CPAPtalk.com

So Well wrote:

AmIawake wrote: He based his article on a publication from said Mackinac Center.

Walter Williams based his article on a lifetime of working, studying, teaching, and observing what works and what doesn't. He has worked in different businesses since he was a teenager and is now prized as a college professor and writer.

If you mistook him for a hack reporter who read one publication and made an article out of it to meet his daily requirement, you are badly wrong.

Walter grew up in a public housing project in Philadelphia and was an astute youth. He observed what works and what doesn't first hand. He saw new central government social programs destroy families and lives.

AmIawake wrote: Their research is biased and in many cases flawed. Which part of that don't you understand? I know how to critically think.

In your first post you made "pro-business" an accusation. If you aren't pro-business, what the heck are you? Do you realize this forum is provided by a businessman?

Did you eat anything from a grocery store today? Did you drive a car? Did you use a computer? Did you wear any clothes? Do you know that all these things were produced by businesses?

What alternative do you propose to replace pro-business?

AmIawake wrote: But I don't come here for politics, I come here for help with sleep apnea.

There is a very easy solution. Don't read or post in this thread.

Suit yourself.

You're full of it. Good bye.

Germany is having very little trouble in comparison with other countries. (Emphasize in comparison, because they too are having their own troubles. No one is exempt in these hard times.) They are pinko commies though. Their social programs are much larger than our own. Yet they are keeping their heads above water. Why? They invested in education, and in research and development. Meanwhile, the United States consistently deprived our country of a rational education system and ignored impoverished children. Less so during the democratic years, but all are guilty on this count. The result? Germany cranks out engineers like a factory. German engineers are in demand the world over. Germany also produces name brands that are the standard of high quality... Henkel knives, Volkswagon and Merces-Benz, Krups appliances, Leica cameras and optical instruments, the list goes on. The world is also eager to buy the tanks Germany produces. Every thing from kitchen appliances to tanks are precision designed and flawlessly manufactured by Germany BECAUSE THEY INVESTED IN EDUCATION, AND IN R&D. Social programs are neither here nor there. A country can thrive with very extensive social programs, or fail with miniscule social programs. The important thing is priorities of the nation. The United States stopped investing in R&D, and allowed education to languish. We are now paying the price. Don't blame Obama for 60 years of policy that consistently put education and R&D low on our list of priorities. Germany didn't claw it's way out of post-war ruin by bickering and blustering and playing the blame game. The did it by solid investment in the future.

And as a little bit of trivia... being called a "capitalist" in Germany is an insult.

Thanks for the cartoon, Black Spinner.

So Well wrote:

WestCoastCdnGrl wrote: You are missing the point... this topic is not relevant to OSA & xPAP, thus Martin's refusal to post his opinion here until the Title is marked with an Off Topic designation.

Martin is not saying that your post is not welcome here (it is, as long as it conforms to the TOS), but what he is saying is that as a non-OSA/non-xPAP specific topic, it should be marked as such, so that those who have no interest in the thread can scroll on by. Once the post gets the requested designation, I'm sure that Martin would happily engage in a political/historical debate with you and anyone else who cares to share their opinion.

How do you know Martin's point? Are you his personal spokesman? Has he contacted you and asked you to speak on his behalf in this thread?

Why are you getting so wound up and angry about this? It's an Internet forum.

Martin's point is pretty clear, and past precedent dictates that posts not specific to the topic at hand (OSA and xPAP) are marked with an OT or Off Topic designation so that, as previously indicated, those who have no interest in the thread can scroll on by. He also indicates that he has an opinion that he refuses to share until this thread is marked OT... my eyesight isn't the best, my being Asian and all, but if that statement of his isn't clear crystal clear, I don't know what is.

Speaking about my supposedly "...know[ing] Martin's point? Are you his personal spokesman..." isn't that a case of the pot calling the kettle black! Martin's request for the post to be tagged as OT and his refusal to comment on the subject matter of your post is reasonable and by no means should be indicative of his political leanings, something that clearly you are already privy to, given your comments towards him. For all we know, he could be in 100% agreement with you but, as he pointed out, he won't be participating in the debate until this thread is properly tagged.

BlackSpinner

BlackSpinner, I am envious of you. You live in a country that is now ranked higher in individual freedom that my beloved country; that has a better business environment; that is getting foreign investors to favor Canada over the U.S.; that has much lower corporate tax rates; that puts great value on international trade; that has a responsible immigration policy; that introduced legislation in the 1980s and 1990s in many jurisdictions reversing union collective bargaining rights; that has avoided a housing crisis by keeping government out of the market of financing housing; that has largely stayed out of far-flung, bankrupting, military incursions into places you don't belong; and that has a reasonable national deficit and is undertaking austerity programs to get a balanced budget.

Your national debt has become a problem but a much smaller one than ours and your leaders seem committed to control it.

Your gun laws are oppressive and you made that bad mistake with national medical care, but hey, no country is perfect and you are doing well overall and have avoided the deep recession your southern neighbor is languishing in.

You might want to consider moving to the U.S. where socialism and big government holds a stronger hand. But don't plan on giving up your Canadian citizenship because our 2012 elections might bring on a big change.

Suit yourself.

WestCoastCdnGrl wrote: Why are you getting so wound up and angry about this? It's an Internet forum.

What does "wound up" mean?

