got a 90 stang

[95gtbrutal]

i have some slightly used bbk shorties (not equal length), should bolt right in. asking $100. new they are $160 thru summit.

[Rev]

Not quite sure where politics should square in the design, production, and sales of American automobile production. Why don't we just let the producers compete in the world market, without governmental interference? Isn't that what free interprise is all about? Do politicions know jacksquat about cars anyway?

Lets just return the decisions concerning American automobile production back to the big three without constricting legislation. I bet we'll get the kind of cars we want, and we'll be able to compete in a world market at the same time.

Rev

[RBatson]

Originally Posted by Mr 5 0

Rick, what happened to your 'last word' on this stuff? So much for your credibility. I suspect that the only 'last word' you will ever accept is your own, so I'll give that to you and promise not to respond to the next post you make on this thread in order to end this fruitless exchange. How's that?

That'd be a change, but I doubt it. I don't remember ever getting the last word in one of our fruitless exchanges and thought your getting the last word was part of your repertoire to discussion. As far as my last word, I said I had nothing further to say on the subject, apparently something else came to mind.

Originally Posted by Mr 5 0

I don't know where you got the idea that I'm 'in my retirement years'.

I got that idea from your statements that you were no longer in the insurance business, which you spent alot of time and seemed very knowledgeable. After 9 yrs conversing I somehow got the idea that you were in your 50s. Excuse me if I'm wrong. Some people retire in their 50s.

Originally Posted by Mr 5 0

Not from me. I'm no spring chicken but I'm not ready for the retirement home just yet. Gimme a break! I earn what I have and I don't appreciate silly little lectures based on incorrect premises from a guy with a chip on his shoulder against anyone who isn't employed as a manual laborer. You are clearly suffering from class envy and apparently like it that way, as it gives you something to whine about and blame 'business' (and President Bush) whenever things don't go right. Hardly a viable bais for a political philosophy but one many on the left seem to share.

Who said retirement home? I said retirement years. Apparently I touched a nerve. Either way, I'm glad you are so well prepared for your retirement.. better?

"Class envy"? LOL! I don't begrudge those that work for what they have. I must have class envy towards all those able bodied persons that receive welfare too.

Originally Posted by Mr 5 0

Bush's alternative energy proposals are generalized and recognize the need to get away from our dependence on oil. However, that is far easier said than done, something you seem to ignore, as if we can just convert to wind power or whatever with no real problem. Hardly.

The cost of oil is partly determined by the oil futures market, which is volatile. It's a complex subject that has been covered here before. You must of missed those posts but I don't have the time or the patience to rehash the issue all over again just for your personal benefit.

I never said it would be easy, all I've said is that there is absolutely no need for us to use so much fossil fuels when we have the technology of cleaner renewable energy sources. For some reason you like to discount them, even when presented with facts. I believe we depend on oil so much for one reason, greed. Too much being made to convert. Times are changing. The future will reveal their viablity.

Oil futures are forced up and down by the market and perception. He who controls the perception controls the price of oil. China is using alot of oil but there is no need for it to cost what it does. Its not Bush's fault that we don't have more alternative energy but I believe there is enough circumstantial evidence to suggest that he has some control over the price of oil.

Originally Posted by Mr 5 0

Rick, you seem to pride yourself on being some kind of middle-class 'everymen' with all your resentments and finger-pointing intact. I don't see it that way. Life is tough - but it's far less tough in America. If you cannot make a decent living and sustain yourself in a manner you feel is appropriate, I'm sorry. However, your eagerness to, in effect, bash the capitalist system and your longing for a guaranteed future is both naive and totally unrealistic. That kind of mindset also makes you vulnerable to leftwing, socialist fantasies of a governement-ordered Utopia where no has more than anyone else. Don't count on that because it hasn't happened yet.

Who said I couldn't make a decent living? As a matter of fact I believe I recently said I'm doing very well. I'm not rich but I aspire to have more and hopefully I'll have a million before I retire. I've already had people tell me I'm rich. LOL! (I can't help it if they squander their money)

Actually capitalism has its good points and its bad points. It would work fine if everyone acted with morals and put good ethics before money. Too much emphasis is put on money and many seem quite willing to acheive it no matter who they have to step on to get it..

Originally Posted by Mr 5 0

You do have lots of baseless class resentment against 'big businesss' and management, as well as anyone making more money than you do.

I don't begrudge anyone for earning more money than I do(didn't I already say this?). Actually most of the people I know that have alot of money inherited it, I don't begrudge them either. When I see a nice house I like, that is expensive, it motivates me to acquire more capital. I guess if I had "class envy" I would be insulted, but I'm not.

