Is it just me?

[Thin Lizzy]

It goes back further: The creation of the Fed, the new deal, ww11 price controls which inadvertently created employer based healthcare which has bankrupted the healthcare system.

The country is basically a gut which needs to be torn down and started over.

[Flexacon]

This is pretty much where I am.

I agree with him but I think Europe is even worse with zero entrepreneurship. I recently saw a stat that out of the top 30 Tech companies in the world, only one European.

Working life is far easier in Western Europe, so people are too comfortable and don't want to take risks.

If you work more than 35-40 hours a week or have a second job people would think you're crazy.

Also things like job security, sick pay, holiday pay is far more generous. Unemployment benefits and healthcare are far more accessible too.

If you're "struggling" is western Europe you're either an addict of some sort or have some kind of mental illness.

In the US you only get that level of security in your life by bending your back. Either you make it (American dream) or break it trying.

[myt1]

Dude, this is almost a mirror image of the shit I went through while growing up.

Thanks for backing me up bro.  Honestly, I typed all that out and almost cancelled it out as I thought it was too personal.  I remembered we had a good thread on Mayhem back in the day about why people got into weightlifting and whatever direction that took them, and it there were some that took the "I'm a bad ass, and wanted to be the best" approach, and others kinda let some things out.  I always wanted to ask the first group that claimed to be bad ass that wanted to be badder, why?  But, I knew it would have just been more bravado bs. 

Never shared that in depth story, and glad I got it off my chest when I hit "post".  I think on Mayhem I just mentioned being short, getting bullied, and girls saying "he's really good looking, but he's too short/small (not my dick..it's a monster...ok, not really  LOL)  Funny thing how girls say "eww...big muscles are gross, and then all of the sudden still bein short and the same person that the same girls knew were like "hey....." at every party I went to.  Then when I got a job at Gold's.............ez pickings.  Ahhhh....the good old days.

[wes]

Thanks for backing me up bro.  Honestly, I typed all that out and almost cancelled it out as I thought it was too personal.  I remembered we had a good thread on Mayhem back in the day about why people got into weightlifting and whatever direction that took them, and it there were some that took the "I'm a bad ass, and wanted to be the best" approach, and others kinda let some things out.  I always wanted to ask the first group that claimed to be bad ass that wanted to be badder, why?  But, I knew it would have just been more bravado bs. 

Never shared that in depth story, and glad I got it off my chest when I hit "post".  I think on Mayhem I just mentioned being short, getting bullied, and girls saying "he's really good looking, but he's too short/small (not my dick..it's a monster...ok, not really  LOL)  Funny thing how girls say "eww...big muscles are gross, and then all of the sudden still bein short and the same person that the same girls knew were like "hey....." at every party I went to.  Then when I got a job at Gold's.............ez pickings.  Ahhhh....the good old days.

I`ve hared my story about my abusive drunk father on here a couple of times....it does feel good to get it off your chest.

I worked in a strip bar later in life and my side job was being the girl that danced there`s  gynocologist. 

[myt1]

I`ve hared my story about my abusive drunk father on here a couple of times....it does feel good to get it off your chest.

I worked in a strip bar later in life and my side job was being the girl that danced there`s  gynocologist. 

I never saw that.  You had a different name on Mayhem (Ski, I believe) so it actually took me a bit of time to realize it was you on here once MM went away.  I don't remember what finally made it click.  I don't feel like you should have to re-share with everyone again, but if you know where it is and can copy and paste in a PM to me I would appreciate it.  We've already shared other "demons" so I think we have a lot in common,.....always have, 

My dad is over 70 now, was an asshole, and a abusive, selfish, arrogant fuckhead, that knows everything even though he dropped out of HS and got a GED. I called to speak with him a couple days ago to see how he was doing after having 3 stents put in (partly out of concern, partly to "bury the hatchet" so to speak, and partly bcuz I was having some of the same issues as him that made him go to a cardiologist).  That mother fucker laid into me right from the word hello and I ended it with "tell mom if she needs me to help set up your funeral I will do it, but I will not be attending to listen to your daughter (who tried to kill herself bcuz of him btw, but now that she has kids she is everything to him) talk about what a good guy you were, cuz you're not, and that's why you have zero friends so have a nice rest of your life.  We will never talk again,  Goodbye"

Would like to hear your old ass' sage advice on how you handled it and got past it other than the alcohol,,,,,,I mastered that route as well.

