How many here think that Like Scott Walker said, "America's standard of living is too high."

[Hubert Flottz]

Well Scott, most of us never got a Wall Street bailout bonus, or any millions in stock opitions...not even a raise. The upper 2% needs to lower it's standard of living. The 98% majority is getting tired of those Wall Street welfare kings and the bought and paid for "public" servants/political hacks and goons the big boys employ.

I see little difference, between the contents of a corporate owned right wing "Think Tank" and the contents of a typical garden variety septic tank.

[Hubert Flottz]

1. Think real hard...is your standard of living too high?

[RaleighNCDUer]

23. My standard of living must be too high

because I've been falling way short of that standard for about 40 years now (the previous 18 years I can blame on my parents).

Somehow I've never been able to accept lowering that standard to where I live - two paychecks from the streets - as being an acceptable stamdard of living, despite acknowledging that I luckier than many.

[tabatha]

2. Why should he be the one to decide that?

[Hubert Flottz]

3. I don't know but that was what he said in his prank call to Dave

Koch. "Americans need a lower standard of living."

[rfranklin]

9. He is mentally ill...

Walker won the office on a platform of fiscal conservatism, promising, among other things, to give back part of his own salary, and criticizing the salaries of other county workers as excessive.<24> He said his voluntary give-back gave him the moral authority to make cuts in the county budget.<24> He continued returning $60,000 annually (slightly less than half of his salary), for several years, but by 2008, he cut his give-back to $10,000 per year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Walker_(politician)

[Hubert Flottz]

19. I think the same thing about him.

He seemed unbalanced when he thought he was talking ot David Koch. Like he thinks he's the king of Wisconsin.

[speltwon]

4. My standard of living is good and I thank my union, and I thank capitalism

They are both good institutions and have led to massive wealth creation, with obvious inequities, in this nation. Compared to people in the same profession decades or longer ago, I'm doing much better than I would have done in the past. Unions are absolutely a net good in this nation.

[MedleyMisty]

7. So obvious inequities are something to be thankful for?

Odd, that.

[speltwon]

15. That's a fail in reading comprehension

if you are claiming I said that. What I said is that capitalism has resulted in massive wealth creation and also a wealth inequity. I didn't say the latter was good. I said capitalism was good. No institution or economic system is "all good". That holds true for unions, capitalism, and anything else I can think of.

I think SOME wealth inequity is a good thing. I think we have too much. That's a bad thing. If we didn't have inequity, everybody would have the same. That would be bad. There would be no incentives for working harder, for outperformance, etc. One can have inequity w/o the extent we currently have. Much of the wealth and benefits that capitalism has brought about disproportionately benefits the lower wealth ranks. For example, 100 yrs ago only the rich could afford the kind of luxuries that we take for granted now. 100 yrs ago, only the wealthy could have their laundry done for them. Now, anybody with a washer/dryer can. Indoor plumbing, life expectancy, technology, etc. all have disproportionately benefited the poor. At one point in time, only the rich could afford "music on demand". They could pay to have performers perform for them whenever they wanted. The poor could watch occasional free public concerts. Now, with modern technology, Pandora is a key click away for most people. Libraries have CD for rent, etc. Only the rich could own books at one point.

[leftstreet]

40. I bet you're all for privatizing Medicare and SS

"If we didn't have inequity, everybody would have the same."

No doubt those terrible 'socialist' type programs prevent the rabble from experiencing their individual uniqueness.

:eyes:

[speltwon]

42. Are you interested in baseless ridiculous conjecture or rational discussion?

If the latter, then don't tell me your unsubstantiated bets, and ask me...

I am for universal healthcare (essentially Medicare for all) and for maintaining SS while raising the salary cap (that currently phases out around 100k )

Neither are incompatable with unions or capitalism, both of which I support. SS and universal healthcare make our society better and MORE equal. Inequity is necessary and a good. The level of inequity we have is NOT good.

It really disgusts me the way some people can't simply discuss w/o jumping to baseless accusations and conjecture when somebody doesn't agree with their beliefs.

Let's look at this. Are you for or against wealth inequity. I am for it. If you are against it, then you are necessarily for wealth equity. The reason I am against that is it gives no incentives. If I sacrifice and spend 6 yrs busting ass in medical school and residency, should I have the same wealth and access/potential as if I just decided to do my current job? If so, why would somebody go through that hell?

If I risk part of my wealth to start a business (most of which fails) should I be limited to reacquiring wealth only to get me back to where I started from? If so, where's the incentive to start a business, small business being a very important engine.

etc.

Of course inequity SOUNDS bad. But when you think about it, it's not. Only gross inequity is. Can I give you an exact # that is "just right" a la three bears? No. But I can appreciate its benefits while wanting a MORE just distribution

[Very_Boring_Name]

54. I saw a reasoned, thoughtful post. Your reply is asinine, and cherry picked one sentence out of

context. Shameful.

