American Politics during the Obama Presidency

[QUOTE=RevBS;444412]I profess no knowledge of Sri Lanka's economic story except to say that everything about Sri Lanka in the last 50 years has to be taken within the context of the civil strife that plague and consume the life out of Sri Lanka at every level.

If it were not for China's emergence as an economic power & leader during this time, what you describe of Sri Lanka is close to universal in lesser developed countries. And don't laugh, but Brazil might even fall into that category. And here, they are staging the Olympic Games next year! Correct me if I'm mistaken.

But for sure, I will be visiting Sri Lanka very soon.[/QUOTE]Excellent point about the conflict in Sri Lanka. You could argue that overshadows everything else.

I strongly disagree with your second paragraph. China emerged as an economic power because Deng Xiaoping started pursuing free market policies. This was in no small part because of the influence of the Singapore example, and advice from the Singapore Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew.

Sri Lanka's biggest "export" is its people, many of whom work in other countries and remit funds back home, not commodities that have driven booms in some third world countries. I don't see the China connection, except that the old regime in Sri Lanka, like a number of African governments, courted Chinese investment and aid. The new government is promoting better relations with India, and Chinese investment may suffer as a result.

Yes, countries like Brazil did benefit from the commodity boom created by Chinese demand. Brazil is a poor example for your case though. I'd argue that the reason the country WILL fall into "that category" is because Dilma Rousseff has followed in Sri Lanka's footsteps and violated most of Tiny's rules for good governance, being smaller efficient government, avoidance of large fiscal deficits, low levels of corruption and crony capitalism, rule of law and property rights, and a good education system.

Funny I thought there was a thread already.

This one is about Drugs and Politics.

Don't miss seeing this.

"Kill the Messenger".

I am sure the Government does not want you to watch this.

[URL]http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1216491/?ref_=nv_sr_1[/URL]

[URL]http://victorhanson.com/wordpress/?p=8324[/URL]

I remember 1938 as well as what happened a year later.

The rest of you will just have to read about it.

Don B.

BLS=BS?

Even the FED has to admit it. Now all future arguments that quote the BLS stats, you will be rightfully ridiculed because it's no longer ignorance. It's just plain stupid.

Here is a take on Clinton's entry into the Presidential race.

[URL]http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/opinion/charles-blow-woe-of-white-men-again.html[/URL]

[b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]This report was redacted or deleted because it constituted more anti-American hate-speech in yet another attempt by Rev BS to gleefully decry the what he believes is the inevitable extinction of the USA.[/blue]

How can you? U.S. Citizens have allowed the country to be taken over by a bunch of kleptocrats and plutocrats while they keep yapping about republican democrat blah blah blah. And next election we get to choose between a Clinton and a bush. What a democracy. All the while serious governments around the world are doing their job while not having to bomb countries willy nilly. Hoi polloi get the government's they deserve. Enjoy.

[QUOTE=RevBS;444698]Pride & Stubborness over Pragmatism. How can you identify yourself a patriot?[/QUOTE]

And this is what we are left with.

Well at least we have that. Who needs the AIIB?

Arriving at Lvov, the capital of Banderastan no less. Very symbolic.

So now we are arming AND training these guys. Are Americans proud yet? Winning.

Guess she can't be all that bad..

[URL]http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2015/04/republicans_support_benjamin_netanyahu_more_than_barack_obama_an_unprecedented.html[/URL]

Republicans feel more allegiance to Benjamin Netanyahu than Barrack Obama.

I have to apologize for not consulting with the locals about Obama when I was in Nairobi a few weeks ago. Too much fun there, forgot all about the politics & hate.

[blue][Message to Admin deleted][/blue]

[b][u]EDITOR's NOTE[/u][/b]: [blue]This report was edited to remove a message directed to [u]the Forum Admin[/u].

The open Forum is not the appropriate venue to contact the Forum Administration regarding individual questions, complaints or comments about the administration of the Forum. Instead, please use the [u]Contact Us[/u] link at the bottom of this page to send me an email voicing your complaints about the administration of the Forum, and I will respond as quickly as possible. [i]Thanks![/i][/blue]

This afternoon I was in my driveway here in the midwest checking the oil in my 12 year old car when this nicely dressed young man walked up holding his hand out for a hand shake saying my dad is running for county council and while cleaning my hands with a garage towel I looked him square in the eye and said all politicians are the skum of the earth. He said have a nice day sur turned around and walked away. No matter if you swing left or right you must admit...all politicians are the skum of the earth.

[QUOTE=HotRod11;444723]This afternoon I was in my driveway here in the midwest checking the oil in my 12 year old car when this nicely dressed young man walked up holding his hand out for a hand shake saying my dad is running for county council and while cleaning my hands with a garage towel I looked him square in the eye and said all politicians are the skum of the earth. He said have a nice day sur turned around and walked away. No matter if you swing left or right you must admit...all politicians are the skum of the earth.[/QUOTE]What you say is almost 100% correct. But it comes down to morality, and what a person can resist. And that comes
with the surrounding enviroment and the existing culture. When you are knee-deep in dung, it's almost impossible to keep a white shirt spotless.