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Jul 20, 2022
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Lillia Gajewski's avatar

This isn't socialism. It's something much worse.

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Michael Green's avatar

State Sponsored Capitalism, with a side of State run Media

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Lillia Gajewski's avatar

"State sponsored capitalism" is fascism, and, yes, that's what it is. The state run media is a symptom of fascism.

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Michael Green's avatar

If you are calling this Fascism then I'll assume you're a Leftist. You guys love that word, don't you. As long as you are seeing it as Leftist Fascism then you're being honest. This whole set of problems started with Woodrow Wilson, you know, the father of the progressive movement. This was all designed by him and his racist cabinet that had 13 former Klan members on staff. The ignorance of the voting public has allowed it, but the uselessness and lack of motivation it has created among the leftist constituency will be their undoing. It's coming time for a Great American Reset, and the Libertarian mindset that the founders built this great country on will be back in vogue, you'll see.

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Lillia Gajewski's avatar

I love Substack. In an earlier post on another site I was called a "right-ist" because I didn't think that pregnancy crisis centers should have to state up front that they don't do abortions because they aren't dishonest, just merely of a different mindset (that abortions aren't even an option), and here I am a leftist because I recognize that the proper definition of fascism is government by and for big business (corporations) and that definition has accurately fit the relationship between US government and US and global corporations for decades (with the US population seen as a resource or an obstacle in turns), through both "conservative" and '"liberal" administrations. You people need to stop trying to label others and just listen for a while.

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Michael Green's avatar

So be effective in communicating, If you know what the modern vernacular is going to translate what you say to be, get out in front of it and clarify in your post. For instance, you talked about "liberal" administrations... The word "liberal" has been hijacked by the left, the fact is, they are not liberal, but it sounds better than "pro government, anti people"... The actual Liberals were the founders and their ilk. They are Leftists, plain and simple. To choose the word "Fascist" when you know how it's used today, is asking for a certain set of assumptions to be made. I'm not saying it's right, I'm just saying if your way of communicating is individual, then let those you are communicating with in on the secret.

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Lillia Gajewski's avatar

Also, I put the word "liberal" in quote marks, which indicates I know that it's not being used exactly as others would use it. Again, I am communicating just fine. You're just not comprehending because, again, you're just looking for a fight, not a conversation.

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Michael Green's avatar

You like to tell yourself stories. The only one who believes them is you. Have a nice day.

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Lillia Gajewski's avatar

Did I or did I not put the word "liberal" in quotes? It's not my problem that you are too busy spoiling for a fight that you miss the details.

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Lillia Gajewski's avatar

The communication problem here is on your side. I used fascism *exactly* as it is defined. I don't care how it is used today. And you jumped down my throat. It is not my fault that you make assumptions and don't ask questions. You're looking for a fight, not a conversation. And, yes, the left has been "liberal" for most of US history. Many on the left are not now "liberal" I would agree, but for most of US history they were.

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Michael Green's avatar

The onus of communication is on the speaker. The listener should not be expected to be telepathic.

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Lillia Gajewski's avatar

I didn't expect you to be telepathic. I just expected you to have some interest in good faith discussion.

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Michael Green's avatar

But it isn't an automatic unless everybody participates. As a small business owner the thing I see that could take the power away from government and give us a chance is how people make their buying choices. If everyone would avoid frequenting the big, national corporate stores and make their purchases from locals, the local economies could develop some separation from the currents of the overall economy. I'm not suggesting that we small businesses aren't affected by the overall price increases, but that keeping money local in more forms than just wages paid to employees makes it easier to re scale the local economy and make the numbers work. If most of the profits made by a business are going back in to the National economy, it gives communities less influence over the financial health of the community as a whole. If people could understand the benefits that come from paying a couple of dollars more for some of their purchases in order to keep the money local, we could take back control of our economies in the macro.

It would also go a long way for people to understand that when a small business raises prices, it's not to make more profit, it's just simply to stay afloat.

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Lynne Morris's avatar

I try. I do not shop on Amazon and have not been in a Walmart for years. Lowe's most recently lost my business. My issue with buying local is that so much of it is made in China.

