What Is Next For The Point?

You're absolutely right. It saddens me though how many people truly believe that their representatives or senators are fighting for them with all they got. Alot of people I meet don't even believe that there is any corruption whatsoever and if I try to inform them that there is they just say that it's impossible because that would be "illegal". I've always considered running for office, but I may not be corrupt enough. :(

I might get hated on by a few select individuals, but when has that ever stopped me from censoring myself. I'm going to abstain from voting on the presidential election. Why? Well because I'm completely disillusioned by a multitude of large scale failures on the government and economic institution's behalf. And there's nothing either candidate can/will do to fix the problems. I'm not going to buy into the system that would otherwise require me to choose the lesser of two evils. And I'm not the only one in my age group that feels this way. My choice was made way before the economic crisis unfolded. And I'm not one of those deserters primed to move to Canada in the event either candidate is elected, but I also realize where we are headed if we don't change culturally, and I've prepared myself for it.

(aside: I'm not advocating any candidate, just giving an example)
Ron Paul was all the rave on college campuses during the primaries due to his idealistic views. His platform was so radical that it would have rattled the very foundation of the government in Washington. It would have likely disbanded many government agencies viewed as unconstitutional, as well as many other things most people consider ludicrous. Hence he wasn't picked. I'm of the opinion that if you supported Ron Paul then you have absolutely NO reason to be voting for either candidate currently on the ticket. Their platforms are so fundamentally different that you shouldn't even want to pick either candidate. You could, however, abstain from voting or still vote for Ron Paul (which is just as good as abstaining)

This bailout does nothing to curb the gross misuse of credit banks and the American consumer have abused to put us in this mess to begin with.Yes it may have opened people's eyes to the problem but it will likely go by the wayside just like any other current crisis people forget about 6 months down the line.

As a recent college graduate, I'm used to living in "poverty." It's no big deal for me to be forced to live in an apartment, own a crappy car, own no stock, not own a slew of useless crap that I could do without, etc. So if tomorrow, the whole economic system crashed and credit became useless (assuming the dollar was still accepted as legal tender)so that when I swiped my credit card to buy food or get gas and it was denied, I wouldn't freak out. For me it would be like any other day while in college where I couldn't buy something on a whim no matter how bad I wanted it. But you give the same situation of someone in their 40's or 50's and you'll have them jumping off of roofs holding hands with their stock broker all because they couldn't handle not living "comfortably." People have been forced to wrap their lives around credit so much so that there would be no way out without perhaps dumping their whole nest-egg (if they have one) into their current debts to pay them off. Is it their fault? No, its the fault of the system that forced everyone to use it to obtain anything.

The problem runs much deeper than government figureheads. It has to do with a combination of the government, banks, and the common American consumer spending beyond or just within their means and the financial institutions condoning it. Then if "life happens" and they have to pay for something real quick it pushes them out of within their means of living and into the red. It spirals down further and they are then faced with making minimum payments on debt that they have no ability to deal with but with the mindset that somehow the situation will fix itself.

Well there's no reason it should ever get to that point. I know the whole situation is multifaceted and involves banks buying mortgages thrice over in large numbers, not really owning anything tangible, but I feel like the bigger issue not being addressed is the overspending by the American consumer. Yes the banks should have not have given out so many loans, but if they stand to make a profit, what negative incentive do they have if they get the deed to the house if the loan is defaulted on? I mean a house will only gain in value, right? Will it suck if you could get a huge loan with the promise of a 30 year payback last year but not now? Perhaps, but that may be what needs to happen to"fix" what's going on.

(Personal anecdote illustrating my point, skip to the next paragraph if you want.)
I recently bought a new 52" 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV (*drool*) for $2700from Best Buy. I had enough money in my account to pay it off when I bought it and I intended to do so, but apparently there some kind of withdrawal limit on my debit card so it wouldn't go through. Rather than run to the bank to get a check, they had me apply for a Best Buy card. So I went on my merry way having paid nothing with my awesome TV. A month goes by and my statement comes. The minimum payment for it is $28 per month. $28!!! That's insanity! There's no reason it should be that low. Period. Ever. Yet this is the world of credit and to me illustrates the pitfalls of how poorly its currently handled within our society.***

The damage is done, there's nothing we can do to alter the past, but there needs to be a cultural change within the American society to prevent this type of thing from getting worse or happening again. It shouldn't have to be a bank telling someone "NO" when applying for a loan, but unless something changes culturally, unfortunately that may be the only "quick" fix.

