Bringing Conservative Pessimism to Campus
Justin Katz
Readers of National Review will be interested to know that the Providence College Republicans are bringing the magazine's resident pessimist, John Derbyshire, to campus tonight at 7:30 (112 Slavin Center). It should make for an interesting talk.
Here is something to be pessimistic about.
"Over 10 million senior households can't afford their rent or utilities. One out of every three seniors is living below or near the poverty line. And over 6 million seniors don't have enough to eat." Source AARP.
Can we talk about this?
OldTimeLefty
So give us your analysis, unless you are merely trolling as usual.
"Over 10 million senior households can't afford their rent or utilities. One out of every three seniors is living below or near the poverty line. And over 6 million seniors don't have enough to eat." Source AARP.
Can we talk about this?
OldTimeLefty
Yes, let's talk about this. First, whatever else may be said about it, AARP is a "pressure group". So, figures produced by them, while not necessarily inaccurate, are suspect.
Next, let's parse the numbers. Are the 3 million "below, or near the poverty line" part of the 6 million that "don't haveenough to eat"? Assuming that 3 million of the 6 million are distinct from the 3 million "below, or near the poverty line", what is the reason they don't have enough to eat? Are all of the others mentioned included in the 10 million who can't afford rent or utilities?
I am not pleased if any of this true, but let us get our numbers into a cognizable framework. Else, we are tilting at windmills. Some would think we have 19 million seniors in trouble. Others might reasonably conclude that the number is 10 miilion total.
BobN
We need to increase the revenue side of government. My take on this is to at least have those who make over $250,000 per year pay at pre Bush tax cut rates. We should also raise the taxable limit on FICA. There are several plans to do so. Let's take a look at them.
No, I do not believe that lower taxes lead to more jobs. My experience tells me otherwise. What's your take on the last 10 years?
Remember when teachers, public employees, NPR and PBS crashed the stock market, wiped out half of our 401Ks, took trillions in TARP money, spilled oil in the Gulf of Mexico, gave themselves billions in bonuses, and paid no taxes? Yeah, me neither.
OldTimeLefty
So, where is your analysis?
Forget it, Lefty. You are simply unable to participate in a rational conversation.
BobN,
Perhaps you can assist me. By way of explanation, give me your analysis.
I thought that by suggesting we look at the revenue side, I was actually analyzing the situation, looking at it from another angle.
What constitutes an analysis in your opinion?
Forget the name calling and let's get at it.
OldTimeLefty
Eff off, Lefty. I asked you first and you refused or were unable to explain yourself, after you had written the original provocative post. You are a waste of time.
BobN
In the first place - facts are facts, whether they are provocative or not lies in your judgment. You might want to let us know how you consider them provocative for a start.
I will attempt to explain the obvious, always a difficult task.
1. "Over 10 million senior households can't afford their rent or utilities." My analysis is that 10,000,000 senior citizens are living on the edge, close to the point of loosing their homes. I see this as a failure of our society to care for the elderly and inexpressively cruel.
2. "One out of every three seniors is living below or near the poverty line." This is a disgraceful number. A society that cannot care for its aged is a doomed society, an unhealthy society, especially considering how we waste abundance.
3. "And over 6 million seniors don't have enough to eat." Six million people without the means to adequately feed themselves while we have people who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on one time lavish parties. Do I really have to explain this to you? Perhaps the following will help.
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'
And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'"
(Matthew 25.35-40 ESV)
OldtimeLefty
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Here is something to be pessimistic about.
"Over 10 million senior households can't afford their rent or utilities. One out of every three seniors is living below or near the poverty line. And over 6 million seniors don't have enough to eat." Source AARP.
Can we talk about this?
Posted by: OldTimeLefty at April 13, 2011 9:50 AMOldTimeLefty
So give us your analysis, unless you are merely trolling as usual.
Posted by: BobN at April 13, 2011 10:42 AM"Over 10 million senior households can't afford their rent or utilities. One out of every three seniors is living below or near the poverty line. And over 6 million seniors don't have enough to eat." Source AARP.
Can we talk about this?
OldTimeLefty
Yes, let's talk about this. First, whatever else may be said about it, AARP is a "pressure group". So, figures produced by them, while not necessarily inaccurate, are suspect.
Next, let's parse the numbers. Are the 3 million "below, or near the poverty line" part of the 6 million that "don't haveenough to eat"? Assuming that 3 million of the 6 million are distinct from the 3 million "below, or near the poverty line", what is the reason they don't have enough to eat? Are all of the others mentioned included in the 10 million who can't afford rent or utilities?
I am not pleased if any of this true, but let us get our numbers into a cognizable framework. Else, we are tilting at windmills. Some would think we have 19 million seniors in trouble. Others might reasonably conclude that the number is 10 miilion total.
Posted by: Warrington Faust at April 13, 2011 11:08 AMBobN
We need to increase the revenue side of government. My take on this is to at least have those who make over $250,000 per year pay at pre Bush tax cut rates. We should also raise the taxable limit on FICA. There are several plans to do so. Let's take a look at them.
No, I do not believe that lower taxes lead to more jobs. My experience tells me otherwise. What's your take on the last 10 years?
Remember when teachers, public employees, NPR and PBS crashed the stock market, wiped out half of our 401Ks, took trillions in TARP money, spilled oil in the Gulf of Mexico, gave themselves billions in bonuses, and paid no taxes? Yeah, me neither.
OldTimeLefty
Posted by: OldTimeLefty at April 13, 2011 12:38 PMSo, where is your analysis?
Forget it, Lefty. You are simply unable to participate in a rational conversation.
Posted by: BobN at April 13, 2011 1:30 PMBobN,
Perhaps you can assist me. By way of explanation, give me your analysis.
I thought that by suggesting we look at the revenue side, I was actually analyzing the situation, looking at it from another angle.
What constitutes an analysis in your opinion?
Forget the name calling and let's get at it.
OldTimeLefty
Posted by: OldTimeLefty at April 13, 2011 6:27 PMEff off, Lefty. I asked you first and you refused or were unable to explain yourself, after you had written the original provocative post. You are a waste of time.
Posted by: BobN at April 13, 2011 7:36 PMBobN
In the first place - facts are facts, whether they are provocative or not lies in your judgment. You might want to let us know how you consider them provocative for a start.
I will attempt to explain the obvious, always a difficult task.
1. "Over 10 million senior households can't afford their rent or utilities." My analysis is that 10,000,000 senior citizens are living on the edge, close to the point of loosing their homes. I see this as a failure of our society to care for the elderly and inexpressively cruel.
2. "One out of every three seniors is living below or near the poverty line." This is a disgraceful number. A society that cannot care for its aged is a doomed society, an unhealthy society, especially considering how we waste abundance.
3. "And over 6 million seniors don't have enough to eat." Six million people without the means to adequately feed themselves while we have people who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on one time lavish parties. Do I really have to explain this to you? Perhaps the following will help.
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'
And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'"
Posted by: OldTimeLefty at April 14, 2011 12:54 AM(Matthew 25.35-40 ESV)
OldtimeLefty