WC 1M Post Challenge - You Ready?!

[MSFTisMIA]

The homogeneous part of the USA is that we simply prefer individualism over just about everything. I’m from Peru on mother’s side and have traveled extensively there and Mexico plus other parts of Latin America. I’m not paraphrasing anything since I live in the midst of the very culture we’re discussing.

A phenomena of American culture is that we’re individualists so deeply and our differing viewpoints are just that. We’re not conformists and don’t have or want to be.

I’m assuming that by next to USA you meant Canada and that’s perfect example. If America wants to be like Canada, then it will happen. At this point about 1/2 of the American population doesn’t want the complicated trade offs so we remain how we are.

The interesting thing is that we can’t be all that bad if we’re arguing here about having a wall to keep too many people from coming in. Regardless of what the solution is, we have the problem of too many people want in and not enough want out to balance the numbers. That’s a simple observation. It’s one not based on politics but simple mathematics that are nonpartisan.

Here's my problem with what I've read here.

Everyone when it comes to immigration, agrees that sensible effective immigration policies are needed. Legal immigration needs to be reformed. The debate surrounds how to develop (which ideas) and execute the strategy. A physical wall doesn't work as it is a static structure that humans have HUNDREDS of years of experience in circumventing. So when the commander in thief keeps trumpeting this wall (because of his background in commercial real estate has your legacy physically done in buildings with your name on it) it's clear he hasn't watched any of the drug cartel documentaries where CBP have found extensive tunnels running under the border. For every one they close off, there's likely another 10 undiscovered.

Also, from a psychosocial perspective, the perpetuation of a wall is a barrier that reinforces the in groups vs out group that has defined this country every since its founding. The founding fathers were the in group that wrote the constitution and kicked the British out, the brown folks were the out group either had land stolen (true Americans) or were brought here to work on said stolen lands.

If some people looked at the bottleneck of legal immigration and how cumbersome that process is, you can understand why some folks spend money and are forced to trade their bodies to get here. The middle class is where many of these people want to get to, as their likelihood of getting into high society, and making millions is the same as Rue and DJT sitting down in a Paris cafe sharing a croissant. Again most of the people who make those sacrifices to come here illegally want to just work, pay taxes and send money home. If they could have made it back home, they would have stayed. They're not here robbing and raping as some of the old non brown folks like to fear monger.

Plus, it'd be one thing if the business community wasn't taking advantage of that type of labor. If the commander in thief was employing people illegally at his golf courses, who else is put there knowingly exploiting those people on farms, constructions sites, restaurants, etc to take and do the necessary jobs that non brown folks don't want to do and pay them wages?

Homogeneity has the effect of glossing over the complexities that exist. While their is some vadility in the observation to which you speak of, that's not what I'm discussing. So when you use this "we", some of the people who "you" may think share the same ideas as "you" would never invite "you" over to dinner and may just as well throw "you" out of the country as they would do "me" if given the opportunity. We've posted many a article here on that, actually.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

I’d say Trump got elected because he tapped into a silent majority of electoral voters that have felt ignored by politicians from either side of the aisle.

Look at the growth of the registered independent voters in our country who don’t support either party with any enthusiasm.

As far as slavery, let’s not forget there were enough people that disagreed with it, that it became part of a debate of state vs federal rights. Whether the Civil War happened over state rights or slavery itself can never be fully agreed upon but the point was that it did happen and we’ve attempted to move forward as single country for 150 years.

The American way of life is simply one that allows individual choices and consequences. We’ve always resisted big government regardless of everything when it affects our individual freedoms. The system was designed to protect those rights and those rights do exist. It doesn’t mean that people aren’t constantly attempting to deny those individual rights and freedoms we are entitled to by law.

I’m a minority and my brownish to black eyes with my Hispanic features have subjected me to discrimination for years. Funny this, I never realized it since I though I was American, the same as everyone. It was only in recent years, that I’ve realized that everyone discriminated against me, in some way. Hispanic, because I had Caucasian father and spoke little Spanish, and Whites that knew I wasn’t exactly like them. I’m a mixed breed and that’s never stopped me yet.

