I totally agree with you TJGuy, my fellow Floridian! I too love MM's Board!!!

If we participate in these deep, lengthy discussions we usually find that we have more in common than we initially think we have; even when we agree to disagree.

Chica, you're a gem,

How you could estimate my acting ability from my writings is extraordinary. But I suppose you're referring to my artful use of rhetoric, and I have to admit, I consider myself a bit of a wordsmith. I'm entitled to my delusions too.

My wife's cousin's kids are all grown up now and still living with their folks.

I guess my main beef with you is in using such pejorative words in describing capitalism. Why do you think it necessary to use words like "exploitation" and "what's in it for me?", when talking about capitalism? And what would you moderate capitalism with, socialism? I just don't see why someone, even a moderate, would want to moderate freedom with tyranny.

And people in third world countries, like the Philippines are not exploited by big coorporations. The Filippinos I know wish that they were. At least they'd have a chance in life. Isn't it conceivable that people in third world countries are more exploited by their own governments, who care much less of them, than any coorporation ever will?

One more thing. I love it when someone says that they want to work to better humanity, but no specific member of humanity. Ayn Rand brings up this point, but it never sunk in until your last posting. Just remember, you and I are included in humanity. Well, if you don't buy that I am, at least you are.

I am grateful that you've taken the time to stick with this dialog thus far. I wish I could compromise my convictions and agree with you that too much capitalism is a bad thing. It just isn't in me to trash a system that has provided so much for so many.

Wow, this is getting interesting!

I guess the language thing is mostly due to that of course people from non-english speaking countries are exposed to foreign languages much more, except for for example Spanish or French people who are not too much better according to my empirical analysis

Pia,

When I'm over in Europe, I'm always amazed at the number of Europeans who speak English, and rather well at that.

There are a few places to go from the U.S. that aren't that far before you find yourself in an area that speaks a different language, such as French speaking parts of Canada, which isn't too far from where I live, and Mexico, which unfortunately is. For a U.S. citizen, as a rule, a foreign language just isn't that useful for day-to-day existence.

But they taught Spanish, French and German in my high school. I took French and German, and fell in love with Spain. ugh.

Life is cruel, isn't it Gazpacho?

TJGuy,

Considering the alternatives.....it's great. No, when I started learning Spanish, it was so much easier than the other two languages.

Pia said,

I guess the language thing is mostly due to that of course people from non-english speaking countries are exposed to foreign languages much more, except for for example Spanish or French people who are not too much better according to my empirical analysis..

Alando says:
Pia, I just came back from vacation and I see that you are still up to no good! Please allow me to summarize your points thus far: Americans are ignorant, under-educated, racial determinists and French and Spanish-speaking people aren't much better because they don't speak English. Is life really that great in Finland? Haha, I can't imagine!

Actually without you posting on this board I am quite certain that we would all have forgotten that Finland even exists! Haha...must be nice to live in such obscurity. :p

Alando, I can see your vacation has not taught you how to analyze my posts any better. I don't think anyone is worse in any way if they have difficulties learning other languages, I was just thinking "out loud" if you can do that on a message board. Of course it's easier for me to learn English than for a Spaniard who doesn't hear it on TV, radio and everywhere all day day long and it doesn't make me better or smarter, it just makes things easier for me. I was just curious.

And as I've told you before, I don't think all Americans are ignorant, under educated racial determinists although I'm sure there are some over there - just like here. But just to p*** you off:

http://www.msxnet.org/humour/world-according-to-america.png

Oh no Pia, you don't want to aggravate a Movie Star. That is a funny link. I was laughing so hard, it must have belled me directly.

Funny as hell and right to the point!

Bill

From one of those males that are ignorant, under-educated and racial determinists.