[myt1]

I`ve hared my story about my abusive drunk father on here a couple of times....it does feel good to get it off your chest.

I worked in a strip bar later in life and my side job was being the girl that danced there`s  gynocologist. 

Oh, and btw....when you do pm me can you explain the gynocologist story a bit better.  I've read it three times now, and still don't get it.  It's like my uncles dad, who was my sisters wife's 2nd cousin, who knew a guy that fucked my other aunt kinda of thing.  LOL

[Dave D]

I never saw that.  You had a different name on Mayhem (Ski, I believe) so it actually took me a bit of time to realize it was you on here once MM went away.  I don't remember what finally made it click.  I don't feel like you should have to re-share with everyone again, but if you know where it is and can copy and paste in a PM to me I would appreciate it.  We've already shared other "demons" so I think we have a lot in common,.....always have, 

My dad is over 70 now, was an asshole, and a abusive, selfish, arrogant fuckhead, that knows everything even though he dropped out of HS and got a GED. I called to speak with him a couple days ago to see how he was doing after having 3 stents put in (partly out of concern, partly to "bury the hatchet" so to speak, and partly bcuz I was having some of the same issues as him that made him go to a cardiologist).  That mother fucker laid into me right from the word hello and I ended it with "tell mom if she needs me to help set up your funeral I will do it, but I will not be attending to listen to your daughter (who tried to kill herself bcuz of him btw, but now that she has kids she is everything to him) talk about what a good guy you were, cuz you're not, and that's why you have zero friends so have a nice rest of your life.  We will never talk again,  Goodbye"

Would like to hear your old ass' sage advice on how you handled it and got past it other than the alcohol,,,,,,I mastered that route as well.

How did you dad take your response?

I’m sure he’s a narcissist and can’t acknowledge what you said but takes credit for who you are and that he made you the man you are today. You have no appreciation, etc…

Our childhood father experience sound similar.


Also Wes meant he was a bouncer who hooked up with the strippers. He was their “gynecologist” inspecting their privates. It was worded weird.

[wes]

How did you dad take your response?

I’m sure he’s a narcissist and can’t acknowledge what you said but takes credit for who you are and that he made you the man you are today. You have no appreciation, etc…

Our childhood father experience sound similar.


Also Wes meant he was a bouncer who hooked up with the strippers. He was their “gynecologist” inspecting their privates. It was worded weird.

Thanks Dave, that`s exactly what I meant to say ...no clue how I fucked it up that bad.  LOL 

myt1, I`ll PM you soon old buddy.....take care.

[Pray_4_War]

I worked in a strip bar later in life and my side job was being the girl that danced there`s  gynocologist. 

What kinda shit did you get involved with?  Pap smears?  Yeast infections?  HPV screenings?

[mphgrove]

The world at large is in a difficult space and I try not to be too judgmental about the US versus others nations. Whether your perspective comes from the Left or from the Right, it is true we have major problems: crime and homelessness, falling life expectancy and obesity and addictions, guns and drugs, etc. But look around the world and tell me where you would rather be. Africa or most of Asia: forget it. Russia or China: I don’t think so. South or Central America: generally f…up with way worse income inequalities and even violence than we have. The Middle East: Lebanon meltdown, Syria falling apart, Iran or Iraq: I don’t think so. So that leaves pockets of Europe and maybe a couple of places in the East like Japan, Korea, Thailand, Australia. Some of those may be marginally better off and Europe definitely showing more balls than in the past with the Ukraine travesty. But for me, I still go with the USA: 200 years of freedom and democracy, way ahead on innovation and cultural dynamism, still the primary world immigration destination (“beacon on the hill” if you work hard as Reagan expressed), lots of creativity and restlessness as has always been the case.

