In business in the USA, what has changed?

Engineer> USA Businesses are too short-range. We're going to lose to other countries. They are too pushed by the stock market and financiers. Here, a long-term perspective can't win.

Me> No, that's not true, in a free market the person with the best long-term wins. The problem is that the government regulations and actions strangle business. Just look at today. The tax rates in 3 weeks from now could be vastly different that today! Three weeks! How can anyone plan ahead for years and years with the stumbling block coming up so soon, at that short of a time horizon?

Engineer> No, it's that people are selfish and short-range.

Me> Even if that's true, it's always been true. What's changed?

Engineer> Well now we have jobs going overseas because regulations are so high here in the USA.

Me> That's my point!

It's easy to be poor.

At Penn station NYC I overheard part of a long conversation about politics between a man (M=man) and a woman (F=female). Mostly I heard the gentleman since his voice carried.

M>So you think it's good to let the rich off the hook?

..

M>I'm so disappointed with Pres. Obama's tax compromise. I want to pay more taxes! We need to support so many things.

F>You can pay more taxes any time you like.

...

The lady was not faring well in the argument, the best I could tell. So I took a gander at talking to him when it was convenient.

Me>Hi! I overheard you talking about politics. I think you haven't been phrasing the subject the right way. 

M>Oh?

Me>There is no right to take other people's money.

M>But they have more and they can afford it, and there are so many poor, especially right now!

Me>If you take too much of it they'll stop working. I have a friend right now who's saying if the taxes go up he'll just quit. He'll stop working.

M> Oh?

Me> Yes. It's easy to be poor: just stop working.

M> Well, that's true.

Me> Have a great day!

Marriage Proposal - Not for $1000/mo?!

I enjoy having interesting conversations with people I meet in public, aka the "subway", since it was there (and on the bus) I started talking to vandals, to get them to stop.

Yesterday was another such encounter, in Penn Station NYC. A peddler started asking me for money.

Me> No thank you, but have a great day!

Mr.Cashmere> I like your eyes! Please won't you help me out? The bible says...

Me, interrupting> I don't think anyone should go by the bible. 

Mr.Cashmere, astonished look, looking at me closer>

Me> I think people should think for themselves.

Mr.Cashmere> I want to take you home! 

//note; the order may be a little off.  Mr.Cashmere is not  here to correct me so I apologize.

Me> smiling> Thank you that is very sweet :), but I think not.

Mr.Cashmere> If you were with me you'd never want for grits or bread or any food! I make $1000/month! Look at this coat; see the inside? It's cashmere!!

Me> That's terrific.

Mr.Cashmere> It's alot of money but it's not enough to buy an apartment in NYC.

Me> Yes, that's because the government has regulated out of existence all the apartments you could afford.

Mr.Cashmere> I'm homeless.

Me> I think the government is not helping and most people don't understand that.

Mr.Cashmere> Where can I go to get an apartment? Here I can only go in with someone. Please can I come home with you? Can I get an apartment in your neighborhood?

Me, laughing> Well, no nothing in NYC area is under $1000/month. Maybe you could go to Illinois or maybe Detroit where they have all those empty houses.