Oh Man am I glad someone else has noticed this stuff too!
By the way, you sound fairly young, but don’t make this a young vs. older thing, I’ll be 40 next month.And I really do think that if you’re old enough to be issued a gun, you’re certainly old enough for a beer.

Our entire society appears to be based (at least currently) on the idea that everyone is bad/breaking the law/evil all the time. If you’re out there thinking for yourself you’re a hazard to the status quo which is a hazard to those people whom the status quo is treating quite nicely (ie politicians and the rich and/or famous).If you have enough money, it’s not your fault though and you just need a perscription, or a reality TV show that makes you look really “eccentric”.

If you can find out what everyone is doing be that sex, drinking, inventing something really useful, taking nail clippers on a plane, or talking about how much our government may have become corrupted and then make whatever that is illegal you have control of everyone if you want to exercise that authority.

So technically, if the authorities read your post on wanting to go outside in your thong and then quoted from your own post that you knew it was illegal and would be considered a sex crime, all they need is an allegation that you did do so at some point to send you in for treatment. They don’t even need evidence, hearsay is enough. Because you yourself mentioned these things beforehand they can now consider this premeditated. If you’ve ever been on SSI for anything mental, or talked to your school counselor for that matter, they can now lock you up for being “progressively” dangerous. See first you thought it, then you wrote about it, and now you’ve done it. What horrible thing will you do next? We’d better protect society from you before you can do something truly awful.

Seriously, there have been parents who’ve had their children removed from the home because they didn’t “provide enough dietary guidance” and these children got fat or had eating disorders. There have also been parents who’ve had thier children removed from the home for “excessively restricting the child’s natural behavior” because they did put thier child on a diet or force them to eat.
Don’t get me started on discipline. If your child does something destructive it’s the parents fault, but if the parent disciplines the child that’s abusive. ( Note: I’m not talking about beating your kids. Beating anyone is a horrible thing to do and you really shouldn’t do it!)

The bottom line is that we are all supposed to live in fear. Because fear, added to a happy life equals something to lose.And if we’ve got something to lose we’ll all be quiet about our fears and suspicions and no one has to tell us to shut up. It’s called self-censorship, and it’s every governments wet dream.

Hi Theresa,
I’ll be 41 this next month, that is me over on the left of this page, the chick dressed in black. Thank you for your intelligent comments, and I think you will see I very much agree with you, if you check out more of my articles in my Ideas and philosophy section. You can find it in my categories area at the top of this page. Wonderful to see another person out there that has a clue! Thank you for stopping by!

ShadowMyth - I also agree that if you’re old enough to fight for our country, you’re old enough to drink a beer. That being said, when I went to Basic Training at Fort Sill, OK, I was blown away to see that as long as I was ON BASE and had a valid military ID, I was legal to drink alcohol. However, if you go off base and drink, you will get busted. I don’t know if all military bases are like that, but you used to be able to do that in Fort Sill, OK in 1992.

Thanks!

I vote for:

There are very few intelligent people in the world, and almost no one knows what they are doing.

All this craziness comes from the fact that most people just don’t think things all the way through. They don’t stop to think about things like how absurd it is that it is legally OK for you to go out and drink yourself into a coma, but if you so much as have some marijuana in your posession, you can be thrown in jail. They just blindly accept it when the government tells them that “marijuana is a problem and people must be punished for having it.”

We’d all be a lot better off if people would take the time to think about things the way you have done here.

Rick

Re. Beer on base. It was also true in 1969 at Ft. Polk, Louisiana when I was in basic but the beer was 3.2% alcohol by volume. Within walking distance of the company was a snack bar that also served beer and an enormous Styrofoam cup (around 36 ounces) was fifty cents . A couple of those, consumed in short order, were sufficient to insure that the short walk back to the my barracks became a perilous adventure.