I'm brown and cannot "pass" for anything else. So the moment I got here and opened my mouth, the discrimination hit. I didn't have the luxury to unsee it. Many of the people I know who love here are browner in shade than me and were born here too. They never had the chance to unsee it either, as the discrimination hit them once mom pushed them out of the womb.

America has not moved on from the effects of chattel slavery. Not. Even. Close. In fact, I may argue it's done a job of addressing the subject. People of a Hispanic background within the next 40 years are projected to be the official numeric majority. If you think the old non brown folks are pleased about that, I don't know what America you're living in. There are places the last president cannot walk around in freely. There are places in the state of New York I don't dare walk around in comfortable either. Kinda funny as to how some of the the most liberal states like NY and Cali have some of the highest concentration of white supremcy groups.

I have a coworker who can pass looks wise and is Hispanic like you. She went to interview some place recently and they saw the last name and she had NO shot. They wanted the non brown. So, I'd like to see more evidence as to how well America has moved on from the social, political and economic effects of imperialism and chattel slavery, cuz I can sneeze easily in the most liberal of places and find the racism and discrimination glaring right back at me.

 

[libra89]

So it looks like the new job is moving forward. Hopefully I'll have the contract today. Plan is to give notice at my current place Monday.

I feel a little sad about that too. I do like everyone here so it will be bitter sweet.

Wow, I believe it. You have come a long way with them.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

I’m 49 and brownish carmel like any good half breed Hispanic so I’m not sure where that puts me. I refuse to let that keep me down though as I’m American pure and simple. I like business minded people and can’t stand professional “never had real long-term job” politicians since they have no reason to really exist. They stand around telling everyone how to do it better, instead of just doing it better through actual example.

This is the part of the problem that reinforces how well the system has historically worked. So I have to be "woke and held back by the system" or "not aware but finding my own way"? That's what gets implied by "the system is stacked against me but I choose to not let it stop me". There a reason why brown folks have to work twice as hard just to get to even, and that has nothing to do with their individual level of industry.

FYI, I'm a brown licensed professional employed in a hospital setting. Me being aware of why and how the deck is stacked against me didn't stop me from doing something about it. In fact, it did the opposite. I'm on the front lines working with the less fortunate to help them make their way and restore their decency and dignity that was stripped away by their circumstances. Many people have done the same.

In terms of business, we don't have enough examples of ethical business practices. Many of these big businesses only in it for the $$$ and answer to their shareholders, who are usually non brown and in it for the $$$.

 

[Chuck Finley69]

Here's my problem with what I've read here.

Everyone when it comes to immigration, agrees that sensible effective immigration policies are needed. Legal immigration needs to be reformed. The debate surrounds how to develop (which ideas) and execute the strategy. A physical wall doesn't work as it is a static structure that humans have HUNDREDS of years of experience in circumventing. So when the commander in thief keeps trumpeting this wall (because of his background in commercial real estate has your legacy physically done in buildings with your name on it) it's clear he hasn't watched any of the drug cartel documentaries where CBP have found extensive tunnels running under the border. For every one they close off, there's likely another 10 undiscovered.

Also, from a psychosocial perspective, the perpetuation of a wall is a barrier that reinforces the in groups vs out group that has defined this country every since its founding. The founding fathers were the in group that wrote the constitution and kicked the British out, the brown folks were the out group either had land stolen (true Americans) or were brought here to work on said stolen lands.

If some people looked at the bottleneck of legal immigration and how cumbersome that process is, you can understand why some folks spend money and are forced to trade their bodies to get here. The middle class is where many of these people want to get to, as their likelihood of getting into high society, and making millions is the same as Rue and DJT sitting down in a Paris cafe sharing a croissant. Again most of the people who make those sacrifices to come here illegally want to just work, pay taxes and send money home. If they could have made it back home, they would have stayed. They're not here robbing and raping as some of the old non brown folks like to fear monger.

