General Discussion

rhett o rick

(55,981 posts)

208. I would state it differently than Zappa but meaning essentially the same.

Thu Apr 17, 2014, 09:26 AM

Apr 2014

"The Democracy charade is useful to fool the people into setting up a plutocratic oligarchy, after which the charade can be dropped."

We all shape the reality we believe in. There is no guilt in believing in hope and change. That's what really keeps us going. Reality may be that there really isnt much hope for reestablishing our democracy, but it really doesnt do us any good to go there. I do think it's harmful to deny there is anything wrong because our Pres has a nice smile and nice family. But people shape their reality in part to maintain their sanity. Poor Michael Ruppert couldnt deal with the reality he saw.

I believe in the elite theory of government. Not saying I like it, I just believe it's true. Our hope is that there are elitists that will recognize the value of democracy and a healthy middle class.

Keep up the fight, and keep posting.

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Look, I suck. I get that. [View all] MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 OP

Please do not be sorry or stop being Manny ... MindMover Apr 2014 #1

Manny being Manny. merrily Apr 2014 #80

Billy Joel said it best Roy Rolling Apr 2014 #185

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2014 #2

the old saying applies.... grasswire Apr 2014 #4

Sometimes, I feel exactly the same and sometimes I think merrily Apr 2014 #87

I'm not sick of you, Manny. grasswire Apr 2014 #3

I AM sick of Manny and his negative rants. mimi85 Apr 2014 #162

didn't you get a hide button? nt grasswire Apr 2014 #164

Of course I did. mimi85 Apr 2014 #205

Me too. Me too. AverageJoe90 Apr 2014 #199

Righteous rant, Manny. Vashta Nerada Apr 2014 #5

If you are expecting someone now in power to topple the oligarchy, you merrily Apr 2014 #111

You are mistaken. sulphurdunn Apr 2014 #143

If you are not an oligarch, then by definition . . . Jack Rabbit Apr 2014 #171

I knew it was you by the title of your post. OnyxCollie Apr 2014 #6

I figured that if I began by acknowledging that fact, MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #7

You suck is not a fact, it's an opinion. OnyxCollie Apr 2014 #15

Sounds like I rank with "evolution" in the pantheon MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #23

I observe no suckage. Enthusiast Apr 2014 #116

So did I treestar Apr 2014 #83

Got any comment on the Big Banks getting away with their corruption, not just getting away sabrina 1 Apr 2014 #91

Here's the comment treestar Apr 2014 #128

They cast a very large net sulphurdunn Apr 2014 #144

I am going to take a shot at guessing your point. You are outraged at the outrage. Am I close? nm rhett o rick Apr 2014 #155

"The government has to prove it"... awoke_in_2003 Apr 2014 #167

I you can see disruption in this thread, it might be a mirror. rhett o rick Apr 2014 #129

If you suck Manny (to some) it is only because the medicine required for a serious illness Dragonfli Apr 2014 #8

True. As Midnight Oil sang... MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #9

Very true. Most people who survive combat don't do it by hiding in foxholes. n/t nomorenomore08 Apr 2014 #11

I read a great book about Nazi Germany some years ago MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #17

Which is why I feel the need these days to stand up and fight, even if only with words - nomorenomore08 Apr 2014 #22

Yes, he is a status quo, sulphurdunn Apr 2014 #146

your like a brave nazi fighter in Hitler's Germany. nt arely staircase Apr 2014 #102

Yes, that's exactly right. MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #150

And speaking of medication... MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #14

You're on! But I must warn you the peace pipe will drain all motivation to demploy said artillary Dragonfli Apr 2014 #18

That's kinda what I was thinkin' MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #21

+1 nt raouldukelives Apr 2014 #56

You... Are The Wind Beneath My Wings !!! WillyT Apr 2014 #10

It was the chili from Wendy's MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #24

I'm turning you in Jackpine Radical Apr 2014 #104

Well said KT2000 Apr 2014 #12

You had me at "Look, I suck. I get that." calimary Apr 2014 #13

Don't STFU BuelahWitch Apr 2014 #16

Don't you know our rich are what makes America great? Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2014 #19