People who miss the “good old days” clearly grew up in another dimension; “a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle-ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area we call”

but of course you know how that goes. I think the aliens were in charge but remembered that they left their coffee pot on back home so they went rushing off to take care of that and forgot to leave anyone in charge so the playground bullies have been wreaking havoc but that’s ok cuz they’ll get theirs when the aliens get back. :)

Daren, Rick, and ElderGeeek,
Thank you all for your comments! I do remember that other dimension, it started to come to an end though in the early 80’s.

I hope it’s not an age thing. I’m 70. My children are 5,7,10,11,15 and 39.

It’s refreshing to read someone debunking inanities with common sense.

In the ’90s, Calif. passed a law requiring fishermen to wear their licenses on display. The fine for “failure to display” was more than the fine for not having a license. (Think about it.)

Someone should write a book, (and you have made a good start) non-political, pointing out the insane position lawmakers have forced the public to live with.

Mike Farrell
First Sergeant of Marines
Retired and Reincarnated in the Philippines

I am 65 so I don’t think it is an age thing. I have watched each of the items mentioned begin and expand. And it continues today. Often we are told we must believe what a small group or minority says is right, then shortly thereafter it becomes a law. Another trend today is keep asking until the answer is ‘yes’, no matter how long it takes, then it will become law. Having retired from a customer service business, I am now watching adults act like young kids as they make decisions that will guide future generations.

Good thought provoking topic that is right on the money.

(¯`·._.·ns¢ävË·._.·´¯)

Why are the Europeans laughing at us (USA) when it comes to the way we think about sex?

wow, all great reasons that I abhor multiple convicted pirate thief monopolies like Microsoft, and only run Mepis, Sabayon, Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, Fedora Core GNU/Linux, and some of the *BSDs.

http://livecdlist.com has them.

But, back to the discussion, I also think the USA is the laughing stock of the real world, with our puritan moral laws… Morals cannot be legislated! To try is complete idiocy!

Like Mark Twain said: Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.
- Mark Twain, a Biography

I do believe similar can be said of all politicians, and most executives in corporations.

Entrepreneurs in small businesses probably are the result of customer satisfaction.

Wow! What mind-blowing insights. You are obviously in possession of an intellect of enormous proportions.

“Don’t do as I do, do as I say” is the main philosophy of most entities that exist today.

The “Don’t confuse me with the facts” are what most people have a problem with.

Religions were created to control the people and have more negative philosophy on many people than positive. More people have been killed, murdered, raped, sauntered, tortured, maimed, and dismembered in the name of Religion than all war casualties that have ever been fought in history.

Politicians go into public jobs not to serve the people but themselves.

Some police are no more than the thugs, crooks, or murderers they go after. The only difference between many of them is that they have a badge and the crook doesn’t. Plus, who wants a job that practically no one respects or looks up to? Why are most Police referred to as “Cops” than “Sir or madam”? The term “Cop” was coined in the 1920’s by the gangsters and mobsters of the time. The term has been shortened from “Copper” because the original badges were made from copper and the person wearing the copper badge was referred to as a “Copper”. Why refer to a Police person by a name coined by a bunch of mobsters and crooks?

The media is a money hungry entity that will sell their mother out if it would be a good story. Most of the media don’t have any common sense. They went to journalism school with an idea to bring the world truth and justice. But, after they get hired, they become blood thirsty pirates willing to cut each others throats to get the most useless news.

Most people are nothing more than the indoctrination they were brought up in. Since the American idea is to preserve individuality and freedom, it also embraces ignorance, stupidity, intolerance, injustice, racism, bigotry, and misplaced values.

As a teenager, one of my first jobs was working as a bag boy for the largest food store in town. It used to bother me that practically all the people who purchased beer, the beer was the first item that was put on the counter to be checked out. People thought (and respected) their beer more than any other item they purchased.

So, it’s not surprising, the beer companies spend billion of dollars in advertisement to keep selling their products. Their was prohibition in the 1920’s but after a number of companies paid off the officials enough to influence them that more money could be made by selling alcohol products than squelching the use, Congress finally saw the light.

The same goes for illegal drug use in the US. What companies make the most money each year selling their products to the US population? Beer, Tobacco, and Drug companies take in more than the national GNP’s of most countries in the world.

