Thoughts on Ryan as VP?

[Gregg]

Not directing this part at Rob: I have met plenty of people over the years that bemoan the lack of opportunity in the US, that tell me how it is impossible to break out of your class, that see greener grass in other pastures. For every one of those people I've also met someone who had an idea and ran with it. They left the whining about the playing field not being perfectly level behind and actually stood up and DID something about it. Some failed, some succeeded, some became fantastically rich. Most of the ones who failed, including me (several times), went on to try again because that is their nature. Almost all of the ones who succeeded were the ones who failed at the first few attempts.

It's not the political climate that truly limits us. There are amazing success stories that came out of Stalin's Russia and Aristide's Haiti and any number of other places so oppressive that you wonder how it would even be possible. Hardly comparable to the US. Fear imposes limits, but not fear of what a government will do. Government actions only require strategy to work with. Limits are contained in that 6" space between your ears, but to admit that means dealing with the prickly issue of personal responsibility. Falling short of our goals might be more our fault than the government's. Ouch.

Ok Rob since you are carring the torch in this conversation, let me ask you this... If you had no financial limitations and could afford both the best health insurance available and the best health care for things not covered by insurance would you still be looking at Uruguay/Argentina/Chile? And #2, have you actually ever been down there?

[JaneV2.0]

"And Ryan" is an anagram of Ayn Rand. Coincidence? I think not...

[dmc]

All this worry about Ryan, is no one worried that Biden is actually that heartbeat away from being President.

[gimmethesimplelife]

Not directing this part at Rob: I have met plenty of people over the years that bemoan the lack of opportunity in the US, that tell me how it is impossible to break out of your class, that see greener grass in other pastures. For every one of those people I've also met someone who had an idea and ran with it. They left the whining about the playing field not being perfectly level behind and actually stood up and DID something about it. Some failed, some succeeded, some became fantastically rich. Most of the ones who failed, including me (several times), went on to try again because that is their nature. Almost all of the ones who succeeded were the ones who failed at the first few attempts.

It's not the political climate that truly limits us. There are amazing success stories that came out of Stalin's Russia and Aristide's Haiti and any number of other places so oppressive that you wonder how it would even be possible. Hardly comparable to the US. Fear imposes limits, but not fear of what a government will do. Government actions only require strategy to work with. Limits are contained in that 6" space between your ears, but to admit that means dealing with the prickly issue of personal responsibility. Falling short of our goals might be more our fault than the government's. Ouch.

Ok Rob since you are carring the torch in this conversation, let me ask you this... If you had no financial limitations and could afford both the best health insurance available and the best health care for things not covered by insurance would you still be looking at Uruguay/Argentina/Chile? And #2, have you actually ever been down there?

I have been to Argentina once years ago yes.....and this was before their collapse I will admit. I understand the landscape has changed there is some ways but they have still retained their committment to health care for all. Interesting question about if there were no financial limitations - if I won the lottery tomorrow, I would still want to leave, yes, because of what I have experienced getting to that point. Had I never had these experiences, of course my viewpoint would be different and I would want to stay. I do believe a lot of this citizenship boils down to social class - that one dawned on me back in my college days, like in 1987. Rob

[gimmethesimplelife]

All this worry about Ryan, is no one worried that Biden is actually that heartbeat away from being President.

I see issues with BOTH actually......not thrilled with the idea of either getting to the top slot. Rob

[Gregg]

...if I won the lottery tomorrow, I would still want to leave, yes, because of what I have experienced getting to that point.

Fair enough Rob. It's interesting to see that perspective. We have such an issue with millions of people trying to come here every year because they view the US as a place with opportunities they can't get elsewhere (I do, too) that sometimes we forget there are other perspectives and other experiences. Thanks for the reminder.

[iris lily]

Fair enough Rob. It's interesting to see that perspective. We have such an issue with millions of people trying to come here every year because they view the US as a place with opportunities they can't get elsewhere (I do, too) that sometimes we forget there are other perspectives and other experiences. Thanks for the reminder.

Agreed, Rob's points have been interesting. The recently departed Zoebird also found reasons, business reasons, to leave here and go to a place where she saw better opportunity. I think that is great, really! Go for it, and I mean that sincerely.

[LDAHL]

I see issues with BOTH actually......not thrilled with the idea of either getting to the top slot. Rob

Imagine the uproar we'd hear if Ryan uttered anything like Biden's "put ya'll back in chains" remark, or his history lesson about FDR addressing the nation on television after Pearl Harbor.

[dmc]

Imagine the uproar we'd hear if Ryan uttered anything like Biden's "put ya'll back in chains" remark, or his history lesson about FDR addressing the nation on television after Pearl Harbor.

If Ryan would say something like that Peggy would be screaming that he was a racist. But Biden's got a D after his title so its ok.

[ApatheticNoMore]

Not directing this part at Rob: I have met plenty of people over the years that bemoan the lack of opportunity in the US, that tell me how it is impossible to break out of your class, that see greener grass in other pastures. For every one of those people I've also met someone who had an idea and ran with it.

Yea but you can also I think spend your whole life trying to fit into a place you're not a good fit for.