Why?
a simple question10 total reviews
Comment from MissMerri
I have recently become a fan of yours. I like how you think. This is a very well-written essay, without errors of any kind, which says a lot about your editing skills. It makes so much sense too, which says a lot about how you perceive the world, and how well your brain functions. I'm teasing a little, but seriously, I loved everything about this and since it seems to be without flaws of any kind, I feel good about giving it a six star review.
MM
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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I have recently become a fan of yours. I like how you think. This is a very well-written essay, without errors of any kind, which says a lot about your editing skills. It makes so much sense too, which says a lot about how you perceive the world, and how well your brain functions. I'm teasing a little, but seriously, I loved everything about this and since it seems to be without flaws of any kind, I feel good about giving it a six star review.
MM
Comment Written 23-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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Well, I am very flattered!!! Thank you so much for the 6 and for the honor of having you as a fan. Will try to live up to it, though you may wonder at my samity sometimes. (and spelling) :) Kinda had to chuckle at "How your brain functions" as I wonder sometimes if it does.
But seriously, I do appreciate very much that you read my posts.
Thanks again,
Katharine
I'll have to read "Why" again and see what I said.
Comment from Nick Caversham
I really enjoyed the paragraphs in all caps. This is what the best writers do.
I couldn't understand why America is "the greatest country in the world" as you gave no details. How did you find out? Did an American tell you?
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2019
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I really enjoyed the paragraphs in all caps. This is what the best writers do.
I couldn't understand why America is "the greatest country in the world" as you gave no details. How did you find out? Did an American tell you?
Comment Written 16-Oct-2019
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2019
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Thank you very much for the 6!!! Was that for the capital letters? :)
Lessee, details. Well, where else but America is there such diverse terrain in one country- all beautiful in its own way? And its people?
okay, that's enough.
What do you write, mostly?
Thanks again for your review and questions AND THE 6!
Katharine - pome loveer
Comment from nor84
I wanted to give you a heads up. There is some confusion in the contest rules written by the sponsor in that in one place it says 500 words maximum and in another 600 words. When I checked this with Microsoft Word, it counted significantly more than 700 words. You may want to recheck the rules and do an edit.
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2019
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I wanted to give you a heads up. There is some confusion in the contest rules written by the sponsor in that in one place it says 500 words maximum and in another 600 words. When I checked this with Microsoft Word, it counted significantly more than 700 words. You may want to recheck the rules and do an edit.
Comment Written 12-Oct-2019
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2019
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wow, thank you!!
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Well said. Wish I had a six left for this masterpiece of common sense. Young people are too easily swayed by corrupt authority figures, from teachers to politicians, so they favor socialism, not knowing a thing about it. Tragic... and might well be the end of America if those older and wiser don't turn out in droves at the polls.
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2019
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Well said. Wish I had a six left for this masterpiece of common sense. Young people are too easily swayed by corrupt authority figures, from teachers to politicians, so they favor socialism, not knowing a thing about it. Tragic... and might well be the end of America if those older and wiser don't turn out in droves at the polls.
Comment Written 05-Oct-2019
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2019
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thank you Phillis. Lee (Humpwhistle) is giving me hell, saying I have a narrow mind about socialism that there are various levels of it and I said that was like being a little bit pregnant. He is still ranting.
Have to say I'm surprised.
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I ignore humpwhistle. I suggest you do the same. I wish he would move to Venezuela. You might suggest that to him.
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big smile
Comment from poeandhungry
I'm rating you a 5 because I believe in the importance of true civil discourse. I'm old enough to remember the good old days where people acted with civility and treated each other with respect, especially when they may not have agreed. As a great man once said, to paraphrase, I don't agree with a single thing you've said, but I would die for your right to say it. Asking Why? is a good start. But I would argue it extends beyond what you've outlined here, and to why are the middle class struggling more than ever before? That's a question too that effects most of this country. I'm not saying socialism is the answer. But is our status quo the answer either? Thank you for sharing this. I too am passionate about what I believe in and I hope one day we can all get back to listening to each other's points of view without talking over one another and belittling each other for thinking differently. After all, we are all Americans. And standing as one while acknowledging our differences is what truly makes us the greatest nation ever. Take care.
