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#226 2009-01-30 3:00 pm
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
JakeTheTall wrote:
resedit wrote:
JakeTheTall wrote:
Are we being punk'd ? Where's Ashton ? Ashton ?
Would you care to explain the purpose of that post?
Your continued and excessive display of economic ignorance and misuse of well-defined terms leads me to believe you are knowingly providing an exasperating argument for your own amusement at our attempts to understand and correct you.
Um - no.
As I've pointed out before, when you guys make these blanket statements about how I "don't understand economics" - I provide links to professionals in the field who agree with me, and you guys fail to specify how my understanding is flawed.
Now I am not an economist - so yes, there may be terms I use incorrectly. As I demonstrated earlier though, when I use a term "incorrectly" it isn't something I made up - as the term (such as deflation of housing market) is commonly used in the media, and thus while it may not be an accepted economics definition of the term (or may be - I don't know) it certainly is common vernacular.
I'm sorry if you are too stuck up and full of yourself to deal with people who use common vernacular terms.
Last edited by resedit (2009-01-30 3:01 pm)
In her right hand Jenny held the Bible of her mother
Jenny had a pistol in the other
-- Steve Taylor
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#227 2009-01-30 3:06 pm
- sturner
- Royal High Poobah
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- From: Carrollton, TX USA
- Registered: 2000-01-31
- Posts: 13800
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
If things don't improve in short order, this thread WILL be locked.
Review your school books on how to debate, do not use political commentators as examples of good debaters. Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, and Keith Oberlmann are NOT to be used as role models.
Content is King.
I'm not dead yet.
There are 3 types of people, those who can count and those who can't.
"There are few things graven in stone, excepting your date of death."
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#228 2009-01-30 3:20 pm
- D'Eyncourt
- OMGDICTATOR

- Registered: 2001-12-27
- Posts: 8808
- Website
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
Larry King? He's not O'Reilly, Limbaugh or Olbermann, but King wouldn't know a good question if it....
Oh! You weren't referring to him. My bad. 
BOYCOTT SONY
"I think the question now is not whether you went to Vietnam or whether you didn't, whether you fought in the war or fought against the war. I think the only question is whether we can find a president smart enough never to make a mistake like that again"--Molly Ivins, way back in 1992
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#229 2009-01-30 4:14 pm
- ShnickyShnack
- ::: title edited due to Satanic influences :::

- From: Rockin' out
- Registered: 2001-05-25
- Posts: 22237
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
sturner wrote:
If things don't improve in short order, this thread WILL be locked.
Review your school books on how to debate, do not use political commentators as examples of good debaters. Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, and Keith Oberlmann are NOT to be used as role models.
Content is King.
Is it still okay to sit on the sidelines and laugh?
Note: please delete this post.
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#230 2009-01-30 4:56 pm
- JakeTheTall
- Cargo Cultist

- From: In Permanent Opposition
- Registered: 2003-03-13
- Posts: 9612
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
resedit wrote:
As I've pointed out before, when you guys make these blanket statements about how I "don't understand economics" - I provide links to professionals in the field who agree with me, and you guys fail to specify how my understanding is flawed.
I usually do specify the errors, but you ignore them. Then you say things like "The [money] supply didn't shrink though."
Making such a significant error on a fundamental part of this particular discussion, with your past statements, I'm completely correct in saying you don't understand economics.
Leverage and fractional reserve banking from 2003 to August 2007 caused the money supply to increase, when leverage is decreased and banks lend less, that reduces the money supply.
Crashing asset values (stock market, real estate, securitized products) decrease the money supply.
Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.
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#231 2009-01-30 5:05 pm
- sturner
- Royal High Poobah
- Moderator

- From: Carrollton, TX USA
- Registered: 2000-01-31
- Posts: 13800
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
ShnickyShnack wrote:
sturner wrote:
If things don't improve in short order, this thread WILL be locked.
Review your school books on how to debate, do not use political commentators as examples of good debaters. Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, and Keith Oberlmann are NOT to be used as role models.
Content is King.Is it still okay to sit on the sidelines and laugh?
Yes, but I may require a written report in triplicate.
I'm not dead yet.
There are 3 types of people, those who can count and those who can't.
"There are few things graven in stone, excepting your date of death."
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#232 2009-01-30 5:05 pm
- ShnickyShnack
- ::: title edited due to Satanic influences :::

