WTF Is Wrong With Our Government?

[S2M]

It goes like this. You want to cut the deficit. You want a smaller government. Institute the consumption tax. You want to see savers prosper? People who aren't buying the latest and greatest will be saving twice as much. They won't be buying the gadgets, and they will drastically save on the consumption tax. And the spenders will help pay for government. I think the reason you will never see a consumption tax is because Congress believes people will hoard. Just like they said about the stimulus checks. People didn't hoard, they spent it catching up on bills, and the losers spent it on nonsense....As I said before. And someone else mentioned it too - these old farts in washington are making policy on things they'll be dead for. They don't care. Their families are taken care of....

[Saint John]

Way too many people blow money they DON'T HAVE ! Sadly , our government caters to those people more than they do to you & I.

These 2 excellent points are the 2 I'd pick if I had to define what's wrong with this country in 2 sentences. Simple and true. Fixable, too.

[Melissa]

Dan and B, couldn't agree more. But buying only what you can AFFORD is what people like that don't seem to understand, and complain it's not "fair". They have the attitude "Well if those people can buy a 4,000 square foot home, why can't I?" Doesn't matter to them that if they can AFFORD a 1500 square foot home, THAT'S what they SHOULD BUY, they see the other guy's 4,000 sf home and say "But that's not fair he gets that and I don't!", and there is the problem. And there are SO many people like that these days, with that damn entitlement attitude, it's not even funny.

[Saint John]

Sean and Mel, great points.

[Ehwmatt]

I'm starting to get really tired of the negativity. Of my friends, all of those who are qualified are working decent jobs and doing fine. Of my friends who fucked up and did shit the wrong way, they are hurting, just as they would have been in any other economic era.

I know there are people hurting, but at some point I think the negative prognostications and negative people are doing more harm than good. I just blew up on my one friend who has been whining to me non-stop the past 3 months. Without going into detail, he has reaped what he is now sowing and I have 0 pity for him and finally told him not to come bitching to me anymore.

Yeah well, when you're single and have no responsibilites other than yourself, that's all fine and dandy that you're "doing fine". Get back at us when you decide to buy a house, get married, have kids, etc. etc. etc. Oh you can still do "fine" like I am, but you will FEEL it dude. Just wait You haven't a clue yet!

What does being married and having kids and a house payment have to do with working your hardest to make the most of yourself? The fact of the matter is, most people I know, or at least the loudest complainers, don't do that regardless of their marital status or financial liabilities. My basic point is that yes, the economy is bad and there are some scary things on the horizon if things don't get better. But, there are plenty of people who bitch incessantly about how they can't "make it" who really need to look in the mirror.

I don't see why I should be faulted for waiting for a responsible time to do all of the above mentioned in my life. Yeah, it woulda been hell on me to do that at 18 or even 21 and I'd always be playing catch up. Now, I assure you I'd have no problem paying off a house (my apartment rent is about on par with a mortgage payment anyway) and supporting a family right now on my current income. But, that's because I happened to choose a professional path that enabled me to do that. To choose that path, I worked my ass off starting in high school to finance my education with scholarships. I won't pretend I lived the life of a monk as a kid, but throughout HS and college, I definitely said "no" more than "yes" to parties, concerts, and spring break trips etc when many of my friends were doing that stuff and inviting me along so that I could focus on what needed to be done. I waited a lot longer to "start my life" than my friends who went to work right out of high school or even college. It sucked watching them buy a car, house, get married etc while I was single and living on peanut butter sandwiches and tapwater. But now, I'm leaving them in the dirt. And I did it with no debt other than some minimal living loans I incurred during grad school.

This goes back to my looking in the mirror point: the same people bitching about being crushed by student loans are the people who didn't try hard in high school/college etc to get academic scholarships. Trust me, there are PLENTY of them out there and you don't need to be an Einstein to get one to a decent school. Likewise, the same people I know who bitch about jobs are spending more time doing just that than thinking outside the box and getting creative with the job search (or a real novel idea, having done something at your old job to distinguish yourself and make yourself indispensable to the company, not part of the rank and file). Again, I'm not cold to the people who are struggling. My uncle is in pharmaceutical sales and just got laid off from his third job in five years, their son just started his freshman year of college, their daughter is a high school senior on the verge of college, and his wife/my aunt is struggling with an extremely debilitating autoimmune disease. I feel for the situation, but I frankly have more on my resume now at 25 than he does at 50 and he wasn't putting the time in. I know some folks truly have a Herculean struggle just to find decent work. But, I also think people are better off worrying about themselves instead of bitching constantly about the outside factors making it difficult for them to pay their bills or get a job.

