I'm juggling three very different jobs right now. I'm in the insurance business, the restaurant business and the credit card processing business.
When I started this blog I only had the insurance business, so I had time to spare, now it's hard to find time to even take a bowel movement!
It is hard, because I like to write posts after researching and reading in between the lines of the media that has one agenda, to sell ad space. So this is not a 'going away' speech by any means, but I just wanted to keep you updated.
Thanks for reading and supporting T.A.S. I will keep posting!
I find this site amazing because it defines in outstanding clarity the foundations of Capitalism and Socialism. I will take a few snippets from the site for you to enjoy. And please form your own opinion and comment on which theory you find to be more 'attractive' or which system would develop a better society. Both arguments are very strong.
SOCIALISM: In theory socialism is the morally superior social system despite its dismal record of failure in the real world. Capitalism, by contrast, is a morally bankrupt system despite the extraordinary prosperity it has created. In other words, capitalism at best, can only be defended on pragmatic grounds. We tolerate it because it works.
Under socialism a ruling class of intellectuals, bureaucrats and social planners decide what people want or what is good for society and then use the coercive power of the State to regulate, tax, and redistribute the wealth of those who work for a living. In other words, socialism is a form of legalized theft.
The morality of socialism can be summed-up in two words: envy and self-sacrifice. Envy is the desire to not only possess another’s wealth but also the desire to see another’s wealth lowered to the level of one’s own. Socialism’s teaching on self-sacrifice was nicely summarized by two of its greatest defenders, Hermann Goering and Bennito Mussolini. The highest principle of Nazism (National Socialism), said Goering, is: "Common good comes before private good." Fascism, said Mussolini, is " a life in which the individual, through the sacrifice of his own private interests…realizes that completely spiritual existence in which his value as a man lies."
Socialism is the social system which institutionalizes envy and self-sacrifice: It is the social system which uses compulsion and the organized violence of the State to expropriate wealth from the producer class for its redistribution to the parasitical class.
Despite the intellectuals’ psychotic hatred of capitalism, it is the only moral and just social system.
The above was all taken from the website that I first mentioned in this post.
CAPITALISM:
Capitalism is the only moral system because it requires human beings to deal with one another as traders--that is, as free moral agents trading and selling goods and services on the basis of mutual consent.
Capitalism is the only just system because the sole criterion that determines the value of thing exchanged is the free, voluntary, universal judgement of the consumer. Coercion and fraud are anathema to the free-market system.
It is both moral and just because the degree to which man rises or falls in society is determined by the degree to which he uses his mind. Capitalism is the only social system that rewards merit, ability and achievement, regardless of one’s birth or station in life.
Yes, there are winners and losers in capitalism. The winners are those who are honest, industrious, thoughtful, prudent, frugal, responsible, disciplined, and efficient. The losers are those who are shiftless, lazy, imprudent, extravagant, negligent, impractical, and inefficient.
Capitalism is the only social system that rewards virtue and punishes vice. This applies to both the business executive and the carpenter, the lawyer and the factory worker.
The above was all taken from the website that I first mentioned in this post. I highly recommend you visit this website, it goes on in great detail about many other ideas, theories and assumptions that are worth reading, but I stop for brevity, for 'brevity is the soul of wit'- a line from Shakespear.
Both views contain strong arguments. We here at T.A.S. believe in Capitalism, as does the argument made above, but as the post below asks, where do we draw the line? When does a company's bottom line make that company treat its workers so terribly that someone must stand up to it, such as the case with Walmart? And I'll be the first to admit, my Wife and I shop at Walmart occasionally.
I realize that almost every post on T.A.S. is essentially focusing on doom and gloom for America. My intent is not to scare people, but to pass along news stories and other happenings around the World that affect America.
From here on out, more of our posts will focus on positive happenings around the World, since as humans, we can only take so much negativity.
My older brother, after reading many of the posts here, posed a very good question to me. He asked:
Why would I go to a local Electronics store and purchase a 50" Flatscreen for $999.00, when I can get the exact same 50" Flatscreen for $599.00 at Walmart?
With T.A.S. writers mainly Capitalist, this question poses quite a debacle. Where do we as Americans draw the line on who and what company's & entities we support? Walmart is in fact Capitalism at it's finest. They have 12 year old Chinese kids getting paid $0.5 a day to work a 12 hour shift, and then Walmart makes 1000% on that toy when you buy it for your kid, but our local businesses have to pay American minimum wages, and they also do not have the volume buying power of a Walmart or a Costco. So it's virtually impossible for a 'Ma n' Pa' store to compete.
So I ask you readers of T.A.S., how do we walk this fine line between what is best for America, which is buying locally, and keeping our money here, or going out and finding the best deal at company's that outsource, and not caring if we support our local shops that keep our local economy strong?
