Much as I hate to say it, Agamemnon does have a point, in that bellyaching here on FR does not solve the problem. What will solve the problem is a greater reliance on the American culture of entrepreneurship. More of us need to figure out ways to start new ventures and sell new products.
What created the Reagan recovery in the 1980's were all the new startups that were taking advantage of the capital gains tax cuts, and what we need right now is to work on getting the barriers to entrepreneurship removed: regulatory burdens, complex tax laws, EEOC requirements, and states that are hostile to small business interests
It's just that Agamemnon has a way of expressing this in a sufficiently obnoxious way that you're too busy wanting to punch him out to examine what he's saying. This is also why I'm wondering if Agamemnon is really running his own company -- he doesn't display the charm and tact that an independent businessman tends to need to make habitual in order to manage his clients and workers, and to get his pitch across.
And the burden of lawyers and litigation.
And the fact that total regualtion under Bush has increased is a good indicator that the structural excesses that you have so aptly enumerated have not been relieved, and therefore why I can believe little in sustained economic recovery.
I respectfully disagree. I think enough people tune into FR to make it a significant influence on the American psyche. Also, it is a proper place to vent about and analyse problems in the Murrican landscape. Finally, it's a great place to meet chicks. Oh, no, wait, strike number three please.
It's just that Agamemnon has a way of expressing this in a sufficiently obnoxious way that you're too busy wanting to punch him out to examine what he's saying. This is also why I'm wondering if Agamemnon is really running his own company -- he doesn't display the charm and tact that an independent businessman tends to need to make habitual in order to manage his clients and workers, and to get his pitch across.
The thought also crossed my mind that he is full of feces about his business, for the same reason you cited. People who run businesses don't start off hostile and derisional (or should that be delusional?) in most conversations.
My disagreement with Agamemnon has to do with his own political obtuseness. It is kind of an old time calvinist viewpoint that bad things happen to people because their souls are damned. He may be theologically or morally, or perhaps even - perhaps - economically correct that these folks deserve to lose their jobs because they won't go out and start their own successful companies. That position will not win Bush the next election, however.
Wonder whatever you like. I just don't happen to suffer whiners gladly and I save a particularly pointed pen to return the barbs of those crybabies that think they need to take the "big guy" down in order to boost their standing in their own minds.
Charm snakes if you like. Don't be surprised if they continue to bite, since "charm and tact" are meaningless to those who are the tactless and envious in a discussion like this. I'll continue to reserve "charm" for those whom I deem worthy of it and reserve distain for detractors who deserve nothing more.
Maybe instead of going to electrian's school you can figure out a way to make yourself billable while spending time posting to FR like I do.