Occupy Wall Street Statistics - Why They're Upset and Why EVERYONE in America Ought to Be Too

[SubwayGuy]

Unemployed? Go to North Dakota

 

Unemployment is a national problem in the U.S., but you wouldn't know that if you travel through North Dakota.

 

 

 

The state's unemployment rate hovers around 3 percent, and "Help Wanted" signs litter the landscape of cities such as Williston in the same way "For Sale" signs populate the streets of Las Vegas.

 

"It's a zoo," said Terry Ayers, who drove into town from Spokane, Wash., slept in his truck, and found a job within hours of arrival, tripling his salary. "It's crazy what's going on out here."

 

The reason?

 

Billions of dollars are coming into the state and thousands of people are following—all because millions of barrels of oil are flowing out.

 

The result: A good, old-fashioned oil boom.

 

and when the oil dries up, the party will be over, and another bubble will have burst.

 

this economy is broken and needs real, systemic reform.

 

and it starts with reforming a finance sector of the economy that makes up too much of a percentage of the economy. it's simply too large. every "financial service" dollar invested in the real economy magnifies the effect of damage to the underlying investment.

 

it starts with working to eliminate a national deficit that prevents proper funding of people's social security - an account they paid into - a self sufficient program that was used by politicians as a budget stopgap - to cover their overspending in other areas, which was prohibited by the original Social Security program rules.

 

it starts with protests...until those protests are acknowledge and corrective action is taken, or until those protests grow to the point that people are unhappy, and they multiply (LOTS of people are protesting wall street nationwide, and they don't even have to go to Wall Street to do it - Boston, DC, heck even random small towns in the midwest).

 

America is not founded on capitalism. American is not founded on not-capitalism either. America is founded on WHATEVER THE PEOPLE WANT. Many people want, as TM5 said, "honest day's pay for an honest day's work". Some people want "something for nothing." Obviously no one's going to get "something for nothing" - even that comes from taxes. BUT if the people want systemic reform then by the Declaration of Independence, the government is supposed to give it to them...because here we have government BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE.

 

But lately we have government BY THE RICH AND FOR THE RICH since the rich like things the way they are. They stand behind their capitalist arguments when defending the status quo.

 

And if the PEOPLE want that to stop, they have every right to not only protest but to MAKE it stop by force if necessary...since that is one of the principles this nation was founded on.

 

Hopefully it won't come to that, but I'm not holding my breath. Greed and arrogance seem to know no bounds.

[SubwayGuy]

Unemployed? Go to North Dakota

 

Unemployment is a national problem in the U.S., but you wouldn't know that if you travel through North Dakota.

 

 

 

The state's unemployment rate hovers around 3 percent, and "Help Wanted" signs litter the landscape of cities such as Williston in the same way "For Sale" signs populate the streets of Las Vegas.

 

"It's a zoo," said Terry Ayers, who drove into town from Spokane, Wash., slept in his truck, and found a job within hours of arrival, tripling his salary. "It's crazy what's going on out here."

 

The reason?

 

Billions of dollars are coming into the state and thousands of people are following—all because millions of barrels of oil are flowing out.

 

The result: A good, old-fashioned oil boom.

 

and when the oil dries up, the party will be over, and another bubble will have burst.

 

this economy is broken and needs real, systemic reform.

 

and it starts with reforming a finance sector of the economy that makes up too much of a percentage of the economy. it's simply too large. every "financial service" dollar invested in the real economy magnifies the effect of damage to the underlying investment.

 

it starts with working to eliminate a national deficit that prevents proper funding of people's social security - an account they paid into - a self sufficient program that was used by politicians as a budget stopgap - to cover their overspending in other areas, which was prohibited by the original Social Security program rules.

 

it starts with protests...until those protests are acknowledge and corrective action is taken, or until those protests grow to the point that people are unhappy, and they multiply (LOTS of people are protesting wall street nationwide, and they don't even have to go to Wall Street to do it - Boston, DC, heck even random small towns in the midwest).

 

America is not founded on capitalism. American is not founded on not-capitalism either. America is founded on WHATEVER THE PEOPLE WANT. Many people want, as TM5 said, "honest day's pay for an honest day's work". Some people want "something for nothing." Obviously no one's going to get "something for nothing" - even that comes from taxes. BUT if the people want systemic reform then by the Declaration of Independence, the government is supposed to give it to them...because here we have government BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE.

 

But lately we have government BY THE RICH AND FOR THE RICH since the rich like things the way they are. They stand behind their capitalist arguments when defending the status quo.

 

And if the PEOPLE want that to stop, they have every right to not only protest but to MAKE it stop by force if necessary...since that is one of the principles this nation was founded on.

 

Hopefully it won't come to that, but I'm not holding my breath. Greed and arrogance seem to know no bounds.

[CPBO]

and when the oil dries up, the party will be over, and another bubble will have burst.

 

this economy is broken and needs real, systemic reform.

 

and it starts with reforming a finance sector of the economy that makes up too much of a percentage of the economy. it's simply too large. every "financial service" dollar invested in the real economy magnifies the effect of damage to the underlying investment.

 

it starts with working to eliminate a national deficit that prevents proper funding of people's social security - an account they paid into - a self sufficient program that was used by politicians as a budget stopgap - to cover their overspending in other areas, which was prohibited by the original Social Security program rules.

 

it starts with protests...until those protests are acknowledge and corrective action is taken, or until those protests grow to the point that people are unhappy, and they multiply (LOTS of people are protesting wall street nationwide, and they don't even have to go to Wall Street to do it - Boston, DC, heck even random small towns in the midwest).

 

America is not founded on capitalism. American is not founded on not-capitalism either. America is founded on WHATEVER THE PEOPLE WANT. Many people want, as TM5 said, "honest day's pay for an honest day's work". Some people want "something for nothing." Obviously no one's going to get "something for nothing" - even that comes from taxes. BUT if the people want systemic reform then by the Declaration of Independence, the government is supposed to give it to them...because here we have government BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE.

 

But lately we have government BY THE RICH AND FOR THE RICH since the rich like things the way they are. They stand behind their capitalist arguments when defending the status quo.

 

And if the PEOPLE want that to stop, they have every right to not only protest but to MAKE it stop by force if necessary...since that is one of the principles this nation was founded on.

 

Hopefully it won't come to that, but I'm not holding my breath. Greed and arrogance seem to know no bounds.

 

Yes long term the oil will dry up but they are talking about decades here.....so go work for 20 years at 100k a year and save for the future.....that's 2 million buckaroos.....than after you save some money you can join whatever new sex drugs and occupy whatever is going on at that time....

 

 

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES ANOTHER WILL OPEN UP....... but this country needs to stop handing out ebt cards to every tom **** and harry.....the problem is we are letting in some many people that we can't support them as well as us....drive by any U-HAUL and see how many illegal’s are standing outside waiting to get some greenbacks....Look at Cali....they are giving state money to Illegal's to go to college.......

 

Have you ever watched Boarder Wars....How much money do we spend a year patrolling the boarder?? And when they get here we don't deport em....so why waste all the money patrolling?

