[Patch]

Thanks, I only have a limited understanding of these things. I do understand that if Australia has a better dollar exports will become more difficulty, or less wanted from this country.

Fuel prices are going insane. Soon people will stop driving and look for alternative transport, it seems. Unless Australia actually finds oil deposits south of the coast.

[arien]

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we print up money out of thin air anytime we feel the economy is in danger. Why back the economy with anything like a gold standard? It's much more fun to play with Monopoly money.

Don't you love inflation? I mean, the government made such a great choice to ditch the gold standard. Only nerds and losers use that. Come on. America had to be cool.

[AdamM]

When did America ever print money to boost revenue? Why would it cost billions of dollars to run public service announcements? And why would you complain about either of these things causing a weak dollar when people have been talking of a global recession for about a year now?

[joshofalltrades]

There's a cause for everything, AdamM, and the economy is no different.

Have you ever heard of the Federal Reserve? It pushes money (credit) that technically shouldn't exist into the hands of people who have no realistic prospect of paying it back. Basic economics (oversimplified just a bit) says that when you start injecting money into the economy and have nothing to back it, the price for everything goes up. That's called inflation, and on a small scale it's not a bad thing by itself, especially if the money injected into the system is going to the American people. Since the Fed is printing up money for big business and then the government is spending tax dollars on bailing those businesses out when they are about to go out of business, we're perpetuating a cycle of non-payment and inflation so that very little of the magic money that's being printed is ending up in the hands of Joe Taxpayer. What ends up happening is: prices go up, incomes stay down. That's how a recession starts.

As far as wasteful government spending, you need look no farther than here. If you're still unconvinced that any regular business would go under in about five seconds if it ran the same way our government does, there's no helping you.

And as an American, I have the right to complain about any situation Washington causes as long as I'm not the bastard who voted them into office. I did not vote the current monkey into office, nor the 3 monkeys prior to this one. I am therefore entitled to call BS when it is spotted and helpfully point the finger in a direction that might not lead to nationwide catastrophic ruin.

We Americans have our heads so far up a particular portion of our anatomy when it comes to economics. We're pretty good about complaining about it when we don't know the cause, though.

[Papas]

From what I heard, Clinton wasn't so much of a monkey, because he accumulated rather a large surplus.

Meanwhile in the UK, pound pound pound pound, pound pound pound pound.

[Uszi]

Once we start World War III, by bombing Iran, Syria and Palestine, then the green back will miraculously recover.

Then it will rain liberty and gum drops on us all.

[AdamM]

From what I heard, Clinton wasn't so much of a monkey, because he accumulated rather a large surplus.

Yeah, exactly. What are you josh, Green or something?

Oh, almost forgot:

This post has been edited by AdamM: 23 May 2008 - 06:03 PM

[joshofalltrades]

If you want to be technical, I'm one of those crazy kooks called Libertarians.

[Dr Lecter]

In Britain I'm known as a conservative, but if you're an American, think of me as representing the ultra-extremist communist party.

[Otal Nimrodi]

And as an American, I have the right to complain about any situation Washington causes as long as I'm not the bastard who voted them into office.

No. You have a right to complain even if you /are/ the bastard who voted them into office. Just because you agree with someone right now, doesn't mean you'll agree four years down the road. You have the right to complain about any situation, anywhere, at any time. Whether it's indirectly your fault or not.

[joshofalltrades]

Otal -- True, but here's the thing: If one pushes for a nanny state and then complains when they have a costly, invasive government, then they are part of the problem and it's akin to a kid breaking his own toys and then whining that his toys are broken. They may have the right to complain, but they're sure going to look retarded.

EDIT: Let me just clarify -- if you blindly vote Republican or Democrat straight tickets every time without researching the positions of each candidate then you are an idiot. Stop trusting politicians every time they tell you they're going to change things. 99% of the time they are lying and it's "meet the new guy, same as the old guy", and the other 1% the changes will be in the form of a rectal probe without the benefit of lube.

Wow, this got off-topic. In true FullyRamblomatic fashion. I guess I'm guilty of adding fuel to the fire. My apologies to all if that angers you in some way.

This post has been edited by joshofalltrades: 23 May 2008 - 09:38 PM

[Patch]

Once we start World War III, by bombing Iran, Syria and Palestine, then the green back will miraculously recover.

Then it will rain liberty and gum drops on us all.

I doubt the green will recover any time soon. Bombing Iran, Syria and Palestine will give the United States of America (not America because America is two continents, North America and South America) immediate punishment either from those countries, the UN or the public. Like a child making a scene by hitting an older child with a hammer.

Wow, this got off-topic. In true FullyRamblomatic fashion. I guess I'm guilty of adding fuel to the fire. My apologies to all if that angers you in some way.

Not at all. It's good to see some interesting conversation running.
Is it Yahtzee's birthday today? Someone should make a topic.

[AdamM]

Wow, this got off-topic. In true FullyRamblomatic fashion. I guess I'm guilty of adding fuel to the fire. My apologies to all if that angers you in some way.

"Oh shit! I'm talking about politics! I guess I'd better apologise in case I get too controversial for people's tastes." I thought you said you were a Libertarian?

Bombing Iran, Syria and Palestine will give the United States of America (not America because America is two continents, North America and South America) immediate punishment either from those countries, the UN or the public.

Pf, yeah right, because the UN gave fearsome retiribution after the US and various other English-speaking countries illegally barrelled into Iraq, eh?

And as for that 'America is a continent' comment that is as old as time, stop trying to be a smartarse. There are several countries in the Americas, including Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, but only ONE of them is actually CALLED 'America', and that is the United States of 'America', hence why it is called 'America', do you get this now, what do I have to do to make you understand this.

[Papas]

Meanwhile, in the UK, the Tories are coming into power, and it's suddenly become cool to be a Tory again. It's great, it means I can stop hiding from the designer socialists everywhere I meet. I suppose I didn't have much of a problem with Blair, but Brown's just making a complete hash of everything. Not sure Cameron would be any better as PM, but I feel that Boris Johnson as Mayor of London should prove good to watch.

[Dr Lecter]

The main problem though, is that David Cameron is a dick. I'm not saying that Brown isn't but atleast I'm pretty sure that the country isn't going to catch fire with him in charge. I'm suprized London has yet actually, its been 3 weeks since Boris Johnson became Mayor, and he's an even bigger dick than most other politicians combined.

So yeah... roll on new Conservative leader... Since I'll vote for Cameron over my dead body.