Annual Trade Deficit Hits All-Time High

[Pink Spider]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
The government already has "power" regarding social security. I have no problem with capitalism, but:
a.) I don't want some bullshitting broker selling me an under-performing plan or a stock that might tank, which is exactly what happened in the U.K. when they 'privatized retirement.'

If brokers had any knowledge of stock, then they would be full time investors and not brokers, wouldn't they?

b.) A lot of people lost their ass in the market a fews back, and there was a day when few people had any faith in Capitalism, circa 1929-1942.

Socialism has collapsed a few times, hasn't it? There's risk in everything. If you want to stand in a bread line, fine.

Besides, don't confuse Capitalism with Oligarchical Plutocracy, they are not the same thing. The film "Tucker's Dream" illustrates that nicely.

I don't. Corporations that are in lock step with the government is not capitalism at all. It's socialism.

What IS the fault of capitalism:

Excessive prices on drugs, and the Drug Companies preventing old people from seeking cheaper ones in Canada.

Drug prices are the fault of regulation by the government. I think you're a tad bit confused on what capitalism is and isn't. No offense, of course. Capitalism would mean less regulation on drugs. Such as drugs from Canada. THAT is capitalism.

[Pink Spider]

Originally posted by Big Train
Could not agree more.

There's a first time for everything.

[Angel]

Add another 4 billion to that deficit: Ottawa seeks $4.1B in retaliation for U.S. softwood foot-dragging.

Full story here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...tory/National/

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by Pink Spider
Drug prices are the fault of regulation by the government.

I'd like you to prove that one, I always thought it was the Vioxx and Viagra commercials we see on TV every 30 seconds. And if gov't regulation makes drug prices higher, why are 'regulated' Canadian drugs cheaper?

I think you're a tad bit confused on what capitalism is and isn't. No offense, of course. Capitalism would mean less regulation on drugs. Such as drugs from Canada. THAT is capitalism.

And snuffing out any real competition, not through superior product quality or competition, but through skullduggery. That's what (the myth of)Capitalism has been, anything but real competition or Capitalism. Mostly it involves collusion and preventing any real competition. If I don't know what true Capitalism is, it's 'cause we haven't seen it in practice. I guess that's the disconnect between theory and practical application.

[Pink Spider]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
I'd like you to prove that one, I always thought it was the Vioxx and Viagra commercials we see on TV every 30 seconds. And if gov't regulation makes drug prices higher, why are 'regulated' Canadian drugs cheaper?

Everything is cheaper in China too. Different economies have different set prices.

Although, on the other hand over regulation is what's keeping high prices and a virtual drug company monopoly in this country. The government already works in the drug industry's favor. Look no further than the major donors of the Republican and Democratic parties. Why are our drug prices not as low with industry and government working together? In your theory, we should be enjoying cheap prices already. Maybe it's because we don't give enough of our tax dollars directly to these drug companies already. I guess that's what you're saying.

[ODShowtime]

The root reason why drugs prices are so expensive here is because R&D is so expensive and tax laws for it are not favorable. Canada takes advantage of this.

But without R&D, we could never experience the joy of four hour erections.

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by Pink Spider
Everything is cheaper in China too. Different economies have different set prices.

Although, on the other hand over regulation is what's keeping high prices and a virtual drug company monopoly in this country. The government already works in the drug industry's favor. Look no further than the major donors of the Republican and Democratic parties. Why are our drug prices not as low with industry and government working together? In your theory, we should be enjoying cheap prices already. Maybe it's because we don't give enough of our tax dollars directly to these drug companies already. I guess that's what you're saying.

China is not a western Country with the same approximate standard of living as the U.S., so your analogy is shot to hell right there. Canada gets the same exact Drugs at the same wholesale prices as we do, but enjoys significant advantages to the consumer due to Gov't price controls that insure manufacturers plenty of profit, yet affordable drugs. The prices are SET, not arbitrarily determined by a select few companies and their advertising expenditures for Superbowl commercials.

So is the Drug companies manipulation of the political process by-way-of skullduggery indicative of Capitalism? No, it's the lack of Government regulation that allows prices to skyrocket here, and the emphasis on constant advertising, creation of redundant and useless drugs to maximize profit. Huge advertising costs are something the drug companies once admitted to! And is the FDA's allowing drugs that haven't adequately tested (Vioxx) and may cause, oh well... heart disease, a matter of "too-much regulation"--NO! It's too little regulation.

Capitalism, which is it? A corrupt system that allows multi-national corp's to manipulate for their best interests, or a system that would adequately set a the correct market prices if given a chance devoid of government infringement? I really can't tell what you mean? You seem to make case for both. I mean why don't the drug companies just bribe the Canadian Gov't on their way to higher drug prices in Canada?

It seems one must either trust the government or the multi-national corporations to do the right thing in your view. I however trust neither, but seek to play one off against one another to protect the consumer. I mean pul-eeze! You'd really trust Multi's to run the U.S.? That would mean pollution, ridiculously high traffic fatalities, people dying of cancer, and God knows what else. Without gov't regulation, we'd be "Unsafe at any Speed!"

[Warham]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
Actually I'm for cutting government spending and bringing the-going-on $8 trillion deficit under control.

The government already has "power" regarding social security. I have no problem with capitalism, but:
a.) I don't want some bullshitting broker selling me an under-performing plan or a stock that might tank, which is exactly what happened in the U.K. when they 'privatized retirement.'

Sounds like they have a bad advisor. Perhaps I could give them my advisor's number?

[Angel]

WOW Nick! My husband has often told me how great you Buffalo folk are, I see why he feels that way! :D

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by Warham
Sounds like they have a bad advisor. Perhaps I could give them my advisor's number?

Your point is well taken. But I heard this from a transplanted British national calling into a NPR show. She basically said things were done so haphazardly over there that almost any financial advisor could lie to you to get a piece of the pie.

The cost of "retirement" in the UK was increased by a flood of litigation over this bullshit. And now few young people save for retirement through plans over there because they don't trust the system. But I'd like to hear an Anglo-Dumpmeister's vomments...er...comments on this.

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by Angel
WOW Nick! My husband has often told me how great you Buffalo folk are, I see why he feels that way! :D

Thanks Angel. Maybe I should run for Erie County Government, no...not corrupt enough.


Maybe I'll just go get some Canadian beire' instead. :bottle:

[Angel]

Aaah, la Biere! Bonne! That's the extent of my french, except for the classic curses!

Tabernaque!

[Big Train]

Is it true bullshit theories blow south?

[LoungeMachine]

Originally posted by Big Train
Is it true bullshit theories blow south?

I heard they blow Republicans:D

[Big Train]

C,mon Lounge...put some effort into it..