So, how's it affecting you? For me, my school probably doesn't have money for block scheduling next year, so I can't take any of the classes I want....I was totally going to take trig and physics, but I'm not doing that if I have to do all that work every day. x_x Plus, it's rare to get a worksheet/test/other paper assignment you can write on. Even for exams, I think I used a scantron in one class. This really annoys me, because the superintendent and board of trustees probably make loads of money each year, and instead of doing the right thing and taking a paycut, they cut education.

I really don't get why they are cutting education...I mean, education is the reason we can even make money in the first place! These greedy people are ruining the next generation of people's future, and possibly the generation after that! Money should be cut from somewhere else, not from places that can affect anybody's future. :\

I really don't get why they are cutting education...I mean, education is the reason we can even make money in the first place! These greedy people are ruining the next generation of people's future, and possibly the generation after that! Money should be cut from somewhere else, not from places that can affect anybody's future. :\
cutting back education,is usually one thing the governments can do to establish more control over the people they govern,this a bad parallel but that's one of the basic principles of an apartheid(sorry if spelled wrong), keep the people you govern uneducated(minus the minority ruling the majority part though)
As far as money troubles go,my family not that bad off yet. I'm not too worried about my education,I can work while I'm in college,It's my little sister I'm more concerned about, she goes to a private school and she's getting a hell of alot better education then I did when I was in her grade in public school. I don't want that taken from her.

I can see why gov't would do that, but America isn't commie land. XD

It's not too bad here either besides all the BS with school....I mean, I can still go to college and stuff. I'm just glad I'm not living in Michigan, cause my teacher from there always tells us how they had to shut down schools and bus everyone out of city for school due to lack of money...:eek:

kill all the homeless people and feed them to the hungry people.
it will solve all our problems

kill all the homeless people and feed them to the hungry people.
it will solve all our problems

Really mature, aren't you?



I can see why gov't would do that, but America isn't commie land. XD

It's not too bad here either besides all the BS with school....I mean, I can still go to college and stuff. I'm just glad I'm not living in Michigan, cause my teacher from there always tells us how they had to shut down schools and bus everyone out of city for school due to lack of money...:eek:

Michigan's not all that bad, though we're slowly dying. The car industry is pretty much dead, which kills majority of our income and jobs in the region. The whole car king situation, Governmental faculities being overworked and unemployment agencies are being sucked dry (adding to the debit), EDS is slowly dwindling into nothing, and Delphi's Bankruptcy caused quite a bit of grief.

Ultimately, though, we'll still persist. There's a bunch of governmental projects getting instituted to increase available jobs in the region. Schools are being grouped together, but it's a combination of the debit we have, and the lack thereof attendance in the buildings. I mean, there's no point keeping a school fit for 400 students to keep working for 100. Rather, merge it with another school that's down only marginally.

The rise of the Yen is hitting me especially hard since the fall of the European currencies. My cost of living here in Japan has risen about 40% since I first came here, when things were still quite normal economically.

So, how's it affecting you? For me, my school probably doesn't have money for block scheduling next year, so I can't take any of the classes I want....I was totally going to take trig and physics, but I'm not doing that if I have to do all that work every day. x_x Plus, it's rare to get a worksheet/test/other paper assignment you can write on. Even for exams, I think I used a scantron in one class. This really annoys me, because the superintendent and board of trustees probably make loads of money each year, and instead of doing the right thing and taking a paycut, they cut education.

I really don't get why they are cutting education...I mean, education is the reason we can even make money in the first place! These greedy people are ruining the next generation of people's future, and possibly the generation after that! Money should be cut from somewhere else, not from places that can affect anybody's future. :\


technically, cutting money from anywhere will affect people's futures. Since money is supposed to be a reflection of available resources in that it's a medium of exchange, reducing money reduces your available options (no matter where the money is cut from).

But yeah, I think education is one of the last places they should cut. At any rate, who knows how much the superintendent makes? OR better yet, who knows how much they SHOULD be payed? It's hard to tell since we don't have many private schools compared to public schools, and as is usually the case, public schools - being run on tax money - generally hide true costs because people don't see how much of their money is getting put where. They just know that they pay taxes and then the money gets used however government sees fit.


