The worst presidents in US history

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by Nitro Express
Social Security is nothing more than a slush fund for the Fedral govt to exploit. If you are in your 30's or younger, you won't see a dime of the money you pay into it over your working lifetime. That's a 14% tax as well. Some people's employers match half of it but if you work for yourself like I do, you pay 14% to Socialist Security. Where does the Federal Govt. have the right to take 14% of my money lying to me that they are doing me a big favor when I could invest that money myself? Social Security was a scam in the beginning. You had to be 65 to collect and most people in the 30's died before that age. One of FDR's scams that sounded good.

You can collect at 60, and one of the reason that so many died before 65 was that they starved or otherwise lost their health since....you guessed it....they had no money.

The welfare state is absolutely necessary for a secure, stable society. It sure as hell beats the 19th century where corruption, from top down, was the rule of the day, and essentially gangs (organized crime) ran the streets in every major American city, providing the majority of social services and political organization, and yes they often taxed you.

Problem is that nobody ever remembers this, nor the pre-Union era devoid of labor laws and any sort of financial security for the working classes, and whatever there was of the sustainable middle classes...But one day, we may be reminded again. There's a reason why FDR was elected four times, and why his policies were immensely popular. Because there would almost inevitably been a Fascist or Communist uprising without many of his policies to reenforce, or even to create, a middle class, socio-economic stability.

The point is, Social(alist) Security can't be lost in the stock market, like the retirements of a bunch of people that worked for ENRON. It's meant to supplement your retirement, or at the very worst, sustain you.

[4moreyears]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
You can collect at 60, and one of the reason that so many died before 65 was that they starved or otherwise lost their health since....you guessed it....they had no money.

The welfare state is absolutely necessary for a secure, stable society. It sure as hell beats the 19th century where corruption, from top down, was the rule of the day, and essentially gangs (organized crime) ran the streets in every major American city, providing the majority of social services and political organization, and yes they often taxed you.

Problem is that nobody ever remembers this, nor the pre-Union era devoid of labor laws and any sort of financial security for the working classes, and whatever there was of the sustainable middle classes...But one day, we may be reminded again. There's a reason why FDR was elected four times, and why his policies were immensely popular. Because there would almost inevitably been a Fascist or Communist uprising without many of his policies to reenforce, or even to create, a middle class, socio-economic stability.

The point is, Social(alist) Security can't be lost in the stock market, like the retirements of a bunch of people that worked for ENRON. It's meant to supplement your retirement, or at the very worst, sustain you.

But if the politicians bankrupt ss, then it is no better than Enron. If you know how to invest in the stock market you would not have lost your money. I still say if you do not want to be a victim of of the gov't and corp america improve your financial intelligence. I was just talking about this today with an associate. The unions are driving more jobs out of this country than they are saving. Companies have a hard time remaining competitive and living up to commitments made by old management teams to former employers with regards to retirement. Especially now that the internet is connecting the world and blurring the lines and geographies where business is done. Detroit, United, American and Delta are good examples of mismanaged companies and unfortunately the little guy will get screwed. The biggest problem is someone will be pulling a dick out of their ass and zipping up before they even know it and it will be too late.

I once read this. I do not know if it is true, but it would not surprise me if it was.

The US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare tracked people from age 20 to 65. Their findings were as follows:


Out of every 100 people studied, by age 65:
1 was wealthy

4 were well-off

5 were still working because they had to

54 were living on family or government support

36 were dead

The stats are kind of scary.

JH

[Nickdfresh]

You're a complete mental case. Social Security is under pressure since people are living longer, but it's prognosis of becoming bankrupt was greatly exaggerated.

Yes, people need financial literacy, but I'm a skeptic as to who will do the education, the financial planning industry is behind a lot of the "privatization" of SS.

What if Wall Street is severally disrupted by another terror attack? And people that did wisely invest lose their ass in the market's reaction? SS is just a diversification of one's portfolio.

Ask any Britain what he feels about losing their gov't benefits in favor of a privatization program, and they'll probably tell you everything went to shit and many Britons have no retirement...

And unions (while admittedly far from perfect) are not to blame for GM's troubles. For instance:

Try watching that history Channel documentary on The Tucker Torpedo auto company start up that was killed in it's tracks largely by a smear and sabotage campaign waged mostly by GM. "Free market" my ass...

