Look, conservatives have been telling us for generations that government is just too corrupt and incompetent to work.

Yep. United screwed up in the first place by scheduling their staffing so recklessly that this flight was the only possible option they saw. And then United screwed up again by trying to cheap out instead of offering enough money to get other passengers to leave willingly.

But the point remains that it’s perfectly conceivable (though not confirmed) that the bumping in question occurred to ensure that United was conforming with federal regulations that a flight crew have adequate rest between shifts. 

It’s also baked into our country’s DNA. Our national myth states that people rise and fall solely on their own merits. Which is why so many people are willing to vote Republican regardless of their own economic or social interests.

This requires that the industry submit to many, many regulations.

People seem so desperate to blame this guy. I really don’t get it.

not letting someone badge or no badge drag someone off the plane for a stupid reason.

My first US passport, in the 1990s, was green. Apparently it was a temporary commemorative thing for the State Department or Consular Service. They went back to blue passports shortly thereafter.

I’m glad the stadium failed because I didn’t like the financing scheme, especially since there was another group of investors that was willing to kick in the cash to avoid the use tax, but it’s a travesty that St. Louis doesn’t have the MLS.

The local billionaire can’t profit as much that way.

Except for Atlanta Seattle Vancouver New England.

You’re right - the government never prosecutes people who embezzle money from private companies.

it’s a pretty fucked up point of view

For example I am a well-off liberal. Voting for a Democrat raises my taxes, which is against my own self interest.

The Dark Myth of the American Dream, my friend.

One of my favorite lines from one of my favorite musicals. Shame they cut that song out of the film.

A Toyota Highlander is not what most people would consider a luxury car. It’s a large midrange crossover.

Fuck yeah. Mine is a fair amount less than that per month on a 30-year fixed. And as I said before, it’s still crazy expensive.

I Agree, but those cars are hardly luxury. They are rather upper end of an average car.

But at some point, if you are making $60K/yr do you really think making $250K/yr is right around the corner? I mean maybe things break right and you see yourself making $100K someday, so you care about the next bracket or two up, but 4x what you make now. I guess I am just too pragmatic to see it that way.