2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Not me, I left university with enough money to live the rest of my life. Didn't have to work a day unless I wanted to work 

 

Thought you previously posted you worked 2 jobs.

Quite strange for someone who is rich

Just now, CallumWK said:

 

Thought you previously posted you worked 2 jobs.

Quite strange for someone who is rich

I worked many jobs, but it was my choice to work. Looking back a bloody stupid choice.

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

I worked many jobs, but it was my choice to work. Looking back a bloody stupid choice.

 

Sure. I also remember that other post of you which said, on social media you can lie and pretend what you want.

9 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Sure. I also remember that other post of you which said, on social media you can lie and pretend what you want.

Maybe I should write some dumb leftie books and try to sell them?

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

 

Not saying inflation hasn't hit hard, especially if folks weren't in a good spot pre Biden.  COLA (past administration) 4 yrs was 20+ %, so real inflation probably 50%, at least, and housing market price skyrocketed, with rents also. 

 

Yea, that sucks, but suck it up.   Home interest rates were 14% when I bought my first house, 11% when I bought 2nd .... 3rd, I paid cash 

 

Minimum wage also doubled to $15, and nobody should be working for less.   A lot of the negative opinions, surely come from the younger folks, who think they deserve everything now, instead of putting in the time & work hours, for less than middle class wages & lifestyle.

 

Took me years to build equity and a solid income.   The late 70s & 80's weren't kind at all, as 3 of 4 airlines I worked for went into bankruptcy, last one, after I got to TH.   And those 2 career potential jobs, also went belly up, eventually, do to cheaper imported steel products and the other not going digital to compete.

 

But I didn't cry in beer from 2 taps in the front foyer, just dusted myself off and carried on.   Throw in 2 divorces and 2 live in relationships, crashed & burned, so catch me on a negative bender, and I might give you an ear full. 

 

Nah, just a beer with a burger, and pass you a doobie.  My beer mug was always half full.

 

Choices definitely matter.  Uni to learn a trade, not studies to try to figure out relationships.  Take engineering or computer sciences, marketing.   Not social psychology or liberal arts, and then wonder why you can't find a good paying job.

 

Or show up at the interview with no experience, tatted up & pieced, with 3 different hair colors and ask if they are 'gender pronoun' friendly.

 

We all started at the bottom, and put in our time, build seniority, if sticking with one company, and 'slowly' built equity.   Nothing came easy, and it doesn't today, and won't tomorrow.

I applaud your hard work and your good fortune, and I have zero interest in bickering with you as I consider you to be a reasonable guy and one of the more intelligent guys on this forum. 

 

But we see what's going on in the US from two completely different perspectives, and it sounds like we're living in two completely different worlds.

 

For guys like you who are well established have a good income stream, and have Investments and properties that are paid for, it's a completely different world that you're living in. 70% of Americans do not occupy that world, and they're really struggling. 

 

Unfortunately I still work and I'm dependent on a business in the US for income, and nearly every retailer that I know including myself is finding the market rather anemic, many of my associates are dropping by the wayside. Small business closures are at a record level right now, and entire commercial areas of some cities have dozens of properties available for lease, and just a few years ago there were very few. Things are changing, not in a positive way, and the American economy is declining. 

 

 

Just now, BritManToo said:

Maybe I should write some dumb leftie books and try to sell them?

Well, you are doing that here, so why not.........😒

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Maybe I should write some dumb leftie books and try to sell them?

 

You made a good start with your dumb reply

18 hours ago, Hummin said:

 

Coca Cola was the biggest lifestyle trademark when I grew up. Happy beautiful successful young people with white perfect smiles. Not to forget sporty and perfect body, 

 

but nothing about Coca Cola is real, except they made hell of a lot of money and rich wealthy people successful slim sporty people did they really drink Coca Cola? 

 

Greed and overconsumption is human traits and for many the bottom of life standard. 

 

I remember doing my marketing education, and one of Coca Cola goals, was to be on the breakfast table in American homes, which would be copied world wide 

 

 

Yes, a core goal for Coca-Cola, especially under Robert W. Woodruff, was embedding itself into daily American life, including mealtimes, by making it a staple in homes, often sold in convenient 6-packs, and eventually becoming a global symbol of American culture and refreshment, available worldwide

. While specific historical documents might focus on broader "refreshment" goals, the strategy was to make Coke ubiquitous, from lunches to dinners and beyond, influencing how people consume beverages globally. 

Key Strategies & Goals:

• Home Delivery: Introduced 6-packs in the 1920s to encourage buying Coke for the home, not just soda fountains.
• Symbol of America: During WWII, Coca-Cola ensured soldiers had access, making it a taste of home and an emblem of American culture abroad.
• Global Expansion: Woodruff's vision was to make Coke accessible everywhere, linking it to local life, even at meals.
• Marketing: Consistent branding and advertising positioned Coke as part of everyday moments, including family gatherings and meals. 

