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I don't doubt, Kend, that bad things happened to you as a landlord and perhaps tenfold to the experiences of renters as a renter has only one landlord and a landlord has perhaps many multiplicities of renters but we in our legal system (which intentionally makes it difficult for you to evict) errs on the side of renters because we don't want a lot of homeless people in our society, which is a policy priority I support.
Our arguments illustrate why Karl Marx, in sociology, is considered a "conflict theorist", i.e., a sociological theorist who claims that people's purposes and vested interests in society are fundamentally in conflict with one another. In capitalism the renter and landlord; the buyer, the merchant; the employer and employee have vested interests fundamentally in conflict with one another and thus they invariably have a fair amount of emnity between them.
Each is trying to get the most in return for the least - which, of course, is the basic generalized business model. It may appear to one, and maybe only because it's just enticing to see it that way, that the other, opposing party is malicious in intent and that may or may not be the case, but really, even without any malice, they would be simply seeking the most cost effective way of doing things and of conducting their own affairs.
Kend- Living paycheck-to-paycheck by choice?! I give up. You just don't get it, and you never will. I can only assume that is your choice. At any rate, I'm done wasting my time on this discussion. - AIW
Ken ~ What a coincidence. My nephew Aiden begins preschool tomorrow. In the past we have disagreed about some minor issues. In whole we agree about 98% of the time on most issues. I believe if we were to meet in person we would really hit it off. I hope that you would put our past differences behind us. Congratulations on your grandson. I'm truly happy for you. Let us pick it up in the future where we left off in the past--with our agreements. I can truly say that in the past you have left a tear in my eye with your perspective. It might be a little lame to say at this time but truly I hope you find the time to stay with our little forum. I believe you enrich the discussion as much as anything else; and, I find that I miss your commentary. Sincerely, DAM
KenW My oldest Hailey turned eight today. I just bought my mom a ipad because she lives in a different city so she could face time her great grandchildren. You are so right about technology.
Kend - We could not leave, where our Grand Children live. You are so right on that one my friend. My grandson Aiden has given new meaning to my life, and I am thankful everyday for him. Have a good night my friend...K.W. P.S. For those of you who do not use the new technologies available, you should try face to face tecnology on a IPhone with you grandkids and you will know what I mean about it helping to make a better life and not to be afraid of it! But that is another story for another day.. I cannot believe it is almost 8:30 p.m., I forgot about dinner!
sandlewould - I have to agree with you about Reagan (ray-gun) when it comes to privatizing the commons. When I was a young man, it was affordable to go to a Cal State University here, without going into debt with student loans. They even built apartment houses designed for students in the areas where students would be going to school. Sad to say those days are long gone for the Sunshine State, and probably so for the rest of the states. I have no idea how families send their children to universities today. My daughter is in her thirties with a new baby son. She and her husband have already started my grandson's college fund and add to it each month. Everyone realizes by the time Aiden is old enough to go to the university, it will take a great deal of money. I wish others had the means to do the same, when most are concerned with feeding, clothing and housing their kids today. Our government needs to invest in our children’s futures before it is too late. It seems like the government and the wealthy want to build a state of drones to keep their cheap labor profits coming in. In California today, most schools are investing in computers and tablets for the kids to use in class, so they will be ready for tomorrows demands for working and education. Now, it is time for the Federal Government to do the same. Instead of cuts to education, we need to prioritize our children’s education for a better America. K.W.
Alice I knew there was a lot of bankruptcies over medical bills but I didn't know it was half. But I wasn't talking about the small percentage that went bankrupt I am talking about the tens of millions of Americans that live pay check to pay check by choice because they over spend. Just because I live in a country that has government health care does make our housing affordable. We are taxed way more than you. Americans still have more disposable income than Canadians.
So, ask yourself, why didn't we invest in new technology? Because Krupp was superior at refining steel. And don't forget Hoffa and the thugs who infiltrated the autowerks and transportation in general. Seems like Toyotas were the next big thing in cars...
Don't think the Japanese weren't in bed with Germany and the U.S. during the Wars. U.S. Steel was accused by the government of importing steel to Germany in favor of meeting our needs for war time.
During War II the Japanese Royal family passed their time at Greenbrier Resort in South Carolina, now owned by CSX.
Originally Mitsui had copper but no way to get it out of the mountains. All U.S. Railroads used Krupp Steel tires, and in exchange for copper we gave the Mitsui family its first railroads.
Yes ken w and how could we leave where our grandchildren live.
Very interesting. hard to believe it all started in a Canada university. I Find it hard to believe that any government could organize anything that big. Look how they are screwing up the ACA.
I have to agree we do live in one of the best environments in the World. But, really now, would you actually live in Phoenix? And, I have to disagree that you can buy the same houses in Az. for $75,000 and the wages my friend are not the same. My brother lives in a town outside of Phoenix and he regrets ever leaving this part of California. And, just for your info, we have very little smog in this part of the L.A. area, (beach winds blow every afternoon like clockwork) the worst smog rolls in from China on the Jet Stream. You can check that out on Google. As far as earthquakes go, they have them in almost every state here and I am sure if you have mountain ranges in Canada, you too can have the Earth shake around you due to faults in the land, when the mountains were forming. Even N. Dakota has had minor earthquakes due to fracking! And, I do believe you use fracking in Canada. And, by the way, I put my daughter through a major university here and she went on to earn her Master’s in Education. So, not everyone has to live in a deep freeze to be able to send their children to a school of higher learning. I will keep S. Cal. and you stay in that frozen waste land, I think we are both too old to change now! K.W.
