The problem with this scenario for the conservative country is that with no hindrances from libbies, the whole game would be utterly and completely rigged to favor business, including no minimum wage, few worker protections if any, etc. Who would be left to work the mines and the oil rigs for 100 hours a week at two bucks an hour, with no insurance or vacation? My friend Jorge knows ...

 

Interesting thought, but I don't think that those illegals would be here without all the freebies that they get now. The conservative country wouldn't have the handouts, and (this is where you may find me unrealistic) I don't think the illegals would keep coming back. So with no illegals to exploit, who would work the mines? Citizens, and this is where labor unions come into play.

 

It is hard to say because this is all theoretical. I don't find big business evil like you do.

Interesting thought, but I don't think that those illegals would be here without all the freebies that they get now. The conservative country wouldn't have the handouts, and (this is where you may find me unrealistic) I don't think the illegals would keep coming back. So with no illegals to exploit, who would work the mines? Citizens, and this is where labor unions come into play.

 

It is hard to say because this is all theoretical. I don't find big business evil like you do.

 

 

Must have missed those history lessons on late 19th and early 20th century industrialization huh? They give a very good insight into what happens without checks on the owners and operators and labor's voice.

 

Are today's companies like those? Not at all. But then again take away the checks of those libs like anti-trust regulations, labor and so on and you have to believe they would go right back to that situation for profits sake.

The problem with this scenario for the conservative country is that with no hindrances from libbies, the whole game would be utterly and completely rigged to favor business, including no minimum wage, few worker protections if any, etc. Who would be left to work the mines and the oil rigs for 100 hours a week at two bucks an hour, with no insurance or vacation? My friend Jorge knows ...

 

If that were the case wouldn't the liberal country have a serious immigration problem and wouldn't a bunch of suits in the conservative country have empty factories?

 

And how exactly are we defining conservative and liberal?

If that were the case wouldn't the liberal country have a serious immigration problem and wouldn't a bunch of suits in the conservative country have empty factories?

 

And how exactly are we defining conservative and liberal?

 

it could probably split up better as socialist v capitalist.

If that were the case wouldn't the liberal country have a serious immigration problem and wouldn't a bunch of suits in the conservative country have empty factories?

 

And how exactly are we defining conservative and liberal?

 

According to the hard-core right-wingers, there won't be any place to work for in the libbie country because of too-high taxes, so no. But somebody's gotta do the grunt work for the captains of industry, because those guys are too busy in their board rooms drawing multi-million dollar salaries while expending no physical energy and assuming very little liability.

 

Mexicans and other immigrants in this country have shown they will work for pennies on the dollar compared to the average blue-collar middle class American. They would get just that from the conservo-capitalist country, and probably have a nice little neighborhood to live in on the other side of the railroad tracks.

I'm not calling you out specifically, I've seen a lot of people on both sides think this way, but this mindset really bugs me.

 

Bible thumpin' people of the south annoy me, but I wouldn't want them to go into exile. There's pleny of rude New Yorkers and LA idiots who I'd want to punch in the face, but they're all part of what makes this country great. Just because we don't get along with people from other areas, or just because we think differently, it doesn't mean we can't work together or that each of us aren't important for this country.

 

I'm not proud of living in a red state. I'm proud of living in Kentucky, regardless of color.

 

:thumb:

 

Only when we stop categorizing people by race, political leanings, religion, and any other difference will this country be "great".

:thumb:

 

Only when we stop categorizing people by race, political leanings, religion, and any other difference will this country be "great".

 

Who did this? I thought my comments were pretty innocent. I like small town, down to earth people. Is there something wrong with that?

Who did this? I thought my comments were pretty innocent. I like small town, down to earth people. Is there something wrong with that?

 

 

You added the part about Californians and New Englanders. That made it a very pointed categorization.

You added the part about Californians and New Englanders. That made it a very pointed categorization.

 

In what way does that involve race or religion? I feel like you're judging me to be something I am not. I fail to see what is wrong with feeling more comfortable with midwesterners and southerners.