[CPBO]

and when the oil dries up, the party will be over, and another bubble will have burst.

 

this economy is broken and needs real, systemic reform.

 

and it starts with reforming a finance sector of the economy that makes up too much of a percentage of the economy. it's simply too large. every "financial service" dollar invested in the real economy magnifies the effect of damage to the underlying investment.

 

it starts with working to eliminate a national deficit that prevents proper funding of people's social security - an account they paid into - a self sufficient program that was used by politicians as a budget stopgap - to cover their overspending in other areas, which was prohibited by the original Social Security program rules.

 

it starts with protests...until those protests are acknowledge and corrective action is taken, or until those protests grow to the point that people are unhappy, and they multiply (LOTS of people are protesting wall street nationwide, and they don't even have to go to Wall Street to do it - Boston, DC, heck even random small towns in the midwest).

 

America is not founded on capitalism. American is not founded on not-capitalism either. America is founded on WHATEVER THE PEOPLE WANT. Many people want, as TM5 said, "honest day's pay for an honest day's work". Some people want "something for nothing." Obviously no one's going to get "something for nothing" - even that comes from taxes. BUT if the people want systemic reform then by the Declaration of Independence, the government is supposed to give it to them...because here we have government BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE.

 

But lately we have government BY THE RICH AND FOR THE RICH since the rich like things the way they are. They stand behind their capitalist arguments when defending the status quo.

 

And if the PEOPLE want that to stop, they have every right to not only protest but to MAKE it stop by force if necessary...since that is one of the principles this nation was founded on.

 

Hopefully it won't come to that, but I'm not holding my breath. Greed and arrogance seem to know no bounds.

 

Yes long term the oil will dry up but they are talking about decades here.....so go work for 20 years at 100k a year and save for the future.....that's 2 million buckaroos.....than after you save some money you can join whatever new sex drugs and occupy whatever is going on at that time....

 

 

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES ANOTHER WILL OPEN UP....... but this country needs to stop handing out ebt cards to every tom **** and harry.....the problem is we are letting in some many people that we can't support them as well as us....drive by any U-HAUL and see how many illegal’s are standing outside waiting to get some greenbacks....Look at Cali....they are giving state money to Illegal's to go to college.......

 

Have you ever watched Boarder Wars....How much money do we spend a year patrolling the boarder?? And when they get here we don't deport em....so why waste all the money patrolling?

[SoSpectacular]

And that problem wouldn't be so rampant had there been some JOBS to go around

[SoSpectacular]

And that problem wouldn't be so rampant had there been some JOBS to go around

[SubwayGuy]

Yes long term the oil will dry up but they are talking about decades here.....so go work for 20 years at 100k a year and save for the future.....that's 2 million buckaroos.....

 

which by the day means less than it used to because of inflation caused by the bad fiscal policies of our elected leaders which cater to the wealthy and to large multinational corporations that outsource jobs.

 

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES ANOTHER WILL OPEN UP.......

 

To a point. we are heading for another Great Depression. I've said this since 2008 because none of the underlying causes have been addressed. Unemployment is long term and will only continue to grow. The deficit will prevent government from spending to try and fix things (although this is also part of the problem), which may correct things gradually in the long term, but not without painful forced sacrifice by the Americans who can least afford it. Meanwhile the 1% will continue to grow and stockpile their wealth because the system allows them to.

 

but this country needs to stop handing out ebt cards to every tom **** and harry.....the problem is we are letting in some many people that we can't support them as well as us....drive by any U-HAUL and see how many illegal’s are standing outside waiting to get some greenbacks....Look at Cali....they are giving state money to Illegal's to go to college.......

 

Immigration is a separate issue and I agree with you completely. For immigration, I'd love to see the "we might ask, and you'd better tell" philosophy going forward. Simply put, I don't think illegals should be entitled to anything - not a fair trial by a jury of their peers, not emergency room care, not a license, not a state issued ID, not the right to go to college, not nothing. Any illegal caught is immediately deported and the cost of the illegal's deportation is charged to their home nation and treated as a debt owed to the US government.

 

Employers (individual and business) caught hiring illegals would be subject to a fine equal to 50% of the total wages paid to the illegal. Do a background check before hiring someone.

 

Illegals already here should be able to obtain citizenship legally in two ways ONLY under what I think:

Option 1-Enlist immediately in the US military and serve for 5 years, receiving honorary discharge. Failure to complete the requirement in a single term of military service results in deportation

Option 2-Admit status as an illegal (not the same as getting caught). Leave the country and pay taxes on all earnings so that taxes are current. Pay for and pass a more comprehensive English proficiency examination and a simple US history test. Upon completion of the above, the applicant must declare all assets to be brought into the country and pay a fine equal to the greater of 10% of their total estimated worth or $5,000. At that point, the illegal will be allowed to re-enter the United States on a "test citizenship" for 5 years during which the illegal cannot leave the United States except for a documented family emergency, and which the illegal cannot bring additional assets into the US without subjecting them to the 10% fine. Upon completion of the 5 year period, the illegal MUST renounce their previous citizenship (no dual employment for ex-illegals!), and will be given American citizenship ONLY.

 

Children under the age of 18 who are illegals will be deported with their parents.

 

Adults over the age of 18, but under the age of 30, who were illegally brought into this country while they were under 18 (and can prove it), will be allowed to choose to try the Option 2 process as an alternative to deportation if they are caught.

 

That's the end of my proposed leniency with illegals.

 

Have you ever watched Boarder Wars....How much money do we spend a year patrolling the boarder?? And when they get here we don't deport em....so why waste all the money patrolling?

 

I agree with you about this.

[SubwayGuy]

Yes long term the oil will dry up but they are talking about decades here.....so go work for 20 years at 100k a year and save for the future.....that's 2 million buckaroos.....

 

which by the day means less than it used to because of inflation caused by the bad fiscal policies of our elected leaders which cater to the wealthy and to large multinational corporations that outsource jobs.

 

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES ANOTHER WILL OPEN UP.......

 

To a point. we are heading for another Great Depression. I've said this since 2008 because none of the underlying causes have been addressed. Unemployment is long term and will only continue to grow. The deficit will prevent government from spending to try and fix things (although this is also part of the problem), which may correct things gradually in the long term, but not without painful forced sacrifice by the Americans who can least afford it. Meanwhile the 1% will continue to grow and stockpile their wealth because the system allows them to.

 

but this country needs to stop handing out ebt cards to every tom **** and harry.....the problem is we are letting in some many people that we can't support them as well as us....drive by any U-HAUL and see how many illegal’s are standing outside waiting to get some greenbacks....Look at Cali....they are giving state money to Illegal's to go to college.......

 

Immigration is a separate issue and I agree with you completely. For immigration, I'd love to see the "we might ask, and you'd better tell" philosophy going forward. Simply put, I don't think illegals should be entitled to anything - not a fair trial by a jury of their peers, not emergency room care, not a license, not a state issued ID, not the right to go to college, not nothing. Any illegal caught is immediately deported and the cost of the illegal's deportation is charged to their home nation and treated as a debt owed to the US government.

