Socialism v Capitalism

[brenthutch 444]

9 hours ago, lippy said:

When I was an illegal immigrant to Venezuela 

Now, thanks to socialism, folks are fleeing, what under capitalism was, one of the most prosperous countries in the region.

Edited February 10, 2022 by brenthutch

[JoeWeber 2,940]

34 minutes ago, brenthutch said:

Now, thanks to socialism, folks are fleeing what under capitalism was one of the most prosperous countries in the region.

Actually, it would better be described as an electoral autocracy. Similar, I'm guessing, to the one Trump would like to create. So continue on with your anti-Biden rhetoric until you get what you claim you don't hope for.

[kallend 2,148]

12 hours ago, wmw999 said:

Mmmmm, Bonaire. I’d go there in one half of one second… 

Wendy P. 

Me too - except I'm in Costa Rica right now.

CR eliminated its army in 1949 and guess what?  It hasn't been invaded and has the best economy of any Central American country.  It's power generation is >98% renewable, electric vehicle recharging stations are everywhere, and it has a huge emphasis on environmental protection.

Amazing what you can do when not wasting $billions on death machines.

[brenthutch 444]

1 hour ago, JoeWeber said:

Actually, it would better be described as an electoral autocracy. Similar, I'm guessing, to the one Trump would like to create. So continue on with your anti-Biden rhetoric until you get what you claim you don't hope for.

“This thesis dives into three big features as to how Venezuela collapsed: state ownership, social welfare programs, and political corruption. After extensive research, it concludes socialism is what really killed this nation, and a dangerous central government ran by a small group of corrupt elites now holds the destiny in their future.”

https://www.bemidjistate.edu/academics/departments/political-science/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2020/06/Political-thesis-final-copy-Ben-Abrahamson.pdf
 

Next you will say “it may have been socialism, but it wasn’t done right”.  

[wmw999 2,588]

48 minutes ago, kallend said:

Me too - except I'm in Costa Rica right now.

CR eliminated its army in 1949 and guess what?  It hasn't been invaded and has the best economy of any Central American country.  It's power generation is >98% renewable, electric vehicle recharging stations are everywhere, and it has a huge emphasis on environmental protection.

Amazing what you can do when not wasting $billions on death machines.

I'm heading there tomorrow, and I completely agree about the benefits of a lack of military. They invested the money in education and other infrastructure, to the degree that it's hard to find local domestic help, much of it, just as in the US, comes from abroad. I speak really good Spanish, and I had virtually no need for it there when we went touring.

Yeah, some of the roads are still kind of dicy (the "new and improved" road from Arenal to Montenegro was astoundingly awful ), but things generally work.

Wendy P.

[kallend 2,148]

On 2/10/2022 at 9:13 AM, wmw999 said:

 

Yeah, some of the roads are still kind of dicy (the "new and improved" road from Arenal to Montenegro was astoundingly awful ), but things generally work.

Wendy P.

Meh - It's wonderful compared with the road from Rincon to Bahia Drake.

[airdvr 210]

Instead of you three having this mutual masturbation session about where you'd rather live why not just be like Joe.  Get on a boat and run away from the real world.

BTW...https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/costa-rica-travel-advisory.html

[brenthutch 444]

Speaking of boats, look at what the delivery truck dropped off this morning 

Eat your heart out guys.

[JoeWeber 2,940]

31 minutes ago, brenthutch said:

Speaking of boats, look at what the delivery truck dropped off this morning 

Eat your heart out guys.

How cute, a new dinghy.

[JoeWeber 2,940]

39 minutes ago, airdvr said:

Instead of you three having this mutual masturbation session about where you'd rather live why not just be like Joe.  Get on a boat and run away from the real world.