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Michael Green's avatar

Then that comes down to the choice of the merchant. I, personally would not buy from the merchant that sells the Chinese product unless, of course, all other choices have left the market for that particular item. I do practice what I preach and I won't sell what I won't buy. The advantage we have is that we build a lot of Corvettes and Camaros so U.S. made parts are plentiful.

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jt's avatar

Hi. You do a lot better 'n me. Who do You buy books from? Or do You?

And I'm not sure how to avoid buying from China. And even if it doesn't say China, there's often Chinese parts in it. Mostly I just don't buy things, but I've got Apple products, unfortunately.

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Ann Lowell's avatar

I spend a whole lot of money on books per year so I’m really motivated to get the lowest price possible. I am not really a book browser but tend to be looking for very specific obscure titles that used bookstores tend to not have in stock. That has been leading me to buy far too many books on Amazon which I wasn’t feeling great about. About 6 months ago a common sense reader recommended thrift books.com. I’ve really had great luck finding the books I’m looking for at a good price. It’s a mix of new and used titles and they seem to be an ethical business as far as I can tell. Since I started ordering from thrift books I have bought almost zero books from Amazon.

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Js's avatar

Same here. Been Amazon-free for 3 months now and holding.

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Lynne Morris's avatar

I have a friend and his wife who go to estate/yard sales specifically for books. It started as a hobby but has turned into a lucrative business.

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Alison Bull's avatar

I email my local bookstore and ask them if they have the book I’m looking for and if they don’t they order it. I can’t say I never shop at B&N or Amazon but I go to the local guy first.

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Lynne Morris's avatar

For books I go to bookstores usually. And I agree about labeling being problematic. Pet food is a real.problem. All of the ingredients come from overseas. I cook for my Yorkie but we have a 120 lb. Lab and it is not possible for him. I too have quit buying.

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Celia M Paddock's avatar

We don't have a bookstore in our small town anymore. Even if we did, I could not afford to buy books new, even if a bookstore had the books I want.

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Lynne Morris's avatar

We still have some but our Half-Priced Books just went under. I have been in the islands in Washington state recently and was pleasantly surprised at all of the small, privately owned bookshops. And coffee shops.

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sc_out's avatar

Not much good comes out of this state in general so I'm glad you found something!

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Alison Bull's avatar

Also there is an ap called Pango Books that sells used books. I sell some of my books there too.

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milllionthmonkeytyping's avatar

We have a lab mix and a border collie mix. We were buying Ark naturals tarter control chews. They’re now over a dollar each so I bought a big bag of carrots at Sams Club and they love them. Probably better for them overall.

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bestuvall's avatar

bully stix at Costco. started at 12 bucks for 12. now 35 for 12.. who knew a bulls penis would be so valuable after the bull was dead

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Lynne Morris's avatar

My Yorkie gets green beans for snacks. I have had no issues with her since I took her off processed pet foods and treats.

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jt's avatar

I stopped buying paper books, unfortunately. Or only if I can't get them on Kindle. Just so much easier to take notes with 'em. Not that I refer *back* to them much. But *in principle* it's easier. <cough>

Don't sweat the pet food, IMO. You're doin a lot better 'n most.

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Lynne Morris's avatar

I still.prefer paper. I spend too much time looking at screens already.

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james p mc grenra's avatar

Try Ollie's, if close. i never knew they had books.

"Three days in Moscow" by B Baier cost $5/6.00.

Might not have the latest ones, but , new , cheap , good and plenty.

I've spent $15/20.00 over the net and they were used, written inside.

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jt's avatar

I read there's some advantage, I think as far as learning, to reading books instead-a screens. ICBW.

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milllionthmonkeytyping's avatar

One good thing with the Kindle app - if I hear about a title that piques my interest I can look it up right then, before I forget. Instant gratification :)

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jt's avatar

Yeah, instant gratification. I *really* hafta try hard not to lean on that too hard. Even still, I buy books and never get too them. Too much commenting here, for one thing. Ah well...

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Celia M Paddock's avatar

I have a Kindle Unlimited subscription, which allows me to read to my heart's content for months and months at a time. When I run out of things to read that are on Kindle Unlimited, I drop the subscription and go back to reading all the titles I've collected in the meanwhile.

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milllionthmonkeytyping's avatar

I love Ebooks. It’s like an entire library in your phone and ipad. Also the library has ebooks now of pretty much everything and no driving there to return them. Audiobooks too.

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