Plus, it'd be one thing if the business community wasn't taking advantage of that type of labor. If the commander in thief was employing people illegally at his golf courses, who else is put there knowingly exploiting those people on farms, constructions sites, restaurants, etc to take and do the necessary jobs that non brown folks don't want to do and pay them wages?

Homogeneity has the effect of glossing over the complexities that exist. While their is some vadility in the observation to which you speak of, that's not what I'm discussing. So when you use this "we", some of the people who "you" may think share the same ideas as "you" would never invite "you" over to dinner and may just as well throw "you" out of the country as they would do "me" if given the opportunity. We've posted many a article here on that, actually.

The wall has already been in multiple parts of the border for decades. For some time I lived and earned a living on both sides of Tijuana/San Diego border. I was actually temporarily denied entry once for three hours even though US born citizen with actual USA passport and official California ID and Florida DL in addition.

I’m going to know and be with people that won’t have me over for dinner regardless of culturalism or racism. They just won’t like me. I guess my point is simply, as bad as things are supposed to be here compared with all the supposed great places, why does everyone still want to come here? We could do like Mexico does on it’s southern border and caravan through up to Canadian border. Pay for Pacific or Atlantic ship passage to continent of choice... still coming here... why? Exactly what’s the #2 or competitor if you will, to American dream?

We’re all free to leave, when times have been tough, I’ve wondered about Europe or Asia, yet here I stay.

 

[Chuck Finley69]

This is the part of the problem that reinforces how well the system has historically worked. So I have to be "woke and held back by the system" or "not aware but finding my own way"? That's what gets implied by "the system is stacked against me but I choose to not let it stop me". There a reason why brown folks have to work twice as hard just to get to even, and that has nothing to do with their individual level of industry.

FYI, I'm a brown licensed professional employed in a hospital setting. Me being aware of why and how the deck is stacked against me didn't stop me from doing something about it. In fact, it did the opposite. I'm on the front lines working with the less fortunate to help them make their way and restore their decency and dignity that was stripped away by their circumstances. Many people have done the same.

In terms of business, we don't have enough examples of ethical business practices. Many of these big businesses only in it for the $$$ and answer to their shareholders, who are usually non brown and in it for the $$$.

Business is supposed to only be in for the money and the shareholders. That’s called their fiduciary and legal obligation. By the population breakdown, the shareholders would be statistically represented in a similar manner.

The shareholders are usually large institutional funds who represent their respective owners, people that own said funds in their retirement and investment accounts. If YOU have anything in any type of pooled fund, YOU are the shareholders you speak of. If you want to support ethical causes, there are multitudes of choices to invest through funds that champion those causes.

I’m more like you than you realize. I refuse to acknowledge the significance of many problems because I feel they are created many times by people who seem to have a vested interest with keeping the problem status quo than actually solving the problem.

 

[N_LaRUE]

The homogeneous part of the USA is that we simply prefer individualism over just about everything. I’m from Peru on mother’s side and have traveled extensively there and Mexico plus other parts of Latin America. I’m not paraphrasing anything since I live in the midst of the very culture we’re discussing.

A phenomena of American culture is that we’re individualists so deeply and our differing viewpoints are just that. We’re not conformists and don’t have or want to be.

I’m assuming that by next to USA you meant Canada and that’s perfect example. If America wants to be like Canada, then it will happen. At this point about 1/2 of the American population doesn’t want the complicated trade offs so we remain how we are.

The interesting thing is that we can’t be all that bad if we’re arguing here about having a wall to keep too many people from coming in. Regardless of what the solution is, we have the problem of too many people want in and not enough want out to balance the numbers. That’s a simple observation. It’s one not based on politics but simple mathematics that are nonpartisan.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by complicated trade offs. This always seems to be an argument that I don't quite understand.

