The Kids Aren't Alright

With all of the political drama happening...I just don't think many of you realize the consequences of what is happening right now in our country.

Soon there will BE an uprising...but not from the right. It's going to be from the left....who has tried like hell to vote in for change...but with both CLINTON and OBAMA...they haven't seen it.

It's been 30 years since Reagan. Our trade laws have been destroyed....anti-trust laws are now ignored and no longer relevant.....unions have been broken.....yet somehow business is who we should trust and F the American worker.

Our kids are growing up with a poor education and no future. They have no prospects. They have no great vision. THEY HAVE NOTHING BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE LEFT THEM.

They are not lazy, they are not ignorant. We left them with a path that leads nowhere.

THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES. Yeah, none of the highly conservatively leaning ATS members will state this, but I WILL....nor do I care about what anyone states about me.

The Tea party movement has NOTHING compared on what is soon to come. You haven't seen the real anger yet...and WOW....I know it's coming.

I hope you are ready....the kids aren't alright....THEY ARE PISSED.

Originally posted by David9176


It's been 30 years since Reagan. Our trade laws have been destroyed....anti-trust laws are now ignored and no longer relevant.....unions have been broken.....yet somehow business is who we should trust and F the American worker.

Good post, but I dont understand your point about Reagan. Reagan was no better than either of the Bush's, or Clinton, Or Obama. They are all just a processing of shills, chosen by the same people, furthering the same agendas. Reagan is a MAJOR reason why this country is in the position it is.

The kids were no better off with him, than they are with any of the others.

I agree with your basic premise, though I suspect we would choose different paths to the reason[s].

The civil unrest in Greece *started* because the youth were angered about the austerity imposed meant they were paying the literal price for the economic follies of the generations preceding them. The unrest in Greece was quickly cooped by a lot of other interests, but that doesn't change the fact that it was the young folk who rose up first and the "why" behind it.

Generational theft should be treated as the crime it is.

I know this first hand my friend and I applaud you for bringing this forward. Sadly there aren't many people my age who follow politics/news enough to see what's going on around them. I'm a 19 year old college student and sometimes I just think to myself....Why continue?

At the rate the US is going, where will we be by the time I finish a degree in 3+ years? You think there isn't enough jobs now....just let 3 years go by, including the fact that TONS of more people will be unemployed from the Oil Spill alone. Granted, I'm not trying to become a shrimper but you get the idea.

I wish more people my age could hold a civil/intelligence discussion when it comes to our future in America. I'll be the first to admit that most the people in my generation seem to ALWAYS have their hand out, as if everything should be given to them. They also seem to think that they are "invincible" and that nothing can touch them. The only concerns of most folk my age (at least where I'm from) is partying, sex, drugs, and MAYBE a job/school. That's a BIIIIIIIIIGGG maybe might I add.

Out of the 10 friends I would consider to be my closest MORE than half of them are opting to work NOW rather than wait to finish college. This can't bode well for the future of our great country. I, like you, am hoping that something will change.....HELL my first vote went to the "Man of Change" Barack Obama....but we've seen how far that has gotten us. I just hope SOMETHING changes in the political scene and the people reclaim their republic, else....I only see more dreariness heading our way.

[edit on 6/11/10 by ElijahWan]

[edit on 6/11/10 by ElijahWan]

reply to post by captaintyinknots


When he was talking about Reagan, it was in a very negative view, for a good reason.




reply to post by David9176


I 100% agree with your post. The Conservatives and Libertarians are mostly older and more relaxed, the left is more young and energetic. Just look at what they did to Nancy Pelosi, this is only the beginning. The White House has opened up a can of worms they just can't control now, Labor was a big proponent of Democrats and Obama, they gave millions for their campaigns and now they treat Labor like they are Democrats pocket books without doing anything to earn labor's endorsement, they just expect it.

Labor has made it clear that they are not a branch of the Democrats, and they asked a Union leader on MSNBC yesterday if Obama could win 2012 without Labor's support, and they said simply NO. Just take a look at history and the Democratic presidents that opposed the left and what happened to them; LBJ he opposed the left-wing anti-war liberals, and Jimmy Carter opposed the Left-wing liberals too.

Clinton was the only Democrat to succeed without serious labor and progressive support. But now Progressives make up a larger branch of the Democrats; Liberals and Progressives make up about half of the Democratic Party, that means they are ignoring half of the Democrats.

Either they turn left and start supporting Labor and Progressives, or they will have serious hell in 2012.

reply to post by captaintyinknots

Good post, but I dont understand your point about Reagan. Reagan was no better than either of the Bush's, or Clinton, Or Obama

And I agree....Clinton has a TON to do with what we are facing. He blew up our trade laws...he made free trade with China with both Republican and Democratic support.