I don't know the answer. Any comments would be greatly appreciated!
Start from the oldest posts and work your way to the newest.
This is what I hate about Blogs, the original content is hardly ever seen. Please start from the beginning. You will see why I started this blog in the first place, and the severe situation that humans are in.
In a nutshell, farming (food production) is now based on technology, which uses oil. As we all know, oil is a resource that will run out, therefore...World-Wide Famine.(clickfor link) You don't have to believe me, just read the first posts...
Click here for the complete story. I apologize, I don't have the time at this moment to paraphrase this story as much as I'd like, so here is most of the story below. But the title of the this post does make sense. As snow melts, Russia will gain more access to their oil that is currently unattainable due to the cold climate. Read below for most of the story:
Global warming could be a boon to Russia, a European country could be overrun by organized crime and the U.S. dollar and the United States itself could further decline in importance during the next two decades, says a U.S. intelligence report with predictions for the world in 2025.
The report, Global Trends 2025, is published every four years by the National Intelligence Council to give U.S. leaders insight into looming problems and opportunities.
The report says the warming earth will extend Russia and Canada's growing season and ease their access to northern oil fields, which will strengthen their economies. But Russia's potential emergence as a world power may be clouded by lagging investment in its energy sector, persistent crime and government corruption, the report says.
It also says countries in Africa and South Asia may find themselves unstable and ungoverned, as state regimes collapse or wither away under security problems and water and food shortages brought about by climate change and a population increase of 1.4 billion.
The potential for conflict will be greater in 2025 than it is now, as the world's population competes for declining and shifting food, water and energy resources.
The report forecasts a geopolitical rise in non-Arab Muslim states outside of the Middle East, including Turkey and Indonesia, and says Iran could also be a central player in a new world order if it sheds its theocracy.
U.S. global power will likely decline, as Americans' concerns about putting resources into solving domestic problems may cause the United States to withdraw some resources from foreign and global problems.
CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuela and Iran plan to start a new university program in the South American country with a focus on teaching socialist principles.
Venezuela's government says it plans to establish the University of Civilizations under accords recently signed with Iran.
Deputy Minister for Academic Development Tibisay Hung says the program will begin in Caracas at the existing, tuition-free Bolivarian University.
Hung tells the state-run Bolivarian News Agency that the aim is to promote discussion of "21st century socialism." Venezuela announced the program on Monday.
President Hugo Chavez is promising to lead Venezuela toward socialism, and in recent years has built increasingly close ties with Iran.
Readers of T.A.S. understand, as will you as you continue to read the posts, that we try to remain positive, but we do report mostly news that is detrimental to the U.S.A. We do this not for ratings (as do other news organizations), but to try and wake American's up. This university, along with countless other happenings around the World are creating a place where America will no longer be the World's superpower. Conspiracy theories aside, we as Americans must band together and do what we can to support our wonderful country and remain the World's superpower!
Chinese President Hu Jintao began a Latin America tour with the launch of free trade talks with Costa Rica on Monday, just over a year after the country gave up six decades of ties with Taiwan.
China is expanding its diplomacy and investment on the whole continent, with an eye on natural resources and developing markets for manufactured goods and even weapons.
Costa Rica's main trade partner is currently the United States.
China is expanding World-wide, and quickly. China is making key, strategic decisions right now to set themselves up as a force to be reckoned with.
Thanks to hilljack33, Click Herefor a comprehensive list of the major U.S. company's that are responsible for the majority of outsourcing jobs that American's could be doing, but it is less expensive for them to have a 'slave' in a 3rd world country do it, due to no minimum wage laws. The list is so long that sadly, it cannot fit here on this blog. But please take a look at it, and read on...
Unfortunately, I understand the 'catch 22' of this post, because capitalism in its purest form is having a company do whatever it takes to make money, to basically be as competitive as possible. And if this is one of your first visits to T.A.S., we firmly support Capitalism. And outsourcing say, a customer service job makes a company more competitive than another company that does not outsource that same customer service job.
But we must ask ourselves, at what point, and cost to ourselves, are we willing to support these company's that will sell their mothers souls to make an extra dollar for their shareholders?
Please reviewthis list, and I believe that what it boils down to, is that while it's impossible to 'avoid' these company's, just buy LOCAL. What I mean by local is to purchase what you can from the few 'Ma N' Pa' stores that are left in your town (if there are any).
It may cost you a bit more to buy LOCAL, but it needs to start somewhere, and it starts with YOU!!! It's YOU who has the power.
Just today, Russian parliament overwhelmingly voted to extend Vladamir Putin's term in office from four years to six years. Apparently this vote is changing the very Russian constitution, and if you read between the lines, this shows that if such an overwhelming majority voted for Putin's term to be extended, that many of those in power in the parliament have been 'bought'. You can read the entire story here.
