Chamber of Commerce knew this was coming.

All this attack on the middle class, coming from the rich, it was foreseen.

A friend of mine use to work in the Chamber of Commerce. We lost touch with each other shortly after 9/11 when her views became too right-wing. But I remember something she told me a few years before she changed, which was prescient for the times we were about to experience. Especially today where programs for the needy are being cut to accommodate tax-cuts for the rich.

She said there was an organization that was invited by the Chamber every year for awareness training. It was a sort of social experiment that they had been conducting over a period of several years. An instructor would come in and divide everyone who attended the session into one of three groups. A, B, C.

The "A" group were given the characteristics of the rich. They were the ones with the resources.

The "B" group represented the health and services group.

And the "C" group were labeled, poor.

The instructor said that through-out the day they would follow a schedule where the three groups would meet with their fellow group-mates and discuss future planning. They were only limited by their group's assigned characteristics. Then, after the ten to fifteen minute period, they would congregate back in the main room and each group would report their progress.

The first major decision was made by the "C" group when they went to their assigned room and found it bare. There was nothing. Not even a chair to sit on. So they came back to the main table and "stole" the chairs from the main meeting room.

When they came back to the main meeting room to discuss what they talked about, the "A" group said they wanted to set rules to penalize conduct they found inappropriate. Eventually, they began to control the "B" group to limit the help they gave the "C" group.

To add to the conflict, the instructor set up scenarios, like creating an emergency like a plague. They even suggested that the "A" group had the power to improve the situation for the other two groups by releasing money for social programs. In short, what happened is that the "A" group kept making the worst of every possible decision, inflicting the most hardship on the "C" group until they wiped them out, and then they started on the "B" group.

When it was over, only the members of the "A" group survived.

The instructor stated that in all the years they administered the test, this was the absolute worst that they had seen. This happened in the late nineties.

I think it's obvious that the test is a direct reflection of the mentality that we're seeing in Wisconsin and every other state where we have Republican governors making the most inhumane decisions. Except, when you play with people's lives like that, there are real consequences to deal with. In the end, nobody is going to be happy with the results.

even the "A" group. We must change our direction.

No consequences to them, because they'll use the "B" group (police, law enforcement) to keep everyone at bay.

and begin fighting among themselves until only one survives. And that one doesn't survive long because, you know...it takes a village and all that touchy-feely stuff. You can't survive without a support network no matter how rich you are.

Re To add to the conflict, the instructor set up scenarios, like creating an emergency like a plague. They even suggested that the "A" group had the power to improve the situation for the other two groups by releasing money for social programs. In short, what happened is that the "A" group kept making the worst of every possible decision, inflicting the most hardship on the "C" group until they wiped them out, and then they started on the "B" group.

When it was over, only the members of the "A" group survived.

I think in real life, they own the support network. Selectively bought and paid for.

and he's certainly rich enough to buy all the mercenaries he wants. But how much is that support network really worth? It's a mile wide and an inch deep, and I doubt if it's going to save his ass in the end.

History shows people will only be pushed so far.

they are part of the zero sum game system and the very AMERICAN belief (you can thank Chicago for that), that there are always winners and losers, and cooperation just delays the inevitable.

Have I mentioned how many ways from here to Sunday I dislike Friedman and his acolytes?

I know we probably disagree on the definitions of capitalism, but we obviously agree on the Freidmanistas and the Chicago Boys.

I still maintain though that the capitalism of today and of the forseeable future will be seen through the prism of the Chicago School of Economics and Milton Freidman. They're too entrenched in the power structure to be dislodged very easily. And that's in BOTH political parties. Any other view of capitalism simply is NOT "REAL" CAPITALISM. And they're the ones defining it in policy.

So we probably agree on far more than you imagine.

:hi:

There is a reason why the acolytes of the hand have never read the actual bible they pray to.

:) and I've noticed far more agreement than not with you nadin.

I told a DSA guy the other day that although I'm more Marxist oriented than Dem Soc, I could live in a mixed economy, dem socialist state for the rest of my life without TOO much of a problem. As old as I am, this revolutionary shit is hard on a body. :rofl:

as deluded as the idea of a Libertarian's view of free market. They are incapable of understanding that societies fall apart if they're incapable of providing minimal resources to the largest segments of the population. In the end, without regulation, they bring on the demise of society.

the Hand of the Market Place... is mentioned ONCE in the Wealth of Nations... with three pages of caveats... warnings. Smith did not offer it in the positive way these guys believe it was done. Ask any of these acolytes if they know that? I have... and it is funny as hell. They usually start stamering once you bring out the Bible, and open it to the section and ask them to well.. READ IT.

... being BBQd on the same spit with Reagan, slow roasted and served up over and over and over and over....

in the seventh circle or the ninth circle.

That's just my take. For a little dude, he did a big amount of damage to millions.

I think the Backlash Is Coming - and as far as I am concerned, it can not happen soon enough.

We are told that there is not the money to treat people - even those who have insurance.

Yet look at the huge palace-like lobbies every hospital has built. For what?

So middle class insured people can cry into their sleeves to the admitting clerks that even though they have insurance, for which they pay a huge fortune, they cannot obtain any help. After all, if you can only get help after you pay deductibles, co-pays, etc, but you are broke from rent, car costs, utilities, and grocery bills, how can you manage an extra $ 1500 a year on top of the monthly premiums you already pay.

