"We don't have any greed in this country"

[Klukie]

Yes..... this is a direct quote from a family member while I was in the lion's den this past weekend. He pointed this out to me in the midst of a conversation about what is killing this country. His point of view was the usual suspect...Liberals are ruining this country via social programs that enable the lazy!!! I quickly realized that "The lazy" was his main concern when I pressed him on his theories, so when I pointed out that greed may be a vice that is equally damaging to our country, he stated that there wasn't any greed in this country!!!! I left the conversation shaking my head, but not before I pointed out the fact that I saw plenty of greed standing right in front of me!!!

[daleanime]

1. It can be rough...

they love us, but refuse to listen to us.:shrug:

[tularetom]

2. Wait a minute

Isn't he more or less accusing "the lazy" of being greedy?

And aren't "the lazy" in this country?

Guess I'm missing something here. I applaud your restraint.

[Klukie]

6. well...I didn't restrain myself entirely....

This was one of many conversations throughout the whole weekend. I was one female against a roomful of old school men!!! Yikes..but I held my own.

[Lorien]

7. Unfortunately our "restraint" is the reason their ideas are seen as the

dominant ones here in America-even though "they" are in the minority.

[Klukie]

8. [phone]

[SammyWinstonJack]

11. So true.

:thumbsup:

[daleanime]

14. Too damn true!

:applause:

[Dappleganger]

3. Too bad you can't fix stupid.

That one doesn't even seem like it would be worth the effort.

[Klukie]

15. But they have good qualities and they are not without the ability to learn.

That is what makes it so frustrating....I think they are driven by their own vices.

[tjwash]

4. Yes...they have relocated their companies to China and India for a hefty bonus and tax breaks

So technically...your family member is probably correct.

[Klukie]

5. Hahahaha

Funny that you say that because he also whipped out the biblical verse about teaching a man to fish and I very passionately said how in the hell can we teach a man to fish when the lake has dried up and all the fish have relocated to China!!!

[gratuitous]

9. The Bible isn't the source for "teaching a man to fish"

Which should be easy enough to refute: Offer the old man a fiver if he can find it in the Bible. That will neatly prove both that (1) he doesn't know what he's talking about; and (b) he's greedy.

[Klukie]

13. I didn't know this.....I will have to look into to it.

If it is true...thanks for the ammo!!!

[gratuitous]

16. That's why I suggested offering him five bucks

Don't want him doing research for free, and besides, someone so well-versed in the Bible doubtless can turn to any random quotation with the mere flick of a wrist. It's probably a little incongruous to say this, as an anonymous person on an internet message board, but trust me: the "teach a man to fish" aphorism is not from the Bible.

Although it would probably be a good idea to nail down with your family member exactly what he's referring to, because knowing these weasels as I do, they'll find a totally unrelated quotation (Jesus telling Peter and Andrew that he will make them fishers of men comes to mind - Matthew 4), and claim that's what they were talking about all along.

[Art_from_Ark]

10. Hey, there's "never a boast or a brag" in the US, either

and our "alabaster cities gleam undimmed by human tears".
Isn't it great to live in such a perfect country?

[Klukie]

12. So true...

Even I am boasting to my fellow DUers about my ability to debate the uninformed....the difference is that I recognize it and own it!