Ok, I'll take the first bullet on the list cause it's kind of tame...

That sounds good if you say it fast enough.
But here is the problem with tooting that horn.

The richest 10% of the population own 70% of the stocks
The next 10% own 15% of the stocks
The next 20% own 10% of the stocks.

The remaining 60% of the poplulation owns the remaining 5% of the stocks.

So when the stock market does so well, who do you really think squeals with glee the most?

I know, I know, trickle down economics. But damnit I'm tired of getting trickled on.

 

ya but how many americans are REALLY interested in owning stocks? better yet, how many americans do you think know HOW to go about buying stocks?

i think the stock market is one of those many things that americans just aren't really interested in until on the news they says it's the lowest it's ever been.. and then suddenly it's a popular topic. because i never really hear hide nor hair of it until then....

 

Exactly, don't tell me how great things are for me right now because the stock market is at an all time high.

I wonder how many of our 140,000 military in harms way own stock?
Has anybody even bothered to tell them how great the stock market is doing?

 

i actually bought stock while i was over in iraq

texas instruments baby, love that DLP!!!

 

Ok, I'll rephrase...

I wonder how many of our 139,999 military in harms way own stock?

 

well i knew a few, and then also i knew a guy that was a stock broker in his civilian profession.

 

Actually, almost all of them. We have a thing called the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a supplement to the regular military retirement. It consists of investment into 5 different funds including large cap, small cap, an s&p 500 fund, international securities, and a treasury set fund. Right now, there is something like 95% participation among uniformed servicemembers in the TSP. When the stock market is kicking, I put my money into the "C" fund, which is the one that tracks the S&P 500, and have been making a killing in the past couple years.

www.tsp.gov

 

I have to make a mental note here to call my broker and tell him to buy a ton of shares of Kraft Foods.

They make Kool Aid™.



It's apparent that they are making and selling a LOT of it. (The Adminstration Flavor at least). Either way, that stock must be doing pretty well.

 

Make it a big order, I'm hoping my options will split soon.

 

So many uninformed people it’s just unbelievable…

First, YES the stock market is doing VERY WELL, for ANYBODY who owns stocks which include ANYBODY who has a 401k. My 401k this year has grown approx. 18% that is a HUGE return…

Second, I have read all the post and have yet to read from those whining about “losing” freedoms, or government’s encroachment, how it has affected THEM, if you have no examples that specifically relate to YOU then wipe your tears, put your Kool-Aid down and to the corner for a “time-out” while mommy makes you some warm soup…

Third, the war in Iraq IS a real WAR, anybody that thinks different is too stupid to even try and debate with. Ever try debating with one of Jerry’s kids when they are slobbering all over?

Forth, the war on terror is NOT creating more terrorist or more terrorist acts if that were “true” there would have been some terrorist attacks right here in America and there hasn’t been since 911.

Fifth, had we NOT done anything after 911 there would have been MORE terrorist attacks and acts. It’s a fact that can not be disputed just look at when Clinton was in charge and did little to NOTHING. Remember all the terrorist attacks that happen over and over and over and over and the man did little to NOTHING.

See when you do nothing to stop, or at least try, to correct a problem the problem continues and generally gets much worse. Take a water leak in your home. If you do little to NOTHING to stop it, it will eventually cause much more damage to your home then if you had got off your lazy wuss *** to at least try to stop the leak.

See, the people with a problem with what we are doing fighting the terrorist and the war in Iraq and the weak people of this country. They are to frighten, frigid and scared to contemplate the consequences of doing NOTHING. Rather then shutting their mouths and remaining silent, since they have absolutely nothing to offer, they cry like a child in the corner hoping all the bad things will stop and when they don’t they blame it on others who are doing their best, making the best decisions they can, in a very critical and trying time.

They are not adults, they are not educated and they have absolutely no logical thought process to make them productive citizens in at least trying to debate with others and offer some logic and possible solutions of their own. Citizens who whine like children and offer no solutions, or absolutely stupid moron solutions of “do nothing” or “let’s leave Iraq” should, in my opinion, be stripped of their citizenship and sent to a Middle Eastern Country, such as Iraq or Iran or others. That way they can leave with people they believe to be so peaceful and loving, who seem to be much better then American’s.


America is NOT the problem, many weak minded American citizens ARE the problem…

 

You are obviously one of them. Why must something affect someone directly before they oppose it? Should people only contribute to cancer and diabetes research after they themselves are affected by one of those diseases?

It a wonder we don't have more accidents on the road with so many people running around with blinders on.