Anyways, the situation ain't affecting me much, other than I had trouble getting a loan...but after my dad made tax deductions(he's starting his own business within a few years hopefully), I got more financial aid. So yea I'm good right now cus I'm livin off of some taxpayer money. :sweat:

It affects me, cos the pound is cheap and I'm going to England next week :D Oh, and petrol is cheaper. Other than that, I think the whole thing is blown way out of proportion by the media.

Easy for someone to say who's on the better end of the exchange =]

No, I have to agree with Neko Koneko/Angelic on this one. The media has made this whole thing into a bigger deal than it is.

I wouldn't say this is a phenomenon created by the media. Before saying that people should analyze the economical situation which is actually worse than ever. We actually got a president who also states there is no crisis in our country but reality is different: many people are losing their workplace and appraisals clearly show the ship is sinking and more and more people will become unemployeed (actually 1/3 will lose their job here). You can be optimist, how can I? ;)

The more the people call it an economic crisis, the more it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

It happened in the past.

The more the people call it an economic crisis, the more it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

It happened in the past.

Exactly sir! The economies always have their ups and their downs.

kill all the homeless people and feed them to the hungry people.
it will solve all our problems

Wow, I can't believe you actually said that.

No, I have to agree with Neko Koneko/Angelic on this one. The media has made this whole thing into a bigger deal than it is.

While that may be true to some extent, Noir still is partially right. I mean, I don't see schools in Europe closing down/having to bus people to different cities, or having to make the cuts we have to. :P


kill all the homeless people and feed them to the hungry people.
it will solve all our problems

Sorry, I don't think that donner party tactics will work here. XD

While that may be true to some extent, Noir still is partially right. I mean, I don't see schools in Europe closing down/having to bus people to different cities, or having to make the cuts we have to. :P

:\

That's not happening in my area...

Well, a big chunk of Sweden's cash flow is in the car industry (Volvo, Saab...) and with the first one almost becoming Chinese and the latter one on the first stages of bankruptcy, thousands and thousands of people are being fired all over the country. While I can agree that people 'calling it a crisis' can lead to abnormal currency-drops and such, but to neglect the fact that it actually is a crisis is on the border to ignorance. Okay, so it hasn't your region, but that's like comparing it to a rich European fucktard owning a mansion in Kenya, saying that the country seems fine to him and that the millions of starving people are blowing things out of proportion simply because he doesn't have to deal with them.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying times are not tough, just no where near as bad as 1929.

EDIT: Also, I'm feeling the effects a little while searching for a co-op for my major this summer. A lot of places just can't afford to do it right now. :\

Living in Canada right beside the major contributor of the economic crisis isn't so great. As of now life is normal for my family. But this isn't gonna end any time soon. I heard on the news that someone from the US treasurary said that everything will be over really soon. Unfortunatly I don't think it's possible due to the trillions dollar in debt and the amount of money the US owe's. If only the lenders demand to take it all then it'll be over and the country would probably be demoralize. [grammar/spelling mistakes]

While that may be true to some extent, Noir still is partially right. I mean, I don't see schools in Europe closing down/having to bus people to different cities, or having to make the cuts we have to
What poor-ass city do you live in? Mine is in the process of building a huge new school, plus a new park and bike trail. I'm going to agree with the people who said the media is over exaggerating the problem...I haven't felt any effects of it, besides having to put up with all the people complaining.

But then again, I've always counted myself a lucky person. Maybe other Americans are having it tougher than I am...
I mean, I'm sure it's a real problem, but I don't think it's as huge a problem as some are making it out to be. Basically, I'm not worrying too much about it. The more poor people there are, the more I'll be able to exploit their need for cheap escapism entertainment, bwahahahahahaha!!~! Or something like that.

Also, Noir, I aspire to be a huge Mansion-Owning-European-Fucktard when I grow older, so I don't appreciate your tone. D:
As for all the people too stupid to earn bread for themselves, let them eat cake!

