I just realised I'm rich....

Discussion in 'All Things Boats & Boating' started by troy2000, Oct 1, 2012.

  1. troy2000
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    troy2000 Senior Member

    A few hours after I got off work this morning, I wandered a couple of blocks down the street to the local Popeye's Chicken place. I ordered a shrimp Po'boy sandwich combo to go, with cole slaw as the side and Coke as the drink, and two packs of Mardi Gras mustard dipping sauce as an extra.

    I was about halfway back to the motor home I stay in while working, when it struck me how amazing that transaction was. I didn't walk in and start studying the dollar menu or looking for specials, nor did I spend time figuring out whether ordering the sandwich and a side separately was cheaper than ordering the combo (which includes a regular drink I didn't want). I just ordered what sounded good. And instead of digging through my wallet and pockets to see how much cash I had on hand, I casually swiped a bank card through the reader.

    A lot of folks would say, "so what? Sounds like a normal, everyday transaction to me...." But despite the fact that I've done my best and busted my tail since I was 14 years old, there have been stretches of my life when I really couldn't afford fast food without special planning.

    I guess I'm easy to please. But being able to walk into a fast food joint, order whatever I want for breakfast and cost be damned, makes me realize how blessed I am. I'm physically fit enough at 63 to be holding down a decent-paying, blue-collar job -- and one that'll supplement my Social Security with a bit of a pension for the years I've worked here.

    Although that pension won't be anything like the one in the fevered imaginations of anti-union folk, who apparently believe I'll make more staying home than I did going to work....:p
     
  2. whitepointer23

    whitepointer23 Previous Member

    good post troy.
     
  3. Mr Efficiency
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    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    Reading in the paper here yesterday that 75% of men going on to the aged pension at 65 are coming off a disability pension. Looks like that is how burnt-out workers are kept off the unemployment stats.
     
  4. Manie B
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    Manie B Senior Member

    Agreed Troy, sitting in my little box on a dam in the middle of nowhere, you come to appreciate good health, fresh air, and just the simple thing of being there and breathing that country air.
     
  5. SheetWise
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    SheetWise All Beach -- No Water.

    "so what? Sounds like a normal, everyday transaction to me...."

    An everyday free market transaction.

    Have you ever had such a casual transaction with your government?
     
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  6. troy2000
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    troy2000 Senior Member

    Nope. To the best of my knowledge, the government doesn't sell po'boys.:)

    But I'd like to keep this one of those rare threads that don't turn into political free-for-alls or paranoid rants....
     
  7. Petros
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    Petros Senior Member

    but it was free markets that brought this wonder of quality and convenience, inventors and entrepreneurs, that knew if they made life eaiser for you, than you more likely use their service or buy their products.

    That is really the point. Nowhere on earth, or in the history of human kind, have there ever been such a rapid explosion of technology in every sector (from medicine to entertainment), prosperity and security. This has raised the standard of living of every American from the poorest to the most wealthy, and a lot of other people around the world too. And this was due to a free market system.
     
  8. troy2000
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    troy2000 Senior Member

    It may surprise you and Sheetwise, but this thread was completely not started as a venue for dumping on the government, or extolling the virtues of the free market system.
     
  9. Petros
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    Petros Senior Member

    where did I say anything about government? You are rich because of 1) your own efforts, and 2) by virtue of living in a free market economy.

    What is your point?
     
  10. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    http://www.statisticbrain.com/american-family-financial-statistics/

    Petros it is Americas reckless debt that dragged down Europe. Dont you remember just back to 2008. Many of your banks failed and were dismantled. Toxic debt was sold. Sub prime mortgages etc .

    Does this sound like the model of financial superiority.

    Some household statistics above for you.
     
  11. BPL
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    BPL Senior Member

  12. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    That is ofcourse true but do you not think that it takes 60 years to understand it all. I mean understand it all not the type of understand you get when your 30 or 40,--that's just a ' I think I understand it'

    If only we had hereditary intelligence.
     
  13. Manie B
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    Manie B Senior Member

    Troy I will never understand the "people"
    here you write a good post from the bottom of your heart
    and then the aholes get funny / stupid
    is it soo difficult just to say something nice and thank you :mad:
     
  14. troy2000
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    troy2000 Senior Member

    My point is that I didn't intend this to be a political thread, and it amazes me how quickly it took a sharp turn into them.

    Sheetwise has already dragged the government into it. And if you keep going you'll be stepping on his heels, talking about how socialism is the great enemy of the free market system, etc. I'm not really interested in hearing it right now; no offense.:)
     

  15. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    Not sure if I understand you people . Troy had a nice time buying a big mac and you want us to what? Physiologically analyse this on a world wide forum.

    We cant talk religion ,--the reason for death and war in the Middle east today but we can talk about Troy buying a popo pop and the meaning behind it.

    About 200 people have died of malnutrition while I was writing this post, mostly children.

    Perhaps the post might have been better if one was to appreciate the freedom of buying food and the affluence to do that against the 10,000's that cant instead of congratulating a member that can afford a popo pop.

    Man this world is fcked up.

    Mannie I realy do think you should stay in your world . You seem to be far too nice a guy to be let out.
     
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