 

Is it because I used the term "Bible thumper" in my earlier post? I used that jokingly as a Southern phrase denoting a religious person. Did you take it to mean intolerant, judgemental, out to change you, Evangelical?

I find it interesting that people immediately went to the extremists on both sides to populate the countries. While very vocal they do make up a small percentage of the population.

In what way does that involve race or religion? I feel like you're judging me to be something I am not. I fail to see what is wrong with feeling more comfortable with midwesterners and southerners.

 

Is it because I used the term "Bible thumper" in my earlier post? I used that jokingly as a Southern phrase denoting a religious person. Did you take it to mean intolerant, judgemental, out to change you, Evangelical?

 

 

No...that's not my point. My comment was in reply to r2003's comments, which echo my sentiments. I'm 100% convinced this country will not be "great", that our issues will be addressed as long as people continue to align themselves and others by categorization. First and foremost, we are Americans. Then, we (most members in this fourm for instance), are Kentuckians. What our religion is, what race we are, whether we support private or public schools, etc, should not enter into the equation of problem resolution. We all need to recognize our common goals, and work together to resolve our issues.

 

I don't mind if you're a "Bible thumper". I hope you respect me as an "Idol worshipper". I just want all the non-productive battlelines destroyed and everyone to come together as rational adults solving our society's issues.

I find it interesting that people immediately went to the extremists on both sides to populate the countries. While very vocal they do make up a small percentage of the population.

Yeah, but it made for better jokes.

No...that's not my point. My comment was in reply to r2003's comments, which echo my sentiments. I'm 100% convinced this country will not be "great", that our issues will be addressed as long as people continue to align themselves and others by categorization. First and foremost, we are Americans.

 

OK, you're echoing Ram who is rebuking my earlier comments. I fail to see what in my post leads anyone to believe that I am keeping America from being great and unified. My point was simply that it is interesting to note that the people who most closely resemble me tend to live in red states. It's not that big of a deal. I'm not advocating throwing them out or seceding. I'm merely pointing out a geographic oddity. I really feel that my "Bible thumping" comment immediately caused some to view me as intolerant. I don't think I'm the "intolerant" one.

it could probably split up better as socialist v capitalist.

 

That is still too broad and vague.

 

According to the hard-core right-wingers, there won't be any place to work for in the libbie country because of too-high taxes, so no. But somebody's gotta do the grunt work for the captains of industry, because those guys are too busy in their board rooms drawing multi-million dollar salaries while expending no physical energy and assuming very little liability.

 

It appears to me that either a neutral ground would appear between the two sides, or one side would totally dominate the other. If conditions were so bad on one side, while great on the other, people would move to the better side causing concessions on the part of the other.

 

Mexicans and other immigrants in this country have shown they will work for pennies on the dollar compared to the average blue-collar middle class American. They would get just that from the conservo-capitalist country, and probably have a nice little neighborhood to live in on the other side of the railroad tracks.

 

Comparatively, it may be pennies on the dollar in regards to middle class American, but significantly more compared to their other options. I'm not sure what you mean by the second half.

 

Honestly, this split would never happen because a common foe is too valuable for political parties. A lot of politicians would be out of jobs (and that's constitutes more than the paltry salaries they are officially paid) if everyone happened to be like-minded on every issue.

OK, you're echoing Ram who is rebuking my earlier comments. I fail to see what in my post leads anyone to believe that I am keeping America from being great and unified. My point was simply that it is interesting to note that the people who most closely resemble me tend to live in red states. It's not that big of a deal. I'm not advocating throwing them out or seceding. I'm merely pointing out a geographic oddity. I really feel that my "Bible thumping" comment immediately caused some to view me as intolerant. I don't think I'm the "intolerant" one.

 

Now that you've clarified, I don't think any one of us is being intolerant. As Rockmom mentioned, I was thrown off by your "Californians, New Englanders, you can keep them" line. It seemed to support the sentiment that two seperate nations, one liberal, one conservative. If that's not what you meant, then I'm sorry and you can ignore my referencing you. But as I said, I've seen that sentiment (that the country should split) many times before from both sides and it's completely backwards thinking IMO.