What's wrong with this picture

[TalkingDog]

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

1. It's become "United States "For Banks & Corporations" nt

[forestpath]

2. +1000

[leftstreet]

4. +1

[nilram]

11. ditto that

[reusrename]

3. Once we had a manufacturing-based economy, now we have a fraud-based economy.

These people need to be locked up.

The PRISM program can be used to identify who they are.

I know, bribery and fraud are guaranteed rights of freedom of speech under this Roberts' Court.

Still, there has to be a way. An Article V convention?

[Fire Walk With Me]

5. Add the Texas plant which exploded recently, killing and injuring many...

They purposely insured themselves low to not have to pay damages. Texas legislation allows it. People are dead and no one is responsible.

[HiPointDem]

6. kr

[prairierose]

7. and another kick...

[DeSwiss]

8. This is not rocket science. Just follow the money.....

...all the way to the pockets of the corrupt elected officials who voted for this shit.

- Both Democrats and Republicans in service to their Masters: THE BANKS.

K&R

[font size=3][center]Wall $treet Compa$$[/font]

[/center]

[Brigid]

9. "What's wrong with this picture?"

Where do I start??

[Spitfire of ATJ]

10. ESPECIALLY if the student loan debt is for classes that you can't use to get a job.

[Curmudgeoness]

18. And let's be blunt,

at least 50% of the classes you have to take to get a degree will do nothing to get you a job.

Sure, well-rounded....but English literature or History will not do much to get you a job in architecture. You bring up a good point. Maybe we should start looking at what hoops we jump through to get a degree, and make it more "career friendly". (I hate that I just said that.)

[Spitfire of ATJ]

24. Most of the stuff is designed to hobknob with fucking snobs....

You know,.....so you can look down your nose at the labor class.

If these CEOs REALLY knew Shakespeare they wouldn't behave like Macbeth.

Or maybe it's just been too damn long since heads were on pikes.

[tclambert]

33. Macbeth felt guilty about the evil he did. CEOs feel entitled to treat the 99% like losers.

Macbeth's conscience tortured him and justice found him. The sociopaths who become CEOs either have no consciences or have learned to anesthetize them by claiming they serve a higher morality (called profit). To them, corporations do not serve people, people serve their corporations, and should shut up and be grateful for any crumbs the corporation gives them in return.

And instead of witches, the CEOs get congressmen to help them.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

56. Instead of witches,....

.....these guys have right wing show hosts and sycophants telling them they are masters of the known universe and even god-like in their powers.

[lunatica]

35. It's interesting that you trash snobs by referencing Shakespeare

I'm not being snarky. Just pointing out that a well rounded education is relevant. Your reference works. And it works because others know what you're talking about because they also studied Shakespeare.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

57. Shakespeare was and IS for the masses. The stories were often subversive.

[lunatica]

72. Oh please!

So you think you can go down to the poorest section of town and everyone will know what you're talking about when you quote Shakespeare? Really?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

73. "Bubble bubble toil and trouble"? No problem.

[gtar100]

27. School isn't just about getting a job.

It's also about learning to think clearly and critically, it's about expanding the mind to expand one's opportunities, it's about connecting us into a bigger sense of history and community. Yes it's also about finding a career path but it's so much more than that. But if all you're after is a new career or more knowledge in your chosen field, then it's there for that too. But if our educational system continues to devolve into merely job training like it appears to be doing, then the message I get from that is that our lives aren't worth any more than the jobs we do. And I reject that notion. I want our schools to prepare us not only for the world in which we live but also for a better future and a richer culture and community.

[TheJames]

58. K & R

What he said!

[Curmudgeoness]

64. I agree with all that you say,

and that is why I could not believe what I was saying. But, if we are honest, very few people go to college for anything more than the opportunity to open doors for better jobs. I agree, I am grateful that I had all the courses (well, most of them) that were required to get a degree. It just seems a shame, with the costs of a degree these days, that you spend most of the first couple of years taking courses that are not preparing you for your career path. I believe that I did learn how to appreciate more than just one subject, and for that, I cherish my education.

But in honesty, if I could have gotten a better job without a college education, I would not have gone. And I still believe that I would be a critical thinker and a reader. I was before I went to college, and that didn't chance. And I know a lot of people who have degrees who do not continue to expand their horizons and knowledge after college....they just wanted the job. And just maybe, there should be a way for them to get educated to do those jobs without the burden of debt for all the credits and books and time.

[Art_from_Ark]

67. Great post

[Coccydynia]

12. Who cares anymore. If you don't LOVE

Everything on DU you're a troll, or racist, or whatever.

It's like Kindergarten here.

[bigwillq]

16. You're free to leave at any time

And you have the power to change the course of the conversation.

Up to you.