BTW...https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/costa-rica-travel-advisory.html

It's not running away from the world, silly boy, it's running into the arms of the world. That's what travel is all about, now you know. The neato thing about this lifestyle is the constant interaction with folks from different countries, backgrounds, and lifestyles. All of the businesses I want to keep are intact and humming along helmed by a great manager; a she as it happens. To be sure, as much or more now than ever I am very involved in the real world.  So, please, don't stay up over me or take time away from that Ohio gerrymandering.

[brenthutch 444]

Venezuela ten year challenge 

[wmw999 2,588]

Of course, you must remember that Hugo Chavez became president in 1999. I guess he wasn't a socialist? (trick question) 

Wendy P. 

[brenthutch 444]

1 hour ago, wmw999 said:

Of course, you must remember that Hugo Chavez became president in 1999. I guess he wasn't a socialist? (trick question) 

Wendy P. 

The photo was taken in 2009 

Edited February 13, 2022 by brenthutch

[airdvr 210]

On 2/11/2022 at 5:06 PM, JoeWeber said:

It's not running away from the world, silly boy, it's running into the arms of the world. That's what travel is all about, now you know. The neato thing about this lifestyle is the constant interaction with folks from different countries, backgrounds, and lifestyles. All of the businesses I want to keep are intact and humming along helmed by a great manager; a she as it happens. To be sure, as much or more now than ever I am very involved in the real world.  So, please, don't stay up over me or take time away from that Ohio gerrymandering.

We've spoken before Joe.  You know I've done some travelling as well.  But I also live in the real world.  You live in fantasyland and I'm glad you can afford to do that but when you don't have to hustle daily your POV is skewed a bit.

[JoeWeber 2,940]

22 minutes ago, airdvr said:

We've spoken before Joe.  You know I've done some travelling as well.  But I also live in the real world.  You live in fantasyland and I'm glad you can afford to do that but when you don't have to hustle daily your POV is skewed a bit.

Then get a gig that offers a lot more flexibility and less forced locality. You made all of your own choices, as did I. We've spoken but you really do not know me. Those who do know I am always hustling; I always have and I always will. If you want your skewed POV to go away then make it happen. It's all on you.

[Phil1111 1,182]

55 minutes ago, airdvr said:

We've spoken before Joe.  You know I've done some travelling as well.  But I also live in the real world.  You live in fantasyland and I'm glad you can afford to do that but when you don't have to hustle daily your POV is skewed a bit.

 

28 minutes ago, JoeWeber said:

Then get a gig that offers a lot more flexibility and less forced locality. You made all of your own choices, as did I. We've spoken but you really do not know me. Those who do know I am always hustling; I always have and I always will. If you want your skewed POV to go away then make it happen. It's all on you.

Its an interesting take on life to think that as Americans you have to hustle till you die. Otherwise you have a skewed view of life. IMO most plan to use their older years to pursue the dreams and adventures that many here have shared. Antarctica, Costa Rica, scuba, skydiving, etc.

If a side hustle gives you enjoyment so be it. One more success is something not to be turned down given no detrimental costs. I doubt Joe's hustles, or lack thereof, has made him short of insight to life's enjoyments or pleasures.

Sailing the Caribbean in retirement, or semi-retirement would be the dream life for many. Not one absent a complete view of whats important, nor any incomplete perspective of life.

Two weeks ago I met a man who retired six months previously at 65. He had moved to a lake community just outside a national park to enjoy retirement. Then promptly had a stroke with a double bypass. I was buying a mountain bike from him as he could walk. But only very slowly. Prior to this he'd had no medical issues, was a avid cyclist and amateur athlete.

After sixty even if you're in excellent physical condition. Medical issues can surface at any time that make an active retirement a dream.

[airdvr 210]

Don't think I'm not envious of Joe's ability to live that life.  But don't mistake my envy with a lack of appreciation for my current surroundings (although a bit less snow would be OK).  It's just not doable for 99%.  I still question his viewpoint though.  But I think I would do that even if he lived in...I dunno...Detroit.

After sixty even if you're in excellent physical condition. Medical issues can surface at any time that make an active retirement a dream.