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2019
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I'm rating you a 5 because I believe in the importance of true civil discourse. I'm old enough to remember the good old days where people acted with civility and treated each other with respect, especially when they may not have agreed. As a great man once said, to paraphrase, I don't agree with a single thing you've said, but I would die for your right to say it. Asking Why? is a good start. But I would argue it extends beyond what you've outlined here, and to why are the middle class struggling more than ever before? That's a question too that effects most of this country. I'm not saying socialism is the answer. But is our status quo the answer either? Thank you for sharing this. I too am passionate about what I believe in and I hope one day we can all get back to listening to each other's points of view without talking over one another and belittling each other for thinking differently. After all, we are all Americans. And standing as one while acknowledging our differences is what truly makes us the greatest nation ever. Take care.
Comment Written 05-Oct-2019
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2019
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thank you for your very nice response. I have just been "talking" to someone who has always been complimentary of my posts and now is calling me names, which is too bad, and frankly, I am surprised.
I am interested in what you think. What opposing position do you believe in? What do you think would work? I will have to preface this by saying if you are an avid Trump hater, I don't want to hear bad names describing him. But a civil discussion is always worthwhile and welcome.
PS - are you really poe and hungry?
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I'm sorry to hear about who you thought was your friend. Regardless of how one may feel, it's always important to speak respectfully about another's views. I've learned this the hard way more than a few times.
As for what I think, obviously it's more complicated than what can be conveyed through this website. I simply believe that we've lost our way, and I feel it will take hard work to get us back there. What political ideology that requires, or if it even requires one, I admit I am not smart enough to comment on.
I do know that if we do not take care of our planet and our elders, then we are lost and deserve whatever fate the Creator bestows upon us. Without a healthy and sustainable planet, you literally can have nothing else. I wish corporations believed this. They seem to have most of us in a stranglehold and bend us to their will. We survived quite some time, and soulfully well I might add, long before they were granted "personhood."
And to your last query, am I really poe and hungry? Well I guess that depends on how you define it. I work hard and take good care of my family and I eat regularly. But have I a wealthy soul? And am I starving for more from this existence? Therein lies the genesis behind the name.
And to confuse you even more, I will tell you I have a bumper sticker that reads: Gun Toting/Tree Hugger. : )
I appreciate you responding to my review. It's always good to speak with good people. Especially those who have different viewpoints than your own. Unfortunately we seem to be losing those spaces in which to do so. Take care. I hope I can call you my friend.
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absolutely you can.
am writing with one hand as am eating a banana popsicle :)
from what i've read, China puts out so much pollutants, it wouldn't make any difference what we cut back on, and we are the cleanest country air-wise, I believe. I hope you don't agree with AOC and her wild, improbable solutions?
also, I've heard, that the semi-socialist governments of Canada, sweden and others don't cover the very old as if they aren't worth it and doctors won't treat them or do needed surgery on them. I have friends whose parents are coming here for surgery because they can't get it in Canada.
You truly don't agree with anything I said?
i
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I think gun totin' tree hugger out to be your pen name. :)
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I understand your points, but I would argue to what end can we actually effect any other countries anyway? I personally want to be able to sleep at night and if we start setting the standard, as we once did, wouldn't the world want to follow? And if they didn't, at least we would know in our heart that we were doing the right thing. And AOC? She's just another talking head to me.
As for taking care of our elders, I was talking more about how our Native Americans take care of their elders than what the social systems of those European countries do. My wife is half Choctaw and I've witnessed first hand the importance they place on sacrificing for the ones who have come before us. Just seems like a place we need to all be.
I'm signing off my friend. I hope you enjoyed your banana popsicle. I would have preferred chocolate...but that's just me. Goodnight.
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night
Comment from Mackenzie Cooper
You sound very educated in the economics field! Thank you for bringing up a lot of present issues and for explaining what the real problem is. Well written!
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2019
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You sound very educated in the economics field! Thank you for bringing up a lot of present issues and for explaining what the real problem is. Well written!
Comment Written 05-Oct-2019
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2019
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thank you for your very nice comments. They are truly appreciated.