When can we look forward to that? merrily Apr 2014 #113

Do you play the lottery? Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2014 #120

No. Yet, I hope to win someday. merrily Apr 2014 #123

Well, I'm in Vegas and we have video poker at the grocery stores.... Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2014 #133

I think one or two times, I might have won two or three dollars. merrily Apr 2014 #134

I've walked in with $40 and walked out with $1,000... Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2014 #139

It's the ''isms'' -- they'll steer you wrong every time. DeSwiss Apr 2014 #20

Just fabulate that they won some kind of lottery. Amonester Apr 2014 #25

No, you don't. n/t catchnrelease Apr 2014 #26

Just for you Manny...... DeSwiss Apr 2014 #27

Hahaha Caretha Apr 2014 #31

De nada. DeSwiss Apr 2014 #95

++++ marions ghost Apr 2014 #37

Aww, shucks MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #45

Haha! Thanks for that! nt raouldukelives Apr 2014 #55

De nada! DeSwiss Apr 2014 #96

So effing good! hueymahl Apr 2014 #63

De nada. DeSwiss Apr 2014 #97

I just forwarded it to my list of Usual Suspects. Jackpine Radical Apr 2014 #107

De nada! DeSwiss Apr 2014 #141

That is a good one! Enthusiast Apr 2014 #119

Danke! DeSwiss Apr 2014 #142

I totally agree with you... haikugal Apr 2014 #28

We need more like you Manny newfie11 Apr 2014 #29

Today's bonuses are tomorrow's campaign contributions n/t n2doc Apr 2014 #30

Sorry, Manny, but you can't ever quit. We need you for stuff like this .... Scuba Apr 2014 #32

The number of prosecutions holds steady, through Bush I and Clinton Maedhros Apr 2014 #76

This message was self-deleted by its author CJCRANE Apr 2014 #33

you're not alone in your 'suckage'. du rec nt xchrom Apr 2014 #34

Somebody sucks alright, Manny... 99Forever Apr 2014 #35

Manny you remind me of my neighbor madokie Apr 2014 #36

Yeah, I agree. freedom fighter jh Apr 2014 #78

In this thread, Manny linked only to alternet, described in wiki merrily Apr 2014 #131

You may be confusing Manny with Third Way Manny SwankyXomb Apr 2014 #182

You don't suck, and your message is right on! ananda Apr 2014 #38

You're correct on this issue - TBF Apr 2014 #39

Do you ever post a thread that doesn't begin with me, my or I? theHandpuppet Apr 2014 #40

Looking at my last 10 posts, 3 had "I" MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #62

Yes, this thread, for one. merrily Apr 2014 #112

People don't get.. sendero Apr 2014 #41

Yes Manny, you suck. As far as some people are concerned. Autumn Apr 2014 #42

He's ok, I guess. rhett o rick Apr 2014 #132

preach on brother manny. nt Demo_Chris Apr 2014 #43

You pissed off the establishment, nothing wrong with that! Rex Apr 2014 #44

Sure, you're tense, irritable... malthaussen Apr 2014 #46

Oligarchy, Love it or Leave it. And btw you Must be a Libertarian if you criticize it. adirondacker Apr 2014 #47

Recommend for Manny...and the other comments by the wise and funny on this thread... KoKo Apr 2014 #48

Speaking of those bonus dollars.... beerandjesus Apr 2014 #49

k/r just for this line .............. marmar Apr 2014 #50

I already did. Best line ever. Autumn Apr 2014 #53

Nobody but the Party Faithful are "sick" of you, Manny. Le Taz Hot Apr 2014 #51

ideologues and propagandists RandoLoodie Apr 2014 #52

This message was self-deleted by its author bvar22 Apr 2014 #64

And people trying to pick up a few extra bucks by posting for $. merrily Apr 2014 #130

K&R If at first you don't suck seed, keep on sucking til you do suck seed. raouldukelives Apr 2014 #54

I just have started reading How America Was Lost ballyhoo Apr 2014 #57

why are so many of your posts about you? Shivering Jemmy Apr 2014 #58

Late to the party. That point has been covered already. Autumn Apr 2014 #60

I think that the Democratic Party has made a calculated decision to be the party ... dawg Apr 2014 #59