 

Employers (individual and business) caught hiring illegals would be subject to a fine equal to 50% of the total wages paid to the illegal. Do a background check before hiring someone.

 

Illegals already here should be able to obtain citizenship legally in two ways ONLY under what I think:

Option 1-Enlist immediately in the US military and serve for 5 years, receiving honorary discharge. Failure to complete the requirement in a single term of military service results in deportation

Option 2-Admit status as an illegal (not the same as getting caught). Leave the country and pay taxes on all earnings so that taxes are current. Pay for and pass a more comprehensive English proficiency examination and a simple US history test. Upon completion of the above, the applicant must declare all assets to be brought into the country and pay a fine equal to the greater of 10% of their total estimated worth or $5,000. At that point, the illegal will be allowed to re-enter the United States on a "test citizenship" for 5 years during which the illegal cannot leave the United States except for a documented family emergency, and which the illegal cannot bring additional assets into the US without subjecting them to the 10% fine. Upon completion of the 5 year period, the illegal MUST renounce their previous citizenship (no dual employment for ex-illegals!), and will be given American citizenship ONLY.

 

Children under the age of 18 who are illegals will be deported with their parents.

 

Adults over the age of 18, but under the age of 30, who were illegally brought into this country while they were under 18 (and can prove it), will be allowed to choose to try the Option 2 process as an alternative to deportation if they are caught.

 

That's the end of my proposed leniency with illegals.

 

Have you ever watched Boarder Wars....How much money do we spend a year patrolling the boarder?? And when they get here we don't deport em....so why waste all the money patrolling?

 

I agree with you about this.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

If you read the graphs, you would see that the statistics prove that:

1)CEO's are lining their pockets by paying themselves significantly more than their workers.

2)Companies are experiencing a period of high profitability, but are not reinvesting that money in the American workforce. They are stockpiling money so as to make more of it. The worst offenders are the banks.

3)Unemployment is high, confirming that CEOs and businesses are not hiring American workers despite their record personal and corporate profitability

4)The cost of living continues to go up via inflation, which means that even those employees who are working haven't seen an increase in their REAL pay (adjusted for inflation) in 30 years...while executives have seen a VERY large increase.

5)Those employees that do have full time work are working longer and harder than at any time before, and are not receiving raises.

 

So it's fair to run a business by paying people slave wages and keeping everything for yourself? That's your definition of capitalism? That sounds more like a definition of Communism, once you remove the government from the equation.

 

Plutocracy is bad economics. You create a society of wealthy fat cats who contribute nothing to the economy, and then an underclass of people who are neither producers nor consumers, and therefore there is little economic activity.

 

But that seems to be what "they" want...so every half-educated soul like yourself in this country is going to sign up to give it over to them. You talk a big game about your big important job but where would YOU be if you were laid off and your job outsourced????

 

LOL.... I doubt my job would be outsourced... Believe me, my field (linguistics) is expected to grow significantly in the years to come as we become more global, so that is the least of my concerns. The department is actually seeing gains this year even with the recession still around. The worse case scenario, if I lost my job, I would go back to college and get my Master's degree in Speech Pathology and work independently as a Speech Pathologist in both English, Spanish & Italian if possible. You see I will always have a job unlike you monologue speakers because languages are always in need and speech pathologists, especially males are hard to come by, so I would still be earning quite nicely and would have more free time to myself since I could work as I pleased. :cool: Speech pathologists can earn up to a $120,000 (especially multilingual ones) a year, so I wouldn't lose any sleep I can tell you that much.

 

I have also taught privately on the side and could still do so and earn cash on the side doing that, so I'll always be just fine.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

If you read the graphs, you would see that the statistics prove that:

1)CEO's are lining their pockets by paying themselves significantly more than their workers.

2)Companies are experiencing a period of high profitability, but are not reinvesting that money in the American workforce. They are stockpiling money so as to make more of it. The worst offenders are the banks.

3)Unemployment is high, confirming that CEOs and businesses are not hiring American workers despite their record personal and corporate profitability

4)The cost of living continues to go up via inflation, which means that even those employees who are working haven't seen an increase in their REAL pay (adjusted for inflation) in 30 years...while executives have seen a VERY large increase.

5)Those employees that do have full time work are working longer and harder than at any time before, and are not receiving raises.

 

So it's fair to run a business by paying people slave wages and keeping everything for yourself? That's your definition of capitalism? That sounds more like a definition of Communism, once you remove the government from the equation.

 

Plutocracy is bad economics. You create a society of wealthy fat cats who contribute nothing to the economy, and then an underclass of people who are neither producers nor consumers, and therefore there is little economic activity.

 

But that seems to be what "they" want...so every half-educated soul like yourself in this country is going to sign up to give it over to them. You talk a big game about your big important job but where would YOU be if you were laid off and your job outsourced????

 

LOL.... I doubt my job would be outsourced... Believe me, my field (linguistics) is expected to grow significantly in the years to come as we become more global, so that is the least of my concerns. The department is actually seeing gains this year even with the recession still around. The worse case scenario, if I lost my job, I would go back to college and get my Master's degree in Speech Pathology and work independently as a Speech Pathologist in both English, Spanish & Italian if possible. You see I will always have a job unlike you monologue speakers because languages are always in need and speech pathologists, especially males are hard to come by, so I would still be earning quite nicely and would have more free time to myself since I could work as I pleased. :cool: Speech pathologists can earn up to a $120,000 (especially multilingual ones) a year, so I wouldn't lose any sleep I can tell you that much.

 

I have also taught privately on the side and could still do so and earn cash on the side doing that, so I'll always be just fine.

[SubwayGuy]

LOL.... I doubt my job would be outsourced... Believe me, my field (linguistics) is expected to grow significantly in the years to come as we become more global, so that is the least of my concerns. The department is actually seeing gains this year even with the recession still around. The worse case scenario, if I lost my job, I would go back to college and get my Master's degree in Speech Pathology and work independently as a Speech Pathologist in both English, Spanish & Italian if possible. You see I will always have a job unlike you monologue speakers because languages are always in need and speech pathologists, especially males are hard to come by, so I would still be earning quite nicely and would have more free time to myself since I could work as I pleased. :cool: Speech pathologists can earn up to a $120,000 (especially multilingual ones) a year, so I wouldn't lose any sleep I can tell you that much.

 

I have also taught privately on the side and could still do so and earn cash on the side doing that, so I'll always be just fine.

 

Well...tell yourself what you need to. Lots of bilingual people are unemployed at the present time. It doesn't make you special. It may within your company but remember that there are millions of people unemployed right now.

 

Would you be able to get a master's degree without borrowing money?

 

Would you be able to start a business without borrowing money?

 

Like TM5 said, by the time the wolf comes knocking at your door...it's already too late.

 

Believe me, I keep current on what's going on and I am taking the steps necessary to protect my savings and debt free lifestyle. So I *think* I'll be OK, just like you do. But that doesn't stop me from advocating for those who can't protect themselves, and nor does that stop me from advocating AGAINST those who use the status quo to enrich themselves beyond all measure at the expense of everyone else.

