posted
I can not speak for anyone but my family--but i can say as a Dem who voted for Bush--I am now bankrupt and lost over 75% of my invested cash in the market since 2001! Needless to say, I've had my face slapped enough and will not be voting republican this time around. Yes, the terrorists helped the situation, but I don't appreciate the fact that our Commander-In-Chief has been so arrogant that we now get the priveledge of paying for Irac all by ourselves. Regardless of Kerry/Edwards foreign policy experience, I believe that the Europeans and the rest of the world know that they need to help, and will if we get rid of Bush. Never underestimate pride- they need an excuse to back off their positions. (just my opinion and soap box). Posts: 7 | From: Wilmington, NC | Registered: Mar 2004
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Unhappy Workers Should Take Prozac --Bush Campaigner
Thu Jul 29, 1:50 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A campaign worker for President Bush (news - web sites) said on Thursday American workers unhappy with low-quality jobs should find new ones -- or pop a Prozac to make themselves feel better.
"Why don't they get new jobs if they're unhappy -- or go on Prozac?" said Susan Sheybani, an assistant to Bush campaign spokesman Terry Holt.
The comment was apparently directed to a colleague who was transferring a phone call from a reporter asking about job quality, and who overheard the remark.
When told the Prozac comment had been overheard, Sheybani said: "Oh, I was just kidding."
While recent employment growth has buoyed Bush's economic record, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites) has argued the new jobs are not as good as those lost due to outsourcing in recent years.
Nearly 1.1 million jobs have been lost since Bush took office in January 2001.
posted
I"M a LOT BETTER OFF! Made more money from 2000/2002 and flat since/ NEW LADY Get ready for tax increase if KERRY elected. Stock market losses are more an individual problem than Gov. ie: You don't have to leave your money in a losing vehicle. Not fair to blame politics. VAN
Posts: 1424 | From: Peoria, IL. USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
just watched Dennis Miller say that Kerry is a Chess Player and Bush is a Checkers player. Dennis says he wants a checkers player for president.......
posted
I can't stand watching Lou Dobbs lately. I am from Canada and he sounds like our tired old left-wing/socialist party. (New Democratic Party of Canada.) You know, free trade is bad, corporations soak people. Are the jobs you are losing to China and India the type of jobs that can create a wealthy country. No, they are low value added jobs. We are seeing a transformation like we did in the 20s-30s, the move from the farm to the factory. It is a hi-tech/service economy now, not a factory economy, get with it. Go to a high school and ask how many students dream of working in a shoe factory. NOT many.
Because of the huge multibillion dollar oilsands projects going on in Alberta, there is an economic boom on up here. (Laborers are making more than university profs.) Lots of excellent blue-collar jobs can't find workers because people just don't want to do that type of work anymore.
Also protectionism is EVIL. Us Canadians pay some of the highest prices in the world for dairy products to prop up a bunch of inefficient dairy farms in Quebec. We still have a commission that sets prices for milk. CRAZY. Commissions that set prices; sounds like the old Soviet Union. We used to be way more protectionist, but the free-trade deal with the USA put a stop to that nonsense. Protectionism was bad for Canada and it will be bad for the USA if you go down that path. Politicians use the oldest line in the book; when things are bad, blame foreigners. Free trade deals are hard to rip up, thank God.
Finally, public health care SUCKS. If I want to see a doctor up here, I make an appointment with the quack for 2:00pm, then go there to wait in a small hot room filled with a bunch of sick people for an hour or more. Canada has one of the lowest doctor/population ratios in the developed world. Also, when you walk into one of the hospitals up here, it seems like you are going in a time warp back to 1975. Some great research gets done up here, but if you get sick you may have to wait 6 months or more to get treated. Everything seems out of date and old. We need more private clinics, more MRI machines. I want choice.