Well, a big chunk of Sweden's cash flow is in the car industry (Volvo, Saab...) and with the first one almost becoming Chinese and the latter one on the first stages of bankruptcy, thousands and thousands of people are being fired all over the country. While I can agree that people 'calling it a crisis' can lead to abnormal currency-drops and such, but to neglect the fact that it actually is a crisis is on the border to ignorance. Okay, so it hasn't your region, but that's like comparing it to a rich European fucktard owning a mansion in Kenya, saying that the country seems fine to him and that the millions of starving people are blowing things out of proportion simply because he doesn't have to deal with them.

I'm not saying that there isn't a crisis, but I'm sure if the media wouldn't be talking about it all day, the crisis would be smaller since people wouldn't be so scared to spend money, so they spend money, which is profit for companies which enables them to keep more people working. To put it really simply.

Oh, and Saab is on the brink of being closed down apparently :(

Lots of shops have shut down in my city, and many factories in the area have gone too, particularly to do with cars and pottery.

Good timing for Neko Koneko though. Maybe he can treat me to something with his strong Euro :P In Northern Ireland they've been having 1 pound = 1 euro sales and people from the Republic of Ireland have been driving for up to 6 hours to get to these sales.

For me, it's not too bad, although the cost of ordering books from Japan has greatly increased. And there's a Japanese DVD I want that's coming out but it'll cost me over £50! (Not including delivery. A standard DVD in Britain costs less than £20 if you get it brand new)

Maybe its more of an "economic monkey on our backs" than an "economic crisis." :heh:

[QUOTE=zippy;420684]I can see why gov't would do that, but America isn't commie land. XD

LOL, I don't think so either (it was just a weird thought I had, I get those from time to time XD)
Hey I just heard on the news that Iowa was just trying pass a bill that called for around 1.3 million on swine odor research. I don't care what the reason is, no matter how you put it sounds really funny and most likely a waste of time and money :heh:

Actually, there could be a huge reason for that.

For example, billions of dollars are being spent by the US Government to study cow flatulence (cow farts :P ). This seems ridiculous doesn't it!?

Wrong.

Cow flatulence is actually the leading cause of global warming (the methane gas expelled from the cow). If we can harness the methane from the flatulence, we could most likely find a great use for it.

The economic crisis is really stressing my family out.

The company my dad works at is now in an emergency state and may fire him anytime. If he loses his job... So in desperation, my dad is currently trying to find another geologist job somewhere in California or Texas.

Actually, there could be a huge reason for that.

For example, billions of dollars are being spent by the US Government to study cow flatulence (cow farts :P ). This seems ridiculous doesn't it!?

Wrong.

Cow flatulence is actually the leading cause of global warming (the methane gas expelled from the cow). If we can harness the methane from the flatulence, we could most likely find a great use for it.

I know the purpose of studying cow farts XD. I take horticulture class so I heard of many causes of the "global warming". I don't know anything about the pig smell though:heh:. It just seems like the money could go to something more useful like funding research for alternative energy sources, so we don't have to waste money on oil from the middle east.

You know how you could stop relying on oil from the middle-east? By buying fuel efficient cars. That would help a great deal. Next, modernize your industry. That would help a lot aswell.

Actually, that's something Obama could do. Invest a lot of money in modernizing America, so 1.) there'll be a lot of jobs for the next few years, until the economy is restored and people go back to their old jobs and 2.) America will become a better country as a whole afterwards. I believe this is one of the things he's going to put a lot of money in.

Things are also starting to turn that way too. The demand for engineers right now is on the rise in the US. They are needed to help design about, it was either twenty or forty, new nuclear power plants to be built here and around the world. Hydro power is also on the rise. Old hydro dams are getting re-vamped by companies like Voith Siemens and American Hydro and squeezing about thirty more mega watts (enough power to run over thirty-six million iPod touches at maximum processing capabikities for six hours). Solar power is also making leaps and bounds. Development of thin film solar cells will make the cost of buying a solar panel drop and make them more viable for use in our everyday lives. Also, using mirrors to focus sunlight onto the cells helps increase their efficiency.

We are definitely in the right direction, we just need more engineers! XD

You know how you could stop relying on oil from the middle-east? By buying fuel efficient cars. That would help a great deal. Next, modernize your industry. That would help a lot aswell.

