To put it another way...

[vodkazvictim]

... it occurs to me that when we have political debates we talk mainly about the effects on the economy rather than on the happiness of people.

So, should the economy come before the happiness of the masses?
Do we have to choose one or the other?
etc etc, you know the drill.

 

[Jeep!]

For far too many people those two things are way too closely intertwined, unfortunately.

 

[meesterperfect]

... it occurs to me that when we have political debates we talk mainly about the effects on the economy rather than on the happiness of people.

So, should the economy come before the happiness of the masses?
Do we have to choose one or the other?
etc etc, you know the drill.

Well there it is. Right out in the open.
I see your twue colors shining through
Its true, money can't buy happiness......but it sure can make misery a hell of a lot more pleasant.

When you say happiness, happiness in what sense?

This is why , at least in a political sense, why a good healthy economy and happiness are related:
Most people don't want shit from the GOV. All they ask from the GOV is don't interfere in my life too much, don't take too much of what I've worked for and for the love of barack don't fuck up the economy.

i think when you say masses you mean also the huge sector of society who thinks the GOV owes them a living.....right?

Most people just want the opportunity to be as successful as they can without the GOV holding them back. In a good economy you can get those things in life that contribute to happiness like a house, a decent car, good food, hot chick, money in the bank, stuff for your kids, ect.
Having financial independence and money saved makes most people happy.

 

[Mayhem]

I'm more than willing to proclaim that the more money I have, the happier I am.

 

[Mr. Daystar]

I think it's a happy medium. I would rather have a thousand dollars a week, and have my ups and downs, then have fifteen hundred and be miserable, or five hundred and be ecstatic.

 

[vodkazvictim]

Thank you for your thoughts people.

 

[Jagger69]

For far too many people those two things are way too closely intertwined, unfortunately.

:goodpost:

 

[mikexmoran]

Of course there is more to life than money. However, I do believe that prosperity overall leads to people's well being and happiness. So, the economy is important for government, defense, and the well being of people.
VV, I think your discussions are good - Lets take the happy path and assume that whatever government/nation you have and are in achieves a level of prosperity. How is that dealt with that translates to caring for the masses that will lead to their happiness.

Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and/or prosperity?

 

[bobjustbob]

It is impossible to give everyone happieness. Not everyone needs the same things for them to find their own happienes. These things change with time and situations for each individual also.

 

[mikexmoran]

If the Mets can keep winning 2 out of 3 (which they won't) that will be a little slice of happiness for me.

 

[vodkazvictim]

What if I said that there was too much emphasis on money and markets rather than the happiness of the people?
The prevailing idea seems to be that it doesn't matter how much the populace suffers, as long as big business does well.

 

[Red XXX]

 

[bobjustbob]

What if I said that there was too much emphasis on money and markets rather than the happiness of the people?
The prevailing idea seems to be that it doesn't matter how much the populace suffers, as long as big business does well.

What suffering iis going on that is caused by big business?

 

[Mayhem]

What suffering iis going on that is caused by big business?

Seriously? Big Pharma, Big Oil, the banks using the world economy as a chew-toy, LIBOR, Coal, hyper-inflated CEO salaries while America gets kicked out of its house, record breaking DOW while America lives on unemployment, overfishing, an ongoing and fake farm crisis, etc.

 

[bobjustbob]

Seriously? Big Pharma, Big Oil, the banks using the world economy as a chew-toy, LIBOR, Coal, hyper-inflated CEO salaries while America gets kicked out of its house, record breaking DOW while America lives on unemployment, overfishing, an ongoing and fake farm crisis, etc.

Well, yea. That's my question. How do any of these things make you suffer in your personal life? Is it taking food out of your mouth? Is it throwing you out of your home? How does a CEO's salary affect your personal life? My boss makes more money than me. How does that affect what goes on in my household?

 

[scoot]

Well, yea. That's my question. How do any of these things make you suffer in your personal life? Is it taking food out of your mouth? Is it throwing you out of your home? How does a CEO's salary affect your personal life? My boss makes more money than me. How does that affect what goes on in my household?

It doesn't.

 

[bobjustbob]

It doesn't.

Yea, really. We go to work and make our pay. Live off of what we bring home. Make your life from it. Do more and get more. Learn more shit that gives you value.

 

[vodkazvictim]

Well, yea. That's my question. How do any of these things make you suffer in your personal life? Is it taking food out of your mouth? Is it throwing you out of your home? How does a CEO's salary affect your personal life? My boss makes more money than me. How does that affect what goes on in my household?

Yeah, doesn't affect me, so who cares? Nevermind that I'm next.
Divide and rule.

Fact is, even if it doesn't affect you directly (and it frequently does) it affects you indireclty.

 

[Mayhem]

Seriously? Big Pharma, Big Oil, the banks using the world economy as a chew-toy, LIBOR, Coal, hyper-inflated CEO salaries while America gets kicked out of its house, record breaking DOW while America lives on unemployment, overfishing, an ongoing and fake farm crisis, etc.

Well, yea. That's my question. How do any of these things make you suffer in your personal life? Is it taking food out of your mouth? Is it throwing you out of your home? How does a CEO's salary affect your personal life? My boss makes more money than me. How does that affect what goes on in my household?

Big Pharma - they are behind the illegalization of marijuana because they know it will hurt profits. Depression/anxiety disorders are an epidemic these days, as well as a host of other conditions that pot would treat better. they force the government to spend billions on pot eradication when it should go to stopping coke, meth, opiates, etc. They also overcharge the meds they do produce. And I'm still waiting for the President/Senator/whatever who will get drug commercials off the TV. These things I mention affect all of us.

Big oil - c'mon, do I really need to spend the next 2 1/2 weeks listing the ways they fuck us all over

Bank industry - see big oil. SnL Crisis, LIBOR, the current economic fiasco. It's all the banks...the same ones who kick people out of their homes because...of the banks.

Pause: How are you asking how this affects us?

Coal - it's killing the planet, it's making our food unsafe to eat and the next mine disaster has just come a day closer.

CEO salaries - a bunch of Neros, fiddling while Rome burns. The same CEOs that are responsible for everything listed above.

Overfishing and the fake farm crisis - despite our best efforts, do you see any less people living on our planet? Every square foot of arable soil needs something growing out of it, the seriously depleted fish stocks need to be protected and managed properly. No excuses. But all we get is excuses.

All of this affects all of us, every single day.

 

[Philbert]

Big Pharma - they are behind the illegalization of marijuana because they know it will hurt profits. Depression/anxiety disorders are an epidemic these days, as well as a host of other conditions that pot would treat better. they force the government to spend billions on pot eradication when it should go to stopping coke, meth, opiates, etc. They also overcharge the meds they do produce. And I'm still waiting for the President/Senator/whatever who will get drug commercials off the TV. These things I mention affect all of us.

Big oil - c'mon, do I really need to spend the next 2 1/2 weeks listing the ways they fuck us all over

Bank industry - see big oil. SnL Crisis, LIBOR, the current economic fiasco. It's all the banks...the same ones who kick people out of their homes because...of the banks.

Pause: How are you asking how this affects us?

Coal - it's killing the planet, it's making our food unsafe to eat and the next mine disaster has just come a day closer.

CEO salaries - a bunch of Neros, fiddling while Rome burns. The same CEOs that are responsible for everything listed above.

Overfishing and the fake farm crisis - despite our best efforts, do you see any less people living on our planet? Every square foot of arable soil needs something growing out of it, the seriously depleted fish stocks need to be protected and managed properly. No excuses. But all we get is excuses.

All of this affects all of us, every single day.

To quote SpongeBob...:
"aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!"