Hello, Americans.

@MarkPaul Perfect answer . It's good that we can disagree on one issue, ( abortion ) and agree on something else. We don't have to attack one another character.

Would you say that we are acting like rational adults ?

@missyann I think it is good and it's important to acknowledge that it is good and that it is possible AND perhaps useful.

I don't know enough yet to determine if we are acting like "rational adults," but I am prepared to say we seem to be principle-based and neither of us seem to be intimidated by being confronted with ideas or positions that are different from our own.

When I see the people who start attacking each other's character simply based on having opposing points of view I always wonder how sincere they really are in their positions. For me, it's always a signal the other person is NOT confident in his/her position. That also is not necessarily bad (or good); it's just an indicator the person either may not believe what they are saying or they are simply repeating something they were told or heard.

That being said, I'm not a fan of the mindset, "let's agree to disagree." To take an extreme example, if someone claims a steadfast belief in cannibalism, agreeing-to-disagree is hardly sane or rational. So, that's where the discussion can escalate into character attacks if focus on the issue can't be maintained.

@MarkPaul And here you sit on your phone, telling me to work harder. I’ve been working harder. I got great grades in school, got a full ride scholarship, but guess what? I cant afford food so i cant go. Stop telling me to get off my ass when I work hard every day and only get punished.

@EatTheRichUSA Well, instead of getting on my case for using my phone productively, figure out a way to work smarter and stop rolling in the slop of victimhood. I suspect you are not as hard a worker as you claim and that your motives are not as straightforward as you fantasize. Well, I'm not jumping on your crazy train, Mister. If you want to ride around in circles, that's on you. You have choices and can do literally whatever you want to do. Let the record show, at least for now, you choose to complain.

@EatTheRichUSA Do you have a job while you are in school ?

@missyann I did, before my parents kicked me out at 16 because they couldn’t afford me. Then, i had to spend all my money renting a SHITTY apartment.

@MarkPaul I do not “choose” to complain. I have a job that accepts somebody with no degree because i don’t have the money to EAT while in the college i have a free scholarship for. The people you have seen complaining are not me.

@EatTheRichUSA Well then, even worse, you are choosing to blame others for your own predicament. Is there anything worse?

@MarkPaul Not blaming others, simply trying to make a change. Besides, I don’t think anyone should have to sit here and tolerate things just because it “could be worse”

@EatTheRichUSA They should if they are the ones making it worse... as you are.

@MarkPaul ridiculous..u seem to have no empathy for the underprivileged. Nothing to do with accountability.NOT everyone can get a well paid job🙁

@Wiseacre Anyone can get a well paid job if he/she puts her/his mind to it. Sure, it might not start out that way, but there is opportunity for those who choose not to be victims.

@MarkPaul Everyone who doesn't start at the top is oppressed and it is sad that they teach their children the same ideology

@missyann I do not have 3 meals a day, it’s a special occasion if I get 2. Not to mention that i was a street kid from 16-18 until i got a shitty apartment. Don’t assume shit about my life, and don’t demean me.

@EatTheRichUSA I am truly sorry. I do realize that you don't have the same opportunities today that I had. I don't know what its like to have nothing.

All politicians are crooks. The make it sound like they can fix things by giving free stuff . Wealthy people do pay high taxes and do give a lot because its a tax deduction. Its just not distributed where its needed. It goes to those who lobby for their agendas which they claim is to help.

But nothing is free. Somebody pays for it. Its the middle class. We do need to demand that they not be allowed the crazy tax deductions that no one else qualifies for. We deserve to see EVERY politicians tax returns. The government regulates basic human rights in the workplace. They may not cover as much as you want them too, But I promise you that if the government regulates wages and anything above basic human rights, there will be no small businesses and corporations will move to other countries and everything will be government owned and controlled and the politicians will be the only wealthy in america. They will set wages and taxes and we won't have a say. When this happens it goes beyond socialism it will become communist.

The millionaires and the billionaires will take all of their money and move it to another county and if they have too they will move and the U.S. Won't be able touch them. I know it sucks but it's a fact

@missyann I understand where you’re coming from, i feel like exposing the truth about those who are corrupt is much more important than changing the system entirely.

@EatTheRichUSA I agree but they will pull out and take everything with them because there are people in other countries willing to work for any wage.
I
I believe that people who exploit and abuse people will burn for it. But that doesn't help anyone right now. I don't know what the answer is unless we agree on socialism

@missyann We as humans always figure SOMETHING out, this won’t be different.

If u really believe that u’re ignorant! And i’m sorry for u.@MarkPaul

@Wiseacre If you don't believe that, you're doomed. And, you have my pity and condolences.

@MarkPaul

Do you not recognize that privilege is a thing?

@Pikachu I acknowledge it exists, but I also find people tend to use it as a fast, easy, and convenient excuse to blame others for things they want, but don't have. Even people with privilege have to work for what they have.

I want to see people do the work. If you don't do the work, then you are choosing to be a fat slob who blames everyone else for being a fat slob.

@MarkPaul

Everyone has to work.

But if you and i race each other and we work just as hard as the other but you start 200m father back from me...are you going to win?

Having it hard is not an excuse not to work hard but even in your conversation with EatTheRichUSA, that's not what you're encountering.
He's saying that he works hard just to keep his head above water.

I don't think it's thoughtful, charitable or humane to tell people who lack your privilege that they are "rolling in the slop of victimhood" when they point out that starting the race 200m back is leaving them in the dust.

@Pikachu Look sonny... the world is harsh, I grant you that. And, apparently you haven't learned this life lesson yet so let me enlighten you. Life is not fair. Not everyone starts at the same starting line. Some have physical limitations; others have emotional baggage they are carrying for a variety of reasons. There are literally an unlimited number of variables and society isn't designed to make everything equal for everyone. We can dream and "imagine" a world with pure equality. It's fun to do, it's poetic to do, and it might even be the right thing to do. But, it isn't reality. So, what do we do? Do we sit back and cry that it's not fair that the rich have all the breaks? Do we embrace all these fine little victims and tell them, "There, there it's not your fault you don't have the life you desire?"

NO! We each need to push harder in those areas of life where we have a deficiency. Sure, society can give some a leg up with special admissions or concessions or compensation. But, in the end to achieve any amount of relevant self-worth, we each have to swim or drown by our own behaviour and attitude. I'm sure you feel you have good intentions by encouraging victimhood, but you are actually part of the problem. It's not that society is soft; it's people like you who encourage people to be soft with your left-of-centre faux caretaker attitude.

You can preach coddling all you want, but that's not going to fly... not on my watch it isn't. No offence, but maybe you should do some pushups and change out of your skirt. If you are 200 m behind everyone else, you need the strength to pull ahead regardless. REGARDLESS. Now, get to it. You and your brother-in-arms have catching up to do. I will be rooting for you, by the way.