Modernizing industry would be great XD ! One thing I'd really like to see is reform in the worker unions. They're pretty corrupt these days. Most of the money the unions make don't even go to the people who bust their ass every day for the union, it goes to politicians if not the head of the unions wallets(the major unions anyway). Plus they can make lives miserable for business that don't hire union workers.The company my dad works for has to pay a union off so they can work on some construction projects,even if they don't use union workers.They're also part of the reason why some of the american auto industries went bankrupt. I really respect the whole concept and principles of a labor union,but I think over the years they became way too political and lost sight of what they once stood for

Yes. Exactly. Here in York, Pennsylvania, Caterpillar used to have a large factory. The union started to get spoiled and wanted the company to pay for things like lawyers for workers who were going through a divorce. The company threatened to move their plant to Mexico and the union laughed it off... so they moved to Mexico.

Not to mention that when a union goes on strike it just pisses off everyone else that has to deal with the union in some form during their everyday lives: both at the union and the company they work for.

You know how you could stop relying on oil from the middle-east? By buying fuel efficient cars. That would help a great deal. Next, modernize your industry. That would help a lot aswell.

Actually, that's something Obama could do. Invest a lot of money in modernizing America, so 1.) there'll be a lot of jobs for the next few years, until the economy is restored and people go back to their old jobs and 2.) America will become a better country as a whole afterwards. I believe this is one of the things he's going to put a lot of money in.

That's easier said than done...'green' cars are double the cost of their regular gas guzzling counterparts. People can't afford a price difference like that in times like these. Companies need to stop being greedy and just make these cars affordable so we can stop being controlled by a resource that is supposed to run out in 100 years.

I agree with you though. Instead of giving everyone a free $1,000, Nobama should put some money into alternate energy. That way, all the people who just scuttle by in life on fucking welfare because they don't want to work, have no excuse for not working....:bleh:

...everyone does realize that the increase in gas costs in America simply raised the cost of living by 2000 USD a year, right? This is nothing more than inflation catching up from back in the 90s when the Reganomics started on the upward curve. People are just too ashamed or ignorant to admit the increase in gas price from what it used to be. In regards to Gas: this is not a crisis, this is inflation.

Gas prices are only inflating because people keep buying it, weather its at the current $2.10 a gallon or the $3.80 a gallon it was over the summer. I can't blame the companies though, cause people drive everywhere, even places they can easily walk to. <_<

I believe this is one of the things he's going to put a lot of money in.
I hope so. D:
And...that's all I have to say on the matter, apparently.

I hope he does too. I sure as hell don't want to be subjected to the $4/gallon nightmare when I'm driving in a year or two...Plus, it's good for the environment and our wallets. :P

You guys talk as if he has the power to do something. Congress is the word you're looking for here. All Obama can do is rally his party and sign any bill that comes his way. ;)

I dunno, I switched to public transit a few years ago after gas prices started rising rapidly. People just need to learn to deal with it instead of complain about the economy.

I hope he does too. I sure as hell don't want to be subjected to the $4/gallon nightmare when I'm driving in a year or two...Plus, it's good for the environment and our wallets. :P

Hell, that's still only €0.71 per litre. We pay €1.25 atm, probably 1.50 or more in two years. So stop complaining, or I'll kick your sorry arse.

Hell, that's still only €0.71 per litre. We pay €1.25 atm, probably 1.50 or more in two years. So stop complaining, or I'll kick your sorry arse.
Yeah, but we need to drive our Hummers over here! D:
Heheh. Actually, I drive a scooter...I'm kind of hoping gas prices go up again, just so I can hear everyone in their useless pickup trucks complaining about how much money they need to spend to fill their tank. XD

Hell, that's still only €0.71 per litre. We pay €1.25 atm, probably 1.50 or more in two years. So stop complaining, or I'll kick your sorry arse.

Well, you aren't in the country of an economic shithole...$4 a gallon is alot to pay in times like these. I'm just glad the greedy oil companies realized we weren't gonna take this shit any longer, and dropped the prices down to $2 a gallon...