They not only done nothing to try to be innovative and to produce quality, they have in fact tried to prevent anybody else in America from doing so (illegally really).

But their tricks didn't work in JAPAN...

[4moreyears]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
You're a complete mental case. Social Security is under pressure since people are living longer, but it's prognosis of becoming bankrupt was greatly exaggerated.

It does not matter why it is in trouble, only that it is and people will blame the govt, but their plan to count on the gov't is the real problem. That is the only thing they really have control over what is their plan.

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
Yes, people need financial literacy, but I'm a skeptic as to who will do the education, the financial planning industry is behind a lot of the "privatization" of SS.

The financial planners are like putting the Fox in the Hen Houses. People need to take an interest in managing their own money, afterall who cares mose about your money you or a financial planner. Many colleges offer courses on accounting and there are companies that train people how to be investors. Some good and some bad. Do your homework, get some education, take responsibility for your own financial well being and do not rely on the gov't.

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
What if Wall Street is severally disrupted by another terror attack? And people that did wisely invest lose their ass in the market's reaction? SS is just a diversification of one's portfolio.

Real investors know how to make profits in the market shorting stocks when stocks are falling. As a matter of fact, I have made more money shorting stocks than I do on trades where I take a long position. A fact of the market is that stocks fall faster further than they go up. SS is not diversification of my portfolio. I pay into it, and do not expect to get a penny. It will not be able to survive the way it is currently set up. Personally I felt this way before Bush was even president.

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
Ask any Britain what he feels about losing their gov't benefits in favor of a privatization program, and they'll probably tell you everything went to shit and many Britons have no retirement...

Again, the bottom line was they were not educated and did not understand what was going on with their money. If they rely on a 401K or a SS type retirement plan then they are in trouble. Become educated to see what works. Study what wealthy people invest in. You would be suprised to find few of them have a 401K as their primary retirement vehicle. Many may not even have one. (That is a clue)

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
And unions (while admittedly far from perfect) are not to blame for GM's troubles. For instance:

Try watching that history Channel documentary on The Tucker Torpedo auto company start up that was killed in it's tracks largely by a smear and sabotage campaign waged mostly by GM. "Free market" my ass...

I never heard of the Tucker Torpedo company but I will take your word for it. Free market to me means let the market place decide what works, not a smear campaign by some anti walmart group or competitor. If people like the benefits they get from walmart then shop there. If you do not like them as a company do not. Fact is companies are forced to have union labor. Nothing personal against union workers, but if the union provides training that adds value to my labor pool as a business owner than so be it. But for the American Food and Comercial Workers association to complain about Walmart is a joke. (Fox in the Henhouse referance again) If employees of Walmart do not like their employment opportunity with the company then find another job. I do not feel I need to shop at a place that has union baggers.

[i] They not only done nothing to try to be innovative and to produce quality, they have in fact tried to prevent anybody else in America from doing so (illegally really). [/B]

And that is also hurting them in the marketplace. That is where things should be decided. The jury should be the consumers of America. I think that is why you see so many foreign cars these days. Combine that with Union employees that still want to make 5 times the pay for what a worker overseas earns for the performing the same tasks it is no wonder many of our blue chip companies are facing hard times.

[i] But their tricks didn't work in JAPAN... [/B]

That is because Japan built quality products and their impression had little effect on them. The fact that we live in a global world is making it possible for white collar work being sent over seas to be completed. I can hire an accountant to do my takes for 100.00 in India if I want to fo what it would cost me 500.00 for a US based accountant. 10 years ago I did not have this choice. I am not saying it is right. I am saying it happened. If you do not pay attention your job could be the next to go. Hopefully that is not the case, but it was for me. I refuse to be a victim again of entitlement, either of the gov't or an employer.

JH

[Nitro Express]

The real problem is the majority of citizens in the United States want the govt. to be more involved in everything. In the past, people took care of themselves more because they had to. A lot of the New Orleans dissaster was caused by multigenerational welfare conditioning people to be dependant on the govt. Now a minority of poor people got out on their own. Two homeless guys paddled a jon boat with two planks of wood to the dry ground. Another homeless guy walked 80 miles to Baton Rouge to a old amy buddys home. All he wanted was $100 and said he could get by on that for a month. The majority stayed hoping someone in the govt would save their ass.

