understand that. Once we could look to you to leadership but those days have passed, now you are the bully on the block and we are seeing a rerun of the Godfather. Like the Godfather Obama isn't pure, he is just the leader

Any american president is a narcissist, that goes with the territory, it would be impossible not to elect a narcissist, thus the rise of Trump. what you fail to realise that it is impossible to deal with your problems within a political system that is in deadlock

So Tom you are saying he hasn't helped people by pushing Obamacare into reality, he hasn't helped people by withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan, he hasn't helped people by finding an accord with Iran, the fact is he has put people first beyond the interests of the US abroad.

He helped Aetna with Obamacare. He helped ISIS with all the equipment he left behind. He helped Khameni and Kerry with the Iranian nuclear arming deal. The fact is he has ONLY put his political donors and cronys interests to the front. An argument can be made that all politicians only help their donors and cronys, but with other politicians sometimes someone else inadvertently benefits.

So Tom you are saying he hasn't helped people by pushing Obamacare into reality, he hasn't helped people by withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan, he hasn't helped people by finding an accord with Iran, the fact is he has put people first beyond the interests of the US abroad. He achieved what Bush couldn't do and cut the head off the snake of Al Qaeda. He didn't sow the seeds for the rise of ISIS, that was Bush. Now if he says that he hates what your country has become, I can understand that. Once we could look to you to leadership but those days have passed, now you are the bully on the block and we are seeing a rerun of the Godfather. Like the Godfather Obama isn't pure, he is just the leader

Any american president is a narcissist, that goes with the territory, it would be impossible not to elect a narcissist, thus the rise of Trump. what you fail to realise that it is impossible to deal with your problems within a political system that is in deadlock

let me help you here . My avitar is the great founding father Alexander Hamilton .
Smoothy's is the great General William T Sheman .
Now the answer to your question about Obamacare is a definite no. There are as many people without coverage today as there was when it began. But now there are 7.5 million people who had to pay the individual mandate ....ooops I mean tax . So how is the ACA 'affordable to them ? And this year the mandate is going to increase . We already see the seeds of major disruption in provider services. Going the way of the dinosaur is your own doctor . Walk in clinics are popping up all over the place here where instead of being examined by a doctor ;you see a nurse or a PA . If they can treat or prescribe a drug they do it . Otherwise ,they send you off with a referral ;often to the emergency room. So no ,health care has become more impersonal and less people friendly .

The answer to your question about Iran and Afghanistan is also no . His withdrawal has made both countries less stable . What he did in Iraq at least was to seize defeat from victory .
Yes I'm happy OBL is in hades . But by the time of his death he was hardly the "head of the snake" . AQ had already been well on it's way into morphing from a central top down organization into a franchise brand of jihad. Further ;getting back to your point about Iraq. When Bush left office ,the head of AQ Iraq had told AQ to stop sending jihadists to Iraq because the cause was lost there after the Surge and the Awakening .

As far as narcissim ;the emperor takes it to a new level . In the last 5 days he twice flew on Air Force One into NY city .On Friday /Saturday he flew in for a fund raiser ;to walk with his daughters in Central Park ,and to taken in a Broadway hip hop play (he sacrificed his golf game for the weekend ). He then flew back to DC (enough time to re-fuel Air Force One ),and then flew back to the city yesterday to do another fundraiser ,and to do an interview on Comedy Central's ' Daily Show'. We have a name from the traffic disruption when he's in town ...Barack-lock .The costs of his vacations and junkets by the emperor and his wife Madame Defarge are astronomical .
You can say what you want about Bush . Compared to Obama he was humble . He took vacation on his ranch and limited his non-official travel . He took holidays in DC so his staff could spend the holidays with their families .
A Trump Presidency would resemble the emperor's more than Bush.

We would not have gotten OBL WITHOUT the programs put into place by Bush that found him... and the benefit of the time they had to do their jobs. If it wasn't for Bush.. OBL would still be running loose. Obama had no hand in heir existence.

Obama wanted to shut those down before he was elected. And would have if he was allowed to. We can go further back where we could have had OBL under Clinton but he argued "No controlling authority."