[Codeine]

61. I don't agree with everything the poster said, but

you're just being ridiculous and nasty. You've addressed nothing he actually said and simply misrepresented his arguments. Fail.

[Hubert Flottz]

14. I think you're on the right track.

"You don't know what you've got till it's gone"

I hope the American people realize what a screwed up place this country would be, if the unions were to evaporate like Scott Walker wishes they would. What a corporate HERO Scott would be, at the expense of every American worker. Scott wants every boss in America to be the company's unitary executive with unlimited power over the working class taxpayer.

[speltwon]

21. And many nonunion workers don't realize the benefits they have usually come from unions

and what we fought for in the past

[Hubert Flottz]

41. You are right about most not knowing the history of the labor...

movement in this country. Nothing we have came easy.

The GOP wants to roll back conditions and the way of life to the way it was in 1880 America.

Too much trouble to read a history book, they learn everything they know on FOX.

[speltwon]

43. I didn't learn much about the labor movement in public (or private) school

frankly. It was a major hole in our textbooks imo

[rhett o rick]

53. I remember one of my first jobs was working at a non-union tire store. We were paid well and the

older guys there told me it was because they had to compete with the union tire stores. My next job was a union job with the AFL-CIO machinists union.

[Guilded Lilly]

5. As if Walker isn't trying to improve HIS standard of living by

accepting the financial support of the Koch brothers.

Standards of living are only too high for the working class dontcha know.

[Ghost Dog]

8. The answer's a no-brainer, ain't it. n/t

[EC]

6. Isn't it our right to set our own

standards? If America wants to be "The Best" then it has to be The Best.

[Make7]

10. Well, I would suggest as a solution...

... that we start by raising income taxes on the people who obviously have "too high" of a standard of living. I think the salary of the Governor of Wisconsin would be a reasonable number for the cut off point.
 

[kestrel91316]

11. Well I certainly think the standard of living of the 2%ers that Walker wants to help

out so much is FAR TOO HIGH.........

[Lasher]

12. Wonder if Scotty would be willing to lower his standard of living by volunteering for a 90% pay cut.

Surely not. That's because your standard of living is too high. Not his.

Republican, thy name is hypocrite.

[Hubert Flottz]

17. I really do think that Scott should turn his ass in for a good long...

mental evaluation before he hurts somebody or himself.

I couldn't help but think as I watched the tape of the "Prank Call" that Scott is a sick, sick, sick, puppy.

[Lasher]

35. Hope they check those .22 shells for fingerprints.

I'm betting Scotty's will show up on the casings if they find any at all.

[HopeHoops]

13. HIS certainly is!

[Brigid]

16. "Standard of living too high?" Oh, really?

Tell that to those who have lost their jobs, had their home foreclosed on, and count their pennies to pay for groceries. Good God, what is wrong with this guy? And why do I use this smilie every time I post about him? :banghead:

[rucky]

18. He wouldn't last a month on a teacher's salary

doing a teacher's job. He couldn't even make it a week on minimum wage working at Walmart.

[Hubert Flottz]

22. He needs to try both.

If I saw him in Wally World working, I'd projectile hurl in aisle 666..."SCOTT CLEAN-UP IN AISLE 666!"

[nashville_brook]

20. he's the leader of your "Standard of Living is Too Damn High" party

[Hubert Flottz]

24. He just let their cats out of the bag...

because he thought he was brown nosing Dave Koch.

[struggle4progress]

25. America's standard of living is too wasteful. Our economy is based on garbage production.

[The Backlash Cometh]

26. Just ten years ago they were calling us bums because we weren't greedy enough.

[neverforget]

27. When did he say that?

[Hubert Flottz]

29. During his "Prank Call"

[neverforget]

44. thanks

[Canuckistanian]

46. That statement alone should have made headlines

"America's standard of living is too high" Wow.

If some democrat DOESN'T use that line in the next election cycle, there's no hope.....

[Rex]

28. I'm too high?

What? :smoke:

[Hubert Flottz]

30. Watch it, unless you're too big to fail.

Once you get so large in America(larger than life)you no longer need worry about the laws of the land.

[Rex]

33. True it is a proven fact.

[1776Forever]

31. When I read this I thought immediately of Drew Carey's YouTube video for the Koch Brothers:

I was disappointed when I read that Drew Carey, yes that Drew Carey, is a "fan" of the Koch's Reason Foundation! Yes Drew Carey, Host of the Price is Right, did this video for the Koch's and is on their board of trustees! It will let you know what they really think of "public" employees and how they think they have too much just like Gov. Walker:

Living Large, by Drew Carey and Reason.tv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvvuHREm5jg

..........

Can you believe this? He makes a huge salary on the Price is Right but he thinks Public Employees all make too much!

[Ikonoklast]

38. Carey is a Libertarian.

His political opinions are, well, silly.

[1776Forever]

39. They may seem silly to you but I think they are dangerous and coming from him they are odd!

I believe he came from a middle-class home and to attack someone for having something of value from their working wages is pitiful! Just what the Koch's ordered!