[myt1]

How did you dad take your response?  The ultimate last part, I posted?  Don't know and don't care.  I just hung up on him.  I had heard enough of his b.s. during the "conversation"

I’m sure he’s a narcissist and can’t acknowledge what you said but takes credit for who you are and that he made you the man you are today. You have no appreciation, etc…  Yes he's a narcissist.  We really haven't spoken except when forced when family from out of town comes, and holidays since my neice and nephew were born....even then we just would ignore each other.  Like I send tihe calll was made by me to try to make sure things ended differently, to see how his first post surgery rebab went?  As soon as I said, hey mom told me your on all these meds now which led to him saying "yeah like I'm going to listen to a steroid user"  Other than legit TRT I haven't used "steroids" for 18 years, and I managed or was asst mgr at a health food store for 5 years.  He told me I was just a big disppoint to him, and I was like dude "I was making more per year than you since I was 28...You literally know hardly anything about me as a person or what I''ve done"  He kept bringing up the past, and I would laugh becuase he was just propping himself up, so I'd correct him on what things really were.  He would then tell me I was weak and living in the past, bcuz if his dad did those things he would just take it out of respect.....which is a lie.  At 17 he hated and feared his dad so much he dropped out of HS, and somehow enlisted for Vietnam.  He was a fucking ambulance driver, but talks like he was some kind of war hero.  And yeah, there was a lot of "you don't know how good you had it"  Even though everything I wore came from garage sales until 15, and I had to buy my own food cuz it was "special" at around the same age when I joined the gym.  All he did was put a roof over our head which was one of those old DIY kits bought out of Ward's or Sears catalogs back in the late 70's.  Was I provided for as far as basic needs?  Sure, even though we lived at the same address, did I ever have a Dad?  Nope!  I'm leaving out a lot of personal shit as I dealt with the more severe stuff in therapy, and don't feel like reliving it.  People have dealt with worse though....just confirming your analysis is the most basic and painless way.

Our childhood father experience sound similar.

Sorry to hear that, but that was my point about why a lot of dudes got into bb'ing.  Insecurity, no dad, bad all around family, or just wanting to be able to protect yourself kind of things.

Also Wes meant he was a bouncer who hooked up with the strippers. He was their “gynecologist” inspecting their privates. It was worded weird.

[/b]

Thanks!  I saw Wes confirmed that.  Totally went right over my head!   

[myt1]

The world at large is in a difficult space and I try not to be too judgmental about the US versus others nations. Whether your perspective comes from the Left or from the Right, it is true we have major problems: crime and homelessness, falling life expectancy and obesity and addictions, guns and drugs, etc. But look around the world and tell me where you would rather be. Africa or most of Asia: forget it. Russia or China: I don’t think so. South or Central America: generally f…up with way worse income inequalities and even violence than we have. The Middle East: Lebanon meltdown, Syria falling apart, Iran or Iraq: I don’t think so. So that leaves pockets of Europe and maybe a couple of places in the East like Japan, Korea, Thailand, Australia. Some of those may be marginally better off and Europe definitely showing more balls than in the past with the Ukraine travesty. But for me, I still go with the USA: 200 years of freedom and democracy, way ahead on innovation and cultural dynamism, still the primary world immigration destination (“beacon on the hill” if you work hard as Reagan expressed), lots of creativity and restlessness as has always been the case.

Our freedoms are being, and are planning to be taken away. I'm not so sure we are ahead on innovation anymore since all our companies want to do business in China and have to give away their trade secrets and data to do so.  China in turn utilizes what they can and/or just reverse engineers everything to see back something similar to us and the rest of the world.  As far as democracy....eh, see 2020, 2022, and 2024 b4 we still can say that's true   If by cultural dynamism you are referring to diversity?  I thought it was great until Obumma and the left started using that in cahoots with MSM to divide us as much as possible.

Altogether, a great post by you, but I do question how long some of the positives you mentioned either are true or will stay true?  Remember China's saying "whoever controls the data, will rule the world"

[funk51]

 

   

   

   

   if this doesn't get you back in the spirit nothing will.