We need to get away from this govt. provides everyting mentality. People should be responsible for themselves and in a capatalistic society, you are going to have some better off than others. Then of course they form monopolies. Pure capatalism can become a tyranny as well and this is when the govt. needs to regulate things but it's too involved in everything now and even worse, it's being bought by the ever increasing trusts and big business.

Maybe what's lacking is integrity in the govt. There is just so much corruption in the US right now everywhere that the problem seems almost unfixable at time. Maybe we are in a moral and ethical delema and republics never work when they are full of corrupt rats. Maybe we will fuck ourselves just like the Romans fucked themselves.

[David Lee Rocks]

Originally posted by FORD
Only one other leader managed to pull his country out of a major economic depression in the 1930's.

You know, that short angry guy with the bowl haircut and the funny little mustache?

Maybe you would have prefferred his approach?

Fact is that the BCE - at that time Prescott Bush and his partners the Harrimans, the Dulles brothers and others - were not only financing Hitler, but trying to bring about corporatist fascism in THIS country as well. FDR stopped them, and that's why the neocon shitbags today despise him so much.

FDR saved this country from becoming another Nazi Germany.... At least for a while.... Who will save us this time?

thats scary, yup, Bush Is thre worst president ever

[DLR'sCock]

Dumya is the worst, hands down, no contest.

[Mr. Vengeance]

Historically there has been many who have pointed at James Buchanan as the worst ever. Here's a little bit of his history for those inclined to read it.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jb15.html

[Wayne L.]

The WORST president in the history of the U. S. is Jimmy Carter because he didn't have enough balls to get our hostages out of Iran for 444 days & the beginnings of 9/11 started afterward.

[FORD]

Originally posted by Wayne L.
The WORST president in the history of the U. S. is Jimmy Carter because he didn't have enough balls to get our hostages out of Iran for 444 days & the beginnings of 9/11 started afterward.

Ladies & Gentlemen, I give you conclusive scientific evidence that sniffing sweaty gym shoes leads to permanent brain damage.

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by 4moreyears
...I am not saying it is right. I am saying it happened. If you do not pay attention your job could be the next to go. Hopefully that is not the case, but it was for me. I refuse to be a victim again of entitlement, either of the gov't or an employer.

JH

LOL, your job at McDonalds won't be outsourced, don't worry....

[FORD]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
LOL, your job at McDonalds won't be outsourced, don't worry....

Yeah, that's one company that WON'T be going to India!

[Ally_Kat]

Originally posted by FORD
Yeah, that's one company that WON'T be going to India!

too late

I will say this about social security, I think it's a bunch of bullshit that they wouldnt give my father disability. He worked had his entire life and never got to see one penny of his money. And even now when my mother is entitled to that disability money, they are refusing to give it to her. She's even got one of the lawyers she works with on their backs. They keep making her jump thru hurdles. It's a bunch of bullshit. Then after we listed all the hospital dates and all the medications he was on, they say there's no proof he couldn't work. Hello! He couldn't even stand! Bunch of bullshit.

[FORD]

Originally posted by Ally_Kat
too late

I will say this about social security, I think it's a bunch of bullshit that they wouldnt give my father disability. He worked had his entire life and never got to see one penny of his money. And even now when my mother is entitled to that disability money, they are refusing to give it to her. She's even got one of the lawyers she works with on their backs. They keep making her jump thru hurdles. It's a bunch of bullshit. Then after we listed all the hospital dates and all the medications he was on, they say there's no proof he couldn't work. Hello! He couldn't even stand! Bunch of bullshit.

I'm actually very surprised to hear that, since a friend of mine actually went on disability when he was diagnosed with cancer, and he's still in his 30's. And while unfortunately his cancer doesn't respond well to treatment and his doctor estimated he would probably have 5 years at the most, his current reality isn't that bad. He's had two tumors cut out of him, and on an experimental chemo, but hardly at death's door at this point. I actually couldn't believe it was that easy for him to get on disability.

I asked him "what the fuck are you going to do if this treatment works and you find yourself alive at 65 with no Social Security??"

Maybe it all depends on which Fed you talk to? In either case, it's bullshit what they did you your dad and more so what they're doing to your mom

[FORD]

Some of that Indian Mickey's food looks surprisingly good. They should test market the Curry Pan thing over here.