[JI7]

48. Reagan and Nixon didn't come from much either , Drew Carey has been like this for a long time now

i remember one of the first times i heard him on some show discussing some issue . he said he didn't really care about others as long as he was ok. other people were not his problem.

i don't remember the exact words but he was much more clear and open about the position rather than hiding behind some crap they usually do by claiming it's actually better for the people.

he just admitted he didn't care for others.

[1776Forever]

56. Yes, you are right about that. Drew may have a lot of money but he doesn't have my respect!

Wish someone would punk him with a Koch phone call! He belongs with the likes of them.

[BobbyBoring]

32. For many Americans

Their standard of living is too high. Far too many live above and beyond their means. I've seen countless cases of it. My ex next door neighbor built a house, re fied it 3 or 5 times and lost it finally after racking up a 2,800.00 a month mortgage of 1,100.00 a month income. Granted, the banks that let him get in that position were every bit as guilty or more so, but that's not the point. The point is millions of people did the same thing and were enabled and encouraged to do so.

This was all a set up. Jr Bush wanted his "Ownership Society" and he got it. During the W years, credit was given to anyone and everyone regardless of their ability to pay. This, combined with the greatest heist of all time, TARP created the perfect storm and caused the huge wealth gap we now have.

Walker is a big fan of Raygun who said many years ago, "If America wants to stay competitive, Americans must lower their standard of living" or some horse shit like that. Walker is just following the play book. The goal is to eliminate the middle class altogether and have us all serfs and vassals.

I don't think WE need to lower our standard of living. I think we need to re examine who and what we are and I think we have to grow steel spines.

[Hubert Flottz]

57. I couldn't agree more.

[OHdem10]

34. I told you this whole thing is about lowering standards of living

in 1st World Nations to meet the standards of 3rd World.

Republican Free Trade Unmanaged Policies blew up in their
face. Instead of bring 3rd World Living Standards up
to meet 2st World, they are harmonizing us downward.

It is much easier to blame it all on the Teachers Unions
and start there bringing the living standards down.

Just put our poor in Abject Poverty if it save Wall Street
and the Elites.

[fittosurvive]

36. The problem is not that our standard of living is too high. The problem is that

our tolerance for waste, fraud and corruption is too high.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

37. For 1% of America that is absolutely true. n/t

[Raksha]

45. Did he actually have the gall to say that with a straight face?

Answered my own question by reading this thread. He said in the phone conversation with the fake "David Koch." I really need to listen to that a few times and read the transcript.

[Major Hogwash]

47. Why? Because we have inside plumbing now? Running water? What level is too high?

More than half of the people in Wisconsin get sick each year from drinking the fucking water there, so Governor Walker, what do you intend to do about it?

"Reduce the water quality standards."

Good answer, dickhead!!!

[lumberjack_jeff]

49. Sure. Start at the top and work your way down.

Once you've corrected the standard of living of the top 400, it should be all better.

[opihimoimoi]

50. The FOOL is a TOOL turned LOOSE CANNON....the gun deck is awash in GOPer Bodies Blood

That boy don't get it at all.....he has lost his mind awhile ago and the Search Teams keep coming back empty....It may just be them brains are long gone due to misuse....

[Hubert Flottz]

60. A stripped cog in a high place.

The boy don't seem to be playing with a full deck.

[Sheepshank]

51. I glanced through the transcript...couldn't find it...

...could be I missed it, can anyone C& P the statement, so I can see it in context. I'd like to use it, but not get caught with my pants down.

[Cleita]

52. Anytime he wants to lower his, I'm sure we can

accommodate him.

[rustydog]

55. Then take the big leap and cut your Governor's salary by half

Insist your Republican co-horts do the same then challenge Democratic representatives to follow suit. AFTER you demand CEO's take only a paltry 1 million a year in salary foregoing hundreds of millions of easy-street easiness.

Tell me Snot Walker, Homeless tent cities situated around America is proof our standard of living is too high.
right-to-work states are the rout to go...7.00 an hour, no medical benefits, no overtime, no vacation?
This is your vision of America? 40-million a year for a CEO, $ 7.00 an hour for the rest of us.


Fuck you

[JCMach1]

59. Walker's Standard of living is TOO DAMN HIGH

Maybe he should work for free!

[Zephie]

58. My highest standard of living involves being able to add milk to the Kraft dinner tonight

Or, Gods forbid, milk AND butter. I'm really living it up when I get to do that one. I should be ashamed.

[Bragi]

62. Yes, people buy too much crap

However, that's different than having a high standard of living.

When you take into account the economic insecurity, social isolation and limited non-work time that is part of contemporary America, having oversized houses stuffed with crap is not a good measure for real "standard of living."

Most Europeans make less than Americans, have smaller houses, smaller cars and much less crap.

But they have more economic and social security, and more social cohesion, so I'd say their overall standard of living is higher than that of Americans.

[Sanity Claws]

63. Did he say that?

I have been very busy for last three days and may not be up on things.