Oh come on. It's really not that hard living without TV or internet. Even the fact that the water or electricity went out sometimes wasn't THAT bad (although I definitely missed the water way more than the electricity). Showering in cold or sometimes lukewarm water was hard to get used to, and since i put off my laundry until the last minute it was a pain in the ass to wait for it to dry on the line. But all those little inconveniences were just that: inconvenient. It was like living in America 100 years ago, except with a few things added like a fridge and a stove. We could go to the beach, read, have parties, play cards, take walks through nature.... All in all I think it gave me a better perspective on things than some of my friends, who act like they're going to die if their parents take away their cell phone or their credit card.

Now living without alcohol, that would be roughing it. :D

We don't need shampoo or toothpaste and there is reason to believe soap does more harm than good. They are all "needs" created by advertising.

I've been functioning quite well for about twenty years now on just flossing and using water as a mouthwash. My dentist says my teeth are very healthy and there is no gum recession as found in most people my age.

The same thing applies to shampoo. I keep my hair short and rinse it well every day in the shower. All the goop we put in our hair creates the main need for shampoo. Again, my barber tells me my scalp is healthy and clean, and, interestingly, my hair has not thinned a bit as I age.

As for soap, we have to realize that our skin is an ecosystem, and, just as one disturbs nature with clearcutting or massive spraying, resulting in unexpected consequences, soap has a similar effect on our skin.

Indeed, most soaps also contain other substances to offset the irritating effects, along with perfumes. This just makes the chemical mix even worse.

Considering the paper and plastic and other stuff that we waste using these unnecessary but heavily advertised products (and there are many others), if one is a true environmental advocate, one would do well to look closely at our daily habits.

People are shocked: how do you stay clean? The point is my skin is clean, but not sterile. The main thing is to avoid body odor, not to cover it up with perfumes and not to destroy those microorganisms on the skin that keep the odor producing bacteria in check.

Now living without alcohol, that would be roughing it. :D
One can do better if one avoids alcohol entirely.

There is reason to believe that alcohol consumption prevents the formation of deposits in the arteries (alcoholics who die of liver disease usually have pristine arteries).

There is also reason to believe a little wine (dark red wines) provides certain micronutrients that work against some cancers.

Offsetting that is the damage any alcohol at all does to the liver and brain and skin and stomach and other organs.

Since there are alternative ways to prevent heart disease and the micronutrients in red wine are also in strawberries, blueberries and red grapes, which are also cheaper, there is no need to take the negative effects of alcohol.

As a social lubricant, what is really needed is a glass of something in one's hand. The need to have a few drinks before one can have fun is a danger signal.

Was not reading comp taught in your school? Or are you just playing stupid?

If you have a point, make it or STFU.

Thanks. :)

We don't need shampoo or toothpaste and there is reason to believe soap does more harm than good. They are all "needs" created by advertising.

I've been functioning quite well for about twenty years now on just flossing and using water as a mouthwash. My dentist says my teeth are very healthy and there is no gum recession as found in most people my age.

The same thing applies to shampoo. I keep my hair short and rinse it well every day in the shower. All the goop we put in our hair creates the main need for shampoo. Again, my barber tells me my scalp is healthy and clean, and, interestingly, my hair has not thinned a bit as I age.

As for soap, we have to realize that our skin is an ecosystem, and, just as one disturbs nature with clearcutting or massive spraying, resulting in unexpected consequences, soap has a similar effect on our skin.

Indeed, most soaps also contain other substances to offset the irritating effects, along with perfumes. This just makes the chemical mix even worse.

Considering the paper and plastic and other stuff that we waste using these unnecessary but heavily advertised products (and there are many others), if one is a true environmental advocate, one would do well to look closely at our daily habits.

People are shocked: how do you stay clean? The point is my skin is clean, but not sterile. The main thing is to avoid body odor, not to cover it up with perfumes and not to destroy those microorganisms on the skin that keep the odor producing bacteria in check.
Hah. Wow... Maybe I should stop brushing my teeth and I wouldn't have so many damn cavities.

Hah. Wow... Maybe I should stop brushing my teeth and I wouldn't have so many damn cavities.
Don't bank on it.

Personally speaking, I'd never be with a girl that didn't smell like a piece of fruit (preferably a peach) with minty-fresh breath. Hmmmm.....peachhhhhh. LOL.

Hah. Wow... Maybe I should stop brushing my teeth and I wouldn't have so many damn cavities.

My attack was on toothpaste--brushing your teeth will not hurt. Did you ever see how the ads for toothpaste cover the brush with their product, when at most only a touch is needed--the rest just gets spit out.

The main reason gums recede in the elderly is gingivitus, and, while brushing helps a little, flossing is the key.

Another reason gums recede is overbrushing--not too often but too hard. Toothbrushes should be soft and one should be gentle.

Most mouth odor indicates sinus or lung problems, and brushing will not solve these.

If you don't brush and drink a lot of tea (as I do), staining can be a problem, but dentists have excellent ways to whiten your teeth--far superior to anything that might be in a toothpaste.