Incidentally... unless that "accord" with he terrorist Regime of Iran is approved by a vote in the Sentate... it doesn't take effect. Co-equal branches of government. The President isn't a King.

Obama has done nothing to help anyone that isn't part of the Welfare class that leach off the productive members of society like the parasites they are.

Oh Dear! Now let's put this in erspective, Obama won as a reaction to Bush, So let's forget about Bush and focus on the problem you have now, which is inaction and immobility, basically you are up the creek without a paddle. Welfare is a problem, health care is a problem, unemployment is a problem and basically, you got nothing

They have plenty of noise but no action. Not their fault entirely, since they keep losing national elections to coalitions of people who are tired of the noise, and solution that don't work for them.

Still they holler, as life goes on.

Good Job OB. Keep the presses running maybe you can run the debt up another 10 trillion before you leave. Where are the new bridges and roads OB? Thanks for putting more people on food stamps. Thanks for letting illegals out of jail to run loose instead of deporting them. Thanks for all the jobs OB, we know how you and your ilk manage to play with the numbers. Thanks for tearing down our military and walking away from Iraq leaving all that nice new equipment for ISSI's to scarf up. Thanks for releasing 5 Taliban Generals for one stinking US deserter. Thanks for making such a wonderful deal with Iran and leaving 4 US Citizens to rot. Thanks for undermining traditional marriage. Thanks you and your family for having the vacations, and travel of a lifetime and wasting our money. I am sure I only hit the tip of the Ice Burg. Maybe, if we are lucky we can get another one just like you to run this country down, to 3d class status. So far you have done an excellent job of moving us up to 3d class.

They have plenty of noise but no action. Not their fault entirely, since they keep losing national elections to coalitions of people who are tired of the noise, and solution that don't work for them.

Still they holler, as life goes on.

Whose fault is it when you don't have electable candidates

Conservatives are an angry bunch 24/7/365 - what a sh!tty life.

Oh Dear! Now let's put this in erspective, Obama won as a reaction to Bush, So let's forget about Bush and focus on the problem you have now, which is inaction and immobility, basically you are up the creek without a paddle. Welfare is a problem, health care is a problem, unemployment is a problem and basically, you got nothing
Obama won as a result of widespread fraud by Acorn... NOT as a reaction to Bush. That's what the communist loving media that was covering up the fraud wants everyone to think.

Seems rigged elections are par for the course over there Bush won by invalidating votes, now you say Obama won by electoral fraud Obama had 62% of the electoral college votes which of the 10,000,000 votes that was the margin of Obama over Mccain were fraudulent, which of the 5,000,000 votes that was the margin of Obama over Romney were fraudulent. The fact is he won because the republicans were too lazy to vote or he was just better at gaining the confidence of the electorate Interestingly there arn't many articles regarding fraud in the 2008, 2012 elections

Seems rigged elections are par for the course over there Bush won by invalidating votes, now you say Obama won by electoral fraud Obama had 62% of the electoral college votes which of the 10,000,000 votes that was the margin of Obama over Mccain were fraudulent, which of the 5,000,000 votes that was the margin of Obama over Romney were fraudulent. The fact is he won because the republicans were too lazy to vote or he was just better at gaining the confidence of the electorate

Bush didn't invalidate any votes... that's more leftist propaganda that was spread around.

Gore was the one trying to cherry pick some votes while ignoring others. The courts said no dice... you recount them all or you don't recount any of them.

You don't understand how the electoral college works then tossing those numbers around. There are only 538 people in the electoral college. Not 10,000,000.

http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/about.html

Acorn was caught red handed signing leftist democrats under multiple manes... and signing up illegals who have no right to vote. And the fraud that happened was proven to be far greater than the margin of error. And more than enough to steal the election through fraud. And it was proven in multiple states in multiple jurisdictions where Obama won that somehow had more "registered" voters then existed actual residents. Or statistical impossibilities of zero people voting for the Republican....and the video taped voter intimidation by the Black Panther racists in Philadelphia under Obamas direction.