No, I don't think pity for the consumer is their reason for lowering the prices. We really are not in the "driving season". When spring and summer rolls around again the prices will go up because people are more likely to go places in the spring and most definitely in the summer. To put it in business terms it would fall under supply and demand. More people driving ,leads to a high demand in gas= higher gas prices. Even though people bitch and moan over high gas prices, they still buy it. If you don't like the gas prices don't fucking drive to every place you want go especially if it's not that far! You could ride a bike, or even WALK!!!! You could save alot of gas and money, who knows you might even get some exercise while your at it! The producers don't control prices consumers do,if people are willing to buy things at an unreasonable price of course it's going to be high priced.Supply and demand is one of the most basic principles of entrepreneurship,it's a little upsettings that people don't see thisT_T

The price of gas has to do with a lot more than simple supply and demand. ;)

Anywho, how about GM's stock falling below a US dollar a pop. So the US Government has just wasted 13 billion dollars to try to keep them alive for just a few months longer.

The price of gas has to do with a lot more than simple supply and demand. ;)

I know but it's still a big contributing factor. Cost of oil, a lack of oil refineries, and the transportin of gas to gas station ,play a part in the cost too. Luckily I live in New Jersey, the gas is not as expensive here, when the other states where paying $4 per gal, NJ was paying around 3.30. Hooray for oil refineries ^_^!!! Seriously though, if you want to save money on gas here are some tips
1. Try to drive to only to places you can't ride a bike or walk to
2. When you're in need of gas, don't drive half way around town to the station that has cheapest gas. go to the one closest to you. You really are not saving as much as you think you are, if you waste alot gas going to the cheaper one ^_^.

No, I don't think pity for the consumer is their reason for lowering the prices. We really are not in the "driving season". When spring and summer rolls around again the prices will go up because people are more likely to go places in the spring and most definitely in the summer. To put it in business terms it would fall under supply and demand. More people driving ,leads to a high demand in gas= higher gas prices. Even though people bitch and moan over high gas prices, they still buy it. If you don't like the gas prices don't fucking drive to every place you want go especially if it's not that far! You could ride a bike, or even WALK!!!! You could save alot of gas and money, who knows you might even get some exercise while your at it! The producers don't control prices consumers do,if people are willing to buy things at an unreasonable price of course it's going to be high priced.Supply and demand is one of the most basic principles of entrepreneurship,it's a little upsettings that people don't see thisT_T

I agree...the only places I need a ride to are school and music lessons, since 20 miles isn't really a walkable distance. I walk to the game store across the street all the time, and it's great exercise. :P It sure beats doing 'real' exercise like the gym or something...XD

Sad thing is, my parents would rather drive not even half a mile from our house to go to the same shopping center...

Here's a YouTube video a friend of mine showed me, who is a democrat, about the current bill trying to make its way through the senate proposed by president Obama. Basically the committee that is proposing it is not allowing any amendments to be added to the bill and there are earmarks on the bill that contradict what President Obama had promised the American people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtEzi4bXXEA

I don't know how much of what I said is true for I have not looked into the matter personally, but this is something fellow Americans may want to keep their eye on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxY25jc4CBE&feature=related&fmt=18

skip to 0:45. XD

All jokes aside though, what did you expect? Typical politician bullshit. <_<

Here's a YouTube video a friend of mine showed me, who is a democrat, about the current bill trying to make its way through the senate proposed by president Obama. Basically the committee that is proposing it is not allowing any amendments to be added to the bill and there are earmarks on the bill that contradict what President Obama had promised the American people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtEzi4bXXEA

I don't know how much of what I said is true for I have not looked into the matter personally, but this is something fellow Americans may want to keep their eye on.

Little things compared to "Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction". :think:

I agree there was no WMD in Iraq, but at least we got saddam. Seriously, the shit he was doing was bad....

I agree there was no WMD in Iraq, but at least we got saddam. Seriously, the shit he was doing was bad....
That does not justify why the Americans (and British, and other countries who participated, etc.) should have been the ones to pay for it, and that's just speaking monetarily.

The human cost has been in the hundreds of thousands as a result of this conflict. Oh, and millions of people displaced.

In my opinion, the attack upon, and invasion of, Iraq is entirely unjustifiable.

Now, that said, I think American troops should stay as long as necessary until Iraq is stable enough to be policed by it's own citizens. But, with another caveat- if for some reason, Iraq somehow regresses and shows no signs of improving, then the occupation should end (troops brought home). But, so far, it has improved, so this is unlikely to become necessary.