Unfortunately Canada has had a large influence from the USA and some politicians want to mimic that kind of thinking. The Canada I grew up in no longer exists really. Sad to see if I'm honest. Not saying it was perfect but it was better.

Having lived in four other countries now, all with varying degree of socialist ideas I can say with certainty that working collectively for a greater good for all is by far superior than being individualistic. To me a prosperous country is not one which is 'rich' but one where they take care of each other. The poor, the old or the disabled.

I get how the USA works. I'm not a fan and never will be. To me it is the inverse of decent humanity. The slogans, the chants, the self congratulations, the patting itself on the back, etc. It a sad thing to see when you're viewing it from an outside perspective. It's not my kind of place and never will be.

As for the so called 'freedoms' in the USA. That is perspective. Nothing more. I can argue the point but I don't really have the time or desire to.

 

[Chuck Finley69]

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by complicated trade offs. This always seems to be an argument that I don't quite understand.

Unfortunately Canada has had a large influence from the USA and some politicians want to mimic that kind of thinking. The Canada I grew up in no longer exists really. Sad to see if I'm honest. Not saying it was perfect but it was better.

Having lived in four other countries now, all with varying degree of socialist ideas I can say with certainty that working collectively for a greater good for all is by far superior than being individualistic. To me a prosperous country is not one which is 'rich' but one where they take care of each other. The poor, the old or the disabled.

I get how the USA works. I'm not a fan and never will be. To me it is the inverse of decent humanity. The slogans, the chants, the self congratulations, the patting itself on the back, etc. It a sad thing to see when you're viewing it from an outside perspective. It's not my kind of place and never will be.

As for the so called 'freedoms' in the USA. That is perspective. Nothing more. I can argue the point but I don't really have the time or desire to.

Yet, here we are discussing. I’m happy to hear of your new job BTW though, if you like the old job, why leave?

Your choice in doing what’s best for you, does exemplify the very individualism that I support. It also demonstrates why the ultimate socialist or communist idea succeeds on paper and fails in reality.

Just ask the citizens of Venezuela or Cuba how things are so great for them. In reality, the system can’t support an individual since the greater cause will always be in conflict with only worse of choices.

If you were in a truly socialist or communist existence, you’d be assigned some job whether you liked it or not and paid less than you need because the system determines your need and not you.

The idea of individual freedoms is what you’re already practicing. The farther and faster you run from it, there it remains, the shadow you can never escape from.

You’ve traded your freedom of whatever for a job that you feel you don’t get paid enough. Start your own business, pay yourself all that you earn and let no one take from you since you bear all the risk.

You cannot ask for individual freedoms and benefits and not support the system you ascribe to. Be the solution by leading with example. Part of the problem or part of the solution is up to you. I’m liberal Jesuit educated so I’m a contradiction of terms. Help me help you as they would say.

 

[libra89]

I'm not Rue, but he has a lot going on right now. The job is just one facet of it. I do wonder how he keeps his head on with the number of things happening.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

I'm not Rue, but he has a lot going on right now. The job is just one facet of it. I do wonder how he keeps his head on with the number of things happening.

He puts on the big boy pants, rolls up the sleeves and gets on with it.

Sometimes it's that simple, even though the execution of it isn't.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

The wall has already been in multiple parts of the border for decades. For some time I lived and earned a living on both sides of Tijuana/San Diego border. I was actually temporarily denied entry once for three hours even though US born citizen with actual USA passport and official California ID and Florida DL in addition.

I’m going to know and be with people that won’t have me over for dinner regardless of culturalism or racism. They just won’t like me. I guess my point is simply, as bad as things are supposed to be here compared with all the supposed great places, why does everyone still want to come here? We could do like Mexico does on it’s southern border and caravan through up to Canadian border. Pay for Pacific or Atlantic ship passage to continent of choice... still coming here... why? Exactly what’s the #2 or competitor if you will, to American dream?