[funk51]

 

   

[myt1]

Thought this was cool to see.  I guess I always thought most soccer fans leaned left.....guess I was wrong.  He actually plays the vide a couple of minutes in. 

Maybe, all hope isn't lost?!

[Thin Lizzy]

Covid was the deal breaker for me. As one of the people here who spotted the scam at the outset, I’ve had to sit through two years of being lied to, having my intelligence insulted and being told I was unpatriotic because I had the nerve to question the narrative.

In my book, once you scam me, I owe you nothing.

[Soul Crusher]

Covid was the deal breaker for me. As one of the people here who spotted the scam at the outset, I’ve had to sit through two years of being lied to, having my intelligence insulted and being told I was unpatriotic because I had the nerve to question the narrative.

In my book, once you scam me, I owe you nothing.

My career got slammed, i lost friends, fights w family members, you name it. 

[Grape Ape]

My career got slammed, i lost friends, fights w family members, you name it.

And you even got the shot.

[myt1]

My career got slammed, i lost friends, fights w family members, you name it.

Yep, I've never seen anything divide our country to such an extent as covid/the jab divide our nation so quickly.  Wars did less to do so then this, and took longer to do so. 

I was going through/organizing a ton of papers this morning and GMA3 was on in the background.  They brought up that the next segment was going to be about the Ivermectin controversy after the break.  I thought "oh good, they got ahold of the studies showing Ivermectin's effectiveness that Dr. Campbell posted on his channel showing they were totally wrong"  Nope, still more lies talking about how never proven, and still calling it a vet drug / horsepaste.

Fuck they showed human grade bottles and packages that are prescribed to humans, and still could not admit those were for humans and the success many places have had with it.  Bunch of fuckery that won't end until Pfizer can sell every last shot they've got stocked up.

[deadz]

The world at large is in a difficult space and I try not to be too judgmental about the US versus others nations. Whether your perspective comes from the Left or from the Right, it is true we have major problems: crime and homelessness, falling life expectancy and obesity and addictions, guns and drugs, etc. But look around the world and tell me where you would rather be. Africa or most of Asia: forget it. Russia or China: I don’t think so. South or Central America: generally f…up with way worse income inequalities and even violence than we have. The Middle East: Lebanon meltdown, Syria falling apart, Iran or Iraq: I don’t think so. So that leaves pockets of Europe and maybe a couple of places in the East like Japan, Korea, Thailand, Australia. Some of those may be marginally better off and Europe definitely showing more balls than in the past with the Ukraine travesty. But for me, I still go with the USA: 200 years of freedom and democracy, way ahead on innovation and cultural dynamism, still the primary world immigration destination (“beacon on the hill” if you work hard as Reagan expressed), lots of creativity and restlessness as has always been the case.

You're right for now.

[myt1]

Lefitst commies infiltrated the country.  They took over the the news media, the entertainment media, and the education system.  It's been 24/7 Maxist propaganda ever since.  They brainwashed Americans into hating themselves and their history.  They dumbed Americans down to the point where 2 or 3 generations of young people couldn't find their ass with both hands.  We now have an incompetent, borderline useless population of Americans that are easy to fool and easy to control.

Meanwhile politicians made bad self-serving decisions for decades in order to loot the country and line their own pockets.  They imported tens of millions of third world morons that couldn't give a fuck about America and are only here to leech off of our system and abuse our good will.  Millions of people living in this country will laugh and celebrate our downfall.......until they realize that the flow of free money and free shit has ended.

Exacerbating the problem is the rise of big tech like Facebook and Google.  They are only too eager to work with the government and help them censor, block, ban, control, and enslave the people.  Technology has made it almost impossible to get out from under the oppressed state that we have found ourselves in.  Everything you say and do online is recorded and stored forever.  Your phone calls, texts, and emails are all monitored by the NSA.  Your phone spies on you.  Every time you walk out of you front door you are being recorded by video cameras.  There is no escape.

The only way out is for things to get so bad that the people rediscover the value of being free and re-take control of our systems and institutions......but that will probably take 50 years to happen.