That's why democrats are dead set against requiring ID at the voting stations, something every other country on the planet requires. Because dead people can't provide current ID's , nor can Illegals nor can many democrats provide ID's under many of the names they vote under.

Democrats can't steal elections if everyone voting has to prove they are who they say and that they actually have the right to vote in the first place.

That's why democrats are dead set against requiring ID at the voting stations, something every other country on the planet requires.

Where do you get this stuff? I have never been asked for ID at a polling station, the system here works that you identify yourself on the electoral roll by simply stating your name and address. The electoral officer makes a judgement regarding whether you might be the person because they have details of age, sex, etc and we don't have any nonsense about indelliable ink. The number of people who would move between polling stations to vote multiple times is very small but then we have the very civilised system of compulsorary voting so the opportunists have a very small pool to choose from, like recent deaths, nursing home patients.

There are also party scrutineers at every vote counting, independent of electoral officers, so any attempt to fiddle the numbers would be quickly spotted. They would very quickly take any booth to the Court of Disputed Returns if they felt the count wasn't representative of what they had observed

Where do you get this stuff? I have never been asked for ID at a polling station, the system here works that you identify yourself on the electoral roll by simply stating your name and address. The electoral officer makes a judgement regarding whether you might be the person because they have details of age, sex, etc and we don't have any nonsense about indelliable ink. The number of people who would move between polling stations to vote multiple times is very small but then we have the very civilised system of compulsorary voting so the opportunists have a very small pool to choose from, like recent deaths, nursing home patients.

There are also party scrutineers at every vote counting, independent of electoral officers, so any attempt to fiddle the numbers would be quickly spotted. They would very quickly take any booth to the Court of Disputed Returns if they felt the count wasn't representative of what they had observed

The problem Clete is we have more dead people voting Democrat here... than live in Australia right now.

The problem is numbers... the more you have the smaller a percentage it takes to become rather significant. When you have thugs being allowed to threaten voters, (and it was on video, not here-say) like the Black Panthers in Philadelphia, PA and a worthless AG that refuses to prosecute because he was an honorary if not actual member.

You have 25,000,000 dead people voting? That must have a huge organisation to accomplish that and a very good reason for voter photo ID. If this is so, how come the impact doesn't carry over to the House elections? It would seem logical that if you were going to do it for the President, you would also do it for the local member. I have to use a US euphenism here; that dog doesn't hunt. How come your electoral rolls aren't up to datey to disenfranchise these dead voters?

You have 25,000,000 dead people voting? That must have a huge organisation to accomplish that and a very good reason for voter photo ID. If this is so, how come the impact doesn't carry over to the House elections? It would seem logical that if you were going to do it for the President, you would also do it for the local member. I have to use a US euphenism here; that dog doesn't hunt. How come your electoral rolls aren't up to datey to disenfranchise these dead voters?
Not quite that many... but even one is one too many. Perfect reason to REQUIRE ID at the polls. Far too easy to register to vote without ID... far more difficult to actually get the ID.

That is the reason Democrats oppose votor ID laws... because they rely on fraudulent voting. Not the lame excuse they give about the poor. You HAVE to have an ID to collect welfare, food stamps etc, and dozens of other things.

That means these same people have an ID to vote as well.

Maybe Australians are less inclined to break the law than Democrats here are... who knows.

Maybe Australians are less inclined to break the law than Democrats here are... who knows.

Yes we are a peaceful, law biding people for the most part. We have never suffered the level of organised crime that seems to be your lot although Ice is becoming a problem. Certainly we don't have electoral fraud on any discernable scale. It is all part of that fair go philosophy. The recent migrant population may be something else, there seems to be certain level of criminal activity centered among them, far too often the names associated with crime are of middle eastern origin. Our indigenous brothers appear to be over represented in prison populations but not necessarily for serious offences

Of course my friend exaggerates greatly and ignores that republican party leaders have admitted as the real motive for ID laws, AND restricting voting hours,

Top Pennsylvania Republican Admits Voter ID Helped Suppress Obama Voters | ThinkProgress (http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/07/17/2313571/top-pennsylvania-republican-admits-voter-id-helped-suppress-obama-voters/)

More propaganda... from a leftist source. Certainly not a centrist or unbiased news source. The National Enquirer has a better rep.

