HeloDude

There's little arguing that the wealth gap between the top 10% and bottom 10% (or even bottom 80-90% for that matter) has widened over the years. Look at the stock market booms in the mid/late 90's, around 2006-2007, and the one over the last 1-2 years--if you had your money in the market odds are you made some good cash, especially if you bought low. But little is stopping even the young Airman from living below his means, saving money/putting some away in the market, taking advantage of opportunities (free school, etc), and then bettering himself in the long-run. Will he ever be in the top 1%?...doubtful. Will be in the top 20%, definitely a possibility if he plays his cards right. Same can be said with the poorest of Americans even if they don't join the military. If they live below their means, take advantage of the opportunities (scholarships, government aid and grants, etc) and is always trying to live below their means and doesn't get himself in trouble (substance abuse, run-ins with the law, knocks a chick up) then he can definitely better himself as well. Sure, he'll have to work harder for it than someone born to a family where both parents make $100K+, but the fact is that the guy who started off poor can definitely improve his life. Hell, today the government gives out quite a bit of welfare (subsidized, and for the very poor, free healthcare), so they have that going for them as well, though I think that keeps in the lower class. Check out the table: It shows how the wealthy is increasing their wealth at a greater pace after the last 2 recessions..but it is also showing that there is growth outside of the 'top 1%' (skip to the very end if you're not seeing my point). No doubt the last few years have been tough, especially for the folks at the bottom, but unfortunately that's what happens with a weak recovery. Also, we have spent TRILLIONS of dollars on the 'War on Poverty' only for the poverty level to be documented as mostly un-changed. That being said, those 'living' in poverty are much better off than they were 40 years ago. Here's an interesting chart done by PA's Dept of Welfare which shows that in some cases, there is definitely a reduced incentive to better yourself. And with the top wage earners in the US paying the most taxes, the country would be worse off if that wealth was truly 'spread around' with our current tax system. The Dems and the GOP are all about the corporate welfare--funny, under President Obama the richer are getting richer than they were before and the income gap is ever increasing...though like I said, the bottom half of the people still live better today than they did 40 years ago. I think the late Margaret Thatcher explains liberalism and socialism pretty well and better than I ever could:

Cool story. I'll still chose a firearm over 's' words.

Philadelphia is ran by a Democratic mayor and their city council is made up of over 80% democrats, and together they run the city, to include the police. Liberals typically vote democrat, so I'm still not sure where the your question arrises? And as for the guys getting harassed...well, they're black, and I'm willing to bet my flight-pay that at least one of them voted democrat (odds are both did as black Americans overwhelmingly vote Democrat), though to be fair, it sounds like one of the guys was from NJ...another gem of a place. You get the government you vote in and thus deserve.

