Bloomberg 2020

I have not been to Berlin in a very long time but it is a beautiful city. This was after the wall went down. Wonderful and resilient people live there. Originally Posted by Austin Ellen

See, right in front of your eyes, Walls don't work.

Although I've been in Germany many times, I was in Berlin for the first time last September. Very interesting city to visit/

And Germany, like many other European countries, is a Social Democracy.

Germany is a typical European social democracy with a massive welfare system and government occupying almost half the GDP. Originally Posted by SpeedRacerXXX

I wonder if ellen is going to put up her misguide commie pic now that you reminder her it is a *welfare state*?

Only the fifth largest economy in the world by GDP - slightly larger than Russia, which has a gazillion times the land mass and natural resources.

Originally Posted by Dev Null

I've been impressed with this country. Their is a stigma of guilt amongst the people about the wars they started. And when all was said and done at the last wars end, they didn't look to others to clean up and boot strap them. They went out and started picking up the bricks themselves. *OUR WELFARE PLAN*, known as the Marshall Plan, was the best $$$ we spent there.

And once they stood on their feet, they didn't forget what being a helping neighbor was about. They footed most of the bill when it came to reuniting both Germans'. And they helped Russia out a bit. All the while paying Israel and such the agreed monies at the end of the war.

I grew up overseas. I have no problem with socialized medicine. ESPECIALLY since the current party in the WH is blind to the cost benefits of preventive medicine.

Germany is a great example to mirror some of the ideas of the democrats. Personally, I think Bernie has some out their ideas but if elected, I feel others input will take the edge off them.

It's lunch time in America and the President is hungry.

Wonder what he's going to have for lunch. Let's ask Mini-Mike.

It's lunch time in America and the President is hungry.

Wonder what he's going to have for lunch. Originally Posted by Why_Yes_I_Do

They say he skips lunch and packs on the pounds for dinner:

https://theculturetrip.com/north-ame...eats-in-a-day/

His preferred order, according to Lewandowski, is “a full McDonald’s dinner of two Big Macs, two Filet-O-Fish sandwiches, and a small chocolate shake – a total of 2,430 calories.”

The president loves Diet Coke, reportedly drinking 12 cans a day.

Yeah, a full McDonald's dinner for a family of four.

And 12 cans of Diet Coke? No wonder he's up all night tweeting nonsense - it's probably aspartame psychosis.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28198207

Neurophysiological symptoms and aspartame:

Aspartame (α-aspartyl-l-phenylalanine-o-methyl ester), an artificial sweetener, has been linked to behavioral and cognitive problems. Possible neurophysiological symptoms include learning problems, ... irritable moods, anxiety, ... and insomnia.

Sound like anyone we know?

I know, they didn't mention compulsive pussy-grabbing, so it's not an exact match.

...I know, they didn't mention compulsive pussy-grabbing, so it's not an exact match. Originally Posted by Dev Null

Yeah, I guess ol' Chris Matthews is lamenting how he just can't grab them by the pussy anymore. At least we now know what that tingle up his leg was really all about.

See, right in front of your eyes, Walls don't work.... Originally Posted by Precious_b

Walls don't work?!? I don't recall many East Germans climbing over that wall that didn't work. If it didn't work, why tear it down? Maybe because Ronald Reagan guilted them into it??

...when all was said and done at the last wars end, they didn't look to others to clean up and boot strap them. They went out and started picking up the bricks themselves. *OUR WELFARE PLAN*, known as the Marshall Plan, was the best $$$ we spent there... Originally Posted by Precious_b

I'm thinking the $$ and lives we spent on defeating the Nazi's and bombing the bejesus out of them was money well spent. Though nice of us to pay them to pick up their own freak'n bricks.

In memorial of copy-pasta:

The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, was a U.S. program providing aid to Western Europe following the devastation of World War II.

Only the fifth largest economy in the world by GDP - Originally Posted by Dev Null

I recall Texas as being the 6th largest economy and it's only infested with Socialists in Austin.

I recall Texas as being the 6th largest economy Originally Posted by Why_Yes_I_Do

Sorry, Charlie. No Starkist for you.

If you exclude the U.S. and count each state on equal footing with other nations, based on GDP in 2019:

1. China
2. Japan
3. Germany
4. California
5. India
6. United Kingdom
7. France
8. Italy
9. Texas
10. Brazil

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compar..._states_by_GDP

Walls don't work?!? I don't recall many East Germans climbing over that wall that didn't work. If it didn't work, why tear it down? Maybe because Ronald Reagan guilted them into it??
... Originally Posted by Why_Yes_I_Do

See! East Germans were able to deftly avoid the Wall to come West. Thank you for supporting what most everyone says on the uselessness of walls. And you ever look at the cost of downtown Berlin real estate? The only guilt there is how much to gouge the market for that prime space.

...

I'm thinking the $$ and lives we spent on defeating the Nazi's and bombing the bejesus out of them was money well spent. Though nice of us to pay them to pick up their own freak'n bricks.

... Originally Posted by Why_Yes_I_Do

According to William Manchester in The Arms of Krupp, strategic bombing didn't reduce the manufacturing of the german arms industry as we thought. Period of time we dropped the most ordinance from air on them, they had the highest output of arms.