If you are over the age of 18 you do have the right to vote. It would be nice if there was an addendum stating that you also had the responsibility of being knowledgable about the candidates. Perhaps a pre-voting quiz over some basic platform issues...

Interesting post. I agree with a lot of the stuff you said. I also don't understand why people buy so much stuff that they can't afford and then whine when they can't pay off their borrowed credit. Stop buying stuff if you can't pay for it! I personally don't use a credit card. I use a debit card linked to a separate checking account with only a limited amount of money in it. If I don't have the money right then, I don't buy it. I still have some nice things like an HDTV and a new computer, but my apartment is small and I make sure to not live beyond my means. Individuals, corporations, banks, governments, etc. - it's like nobody knows when to stop spending / borrowing credit. It's almost like a wake up call is needed.

If this thread is to be continued...can it be renamed it to "Let's talk about politics"? Sure CP has a stake in the US economy, but aren't we going a little off the path here?

I'm pretty sure the topic would have been closed by now if there was a problem... ;)

Seriously, what the hell? How many people here want to be moderators? You know what the thread has become, and if you're not interested... wait for it... DON'T READ IT.

I still believe all were getting is park improvements. Lets think about this...

Mean Streak is getting a complete over-haul. Thats what the wood is for.

What roller coaster needs to be painted badly? Millennium Force
If you just look at the track its turning light blue. It's the biggest ride there not including Maverick or TTD.

If you just walk around the park you'll notice improvements starting...

The bushes next to Dick Kinzel's office have been ripped out. I believe there just going to tear down his office completly and open up that area. His office will then be in the new building they built, you know the one that took Adena, March-NOW to finish.

Things are already popping up you just have to look around...

I have to point out something about the credit thing...people act like everything can be solved by just using cash. Here's a wake up call for ya:

Through the fault of the credit system, you cannot get decent insurance, and in some cases insurance at all, if your credit is either short in history, or not so good. You cannot get a cell phone if your credit sucks, unless you do pay as you go. You cannot buy a house unless, especially now, you have substantial credit history, and near perfect credit. For those who have to pay for college through student loans, you have to have credit for that as well. Want a good job? Some companies are using credit histories as part of their criteria.

So don't come on here talking about, oh, if people would stop living beyond their means...and back it up by saying cash solves everything because it doesn't.

There are millions of people living beyond their means, but the blame must be shared with the system that shoved the idea of credit down everyones throat. Hell, there are major corporations that won't hire you unless your credit history is decent.

The only way to have decent credit is to: duh, have credit, and, duh, be responsible with it.

Now, for single people renting apartments and going to community colleges, cash probably works for you..for now. But until this society decides that hey, there are more factors than just someones FICO score that can be used, credit is here to stay.

mk522 said:
you cannot get decent insurance, and in some cases insurance at all, if your credit is either short in history, or not so good.

While many insurance companies use the FICO score, there are some that look beyond that. It may translate into a higher rate, but it's not worth having debt to make it lower.

You cannot get a cell phone if your credit sucks, unless you do pay as you go.

Maybe it's inconvenient to do pre-paid, but it's hardly a reason for having debt. Plus, you can still get a plan by putting down a deposit.

You cannot buy a house unless, especially now, you have substantial credit history, and near perfect credit.

Not true. You just have to go to a lender who does manual underwriting.

The idea that you need a FICO score is a myth. Whether debt is good or bad, a financial tool or a burden - that's a different argument. But you can have a FICO score of zero and still live life just fine.

Yes, the system is definitely part of the problem. Though if I were to start beating my chest yelling, "Down with the system!" I'd sound like some hippy douche and that's not what I want. Every time some major issue comes up, everyone is quick to pass blame onto someone else. Well this time we're [mostly] all at fault. Yes most people are responsible with their credit or at least attempt to be so, but it seems that those that have been irresponsible have ruined it for the rest of us. Remember when you were younger and you argued with your parents and they told you that life's not fair? Well we all just got served a nice steaming pile of "life's not fair." That's just how it is. It's not fair, but we all have to deal with it now.