Paying someone well over $100,000 a day for many many years and then awarding them $400,000,000 as a retirement bonus, while their retirement fund is underfunded, doesn't show good judgement, imo. Actually, I find it unethical and immoral.

Originally Posted by Mr 5 0

You seem to expect an employer to take care of you when you retire and frankly, that is pretty lame. I never expect anyone (but myself) to take care of me, now or ever. That's why we have 410(k) plans and invest. You want it all done for you and get angry when, 30 or 40 years out, things can change and the retirement isn't as you planned it. Rick, stop looking to usually temporary employers and the fickle government to take care of you. They will very likely disappoint you, which is why conservatives disdain them as providers for our, or anyone's, old age.

I guess you don't realize this but many employers use benefits and retirement to attract and retain quality personnel(that's what they tell me anyhow). I've been looking forward to retiring at 52 for a long time. The money isn't there now, not because of the company but the insurance company that manages the retirement fund. I guess I do have a bit of resentment there. Evidently those "professional" investors aren't that good. They somehow lost alot of money in the stock market around 2000-2001 when the dotcom bubble burst.. the market has made a come back yet the retirement benefits haven't. Apparently they weren't diversified. They should have invested that money in apartment complexes so they would have a steady return that would increase with inflation.. just my thoughts. If they had put some money in real estate they would be doing great right now.

I believe everyone should look out for themselves. 401k is fine but I'm sure that just as 50% of the investors would do great, 50% would do.. not so great(*shrug* somebody has to lose). Timing has alot to do with it too. Someone that cashed out their 401k for retirement before 2000 many have done very very well while someone who cashed out in 2001 may have actually lost money. Basically, I don't think that someone's ability to get medical attention or medication should depend on how good(or lucky) of an investor they were(heck, we see how the 'pros' did). I believe we have a moral obligation, as a society, to supply health care(just like the military receive). You're standard of living should be based on what you have earned, saved, invested and inherited but I believe all Americans should get the best medical attention(and education). If you want to call that socialism, fine. I call it an advanced civilization.

Originally Posted by Mr 5 0

Actually, the few conservative ('right-wing') websites I visit simply mirror my own views, which is why I don't spend much time on them, as they don't add much to my knowledge. The leftwing sites I've seen, however, tend to be vicious and hysterical and can't do much for anyone's mental health. They really should be avoded.

My point here is that I don't visit left or right wing political websites. I've said this many times yet you constantly accuse me of doing so. I see/hear current events and come to my own conclusion.

Originally Posted by Mr 5 0

I am pleased to end this post with my favorite statement: I agree (but I doubt there is enough interest to jutify a separate 'political' forum).

I'm not so sure, these political rants probably do more harm than good. Atleast it shows two sides.

Sheesh, I made it to the end. Look Jim, we are never going to agree because we have totally different outlooks on life. I feel there should be a moral obligation to the basic welfare of Americans. Actually, it still surprises me how many self-proclaimed Christians are indifferent to other's well being.

[RBatson]

Originally Posted by Mach 1

R batson - its not a perfect world, or a fair life, get used to it and move on. Mr. 5.0 is right. There are many alternative stlyes of government, but the one in this country, although not perfect, is one of the better, if not the best ones available.

Chris, while it certainly isn't a perfect world, I am used to it. I agree that democracy is the best form of government and as long as it is a democracy we can collectively work at perfecting capitalism and our society as a whole, it needs some work. It reminds me of a plaque I had on my wall as a kid that read: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference. Although I'm not religious I find these words very profound. Living in a democratic society.. there are things we can change, even if Jim's mind isn't one of them.

[Mach 1]

Originally Posted by RBatson

. there are things we can change, even if Jim's mind isn't one of them.

lol..........

[Mr 5 0]

Originally Posted by Mach 1

R batson - its not a perfect world, or a fair life, get used to it and move on. Mr. 5.0 is right. There are many alternative stlyes of government, but the one in this country, although not perfect, is one of the better, if not the best ones available.

Thanks for the agreement. Nice to see some reality intrude into Rick's little fantasy world, where he seriously believes that President Bush manipulates the price of oil and no one should ever be without.

I always find it amusing how when someone here disagrees with me, they like to contend that I'm the one who has a 'closed mind', as if anyone not accepting their utopian point of view is automatically wrong and they are oh-so 'open-minded'. Yeah, right. We see how that works. Ah, well. It's only the internet.