As recently as 8 months ago, I was one of those bitching incessantly. I realized my passion and energy were far better spent building my career. There is still a path for every person willing to open his or her eyes. It's just not handed to you any more.

[S2M]

I disagree.....TOTALLY. The opportunities just aren't there like they used to be. They are few and far between, and you have a million people vying for those opportunities. The world has changed. The Country has changed. Employment has changed. Please don't piss on my leg and tell me it is raining(Judge Judy). Gotta cite or suffer the wrath of the PC police.

My state's unemployment rate is 11%....don't tell me people don't want to work. There's nothing out there. And companies suck to work for. Most aren't offering full-time. And a good majority don't offer health. Just don't tell me people don't want to work. I've put my resume on Monster.com. And on the Ladders(as a joke)...and to date, I've handed in over 150 applications....I've gotten NO calls. The unemployed have to deal with cronyism, nepotism, and wicked competitiveness in looking for work....if you are not jobless, you cannot possibly understand.

[Ehwmatt]

I disagree.....TOTALLY. The opportunities just aren't there like they used to be. They are few and far between, and you have a million people vying for those opportunities. The world has changed. The Country has changed. Employment has changed. Please don't piss on my leg and tell me it is raining(Judge Judy). Gotta cite or suffer the wrath of the PC police.

My state's unemployment rate is 11%....don't tell me people don't want to work. There's nothing out there. And companies suck to work for. Most aren't offering full-time. And a good majority don't offer health. Just don't tell me people don't want to work. I've put my resume on Monster.com. And on the Ladders(as a joke)...and to date, I've handed in over 150 applications....I've gotten NO calls. The unemployed have to deal with cronyism, nepotism, and wicked competitiveness in looking for work....if you are not jobless, you cannot possibly understand.

I agree... the opportunities aren't anywhere NEAR what they used to be. You can't follow the traditional path. In some instances, depending on your educational and work background, you may even have to move somewhere far away (within the country) to try and find work. It's not as simple as handing a resume in any more.

My job didn't come crawling to me. I was very qualified, got rejected from 3 places that would have killed for someone with my qualifications five years ago (by some of my interviewers' own accounts, not mine... I wouldn't know of course), and realized I had to do something more than just be qualified and be personable during an interview. I started being more aggressive and lobbying for myself, making it clear I had the ability and drive to do what they're looking for, and just plain out didn't settle for sending my resume in and doing an interview and crossing my fingers. You just can't. You gotta be competitive. I was told I was on the verge of being tossed into the "No" pile here, but that my initiative and competitiveness won them over. Every industry/profession is different, but I think a lot of those principles are pretty transferable across occupational lines.

I'm not saying things are perfect or even good. They're not. I'd be making a fool of myself if I were saying that. All I'm saying is that people need to do more than just send out a few resumes, get dinged, and then spend the rest of their time blaming Bush, the economy, Wall Street, Lehman Brothers, Goldman Sachs, or whatever corporate or government villain is the flavor of the day. I think we're getting so negative that we're missing or blinding ourselves to the chances we DO have to make things better for both ourselves and the country.

[Melissa]

Wasn't faulting you Ewmatt for waiting for whatever time you deem to be responsible to go for those things, just letting you know the reality of having those things is nowhere near the reality of how easy it is to take care of just yourself when single. And there are plenty of people out there who do just the very same and work their hardest to make the best of themselves too, but having a family is a HUGE difference than being single. You can sit there and SAY all day long how easy you think you'll have it whenever you may have a family, but the reality will be different. That was the point. True there are plenty of people out there who aren't responsible, but I find it just a tad bit conceited to make all your friends out to be losers or whiners, when they simply may just be feeling the crunch of trying to raise a family in a time that is not so super easy to do so, even when you work your ass off. THAT is a reality you must just not have a clue about yet. That's all.

[S2M]

Matt, I get what you are saying....you have to have every iron in the fire when looking for work. Hell, I don't know how many times I've wanted to pack up and just leave here. This place is dried up. Very expensive to live in New England. I've thought about applying to work on a Cruiseship. Just bailing on my degrees. I'm older now. I really couldn't care less. My kid keeps me here. Sometimes I feel like I've given up alot to be here for my kid. At times I've felt super selfish and have been within hours of packing up....but then I think about what people would say. And honestly, that's the only reason I stayed. I still may do it....I'm getting close again.....

