They say "nearly half of all marriages fail"

[BikerDude]

http://www.salon.com/2014/02/05/how_income_inequality_is_ruining_marriage_partner/

Conservatives have suddenly discovered that inequality exists and poverty is a problem. Why? So they can bring back their favorite solution: marriage. They argue that marriage will solve the woes of the poor without admitting that there are only two ways to bring back higher rates of marriage: take on inequality directly or intensify the war on the women. The first would go against their core belief that everyone really deserves their economic positions, while the second is not advisable so close to an election.

It?s so much more convenient to blame marriage-hating liberals.

[Rev. Gary (revgms)]

Yep, that is pretty much how I read the situation.

I have reached some conclusions lately. First, that income inequality is the biggest problem society faces, so many other problems stem from this. I consider it a root issue.

Next, that we should enact a Guaranteed Basic Income, this is the best way to deal with the many changing conditions of this modern world, and it would mitigate most of the problem of inequality. What it would mean is that instead of all these social safety nets we would have an iron floor. Nets have holes and can tear easy, but an iron floor, a point below which no citizen can fall, is a sturdy and robust footing to build a true meritocracy.

This is for the modern era, where we are expecting to see robotics and automation explode like we have never dreamed of. It was the case that we were living in scarcity and needed all hands working, but that is no longer the case. As Keynes predicted it looks as though we will be able to do more with far less labor from humans.

And we could also get rid of all the bullshit jobs as well, most people are working hard at nothing or things that cost society to clean up after. see: http://strikemag.org/bullshit-jobs/

guess what I am saying is, I do not think the 14th century solutions offered by many on the right will work in the 21st century and beyond. Too much is changing in ways that were impossible in the past. We are entering a new paradigm, one of post scarcity and robotics, we simply cannot afford to force everyone to work, and we cannot afford to let them fail either. From an iron floor many great heights will be achieved by those who can, while those who cannot, get to cheer for them from a place of humane security.

</blather>

[Masked Dude]

The way I see it is that it's another case of one party blaming the other. Neither parry has done what it can to really push us forward. But as usual, one side says the other is stupid and will lead us into destruction.

And all I ever hear is "I agree, but the other side is much worse."

Rinse and repeat.

[Rev. Gary (revgms)]

Compare actual platforms there is a difference in what they are trying to achieve, however the politics are nearly identical.

[Masked Dude]

I'm not like some who immediately believe that either side is trying to destroy the USA or that either side is inherently evil. Too many just jump and say whatever the current hot button issue is, their party is doing it right.

I honestly think that both sides *think* they're doing what's right. The problem is that so many get so hyper partisan that we're never going to move ahead.

Each side has some good ideas but many stupid ones. And so many vote completely along party lines. I've voted for both major parties, libertarians, independents, socialists, anyone.

I've looked at the platforms of both of the big two. Both still sound like blather to me.

[BikerDude]

I think it would be a start if people just woke up and realized just who it is that has been taking a giant dump on them for decades. Most people just get caught up in cheering for one wrestler or the other and never realize that about 90% of the whole thing is fake. There aren't 2 sides. You don't have any real choices. 
Both "sides" do things (when they do anything) that in the end benefit the same people.
And it ain't the average Joe.

[BikerDude]

Yep, that is pretty much how I read the situation.

I have reached some conclusions lately. First, that income inequality is the biggest problem society faces, so many other problems stem from this. I consider it a root issue.

Next, that we should enact a Guaranteed Basic Income, this is the best way to deal with the many changing conditions of this modern world, and it would mitigate most of the problem of inequality. What it would mean is that instead of all these social safety nets we would have an iron floor. Nets have holes and can tear easy, but an iron floor, a point below which no citizen can fall, is a sturdy and robust footing to build a true meritocracy.

This is for the modern era, where we are expecting to see robotics and automation explode like we have never dreamed of. It was the case that we were living in scarcity and needed all hands working, but that is no longer the case. As Keynes predicted it looks as though we will be able to do more with far less labor from humans.

And we could also get rid of all the bullshit jobs as well, most people are working hard at nothing or things that cost society to clean up after. see: http://strikemag.org/bullshit-jobs/

guess what I am saying is, I do not think the 14th century solutions offered by many on the right will work in the 21st century and beyond. Too much is changing in ways that were impossible in the past. We are entering a new paradigm, one of post scarcity and robotics, we simply cannot afford to force everyone to work, and we cannot afford to let them fail either. From an iron floor many great heights will be achieved by those who can, while those who cannot, get to cheer for them from a place of humane security.

</blather>

It think all things being equal the problems would resolve themselves. But they are aren't equal.
A small segment of society has an inordinate amount of influence on policy. It results in a "big fix".
The rich get richer and we gradually drift toward being the world's largest third world country.

The system has evolved in such a way that some have the ability to essentially print their own money because value is just what THEY say it is. Tell me how a company that has zero net annual profit but a valuation in the billions can turn around and buy with REAL CASH another company with zero annual profit for several billion bucks? It's spinning bullshit into gold. Musical chairs. If you are in the club they can just make you rich. If you aren't ...... then your bucks become worth less and less and less. It's all fixed. In a million ways. The foxes are guarding the chicken coop.

[jgiffin]

I think it would be a start if people just woke up and realized just who it is that has been taking a giant dump on them for decades. Most people just get caught up in cheering for one wrestler or the other and never realize that about 90% of the whole thing is fake. There aren't 2 sides. You don't have any real choices. 
Both "sides" do things (when they do anything) that in the end benefit the same people.
And it ain't the average Joe.

Agree 100%. The illusion of a two-party system is quite a useful shield to true reform - whichever variety you prefer. Recall 1984 and the perpetual war with constantly shifting alliances. Yes, our political system is no better than the three-card-monty ran by your local huckster.


Oh, and yes, nearly half of all marriages fail...the other half end in divorce. 

[The Daryl]

This reminds me of that joke...

Half of all marriages end in divorce!

Yeah? Well the other half end in death, so, that's not too bad.