If the troops are recalled too soon, and as a direct consequence, Iraq devolves into civil war, severe political instability, or another dictatorship, then all the money and lives would have been sacrificed for nothing. So, withdrawing too soon would be just as immoral as the initial invasion; and two wrongs do not make a right.

Well, I guess I've said my piece on that.

Now, as to the global economic situation, well, if you think it's not that bad now, just give it time.

Ethanol is a dead-end (http://www.thecuttingedgenews.com/index.php?article=473&pageid=22&pagename=Investigation). It's a terrible substitute for petroleum, since it takes more petroleum to produce than it saves. Sure, you can find numerous 'studies' by the National Corn Growers Association denying this, but there's obviously no bias there, right? :rolleyes:

Rather than fuel efficient personal automobiles, I hope that the President and Congress will encourage investment in a better, more widespread, public transit infrastructure. More buses and subways anyone?

Oh oh, and a better national railroad. Like, why can't America have a shinkansen (oops, that's right, no non-English words) 'bullet train' system like Japan? And one that runs on electricity from solar and/or wind power to boot?

I believe the airplane will cease to exist as a method of travel (except for perhaps the very super rich) within the next 50 (or less years), so trains (and boats for intercontinental travel, obviously) are the obvious replacement.

As for the subject of unions brought up earlier, I believe unions should exist to stand up for workers rights. When unions start standing up for workers entitlements, heh, well... then we have a problem. Union entitlements and refusal to take reductions in said entitlements are what will ultimately bring down the UAW and the Detroit automakers.

Oh, hello by the way. I guess this is my first post, eh? I was trying to be a lurker for now and make my official debut later, but I guess I felt the need to speak up when I saw someone trying to defend the attack on Iraq.

they cut so much from my school espally fine arts, and P.E it's so anoing (sorry bad speller) so my band class can't get any new instruments or go to all the games. My art class hardly has any supplys for even one class period...

Looking at economic prespective and not morally, America should get their troops out and save cost. America itself is in an economical dump right now, I think moral issue in another country is kind of secondary right now. The global economy is really BAD. I don't know how some people numb themselves to think it is not that bad. Many countries are in recession now or facing the risk of recession. Look at Iceland. Depending on the country, it can make a fast recovery or the impact of this current crisis may linger for years. Futhermore, to prove that it is bad, you can see the unemployment rate in various countries. Yes, economy goes through cyclical stages of boom and deline, but this particular one is called a 'crisis' because it seems like it will last for quite a while. :( I think the recession was triggered by credit crunch even though there are theories about high oil price. Well, it will tide over someday maybe in 2010.

For a country to upgrade its infrastructure there needs to be money and great planning. Sometimes the great enviromental upgrade isn't the most cost-efficient, you have to consider that you collect less road tax and your car industry is pretty much affect if you started providing wonderful public transport. To incorporate a 'bullet train' system, you do have to consider ridership too, unless there are people wanting to take the train, how are you going to recoup the money spent?

Impact on personal level is good, pound depreciate = cheaper exam fee.

Oh oh, and a better national railroad. Like, why can't America have a shinkansen (oops, that's right, no non-English words) 'bullet train' system like Japan? And one that runs on electricity from solar and/or wind power to boot?




For a country to upgrade its infrastructure there needs to be money and great planning. Sometimes the great enviromental upgrade isn't the most cost-efficient, you have to consider that you collect less road tax and your car industry is pretty much affect if you started providing wonderful public transport. To incorporate a 'bullet train' system, you do have to consider ridership too, unless there are people wanting to take the train, how are you going to recoup the money spent?

Japanese Highway System
http://www.japanmapxl.com/images/japan-road-map.gif

United States Highway System
http://www.mcwdn.org/MAPS&GLOBES/RoadMap.GIF

I believe this is reason enough why it is not possible for the United States to have a national "bullet train" system.

Better public transportation would only work in areas like NYC where people actually use it. Like, here in vegas for example, the only form of public transportation is the buses and trams around the strip. If they bothered trying to build a subway or train, nobody would use it.

Now, if we had a city-wide tram system, I think people would use that, since it's already there on the strip. :P


Looking at economic prespective and not morally, America should get their troops out and save cost.