[SubwayGuy]

LOL.... I doubt my job would be outsourced... Believe me, my field (linguistics) is expected to grow significantly in the years to come as we become more global, so that is the least of my concerns. The department is actually seeing gains this year even with the recession still around. The worse case scenario, if I lost my job, I would go back to college and get my Master's degree in Speech Pathology and work independently as a Speech Pathologist in both English, Spanish & Italian if possible. You see I will always have a job unlike you monologue speakers because languages are always in need and speech pathologists, especially males are hard to come by, so I would still be earning quite nicely and would have more free time to myself since I could work as I pleased. :cool: Speech pathologists can earn up to a $120,000 (especially multilingual ones) a year, so I wouldn't lose any sleep I can tell you that much.

 

I have also taught privately on the side and could still do so and earn cash on the side doing that, so I'll always be just fine.

 

Well...tell yourself what you need to. Lots of bilingual people are unemployed at the present time. It doesn't make you special. It may within your company but remember that there are millions of people unemployed right now.

 

Would you be able to get a master's degree without borrowing money?

 

Would you be able to start a business without borrowing money?

 

Like TM5 said, by the time the wolf comes knocking at your door...it's already too late.

 

Believe me, I keep current on what's going on and I am taking the steps necessary to protect my savings and debt free lifestyle. So I *think* I'll be OK, just like you do. But that doesn't stop me from advocating for those who can't protect themselves, and nor does that stop me from advocating AGAINST those who use the status quo to enrich themselves beyond all measure at the expense of everyone else.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Well...tell yourself what you need to. Lots of bilingual people are unemployed at the present time. It doesn't make you special. It may within your company but remember that there are millions of people unemployed right now.

 

Would you be able to get a master's degree without borrowing money?

 

Would you be able to start a business without borrowing money?

 

Like TM5 said, by the time the wolf comes knocking at your door...it's already too late.

 

Believe me, I keep current on what's going on and I am taking the steps necessary to protect my savings and debt free lifestyle. So I *think* I'll be OK, just like you do. But that doesn't stop me from advocating for those who can't protect themselves, and nor does that stop me from advocating AGAINST those who use the status quo to enrich themselves beyond all measure at the expense of everyone else.

 

 

You're right there are plenty of bilingual folks, but they aren't linguists and that's the difference. And for the record I'm tri-lingual, not bilingual, with working knowledge of some French and bit of German as well.

 

Oh and I'm sorry, but taking jabs at the rich and upper middle class does nothing but create economical class riffs... :tdown:

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Well...tell yourself what you need to. Lots of bilingual people are unemployed at the present time. It doesn't make you special. It may within your company but remember that there are millions of people unemployed right now.

 

Would you be able to get a master's degree without borrowing money?

 

Would you be able to start a business without borrowing money?

 

Like TM5 said, by the time the wolf comes knocking at your door...it's already too late.

 

Believe me, I keep current on what's going on and I am taking the steps necessary to protect my savings and debt free lifestyle. So I *think* I'll be OK, just like you do. But that doesn't stop me from advocating for those who can't protect themselves, and nor does that stop me from advocating AGAINST those who use the status quo to enrich themselves beyond all measure at the expense of everyone else.

 

 

You're right there are plenty of bilingual folks, but they aren't linguists and that's the difference. And for the record I'm tri-lingual, not bilingual, with working knowledge of some French and bit of German as well.

 

Oh and I'm sorry, but taking jabs at the rich and upper middle class does nothing but create economical class riffs... :tdown:

[SubwayGuy]

You're right there are plenty of bilingual folks, but they aren't linguists and that's the difference. And for the record I'm tri-lingual, not bilingual, with working knowledge of some French and bit of German as well.

 

As is a very good friend of mine. He is currently living and working in Europe because the best job offer he had here in the US was to work at an Italian restaurant. He speaks German so well he was mistaken in Salzburg for being Viennese. He also speaks Italian, some Spanish, and while brushing up on his Spanish is also trying to learn French.

 

He plans on using the experience when he comes back, and it WILL help him as it has financed his graduate degree basically and contributed an international experience that will distinguish him from everyone else applying...but it also speaks volumes that for someone with a high GPA and a degree from one of the top undergraduate schools in the country, that all the job offers he received were for "unpaid internships" and the like, save for the restaurant gig, or volunteer/nonprofit work for which compensation would have been minimal.

 

This economy is very broken.

 

There are not enough high paying jobs for all the well educated folks, and there are no real production jobs for the not as well educated folks.

 

There are only bankers wheeling and dealing, politicians plotting and scheming, and everyone else suffering in silence.

 

Fact: Even if you made $125,000 a year (which by the way you speak of it makes it sound as though it would be a raise) you would not be in the 1%. In fact, the average banker would be making 3x your pay. Do you think a banker, who got an MBA by completing one extra year of college work and a three letter abbreviation (MBA, CPA, CPB, Series 7) once they were hired and speaks only one language - money - is worth 3x what you would be as a trilingual speech pathologist? Because right now, that's how the economy is built.

 

Do you think that as a speech pathologist, the head of your organization, who does nothing except sit in on meetings with plenty of advisors so that he rarely has to stick his neck out on a decision, should be compensated with 300x your pay?

 

That's where the disconnect is, and that's where what you term "rich bashing" arises out of - the fundamental disconnect in a society that rewards its parasites with extreme pay and full benefits, while those that perform the production have their "very good wage" shrunk to a "living wage" and those that once had a "living wage" have a "take it and shut up wage."

[SubwayGuy]

You're right there are plenty of bilingual folks, but they aren't linguists and that's the difference. And for the record I'm tri-lingual, not bilingual, with working knowledge of some French and bit of German as well.

 

As is a very good friend of mine. He is currently living and working in Europe because the best job offer he had here in the US was to work at an Italian restaurant. He speaks German so well he was mistaken in Salzburg for being Viennese. He also speaks Italian, some Spanish, and while brushing up on his Spanish is also trying to learn French.

 

He plans on using the experience when he comes back, and it WILL help him as it has financed his graduate degree basically and contributed an international experience that will distinguish him from everyone else applying...but it also speaks volumes that for someone with a high GPA and a degree from one of the top undergraduate schools in the country, that all the job offers he received were for "unpaid internships" and the like, save for the restaurant gig, or volunteer/nonprofit work for which compensation would have been minimal.

 

This economy is very broken.

 

There are not enough high paying jobs for all the well educated folks, and there are no real production jobs for the not as well educated folks.

 

There are only bankers wheeling and dealing, politicians plotting and scheming, and everyone else suffering in silence.

 

Fact: Even if you made $125,000 a year (which by the way you speak of it makes it sound as though it would be a raise) you would not be in the 1%. In fact, the average banker would be making 3x your pay. Do you think a banker, who got an MBA by completing one extra year of college work and a three letter abbreviation (MBA, CPA, CPB, Series 7) once they were hired and speaks only one language - money - is worth 3x what you would be as a trilingual speech pathologist? Because right now, that's how the economy is built.