This deliberate effort to be present at family tables and key life moments helped Coca-Cola transition from a soda fountain drink to an ingrained part of global culture, a truly widespread goal

 

I'm not clear what point you're making, marketing is bad? Consumption is bad? Coca Cola is not healthy?

 

Or is Coca Cola some sort of metaphor for America?

 

What point are you making?

The delusion and blatant lies continue unabated. Believe this man only at your own peril. 

 

President Donald Trump’s glowing account of progress under his watch Wednesday was out of tune with the experience of price-squeezed Americans and the story told by some of his government’s own statistics.

 

In a speech from the White House, Trump assailed the record of his Democratic predecessor and boasted expansively about his record so far. Not all of those boasts were credible.

 

He says the prices of turkey and eggs have come down and “everything else is falling rapidly. And it’s not done yet. But boy, are we making progress.”

 

In an AP-NORC poll this month, the vast majority of U.S. adults said they’ve noticed higher than usual prices for groceries, electricity and holiday gifts in recent months.

 

https://apnews.com/article/trump-speech-fact-check-inflation-9d18903505dae93beb783594e435c72b

 

According to a recent report from Bankrate, a household earning $80,000 a year is now priced out of 75% of all new homes on the market. A family now needs to earn at least $113,000, and in some major metros, it’s closer to $200,000. Meanwhile, the homeownership rate has slipped to a six-year low, with further declines expected next year. Families are being squeezed from every angle.

 

President Donald Trump calls the affordability crisis a hoax. In truth, the lack of affordability is real for many families right now, but the cause isn’t homebuilders or landlords or banks. The cause is the steady erosion of fiat’s purchasing power.

 

https://share.google/J0qhjHZc9WOWVi63M

Just now, Cameroni said:

 

I'm not clear what point you're making, marketing is bad? Consumption is bad? Coca Cola is not healthy?

 

Or is Coca Cola some sort of metaphor for America?

 

What point are you making?

 

The Illusion the marketing creates built up under the American dream. Take another product like Budweiser for an instant, promoted on sports event, and used to be one of the biggest trademarks of USA, but I think Budweiser have lost its place to many other beer brands and not to forget the sports drink marked with Red Bull in front.

 

What I ment, was Coca Cola represent USA gold age very much with is post war 2 history and all the way up to the glorious 80ies and then the downfall with lifestyle problems and also economy. 

3 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

The delusion and blatant lies continue unabated. Believe this man only at your own peril. 

 

President Donald Trump’s glowing account of progress under his watch Wednesday was out of tune with the experience of price-squeezed Americans and the story told by some of his government’s own statistics.

 

In a speech from the White House, Trump assailed the record of his Democratic predecessor and boasted expansively about his record so far. Not all of those boasts were credible.

 

He says the prices of turkey and eggs have come down and “everything else is falling rapidly. And it’s not done yet. But boy, are we making progress.”

 

In an AP-NORC poll this month, the vast majority of U.S. adults said they’ve noticed higher than usual prices for groceries, electricity and holiday gifts in recent months.

 

https://apnews.com/article/trump-speech-fact-check-inflation-9d18903505dae93beb783594e435c72b

 

According to a recent report from Bankrate, a household earning $80,000 a year is now priced out of 75% of all new homes on the market. A family now needs to earn at least $113,000, and in some major metros, it’s closer to $200,000. Meanwhile, the homeownership rate has slipped to a six-year low, with further declines expected next year. Families are being squeezed from every angle.

 

President Donald Trump calls the affordability crisis a hoax. In truth, the lack of affordability is real for many families right now, but the cause isn’t homebuilders or landlords or banks. The cause is the steady erosion of fiat’s purchasing power.

 

https://share.google/J0qhjHZc9WOWVi63M

 

Just saw parts of it, it is amazing, F fantastic how this guy can talk, and his followers continues to speak up for him is even more fantastic 

22 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Recently the President of the United States of America, Mr. Donald J. Trump, proclaimed on his own social media platform Truth Social, that the USA is in its GOLDEN AGE.

 

Do you agree or disagree with Trump about that?

He was referring to the amount of gilding on the ornamentation he has adorned the Whitehouse with. He has a desire to copy the royalty trappings of countries he has visited. " Look at me. I have more gold than you."

33 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Not me, I left university with enough money to live the rest of my life. Didn't have to work a day unless I wanted to work 

Too poor for Uni, or so I thought.  Too ignorant to know, could have went on the cheap, because I was too poor, and it would have been subsidized with cheap govt educational loan, back in the day.