- From: Rockin' out
- Registered: 2001-05-25
- Posts: 22237
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
JakeTheTall wrote:
resedit wrote:
As I've pointed out before, when you guys make these blanket statements about how I "don't understand economics" - I provide links to professionals in the field who agree with me, and you guys fail to specify how my understanding is flawed.
I usually do specify the errors, but you ignore them. Then you say things like "The [money] supply didn't shrink though."
Making such a significant error on a fundamental part of this particular discussion, with your past statements, I'm completely correct in saying you don't understand economics.
Leverage and fractional reserve banking from 2003 to August 2007 caused the money supply to increase, when leverage is decreased and banks lend less, that reduces the money supply.
Crashing asset values (stock market, real estate, securitized products) decrease the money supply.
N'uh-uh.
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#233 2009-01-30 6:54 pm
- JakeTheTall
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- From: In Permanent Opposition
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- Posts: 9612
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
http://www.maclife.com/forums/post/1552096#p1552096
edit: also http://www.maclife.com/forums/post/1552192#p1552192
Last edited by JakeTheTall (2009-01-30 6:54 pm)
Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.
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#234 2009-01-30 6:58 pm
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
JakeTheTall wrote:
http://www.maclife.com/forums/post/1552096#p1552096
edit: also http://www.maclife.com/forums/post/1552192#p1552192
Those were April.
Things have gotten a lot worse since April. A hell of a lot worse.
In her right hand Jenny held the Bible of her mother
Jenny had a pistol in the other
-- Steve Taylor
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#235 2009-01-30 8:48 pm
- JakeTheTall
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- From: In Permanent Opposition
- Registered: 2003-03-13
- Posts: 9612
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
The indicators visible in April were used by myself and others to see how bad it would get. Heck, August 2007 was when this visibly started.
Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.
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#236 2009-01-30 9:06 pm
- ShnickyShnack
- ::: title edited due to Satanic influences :::

- From: Rockin' out
- Registered: 2001-05-25
- Posts: 22237
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
Don't feel bad, res ... you and freecat make a good team.
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#237 2009-01-30 9:10 pm
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
JakeTheTall wrote:
The indicators visible in April were used by myself and others to see how bad it would get. Heck, August 2007 was when this visibly started.
I can't always be right - and neither can you.
We didn't know how smurfed up the Banks were - that's what makes things so dangerous now.
With smurfed up banking, money doesn't flow, and that's the core of the current problem, is it not?
In her right hand Jenny held the Bible of her mother
Jenny had a pistol in the other
-- Steve Taylor
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#238 2009-01-30 9:13 pm
- ShnickyShnack
- ::: title edited due to Satanic influences :::

- From: Rockin' out
- Registered: 2001-05-25
- Posts: 22237
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
resedit wrote:
JakeTheTall wrote:
The indicators visible in April were used by myself and others to see how bad it would get. Heck, August 2007 was when this visibly started.
I can't always be right - and neither can you.
He can too!
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#239 2009-01-30 9:14 pm
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
btw - I still think we can get through this fairly quickly.
Getting back on freaking topic, the danger is ludicrous spending that does little to actually create jobs and brings no value.
Stuff like paying more for alternative fuel cars.
Last time they did that, a lot of the replacement cars that could take alternative fuel actually had bigger engines than the gasoline only cars they replaced, and used more fuel, which - you guessed it - turned out to be Gasoline.
The government just spending a lot of money isn't going to get the cash flowing, and we'll have to do it again.
If congress can strip the bill of the ridiculous crap (much of which may be noble but needs to wait) - then maybe we can get through this without too much turmoil.
We already screwed up with the stimulus to the Banking industry, let's not screw this one up as well.
In her right hand Jenny held the Bible of her mother
Jenny had a pistol in the other
-- Steve Taylor
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#240 2009-01-30 9:15 pm
- ShnickyShnack
- ::: title edited due to Satanic influences :::