We’re all free to leave, when times have been tough, I’ve wondered about Europe or Asia, yet here I stay.

Border security is more than just monitoring the points of entry into a country. Good immigration policy helps border security better monitoring the flow of people; its not mutually exclusive. What people are asking for is improvements in both fronts. People have used the wall as an example of not to be fixated and pour resources into ONE tool used for border security, but the commander in thief likes stuff with his name on it - see my last post.

America has the #1 GDP in the world. It's not even close. There are communities in the country where you don't have to speak a lick of English and be in the middle class or upper working class and have access to resources that would be more than what the person in their country of origin. There are miles of stories of educated people coming here from countries where their middle class life was destroyed by war, gangs, corruption, etc and getting into the upper working class/middle class is the goal. There are tons of other stories of people dirt poor who came here and owning their own daycare or small business or restaurant has improved their lives for their families here and back home - for them that upper middle class is akin to true middle class.

And you're still asking why people would take the risks to come here? I'm not being mean or snobbish, I'm just trying to understand. Much of what I say isn't wild opinion, outside of how I shape my perspective. All can be vetted.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Business is supposed to only be in for the money and the shareholders. That’s called their fiduciary and legal obligation. By the population breakdown, the shareholders would be statistically represented in a similar manner.

The shareholders are usually large institutional funds who represent their respective owners, people that own said funds in their retirement and investment accounts. If YOU have anything in any type of pooled fund, YOU are the shareholders you speak of. If you want to support ethical causes, there are multitudes of choices to invest through funds that champion those causes.

I’m more like you than you realize. I refuse to acknowledge the significance of many problems because I feel they are created many times by people who seem to have a vested interest with keeping the problem status quo than actually solving the problem.

I actually don't have multitude of choices as your describe across all the industries for the products and services I use. For example, The companies who makes my personal hygiene products, yes. The company that makes the cellphone I use, no. The company that makes the software on the cellphone I use, no. The only ethicallly responsible OEM is a small one that is using SD835 chips that's 3 years old because they can only afford that.

This is the thing with Western European driven capitalism: economic profit above all else. You see choices, I see LIMITED choices. I prefer quality of options, not just quantity. I value my $$$ as the system makes me work super hard for it.

Everything is interconnected, no industry is siloed. I'm not unopposed to businesses and conglomerates making money. What I don't like is the lust for super profits at the expense of passing along the other costs to consumers.

For example, it isn't OK if the company who owns the farm that grows the meats and veggies I eat uses growth hormones and pesticides that gets into the food to keep costs low, output high to meet demand, and enough bottom line to satisfy the shareholders. That gets sent to a supermarket company that doesn't do good QC and leaves food past expiration date on shelves for consumers to buy. I eat that food over an extended peiord of time and develop health problems. Now I'm dealing with medical insurance companies who make super profits based on the number services they don't pay for, as that keeps the cash at hand to go to shareholders. Plus I'm now dealing with drug companies who keep their hands enriched in the pocket partly because of the insurance companies. They make their greenbacks from how much medicine they move.

What are the choices there? I could go to my local farmer and butcher where I know how the stuff gets produced. I can deal with a more ethically responsible supermarket (so far I'm paying more at all stops upfront). If I'm already developed ailments requiring medications, I'm stuck because the drug companies or the sinruance aren't ethicallly responsible. I can do my best to improve my health get get off the drugs or use the lowest dose based on the medical condition, but those aren't fully replacement choices.


Yeah, a business can be responsible where you can make money in a way that shows you care about customers by accessing quality ingredients, using more environmentally respectful manufacturing processes and great customer service - no matter the industry. You build better brand loyalty that way vs treating customers 100% transactionally.

 

[Chuck Finley69]

Border security is more than just monitoring the points of entry into a country. Good immigration policy helps border security better monitoring the flow of people; its not mutually exclusive. What people are asking for is improvements in both fronts. People have used the wall as an example of not to be fixated and pour resources into ONE tool used for border security, but the commander in thief likes stuff with his name on it - see my last post.