Great idea! We move out of Iraq, then they come invade us because we did so! <_< We are obviously out there for a reason, we can't leave. Who's to say the people we are fighting there right now don't follow us back home?

Japanese Highway System
http://www.japanmapxl.com/images/japan-road-map.gif

United States Highway System
http://www.mcwdn.org/MAPS&GLOBES/RoadMap.GIF

I believe this is reason enough why it is not possible for the United States to have a national "bullet train" system.
Well, I think a solar-wind electrical national railroad is still more feasible in the long-term. This is because all of those highways won't mean anything if there's isn't any fuel to run vehicles that can travel upon them.

:topic: Start another thread if you want to debate about America leaving Iraq or find an existing relevant topic.

Great idea! We move out of Iraq, then they come invade us because we did so! <_< We are obviously out there for a reason, we can't leave. Who's to say the people we are fighting there right now don't follow us back home?

I'm not creating a new topic for this because this comment is too stupid to have its own thread, yet too funny to ignore.

The official reason: weapons of mass destruction
The real reason: oil

Iraq can't invade the US since Iraq has nothing. They couldn't even invade kuwait if they wanted to right now. The only reason the US is still there is that if they leave now, the country would completely fall apart, there would be civil war and the result would be yet another dictatorship. Still, the US should be outta there asap since they simply can't afford staying there. There's no money left.

With that said, back on topic. If you wish to continue on the Iraq subject after this, please make a new thread :)

Well, I'll agree there was no WMD. Unless if saddam counts as a WMD. XD

Anyway, we could totally save lots of money by making synthetic fuel or something. I remember a teacher saying to us in school that the oil supply will probably be depleted in 100 years...with the medical advancements we have today, that could possibly be in our lifetimes. :eek: But, I guess car companies will stop being greedy (in terms of fuel efficient/alternate fuel cars) at the last second, since they probably don't want to be blamed for the fallout.

Car companies aren't to blame for the fuel problems, oil companies are. Whenever there's a good alternative to oil, they try to buy it and put it away in a deep, dark dungeon so nobody will actually further develop it. The oil company want us to be relying on their oil until the last drop runs out. Now there's something Obama could do in the US, or actually governments around the globe. Support the development of alternative fuels. I know Mazda and Honda are already working on using hydrogen, but of course, if you can't get that at any petrol station, nobody will buy a car like that. So there should be hydrogen stations placed by governments in certain places, and then manufacturers could come with a hydrogen car. Makes us less dependent on oil, and it's a lot better for the environment too.

Support the development of alternative fuels. I know Mazda and Honda are already working on using hydrogen, but of course, if you can't get that at any petrol station, nobody will buy a car like that. So there should be hydrogen stations placed by governments in certain places, and then manufacturers could come with a hydrogen car. Makes us less dependent on oil, and it's a lot better for the environment too.
Didn't Israel do something like that? Having plug-in stations everywhere now or something?

Basically the committee that is proposing it is not allowing any amendments to be added to the bill and there are earmarks on the bill that contradict what President Obama had promised the American people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtEzi4bXXEA
I so love it when Republicans rage about fiscal responsibility. They criticise the earmarks in the bill and "forget" to mention that roughly 40% (http://mediamatters.org/items/200903010011?f=s_search) of the earmarks in the bill are sponsored by Republicans or that six of the top ten earmark sponsors (http://mediamatters.org/rd?to=http%3A%2F%2Fthecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com%2F2 009%2F03%2F02%2Fthe-top-10-list-of-earmarkers%2F) are Republican Senators.

Anyway, I don't know what promise Obama has allegedly broken (maybe you can elaborate on this). If it's about earmarks: Obama never promised to get rid of earmarks during his campaign.

Car companies aren't to blame for the fuel problems, oil companies are. Whenever there's a good alternative to oil, they try to buy it and put it away in a deep, dark dungeon so nobody will actually further develop it. The oil company want us to be relying on their oil until the last drop runs out. Now there's something Obama could do in the US, or actually governments around the globe. Support the development of alternative fuels. I know Mazda and Honda are already working on using hydrogen, but of course, if you can't get that at any petrol station, nobody will buy a car like that. So there should be hydrogen stations placed by governments in certain places, and then manufacturers could come with a hydrogen car. Makes us less dependent on oil, and it's a lot better for the environment too.