Health care can be a dynamic wealth generating aspect of the economy, or a disaster managed by central planners.
quote:Originally posted by glassman: simple question. according to the IRS: Americans have been reporting 9% LESS income over the last four years than they did in 2000.......
personally, i have to say that i am better off.....
[This message has been edited by glassman (edited July 29, 2004).]
I know I'm better off.. but that's because I haven't paid taxes in almost 2 years, lol. I have a few extensions floating around out there, between myself and my companies. My accountants are slow
posted
my being better off is due to acquiring more education...plain and simple... i am more than a little pissed at the way the job situation seemed to be contracting just as we were entering the market again.... on the other hand, getting more education is easier than it has ever been.....
as far as the tax situation goes...... i think we need to be offering tax incentives to biz that CREATES jobs(any jobs)right here in the States for CITIZENS and LEGAL immigrants...... there may not be many who dream of working in a shoe factory, but let's face it, there are people who will not aspire to higher levels, whether due to native ability or unwillingness/lack of interest in continuing education...recently i have heard a lot of rhetoric about illegals filling jobs nobody wants....well i got news for you--if you pay a living wage, you will find LEGAL people to do the work....if you don't pay a living wage, then maybe the job doesn't NEED to be done (or maybe you are a throwback to the SLAVEOWNER mentality).......this is a basic issue of human value,i've seen how the third world lives with my own eyes. and guess what, i'm starting to see more and more of it RIGHT HERE in the USA. maybe it's always been here and i'm just getting around more....but it ain't that hard to find.......i see it as a disease, like cancer, and if you don't get it under control, you will find yourself (and/or your children) catching it too.....
posted
In Canada, working in a meat packing plant used to be a job that people could raise a family on. Due to cost pressures, they now pay only $8/hour, and one in Manitoba hires Mexicans on two year work contracts. Would people be willing to pay more for their chicken and pork in order to maintain the higher wages? I just paid $400 for a pair of Mephisto shoes, made in France. The shoes are hand made by people that make a great wage, and there is profit sharing. If people want to support high wages, they have to pay the price. If you want to go to Wal-Mart and pay $40 for a microwave, then you cannot expect that product to be made in the USA by people making $16/hour. Your values are stated every time you make a purchase!!!!
Also, if you wanted to create tax incentives for companies to keep jobs at home, I would have no objection to that. But people who want to rip up free trade deals, and legislate what companies can and cannot do, are misguided.
[This message has been edited by northernprophet (edited August 01, 2004).]
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I am infinitely better off than I was four years ago. It has nothing to do with Bush though. It's through hard work and sweat, making my business grow, beating my competition, and staying a leg up on them. Anyone can blame the current leader for their problems or attribute their success to them but in reality, it's you who determines if you're a success or not.
[This message has been edited by Upside (edited August 01, 2004).]
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yeah--anybody who thinks Clinton was responsible for the prosperity of the Y2K runup is a fool..... however, i am a bit concerned about the growing deficit..... we already pay too much interest out of our tax dollars... and i'm beginning to wonder how the new "jobless" economy is going to generate tax income..... corporations have it pretty good already on tax breaks, and we need NEW jobs, or we need CAPIAL GAINS--that's what i VOTE for---who's gonna help me get some capital gains to pay taxes on ????? they get my vote..LOL
Posts: 36378 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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Voting: I live in MASS. the tax state, never voted for kerry for senator, so, its going to be tough to vote for him for pres. now.
I didnt vote for Bush last time around either.
My vote will be for who I think will keep MY money in MY pocket, and keep MY country safe from terrorists.
I spend a lot of time in europe and I am currently in Greece. They hate bush here. but, although they liked Clintons personality, they hated his policies here too.
I actually was complained to more consistently about Kosovo than I have been about Iraq. That is a small sample though.
When people think that Europe will help us they must remember a lot of European reaction to september 11th was sadness, but, the Americans got what was coming to them. I personally dont buy the we deserved it attitude.