An ARMY of Poor People CAN demand "change". bvar22 Apr 2014 #73

Bvar, I can't think of a single post of yours that I didn't love MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #75

Posts like that give me hope. We must fight on in spite of this set back. nm rhett o rick Apr 2014 #154

^^^what Manny said^^^ dflprincess Apr 2014 #189

I had never in my lifetime witnessed such incredible support for a Presidential candidate. Maedhros Apr 2014 #79

But...but.... bvar22 Apr 2014 #88

I'm serious, though. Maedhros Apr 2014 #90

LOL. MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #149

Your sarcasm is actually quite accurate. cheapdate Apr 2014 #173

Yeah, right. bvar22 Apr 2014 #177

None of your bluster and insult, cheapdate Apr 2014 #180

BS bvar22 Apr 2014 #190

Well BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #194

What's happened to civic and common virtues cheapdate Apr 2014 #200

Ever heard of Nick Land? BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #204

Bummer. cheapdate Apr 2014 #210

Excellent post, bvar. 'There are none so blind as those who will not see'. sabrina 1 Apr 2014 #92

The seduction of the ring was too strong BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #93

So do you think we were all duped? Or maybe the coup theory has some merit. rhett o rick Apr 2014 #159

On my bad days, I see the same thing. bvar22 Apr 2014 #168

I would state it differently than Zappa but meaning essentially the same. rhett o rick Apr 2014 #208

mobilize people for someTHING you have a goal: mobilize people for someONE and they can be passive MisterP Apr 2014 #193

Manny, you're the spice in our DU soup Duppers Apr 2014 #61

"swooped in like a SEAL team on meth" hueymahl Apr 2014 #65

Paul Krugman: Why We're In A New Gilded Age Hissyspit Apr 2014 #66

don't you dare STFU! eom G_j Apr 2014 #67

I'm not sick of you and I don't want you to STFU. SammyWinstonJack Apr 2014 #68

Matt Taibbi: Too Big To Jail Hissyspit Apr 2014 #69

Yaaa, manny! eom. 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2014 #70

Manny You Don't Suck Phlem Apr 2014 #71

I think a lot of your posts "suck". cheapdate Apr 2014 #72

The fundamental division is between people who think we should stay quiet, toe the line and give Maedhros Apr 2014 #81

Debate is a passion of mine, cheapdate Apr 2014 #94

Framing Manny's concerns as "ideal purity" is incorrect. Maedhros Apr 2014 #106

Bomb throwing anarchists and those advocating and plotting the overthrow of the US merrily Apr 2014 #110

Excellent observation. cheapdate Apr 2014 #138

Instead of Manny retiring his commentary, it would be better if you retired your reading of his OP's xocet Apr 2014 #109

I'm not suggesting that Manny retire cheapdate Apr 2014 #147

If "debate" is a "passion" of yours, bvar22 Apr 2014 #174

One may believe what one wishes. cheapdate Apr 2014 #176

In your solar system, there is Mercury and Pluto. Nothing in between. randome Apr 2014 #99

MLK 840high Apr 2014 #74

If you suck, then I suck, too! Rider3 Apr 2014 #77

We're one big gravitational field here. Fuddnik Apr 2014 #82

Manny this fight is in a way a losing Hutzpa Apr 2014 #84

It was like that in 1932, too. MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #85

And technology was also a thing of Hutzpa Apr 2014 #89

Not similar BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #98

Thats a very good point because of the Red purges, we no longer have any voices farther to the left Dragonfli Apr 2014 #115

There IS hope. bvar22 Apr 2014 #117

Whoever thinks you suck SUCKS DONKEYS rickyhall Apr 2014 #86

ah. your favorite topic again nt arely staircase Apr 2014 #100

It's cute that you think anyone cares enough. Arkana Apr 2014 #101

Is this the shiny object of the week? JohnnyRingo Apr 2014 #103

And for this, you win the Internets. Absolutely brilliant post. msanthrope Apr 2014 #108