How do you know I am angry about anything?

Why do you feel compelled to speak for Marty?

Do you imagine yourself to have long range ESP?

Why are you even posting in this thread???? Control freak maybe?

snuginarug wrote: The important thing is priorities of the nation. The United States stopped investing in R&D, and allowed education to languish. We are now paying the price. Don't blame Obama for 60 years of policy that consistently put education and R&D low on our list of priorities.

Although not entirely accurate, your post is very good.

No one has blamed Obama for 60 years of bad policy in this thread. Why do you bring it up?

The decline in education of our own citizens can be directly correlated with the start up of the Federal Department of Education and consequent buildup of the department and heavy involvement in local education. Elimination of this department could go a great way toward improving education in the US. Vouchers for school choice would be the next step that would bring a great improvement to poor communities.

BTW, much of what you say about Germany is true. I have consulted with German companies for many years and have many German friends. Among the Germans that I know, every single one of them tries to position themselves so that they can work for their U.S. affiliate and live and raise and educate their children in the U.S. and eventually retire here. Among the Americans that are transferred to Germany, they all come back to the U.S. after a few years.

Recently I worked with the 44-year old North American President of a German company. His operation was sold to an investment company and he lost his job. He had children ages 6 and 10. He spent six months on an intense job search, willing to take a lower level and much lower income, in order to keep his family in the U.S. In the end he had to take a job back in Germany and he and his family will make the best of it, but they were sorely disappointed to leave the U.S.

So, I don't claim that has anything to do with our debate about policies, but it does say something great about the U.S.

Vader wrote:Reading Walter Williams?

He's a brilliant guy. Looks like there's hope for you, yet!

Well that is a shock. I thought you had already condemned me to hell in that other thread because I believe the Biblical writers are very often expressing truth in metaphors and parables and that your literal interpretation of the Bible is one reason for the heavy decline in Church attendance.

Glad to be back in your good graces!

Hey guys, its been fun today. I gotta go be pro-business now and earn some money. Maybe catch up with you this weekend.

May you all thrive (especially BlackSpinner - there is something about that monicker that I feel very attached to),

Walter Williams is indeed a highly respected economics professor at, I think, George Mason University. He's widely published and followed by those of us who don't necessarily trust Big Government to attend to our every whim/need.

So Well wrote:

Vader wrote:Reading Walter Williams?

He's a brilliant guy. Looks like there's hope for you, yet!

Well that is a shock. I thought you had already condemned me to hell in that other thread because I believe the Biblical writers are very often expressing truth in metaphors and parables and that your literal interpretation of the Bible is one reason for the heavy decline in Church attendance.

Glad to be back in your good graces!

I'll just say this: As a sinner myself, I am totally incapable of condemning anyone, much less "condemn" someone to hell!
Church attendance is by no means a requirement for salvation, but I think the reason for "decline" is that "the Truth will MAKE you FREE". As you know, many people can't handle the TRUTH. And as evidenced by the 2008 election, they don't seem to like to be "Free" either.
You're a pretty alright guy in my opinion though. I guess I'm going to have to work on you from time to time!

Great thread and I'm glad someone in the CPAP forum has an interest in politics. I like politics and CPAP.

People often post other OT subjects here that I don't like or have absolutely no interest in, and I have one rule about that: I don't read them. So, thanks for posting it here So Well.

Having said that, I have only two words:

RON PAUL

Ooo I forgot this Miss Liberty America pageant

The ultimate mission is to promote Liberty, the military, and the Constitution. The contestants will be judged in categories of personal interview, swimsuit, evening gown, beauty, talent, the Constitution, and Marksmanship! This will be the first pageant of its kind to introduce competency in the handling, safety and use of firearms, and CPR! The contestants must be able to save a life as well as defend one!

Almost naked broads carrying big guns! Wooo Hooo! It should have great ratings!

Has he contacted you and asked you to speak on his behalf in this thread?

No I didn't, but WestCoastCdnGrl certainly expresses very well my feelings about threads that I have to open to find out if I would not be interested in opening them.

Thank you, WestCoastCdnGrl.

PS: Marty's name is Máirtín - if you want to use a diminutive or familiar form that would be Murt (though I never use that form).

So Well wrote:

WestCoastCdnGrl wrote: Why are you getting so wound up and angry about this? It's an Internet forum.

What does "wound up" mean?

How do you know I am angry about anything?

Why do you feel compelled to speak for Marty?

Do you imagine yourself to have long range ESP?

Why are you even posting in this thread???? Control freak maybe?

So Well...I'm afraid I have to agree with WestCoast...you do seem to stir up hostilities. Thing is....I agree with your conservative politics....I'm with you!....but I wonder why you come across as the guy poking everyone else in the chest with your index finger...to prove a point?! Perhaps (just perhaps) if were less confrontational...you might sway others to your way of thinking? Merely a suggestion, So Well. As you say, "Suit yourself".

Walter Williams is a hero of mine. He tells it like it is and does not worry what the MSM has to say about him and his views. I have had the feeling of a large stone in my gut for the past 3 years watching my country go down the tubes. GWB spent money like there was no tomorrow and the BHO came along and spent more money than anyone in the history of the world in just two and a half years.

So Well I have a feeling that most of the people in this country has finally figured this guy out and will be booting him out big time in 2012. I hope!