If marijuana was legalized, most Tobacco companies would go out of business. Drug companies are making so much money on their drugs they can afford to give away the same drug to a nation that is in poverty and can’t afford it. Why does a name brand drug cost ten times more than a generic one?

Why does an athletic shoe with a check mark on the side cost 5 times more than the same shoe made in the same factory in China that doesn’t have a check mark?

Why are the stupid and un intelligent TV programs aired during the Prime Time hours?

Ever go to an attorney ask him/her to represent you in a situation? The issue was not whether you were wrong or right. The issue was about how much money you have and what it will cost you to be represented.

There are more divorces in this country that were brought on by the devious attorneys that only cared about themselves than their clients. The more the divorce situation is complicated by their legal procedures the more the divorce action is going to cost.

But, who makes the laws in the US? The attorneys do. Who holds most of the legal positions in this country? The attorneys do. Who submits the bills in congress that end up being “stuffed” with the “Pork Barrel” politics–the attorneys do. Who benefits more from the complicated laws in this country–the attorneys do.

Ever hear of the “Glass Ceiling” or The Peter Principal? The Peter Principal states that the people put in certain positions in a company or corp are put there for a primary reason. Each company works as a hierarchy and within that hierarchy are levels of capability. Each person is hired to do a certain job or function for that section. What most people are faced with is their supervisor or boss. That supervisor or boss has a position to maintain his/her position at all costs. So, even if someone shows more aptitude than their boss or supervisor, they will be squashed because the supervisor or boss doesn’t want that individual getting his/her job.

What this means, most ideas that can improve a company never get taken seriously–unless the idea comes from a supervisor or boss. Since he/she doesn’t want to loose his/her job to the person with the good idea, the chain of ideas are squashed.

Also, any ideas that are submitted by people outside of the company or corp will never see the light of day. Reason being, the idea isn’t being submitted by one of the supervisors or bosses and they are afraid of loosing their position to someone who has a better idea. So, most good ideas are never accepted because of The Peter Principal.

What about the health care in this country? Why are the insurance companies allowed to dictate what health care is or is not? The bottom line is money–the money that is being given to the legislators as graft and corruption known as “Lobbyists”. The lobby system in the US causes more harm than good. Why do you think many of the products costs are so high? It’s the billions of dollars being given to the legislators so that their products can be maintained in the US as the status quo. Take away all the Lobby money graft and corruption, no one would want to be in any legislative branch of the govt. Who wants to work for a bunch of people that ONLY care about their beer and the TV they watch? If each person was made to sign a contract stipulating the platform they embarrassed was going to be a 100% guarantee of their term in office, their would be very few people in politics. Since most of the US population has a very short memory, that is why most politicians are able to get into office.

The real problems we as Americans are facing is that practically every company, church, govt entity, is embracing the negative aspects of the AM people. They use the ignorance, stupidity, lust, and every other malady that a human can have to enhance their purpose.

Will it ever change–I seriously doubt it. Since people will remain ignorant and be indoctrinated the same way, no gains will ever be attained. You can take all the greatest sayings made by the best minds ever lived and they still won’t change the “common man”. He/she will remain in the same position as long as the status quo can maintain their position.

Just as Rome once fell, so shall the USA.

Thanks for all the wonderful comments! So glad to hear there are people out there with a grasp on situations!

Bumper sticker:”we have the best politicans money can buy”

The logic of these “Insights” is circular. Not all, but most are the logical equivalent of “why do we drive on the ‘parkway’ and park on the ‘driveway’?” There’s no depth in these arguments. You cite no more evidence than those likely to espouse the very conceptual models you’re mocking. I guess you’re relying on common sense, the knowledge of right, wrong and truth we all possess. Go ahead and try to find me some common sense. Good luck. Don’t pin your hopes for change – you are talking about change after all – on getting people to see the folly of a given concept. Make them feel it. People have never changed with consideration for anything besides their stomachs, wallets, and fears. Moving to the conceptual level happens only afterward. It’s a way to justify acting out of self interest.