If people can't see what is on the horizon, well they need to wake up. There are many out there who are extremely angry...and it's most definitely not because they want a "free market" system.

No one will post this type of thing on ATS. It's all one sided anymore. Everyone craps on the unions....which is a matter of IMO (i'm not in one myself), but the unions have been the primary fighters in keeping tariffs up to protect their wages.

And that is the exact reason why the corporate media keeps attacking them as destroying businesses into being uncompetitive.

THAT IS A LIE.

IT"S OUR TRADE LAWS.

Nearly 200 years of trade policies have been destroyed the last 30 years....and because of that our country is failing.

It's not entitlements. THAT IS A LIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very nice thread, I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments.

This is not something that we should be taking lightly but nobody feels the need to take the blame for the decline of this country and how it is going to effect our youth.

It's scary to think what the younger generation is going to be left with and how they are going to deal with the hardships that are undoubtedly on the way.

S&F for making a statement that needed to be said.

reply to post by ElijahWan

I know this first hand my friend and I applaud you for bringing this forward. Sadly there aren't many people my age who follow politics/news enough to see what's going on around them. I'm a 19 year old college student and sometimes I just think to myself....Why continue? At the rate the US is going, where will we be by the time I finish a degree in 3+ years? You think there isn't enough jobs now....just let 3 years go by, including the fact that TONS of more people will be unemployed from the Oil Spill alone. Granted, I'm not trying to become a shrimper but you get the idea.

Sadly, my friend, you are going to end up in massive debt with no job prospects. You will be one of them....and quite frankly...I don't blame you or anyone for being angry. (I hope I'm wrong!!!!)

I went college. I spent years paying off the loan....and what I went to college for had nothing to do with what I employed with now.

People just don't seem to get it. There is looming rage coming...and it's not from business owners.

It's from those who want to work...yet they can't get it. They are the young....who hold the most power in this country when they want to use it.

People here can talk all they want about "free markets"...but the truth is...for those who want to make a living...they don't give a damn about any ideology.

They just want to live. They WANT A FIGHTING CHANCE TO MAKE IT.

People have NO IDEA what rage is coming there way.

Republicans want to win this election round? LET THEM.

Let them feel the anger. They have been skating by with a full Democratic legislature. Let them feel it.

I know it's coming.

reply to post by David9176

I think you're probably right, but if they win, I guarantee you you won't like the results. You seem to have no understanding of economics from some of the things you're saying. The socialist utopia they will create will be miserable, for everybody except those on the inside of the government.

They are right to be angry, for there future was indeed one big broken promise. But it is politicians who made promises they couldn't keep. They're the ones who created inherently unsustainable entitlement programs. The free market is a scapegoat, and this is unfortunate because without economic freedom we are all literal serfs.

Great post OP.

I was wondering, I live in Canada and the only tax cuts I have heard of are to schools and the internal structures of your country. Has there been any tax cuts to the military spending?

It seems as though America is moving away from schools and closer to a dumbed down militaristic country. (No offense intended)

Do you guys think this is true in any way?

Originally posted by Equinox99
Great post OP.

I was wondering, I live in Canada and the only tax cuts I have heard of are to schools and the internal structures of your country. Has there been any tax cuts to the military spending?

It seems as though America is moving away from schools and closer to a dumbed down militaristic country. (No offense intended)

Do you guys think this is true in any way?

We are becoming a country where corporations have the control, we are establishing a Cass System like India had. They are keeping the poor in poverty and make the rich richer. They then use their massive military and domestic 'security' spending to spy on all of the surfs to make sure they don't step out of line.

If we aren't educated then we will be willing to be subservient to them forever. Just watch FOX and everything is how bad the unions are and that the cuts in schools and fire department/police are good because they are run by unions and unions have caused the government to go broke by honoring contracts and keeping good work conditions and a living wage.

reply to post by captaintyinknots

The kids were no better off with him, than they are with any of the others.

I was not meaning to leave Reagan in a positive light. It all started with him. He started everything that has left us with the mess we have today.

Sorry if my OP was confusing...but believe me....this was not meant to leave Reagan as a good guy.

reply to post by Equinox99

It seems as though America is moving away from schools and closer to a dumbed down militaristic country. (No offense intended)

I have heard that 300,000 teachers are going to lose their jobs in the fall...yet we can go to war, let soldiers die, and let civilians get caught in the crossfire....FOR WHAT???

WHAT THE HELL ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?

OIL?

OIL THAT WE CAN'T EVEN CONTAIN IN OUR OWN COUNTRY???????????