All of the so-called people that are supposedly being suppressed have ID's to sign up for and collect freebies... and transportation to get said freebies..

The Only suppression taking place is by the Democrats... by their lap dogs the Black Panthers, and other operative groups formerly known as Acorn..

There is a LOT more poverty in Europe and yet THEY seem to have no issues presenting ID's to vote.

So the video was a fake? How about this one?

Pennsylvania Republican: Voter ID Laws Are 'Gonna Allow Governor Romney To Win' | ThinkProgress (http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/06/25/505953/pennsylvania-republican-voter-id-laws-are-gonna-allow-governor-romney-to-win/)

Propaganda abounds it seems and yet it is difficult to discern what impact it might have had. Lots of rhetoric and emotive crap. Obama had a very good support group behind him it remains to be seen whether the next democratic candidate can do as well

Of course my friend exaggerates greatly and ignores that republican party leaders have admitted as the real motive for ID laws, AND restricting voting hours,

Top Pennsylvania Republican Admits Voter ID Helped Suppress Obama Voters | ThinkProgress (http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/07/17/2313571/top-pennsylvania-republican-admits-voter-id-helped-suppress-obama-voters/)

If ineligible voters were voting for the emperor than those votes should not have been allowed. Why do you support voter fraud ?


Propaganda abounds it seems and yet it is difficult to discern what impact it might have had. Lots of rhetoric and emotive crap. Obama had a very good support group behind him it remains to be seen whether the next democratic candidate can do as well
Yes Evita will have to attract the illegal alien vote .

Why would you assume all ineligible voters are democrats? Why would you AND Smoothie assume because your guy lost TWICE that ALL the voters for Obama were ineligible?

How do you ignore the videos of YOUR guys telling what the whole voter ID laws are really for? For the record AGAIN I am for a national biometric ID card, and against the way YOUR guys go about implementing ID laws.

Why would you AND Smoothie assume because your guy lost TWICE that ALL the voters for Obama were ineligible?


I didn't say all... but maybe enough to swing a few districts . Why do most Democrats think that illegals should be eligible to vote ?
Most Democrats Think Illegal Immigrants Should Vote - Rasmussen Reports™ (http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/may_2015/most_democrats_think_illegal_immigrants_should_vot e)

Ovbiously crossing the border brings with it citizenship rights, I'll have to drop in one day and pick up my US citizenship

Why would you assume all ineligible voters are democrats? Why would you AND Smoothie assume because your guy lost TWICE that ALL the voters for Obama were ineligible?

How do you ignore the videos of YOUR guys telling what the whole voter ID laws are really for? For the record AGAIN I am for a national biometric ID card, and against the way YOUR guys go about implementing ID laws.

The ONLY excuse for not making people prove who they are at the polls like they have to almost everywhere else, including the doctors office... is to facilitate illegal and fraudulent voting. There is no other excuse.

And Barbara Boxer AND Nancy Pelosi (among other democrats) are on the record in both audio and video saying illegals have the right to vote here.

Heck....Elected Democrats have been caught voting multiple times in multiple states. And they think its ok and legal.

https://eastaustinvoice.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/democrats-arrested-andor-convicted-of-voter-fraud-specfriggintaculars-blog/

http://godfatherpolitics.com/14464/democrats-caught-video-admitting-illegal-campaigning-texas/

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2014/03/21/woman-convicted-of-voter-fraud-honored-by-ohio-democrats/

And lots more where those came from. After all Google is your friend.

And the Favoritee of the Democrats....the left wing racist organization La Raza condoning vote fraud. http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2014/10/democratic-group-la-raza-promotes-illegal-immigrant-voter-fraud/ which would not be as wide spread WITH voter ID laws in effect.

Ovbiously crossing the border brings with it citizenship rights, I'll have to drop in one day and pick up my US citizenship

You can at least speak the language. Wait, that might cause a problem. Repeat after me: "No habla Anglais." Here's your green card.