[Michigan Girl]

Matt, I get what you are saying....you have to have every iron in the fire when looking for work. Hell, I don't know how many times I've wanted to pack up and just leave here. This place is dried up. Very expensive to live in New England. I've thought about applying to work on a Cruiseship. Just bailing on my degrees. I'm older now. I really couldn't care less. My kid keeps me here. Sometimes I feel like I've given up alot to be here for my kid. At times I've felt super selfish and have been within hours of packing up....but then I think about what people would say. And honestly, that's the only reason I stayed. I still may do it....I'm getting close again.....

I spent so much time
talking to the cruiseship workers ...they were mostly from other countries trying to make money to
send home to their families ...the tips are incredible!! I also talked to a few of our senior citizens who actually
live on the cruiseships, they boat hop all year long ...they say it's cheaper than owning a home and paying
taxes. This is really a great TEMPORARY idea, I'd love to be the cruise director!!

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

Matt, I get what you are saying....you have to have every iron in the fire when looking for work. Hell, I don't know how many times I've wanted to pack up and just leave here. This place is dried up. Very expensive to live in New England. I've thought about applying to work on a Cruiseship. Just bailing on my degrees. I'm older now. I really couldn't care less. My kid keeps me here. Sometimes I feel like I've given up alot to be here for my kid. At times I've felt super selfish and have been within hours of packing up....but then I think about what people would say. And honestly, that's the only reason I stayed. I still may do it....I'm getting close again.....

I spent so much time
talking to the cruiseship workers ...they were mostly from other countries trying to make money to
send home to their families ...the tips are incredible!! I also talked to a few of our senior citizens who actually
live on the cruiseships, they boat hop all year long ...they say it's cheaper than owning a home and paying
taxes. This is really a great TEMPORARY idea, I'd love to be the cruise director!!

Well lets all get together and start a cruise ship. I think we debated starting an island a few year back and some pretty screwed up things were thought up. I can only imagine what a MR cruise ship would be like.

[Melissa]

It goes like this. You want to cut the deficit. You want a smaller government. Institute the consumption tax. You want to see savers prosper? People who aren't buying the latest and greatest will be saving twice as much. They won't be buying the gadgets, and they will drastically save on the consumption tax. And the spenders will help pay for government. I think the reason you will never see a consumption tax is because Congress believes people will hoard. Just like they said about the stimulus checks. People didn't hoard, they spent it catching up on bills, and the losers spent it on nonsense....As I said before. And someone else mentioned it too - these old farts in washington are making policy on things they'll be dead for. They don't care. Their families are taken care of....

www.fairtax.org

I would SO love to see this become reality.

[SF-Dano]

People get beaten down, deafeted, depressed. Just because you have a job today doesn't mean you will have it next month, or 6 months from now, or a year from now. Even with stellar performance on your part. There are no guarantees unless you are in a job that is based on a signed contract. Think of all the effort, time, and money that goes into landing that job today. Then think about having to do that every 6 months or every year. Things have been bad out there for more than just a couple years now. Here in California, I believe the unemployment rate finally just went under double digits.

All I am tryin to say - it is ultra tough out there the last 5 years or so. Sure there are a ton of slackers and those that live the credit lifestyle, but there are a hell of a lot of good people (workers) out there that just can't get an opportunity to go their way these days. When you have virtually all manufacturing gone from the country, and now tons of service jobs being moved out of the country also, the opportunities just aren't there anymore.

[S2M]

It goes like this. You want to cut the deficit. You want a smaller government. Institute the consumption tax. You want to see savers prosper? People who aren't buying the latest and greatest will be saving twice as much. They won't be buying the gadgets, and they will drastically save on the consumption tax. And the spenders will help pay for government. I think the reason you will never see a consumption tax is because Congress believes people will hoard. Just like they said about the stimulus checks. People didn't hoard, they spent it catching up on bills, and the losers spent it on nonsense....As I said before. And someone else mentioned it too - these old farts in washington are making policy on things they'll be dead for. They don't care. Their families are taken care of....

www.fairtax.org

I would SO love to see this become reality.