 

Do you think that as a speech pathologist, the head of your organization, who does nothing except sit in on meetings with plenty of advisors so that he rarely has to stick his neck out on a decision, should be compensated with 300x your pay?

 

That's where the disconnect is, and that's where what you term "rich bashing" arises out of - the fundamental disconnect in a society that rewards its parasites with extreme pay and full benefits, while those that perform the production have their "very good wage" shrunk to a "living wage" and those that once had a "living wage" have a "take it and shut up wage."

[Via Garibaldi 8]

As is a very good friend of mine. He is currently living and working in Europe because the best job offer he had here in the US was to work at an Italian restaurant. He speaks German so well he was mistaken in Salzburg for being Viennese. He also speaks Italian, some Spanish, and while brushing up on his Spanish is also trying to learn French.

 

He plans on using the experience when he comes back, and it WILL help him as it has financed his graduate degree basically and contributed an international experience that will distinguish him from everyone else applying...but it also speaks volumes that for someone with a high GPA and a degree from one of the top undergraduate schools in the country, that all the job offers he received were for "unpaid internships" and the like, save for the restaurant gig, or volunteer/nonprofit work for which compensation would have been minimal.

 

This economy is very broken.

 

There are not enough high paying jobs for all the well educated folks, and there are no real production jobs for the not as well educated folks.

 

There are only bankers wheeling and dealing, politicians plotting and scheming, and everyone else suffering in silence.

 

Fact: Even if you made $125,000 a year (which by the way you speak of it makes it sound as though it would be a raise) you would not be in the 1%. In fact, the average banker would be making 3x your pay. Do you think a banker, who got an MBA by completing one extra year of college work and a three letter abbreviation (MBA, CPA, CPB, Series 7) once they were hired and speaks only one language - money - is worth 3x what you would be as a trilingual speech pathologist? Because right now, that's how the economy is built.

 

Do you think that as a speech pathologist, the head of your organization, who does nothing except sit in on meetings with plenty of advisors so that he rarely has to stick his neck out on a decision, should be compensated with 300x your pay?

 

That's where the disconnect is, and that's where what you term "rich bashing" arises out of - the fundamental disconnect in a society that rewards its parasites with extreme pay and full benefits, while those that perform the production have their "very good wage" shrunk to a "living wage" and those that once had a "living wage" have a "take it and shut up wage."

 

 

The Speech Pathologist example isn't a good one because many of them work independently, so they're their own boss, but I get your point. My attitude is still good for them. I'm quite fine with what I make and I get to do everything that I want to. I mean at the age of 30 many folks haven't accomplished what I have or seen or experienced what I have and for that I am very fortunate. I don't care about what the next guy makes so long as I get what I need to make and that's my point. I mean I'm happy having my expensive lunches and dinners out at a $100.00 a pop or whatever and as long as I can travel, eat well and do the things that I want to do, that's good enough for me. The way you talk it makes me think that you're not satisfied with what you earn and therefore you have to harp on what the other guy is making. I mean you can't be doing too bad if you're on the Upper East Side. It was cheaper to live there back in the day, but that isn't the case now and days even with the recession. I would say you need at least 70 - 80k a year in income to afford to rent something decent in that neck of the woods.

 

 

Oh and to answer your question, yes it would be a raise in that I would be working a lot less and earning more per hour when I did work, so in that way yes, it would be a raise. As it is now there are days when I work 12 hour days and with this I would work a lot less.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

As is a very good friend of mine. He is currently living and working in Europe because the best job offer he had here in the US was to work at an Italian restaurant. He speaks German so well he was mistaken in Salzburg for being Viennese. He also speaks Italian, some Spanish, and while brushing up on his Spanish is also trying to learn French.

 

He plans on using the experience when he comes back, and it WILL help him as it has financed his graduate degree basically and contributed an international experience that will distinguish him from everyone else applying...but it also speaks volumes that for someone with a high GPA and a degree from one of the top undergraduate schools in the country, that all the job offers he received were for "unpaid internships" and the like, save for the restaurant gig, or volunteer/nonprofit work for which compensation would have been minimal.

 

This economy is very broken.

 

There are not enough high paying jobs for all the well educated folks, and there are no real production jobs for the not as well educated folks.

 

There are only bankers wheeling and dealing, politicians plotting and scheming, and everyone else suffering in silence.

 

Fact: Even if you made $125,000 a year (which by the way you speak of it makes it sound as though it would be a raise) you would not be in the 1%. In fact, the average banker would be making 3x your pay. Do you think a banker, who got an MBA by completing one extra year of college work and a three letter abbreviation (MBA, CPA, CPB, Series 7) once they were hired and speaks only one language - money - is worth 3x what you would be as a trilingual speech pathologist? Because right now, that's how the economy is built.

 

Do you think that as a speech pathologist, the head of your organization, who does nothing except sit in on meetings with plenty of advisors so that he rarely has to stick his neck out on a decision, should be compensated with 300x your pay?

 

That's where the disconnect is, and that's where what you term "rich bashing" arises out of - the fundamental disconnect in a society that rewards its parasites with extreme pay and full benefits, while those that perform the production have their "very good wage" shrunk to a "living wage" and those that once had a "living wage" have a "take it and shut up wage."

 

 

The Speech Pathologist example isn't a good one because many of them work independently, so they're their own boss, but I get your point. My attitude is still good for them. I'm quite fine with what I make and I get to do everything that I want to. I mean at the age of 30 many folks haven't accomplished what I have or seen or experienced what I have and for that I am very fortunate. I don't care about what the next guy makes so long as I get what I need to make and that's my point. I mean I'm happy having my expensive lunches and dinners out at a $100.00 a pop or whatever and as long as I can travel, eat well and do the things that I want to do, that's good enough for me. The way you talk it makes me think that you're not satisfied with what you earn and therefore you have to harp on what the other guy is making. I mean you can't be doing too bad if you're on the Upper East Side. It was cheaper to live there back in the day, but that isn't the case now and days even with the recession. I would say you need at least 70 - 80k a year in income to afford to rent something decent in that neck of the woods.

 

 

Oh and to answer your question, yes it would be a raise in that I would be working a lot less and earning more per hour when I did work, so in that way yes, it would be a raise. As it is now there are days when I work 12 hour days and with this I would work a lot less.

[SoSpectacular]

 

This economy is very broken.

 

There are not enough high paying jobs for all the well educated folks, and there are no real production jobs for the not as well educated folks.

 

There are only bankers wheeling and dealing, politicians plotting and scheming, and everyone else suffering in silence.

 

Fact: Even if you made $125,000 a year (which by the way you speak of it makes it sound as though it would be a raise) you would not be in the 1%. In fact, the average banker would be making 3x your pay. Do you think a banker, who got an MBA by completing one extra year of college work and a three letter abbreviation (MBA, CPA, CPB, Series 7) once they were hired and speaks only one language - money - is worth 3x what you would be as a trilingual speech pathologist? Because right now, that's how the economy is built.