- From: Rockin' out
- Registered: 2001-05-25
- Posts: 22237
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
What's wrong with high spending? It's not as though that money's going to evaporate -- it's going to go somewhere.
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#241 2009-01-30 9:18 pm
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
ShnickyShnack wrote:
What's wrong with high spending? It's not as though that money's going to evaporate -- it's going to go somewhere.
We need spending right now, please don't think I disagree with a stimulus bill. The problem is the money has to be printed or paid back (or both) which contributes to inflation, so that spending needs to create jobs AND provide a return on the investment (infrastructure) that will benefit the country for years to come and help mitigate the cost of repaying the debt.
In her right hand Jenny held the Bible of her mother
Jenny had a pistol in the other
-- Steve Taylor
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#242 2009-01-30 9:45 pm
- bratboy
- laden with emotion
- Royal Wombat

- From: Austin, Texas
- Registered: 2003-01-19
- Posts: 34106
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
The final bill is not going to be the House version, so there's not a whole lot of reason to fret over it.
"One thing we've learned is there's a difference between being disappointed and having madmen in authority."
--Paul Krugman
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#243 2009-01-30 10:00 pm
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
bratboy wrote:
The final bill is not going to be the House version, so there's not a whole lot of reason to fret over it.
Actually there is - all the fretting makes people aware of the crap that's in it so they can write their respective senate representatives to express their opinion.
In her right hand Jenny held the Bible of her mother
Jenny had a pistol in the other
-- Steve Taylor
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#244 2009-01-30 10:13 pm
- sturner
- Royal High Poobah
- Moderator

- From: Carrollton, TX USA
- Registered: 2000-01-31
- Posts: 13800
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
Like the tax cuts, the extension to unemployment payments, and several other things that the Republicans agree with?
Tax cuts haven't helped worth squat. We've had several years of tax cuts for businesses and higher income people. Why do the Repubs want more, since by their reasoning, none of this would be happening due to the previous tax cuts?
I'm not dead yet.
There are 3 types of people, those who can count and those who can't.
"There are few things graven in stone, excepting your date of death."
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#245 2009-01-30 10:38 pm
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
sturner wrote:
Like the tax cuts, the extension to unemployment payments, and several other things that the Republicans agree with?
Tax cuts haven't helped worth squat. We've had several years of tax cuts for businesses and higher income people. Why do the Repubs want more, since by their reasoning, none of this would be happening due to the previous tax cuts?
If you disagree with those things, by all means, let your senator know and tell them why.
I think the more letters they get, the better the odds of them being reminded who they really represent.
The thing about high taxes that always worries me is that it can result in money being invested in more tax friendly countries than in the US. But I do believe we need to spend, and spending does have to be paid for.
In her right hand Jenny held the Bible of her mother
Jenny had a pistol in the other
-- Steve Taylor
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#246 2009-01-30 10:47 pm
- JakeTheTall
- Cargo Cultist

- From: In Permanent Opposition
- Registered: 2003-03-13
- Posts: 9612
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
resedit wrote:
JakeTheTall wrote:
The indicators visible in April were used by myself and others to see how bad it would get. Heck, August 2007 was when this visibly started.
I can't always be right - and neither can you.
We didn't know how smurfed up the Banks were - that's what makes things so dangerous now.
With smurfed up banking, money doesn't flow, and that's the core of the current problem, is it not?
I knew how bad banking was in September 2007. I also knew then how much of the past 5 years of growth was dependent on real estate and construction.
I'm just trying to show you maybe there's a reason why I was correct.
Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.
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#247 2009-01-30 10:49 pm
- JakeTheTall
- Cargo Cultist