I just watched all 50 videos included at this website. After viewing, I don't see one reason why this doesn't become a reality....EXCEPT the fact that washington doesn't want transparency....every point made in those videos is positive for EVERYONE.

[Melissa]

It goes like this. You want to cut the deficit. You want a smaller government. Institute the consumption tax. You want to see savers prosper? People who aren't buying the latest and greatest will be saving twice as much. They won't be buying the gadgets, and they will drastically save on the consumption tax. And the spenders will help pay for government. I think the reason you will never see a consumption tax is because Congress believes people will hoard. Just like they said about the stimulus checks. People didn't hoard, they spent it catching up on bills, and the losers spent it on nonsense....As I said before. And someone else mentioned it too - these old farts in washington are making policy on things they'll be dead for. They don't care. Their families are taken care of....

www.fairtax.org

I would SO love to see this become reality.

I just watched all 50 videos included at this website. After viewing, I don't see one reason why this doesn't become a reality....EXCEPT the fact that washington doesn't want transparency....every point made in those videos is positive for EVERYONE.

Yep. If you really want to get pissed off, lol, go use the calculator they have on there. Working class people would see their spendable income increase greatly. But nooooo, they'd rather keep robbing people of money from our paychecks before it even makes it into our hands so they can keep "spreading that 'wealth'"

[RPM]

Not just saying this just because I am a Tool & Diemaker but, the loss of manufacturing jobs
and lack of action from our goverment to dismantle the manipulation of currency by china
has had a crippling effect on our ability to provide well paying jobs that were the backbone
of our economy, they make a big deal out of mcdonalds hiring thousands of workers....
used to be those jobs were for kids, along with bagging groceries and newspaper delivery
no more...the industrial revolution built this Great Country, and we are giving it away....

[S2M]

Just a little FYI for all you peeps....Businesses do not pay taxes. Corporate taxes, Payroll taxes, and Compliance taxes are all built in to the price of whatever the company is selling....passed to the consumer. If the FairTax is ever implemented, these taxes will no longer have to be paid, thus either pushing the companies to either lower the prices of their wares, or upping employee salaries....hopefully it won't go into CEO's pockets....

[Rip Rokken]

I think 80% of people know HOW to do, but just choose to spend their money in bars, on new cars, gadgets, music, gambling, tattoos, eating out, cigarettes, and other shit they don't need or can't afford. 80% know how, but only about 5% actually DO.

Very true...

Wrong. Life(American Dream) shouldn't be some delayed gratification thing. People shouldn't have to work 50 years, THEN enjoy the fruits. People needn't pay into SS for 50 years, only to die 2 years into retirement, and the money goes back into the pot. What's the point of working if there is nothing to look forward to? The worker should get to enjoy life during life...not when they are arthritic, or wheelchair bound in their 70s, collecting $600 a month, having to decide whether to eat, or take their meds...Why should I work my 20s, 30s, and 40s away...just so I can enjoy my 60s and 70s? How backwards is that?

I agree... that's why I'm doing some of the things I'm doing now, while I'm still able. In a few years when my daughter is older, I may not be able to. I could save every extra penny toward retirement, but I could die tomorrow. Screw that... I already have a percentage going toward my IRAs which will probably fail anyway when the economy completely collapses, and I want to enjoy life while I'm young and still have enough freedom to do it.

[Arkansas]

Wherever, Amen~


And our generation is always the worst.
It's tougher than ever...wherever.
We've got it bad, so bad...
But so did our forefathers…wherever.

The self-imposed market crashes,
And the Fed is to blame.
We're all in the soup line tomorrow,
Except those with fame.

Maybe the answer lies within,
For those who claim without.
Live simply and save,
But still save simply…with suspect doubt.

Wars and governments, wherever.
Financial whores that tempestuously preach never.
Smoke on the water…clear waters we don’t have.
The money tree is out there…wherever.

Wrapped around the gratifying finger,
The middle bird flies at will.
Forced by a greedy bank’s collapse,
The inner soul dies ever so still.

Our forefathers had no idea.
It’s so bad now…never worse.
America – the Garden of Eden?
Or maybe the very curse?

Wherever we are, wherever we exist.
Financial demise is the resounding kiss.
Life is short, not much fame to remiss.
Wherever is the wanton residual bliss?

The current generation is always the worst.
It's tougher than ever...wherever.
We've got it bad, so bad...
But America isn’t alone…wherever.