You can at least speak the language. Wait, that might cause a problem. Repeat after mw: "No habla Anglais." Here's your green card.

And at least he has more than a 5th grade education too. Meaning he would not as likely become a ward of the welfare system.

You can at least speak the language. Wait, that might cause a problem. Repeat after mw: "No habla Anglais." Here's your green card.

Non parla espanole


And at least he has more than a 5th grade education too. Meaning he would not as likely become a ward of the welfare system.


I might need some details on this seeing as I don't have a job

Non parla espanole



I might need some details on this seeing as I don't have a job

Well you are better educated than 99.99% of the illegals crossing our border. Meaning you could work in something other than low or no skill positions.

Well smoothy they would probably say the same as they do here, you are over qualified

I see my post about PP's American Horror has been moved off this board . It can be found here for those who want to continue this very important discussion .
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/active-members/more-grotesque-horror-planned-parenthood-814174-4.html


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_xdkk_sXgA

I expect someone didn't think it was current enough

I expect someone didn't think it was current enough
nope ,read the discussion .

I have, GMO isn't a debate we need, the thread had got off topic and become another rant meanwhile back to the topic are we going to boycott Germany or not?

I have, GMO isn't a debate we need, the thread had got off topic and become another rant meanwhile back to the topic are we going to boycott Germany or not? don't know ;wouldn't boycotting Germany offend someone ?

Is that your criteria for not doing it? What sort of namby pamby response is that, we might offend someone. I doubt that that cop thought the other day, I can't write this black bird up, it might offend someone. what has been done to Greece is equivalent to what was done to that woman. Fact is maybe Germany should be offended, they could afford to restructure the debt and reduce the interest rate, it would be in their own interest to see Greece recover, They don't need to crush a small state even if the government has been irresponsible. They were helped when their economy was in a shambles after WWII and we have conveniently forgotten whose fault that was. I wonder how many German made cars are running around Greece, German made appliances in their homes, equipment in the industries they have left

Zeig Heil Frau Merkle l^^

Clete.. the problem is this isn't the first time Greece showed up hands out demanding money on their terms... with no expectation of having to pay it back. It isn't even the second. They never made any real changes and they come back again... DEMANDING money and getting indignant when terms are being put on it by the lenders. (Which happens EVERYPLACE in the world with every lender)

Why should Germany capitulate... and besides... its not JUST Germany coughing up this money... every other EU nation has to as well. Many of them really can't afford it as it is. I think Italy has to cough up 56 Billion Euros this time around and they aren't in much better shape.

If Greece doesn't like the terms... they can take their business to another lender. ITs not THEIR money..they aren't ENTITLED to it like they feel they are entitled to everything else.

Clete.. the problem is this isn't the first time Greece showed up hands out demanding money on their terms... with no expectation of having to pay it back. It isn't even the second. They never made any real changes and they come back again... DEMANDING money and getting indignant when terms are being put on it by the lenders. (Which happens EVERYPLACE in the world with every lender)

Why should Germany capitulate... and besides... its not JUST Germany coughing up this money... every other EU nation has to as well. Many of them really can't afford it as it is. I think Italy has to cough up 56 Billion Euros this time around and they aren't in much better shape.

If Greece doesn't like the terms... they can take their business to another lender. ITs not THEIR money..they aren't ENTITLED to it like they feel they are entitled to everything else.

Opps Smoothy, I thought for a minute you were describing some of the things that are going on in the US.

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/custom/vgo/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by smoothy https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/custom/vgo/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/current-events/boycott-germany-814155-5.html#post3738194)
Clete.. the problem is this isn't the first time Greece showed up hands out demanding money on their terms... with no expectation of having to pay it back. It isn't even the second. They never made any real changes and they come back again... DEMANDING money and getting indignant when terms are being put on it by the lenders. (Which happens EVERYPLACE in the world with every lender)

Why should Germany capitulate... and besides... its not JUST Germany coughing up this money... every other EU nation has to as well. Many of them really can't afford it as it is. I think Italy has to cough up 56 Billion Euros this time around and they aren't in much better shape.

If Greece doesn't like the terms... they can take their business to another lender. ITs not THEIR money..they aren't ENTITLED to it like they feel they are entitled to everything else.