...

The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, was a U.S. program providing aid to Western Europe following the devastation of World War II. Originally Posted by Why_Yes_I_Do

Thank you for casting your support of welfare for a social democrat state. I see currently that our Bernie isn't up at the moment to sleepy joe.

See, right in front of your eyes, Walls don't work. Originally Posted by Precious_b

I'm reminded of a bit from the British comedy "Peep Show":

“Big locks and walls aren’t cool, but they worked for Hadrian and Ariel Sharon.”

See! East Germans were able to deftly avoid the Wall to come West. Thank you for supporting what most everyone says on the uselessness of walls... Originally Posted by Precious_b

Not seeing how you got to Albuquerque there. Did you signal your left turn? The wall, along with a mine field, barbed wire, guard towers and armed soldiers seemed to keep exfiltration low, typically 6 feet under for attempted escapees. Notwithstanding, walls change behavior. It's what they do. Sure, people may attempt to find other ways, but then you just watch the others ways. Incidentally, walls also dramatically reduces the overall exfiltration.

...Thank you for casting your support of welfare for a social democrat state. Originally Posted by Precious_b

Never was, never will be in support of a plan like that. The Marshal plan has long since exceeded it's shelf life and they can dang well take of themselves by now. My long held belief is: If you threatens us, attack us, or generally piss us off, we may decide to crush you, then take 10% of your land, shake hands and wish you good luck with your newfound life. Prost

So you propose to emulate Russia with the Berlin wall the way it was when we were kids and Kruschev was banging his shoe on the table at the UN saying we will bury you. It fits cause your Orange Faced,ridiculous comb-over,perpetual scowl faced like his shoes are too tight,illegitimate,no majority,fake pres Chump is down with that.There has been so much Russia association that he is practically an agent for them.

Walls don't work?!? I don't recall many East Germans climbing over that wall that didn't work. If it didn't work, why tear it down? Maybe because Ronald Reagan guilted them into it??
: Originally Posted by Why_Yes_I_Do

https://www.history.com/news/berlin-...s-east-germany

Between 1961 and 1989, thousands of East Germans made risky border crossings. Around 5,000 of them crossed over the Berlin Wall at great personal risk

The Berlin Wall wasn't quite 100 miles long, compared to about 900 miles of East German border, among other exit routes from East Germany. So most refugees chose the path of least resistance - around the wall.

Where there's a wall, there's a way.

The more important question is why self-described freedom-loving people want to prevent the entry of asylum seekers who are highly motivated to work hard and contribute to the economy.

If Republicans welcomed them with open arms, then we'd have a new influx of Republicans. But they don't.

Mostly it boils down to skin pigmentation. Republicans don't like brown people or foreigners of any stripe for that matter, despite the so-called "religious right" who ignore the biblical traditions of hospitality and support for the poor and persecuted.

Basically if you're not a fetus or unimnplanted embryo, Republicans don't give a rat's ass.

As far as Reagan guilting Gorbachev into tearing down that wall, he only said that after it was inevitable. Self-fulfilling prophecy.

As usual, more dishonesty and deceit, and further proof that right-wing propaganda causes irriversible brain damage.

Maybe you should wear galoshes. You're spewing all over your shoes. Maybe take some cleansing breaths, collect your thoughts before spewing. Ever try yoga? Maybe get yourself another cat to talk to. I dunno where you even thought you were going there.
Hey. Wait a second... Are you Joe Biden?!?

So you propose to emulate Russia with the Berlin wall the way it was when we were kids and Kruschev was banging his shoe on the table at the UN saying we will bury you. It fits cause your Orange Faced,ridiculous comb-over,perpetual scowl faced like his shoes are too tight,illegitimate,no majority,fake pres Chump is down with that.There has been so much Russia association that he is practically an agent for them. Originally Posted by sportfisherman

Is that you Jethro ?

Not seeing how you got to Albuquerque there. Did you signal your left turn? The wall, along with a mine field, barbed wire, guard towers and armed soldiers seemed to keep exfiltration low, typically 6 feet under for attempted escapees. Notwithstanding, walls change behavior. It's what they do. Sure, people may attempt to find other ways, but then you just watch the others ways. Incidentally, walls also dramatically reduces the overall exfiltration.


... Originally Posted by Why_Yes_I_Do

You must be the blind one. Is that Wall still there? I would ask the reason for its current state. (HINT: they don't work.)

...


Never was, never will be in support of a plan like that. The Marshal plan has long since exceeded it's shelf life and they can dang well take of themselves by now. My long held belief is: If you threatens us, attack us, or generally piss us off, we may decide to crush you, then take 10% of your land, shake hands and wish you good luck with your newfound life. Prost Originally Posted by Why_Yes_I_Do

I could not fathom what Europe would be like if our social welfare experiment didn't take place. I like the result of what it did. Hell, it saved us quite a few $$$ in that Germany took the place in helping out other countries. Regardless of your opinion, I can't complain with the results. I wish an action like that would have taken place in Korea. MacArthur should have had free hand to do what he wanted and not be muzzled by politicians. It wouldn't have been pretty (but he had an excellent records of producing results with little money, losing less men and resources.) And I guarantee we wouldn't be dealing with what we have today.