Meanwhile, their tired, sick bodies are just yards from the opulence of these disgustingly over pretentious "lobbies."

After Obama was elected somebody asked if it was time to change my name. I was shocked. No, I said. The real work now begins. Remember, the media had kept everyone in the dark for so many years that there was still large gaps in the minds of those who follow mainstream media. I'm one who believes that we can't be one country, of one mind, until we all are looking at the same set off facts. So I said that it won't stop until everyone knows what we know.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x579279

Glad we have folks like you as the alternative!

You take two groups and set them down on, say, the Great Plains in the 1870's.

You tell one group that it's every man for himself. If your neighbor's barn burns down, you figure that's his bad luck. If food is scarce, you hoard what you have. If an epidemic comes through, you hole up until it passes.

Tell the other group that it's about cooperation. You share with the hungry. You nurse the sick. You help make good each other's losses.

Then you leave them to their own devices for a few years -- and see which group is still there when you come back.

:-)

Club in Newport, Rhode Island. The cruise started out pleasantly and the fellow I was with knew everyone on the cruise. He pointed out to me the people in the room, how much wealth they had and noted the source of their wealth. I don’t recall the wealthiest person or couple but I do recall the poorest fellow had only 11 million. In general, I was surrounded by old money.

I come from a middle class family. My father was a union member and worked in a plant. My parents raised me to be ladylike & mannerly. I had no concern over my ability to socialize with the people in the RROC but I was mindful that I was supposedly with the higher class of people.

We were seated at our table and dinner commenced. I enjoyed wine, bread and salad. The room was filled with pleasant folks awaiting their entrees. Soon, a staff member came down the stairs and made an announcement and apology. Someone at the RROC made an error with the reservations and only about half of the people on-board could be served dinner. Attendees would be issued a refund on their tickets through the RROC.

I remember thinking that everyone was served at least something and that my own dinner would be bread, salad and wine, which was certainly fine with me. I reached for my glass of wine as a roar arose about me. Suddenly, I was surrounded by angry people, rising from their seats, waving their arms and yelling at staff people.

I sat dumbfounded. I was absolutely perplexed by the reaction of the millionaires around me; none of which, I was certain had ever missed or would ever miss a single meal. A few of the men on-board rushed the man who made the announcement. One millionaire laid hands on him and I winced thinking my pleasant life experiences would now be marred by a violent action. The millionaire’s wife grabbed his arms and took over the task of berating the staff person.

The surly behavior and bickering continued because these millionaires all felt entitled to be served dinner. The staff thought it appropriate to serve at least one level on the boat. So the bickering and demands included - either these millionaires be served at their table or that they be moved to the level of the boat that would be served. I should have taken notes regarding their various personal justifications but I mostly ignored the unpleasantness around me.

Eventually I left my table in favor of the empty area behind the stairs. I noticed a table set up on the other side of the stairs and stepped over to that part of the room. I saw a staff person and said “excuse me.” The poor young fellow flinched then hesitantly said “yes, ma’am.” I smiled and asked, “is there coffee?” He smiled and excitedly said, “yes, ma’am, and there is some dessert.” I poured coffee for myself and selected a slice of cake. As I passed by him I smiled again and said “thank you.” He said “you’re welcome, thank you for being so courteous.” There I was, being thanked for being courteous. I asked, “I don’t suppose everyone has been courteous?” He bowed his head and said “no ma’am.”

I returned to my table and considered both my behavior and that of the millionaires around me, still decrying the supposedly profound misfortune that had strayed into their lives. I realized that for all the advantages in the lives of those millionaires, none had a proper upbringing. It was I who actually did not have suitable company for the evening.

My unpleasant dinner cruise experience came to mind after Katrina, when I watched the coverage of the Superdome. What if it was millionaires that filled the Superdome and not the people of New Orleans? Oh dear, I am convinced it would have been a quick and complete bloodbath with no survivors.

I was born, raised and remain in the better class of people.


Edit for missing "s"

Yes, you were deep in the Sammy Glick world. Unfortunately, that behavior has filtered down into the upper middle class. The irony is that cruise ships today only serve half the portion on the plate that they use to serve, because everyone is calorie conscious. If they had cut the portions in half, they would have served everyone. I'm sure that such a scenario was unacceptable to those greedy bastards, may they suffer of the gout.

"I winced thinking my pleasant life experiences would now be marred by a violent action."

I used to own a yarn shop. It was a victim of the economy, but I enjoyed the time I had it. I closed my business a little over three years ago.

The phone rang one afternoon; it was someone representing herself from the national Chamber of Commerce, selling tickets to a dinner with George W. Bush. I said, "No, thank you."

Caller: You don't want to have dinner with the President?
Me: No, I don't. I'm not interested.
Caller: Everyone else wants these tickets! Why don't you want them?
Me: I'm not interested. I didn't vote for him, and I don't vote Republican. Please don't call me again.
Caller: Sputters incoherently about "networking" and "the President"
Me: Hangs up.

divulged important information. i.e. the only businesses that will succeed are those who are protected, and you only get protected through campaign donations.

My brother-in-law works in an industry that is mostly right-wing. In one of the recent elections he was watching the election results at the employee lounge and he heard a woman exclaim in a frightened tone, "We lost the House!" He stood up and said, "we won the House!" She looked at him, shocked. It never occurred to her that in that industry, which was mostly right-wing, that political leanings were not being used to filter out the Democrats.