 

Do you think that as a speech pathologist, the head of your organization, who does nothing except sit in on meetings with plenty of advisors so that he rarely has to stick his neck out on a decision, should be compensated with 300x your pay?

 

That's where the disconnect is, and that's where what you term "rich bashing" arises out of - the fundamental disconnect in a society that rewards its parasites with extreme pay and full benefits, while those that perform the production have their "very good wage" shrunk to a "living wage" and those that once had a "living wage" have a "take it and shut up wage."

 

This. This. This.

[SoSpectacular]

 

This economy is very broken.

 

There are not enough high paying jobs for all the well educated folks, and there are no real production jobs for the not as well educated folks.

 

There are only bankers wheeling and dealing, politicians plotting and scheming, and everyone else suffering in silence.

 

Fact: Even if you made $125,000 a year (which by the way you speak of it makes it sound as though it would be a raise) you would not be in the 1%. In fact, the average banker would be making 3x your pay. Do you think a banker, who got an MBA by completing one extra year of college work and a three letter abbreviation (MBA, CPA, CPB, Series 7) once they were hired and speaks only one language - money - is worth 3x what you would be as a trilingual speech pathologist? Because right now, that's how the economy is built.

 

Do you think that as a speech pathologist, the head of your organization, who does nothing except sit in on meetings with plenty of advisors so that he rarely has to stick his neck out on a decision, should be compensated with 300x your pay?

 

That's where the disconnect is, and that's where what you term "rich bashing" arises out of - the fundamental disconnect in a society that rewards its parasites with extreme pay and full benefits, while those that perform the production have their "very good wage" shrunk to a "living wage" and those that once had a "living wage" have a "take it and shut up wage."

 

This. This. This.

[SubwayGuy]

Finally, a reasonable answer

 

And this gets back to what I've been saying all along.

 

The Speech Pathologist example isn't a good one because many of them work independently, so they're their own boss, but I get your point. My attitude is still good for them. I'm quite fine with what I make and I get to do everything that I want to.

 

I agree with you about that...I was just trying to make the example personal, which is not easy to do with that particular career. However, what you're basically saying here, and in the quote snippet below is that you are happy with what you have and don't need to make more. That's good. You are earning a "living wage".

 

I mean at the age of 30 many folks haven't accomplished what I have or seen or experienced what I have and for that I am very fortunate. I don't care about what the next guy makes so long as I get what I need to make and that's my point. I mean I'm happy having my expensive lunches and dinners out at a $100.00 a pop or whatever and as long as I can travel, eat well and do the things that I want to do, that's good enough for me.

 

As I said before...that indicates a decent living wage. You have enough money to meet all your expenses, and have occasional money left over to splurge on a trip, or a good expensive meal. I enjoy food too, and it's nice to eat out every once in a while.

 

However, there are many Americans in the current economy who do not have that luxury.

 

The way you talk it makes me think that you're not satisfied with what you earn and therefore you have to harp on what the other guy is making.

 

I am OK with my pay and am biding my time until it goes up (which it will, as long as I remain employed and I intend to).

 

I harp on what the other guy is making because by the rich making so much, other Americans besides me do not have the opportunity to make a decent wage and many outside of New York are out of work. This is terrible for the overall economy because these people are the catalysts of economic activity. By them becoming reliant on the government or unable to find gainful employment, they don't spend, which destroys the tax base, destroys any chance they have to enjoy their lives, and destroys the economic system for others. It's a vicious cycle.

 

This is also bad for me, because when the government has to pay to support these people - these willing workers who are unemployed - I as a citizen of the United States will see an increase in the amount of money taken from me (whether through inflation or taxes) to cover the costs.

 

In addition, I speak from experience. In previous employment I worked as an accountant, auditing hedge funds. I saw firsthand the mechanisms the "financial services" types use to compensate themselves as well as their general attitudes (obviously confidentiality prohibits me from providing any specific details). I put in 110 hour weeks on an OK salary, only to watch the same amount trickle in every 2 weeks regardless of how much I worked, with no appreciation for the hard work I put in. I dealt with the pay freeze, until I'd finally had enough. I spoke with co-workers who'd had enough, some who left before me, and some who there long enough before me to "wax nostalgic" for the good old days. I listened to the rich partners at the company whine at us about how rough the economy was, and how they were taking pay cuts (since, you know, as the owners of the business apparently they felt their decisions were not responsible for revenue loss) when justifying our pay freeze. I then set through the corporate morale presentations where despite the owner hardship, they brainwashed us with news of how the company was never in a more strategic position.

 

I've experienced the game, I've seen the game, I've studied the game, I've thought about the game, and my conclusion is simple: the game sucks...it's time to get a new one.

 

I mean you can't be doing too bad if you're on the Upper East Side. It was cheaper to live there back in the day, but that isn't the case now and days even with the recession. I would say you need at least 70 - 80k a year in income to afford to rent something decent in that neck of the woods.

 

Not true. I know quite a few people who are getting by on much less than that here. A girl I know is a teacher and her roommate works at a doggy gym. They pay UES rent and she pays student loans off every month (I don't know about her roommate's situation there). Further, they were making it and paying off rent/loans even when she was working two low paying jobs before the teacher gig happened.

 

Another person I know of moved to an expensive studio in the west 30's on a $60,000 year salary. Not the UES but you get my drift. New construction and he lived on a high floor with a view of the Hudson River. The building had a gym, a pool, and an open rooftop.

 

Where you live is all about how much you prioritize where you live vs. how much space you have, and how willing you are to look for a good deal (there are a few out there).

 

The high rise buildings and new construction are always more expensive than the smaller buildings. Same is true for the much older construction because it tends to have larger floor area.

 

Oh and to answer your question, yes it would be a raise in that I would be working a lot less and earning more per hour when I did work, so in that way yes, it would be a raise. As it is now there are days when I work 12 hour days and with this I would work a lot less.

 

Exactly, and this goes back to what I've been saying about companies raising profitability through "productivity gains" which means fewer employees but they must work harder for less (or the same) pay.

 

If a CEO took a $1 million pay cut, that allows 20 people to be hired at $50,000 year. That improves the quality of life of the hundreds of other workers who don't have to work as long anymore. And it stimulates the economy because those 20 people spend their money on the same things that you and I do. A CEO generally sticks the money into his personal savings, and it comes and goes with the market. When the market tanks, that money disappears forever.

 

So which policy is better to pursue for compensation in terms of designing an economy? Let the CEOs keep everything because "they earned the right to be the boss and let them call the shots", or what I've advocated, use the tax system to make it disadvantageous for companies to pay their executives top dollar, as well as outsource jobs - providing a clear incentive to hire American, and pay a decent wage.

[SubwayGuy]

Finally, a reasonable answer

 

And this gets back to what I've been saying all along.

 

The Speech Pathologist example isn't a good one because many of them work independently, so they're their own boss, but I get your point. My attitude is still good for them. I'm quite fine with what I make and I get to do everything that I want to.

 

I agree with you about that...I was just trying to make the example personal, which is not easy to do with that particular career. However, what you're basically saying here, and in the quote snippet below is that you are happy with what you have and don't need to make more. That's good. You are earning a "living wage".