[Coccydynia]

22. Yeah. Then get marked troll and silenced like the lamb

[lunatica]

36. Well you're pretty much doing a great job at marking yourself

Why should anyone here stand in your way? You're doing a great job!

[truebluegreen]

17. Hey, you've been doing well here

and I've enjoyed your comments. Sorry you arrived in the middle of a pie fight, and--belatedly--welcome to DU.

[Coccydynia]

23. Thanks. Too many people like to censor

around here. Clutch their pearls at, gasp, light profanity, but only when used against a Dem Pol, not against Cons.

[MADem]

28. Member since: Sat Jun 15, 2013...you've been here for two frigging weeks.

You've developed quite an expertise in fifteen days, how very remarkable.

[niyad]

46. if that is the way you feel, you are certainly free to go elsewhere.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

49. Love it or leave it. Hmmm, where have I heard that before

Oh yeah. . .every time I criticized Bush Sr and Bush Lite.

[niyad]

65. nice try. was simply pointing out that, if this person is so unhappy here, and thinks things are so

terrible, there are other options. this isn't like moving your whole life, you know. but keep trying.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

68. DU. love it or leave it. If you don't like this website, leave and find someplace else

America, love it or leave it. If you don't like this country, leave and find someplace else.

Nice snarky response to me. It was a nice try, because it's accurate. If you don't like it, it's because it is true.

Love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal - phil ochs.

[niyad]

69. interesting that you did not address the other poster who said the same thing.

amazingly enough, this is only an internet board, and it is only one of many. again, this is NOT the same as packing up your whole life--one doesn't even have to pack one's computer. but, feel free to continue, it's been a long day.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

70. Phil Ochs okay seems appropriate

I can see him coming
He's walking down the highway
With his big boots on
And his big thumb out
He wants to get me
He wants to hurt me
He wants bring me down
But Sometime later when I'm feel a little straighter
I will come across a stranger
Who'll remind me of the danger
And then I'll run him over

Pretty smart on my part
Find my way home in the dark

I can see her coming
Sure looks pretty
Her breasts are bold
And her mouth is large
She wants to get me
She wants to hurt me
She wants to bring me down
But sometime later when I feel a little naked
I'll lead her to altar
Then I'll tie her all in leather
Then I'm gonna whip her

Pretty smart on my part
Find my way home in the dark

I can see him coming
He's walking through bedroom
With a switchblade knife
He's looking at my wife
He wants to get me
He wants to hurt me
He wants to bring me down
But sometime later when I feel a little braver
I'll go hunting with my rifle
Where the wild geese are flying
Then I'm gonna bag one

Pretty smart on my part
Find my way home in the dark

I can see them coming
They're training in the mountains
And they talk chinese
And they spread disease
They want to get me
They want to hurt me
They want bring me down
But sometime later when I feel a little safer
We'll assassinate the president
And take over the government
And then we're going to fry them

Pretty smart on my part
Find my way home in the dark

[Snake Plissken]

13. “Corporations are people, my friend

People are not

[Coccydynia]

14. Nothing that time won't send down the memory hole.

[NBachers]

15. The Red, White, and Blue of Patriot Coal!

[jaysunb]

19. Great election year billboard. n/t

[Lucky Luciano]

20. Actually, the story is even worse than this picture.

Patriot was specifically spun off from another coal company - the original company put all the retirees into Patriot which overloaded Patriot with an insurmountable liability (the pension for thousand of miners that never worked for Patriot). Patriot was designed specifically to fail and discharge the pension liability - cheating thousands out of their pensions.

[Jackpine Radical]

21. That's hardly cheating.

It's just smart business.

The retirees should have planned ahead for this eventuality.

And coal country keeps voting for big coal. What the hell ever happened to the spirit of Bloody Harlan? It makes you want to cry, it makes you want to scream, it makes you think about those 30-round clips.

[GeorgeGist]

26. Sounds like Bain.

[GeorgeGist]

25. Her dad is a miner.

He voted Republican.

[Scootaloo]

29. What's wrong with this picture? Here, let me show you some other pictures...

Greece:

Brazil:

Iceland:

Bulgaria:

Turkey:


Aaaaand... the United States


What's wrong with your picture is that we lay down and take it.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

50. Because our electorate "has been bought off with gadget, toys and American idol."

I added the last part, but the first part is Carlin.

As a population, we are afraid of the police, we have draconian sentencing policies and no one really cares unless they are personally affected.

Since the 1980s, we've become a country of unenlightened, self-interested, selfish "what's in it for me, you need a J-o-b to get with me, what have you done for me lately" people who just don't care anymore.

"Everyone's too fat and happy for their own good" - George Carlin. That's why we lay down and take it.

[kath]

61. Egg-zackly.

[Orrex]

30. Apples and oranges

If she declares bankruptcy, it's because she expects other people to subsidize her bad choices and reckless financial history.

