Back in the 60's, we thought everybody over 30 was worthless. — synthesis

After accumulating all of this experience and knowledge, why should I step aside when i still have a great deal to offer?

Because you are out of reality, with a step in death. You may think you are better than you were, but it is a delusion of your imagination. If you don't realize that you are no better person than you were in your 20s, then you are just stupid. I retired at 60 and I contemplate the evil that the old do to society, in particular all the hypocritical bandits who have the government imprisoned. Vampyrs.

That's pretty upbeat.
Well, good luck to you!

To be fair, it could well be that young Synth didn’t do anything terribly physically demanding, in which case old Synth could be a champ in comparison.

I can still do some physically demanding activities that I did as a teen, and in some ways better because I deliberately train for them, but things like stamina, susceptibility to injury, and recovery times are significantly different.

To be fair, it could well be that young Synth didn’t do anything terribly physically demanding, in which case old Synth could be a champ in comparison. — praxis

No, I did an incredible amount of work when I was young. I do a great deal now, as well, but have learned how to do it more efficiently. I would think that everybody learns to do things better as they age.

I decided when I 21 that I was going to be in great shape when I turned 50 and started exercising 1 hour per day and have not missed very many days since. You have to take care of your body.

I do a great deal now, as well, but have learned how to do it more efficiently. — synthesis

Some folks (I'm not one of them) learn to lead and get the young un's to do all the hard work. :wink: Kind of like the Plutocracy gets the minions to do all the hard work. If they start looking up the ladder, just sew a few seeds of hatred amongst them and that will keep them busy when they are not working.

I recall you mentioning that you’re a physician. I was talking about things more physically demanding than giving a prostate exam or hitting the gym for an hour.

I do everything I can do myself for a lot of different reasons, primary among them is that I enjoy learning and doing things. I take care of my home, yard, and anything else I can do (as well as helping friends and neighbors). Although I really enjoy reading, watching a good movie with my wife or sports on TV, I would much rather be outside doing something. That's why I live in Southern California.

Some folks (I'm not one of them) learn to lead and get the young un's to do all the hard work. — James Riley

You lead by example. I know that Americans don't seem to like to do much of anything anymore (except eat and watch TV/stare at digital devices), but there was a time when most Americans knew how to take care of themselves. Now, people are massively dependent.

Fear and dependency...the government/corporation's answer to everything.

You lead by example. — synthesis

there was a time — synthesis

Now, people are massively dependent. — synthesis

Sounds like that's not working out.

Sounds like that's not working out. — James Riley

Thinking you can just coast in life is not such a good strategy.

Thinking you can just coast in life is not such a good strategy. — synthesis

:100: It's just that leading by example hasn't worked if those who do are out-done by the government/corporations. One way to lead by example is to pay a living wage and then some. God, I wish I had all the wisdom on this point at my finger tips. I'm going to have to start logging it when I see it. Until then, you win.

One way to lead by example is to pay a living wage and then some. — James Riley

You have to let the market determine what the correct wage should be. The more distortions you introduce into the economy, the less efficient it becomes. A job's worth is dependent on what value that job produces and the supply/demand factors (of labor and labor output).

I know that Americans don't seem to like to do much of anything anymore (except eat and watch TV/stare at digital devices), but there was a time when most Americans knew how to take care of themselves. Now, people are massively dependent. — synthesis

I doubt even old Davy Crockett would’ve turned his nose up at indoor plumbing, a new washer/dryer, or KFC chicken fingers.

The more distortions you introduce into the economy, the less efficient it becomes. — synthesis

Why exactly is efficiency so paramount?

Why exactly is efficiency so paramount? — praxis

In economics, efficiency is EVERYTHING. It's what drives the entire system. The more efficient, the more productive. The more productive, the more profit (which can be used to pay higher wages, invest in technology, or saved for other purposes).

You have to let the market determine what the correct wage should be. The more distortions you introduce into the economy, the less efficient it becomes. A job's worth is dependent on what value that job produces and the supply/demand factors (of labor and labor output). — synthesis

The problem with your analysis is this: If we paid true cost (which free-market capitalism would demand), then the price of every single product and service would shut the markets down. What this means is, if the markets are not shut down, then the price of every single product and service we currently enjoy is subsidized by socialized costs. In other words, labor (not to mention the Earth) currently subsidizes the self-identified capitalist, and not labor itself. So successful has this socialism for the self-identified capitalists (consumers of labor) been, they can actually purchase government to further subsidize them with limitations on liability (read personal responsibility) via the corporation, caps on damages, etc., as well as permitting them tax avoidance and investments in emerging markets overseas. These markets overseas are where the labor supply outstrips the demand due to un-capitalist policies (communism, dictators, etc.). So, the consumer of labor again avails himself of policies and legislation that is anything but capitalist.

The invisible hand is giving a hand job to self-identified capitalists, while screwing the labor supply.


.

The invisible hand is giving a hand job to self-identified capitalists, while screwing the labor supply. — James Riley

It is what it is, but just the same, the less economic distortions, the better.

This is why the main emphasis of everything going on in this country should be about ridding the system of corruption (which must be at one of its all-time highs). Corruption is a drag on everything and is why the 'checks and balances' system was devised/implemented in the first place.

When things gets this out of hand, you must have leadership willing to stand-up to the entrenched players (but not radicals that believe we should do idiotic things). That never ends well.

Why exactly is efficiency so paramount?
— praxis

In economics, efficiency is EVERYTHING. It's what drives the entire system. The more efficient, the more productive. The more productive, the more profit (which can be used to pay higher wages, invest in technology, or saved for other purposes). — synthesis

Right, even so, couldn't an inefficient economy provide for basic needs, and perhaps some of the extras we're so accustom to and dependent on?