And there you go Manny hueymahl Apr 2014 #122

I don't think I said that... JohnnyRingo Apr 2014 #140

Yep, as formulaic as Mad Libs, and just as entertaining. bettyellen Apr 2014 #157

the formula arely staircase Apr 2014 #165

HA.........I thought it was the reverse, but I guess that's how we keep the same ole same ole.... bettyellen Apr 2014 #198

Your hero-worship is as annoying as Manny. randome Apr 2014 #153

. MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #156

A bit OT but did you see the post on Snowden a few days ago? Number23 Apr 2014 #161

Yes...I tried not posting and laughing. Whatever masturbatory fantasy Comrade msanthrope Apr 2014 #172

Oh, he'll be there in spirt, there's no doubt of that. And I don't have a problem with that Number23 Apr 2014 #175

Snowden can use his faux Pulitzer in his bargaining sessions with the DOJ. nt msanthrope Apr 2014 #178

Lol! We know, the reporting of Snowden's leaks would have happened even if Snowden had never been sabrina 1 Apr 2014 #183

Wait BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #188

Yes, maybe because, like Snowden, he reveals 'inconvenient truths'. I admit, it is hard to believe sabrina 1 Apr 2014 #191

Indeed BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #192

Post removed Post removed Apr 2014 #124

A+ thread winner Number23 Apr 2014 #160

+1 JoePhilly Apr 2014 #186

You're not upset about Bush policies, like the massive spying by the NSA? Not upset sabrina 1 Apr 2014 #196

Of course I don't approve of such policies. JohnnyRingo Apr 2014 #203

Apparently a whole lot of Democrats agree with this 'person' on issues that they do not, as you sabrina 1 Apr 2014 #206

I don't think you completely understand... JohnnyRingo Apr 2014 #211

I am very, very familiar with the work of EFF and the ACLU on this matter down through the years. sabrina 1 Apr 2014 #212

Well, I'm glad to see you're actively doing something about it. JohnnyRingo Apr 2014 #213

Only Reagan Democrats understand what it is to be a *real* Democrat Fumesucker Apr 2014 #201

Is it too early in the morning for the gate crashers? erronis Apr 2014 #105

Kicked and recommended! This thread should have hundreds of recommendations! Enthusiast Apr 2014 #114

Nothing to apologize for. I'm with you on every word of this. More of us need to question ..... marble falls Apr 2014 #118

I'm sick of it, too. merrily Apr 2014 #121

Post removed Post removed Apr 2014 #125

. JI7 Apr 2014 #126

Unfortunately, you do not rock Apr 2014 #127

Nah. Not going to bite. MineralMan Apr 2014 #135

you suck like a fox frylock Apr 2014 #136

Continuous anger fueled by 175 recs...alternative source of energy? Rex Apr 2014 #137

I don't know why people hate on you but navarth Apr 2014 #145

The only question I can answer is about the cuff links. zeemike Apr 2014 #148

Jamie Dimon gets presidential cufflinks because he's a savvy businessman. BlueCheese Apr 2014 #151

Don't ever STFU ybbor Apr 2014 #152

I'm in the unfortunate position of being to able to understand both sides of the Obama divide. stage left Apr 2014 #158

rec'd for accurate headline. nt arely staircase Apr 2014 #163

... sheshe2 Apr 2014 #181

You DO NOT suck 1 bit nikto Apr 2014 #166

I'm on team Manny! vt_native Apr 2014 #169

But if we throw them in jail the ENTIRE ECONOMY WILL COLLAPSE, Ohhhhh Noooooo! Corruption Inc Apr 2014 #170

The way you think does suck samplegirl Apr 2014 #179

Yeah, it sucks to care about this country. It sucks to want the rule of law to apply to Wall St and sabrina 1 Apr 2014 #184

Bravo! pecwae Apr 2014 #207

Wow Manny you suck so much Phlem Apr 2014 #187

"Too Big To Fail" versus "Too Small To Matter" blkmusclmachine Apr 2014 #195

I highly recommend this book. The problem is systemic and has existed for a long time octoberlib Apr 2014 #197

That looks really interesting MannyGoldstein Apr 2014 #202

Dude you captured my thoughts exactly.... burfman Apr 2014 #209