America has the #1 GDP in the world. It's not even close. There are communities in the country where you don't have to speak a lick of English and be in the middle class or upper working class and have access to resources that would be more than what the person in their country of origin. There are miles of stories of educated people coming here from countries where their middle class life was destroyed by war, gangs, corruption, etc and getting into the upper working class/middle class is the goal. There are tons of other stories of people dirt poor who came here and owning their own daycare or small business or restaurant has improved their lives for their families here and back home - for them that upper middle class is akin to true middle class.

And you're still asking why people would take the risks to come here? I'm not being mean or snobbish, I'm just trying to understand. Much of what I say isn't wild opinion, outside of how I shape my perspective. All can be vetted.

I’m saying, why here instead of Switzerland, Japan, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, Australia, Norway, France, Netherlands, Denmark, New Zealand, Finland, Singapore, China, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Ireland, South Korea or Russia for example?

I understand why they leave where they’re at. But why spend $5K-$15K USD and risk deportation or death when all those other countries exist?

 

[N_LaRUE]

Yet, here we are discussing. I’m happy to hear of your new job BTW though, if you like the old job, why leave?

Your choice in doing what’s best for you, does exemplify the very individualism that I support. It also demonstrates why the ultimate socialist or communist idea succeeds on paper and fails in reality.

Just ask the citizens of Venezuela or Cuba how things are so great for them. In reality, the system can’t support an individual since the greater cause will always be in conflict with only worse of choices.

If you were in a truly socialist or communist existence, you’d be assigned some job whether you liked it or not and paid less than you need because the system determines your need and not you.

The idea of individual freedoms is what you’re already practicing. The farther and faster you run from it, there it remains, the shadow you can never escape from.

You’ve traded your freedom of whatever for a job that you feel you don’t get paid enough. Start your own business, pay yourself all that you earn and let no one take from you since you bear all the risk.

You cannot ask for individual freedoms and benefits and not support the system you ascribe to. Be the solution by leading with example. Part of the problem or part of the solution is up to you. I’m liberal Jesuit educated so I’m a contradiction of terms. Help me help you as they would say.

First. Thanks for the congrats.

I said I like the people at my old job not necessarily the work. My current job is not in my discipline, not that I mind much but it's not what I really like. The new job is. That's part of the reason for the change along with other things.

You are conflating communism with socialism. They are different in their ideology. There is no country that is purely socialist and what has accounted for communism is not correct either.

Every country has some form of socialist ideology. Including the USA. If it didn't there wouldn't be police, firemen, military, etc. These are socialist constructs.

Socialism is democracy based. Individual choice and freedom is still a part of it. It also depends what your idea of freedom is.

I grew up in a semi socialist country. I have lived in varying degrees of them and currently live in one now. Every system has it's good and bad points.

For me I believe in collective good and individual good. You can have both. Most countries outside the USA try to balance this. Even very socialist countries like Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway. All have capitalism and socialism combined.

The USA is capitalist based. Even your health and welfare is subjected to it. That makes no sense to me.

This is why the USA is a mess. Other countries that have more socialists bases are less violent, less insure and more happy.

Go see where the USA sits in those statistics.

 

[Chuck Finley69]

I actually don't have multitude of choices as your describe across all the industries for the products and services I use. For example, The companies who makes my personal hygiene products, yes. The company that makes the cellphone I use, no. The company that makes the software on the cellphone I use, no. The only ethicallly responsible OEM is a small one that is using SD835 chips that's 3 years old because they can only afford that.

This is the thing with Western European driven capitalism: economic profit above all else. You see choices, I see LIMITED choices. I prefer quality of options, not just quantity. I value my $$$ as the system makes me work super hard for it.

Everything is interconnected, no industry is siloed. I'm not unopposed to businesses and conglomerates making money. What I don't like is the lust for super profits at the expense of passing along the other costs to consumers.