Most mouth odor indicates sinus or lung problems, and brushing will not solve these.
Certain digestive issues can cause it, too. I think halitosis is one of 'em. We all know what that smells like -

Certain digestive issues can cause it, too. I think halitosis is one of 'em. We all know what that smells like -
I didn't mention the stomach because I was not aware of that. The only thing in the stomach that I can think of that might cause bad breath would be reflux disease (GERD). It can be present without the usual heartburn, and should be treated since it leads to Barrett's Esophagus and even esophageal cancer (a major cause of death in China).

An excellent and inexpensive and even nutritious way to sweeten one's breath is by chewing calcium carbonate tablets ("Tums"). They only provide slight and temporary relief for GERD, but they do freshen the breath and are a good calcium supplement.

If you have a point, make it or STFU.

Thanks. :)


Ran out of BS didn't you? My point has been made.

Ran out of BS didn't you?

Yeah, apparently you are using all the BS in the world up.
I asked you a question you couldn't answer and you felt you had to resort to childish namecalling.

I asked you if you wanted the US to turn into a third world country and the discussion turned into "third world countries aren't that bad", as if some people are looking forward to that time.

You could have addressed that conversation that sprang out of my question that you couldn't answer.

But you chose not to. I have to assume from that you are conceding the debate.

Thanks and have a nice night. :)

Yeah, apparently you are using all the BS in the world up.
I asked you a question you couldn't answer and you felt you had to resort to childish namecalling.

I asked you if you wanted the US to turn into a third world country and the discussion turned into "third world countries aren't that bad", as if some people are looking forward to that time.

You could have addressed that conversation that sprang out of my question that you couldn't answer.

But you chose not to. I have to assume from that you are conceding the debate.

Thanks and have a nice night. :)


Tjis country is well on its way to third world status. At the rate we are losing production capacity, and increasing imports, it will happen within YOUR lifetime. That is if its not taken over by Mexico first.

As for BS, thats all I've seen you post (usually written by someone else), don't you have thoughts of your own?

Hey Dharm,

Someone should teach you some manners. What church do you go to??

Did they teach you things like STFU?????

Look bub: No one is proposing a 70% tax on anything.

The current proposal is 23% and the poor (the people you pretend to care about so much) would end up paying zero or close to it. (Probably even get money back)

You speak of things you know nothing about.


We already pay a sales tax and it doesn't cover the cost of running the government.

I don't feel like paying a 70% tax for everything I buy.

And please don't cite that stupid fairtax website at me. I have already been over that numerous times.

Hey Brain-E-Ack:

How could a 6% (in my county and many counties) sales tax cover the cost of running the government????

The fair tax proposal is currently 23% (if memory serves me)

Oh and by the way:

Under the fair tax you would take home your entire pay check.


We already pay a sales tax and it doesn't cover the cost of running the government.

I don't feel like paying a 70% tax for everything I buy.

And please don't cite that stupid fairtax website at me. I have already been over that numerous times.

Hey Dharm,

Someone should teach you some manners. What church do you go to??

Did they teach you things like STFU?????

Look bub: No one is proposing a 70% tax on anything.

The current proposal is 23% and the poor (the people you pretend to care about so much) would end up paying zero or close to it. (Probably even get money back)

You speak of things you know nothing about.
Your manners are about on the same level, at least when it comes to dharma. If you want him to be civil, maybe you should think about doing it too.

Tjis country is well on its way to third world status. At the rate we are losing production capacity, and increasing imports, it will happen within YOUR lifetime. That is if its not taken over by Mexico first.

So why support speeding that process up?

As for BS, thats all I've seen you post (usually written by someone else), don't you have thoughts of your own?

Obviously you never actually read anything I posted.
I post my opinion and then I try to post facts to back that opinion up.

Someone should teach you some manners. What church do you go to??

http://ganjataz.com/general-bollocks/images/by-GT/forum-shitz/pot-kettle-black.jpg


The current proposal is 23% and the poor (the people you pretend to care about so much) would end up paying zero or close to it. (Probably even get money back)

That would never be able to cover the massive expenditures our government makes.

I still favor tariffs to offset our taxes instead of trying to throw the baby out with the bathwater, as you suggest.

Under the fair tax you would take home your entire pay check.

The national sales tax would also mean that much more of my paycheck would go to buying "non-essentials" like toilet paper, toothpaste and soap.

Sorry, I do not favor going to a sales tax alone. I just don't think it is feasible given the massive expenditures we make.

I like the idea of a low national sales tax, plus reduced income tax. And the tariff idea is a good one too. It should be a nice combination.

There are many people who are far smarter than you or I who would disagree with your statement below.




[QUOTE=dharmabum]http://ganjataz.com/general-bollocks/images/by-GT/forum-shitz/pot-kettle-black.jpg




That would never be able to cover the massive expenditures our government makes.

QUOTE]

I like the idea of a low national sales tax, plus reduced income tax. And the tariff idea is a good one too. It should be a nice combination.

I agree. There is no reason we can't use a combination of ideas for revenue generation and make room to adjust them as needed for the benefit of the country.

There are many people who are far smarter than you or I who would disagree with your statement below.


And there are plenty of people who would agree with me too.