Gun laws are a big one...but it's not just about gun laws or lack there of. The 2nd Amendment is only a symptom of the greater issue--Rights, Liberty, and Freedom. If I have no means to protect myself, my family, and my property, and I have to rely on the government to protect me, then I can easily lose everything I have (my life, my family, my property) because the government can't be everywhere, they don't have an obligation to protect me or you (at least here in the US in regards to the police/LE), and they can also turn on you if they see fit...internment camps for Japanese Americans quickly comes to mind. But it's not just about the 2nd Amendment, it's also about being able to live the way I see fit as long as it doesn't take away that same ability from somebody else. In Germany, it's illegal to homeschool your children, with very rare exceptions. I call this a barrier to liberty. In the UK, they don't have the same/equivalent '5th Amendment' type Rights that we do here in the US, and what they do have isn't nearly as protective. Taxes also have to do with freedom and liberty--the more you take from what someone has earned, the less opportunity they have to do with it as they chose (ie liberty), especially if that money is taken only to be redistributed to somebody else. (Here's a study that George Mason University does every so often on the 'freedoms in the 50 States' and details what States are best in terms of respecting Rights and Liberties. It's State comparison vs international, but it details what I'm describing pretty well ) I could go on and on, but I think you guys get the idea. So going back to Japan--no 2nd Amendment type Rights, their current constitution continually discusses 'public welfare' and states that human rights are subject to restriction when it interferes with the public welfare, it states that people are obligated to work, and have very strict rules on the education of children. Articles 25 states: "All people shall have the right to maintain the minimum standards of wholesome and cultured living. In all spheres of life, the State shall use its endeavors for the promotion and extension of social welfare and security, and of public health." I'll at least give it to the Japanese...they come out and directly say they are for entitlements in their constitution instead of how we do it here in the US...but either way, they require more taxes to fulfill this constitutional right, which leaves less money to the people to make their own decisions. Oh, and Article 26 states, "All people shall have the right to receive an equal education correspondent to their ability, as provided by law."...sounds to me the law has a lot to say in how people receive their education...not so much in our Constitution. Let's see, what else...the country does not recognize gay marriage, their marijuana laws/sentences are much more strict than in the US (and hell, it's legal here in some places), they also have stricter environmental laws, have higher personal taxes (especially when compared to States with low tax rates)...ok, I'll stop there. BL: Chida, I could care less where you live man. If you want to live in Japan, Australia, Nigeria, wherever...I'm all about people making their own personal decisions. But if you say something like 'the weather in Antarctica is better than in the lower 48 States', then I'm going to call you out and raise the bullshit flag. It's a tough argument to make that 'Japan is the same in the freedom dept'--so either clarify, or be called out. And like I said in an earlier post, I'm not a 'America--fvck yeah!' kind of a guy as I believe our country is going down the shitter. So I'm not picking on Japan or anywhere else, rather I'm just calling it like I see it. ETA: Forgot to answer your question, no, I have not been to Japan, though hopefully I'll get the opportunity some time to visit. Most of my time overseas has been spent in Europe and in our other glorious locations that we get sent to. Fortunately Japan's constitution was available via google as well as other articles describing things in their country. By all means, let me know if I missed something--if there's more Liberty in Japan than in the US, I may just have to join you there some day.

Here you go liberals...you asked for more government and less liberty. How does it taste.

I just spoke to my sister this weekend and she said they are being told that their premiums (their health insurance from her husband's job) are going up around 55-60%. What ever happened to people saving $2500/year? David Ramsey explains it pretty well here:

You must be joking here...

Thank God he stopped you from having that dip in on the flight line--who knows what could have happened!!

So you're telling me if the movie was a historical documentary...that they would just go with this book, hands down, that's it? Or would they go further than the book and do some more research? When it's a movie 'based off a true story', they can switch it up quite a bit (or just go off of a single book) in order to satisfy the theatrical story they are trying to portray. Have you seen the movie 'Argo'? Are you going to tell me that it was historically accurate to the last detail?

Whatever the definition is...after the military, I'd be more than happy to leave the US to permanently live in another country if: I had the same amount of Liberty/Freedoms/Rights as I do here in the US, that the other country was at least as stable economically as here, that taxes weren't any worse than here, that healthcare was as good/adequate as here, that I would have enough other like-minded folks close to me compared to living here, and that I believed the security of the country (against invading forces, against a potential coup, etc) was as adequate as here. I know those are quite a few serious demands, but this is what is important to me and for my family. IMO, the reason these other countries people are mentioning are starting to look as a better choice is not as much because they're improving so much, but rather because the US is in such a decline. Right now, even if I was retired/able to leave, I'd still stick with the US because I don't see another country that meets my demands. I have heard, and also read up, of people who are considering relocating to Panama...but that country's not too distant history of dangerous government does not calm my fears. I've now picked the area of the US I want to be when I'm done with the AF...we'll see how that bet pans out. So when it comes to retirement, I'll stick with the US until there's a better option...right now she wins by default, which is pretty sad. And by the time it gets so bad here that there's a better option elsewhere (ie meeting my above demands), I think we'll already be in such a horrible situation, and it will be more about where you are in the US (ie which State, which community of people you've surrounded yourself with, etc) vs trying to get out and live somewhere better.