12 years ago I was totally taken by the island of Bequia.  I told Rox we should find a way to live on a boat there.  2 weeks after returning to the states I had a heart attack.  Had I been in the southern Caribbean I probably wouldn't have survived so I have a keen understanding of how health can change the plans.

Edited February 13, 2022 by airdvr

[JoeWeber 2,940]

6 minutes ago, Phil1111 said:

 

Its an interesting take on life to think that as Americans you have to hustle till you die. Otherwise you have a skewed view of life. IMO most plan to use their older years to pursue the dreams and adventures that many here have shared. Antarctica, Costa Rica, scuba, skydiving, etc.

If a side hustle gives you enjoyment so be it. One more success is something not to be turned down given no detrimental costs. I doubt Joe's hustles, or lack thereof, has made him short of insight to life's enjoyments or pleasures.

Sailing the Caribbean in retirement, or semi-retirement would be the dream life for many. Not one absent a complete view of whats important, nor any incomplete perspective of life.

Two weeks ago I met a man who retired six months previously at 65. He had moved to a lake community just outside a national park to enjoy retirement. Then promptly had a stroke with a double bypass. I was buying a mountain bike from him as he could walk. But only very slowly. Prior to this he'd had no medical issues, was a avid cyclist and amateur athlete.

After sixty even if you're in excellent physical condition. Medical issues can surface at any time that make an active retirement a dream. 

It's not about winning or losing or money. It's about keeping active physically and mentally. It's about staying alive. I'm not quitting anything, be it the DZ, my airplane gigs, doing deals, etc. No way.

[gowlerk 2,275]

47 minutes ago, JoeWeber said:

It's not about winning or losing or money. It's about keeping active physically and mentally. It's about staying alive. I'm not quitting anything, be it the DZ, my airplane gigs, doing deals, etc. No way.

Some get lucky and stay healthy into advanced old age. Don't be too cocky, Phil and airdvr are both right, things can change quickly. As I keep reminding myself. Touch wood. 

[JoeWeber 2,940]

1 hour ago, gowlerk said:

Some get lucky and stay healthy into advanced old age. Don't be too cocky, Phil and airdvr are both right, things can change quickly. As I keep reminding myself. Touch wood. 

Cocky? It's the opposite, Ken. I have had my share of quick changes. I get it and I'm fighting it.

[kallend 2,148]

14 hours ago, airdvr said:

 

12 years ago I was totally taken by the island of Bequia.  I told Rox we should find a way to live on a boat there.  2 weeks after returning to the states I had a heart attack.  Had I been in the southern Caribbean I probably wouldn't have survived so I have a keen understanding of how health can change the plans.

Interesting how the life expectancy, infant and maternal mortality rates, etc., are worse in the USA (especially the deep red southern states) than in many of those nations whose health systems you apparently despise.

[airdvr 210]

2 minutes ago, kallend said:

Interesting how the life expectancy, infant and maternal mortality rates, etc., are worse in the USA (especially the deep red southern states) than in many of those nations whose health systems you apparently despise.

I don't despise the Health Care System of other countries.  I'm all for single payer here.

[Phil1111 1,182]

14 hours ago, JoeWeber said:

It's not about winning or losing or money. It's about keeping active physically and mentally. It's about staying alive. I'm not quitting anything, be it the DZ, my airplane gigs, doing deals, etc. No way.

Agree. I've long had the view that the quickest way to get old and die.Is to move into a seniors condo. People go from yard work to doing nothing.

[gowlerk 2,275]

29 minutes ago, airdvr said:

I don't despise the Health Care System of other countries.  I'm all for single payer here.

It is not surprising in such a polarized time that we all make so many assumptions of each other as if there are only two possible sets of beliefs. 

[JoeWeber 2,940]

41 minutes ago, airdvr said:

I don't despise the Health Care System of other countries.  I'm all for single payer here.

Many people are after a major health problem. Didn't you state here that at the time of your heart attack you were very overweight and a smoker?