All the points you brought up were valid and I didn't bring them up in my previous post because it had already become long-winded. The gist of it is that you have to have credit to get more credit. Which for any young person sounds completely counterintuituve--being in the hole grants you access to dig yourself further into the hole. This is something I personally encountered when I tried getting a student loan at the age of 18. Sallie Mae flat out said I needed 4 years of credit history to get a small student loan with them without a co-signer. (It was completely within the means of my parents to co-sign, but they refused--bastards)

I hadn't yet gotten a credit card because I didn't want anything to do with the credit system since all I heard was how bad credit was and how much people got into trouble with it. I found another agency that only required 2 years of credit history. Well it nearly screwed me over because I needed to build up credit fast and still pay for school without it. I used up all my life savings in the meantime while I built up my credit line. Hooray poverty!

So I had to take out a loan against my car. I also got a credit card and started paying for gas with it rather than my debit card. Eventually I had enough credit to get non-co-signed loans for the rest of my time at school. In my eyes there's no difference from me superficically manipulating the system and someone merely using their checking account via a debit card. Transactions are all recorded the same, so why make the consumer jump through all the hoops to do so?

Moral of the story for young people is to attempt to get a credit card when you turn 18 and be responsible with it to build a strong line of credit.

Well, we do not live in an age that views zero credit as a postive, Walt, so while your points are valid as a way to avoid debt for nonsensical reasons, the world today views those with a solid credit history, (meaning debt, since a majority of credit is some form of debt) as people that are likely to be trusted with student loans, mortgages, etc. Those with zero credit or broken credit certainly cannot live life just fine.

A person certainly can live on cash alone, there is no argument to that. However, how many people can honestly say they live entirely, 100% off of cash only, with no debt?

Avoiding debt or living debt free is the opposite of nonsensical. But that's a different argument for a different day. Your point was that you must have a FICO score, and that's not true.

What the hell are we talkin about? Im lost, I give up.

Why don't you try reading the other pages? It's a fundamental skill we all learn in out early years of life, with good reason.

That was a mis-wording on my part, working on history assignments at the same time will do that...(in response to the nonsensical thing)

There is a lot of emphasis put on the FICO score, although generally the idea of "your credit history" is what is always flashing in everyones face. I stand by my opinion though, in that, for the general population, credit is very much a part of everyday life. I'm not saying it can't be avoided, but until our economy/government/financial system decides not to have a heart-attack based on a credit freeze...then I don't see things changing.

The very fact that even the White House is considering a stake in banks to "thaw the credit market" speaks for itself. I personally have not supported the bailout or any other actions to "fix" our economy simply because I know they can't work long-term, and it seems that the recent legislature passed won't even get past the gate, seeing as how Wall Street continues to crash and burn every day, it shows that no matter what is done, any last remaining shred of confidence that might have been had in Congress, is pretty much shattered.

Add the icing on the cake: neither candidate appears remotely qualified to "fix" anything.

CdrPntNoItAll said:
I still believe all were getting is park improvements. Lets think about this...

What roller coaster needs to be painted badly? Millennium Force
If you just look at the track its turning light blue. It's the biggest ride there not including Maverick or TTD.

I think SRB should have to pick up the tab for MF's paint job. He basically admitted to wearing it out this summer in that newspaper article.

I wish I could vote on the US election. It is much more interesting then my lil Canadian one but in my case I have to pick between 3 major parties. I see more US politics however.

No they don't. The electoral votes go to whomever wins that state.

Granted, McCain has all be ceded the vote in Michgan, but if he were to win, he would get those electoral votes.

Also, it would be nice if Electoral Votes were divied up on a district by district basis rather than on a statewide basis. So, each representatives district would be voting for the direction they want him/her to vote, and then the whole state's vote would go toward the two senate votes for each state. This would provide a better balance to the process and possibly give "third party" candidates a chance at getting a vote or two.

the world today views those with a solid credit history, (meaning debt, since a majority of credit is some form of debt) as people that are likely to be trusted with student loans, mortgages, etc.

We have a very solid credit history, wonderful scores, and no debt. I think you need to replace the word debt with responsibility. Let's not forget that a major part of the problem we are in was also caused by individuals who are very irresponsible, choosing to attempt to live way beyond their means.

I totally agree. Don't buy stuff you can't afford. One problem is the government forcing lenders to lend to high-risk individuals who can't pay off their debts.