 

I have been affected. And I still believe. It's a catch 22....

If we don't take preventative measures and something happens, then the masses ask "Why didn't the govn't do anything?"

If we take preventative measures and nothing happens, then the masses will ask, " Why is the govn't doing this do us?"

Take Katrina for example... If in March of '05 the govn't said, let's do a test run of FEMA responses and federal, state, and local govn't measures. Let's also simulate the levees failing and evacuation of hundereds of thousands of people. Then then Katrina hit in August, we would have had a much better system in place from lessons learned in the test run. But if it didn't hit, why go through all that?

On a submarine, we run fire and flooding drills at least 5 days of the week. In 5 years aboard, I have seen 2 minor fires, which were out in less than 2 minutes. Why in the world would we practice so much if it wasn't important?

If airport security is so inconvient for some people, drive. If having your conversations monitored is so inconvient, hang up the phone.


Pony_Driver,
Would you give up your freedom for the life of one of your kids? Sure, our nation was founded on principles of freedom and democracy. But if it came down to it, would you sacrafice your freedom to save one of your kids or mine's lives? How about thousands of lives that could be lost if the FBI misses a clue in the name of 'freedom'?



I know which side of the fence I stand on... Do you?

 

[QUOTE=01 XLT Sport America is NOT the problem, many weak minded American citizens ARE the problem… [/QUOTE]

Wow---tell us how you really feel----but seriously, I feel that CLOSE-MINDED PEOPLE are the real problem---ones that are unwilling or afraid to admit that there are two sides to the issue. I understand that there are two sides to this---I do not happen to agree with what is said in the entirety by both sides, though. You, sir, are about as close-minded as one could get---pretty weak, as well, in my book.

They are not adults, they are not educated and they have absolutely no logical thought process to make them productive citizens in at least trying to debate with others and offer some logic and possible solutions of their own. Citizens who whine like children and offer no solutions, or absolutely stupid moron solutions of “do nothing” or “let’s leave Iraq” should, in my opinion, be stripped of their citizenship and sent to a Middle Eastern Country, such as Iraq or Iran or others. That way they can leave with people they believe to be so peaceful and loving, who seem to be much better then American’s.

Sir, I am educated---I do have a B.A. and an M.Ed. behind my name.. You sound like the old 70's re-runs of "My country, love it or leave it!" Hey man, it is MY COUNTRY, TOO---put that in your pipe, and smoke it, will ya? Since when did you get more ownership over it than me? As one said, "Who died and left you in charge?" Yes, I am an adult---52 years of age---and your assertions make about as much sence as the Carson City Mint...

I think debate is important---and healthy---and CLOSEMINDED PEOPLE---such as yourself---make this country a rather unhealthy place.

 

That's part of the problem... How many people care about the country anymore? Before 9/11, that is... And look how it's dropped off since. I like the fact the 01XLT takes ownership. It shows a vested intrest and is saying that the individual is not always more important than the country.

 

I got to thinking of this thread while driving home for the last 90 minutes, wondering what may have been posted since I last looked at it last night.

I just came from the Memorial Services for SSgt. Jeremy Mullhair, 35, of Omaha, Nebraska. This American Hero was killed in Iraq, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday. His family had a service in Omaha today, attended by approximately 200 family members and 104 members of the Patriot Guard Riders. Somewhere off in the distance were some uninvited guests...aka protesters. I don't really know or care how many of them were there, they are kinda like mouse poop in a field of hay-you know it's there, but it's not worth thinking about. The PGR stood a flag line for the family and friends of this hero, and I was also honored to attend part of the service where we presented the widow, children, and parents of this hero with the collective condolences of the Riders.

While we were standing the corridor of flags, we also took up a collection for Officer Dan Gaskill of the Omaha Police Department. Officer Gaskill is one of Omaha's motorcycle patrol, and while working outside the NCAA Volleyball Tournament on Thursday, he was stricken by a car driven by an elderly gentleman. Officer Gaskill suffered a concussion, three or four broken ribs, a broken finger, and multiple contusions and road rash. Officer Gaskill has four children, and he and his wife will hopefully be able to have a little Merrier Christmas with the $861 donated in thanks for his service.

So, what does all this have to do with this thread?

I'll answer the question with a question: What have you done in service of someone else today? We can bitch and point fingers all day long, but what matters at the end of the day is what you did to make the world a better place. If we're all going to get po'ed at each other over stuff we don't control, how about telling us what you did for the good of your cause? Action is far more proving of a man's character than his words are.