Amen~

[Seven Wishes2]

S2M, staying around for your child is the greatest gift you could give. Don't walk off the path, man.

[scarygirl]

I try really hard not to listen anymore. If I did I would go insane.

My finances are screwed up royally and I know that I won't be able to get out from under in time. What's left of human history is already set. I did it to myself, so don't cry for me Steve Perry.

I wish all of us lots of luck and the lord's protection because quite frankly that is all the majority of us have left. Those that haven;t screwed up or have plenty will need the lord's protection too, they just don't know it yet.

James 4-10

Humble yourselves before the lord and he will lift you up.

[Andrew]

Matt, I get what you are saying....you have to have every iron in the fire when looking for work. Hell, I don't know how many times I've wanted to pack up and just leave here. This place is dried up. Very expensive to live in New England. I've thought about applying to work on a Cruiseship. Just bailing on my degrees. I'm older now. I really couldn't care less. My kid keeps me here. Sometimes I feel like I've given up alot to be here for my kid. At times I've felt super selfish and have been within hours of packing up....but then I think about what people would say. And honestly, that's the only reason I stayed. I still may do it....I'm getting close again.....

I spent so much time
talking to the cruiseship workers ...they were mostly from other countries trying to make money to
send home to their families ...the tips are incredible!! I also talked to a few of our senior citizens who actually
live on the cruiseships, they boat hop all year long ...they say it's cheaper than owning a home and paying
taxes. This is really a great TEMPORARY idea, I'd love to be the cruise director!!

Well lets all get together and start a cruise ship. I think we debated starting an island a few year back and some pretty screwed up things were thought up. I can only imagine what a MR cruise ship would be like.

I'll book the talent.

[Andrew]

USD hit a new record low against the AUD today. Another day....another pay cut. What a fucking crock.

[slucero]

USD hit a new record low against the AUD today. Another day....another pay cut. What a fucking crock.

The IMF has already decreed that the dollar should no longer be the reserve currency of the world....

The BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are already bypassing the dollar and resolving some transactions in their own currencies...


...just wait till China starts aggressively selling US Treasuries...

[brywool]

Yup. We are really in for it. Let's jump into another war...

We've lost our way for sure. We've only got another year left anyway...

[Saint John]

I'll book the talent.

Thanks for the warning.

[S2M]

I'll book the talent.

Thanks for the warning.

You sure? I hear he's a rabid Tresvant fan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_28hZyxu5I

and legend has it he has been known to kick some Babyface on occasion...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRx-BY1Z9sk&feature=related

[Saint John]

I'll book the talent.

Thanks for the warning.

You sure? I hear he's a rabid Tresvant fan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_28hZyxu5I

and legend has it he has been known to kick some Babyface on occasion...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRx-BY1Z9sk&feature=related

You just put a dagger through my heart, asshole. New Edition plays Chicago tomorrow night ... but I have moved to Missouri and they're not playing anywhere near me. But I might try to swing a July date in Oklahoma. I wonder if Rick and/or MG will join me?

[Michigan Girl]

I'll book the talent.

Thanks for the warning.

You sure? I hear he's a rabid Tresvant fan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_28hZyxu5I

and legend has it he has been known to kick some Babyface on occasion...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRx-BY1Z9sk&feature=related

You just put a dagger through my heart, asshole. New Edition plays Chicago tomorrow night ... but I have moved to Missouri and they're not playing anywhere near me. But I might try to swing a July date in Oklahoma. I wonder if Rick and/or MG will join me?

Do you really live in Missouri?!? Where?!?

[Saint John]

I'll book the talent.

Thanks for the warning.

You sure? I hear he's a rabid Tresvant fan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_28hZyxu5I

and legend has it he has been known to kick some Babyface on occasion...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRx-BY1Z9sk&feature=related

You just put a dagger through my heart, asshole. New Edition plays Chicago tomorrow night ... but I have moved to Missouri and they're not playing anywhere near me. But I might try to swing a July date in Oklahoma. I wonder if Rick and/or MG will join me?

Do you really live in Missouri?!? Where?!?

I just moved to the Saint Joseph area. You coming to visit me?

PS S2M, you're lucky. It's BBD tomorrow in Chicago. My research did find that New Edition just announced they're getting back together, though. Big tour and album coming up. But I sure hope that the McDonald's crowd from Cleveland isn't at the concert I go to.