 

Unlike Pocahontas, found out years later, have a smidgen of native American blood in the family tree, and would have meant free uni.

 

Oh well, working 30+ crap jobs, builds character, or some Ahole told me 

' Do you think the USA is in its golden age ? '

 

Under the current administration , no.  More like under a golden shower.

34 minutes ago, Hummin said:

 

The Illusion the marketing creates built up under the American dream. Take another product like Budweiser for an instant, promoted on sports event, and used to be one of the biggest trademarks of USA, but I think Budweiser have lost its place to many other beer brands and not to forget the sports drink marked with Red Bull in front.

 

What I ment, was Coca Cola represent USA gold age very much with is post war 2 history and all the way up to the glorious 80ies and then the downfall with lifestyle problems and also economy. 

I agree and it could be argued that it's a fairly inferior beverage. It could certainly be argued that Budweiser is a horrible beer but marketing is a powerful thing, and when people are paying $12 for a Budweiser beer in a London bar, you know the marketing has been effective. 

4 hours ago, Mike_Hunt said:

No, it’s not.  You whiny lefties see doom behind every corner. 

It absolutely has declined and inflation is extreme. i go back 3 times a year and just returned 2 weeks ago.

 

Going back with the spacing between visits really gives a proper perspective of the inflationary impact and decline in quality of life not to mention the dysfunctional political climate trumps admin has created.

 

I still own a house very close to the capital and see the severe impact of trumps delusional approach to what he calls governing and everyone else calls corrupt grifting.

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Supply & demand, along with higher 'real' minimum wage, $15 + healthcare to flip burgers at Mcd's,  jacks up inflation & prices across the board.

Might I advance the thought that even someone flipping burgers in Mcd's is a human being, with a right to healthcare, and they certainly would not be able to afford it on $7.50 an hour!

 

Unless you subscribe to the view that the worlds richest country should be propped up by an underclass working long hours for poverty wages, and dying early due to untreated avoidable diseases - I dont know but put like that socialism starts to have some points!

 

Anyone who knows me or regularly reads my views will know that I am hardly "red in tooth and claw" but I do believe in certain human rights, amongs which, no at the top of the list, are a decent living wage and healthcare. How bizarre that Thailand is far closer to both those ideals than the richest economy in the world!

16 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

You have no life

 

16 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Trump is awesome. 3 more years.

 

15 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

You're a proven liar.

 

Suze is a quantity over quality kinda gal, with an average of 49 posts a day tirelessly defending Trump. She's like a Steven Miller, only with less hair and charisma.😂

 

4 hours ago, KhunLA said:

And yet ... guess it depends who you ask and how you ask the question ...

 

 

So all except one of those polls mentioned are from before Trump 2.0. Interesting!

31 minutes ago, JAG said:

Might I advance the thought that even someone flipping burgers in Mcd's is a human being, with a right to healthcare, and they certainly would not be able to afford it on $15 an hour!

 

Unless you subscribe to the view that the worlds richest country should be propped up by an underclass working long hours for poverty wages, and dying early due to untreated avoidable diseases - I dont know but put like that socialism starts to have some points!

 

Anyone who knows me or regularly reads my views will know that I am hardly "red in tooth and claw" but I do believe in certain human rights, amongs which, no at the top of the list, are a decent living wage and healthcare. How bizarre that Thailand is far closer to both those ideals than the richest economy in the world!

Flipping burgers isn't meant to be a career.

 

... "Wages: McDonald's Corporation committed to raising the average hourly wage for its employees at corporate-owned restaurants to $15 by 2024, with entry-level ranges varying by location, some reaching up to $17 per hour.

 

Healthcare: Full-time employees at corporate-owned locations are eligible for health insurance benefits, including medical, dental, and vision plans." ...

 

A couple working at McD's as I stated early, would put them in 'middle class' status with salary of $62.4k.

 

If single, not a couple, then get a roommate, as I did when starting out.   Even during 1st marriage, due to living in W. Virginia, and economy based on coal mining salaries, which I barely got much more than minimum wage working for first airlines, but gave me the experience to apply for better opportunities.   Yea, crawl before walking.   Meant I lived in a small trailer to start.  Then when got married, myself and 2 fellow employees, rented a nice house on a hillside, which neither of us could afford on our own.

 

Yep, nothing came right away, same as today.   Unless lucky enough to afford good education, and walk into nice job.   Wasn't my path.

 

Even when I bought 1st house (14% mortgage interest), I rented a room out to a boarder, to cover the mortgage, while rehabbing it, to a triplex.   When wife #2 moved in, along with her salary, then border left, but 2 renters help pay the mortgage, well, mortgage plus.   So again, adjusting to the economic times, 80's,  not good.   Comfy, but not living the American Dream yet.  Basically apartment living, 2nd hand vehicles, just happen to own the apartments.