Opps Smoothy, I thought for a minute you were describing some of the things that are going on in the US.

coming soon . By that time the IMF will be unable to fund a US bailout so we will need to go begging to the New Development Bank(NDB), formerly the BRICS bank .

Probably is however yes smoothy I know the greeks have proven to be unreliable and change is necessary, notice I didn't suggest the other measures be relaxed but that Germany consider changing the structure of the debt. What is the point of loaning someone money with obvious cash flow problems and then saying but you have to give this much back next month. Time must be allowed for certain measures to take effect and yield cash flow, and what is the point of removing any excess from the greek economy. These are begger my neighbour policies. Italy has a better chance of finding it than Greece has, they too may need their debt restructured

Are you sure you would want the other lenders investing in Europe

Probably is however yes smoothy I know the greeks have proven to be unreliable and change is necessary, notice I didn't suggest the other measures be relaxed but that Germany consider changing the structure of the debt. What is the point of loaning someone money with obvious cash flow problems and then saying but you have to give this much back next month. Time must be allowed for certain measures to take effect and yield cash flow, and what is the point of removing any excess from the greek economy. These are begger my neighbour policies. Italy has a better chance of finding it than Greece has, they too may need their debt restructured

Are you sure you would want the other lenders investing in Europe

I doubt the Chinese would want to throw good money after bad...

Much of what Greece was bellyaching about... nobody else gets away with. Mostly WAY over generous freebies they never really could afford. Nor exist in the rest of the world.

Retiring at 55 with full pension... and when your die... your kids continue to collect your pension. etc... etc... etc. Stuff like that is what a lot of the complaining about on their part... they refused to accept common sense solutions. They want handouts and continuation of the status quo... that got them in the mess in the first place.

Germany isn't trying to punish them... just force them to do what needs to be done.

Smoothy firstly China has other interests and long term at that, so investing in Greece gives them a foothold in a large economy, they have a different view, it could be said they walk a different path and acertain amount of economic influence they want to exploit.

Yes the benefits in Greece are ridiculous and reguire change to reflect the larger economy they are part of, this is not denyied by those outside of Greece, but sometimes these changes required generational, not radical change. Germany demands instant change although given Greek delay it is not instant and they have no tolerance for what is politically possible so they have instituted a political coup de tait. The fact is it is all relevant, I remember well americans telling me I was overpaid by american standards when in fact I was underpaid by Australian standards because they had no idea of local conditions. I don't doubt such things are happening to greeks. All right some conditions are generous by international standards and maybe they cannot afford continuation of such conditions so change takes place over time so the next generation looses out, but structural adjustment takes time.

Today Greece has a difficult road with no future goal and this is the problem

The Chinese are interested in an air field in the Azures . Portugal owns the islands and is looking for some quick cash. For the Chinese ,it would be the perfect place to park long range bombers capable of threatening the East Coast of the US . Now what interest they would have in Greece is beyond me. But I'm sure it's nefarious .


Yes the benefits in Greece are ridiculous and reguire change to reflect the larger economy they are part of, this is not denyied by those outside of Greece, but sometimes these changes required generational, not radical change. Germany demands instant change although given Greek delay it is not instant and they have no tolerance for what is politically possible so they have instituted a political coup de tait. The fact is it is all relevant, I remember well americans telling me I was overpaid by american standards when in fact I was underpaid by Australian standards because they had no idea of local conditions. I don't doubt such things are happening to greeks. All right some conditions are generous by international standards and maybe they cannot afford continuation of such conditions so change takes place over time so the next generation looses out, but structural adjustment takes time.

Today Greece has a difficult road with no future goal and this is the problem

Their fiscal irresponsibility has left them no time to make generational changes . Unfortunately the US is not learning that lesson. Hopefully the electorate will realize the destructive path the "progressives " are leading us down.

Stop worrying about aggression against the US, the internal problems outweigh the external but Greece may be helped by someone with greater vision. Their needs are small by comparisgon and your needs so great no one can committ to them. The reality is you are already bankrupt and lack vision