Only thing that came to mind is california, whenever I hear about something being "Real World Tested" or whatever, be it electric scooters, hydrogen cars or the like California always seems to pop up. Not to mention all the rich kids buying the Teslas :P. Anything like that Euroside I've not heard of?

We just have hybrid cars here x_x

Here's how you can be the next billionaire. Figure out a way to quickly and cheaply produce hydrogen gas and distribute it to the masses. Figure this out and you could be the next Rockefeller.

Don't distribute it to the masses, just sell it to Shell. Riches guaranteed.

Isn't hydrogen unstable? I remember talking about this in science freshman year...how a car could blow up if the hydrogen engine impacts with something at a fast enough speed. (which isn't too unlikely in a crash...)

What about a car that runs on water? Or garbage. Plus, the second option would help clean up this dirty planet we call home....<_<

Isn't hydrogen unstable? I remember talking about this in science freshman year...how a car could blow up if the hydrogen engine impacts with something at a fast enough speed. (which isn't too unlikely in a crash...)

What about a car that runs on water? Or garbage. Plus, the second option would help clean up this dirty planet we call home....<_<

Wasnt the same said of gasoline at one point? I mean once the process becomes economicaly viable the dangers would be taken care of, god knows theres enough precautions and failsafes in the world to stop the average joe from killing himself and others with most of what surrounds us.

The problem is making the process simpler or cheaper afaik, the problem of infrastructure is the step after that. (unless I'm mistaken?)

Isn't hydrogen unstable? I remember talking about this in science freshman year...how a car could blow up if the hydrogen engine impacts with something at a fast enough speed. (which isn't too unlikely in a crash...)

What about a car that runs on water? Or garbage. Plus, the second option would help clean up this dirty planet we call home....<_<

As Luis mentioned, don't cars blow up with the already dangerous gasoline? :think:

Car manufacturers should watch more Gundam 00.

Cars only spontaniouosly explode in Hollywood, or if you put then on fire.

Anything spontaneously explodes in Hollywood.

As far as how it's affecting me... it's hard to find work in the industry I'm trying to get into. Pastry is, you know, kind of a luxury lol. No one NEEDS cake. We had a career fair at my school and usually there are close to 70 vendors ready to hire you on the spot... This time there were only 12 and there were not as many job openings :(

But I also know a lot of people who are just plain lazy and who say they can't find jobs anywhere because of the crisis, but I know for a FACT they haven't been to look and are using the economic crisis as an excuse. I'm sure there are lots of jobs out there for them, they are just too lazy or too proud to do the work, and really, there is no shame in hard work.

too proud to do the work

You got me there. Something just doesn't feel right when I think about being a pizza delivery guy who also has a Bsc in economics. I'd rather starve really...

Same here, I wouldn't work in a factory if I can help it.

I'd have to disagree with you...even if it DOES hurt you inside to still be working that crappy $7/hour job even though you have a good degree, at least it puts food on the table and a place to crash at the end of the day. :P

Don't get me wrong though...I sure as hell wouldn't work in a factory either. I'd find a gamestop or something to work at so I can feed myself and my gaming hobby at the same time. XD

As far as how it's affecting me... it's hard to find work in the industry I'm trying to get into. Pastry is, you know, kind of a luxury lol. No one NEEDS cake. We had a career fair at my school and usually there are close to 70 vendors ready to hire you on the spot... This time there were only 12 and there were not as many job openings
Psh. Your pastries are godly, though. I wouldn't worry about finding a job too much. And fat people need cake. You can always count on them!

I'd have to disagree with you...even if it DOES hurt you inside to still be working that crappy $7/hour job even though you have a good degree, at least it puts food on the table and a place to crash at the end of the day. :P

Don't get me wrong though...I sure as hell wouldn't work in a factory either. I'd find a gamestop or something to work at so I can feed myself and my gaming hobby at the same time. XD

I'd rather sit at home getting money from social security while waiting for a decent job to come up.

See, this is EXACTLY what I am talking about! You can get more money working than sitting @ home on your lazy ass not working...>.<