For example, it isn't OK if the company who owns the farm that grows the meats and veggies I eat uses growth hormones and pesticides that gets into the food to keep costs low, output high to meet demand, and enough bottom line to satisfy the shareholders. That gets sent to a supermarket company that doesn't do good QC and leaves food past expiration date on shelves for consumers to buy. I eat that food over an extended peiord of time and develop health problems. Now I'm dealing with medical insurance companies who make super profits based on the number services they don't pay for, as that keeps the cash at hand to go to shareholders. Plus I'm now dealing with drug companies who keep their hands enriched in the pocket partly because of the insurance companies. They make their greenbacks from how much medicine they move.

What are the choices there? I could go to my local farmer and butcher where I know how the stuff gets produced. I can deal with a more ethically responsible supermarket (so far I'm paying more at all stops upfront). If I'm already developed ailments requiring medications, I'm stuck because the drug companies or the sinruance aren't ethicallly responsible. I can do my best to improve my health get get off the drugs or use the lowest dose based on the medical condition, but those aren't fully replacement choices.


Yeah, a business can be responsible where you can make money in a way that shows you care about customers by accessing quality ingredients, using more environmentally respectful manufacturing processes and great customer service - no matter the industry. You build better brand loyalty that way vs treating customers 100% transactionally.

I go to supermarket and I’m broke and cheap so that means I go to Walmart regular and Publix less. However, I don’t buy expired goods. I buy only what I can afford. I don’t buy any but the cheapest hamburger and chicken. Beef hot dogs are delicacy for us with chili from a can that won’t expire for
12-18 months. That’s price of cheap food. Whole Foods and Lucky’s are where the money foolish go if they can’t afford but that’s choice they make and I don’t worry about it. Eat less and walk more is all I can do.

The point is that I don’t expect anyone to protect me from myself. Clearly, we all have problems to deal with but I have no desire to lose my cheap options. The healthy stores are there and they have to charge more. Other people choose to grow there own food to save money. We have abundance of choices.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

I’m saying, why here instead of Switzerland, Japan, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, Australia, Norway, France, Netherlands, Denmark, New Zealand, Finland, Singapore, China, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Ireland, South Korea or Russia for example?

I understand why they leave where they’re at. But why spend $5K-$15K USD and risk deportation or death when all those other countries exist?

Because it's smart business sense to go to a place with the highest GDP to get the best bang for your buck. If you're gotta put yourself in debt and in harm's way, it's not for anywhere else. Besides, if I live in Central and South America, the USA is physically closer than many of those countries you mentioned. if someone in Costa Rica is trying to get smuggled into illegally is too expensive to get those other places.

 

[fatclue_98]

I'm in no mood to go in Laura's doghouse so my Cuban a** is staying quietly on the sidelines.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

I go to supermarket and I’m broke and cheap so that means I go to Walmart regular and Publix less. However, I don’t buy expired goods. I buy only what I can afford. I don’t buy any but the cheapest hamburger and chicken. Beef hot dogs are delicacy for us with chili from a can that won’t expire for
12-18 months. That’s price of cheap food. Whole Foods and Lucky’s are where the money foolish go if they can’t afford but that’s choice they make and I don’t worry about it. Eat less and walk more is all I can do.

The point is that I don’t expect anyone to protect me from myself. Clearly, we all have problems to deal with but I have no desire to lose my cheap options. The healthy stores are there and they have to charge more. Other people choose to grow there own food to save money. We have abundance of choices.

Publix, eh? I know you're in the South, as that chain is in 6 Southeastern states, most notably Florida.

Not everyone has the same level of choices. It feels like you're glossing over the inequalities and challenges that are outside of your direct experience...

 

[MSFTisMIA]

I'm in no mood to go in Laura's doghouse so my Cuban a** is staying quietly on the sidelines.

I know you're getting hot under the collar over there. I wonder when you'd surface.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Hope folks didn't miss my visual Xperia 5 hands on. It's really nice.