What do you know...Hollywood types change the true story to make their film look better--say it isn't so!! All I have to say in regards to being a civilian crew member in international waters (especially where pirates are known to be) and being unarmed--fvck that! I could care less what the statistics show in terms of actually being killed--I don't want my life riding on the mercy of an asshole pirate.

Hagel, like all appointees (whether under a Dem or a Republican), are essentially puppets for the person who put them in that position. So more than likely if you disagree with the POTUS and his policies, you will probably also disagree (at least somewhat) with his appointees and their policies. Oh, and why do some people always use the word 'hate' just because someone may disagree with someone's policies and/or leadership style? I think you need to research the word 'hate' and apply it differently next time. I know a lot of people who dislike the President's policies, but I have never once heard someone say that they 'hate' him.

Quick search of a few of the big sellers shows that you can get the same AK (brand new) for $690. The ammo is worth about $25. BL: It's not worth $750, especially for a used rifle. Assuming it's in pretty good functioning condition...then I'd pay $500, if that. https://www.atlanticf...l.html?Itemid=0 I'm not exactly sure on the 9mm, especially since the picture wasn't that clear...but being that you can get a Kel-Tec Sub2000 (similar to what you have pictured) brand new for around $450 when in stock, I'd pass on this one too. Tell him to give you the $750 if he really wants the bike.

This is the same price from a couple years ago, so I seriously doubt it will get much better.

SW MP-15-22 available at Bud's LE for $388. https://www.budspolic...roducts_id=2327

Let's see...the country is very polarized right now, the partial-shutdown was big news that continues to feed on people's emotions, and well, not many people care about what happens to less than .5% of the country in an extremely small State. Now if a tea-party guy went and shot 10 people in a school with an AR-15, now that would be big news...but thankfully, nothing like that has happened recently, so instead we get standard 'news'.

I'm pretty sure there's already a law stating that the government must always pay our debt payments first. Then again, there is a law to deport illegals, so...

Explain to me how if the federal government did not raise the debt ceiling that this would automatically equate to default? There's more than enough tax revenue to pay for the interest payments on the debt. The government would just have to decide what to pay for with the tax revenue coming in less the amount we borrow. I'm not saying there wouldn't obviously be an ecominc hit (as both sides of the coin rely on us constantly spending/borrowing)...but default is not the correct word. But really...if you're seriously worried about an economic meltdown right around the corner then I think you should stop worrying about currency and start worrying that you don't have enough guns, ammo, food, means to travel/bug out, etc. The folks that would be least affected by collapse are the guys living almost entirely on the land in remote areas/up in the mountains.

Playing for the Yankees?

I'm sure the Dems will bring her in front of a Senate committee since 'sexual assault was a constant worry for her' since she heard the stories and heard vulgar language. It definitely fits the narrative of the 'war on women'. Had she complained that they were out of stock of her favorite birth control then they really would have noticed and this would be front page news on the Huffington Post.

Not that there's much of a run on AR style firearms anymore, but KY Gun Co has the MP-15-22 (with flash hider) in stock for $399, and that's with free shipping--so pretty good deal if you've been wanting one, almost as good as when Bud's LE has the same rifle in stock (which they rarely do). https://www.kygunco.com/smith-and-wesson-mp-15-22lr-a1-style-rifle-28489

I think the government should force us all to ride scooters...and then afterwards they'll force us to have sex with fat chicks. (hopefully someone got that joke).

I will bet you a month's flight pay that he retires as an O-5. Why would you even suggest that he wouldn't?

It's sad that the country has gotten to a point where you have to record everything...but at the same time, if you do, it does reveal some 'interesting' things. I'd be seriously pissed if a postal worker did this to my property. Story

Guess the only weapon she had was her car. A congressman described who it was...those damn tea party types at it again.