Fight me...I'm asking anyone to fight me on what I'm stating.

Do you like Freedom Works (PRO FREE TRADE AND ANTI-AMERICAN and ANTI- COUNTRY)...or will you have the guts to state anything???

Prove me wrong.

Why doesn't anyone stand up for there country and protect their jobs? I'm not just talking about the US...I'm talking about every country.

PROTECT YOUR INDUSTRIES.

Make a better future for YOUR CHILDREN.

YOU OWE THEM THAT MUCH.

FIGHT FOR THEM.

FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

reply to post by TV_Nation

It's scary to think what the younger generation is going to be left with and how they are going to deal with the hardships that are undoubtedly on the way.

I hope they fight TV Nation. In fact, I know they will. And it's about time!!!!

The youthful of the world dictate real change...they always have.

Quite frankly...I think the youth of this generation is the last chance to change things. If this chance is wasted....all will be lost.

Fight for a job? Are you serious? Of all the reasons to fight, fighting for employment has to be about the silliest reason I can think of. Are you under the impression that being an employee for someone else is what makes you free? It is employment for Christ sakes! Do you have any idea what an employee is? Have you even bothered to look at the definition of the word employee, legal definition or otherwise? Are you so anti free market that you would insist only the employee is who matters?

No one is forcing you or anyone else to be an employee. If you want to be an employee this is your choice but it is not your right to be one! Nobody owes you a job! If you don't want to go into business for yourself this is also your choice, and more importantly it is your right, but who the hell are you to demand people fight for some imagined right to have a job? If you're willing to actually fight, why not fight for your right to be an employer? As an employer you could hire as many people as you like, and then, and only then, will you know the true value of labor. Then, and only then, will you know the myriad of acts, bills, codes and regulations that go along with hiring an employee.

If you are so ant-corporatist, and this is something wholly worth being against, why not fight for holding corporations accountable? All corporations in the U.S. must hold a charter in order to be a corporation. Charters are granted by the state in which the corporation holds that charter. This means what has been granted by the state, has been granted by the people of that state. What has been granted by the people can be taken away. Charters to corporations can be revoked! That is something worth fighting for, not a silly job.

reply to post by Jean Paul Zodeaux


A job is not silly when you have a life to build and a family to feed.

I am 30 years old, college educated and ran my own (very small) business for several years. I am competent, educated, and really good at what I do.
But I am working at a silly job, for what most of you would call silly pay. But this pay is the difference between comfort and constant struggle. It still doesn't make us well off, but at least I can both Pay the electric bill and for a birthday party for my son...and isn't that what so many of us want.

It will not just be the youth that will be standing up sooner rather than later, there is a large section of people about 25-35 that actually are paying attention and are fed up.

Originally posted by David9176
Fight me...I'm asking anyone to fight me on what I'm stating.

Do you like Freedom Works (PRO FREE TRADE AND ANTI-AMERICAN and ANTI- COUNTRY)...or will you have the guts to state anything???

Prove me wrong.

Why doesn't anyone stand up for there country and protect their jobs? I'm not just talking about the US...I'm talking about every country.

PROTECT YOUR INDUSTRIES.

Make a better future for YOUR CHILDREN.

YOU OWE THEM THAT MUCH.

FIGHT FOR THEM.

FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Name ONE country... JUST ONE... I DARE YOU... where protectionism made for a prosperous population? OK, I'll LOWER the bar: NAME ONE COUNTRY where protectionism didn't CREATE CRUSHING POVERTY.

reply to post by gluetrap


When you have a life to build and a family to support, relying upon employment provided by others is pretty damn silly. If the rate of exchange between you and your employer is an even exchange and you are satisfied with that exchange, and presumably your employer is satisfied with that exchange then this is a contractual agreement that has benefited both parties well. However, I defy you to show where in that contract that employment has been guaranteed in perpetuity.

You claim to have owned your own business and it can only be inferred this failed which is why you are now working as an employee for an employer in a business that is presumably succeeding. Yet, later you assure this site that people in your age range are fed up. Fed up with what? You begin by insisting the job you have is not silly, and that this job provides for you and yours, so just precisely what would you be fed up with?

If people are fed up, they should do something to make a difference, and if being an employee for someone else makes that difference, this is fine, but employment is not, and never was a guarantee, just as succeeding in your own business is not a guarantee. The fact of the matter is that life itself is not a guarantee to anything other than fundamental rights, and employment is just not one of those rights.

reply to post by Geeky_Bubbe

Name ONE country... JUST ONE... I DARE YOU... where protectionism made for a prosperous population?

The United States. That was easy. Tariffs protect a country's wages and industries.

That was tough.

[edit on 11-6-2010 by David9176]