Also, if we're all about efficiency and profit, then it's good to outsource labor to where it's cheapest and automate whenever possible, right? Screw the American worker if they can't compete. And let's make higher education as expensive as possible to help keep them down.

To live for profit is a rather meaningless way of life, I'll add.

Right, even so, couldn't an inefficient economy provide for basic needs, and perhaps some of the extras we're so accustom to and dependent on?

Also, if we're all about efficiency and profit, then it's good to outsource labor to where it's cheapest and automate whenever possible, right? Screw the American worker if they can't compete. And let's make education as expensive as possible to help keep them down. — praxis

An inefficient economy will eventually produce no profit and things will spiral down and out of control as happens every time some dufus attempts to implement socialist "solutions."

In theory, you are suppose to care about the folks in your own country. This is why globalism has been a failure each time it has been attempted. Same reason the EU is such a mess. You need the economy and the laws/rules/regulations to be local.

It is what it is, but just the same, the less economic distortions, the better. — synthesis

That all depends upon whose economic distortions are the few we let in.

When things gets this out of hand, you must have leadership willing to stand-up to the entrenched players (but not radicals that believe we should do idiotic things). That never ends well. — synthesis

The radicals are the natural and expected "it is what it is" response to things having already gotten out of hand, because the few economic distortions we have allowed in are the self-identified free-market types who left the "enlightened" part of "enlightened self-interest" at the door.

Sum and substance: If you don't roll with capitalists like Elizabeth Warren, then you get to sleep with fascist nationalists like Trump, or socialists like AOC and Sanders. I'll take the latter any day, since their brand seems to work for all first world countries. Anyone who doesn't like it needs to pump the breaks on the delusional self-identifies liars.

An inefficient economy will eventually produce no profit and things will spiral down and out of control as happens every time some dufus attempts to implement socialist "solutions." — synthesis

Funny you were just praising "a time when most Americans knew how to take care of themselves" (an extremely inefficient time compared to now) and now seem to be claiming that they could never achieve what's most important in life: profit.

An inefficient economy will eventually produce no profit and things will spiral down and out of control as happens every time some dufus attempts to implement socialist "solutions." — synthesis

Actually, an inefficient economy will produce HUGE profits and things will spiral down and out of control as happens every time some dufus tries trickle down "solutions."

If you want to look back at the "Golden Years" of a thriving American middle class (I know, they were not golden for minorities or women, but they were the years that trickle down types like to look back on with dreamy eyes) you might want to check the marginal tax rates and compare them with today.

In economics, efficiency is EVERYTHING. It's what drives the entire system. The more efficient, the more productive. The more productive, the more profit (which can be used to pay higher wages, invest in technology, or saved for other purposes). — synthesis

And countries with more efficient economies end up being prosperous and those that aren't end up constructing trade barriers that make them even worse off. And even if it's separate companies that nowdays are multinational, people still see it like a competition between countries.

Sum and substance: If you don't roll with capitalists like Elizabeth Warren, then you get to sleep with fascist nationalists like Trump, or socialists like AOC and Sanders. I'll take the latter any day, since their brand seems to work for all first world countries. Anyone who doesn't like it needs to pump the breaks on the delusional self-identifies liars. — James Riley

The first thing that needs to happen is to return to an actual debate on things that are real. The Democrats are successfully using their racist narrative to distract people from the absurd public policies they are pushing through, e.g., their border crisis.

Without a public debate (which the left will have nothing to do with because anybody who disagrees with them is racist), you don't have much of anything. The debate is the heart and sole of public policy making.

Elizabeth Warren turned out to be a joke (and AOC is a fool). Sanders is delusional, and Trump, for all his quirks, had some good policy put into place, again, securing the border, trade with China, attempting to get jobs back in the U.S., getting out of foreign wars, etc. I am not sure where you get the fascist stuff from as it has been the left that has shown all kinds of fascist tendencies.

Having said that, all politicians are liars so you give them as little power as is possible.

Funny you were just praising "a time when most Americans knew how to take care of themselves" (an extremely inefficient time compared to now) and now seem to be claiming that they could never achieve what's most important in life: profit. — praxis

Look at the 19th century if you want to understand efficiency. Prices were cheaper in 1900 then they were in 1800!

If you want to look back at the "Golden Years" of a thriving American middle class (I know, they were not golden for minorities or women, but they were the years that trickle down types like to look back on with dreamy eyes) you might want to check the marginal tax rates and compare them with today. — James Riley

That was caused by an incredibly strong dollar and the rest of the world in shambles (post WWII). The U.S. made just about everything for the world. The tax rate being high eventually worked its magic (creating all kinds of tax havens and cheating).

Look at the 19th century if you want to understand efficiency. Prices were cheaper in 1900 then they were in 1800! — synthesis

Conditions for the working class were notoriously bad during that period, with long hours, low wages, hazardous and unhealthy conditions. Child labor wasn't outlawed until 1920. You're a real humanitarian, Synthesis.

Conditions for the working class were notoriously bad during that period, with long hours, low wages, hazardous and unhealthy conditions. Child labor wasn't outlawed until 1920. You're a real humanitarian, Synthesis. — praxis

Life was really difficult for everybody, not just the working class. But there will ALWAYS be people who are better off. No such thing as equality. Not even close.

The tax rate being high eventually worked its magic (creating all kinds of tax havens and cheating). — synthesis

The tax rate being high worked it's magic long before the tax shenanigans kicked in in response. The taxes loop holes came along and then we cut taxes on top of that, for a double down for the rich and a double fking for everyone else.

Life was really difficult for everybody, not just the working class. — synthesis

No, the wealthy lived large. Weird that you don't acknowledge that.

No such thing as equality. Not even close. — synthesis

There is such a thing. It's just that those with an advantage don't want it.