I am 58 years old and a product of my enviroment. I went in the service at 18 and did two tours in vietnam. I came back as an alcoholic and addict, to a country that didn’t want me. In rebellion I sought out the other “scum of the earth” like me. I rode motorcycles for 27 years and “flew colors” for the worst clubs in existence. I’ve done things that the vast majorty, only has nightmares about.

Some of the things others have waxed so eloquently about, seem so petty and show a certain elitism that only come from those that have never had to deal daily, on life and death terms. I am NOT saying “love it or leave it,” but what I am saying is “as bad as it is, it is still the best place going.” Try living in one of those places, where shortly after posting what you”ve written, the guy’s in the secret police come to take you to a place you definitely don’t want to go.

So . . .I have to agree with GroundSourceHeatPump; and I quote, “There’s no depth in these arguments. You cite no more evidence than those likely to espouse the very conceptual models you’re mocking.” Also “RI ONan,” need to re-read his book, the Peter Principle refers to the concept of someone being promoted beyond there abilities, just to get rid of them. Which leads to a position of influence, and as anyone in business knows, the only power to get someone to do something, comes from your influence on them. Your ability to do the job, put in the time, recognize and reward those your trying to influence, shows that your in the position your qualified for. But if your promoted, not because your qualified but because people didn’t want you around . . . well the company is in deep dodo. Hence “The Peter Principle”.

So, because we have not reached the point yet that these illogical laws and influences are causing us daily threat to life and limb, we are to be grateful for the sanity and privileges that we do have? I, and others like me, will strive to have the best that we can achieve, because we dare to dream. Those who settle with what they have, will never be capable of having what they could have, because they are too limited in their perceptions. You know what? I have been involved in crime, incarcerated, used and abused people, dealt with serial killers, lived on the streets, and a hosts of other experiences people would consider to be less than pleasant, but I retain a good attitude, and optimism. It is these experiences that make me capable of really embracing what could be, rather than what is. By the way, there are other areas of the world that are more free than America, and we are not as great as we profess. You are indeed a product of this society, and that alone should make you want to work toward something better.

Hi
I’m 66 (that’s old, not dead, just old) and though born in the US now live in Australia. Your comments are very valid, though I would take issue with the purity of any “product” you buy from a “street dealer” as opposed to the “uppers” you can get from your doctor. Those at least have stringent rules of manufacture.
Thankfully the area I live in in Australia (the Gold Coast of the state of Queensland in a city named Surfers Paradise) is one of those wonderful beautiful cities, but it is also where stupidity still reigns. For instance:
1. You (women) can go topless (optional on all of our public access family oriented beaches - all 35 miles of them) and no one here even bats an eye. But, step OFF the beach onto the roadway and you’re “nude in public” and apparently therefore are a hazard of some sort as they will haul you off to jail for it. And by the way, this has to be one of the few places where in summer, the average housewife goes shopping in the Supermarket for her groceries in a string bikini and no one thinks anything of it.
2. I am one of those who was born in the USA, grew up there, spent 4 years in the US Air Force, then immigrated to Canada (Nova Scotia to be exact) with my wife. We had two daughters in Halifax, and then 3 years later moved to New Zealand for 30 years. We moved to Australia 5 years ago. The reason for telling this history is that I have, as a result of all of that, American citizenship (and passport), Canadian citizenship (and passport), and New Zealand citizenship (and passport), yet now live in Australia. I am disabled permanently, and now receive a disability pension from New Zealand (small), an Old Age pension from Canada (also very very small), and the US? They virtually said “F&$@ Off Hairy Legs. So you were born here. So you served in our armed forces. You didn’t die… so we don’t want to know you.” So much for a caring society.
3. I love this country of Australia. I has a LOT going for it. But - they are only NOW considering recognising the Aboriginal people in the Australian Constitution - and this is 2007, not 1807.

So, oddities? Anomalies? They don’t run in our society - they Leap Frog through it, no matter where you are on this planet. If we really are someone’s toy - we’re broken and badly in need of repair. I can only hope the owners take care of our needs soon.