"This is very negative. It's a clear signal that the regime will be authoritarian and autocratic, and control everything. It's all about keeping power," said Vladimir Ryzhkov, a Kremlin opponent and former Duma deputy who lost his seat last year after he was banned from the elections.
Russia's power increases by the day. Their ties to other powers of the World grow stronger by the day. I'm asking all Americans to please stop squabbling over the issues that will not affect our national security, such as the Gay Marriage ban, and focus on what is important. Our economy, our borders and our standing in the World! Please!
The SCO comprises Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The group primarily addresses security issues, but has recently moved to embrace economic and energy projects.
As I have previously posted, I feel that the SCO is a really a front for the the contributing countries to strategically move against their enemies, namely the USA and Western Europe!
During the Cold War, India adopted a foreign policy of not aligning itself with any major power bloc. However, India developed close ties with the Soviet Union and received extensive military support from it. The end of the Cold War significantly affected Indian foreign policy, as it did for much of the world.
Just because you talk to an Indian person during that technical support phone call you make when your computer is on the fritz, and their name is Hank does not mean that they are watching out for America's best interests.
WAKE UP AMERICA. LET'S STOP SUPPORTING THESE COMPANY'S SENDING JOBS OVERSEES. I'D LIKE TO GET A LIST OF COMPANY'S THAT SEND THE MAJORITY OF JOBS OVERSEES, THEN BOYCOTT THEM. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME WITH THAT? PLEASE?
This is not a political post as far as how America is slipping as the World's Superpower, but this video is just too 'cool' not to post it. After watching this video, you'll see why screwing around with a presidential motorcade is a BAD idea.
I hope the terrorists of the world that want to mess with the President will see this video as well, it will make them think twice...
While we American's are here squabbling over gay marriage and which CEO's should get a $20 Million Golden Parachute, on the other side of the World, peace pacts are being made, Countries are consolidating and growing powerful together. Sure, America has strong ties with Taiwan, but only because of past peace agreements, and as 911 shows us, people forget things very quickly. Click here to read the complete story.
A man who is much wiser and more successful than most people I have met in my life wrote this to me. Please read it; it has incredible insight into America's electoral process, and how screwed up the entire process is:
Ethan,
I really admire your dedication to involving yourself in the election process. I assure you that while many people don't vote at all, those that do are totally under and misinformed, especially on state and local issues.
I'm still debating a couple of the propositions and when I do vote, I'll let you know my choices. Some observations and comments about our election process:
The initiative process in California is a terrible way to make law. Those writing the initiatives and placing them on the ballot are usually totally biased to their own prejudices and constituencies. There is no allowance for amendment to arrive at a fair compromise and consensus. It's all or nothing. If the state government did what they were elected to do and not always be in partisan gridlock, we wouldn't need all these initiatives every two years.
Voting on Tuesdays is archaic. The original reason for Tuesday had something to do with Farmers being home from market. Having polls closed and results announced in the east while polls are open in the west is unfair. If we're interested in giving people the best chance to vote, how hard can it be to hold elections on a weekend over a common 24 or 36 hour period? Say, like 3PM Saturday to 3PM Sunday EST?
Voter fraud is going to be the undoing of the democracy. You must be 18 years old, a citizen, and a resident of the district you're voting about, in order to vote. When you vote, why don't you have to prove who you are and that you're qualified to vote under the constitution? I don't want Russians, illegals, 14 year olds, or dead people having a vote to determine my country's future, and allowing the instigators of this fraud to go unpunished. It should be considered as treason.
A few more issues: Incumbents have stacked the deck against challengers through gerrymandering. Uncontrolled campaign financing will kill the chances of the "common folk" to ever be part of the elected. The biased roll of the media undermines the importance of a free press.
Ethan, there are many issues to resolve. I hope you'll continue to be a player and work to protect the internal integrity of these United States of America. Keep studying and making your views known.
Click here to read the entire story. An excerpt from the story:
"Russia’s refusal to cooperate and communicate with international observershas created tension between the EU monitoring mission to Georgia (EUMM)and Moscow. “We don’t get any details from the Russians. We just getallegations,” said EUMM chief Hansjoerg Haber. While Russia publicly claimsthat Georgia has violated the ceasefire agreement, it has failed to provide anydetails. According to the EUMM, Moscow has not even provided a telephonecontact number."
The Hindu News reported an interview with Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch.
Click Here for the complete story. In a nutshell, Murdoch says that China and India are advancing at a rate never before seen in history. America, we need to pull together...
I don't know what to think of this organization. At first I was excited to hear that a Mercenary was this powerful (in order to help battle a potentially tyrannical US Government), but as I conducted more research, it looks as though the US Government heavily bank rolls their operations. This could be very bad for US citizens. Check out this video and decide for yourself. Keep in mind that this is just one groups (the film makers) opinion:
