raenger

The biggest, toughest tank I can create.

@NeverDeath
Hussein administration, good one.
Where to start? Surveys showed throughout the healthcare debate that the majority of Americans wanted reform, and in the end the healthcare reform we got is going to have very little impact on our current system. Unless you're a high-powered insurance executive who exploits the sick and dying, nothing will change for you under 'Obamacare.'

Not sure if you understand the meaning of the word fascist, or for that matter, socialist. Not only do neither of these terms apply to Barack Obama, they really don't apply to anyone in American politics (with the exception of Bernie Sanders, who identifies himself as a Democratic Socialist). Also, don't forget that the bank bailout, which so many of the Neo-Cons like to attribute solely to Obama, began under George W. Bush, when he handed the reins of our economic system over to Wall Street with TARP in 2008.

Our current economic situation was caused solely due to the radical deregulation of our financial system under Bill Clinton and George Dubbya (the seeds sown a couple of decades ago by Reagan). Obama passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (you know it as 'The Stimulus,') which contained a massive tax cut (40% of the cost of the bill) for those in the middle class, the largest in a long time. In a study published by former Federal Reserve Vice-Chairman Alan Blinder, it is estimated that the stimulus saved 8.5 million jobs, and prevented us from experiencing deflation instead of low inflation.

Perhaps you're right, though, and the majority of the Americans don't want any of this. Maybe it has something to do with the misinformation they're given by those on the right (and the left), which leads them to fundamental misunderstanding of the way their political system works.

"Issue number two is Funcom's emulation of the U.S. Congress, or more specifically, the latter's affinity for ramming unpopular legislation down the throats of a populace that clearly doesn't want it."

I didn't realize Republicans played MMOs.

I love your column, and I have a number of ideas for future ones, and I apologize if a couple of them have been done already.

Perhaps a spotlight on the mining industry in EVE (I feel like this has been done).

I really enjoyed your columns on the importance of motivation within a corporation and corporate goals, I think it would be interesting to see a column about managing large alliances, especially those heavily into PvP, as it seems like an incredibly daunting task.

After reading all these comments, I must say, I am deeply saddened. I had thought that our generation of young adults had gotten over the political divisions of our parents. I guarantee most people who have commented here could do little to explain why they hold certain political beliefs, one way or the other.

I also find it sad that it seems everyone in our country today treats capitalism as a sort of religion. Those who say anything that doesn't mesh with capitalist or corporate liberal ideals is immediately brushed off as 'un-American' or what have you. It seems to me that, as was noted by someone a few pages back, that we should stop thinking about issues like this in terms of liberal and conservative. The only way we will ever overcome the numerous issues facing our country is to put all of the stupidity aside.

That being said, those of you here who are espousing libertarian or hyper-conservative views, and fears of overreaching government regulation should really think about what makes our lives (speaking from an American perspective) as good as they are. Corporate America and the 'Free' Market are not the reasons we live so well here, even though many people seem to think so. The reason we live so well in America, generally speaking, is because of our democracy. Without democracy, we'd be living in the dark ages, or maybe a corporate technocratic dystopia.

This sounds stupid, but I was probably 13-14 at the time, and had no concept of how MMOs were played or anything.

I started playing FFXI, and before I even made it out of Valkurm Dunes I learned the first time the concepts of party roles (Tanks, healer, etc). Obviously I had played RPGs before and some of these were apparent, but it was the first time I'd ever even conceived of teamwork between real people like that. I started playing FFXI at launch and didn't truly quit until mid 2009.

I'm in.

Always wanted to get into this game, having a lifetime sub would make it pretty easy.

I see. I'm glad you didn't simply ignore it.

FFXI has always been near and dear to my heart as well, I played it from the North American launch until the beginning of this year. What server did/do you play on, if you don't mind me asking?

Also, as a side-note, your avatar is cool as hell.

Final Fantasy XIV anyone? It's only a triple-A title from one of the most powerful development studios in RPGs.

No big deal, though.