Not much sympathy for us over here and I personally will never include what chirac, schroeder, or blair think of us when I vote.
Everyone do as you like,
Enjoy the day
keith
Posts: 9110 | From: boston, ma | Registered: Jan 2004
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yes keith i am stirring the pot..LOL if you don't, the meat will stick to the bottom and BURN...LOL i guess everybody is starting to figure out my opinion of politicians in general...LOL
it's funny, i like the ones who (at least appear to me) to tell the truth... but they can't get anywhere near enough votes...HMMMMMM anyway if they want a job in the public eye, they need to be ready willing and able to take the HEAT...LOL i am getting a little tired of hearing "because it was the right thing to do" that's not a very good splanation, kind of reminds of when i was a little kid and my dad would say "because i said so"......LOL
posted
according to labor department stats-- 1 in 5 LONG-TERM employees was layed off in the last three years...
i guess they weren't working hard enough....HMMMMMM
oh yeah, and their average re-employment pay was about half the original pay they had......
so, maybe the real question to be asking right now is whether or not osama bin alive too long is waging a finacial war or a holy war.....
seems to me that maybe the best way to fight this war might be to start up a new business.....one of the reasons i play the pennies is that this IS where the new busnesses are......
BTW---i am relieved that Pres. Bush is pushing for a security czar that the Prez can hire and fire at will... this position has the potential to be the most powerful post in the nation......
[This message has been edited by glassman (edited August 02, 2004).]
posted
Is it just me or are the only ones posting here as better off: the same ones who post the common sense stuff? Education is very important ( glass), however I detest the educational system that takes the bucks and serves up diplomas. I"d bet that you guy are more likely self educated even if you have a degree somewhere for "potting plants in todays enviromental world" ?????? VAN
Posts: 1424 | From: Peoria, IL. USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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quote:Originally posted by VNGNTN1: Is it just me or are the only ones posting here as better off: the same ones who post the common sense stuff? Education is very important ( glass), however I detest the educational system that takes the bucks and serves up diplomas. I"d bet that you guy are more likely self educated even if you have a degree somewhere for "potting plants in todays enviromental world" ?????? VAN
van i teach!, not in a suburb or rural area but,in boston, dead center dorchester.
tough neighborhood! I didnt create it, i just try to teach in it maybe i should flunk em all 3rd grade readin levels
that would make them smarter and more money?
Look, I love my job, but my students are welfare tied, its there way, its the plan, sad but so. I beg them, go to college, its free for you, i'll fill out the paper work...
When one graduates, i'll be the proudest teacher ever, just ONE.
keith
Posts: 9110 | From: boston, ma | Registered: Jan 2004
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Van, very good point about the self-education.... it is possible to get a degree at 90+% of higher learning institutions WITHOUT learning a damn thing..... OK OK that's an overstatement..LOL but there is some truth in it..... a lot the universities do a decent job of making the opportunities available and what the customer does with it is up to them....
i have to laugh about the sports programs tho... if they spent the kind of money on REAL reasearch that they do on sports, we would have a lot of major leaps in our progress....
posted
let's see. Kerry's been a senator for what? 20 years? gonna be a lot of flip-flopping on any senators record over 20 years... LOL Yale grad, and member of skull and bones. hmmm gots alot in common with Bush don't he... except the part about experience... Bush's real credentials were that his dad was once the prez.... Bush's experience includes guvnor of Tehas and a failed baseball thingy? after watching the democratic natl convention, i can't decide whether the whole country has moved to the right, or the Dems decided they needed to put on an act(hollywood style is the dem way) to (hopefully) convince the right wingers that they aren't so liberal....LOL strange and interesting times we are seeing here..... like i said before--WHO'S GONNA HELP US GET SOME CAPITAL GAINs??????????
Posts: 36378 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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I am still better off Now. Yes Education is key. So I went and got one wife too. Wouldnt want it any other way.