Kend... JEEZ! Didn't any of Sandlewould's last response get through to you? Like she stated so succinctly: "...the 'means' they live beyond, and without, is housing, food and healthcare". You are so out of touch with the reality here in America, pal, it's not even funny. I can scarcely believe you spend so much time here, the way you have us all stereotyped as financially irresponsible oafs. For your information, over half the bankruptcies in the U.S. are over medical bills; NOT boats, RVs or hot tubs. Excuse me... but when working people live beyond their means just having the barest of necessities, ya gotta ask yourself: What's wrong with this picture? - AIW
Ken Ware ~ Again I must concur with you. I remember back then I was approached by one of these mortgage negotiators. He was a customer of mine at the time. He asked what I paid in rent and I told him $525/mo. He insisted he could put me in a house for that price. The going home mortgage payments at the time were $2500/mo. I knew he was BSing me and I wanted to close his mouth... and I wanted to keep my job. What are you going to do? I was infuriated; yet, I was also quite fortunate. We need to keep these kinds of predatory loaners away from our children and our people. Thanks for pointing that out.
Ken,
I think whoever promoted Reagan to run and get elected was thinking in terms of starve the commons to privatize...but not necessarily in line with premeditated financial crisis, but who knows? There are some that say that, since the privatization of the Fed, every crash has been more or less allowed, if not intended though not precisely timed, in order for the private financial industry to loot public coffers... ? Someone mentioned earlier...and her research and intellect far exceed mine ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWI4p8KuJfs#sthash.YG9m6qNT.dpuf
sandlewould - I doubt they thought that far down the line! Their motives were how much money can I (we) make now legally or illegally. It is too bad it affected so many innocent people around the globe. I read articles where small townships in Europe invested in the mortgage derivatives scam and lost all they invested and had to shut down senior centers and schools, in order to pay their debts! And, towns all over America got caught up in the bogus debt swap derivatives and had to cancel many necessary projects due to the losses they sustained in these scams. If there is a Hell, I hope these guys get a front row seat for their crimes against humanity.
Yea, I suppose...if our financial regs make "luxuries" more accessible than staples like food and shelter then that's what a hopeless, depressed population will go for.
Saddle. You have to admit dont you that Americans live just a little above there means. That's all I am saying. Maybe a little less spending. I am amazed when I go down there that there isn't a price on anything. It is x amount a month or something99 biweekly. Doesn't anyone there pay cash. I am not talking about food. I am talking about hot tubs, RVs, boats etc. those things in my mind shouldn't be financed they are luxuries. Leave the boat on the lot and save for your child's education.
ken w yes I live in the frozen north but I choose to. Here I can and did provide for my family very well. Because only the people willing to put up with the extreme weather conditions can live here we have a very high standard of living. Most can afford the best education for their children. there is no earthquakes, hurricanes We don't have any sliders or snakes that can kill you. We have very low unemployment. our air quality is excellent and smells like pine trees not smog. It's not so bad here. You should come up some day. you might really like it.
To be fair you live in one of the most expensive areas in N. American. You can buy that same home in Phoenix for $75,000 and the wages are the same there. Taxes are lower and the air quality is better.
Kend - I am beginning to believe you make controversial comments to see how many people you can piss off! Well, it does keep this blog page jumping with some interesting responses from different people with different points of view in general. Keep it up!
;) ...Greed Greed ...I wonder if the writer of the screenplay...was it 'Wall Street' ... Gordon Gecco "greed is good" ...knew the Pandora's box they were unleashing...
sandlewould - I do take people too literally! But, I think those who were in power were also filled with GREED and did not think the system would implode as fast as it did. With that exception, I concur with everything you wrote. K.W.
Alice you are one of the few who seen both sides. Thanks for being honest.
Leigh...
Brilliant, and thoughtful. TY
eighmf - Thanks for the info, I will look at it. One little disagreement about the Steel Industry evaporating in the 70's. We did not invest in new technology in the field of steel production and the Unions (whom I really like in general, for what they do for their members) did not believe the people in charge when they said they would shut the furnaces off and get rid of the workers, but they did. We lost the industry to the Japanese, where they simply undercut the costs it took to make steel here. We had several plants here in California, who were shut down for the reasons I have mentioned above. And, from what I have read, China is now doing the same to Japan as they did to us. I think we were better off when Red China was seen as the enemy of democracy and not the purchaser of democracies like ours! K.W.
Kend,
Not a day goes by when I don’t pause, with gratitude that we make many times what workers in India, China, etc. make. Yes we get paid very well in the US...but not compared to the cost of what is available to us. Not that I advocate for this, but in India, if you don’t have indoor plumbing, you just wander into the Ganges and...well...you know. That’s not exactly socially acceptable where I live. No indoor plumbing in the US means you are a loser who deserves to starve or freeze. No indoor plumbing in India means your one of “us”. What frustrates me is the effort by those who have rigged the game to take our wages down instead of pull the wages of Indians and Chinese up...and...again, not that this is the ideal, but when is the last time you could legally rent a lean-to in the main-land US? I have a child-hood friend (her father had a seat on the NYSE in the 70s...not a poor family) who says her quality of life was highest when she lived in a lean-to in Jamaica (they had community composting toilets and access to clean water). She sold her art in the morning, using the $$ to by produce, meeting her husband in the afternoon who had fished for the remainder of their dinner as she painted and drew the art she would sell the next day, etc. As Jesus said..”consider the birds of the air, they worry not nor toil not for their food...” THAT...is how we all should be living, but until we can stop begrudging one another each others’ poverty and learn to share our fortunes...well here we are. BTW, I'm not in debt now, and do not live beyond my means, but I know many who are in debt and the "means" they live beyond, and without, is housing, food, and healthcare.