 

I mean at the age of 30 many folks haven't accomplished what I have or seen or experienced what I have and for that I am very fortunate. I don't care about what the next guy makes so long as I get what I need to make and that's my point. I mean I'm happy having my expensive lunches and dinners out at a $100.00 a pop or whatever and as long as I can travel, eat well and do the things that I want to do, that's good enough for me.

 

As I said before...that indicates a decent living wage. You have enough money to meet all your expenses, and have occasional money left over to splurge on a trip, or a good expensive meal. I enjoy food too, and it's nice to eat out every once in a while.

 

However, there are many Americans in the current economy who do not have that luxury.

 

The way you talk it makes me think that you're not satisfied with what you earn and therefore you have to harp on what the other guy is making.

 

I am OK with my pay and am biding my time until it goes up (which it will, as long as I remain employed and I intend to).

 

I harp on what the other guy is making because by the rich making so much, other Americans besides me do not have the opportunity to make a decent wage and many outside of New York are out of work. This is terrible for the overall economy because these people are the catalysts of economic activity. By them becoming reliant on the government or unable to find gainful employment, they don't spend, which destroys the tax base, destroys any chance they have to enjoy their lives, and destroys the economic system for others. It's a vicious cycle.

 

This is also bad for me, because when the government has to pay to support these people - these willing workers who are unemployed - I as a citizen of the United States will see an increase in the amount of money taken from me (whether through inflation or taxes) to cover the costs.

 

In addition, I speak from experience. In previous employment I worked as an accountant, auditing hedge funds. I saw firsthand the mechanisms the "financial services" types use to compensate themselves as well as their general attitudes (obviously confidentiality prohibits me from providing any specific details). I put in 110 hour weeks on an OK salary, only to watch the same amount trickle in every 2 weeks regardless of how much I worked, with no appreciation for the hard work I put in. I dealt with the pay freeze, until I'd finally had enough. I spoke with co-workers who'd had enough, some who left before me, and some who there long enough before me to "wax nostalgic" for the good old days. I listened to the rich partners at the company whine at us about how rough the economy was, and how they were taking pay cuts (since, you know, as the owners of the business apparently they felt their decisions were not responsible for revenue loss) when justifying our pay freeze. I then set through the corporate morale presentations where despite the owner hardship, they brainwashed us with news of how the company was never in a more strategic position.

 

I've experienced the game, I've seen the game, I've studied the game, I've thought about the game, and my conclusion is simple: the game sucks...it's time to get a new one.

 

I mean you can't be doing too bad if you're on the Upper East Side. It was cheaper to live there back in the day, but that isn't the case now and days even with the recession. I would say you need at least 70 - 80k a year in income to afford to rent something decent in that neck of the woods.

 

Not true. I know quite a few people who are getting by on much less than that here. A girl I know is a teacher and her roommate works at a doggy gym. They pay UES rent and she pays student loans off every month (I don't know about her roommate's situation there). Further, they were making it and paying off rent/loans even when she was working two low paying jobs before the teacher gig happened.

 

Another person I know of moved to an expensive studio in the west 30's on a $60,000 year salary. Not the UES but you get my drift. New construction and he lived on a high floor with a view of the Hudson River. The building had a gym, a pool, and an open rooftop.

 

Where you live is all about how much you prioritize where you live vs. how much space you have, and how willing you are to look for a good deal (there are a few out there).

 

The high rise buildings and new construction are always more expensive than the smaller buildings. Same is true for the much older construction because it tends to have larger floor area.

 

Oh and to answer your question, yes it would be a raise in that I would be working a lot less and earning more per hour when I did work, so in that way yes, it would be a raise. As it is now there are days when I work 12 hour days and with this I would work a lot less.

 

Exactly, and this goes back to what I've been saying about companies raising profitability through "productivity gains" which means fewer employees but they must work harder for less (or the same) pay.

 

If a CEO took a $1 million pay cut, that allows 20 people to be hired at $50,000 year. That improves the quality of life of the hundreds of other workers who don't have to work as long anymore. And it stimulates the economy because those 20 people spend their money on the same things that you and I do. A CEO generally sticks the money into his personal savings, and it comes and goes with the market. When the market tanks, that money disappears forever.

 

So which policy is better to pursue for compensation in terms of designing an economy? Let the CEOs keep everything because "they earned the right to be the boss and let them call the shots", or what I've advocated, use the tax system to make it disadvantageous for companies to pay their executives top dollar, as well as outsource jobs - providing a clear incentive to hire American, and pay a decent wage.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

As I said before...that indicates a decent living wage. You have enough money to meet all your expenses, and have occasional money left over to splurge on a trip, or a good expensive meal. I enjoy food too, and it's nice to eat out every once in a while.

 

However, there are many Americans in the current economy who do not have that luxury.

 

True and it's unfortunate, but demonizing the rich won't solve this problem entirely.

 

 

I am OK with my pay and am biding my time until it goes up (which it will, as long as I remain employed and I intend to).

 

I harp on what the other guy is making because by the rich making so much, other Americans besides me do not have the opportunity to make a decent wage and many outside of New York are out of work. This is terrible for the overall economy because these people are the catalysts of economic activity. By them becoming reliant on the government or unable to find gainful employment, they don't spend, which destroys the tax base, destroys any chance they have to enjoy their lives, and destroys the economic system for others. It's a vicious cycle.

 

This is also bad for me, because when the government has to pay to support these people - these willing workers who are unemployed - I as a citizen of the United States will see an increase in the amount of money taken from me (whether through inflation or taxes) to cover the costs.

 

In addition, I speak from experience. In previous employment I worked as an accountant, auditing hedge funds. I saw firsthand the mechanisms the "financial services" types use to compensate themselves as well as their general attitudes (obviously confidentiality prohibits me from providing any specific details). I put in 110 hour weeks on an OK salary, only to watch the same amount trickle in every 2 weeks regardless of how much I worked, with no appreciation for the hard work I put in. I dealt with the pay freeze, until I'd finally had enough. I spoke with co-workers who'd had enough, some who left before me, and some who there long enough before me to "wax nostalgic" for the good old days. I listened to the rich partners at the company whine at us about how rough the economy was, and how they were taking pay cuts (since, you know, as the owners of the business apparently they felt their decisions were not responsible for revenue loss) when justifying our pay freeze. I then set through the corporate morale presentations where despite the owner hardship, they brainwashed us with news of how the company was never in a more strategic position.

 

I've experienced the game, I've seen the game, I've studied the game, I've thought about the game, and my conclusion is simple: the game sucks...it's time to get a new one.

 

Hey well you're just not in the right position yet I guess because folks that deal with hedge funds usually earn alright. Those are the type of folks I see in La Fonda del Sol there in Grand Central in their European suits and such drinking $12.00 glasses of wine and such, which I do as well. :cool:

 

 

Not true. I know quite a few people who are getting by on much less than that here. A girl I know is a teacher and her roommate works at a doggy gym. They pay UES rent and she pays student loans off every month (I don't know about her roommate's situation there). Further, they were making it and paying off rent/loans even when she was working two low paying jobs before the teacher gig happened.