I'll be watching the flopping and excused making with a smile. To see the flops dont bother looking at the 20 year record just pick the last year. Less even.....
goin for couple days to coast were they will be hosting the marathon and near rowing competitions.
Enjoy
Posts: 9110 | From: boston, ma | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
KIETH My only real complaint is they DO pass them thru. Americans learn to be lazy very early. I do not have a degree in anything.,but was an A student in high school and had GOOD teachers who challenged me and taught me how to learn. I did enroll in FENN college and had Cleveland OH in 1963 took a decent load and did ok except in business 101. The book was 4" thick and I had mostly memorized it, there were no tests along the way, The professor was a braggart and spoke mostly of his supposed achievements. Of course I wondered aloud why he wasn't making gazillions in a real job. When I took the final test not one question from the book all his crap. I flunked with something less than 20%. I walked away and never went back. VAN
Posts: 1424 | From: Peoria, IL. USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
on the other side of the coin Van,i have seen (with my own eyes) many cases of 4.0 students (esp. pre-med) cheating in numerous ways......as i read a lot of scientific papers, i observe a lot of "bootstrapping" it is so common that it is an accepted practice.... as you said, all TRUE education, really is self-taught, and the same is true in terms of success..... there are always some who ignore opportunity and some who abuse it.....
one of the reasons i am so hard on the system is very personal-going back to school requires great personal sacrifices in standard of living---my wife was already working( doing genetic insertions/analysis) on the culex quinq. mosquito when west nile virus hit.....(that is the primary vector for WNV) her professor not only usurped her research, they screwed it up and then buried it....another loss to humanity.....her work was not going to cure WNV any time soon, but the issue is that it was suddenly a hot topic....and that means there is a lot of money flowing in that direction now.... don't worry, the bitterness here is not chasing us away from research. as a matter of fact i have no doubt that we are already on the next HOT TOPIC... LOL no joke...
posted
GLASS Yes I too have observed those things how unfortunate for all. re: Mosquito's I have been concerned because we live on water and have a large population. I have had good luck in deterrence. I bought 25 electronic dragonflys and gave them for xmas to family & friends. These give a 100% protection for a 16' diameter. VAN
Posts: 1424 | From: Peoria, IL. USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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quote:Originally posted by VNGNTN1: GLASS Yes I too have observed those things how unfortunate for all. re: Mosquito's I have been concerned because we live on water and have a large population. I have had good luck in deterrence. I bought 25 electronic dragonflys and gave them for xmas to family & friends. These give a 100% protection for a 16' diameter. VAN
west nile virus is only seriously dangerous to those with weakened immune systems...young, old and those with certain diseases... it's like any other viral health hazzard, we are expecting that 99% of those who get it will develop immunity to it and it will not be a MAJOR health problem.. it is serious and should be taken seriously, but if you get it and are healthy when you do, then you are most likely "immunized". it is really a disease of birds, the skeeters feed off the birds toes and ankles while they are roosting and then carry it to you... not a great thought is it?? sharing needles with birds...fortunately it doesn't seem to make chickens very sick at all or we would be in real trouble....
quote:Originally posted by glassman: Van, very good point about the self-education.... it is possible to get a degree at 90+% of higher learning institutions WITHOUT learning a damn thing..... OK OK that's an overstatement..LOL but there is some truth in it..... a lot the universities do a decent job of making the opportunities available and what the customer does with it is up to them....
i have to laugh about the sports programs tho... if they spent the kind of money on REAL reasearch that they do on sports, we would have a lot of major leaps in our progress....
this one was just tooooo funny to pass up.. Bush just announced that he believes that college admissions should be based on MERIT, not legacy......i'm laughing so hard that my sides are aching....
hell his legacy is that of his wifes,deceased husbands, ketchup company LOL
but, i also agree with you. on assumption only, i actually havent seen the application.
heard you were being attacked on CMKX thread, I didnt read though, really not interested. You should be defended though, i will rise to occasion at another time.