That doesn't prove anything.

One thing is for sure:

Under the current tax system, many US companies have moved over seas.
(Because they are punished by the current system)

The fair tax would bring more compaines to the US. This would be a great boost to out economy.


And there are plenty of people who would agree with me too.

That doesn't prove anything.

Under the current tax system, many US companies have moved over seas.
(Because they are punished by the current system)

The fair tax would bring more compaines to the US. This would be a great boost to out economy.

Corporations are paying the lowest taxes in America now than they have since the 1950s, yet they are still leaving.

They are leaving because we allow them to, whereas most other countries do not. Do you think China allows any old foreign company to waltz in and open up shop?

We should not be allowing them to leave. We should be forcing any company that wants to do business here to have to incorporate here and pay taxes here.

America desperately needs a sense of economic nationalism.

Your quote below is spoken like a true communist!!
(lets force compaines to stay)



The fact is, they are leaving because they think it is to their advantage to leave. (will they just move shop for the hell of it??)

They can pay lower taxes on foreign soil. (so the foreign country will benefit)

If we did not punish them, they would stay.







Corporations are paying the lowest taxes in America now than they have since the 1950s, yet they are still leaving.

They are leaving because we allow them to, whereas most other countries do not. Do you think China allows any old foreign company to waltz in and open up shop?

We should not be allowing them to leave. We should be forcing any company that wants to do business here to have to incorporate here and pay taxes here.

America desperately needs a sense of economic nationalism.

Your quote below is spoken like a true communist!!
(lets force compaines to stay)

Actually a Communist would never have to say that because in a communist society the government would own all the businesses and it wouldn't be an issue, but that is a whole other discussion and has nothing whatsoever to do with what I said, that Corporate taxes are very low right now and yet they are still leaving.



The fact is, they are leaving because they think it is to their advantage to leave. (will they just move shop for the hell of it??)

Yes, it is in their advantage, but it is to the detriment of America. The interests of multinational corporations are not the interests of America. There is nothing wrong with America pursuing our own interests.


They can pay lower taxes on foreign soil. (so the foreign country will benefit)

And it is to the detriment of America.


If we did not punish them, they would stay.

No, if we got rid of all taxes they would still leave because they pay more for Healthcare costs than they do in taxes. Taxes are not the primary reason they are leaving.

Look, we simply have a difference of opinion. You are approaching this from the perspective of what is best for the corporation and I am approaching this from the perspective of what is best for the country.

Hey Dharm,

When it comes down to it, would you do whats best for your country, or whould you do whats best for you and your family??

Most people choose family over country.

Thats just the way it is.




Look, we simply have a difference of opinion. You are approaching this from the perspective of what is best for the corporation and I am approaching this from the perspective of what is best for the country.

Hey Dharm,

When it comes down to it, would you do whats best for your country, or whould you do whats best for you and your family??

Most people choose family over country.

Thats just the way it is.

What is best for my community and my country is generally also best for me and my family.

Hey Dharm,

When it comes down to it, would you do whats best for your country, or whould you do whats best for you and your family??

Most people choose family over country.

Thats just the way it is.
Do you think family has a special moral priority over, say, a stranger, or are you just stating an observed fact rather than a moral precept?

It's an observed fact.


Do you think family has a special moral priority over, say, a stranger, or are you just stating an observed fact rather than a moral precept?

It's an observed fact.
OK. In that case should it be this way? Why do we favor family over strangers? Frankly I can see no logical basis why we should risk our lives for our family any more or less than for a stranger. Isn't all human life of equal worth?

The reason things are this way, of course, is part biology (we inherit genes that try to protect those who we share genes with) and part selfish interest--family are more likely to protect us, so we return the favor.

If we rise above such things, we realize that all sentient life is the only really worthy object of our care.

In that case should it be this way?

No, I don't think it should. We should expand our ability to be compassionate to include strangers.

Why do we favor family over strangers?

People fear strangers.

We are taught to from childhood. "Don't talk to strangers".

We are constantly bombarded by the story of the evil stranger who means you harm, which is not a myth, but is also not the norm. Movies and Television shows are constantly reinforcing that idea that eveyone else out there is a psycho serial killer who means to hurt you.

Thom Hartmann was recently talking about a new study that said the average american man now has less than half the number of friends as a man 50 years ago.

Apathy and fear are, in my opinion, the two main reasons that people severely limit their social circles these days.

Apathy is ages old. It is reflected in the story of the Good Samaratan.
The people who passed the person on the side of the road by did not bear the Samaratan malice, but they were too apathetic or fearful to go out of their way to help someone.

There was the more recent true example of the woman who was attacked and raped outside an apartment building with 18 witnesses who all saw the whole thing, but nobody bothered to help her. They all sat by and let it happen.

It takes a leap of faith to interact with strangers, let alone help one in need, especially in such a neurotic, hostile and anti-social society as modern America.




If we rise above such things, we realize that all sentient life is the only really worthy object of our care.


That opens up the question, "what is sentience"?

Take that road too far and you end up like Moby the Buddhist Monk in that Kleenex commercial, trying not to hurt any living thing, including viruses.

.