If the company declares bankruptcy, it's executing a wise business strategy for the benefit of its shareholders.

Also, if she were to escape $22K in debt, it would wreck the economy, but if the company dodges $600M in financial obligations, it's a pure benefit to everyone, even to those former employees who now can't pay or escape their student loan debt because of their own bad choices.


See? When she does it, it's evil, but when the company does it, it's virtuous.

[CincyDem]

32. Student loans can not be discharged in bankruptcy.

There are 4 types of debt that can't be wiped out.

The bill for your bk attorney is one.
I forget the other two but the last on the list is student loans. There is no way to get out from under these. There is no escape.

If you don't pay them, eventually your estate will pay them.

So f'ed up.

[Orrex]

39. Yeah, that's kind of my point

Believe me, I know all about the evils of student loans. I've been describing them as indentured servitude for the past several years, and I've many times been scolded here on DU for my irresponsible failure to pay my college tuition out of my own pocket.


I'm even ok with the loans' principal being non-dischargeable. It's the usurous fees and interest that are killing the victims who borrow these terrible instruments.

[yeoman6987]

40. Student Loans can not be discharged in bankruptcy

Couldn't you apply for a credit card...pay off student loan and then declare bankruptcy. I am sure more people do this then we even realize.

[CincyDem]

45. This probably falls into the "fraudulent transfer" category.

Hard to say without the specifics but my guess is that Sallie Mae would go after you on intent. If you've got the student loan debt when you apply, it needs to go on the card application an that might make it hard to get a card. Having a little experience with bankruptcy and a lot of experience inside the banking business, I would say that anyone who could do this from a credit point of view, probably doesn't need to do it to avoid the student loans. IMHO.

[yeoman6987]

60. Student Loans

Thank you. I didn't think of that at all. That is very interesting though.

[GreenStormCloud]

43. Bankruptcy attorneys require complete payment in advance. N/T

[hobbit709]

31. Only corporate persons have rights. Everyone else should be grateful they are allowed to live.

Nothing is going to change until the elite get a great shortening.

[Scuba]

34. Kick

[fasttense]

37. Indentured Servitude disguised as educational loans. n/t

[ctsnowman]

38. K & R

And some so called liberals voted for this BS.

[warrant46]

42. Like Joe Liebermann

[ctsnowman]

44. I would have thought so

but even he voted against this BS. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/109-2005/s44

[warrant46]

74. OOPS confused him with Harry Reid and Arlen Sphincter (d) PA

[ctsnowman]

75. To tell you the truth

I had to look it up and he is from my state.

[warrant46]

78. Thank you for the correct info---its fascinating

[Enthusiast]

41. This is one ugly picture.

Government by and for the 1% and corporations.

[raouldukelives]

47. It's a win-win for for Wall St supporters. So, nothing? nt

[calimary]

48. What's wrong with this photo? EVERYTHING.

Starting with the misplaced priorities it points out!!!

I do NOT want to live in a country that might as well be renamed as the United Corporations of America.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

51. USPC - United States of Police and Corporations.

Your civil privileges have been revoked.

[calimary]

54. Yeah, no shit.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

55. USPC also means United States Prison Complex. Go figure.

[abelenkpe]

52. K&R nt

[grahamhgreen]

53. K&R!

[indepat]

59. If only corporations were people, they would have to pay/discharge their debts just as

people have to. Oh, the joys of living in a society thoroughly fucked up through right-wing governance.

[mountain grammy]

62. What's wrong with this picture is what's wrong with America.

[Boom Sound 416]

63. Bankruptcy is not a get out of jail free card

[obxhead]

66. let me complete that.....

Bankruptcy is not a get out of jail free card for the 99%, but the 1% may fuck anyone they want with a bankruptcy.

[Honeycombe8]

71. Too true. Things have gotten upside down in this country. nt

[4Q2u2]

76. 2 Factors at work

First off, HIGHER education cost are beyond reasonable thus putting students in that large of debt. You have Professors working 20 hours a week making $300,000 dollars a year. CUNY just signed General Petreaus to teach one class and a seminar totaling 16hrs a week for $150,000, he also has a job at USC for an undisclosed amount. Not to mention the triple layered admin that was not in Universities years ago.

I also remember when Six Flags went bankrupt, they stiffed everybody and their brother. The owner at the time was one Daniel Schneider as in BILLIONAIRE owner of the Redskins, but because they were a corporation (AKA THE REAL PEOPLE IN AMERICA) they were able to walk away from the debts even though the owner could have used sofa change to pay them off.

I cannot wait until someone sues for bankruptcy protection and Cites Citizens United as back round to discharge all kinds of debt. If corporations are people too, then we should be afford Equal Protection Under the Law.

[Liberal_in_LA]

77. .