Van,
I am the guy who passes these kids.... give me a better option... your mother is on drugs, father in jail, and now you flunk, all you needed to do was try....
it doesnt dumb down other peoples education but I must admit my expectations are different for these guys than in a rich environment...(not money wise). i make the little ...... work there but off, but its easy to see why its hard for other teachers...
flunking em aint the answer.... you are right, but, what do you do.
I was at the rowing site, the same time as the prime minister of Greece, the security was nuts m-16's or equal, on the beach-LOL not so picturesque now.
fun though
keith
Posts: 9110 | From: boston, ma | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
you know--i don't really know that much about Kerry. i just don't like the way the politics of today seems to be more about 30 second sound bites that are all piles of BS.....i didn't like clinton much, don't like bush much and probly won't like kerry much either if he wins...LOL
here's a REAL scary thought--- If Bush wins, then Hillary will probly be the dems next candidate..... she would be running against an unknown entity, since Cheney couldn't possibly win the natl. elections..... so if Hillary were to win in 2008 that would be 24 consecutive years of two families running the country....i need a drink....LOL make that a double of Wild Turkey 101 please
IMO though, Hillary will have lost her time in sun by 2008, from what I hear she stopped thinking about running this year because bush looked unbeatable at the time.
Talk about legacy of nothing if she wins...I won cause i married to pres once... he didnt like me much though....
AS for 2008- tough call on who could run of interest. I currently really like this guy romney, gov. of Mass. good businessman, has saved the olympics in utah and currently is taking on the status quo in mass. Obvioulsy jury is still out but so far seems to be a guy doing whats right not being pushed by polls and not a career politician
Keith
[This message has been edited by keithsan (edited August 08, 2004).]
Posts: 9110 | From: boston, ma | Registered: Jan 2004
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quote:Originally posted by VNGNTN1: GLASS Yes I too have observed those things how unfortunate for all. re: Mosquito's I have been concerned because we live on water and have a large population. I have had good luck in deterrence. I bought 25 electronic dragonflys and gave them for xmas to family & friends. These give a 100% protection for a 16' diameter. VAN
Forgive me for mentioning a stock, but there is a protcol for the West Nile virus--it's free--GMED website. Unless the patient's immune system is greatly compromised--it's batting 100%. Good Luck.
As for being better off--I'm about the same in wages, but prices going up quickly. Increased education has not greatly improved the wages of many recent college graduates--hurts those with loans. Five years minimum experience and a degree are required for most entry level jobs. I know young graduates who are secretaries, hostesses, painters, cooks and many who are going back to school to get certified to teach just to get a job with benefits! Now that should really improve our educational system--teachers who want to teach as the last resort!
quote:Originally posted by glassman: you know--i don't really know that much about Kerry. i just don't like the way the politics of today seems to be more about 30 second sound bites that are all piles of BS.....i didn't like clinton much, don't like bush much and probly won't like kerry much either if he wins...LOL
here's a REAL scary thought--- If Bush wins, then Hillary will probly be the dems next candidate..... she would be running against an unknown entity, since Cheney couldn't possibly win the natl. elections..... so if Hillary were to win in 2008 that would be 24 consecutive years of two families running the country....i need a drink....LOL make that a double of Wild Turkey 101 please
Member
Icon 1 posted August 07, 2004 22:37
as you can plainly see budge? i was against the idea of the Clintons coming back to office a long long time ago.... and i was voting FOR Kerry at the time.
-------------------- Don't envy the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise. Posts: 36378 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
Face it, glass..., you are biased. You can't see through the fog of hatred.
Posts: 11304 | From: Fort Worth, Texas | Registered: Mar 2005
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lol, they were all squirmy answering that one...I don't understand why NONE OF THEM will concede that Bush hijacked the party... You can practically hear the audience and TV viewers thinking...."Go ahead, SAY IT!"
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