 

Another person I know of moved to an expensive studio in the west 30's on a $60,000 year salary.

 

Where you live is all about how much you prioritize where you live vs. how much space you have, and how willing you are to look for a good deal (there are a few out there).

 

The high rise buildings and new construction are always more expensive than the smaller buildings. Same is true for the much older construction because it tends to have larger floor area.

 

Well when I said 70 - 80k I didn't mean sharing or living a shoe box either. LOL I mean I'm probably going to get a large studio with an alcove, or a 1 bedroom apartment when I move to Riverdale, as I know that I'll be looking at $1,100 to $1,200.00 a month in rent, but I'm not spending more than that because I need to save to buy an apt and I refuse to pay someone else's rent. :mad: However, I don't want to live in some claustrophobic shoe box called an apartment either. I mean I had a one bedroom apartment in Florence when I lived in Italy and I had plenty of room and I was paying about $1,400.00 a month in rent for that place.

 

 

Exactly, and this goes back to what I've been saying about companies raising profitability through "productivity gains" which means fewer employees but they must work harder for less (or the same) pay.

 

If a CEO took a $1 million pay cut, that allows 20 people to be hired at $50,000 year. That improves the quality of life of the hundreds of other workers who don't have to work as long anymore. And it stimulates the economy because those 20 people spend their money on the same things that you and I do. A CEO generally sticks the money into his personal savings, and it comes and goes with the market. When the market tanks, that money disappears forever.

 

So which policy is better to pursue for compensation in terms of designing an economy? Let the CEOs keep everything because "they earned the right to be the boss and let them call the shots", or what I've advocated, use the tax system to make it disadvantageous for companies to pay their executives top dollar, as well as outsource jobs - providing a clear incentive to hire American, and pay a decent wage.

 

 

Yeah well you know something... My salary has actually gone up the last few years although last year was a down year because of the recession in that my bonus was smaller, but I still earned slightly more than the previous year oddly enough because I had received a raise earlier on.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

As I said before...that indicates a decent living wage. You have enough money to meet all your expenses, and have occasional money left over to splurge on a trip, or a good expensive meal. I enjoy food too, and it's nice to eat out every once in a while.

 

However, there are many Americans in the current economy who do not have that luxury.

 

True and it's unfortunate, but demonizing the rich won't solve this problem entirely.

 

 

I am OK with my pay and am biding my time until it goes up (which it will, as long as I remain employed and I intend to).

 

I harp on what the other guy is making because by the rich making so much, other Americans besides me do not have the opportunity to make a decent wage and many outside of New York are out of work. This is terrible for the overall economy because these people are the catalysts of economic activity. By them becoming reliant on the government or unable to find gainful employment, they don't spend, which destroys the tax base, destroys any chance they have to enjoy their lives, and destroys the economic system for others. It's a vicious cycle.

 

This is also bad for me, because when the government has to pay to support these people - these willing workers who are unemployed - I as a citizen of the United States will see an increase in the amount of money taken from me (whether through inflation or taxes) to cover the costs.

 

In addition, I speak from experience. In previous employment I worked as an accountant, auditing hedge funds. I saw firsthand the mechanisms the "financial services" types use to compensate themselves as well as their general attitudes (obviously confidentiality prohibits me from providing any specific details). I put in 110 hour weeks on an OK salary, only to watch the same amount trickle in every 2 weeks regardless of how much I worked, with no appreciation for the hard work I put in. I dealt with the pay freeze, until I'd finally had enough. I spoke with co-workers who'd had enough, some who left before me, and some who there long enough before me to "wax nostalgic" for the good old days. I listened to the rich partners at the company whine at us about how rough the economy was, and how they were taking pay cuts (since, you know, as the owners of the business apparently they felt their decisions were not responsible for revenue loss) when justifying our pay freeze. I then set through the corporate morale presentations where despite the owner hardship, they brainwashed us with news of how the company was never in a more strategic position.

 

I've experienced the game, I've seen the game, I've studied the game, I've thought about the game, and my conclusion is simple: the game sucks...it's time to get a new one.

 

Hey well you're just not in the right position yet I guess because folks that deal with hedge funds usually earn alright. Those are the type of folks I see in La Fonda del Sol there in Grand Central in their European suits and such drinking $12.00 glasses of wine and such, which I do as well. :cool:

 

 

Not true. I know quite a few people who are getting by on much less than that here. A girl I know is a teacher and her roommate works at a doggy gym. They pay UES rent and she pays student loans off every month (I don't know about her roommate's situation there). Further, they were making it and paying off rent/loans even when she was working two low paying jobs before the teacher gig happened.

 

Another person I know of moved to an expensive studio in the west 30's on a $60,000 year salary.

 

Where you live is all about how much you prioritize where you live vs. how much space you have, and how willing you are to look for a good deal (there are a few out there).

 

The high rise buildings and new construction are always more expensive than the smaller buildings. Same is true for the much older construction because it tends to have larger floor area.

 

Well when I said 70 - 80k I didn't mean sharing or living a shoe box either. LOL I mean I'm probably going to get a large studio with an alcove, or a 1 bedroom apartment when I move to Riverdale, as I know that I'll be looking at $1,100 to $1,200.00 a month in rent, but I'm not spending more than that because I need to save to buy an apt and I refuse to pay someone else's rent. :mad: However, I don't want to live in some claustrophobic shoe box called an apartment either. I mean I had a one bedroom apartment in Florence when I lived in Italy and I had plenty of room and I was paying about $1,400.00 a month in rent for that place.

 

 

Exactly, and this goes back to what I've been saying about companies raising profitability through "productivity gains" which means fewer employees but they must work harder for less (or the same) pay.

 

If a CEO took a $1 million pay cut, that allows 20 people to be hired at $50,000 year. That improves the quality of life of the hundreds of other workers who don't have to work as long anymore. And it stimulates the economy because those 20 people spend their money on the same things that you and I do. A CEO generally sticks the money into his personal savings, and it comes and goes with the market. When the market tanks, that money disappears forever.

 

So which policy is better to pursue for compensation in terms of designing an economy? Let the CEOs keep everything because "they earned the right to be the boss and let them call the shots", or what I've advocated, use the tax system to make it disadvantageous for companies to pay their executives top dollar, as well as outsource jobs - providing a clear incentive to hire American, and pay a decent wage.

 

 

Yeah well you know something... My salary has actually gone up the last few years although last year was a down year because of the recession in that my bonus was smaller, but I still earned slightly more than the previous year oddly enough because I had received a raise earlier on.

[MTARegional Bus]

I mean at the age of 30 many folks haven't accomplished what I have or seen or experienced what I have and for that I am very fortunate. I don't care about what the next guy makes so long as I get what I need to make and that's my point. I mean I'm happy having my expensive lunches and dinners out at a $100.00 a pop or whatever and as long as I can travel, eat well and do the things that I want to do, that's good enough for me.

 

 

You know Via if everyone was more like you we would live and a sad and more depressing place.