 

Not till that divorce, and couple years later, did I live in a house by myself.   In a slum area, most wouldn't, with worst school district in the state, surrounded by Section 8 dwellers.   And yea, after a fix up to specs, turned that into a Sec 8 rental.   This 1988, and I was 34 yrs old, and still not living the American dream.

 

Next house, last purchase, another 'row house', and rinse & repeat slum area, crap hood, and turned into another rental.   All while bouncing around 3 different states, working for same airlines, and not by choice, but tolerated, as best offer from the corporate world.   More about flight bennies & lax work rules.

 

Nothing was easy or given to me, and didn't cry in my beer, although, I did have a blast being single along the way.

 

Then I liquidated, retired, and simply had to decide where to live, USA or elsewhere.  Obviously I chose the latter, as after seeing most of the USA, nothing really interests me, enough to live there.

 

So cry me a river, youngins have to struggle when at or leaving the nest.   How is that different from any other generation of lower income folks.

 

You want, earn it ... or ... STFU 

Well it's a bit heartening that here on this poll only a very small percentage of poll voters actually believe Trump's completely absurd characterization of there being a Golden Age in America now.

I wonder if even a majority of hard core maga fascist cult members actually believe that.

I doubt it.

11 hours ago, KhunLA said:

 

I wasn't grifting, not a billionaire or millionaire, and I could return and live there on my 'fixed income' with no problem.   Not as fun as living in TH, but I certainly wouldn't be struggling.

 

Do any of the people replying, actually live there ?

 

I do, and I'm out in 3 months.

 

Your takes on this subject are disingenuous at best and totally clueless at worse. This is why people think you're trolling. It's like you totally miss the nuances and lack critical thinking skills.

 

I mean, how out of touch can you be? So obvious you haven't lived here in awhile. "Some people I know are doing great" LOL

 

It's almost like anecdotal evidence is no evidence at all, go figure. 

 

 

21 minutes ago, Sully_ said:

 

"Some people I know are doing great" LOL

 

Actually 'most' people I know are doing great.  Since you are ignorant of myself and peers, family & friends, your comments are meaningless.

 

You replied just tell me I'm lying or out of touch, stupid, and probably a troll.

 

Hmm ... kettle or pot ... 

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Actually 'most' people I know are doing great.  Since you are ignorant of myself and peers, family & friends, your comments are meaningless.

 

You replied just tell me I'm lying or out of touch, stupid, and probably a troll.

 

 

 

 

Are you slow or something?

You asked "Do any of the people replying, actually live there ?"  That is the reason I replied.

I didn't call you a troll , I guess people call you that a lot so you're  used to having to reply to that, I get it.

I explained why people think you might be a troll because your comments are so out of touch with the reality here in the U.S. 

 

Quote

Hmm ... kettle or pot

What? ...lol, Can't make this sheet up

 

Again anecdotal evidence is no evidence at all. 

British politician saying "Copy Trump to Make Britain Great Again".

 

 

Don't know who this guy is, but he's an economist who refers to the 2020s as "The Roaring 2020s".

 

Says GDP is at record highs, household consumption is high, stock markets are high, S&P will continue to rise. 

 

 

On 12/17/2025 at 2:00 PM, Jingthing said:

Recently the President of the United States of America, Mr. Donald J. Trump, proclaimed on his own social media platform Truth Social, that the USA is in its GOLDEN AGE.

 

Do you agree or disagree with Trump about that?

I thought his platform was called Lie Social..... 

It will seem like a golden age in 10 years, especially for non american western countries taken over by islam

On 12/17/2025 at 2:17 PM, Harrisfan said:

Golden age was 1950s and 1960s

I usually don't agree with Harrisfan, but in this case he is absolutely correct.  These two graphs help us see why the US Golden Age began in 1945 and ended about 1985:

 

 

The top graph shows the level of income inequality in the US by year and the bottom graph shows the top marginal income tax rates over the same time period.  They are almost exactly inverses of each other.  

 

Now I can't say that one causes the other, there are other factors that influence the Gini coefficient as well, but tax policy is one of the factors that ended the US Golden Age.

7 minutes ago, Callmeishmael said:

I usually don't agree with Harrisfan, but in this case he is absolutely correct.  These two graphs help us see why the US Golden Age began in 1945 and ended about 1985:

 

 

The top graph shows the level of income inequality in the US by year and the bottom graph shows the top marginal income tax rates over the same time period.  They are almost exactly inverses of each other.  

 

Now I can't say that one causes the other, there are other factors that influence the Gini coefficient as well, but tax policy is one of the factors that ended the US Golden Age.

Why not graph real income along with it? 

 

Most everyone in the US works less and has more than they did in 1985.