"Then, where is it?"

Same place it was when the British Mandate expired, and Israel was established as an independent state.

A little bit of advice-maybe spend a little more time reading about the things you want to comment on.

"Israel is the reason there isn't any Palestinian national development."

Yeah. That's what I said.

Palestinians don't want a state until Isreal is destroyed.

That is their priority.

"Nice try. Madbomber. Your Lies are just too Brazen. Maybe next time."

It looks like you and Clown had the same history teacher.

"... they were never given their own nation."

They literally were.

Literally. Just like Israel was.

Instead of doing something with it, they decided that instead, they wanted everything. And with the support of their Arab neighbors, they tired to take it. And got their asses kicked. And then tried to take it again. And got thier asses kicked. And then tried to take it again. And got their asses kicked.

The only difference between now and then as that the Arab states have realized that picking a fight with Israel never turn out well. When the Palestinians finally realize this, maybe they can move on and-you know-maybe work on establishing a Palestinian state.

#72

Danni, you have a great point, but remember how this thing all started. The only reason Palestine has never matured into an actual state is because the Palestinians value the destruction of Israel over any sort of national development.

I think that, like North Koreans, they've been brainwashed into thinking that, before they can do anything else, the Jews must be eliminated. That will ensure that a Palestinian state remains unattainable.

#33

I can't imagine that I would ever move back to the US. Germany is a bit "meh," but it's still better than most of the US. And I'm not alone. Most of my US co-workers feel the same. But it's not because of gun laws. I would prefer to bring my guns to Europe. In facty, one of the things my non-US friends probably like most about the US is being able to shoot guns pretty much anytime you want.

And it's not because of some silly national healthcare system. I have no need for that. I never will.

It's because it's just a different lifestyle choice. And it's not for everyone, although I think more USans would like it if they understood it.

"A system where success is rewarded but the rich aren't allowed to rig the game doesn't sound like a good idea to you?"

If the rich have rigged the game, they're terrible at it. They pay the vast majority of taxes in this country.

You know who really makes out well? Lower income earners. The ones who have no social obligations but still benefit from the privileges provided by those who do.

"What do rich people do for you?"

They pay my fair share of the taxes. Yours too.

Have you ever considered what would happen if they went away. I'm not sure if you realize it or not, but the absence of high income-earners isn't going to change your labor value one bit. What would change is the amount you would be obligated to pay in taxes just to cover the bottom line.

"Your life? You live in Germany. You're a citizen of Germany."

No -------. I'm a citizen of the US. I'm not even an ordinary resident of Germany.

My paychecks are in USD. I vote in US elections. I have a US passport.

I don't think you understand how any of this works.

"Your country wouldn't be an international pariah state?"

But that would be the case with virtually any other president but Trump. And lez be honest, Bernie is closer to Trump in his desire for power over the population than virtually any other prominent politician.

All I see is a lot of whining about rich people. If there are no rich people, what does that do for me. I only see negative impacts.

So...someone walk me through how a president Bernie would be better for me than a president Trump.

Instead of billionaires, who in his cabinet would make my life better?

"It's true, did you know Europe has not one naval vessel that can be used to combat the houthis?"

I'm not sure what you mean when you say "Europe." Europe is not a country, so technically it's true that Europe has no ships. But the nations that reside in Europe have naval capabilities that rival or exceed those of the US. I'm talking about you, Holland and Norway. But the UK, Sweden, and France have sizeable fleets as well.

"I Prefer spending my time mocking you."

Fer real?

You're too dumb to mock anyone.

The funny/sad thing is you don't even realize it.

"What are some of the social responsibility demands that aren't present in America?"

First, the taxes on low-income earners are far higher. So they are actually contributing to the benefits they receive.

Second, college isn't just "free." You have to be doing something that is going to be value-added for the taxpayer. I don't know if the German government would pay for someone to get a degree in Palestinian Activist studies. In the US? Sure. FAFSA will loan you money to get a degree in whatever nonsense you want. But since it's not value-added, you get to pay it back.

But yeah, simple answer. low income earners in the US pay almost nothing. In Europe, they would have a far greater tax burden. Are you cool with that? Do you think they would be cool with that?

"It's a great model for Europe."

Just a little too regressive for your taste?

"Way to wear your ignorance on your sleeves."

OK. I'm open to being corrected. So correct.

#76

So...you're not a fan of the European model.

Taxation and benefits are still a function of "to each according to need, to each according to ability."

Maybe that's why I like Europe. Maybe that's why people like you would not.

Again-what would be the point. Just make high income earners pay for everything in some way. If that's not American exceptionalism, what is?

#69

There will always be fraud, waste, and abuse. But what is the better value proposition for the taxpayer? Spending $100 to end $10 in FW&A, or just understanding it will always be a thing?

The answer depends on what you think matters most.

"The vast majority of those fighting fascism hold values that are just as bad as the fascists." No matter how many times you say this, it's still bull$#!+"

So, how do you view the 2020 rioters in Portland who were flying commie symbology?

Were they the "good" guys?

"You always demonstrate that you're a product of the Cold War with your paranoid association of left social welfare policy with Stalinist communism."

My goodness. Not at all.

Dude, I live in Germany, when I'm not here, I'm likely in Albania or Norway.

Put simple, Europe has social welfare, but it also demands social responsibility. That's the difference between the US and Europe, and it's where the far left and the far right in the US converge.

In Europe, there are more benefits, but those benefits come at a cost. To everyone. In the US, progressives feel that high income earner should bear the burden for everything, and if they don't, those costs shouldn't be passed on to lower income earners. Rather those benefits just shouldn't exist. It's not that much different than the conservatives, who feel that they shouldn't exist because it would result in a tax increase. The Horseshoe Theory once again proves itself to be a thing.

And let's test this. Let's flesh out support for a VAT on this thread. In Europe, VATs represent a substantial funding mechanism. As much as 25% in some countries.

Let's see how many progressives come out in favor of a VAT to fund those things they think are important.

Ready? Go!

"Whats the over/under on Hegseth being --------- when he sent that?"

If you're in the military and you work ops and you're not a Mormon, you're likely at least a casual alcoholic.

But nobody uses Signal to pass classified information. Hell, these -------- had portable classified comm systems available for use...they chose not to. I can't fathom why they would use signal. Indifference would be my best bet.

100%, during COVID, the majority of the stakeholders in what I do were working from home on SECRET laptops. Even doing VTCs. It's not like the technology is super cosmic.

And her commitment to fighting fascism is totally sus.

The vast majority of those fighting fascism hold values that are just as bad as the fascists.

Just because the commies fought the fascists doesn't mean that the commies were any better. Just ask Eastern Europe.

"She offered nothing, need a track record, the only way Democrats get better is fixing things locally."

She's an instagram influencer. Do you think the people she influences really care that much about policy?

Do you really think the current prez and SECDEF would have been in either one of those positions if they had not been media figures? Instagrammers in politics is really just the logical extension of that phenomenon.

"If we hadn't been distributing practicaly all the gains in household income to the top 20% of households for the past fifty years, these problems wouldn't even exist."

"If we had been redistributing practically all the household gains from the top 20% of house to the remaining 80% for the past fifty years, these problems wouldn't exist."

Other problems, to be sure. But I guess people are happier if they are all more equally poor?

"Republicans think the economy functions best when it punishes the poor and rewards the rich."

How does the current economy do either one of those things?

You make no sense.

I guess it was only a matter of time before Instagram Influencers started running for office...