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written opinion about the latest trends of politicians in America who leans to socialism that not work in any other country and will not work in America either. It is just a way that government can control everything the citizens do and take away their freedom.
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2019
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A very well-written opinion about the latest trends of politicians in America who leans to socialism that not work in any other country and will not work in America either. It is just a way that government can control everything the citizens do and take away their freedom.
Comment Written 05-Oct-2019
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2019
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thank you, Sandra. If the Democrats win the 2020 election we are sunk, as a country.
Comment from humpwhistle
Why would any American forget that our system democracy decrees that All Men are Created Equal?
Socialism comes in many flavors. How many people are fleeing Sweden, or Denmark, or Canada? They all employ degrees of scocialism, and guess what? Those people are happier than Americans. Look it up.
Peace, Lee
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2019
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Why would any American forget that our system democracy decrees that All Men are Created Equal?
Socialism comes in many flavors. How many people are fleeing Sweden, or Denmark, or Canada? They all employ degrees of scocialism, and guess what? Those people are happier than Americans. Look it up.
Peace, Lee
Comment Written 05-Oct-2019
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2019
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not the Americans I know. I don't care how many "degrees of socialism" there are, that s not what this country stands for.
There's a big difference between being created equal and what their circumstances and heredity are and what they do with their lives.
The Constitution is what Americans should respect and uphold - and their is no socialism there. Hillary says it's antiquated and should be changed. I know she's not running for Pres,but she gives speeches all over everywhere, influencing people.
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So do you, evidently. In a country where 1% of the population controls 90% of the wealth, some degree of redistribution makes sense.
The Constitution does not prohibit affordable healthcare for all, nor access to free higher education. These measures would strengthen our nation.
Unless you're billionaire, you might even benefit.
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well, it's the billionaires who build the colleges, art museums, hospitals, support the arts, give grants to medicine, students, and keep our economy going. and to me, different degrees of socialism is like being a little bit pregnant.
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Is Sweden pregnant? Is Canada pregnant? Norway? Why are their people happier than we are?
Could be your dogma ate your homework.
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I am sorry we disagree, but it isn't dogma, and I'm sincerely sorry you are unhappy.
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and those were silly questions.
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Silly? Just because they contradict your narrow-minded premise about socialism? Where did you learn to debate?
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Lee, I have not called you names.
Pregnant Canada is silly. but if you are unhappy here and like socialism so much why not go to a country that likes it and the people are oh so happy and leave us capitalists to what works for us.
Comment from Mystic Angel 7777
This meets the contest requirements beautifully as you deliver a complete and thoroughly compelling narrative about a topic you appear to care quite deeply about. You did a great job in expressing and supporting your opinion throughout. Good luck in the voting and thank you very much for sharing it.
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2019
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This meets the contest requirements beautifully as you deliver a complete and thoroughly compelling narrative about a topic you appear to care quite deeply about. You did a great job in expressing and supporting your opinion throughout. Good luck in the voting and thank you very much for sharing it.
Comment Written 05-Oct-2019
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2019
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thank you. I am surprised and saddened at a response I received about the "degrees of socialism" and how we should think that makes it all right.
Thank you for your comments.
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Hmmm ? I'd say it's much the same as being a little bit pregnant - you are or you aren't and once the slide begins there's not hitting the brakes LOL.
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very good point! think I'll tell him that if I can get his review back. or I just might contact him and give my identity away.
thanks!
Comment from Susan Larson
While I try to steer away from political discussions or public proclamation of my own beliefs, mainly becase I fear having my car smashed or my house vandalized, I will say that your essay asks all the right questions. My question is, "How many social studies teachers and college professors are asking their students the same questions?"
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2019
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While I try to steer away from political discussions or public proclamation of my own beliefs, mainly becase I fear having my car smashed or my house vandalized, I will say that your essay asks all the right questions. My question is, "How many social studies teachers and college professors are asking their students the same questions?"
Comment Written 05-Oct-2019
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2019
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I don't believe they do, in fact our kids and grand kids are being brainwashed - my own grandchild, for one. American values are going down the tubes. what a sad state of affairs when we're afraid for our lives and our property when we want to show our support for a politician.