Great post as always P4W!  If it goes on past 2026 with a GOP House, Senate, and Prez in place though that at least finish the wall, get drilling/Keystone going here, finally put in term limits, and only allow 401k's while they hold office with no individual stocks that they or their spouses can trade.  Those are just a few ideas, but without those as minimal....there's no turning back, especially in 50 years.  Those of us that remember our grandpa's that fought in WWII while our grandma's worked in plants to keep the country going will never have the stories they told us or the ability to tell them the way they did that inspired our generation to appreciate America.

Everyone is so freaked out about WWIII because we know it will end up in a nuclear firefest that decimates most of humanity so it will either never happen, or it will and most of us will die so it won't fucking matter anyway.

[loco]

"There are 46.8 million millionaires worldwide (measured in USD)

Most are in the US:  Of those, 40% or 18.6 million individuals are in America.

After the US at 40%, the following highest five countries for millionaires are China at 10%, Japan at 6%, the United Kingdom at 5%, Germany at 5%, and France at 4%."

https://www.yourwealth.com/want-to-become-the-millionaire-next-door-top-traits-most-millionaires-possess/

Despite challenging economic conditions, the U.S. keeps producing more millionaires. The total number of U.S.-based millionaires more than doubled from 2020 to 2023, reaching nearly 22 million individuals.

How have so many people reached this major financial milestone? It wasn't through get-rich-quick trends like going all in on crypto or launching an app. Most people are achieving the American dream by prioritizing their retirement savings.

Underspending: Automatic contributions from each paycheck help you prioritize saving money and teach you to live off less than your full income.

Staying level-headed: Consistent investing helps you see the bigger picture and reduces the temptation to make impulsive (and expensive) moves based on headlines and trends.

Free money: Many retirement plans come with an employer match. In other words, when you contribute, your employer puts free money into your account.

Risk-based adjustments: The majority of retirement plans automatically adjust your portfolio based on your age and when you plan to retire, also known as target-date investing.

https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/banking/article/the-number-one-way-americans-are-becoming-millionaires-191057199.html

[ProudVirgin69]

This is pretty much where I am.

I agree with him but I think Europe is even worse with zero entrepreneurship. I recently saw a stat that out of the top 30 Tech companies in the world, only one European.

That’s a good thing.  Big Tech is a scourge of humanity.

[ProudVirgin69]

Despite challenging economic conditions, the U.S. keeps producing more millionaires. The total number of U.S.-based millionaires more than doubled from 2020 to 2023, reaching nearly 22 million individuals.

How have so many people reached this major financial milestone? It wasn't through get-rich-quick trends like going all in on crypto or launching an app. Most people are achieving the American dream by prioritizing their retirement savings.

Underspending: Automatic contributions from each paycheck help you prioritize saving money and teach you to live off less than your full income.

Staying level-headed: Consistent investing helps you see the bigger picture and reduces the temptation to make impulsive (and expensive) moves based on headlines and trends.

Free money: Many retirement plans come with an employer match. In other words, when you contribute, your employer puts free money into your account.

Risk-based adjustments: The majority of retirement plans automatically adjust your portfolio based on your age and when you plan to retire, also known as target-date investing.

https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/banking/article/the-number-one-way-americans-are-becoming-millionaires-191057199.html

Yes, the US has a great disparity of wealth among its populace.  This is a bad thing

[mphgrove]

What this thread fails to take into account is, “well, where else would you really rather live and feel “patriotic”. Most of the world is really screwed up unfortunately. Asia, OK maybe Thailand where I have never been. Aren’t most Thais still pretty poor, lots come to USA? China NO. India NO. Middle East NO. South America or Central America NO. Russia NO. Africa NO NO NO. So where does that leave you. Europe or Australia or New Zealand. Those are the groups that go on and on about how awful we have become (most everybody else just keeps wanting to come here). To some extent, maybe they have a point. They may be great to visit but most Americans look forward to the sense of freedom and the expansiveness and creativity of getting home. And dig down a little bit and those places really have a lot of the same issues we do. France and Germany, for example are a big mess at the moment.

I remain patriotic. 200 years and still counting!