- From: In Permanent Opposition
- Registered: 2003-03-13
- Posts: 9612
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
resedit wrote:
btw - I still think we can get through this fairly quickly.
Getting back on freaking topic, the danger is ludicrous spending that does little to actually create jobs and brings no value.
Stuff like paying more for alternative fuel cars.
Last time they did that, a lot of the replacement cars that could take alternative fuel actually had bigger engines than the gasoline only cars they replaced, and used more fuel, which - you guessed it - turned out to be Gasoline.
The government just spending a lot of money isn't going to get the cash flowing, and we'll have to do it again.
If congress can strip the bill of the ridiculous crap (much of which may be noble but needs to wait) - then maybe we can get through this without too much turmoil.
We already screwed up with the stimulus to the Banking industry, let's not screw this one up as well.
I know you're not afraid of a deflation trap. You should learn what that is, and why its a real danger right now.
Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.
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#248 2009-01-30 10:51 pm
- sturner
- Royal High Poobah
- Moderator

- From: Carrollton, TX USA
- Registered: 2000-01-31
- Posts: 13800
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
I have, but the silly old fart only listens to the rich folk who paid his campaign.
I'm not dead yet.
There are 3 types of people, those who can count and those who can't.
"There are few things graven in stone, excepting your date of death."
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#249 2009-01-30 10:56 pm
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
JakeTheTall wrote:
resedit wrote:
btw - I still think we can get through this fairly quickly.
Getting back on freaking topic, the danger is ludicrous spending that does little to actually create jobs and brings no value.
Stuff like paying more for alternative fuel cars.
Last time they did that, a lot of the replacement cars that could take alternative fuel actually had bigger engines than the gasoline only cars they replaced, and used more fuel, which - you guessed it - turned out to be Gasoline.
The government just spending a lot of money isn't going to get the cash flowing, and we'll have to do it again.
If congress can strip the bill of the ridiculous crap (much of which may be noble but needs to wait) - then maybe we can get through this without too much turmoil.
We already screwed up with the stimulus to the Banking industry, let's not screw this one up as well.I know you're not afraid of a deflation trap. You should learn what that is, and why its a real danger right now.
I never said deflation would not happen in the immediate future. It already has in some markets because people aren't buying resulting in surplus on the supply side.
However, assuming the stimulus works, I don't see that as a problem. The inflation that results from the stimulus (not just injecting the cash, but paying back the debt - which will require taxes that get passed on to product prices) down the road is what I really fear, especially if we find that the stimulus isn't enough or put in the wrong areas and needs additional stimulus (like the bank bailout).
In her right hand Jenny held the Bible of her mother
Jenny had a pistol in the other
-- Steve Taylor
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#250 2009-01-30 11:13 pm
Re: Why do we still listen to Republicans?
It might help if I explained some of my economic philosophy.
As most of you are aware, I grew up in a Church environments. Churches depend upon tithes and offerings, and as such, it is very important for churches to encourage debt free living for their members. A church member up to his ears in debt is not going to be able to contribute very much to the running of the church let alone missions.
A very basic concept that they all teach is that you do not borrow for frivolous expenses. If you have to put that pizza party on a credit card, you can't afford the pizza party. When you buy your car, if you are financing - getting the "fully loaded" package for an extra $500 or whatever may not seem like a lot, but it will cost that $500 many times over by the time you are finished paying for your car, and since your car won't be paid off as quickly, it will cost you more in insurance costs as well.
I don't see why these same basic concepts of debt free living don't also apply to government, especially when we are in financial crunch. Buying those more expensive "alternative fuel cars" is debt the country should avoid when less expensive alternatives are available, especially since the benefit of those expensive cars is not one that can be taken advantage of in most places.
When someone tries to tell me the actual economics is more complex and that the .gov borrowing money for these unnecessary expenses isn't a bad thing without actually being able to explain why, I get very suspicious.
Yes - I know that the value of non liquid assets is important, they help a lender determine the risk of the loan. With a deflation of the housing and stock market, it is more difficult for businesses to get the lines of credit they need for their regular business. However, artificially inflating those assets is NOT the solution, that only leads to problems like the one we have now where the artificial bubble pops resulting in loan defaults which then freezes up the willingness of banks to loan thus choking the flow of money. Artificially inflated prices, such as what happened in the housing market, is the problem. The correction of the market is not the problem, though the results of the correction can be damaging.
In her right hand Jenny held the Bible of her mother
Jenny had a pistol in the other
-- Steve Taylor
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