American's living Paycheck to Paycheck

[Smitty-48]

I don't know about all that.

As a constitutionally risk-averse, big-time saver, it annoys me that my money starts depreciating the second it hits my pocket.

Americans are encouraged, at every level, to take on debt and consume. Chalking it up to lack of self control is too simplistic.

Any idiot can make the inherently simple needlessly complex, that is in fact the very nature of idiocy.

But moreover, while it may be the role of the American state to defend Americans from threats, it is not the role of the American state to defend them from their own consumption habits.

Hence, that's not a policy issue, so there's no need for you Leftists here, move along, move along...

[Hanarchy Montanarchy]

And any idiot can fail to recognize complexity. That is why they call 'em simpletons.

Whatever though... I got to go check on my Scrooge MacDuck style money pit and curse the fed for its perfidy.

At the risk of being run out of town as a leftist, SJW Communist, I am going to go ahead and suggest there are some policy issues here. Let me just pop on my Che t-shirt and sing le Internationale while asking for a healthy 3-4% growth on a good old fashion, FDIC backed money market.

[Smitty-48]

And any idiot can fail to recognize complexity. That is why they call 'em simpletons.

Actually, idiots have no problem recognizing complexity, they see nothing but complexity, we call them simpletons because they are unable to analyze complexity in order to draw concise and relevant conclusions, particularly in time to make effective decisions to exploit situations to their advantage.

[Hanarchy Montanarchy]

And any idiot can fail to recognize complexity. That is why they call 'em simpletons.

Actually, idiots have no problem recognizing complexity, they see nothing but complexity, we call them simpletons because they are unable to analyze complexity in order to draw concise and relevant conclusions, particularly in time to make effective decisions to exploit situations to their advantage.

Well this particular idiot lives within means, and puts a healthy bit aside, and is constantly aware that a bit of that is constantly being shaved off to make the vig for someone else's ponzi scam. I'm basically fine with it... gotta keep the engine running and all, but I can't really blame people for becoming debtors.

[Smitty-48]

And any idiot can fail to recognize complexity. That is why they call 'em simpletons.

Actually, idiots have no problem recognizing complexity, they see nothing but complexity, we call them simpletons because they are unable to analyze complexity in order to draw concise and relevant conclusions, particularly in time to make effective decisions to exploit situations to their advantage.

Well this particular idiot lives within means, and puts a healthy bit aside, and is constantly aware that a bit of that is constantly being shaved off to make the vig for someone else's ponzi scam. I'm basically fine with it... gotta keep the engine running and all, but I can't really blame people for becoming debtors.

I don't blame people for being debtors, I hold them responsible for their own actions or lack thereof, blame and responsibility are not the same thing.

I cast no aspertions on the American culture of consumption, I simply reject that it is an issue of policy rather than the destiny of culture, policy itself in fact also being a product of the culture.

[Hanarchy Montanarchy]

Actually, idiots have no problem recognizing complexity, they see nothing but complexity, we call them simpletons because they are unable to analyze complexity in order to draw concise and relevant conclusions, particularly in time to make effective decisions to exploit situations to their advantage.

Well this particular idiot lives within means, and puts a healthy bit aside, and is constantly aware that a bit of that is constantly being shaved off to make the vig for someone else's ponzi scam. I'm basically fine with it... gotta keep the engine running and all, but I can't really blame people for becoming debtors.

I don't blame people for being debtors, I hold them responsible for their own actions or lack thereof, blame and responsibility are not the same thing.

That is a fair point.

But, I gotta ask: you aren't at all concerned that all of our policies discourage fiscal conservatism? When neither individuals nor institutions keep enough saved cash on hand to cover short term losses, everyone is skittish, all the time. That lack of robustness concerns me.

[Smitty-48]

Well this particular idiot lives within means, and puts a healthy bit aside, and is constantly aware that a bit of that is constantly being shaved off to make the vig for someone else's ponzi scam. I'm basically fine with it... gotta keep the engine running and all, but I can't really blame people for becoming debtors.

I don't blame people for being debtors, I hold them responsible for their own actions or lack thereof, blame and responsibility are not the same thing.

That is a fair point.

But, I gotta ask: you aren't at all concerned that all of our policies discourage fiscal conservatism? When neither individuals nor institutions keep enough saved cash on hand to cover short term losses, everyone is skittish, all the time. That lack of robustness concerns me.

America is not a fiscally conservative culture anymore, if it ever was, I don't concern myself with that which is beyond my control, particularly if I know it to be beyond anyones control for that matter.

Analyze the complexity, draw concise and relevant conclusions, exploit those to your advantage, and don't be diverted by that which is beyond your control.

[Hanarchy Montanarchy]

Good n' stoic.

Whelp... I figure now is as good a time as any to invest in some guns. The price always dips when the GOP is in charge.

[Smitty-48]

I'm not actually a stoic, I'm a hedonist, but nobody rides for free, being a hedonist is a full time job.

Moreover, rule number one of being a hedonist; stop wasting your time worrying and get to enjoying, you'll be dead soon, and forever, so just live in the now, and extract as much pleasure as possible in any given situation while you're there.

Analyzing complexity to draw concise and relevant conclusions in order to exploit those to my advantage; I enjoy it, it gives me pleasure.

[Penner]

There are several factors why Americans are living paycheck to paycheck and it has to do with two main things.

1) Wage stagnation

2) Fees and credit debt.

Idiocy.

1. Learn to count.

2. Count nickels and dimes.

3. No more living paycheck to paycheck.

Bank fees will suck your money from any account- even the hidden fees and also things like Pay-Day loans are a scam on society and should end. Most Americans live on credit which is paid by interest. Most money that Americans make goes towards bills like credit payment, fee payment, etc.... Americans today are also using check cashing places in replace of banks BECAUSE of the bank's fees/hidden fees.

Not to mention the recent recession that saw millions of people got layoff and also if you get sick and/or a love one gets sick (really sick) then you are pretty much screwed in this country.