Frixxxx's Account Talk!

[WorkFE]

You can bet when the economy starts to improve and people are going back to work thats when our government will take steps to get spending under control. The gov't will shrink and some of us will not survive the cuts. Sure hope all this free willy money spending is available then. Having said that, the unemployed need our help. I have to assume that the majority are legit.

 

[crws]

You can bet when the economy starts to improve and people are going back to work thats when our government will take steps to get spending under control. The gov't will shrink and some of us will not survive the cuts. Sure hope all this free willy money spending is available then. Having said that, the unemployed need our help. I have to assume that the majority are legit.

I was out for almost a year after Egghead went down during the dot com bust. 300 of us within a month +\-.

Looking for IT positions, I would scour all ads every day and send out 14+ resumes, each custom tailored to the ad, and many email + hard copy.
The one reply beyond a courtesy "we got your email" auto-reply or post card I got, was a nice note that said I had made it to level 2 of the selection process.
It went on to say that the desktop support position I applied for, starting at $14/hr (roughly the same wage as a journeyman grocery cashier)
with a private community college, had over 400 applicants (This was spring 2001).
Needless to say, with a shiny new MS certification, I was out the next round.
I finally ended up working with a friend at a baseball stadium for the summer @ $10/hr + some overtime,
and when that dried up late in the fall as we were getting laid off for the winter, I gave up my pride and dot com exuberance,
called the hiring manager I knew at USPS (still had a local office those days), and was hired back after leaving 3 years earlier (lack of hours to support a family),
on the cusp of my rehire retain-service eligibility.
We did trips to the food bank more than once.....
That is why, after I passed testing and was hired into maintenance, I list the food bank and a select handful of low overhead charities
that support people in their struggles with heating, food, and shelter assistance, every year via CFC,
increasing my contribution as a percentage of my ongoing step increases.
I have no issue with the vast majority of people who need federal assistance, and if you look closely for EBT transactions when you are in a grocery checkout line,
you will see the variety of people, many you wouldn't suspect, that depend on your tax dollars' benefit.

 

[Frixxxx]

I was out for almost a year after Egghead went down during the dot com bust. 300 of us within a month +\-.
...

Story the same here, left Civil service and became a consultant for Sprint PCS. When the gig dried up after two years, went to work for a dot com shop. After a year, and many layoffs, I was let go, fortunately got picked up the next day by an auditing firm.
9/11 occurred, Enron went bust (crushed AA) and soon I was looking for a job (w/1,100 of my closest friends) with a brand new wife and a $3,000 mortgage. Got unemployment for 12 weeks ($4800). Got new job as a project manager, and that lasted about 8 months...(w/300 of my new closest friends). Went on orders for the Air Force and volunteered for every SH1T assignment while I waited for the Civil Service engine to finally take me in as a GS-09 (Humble Pie extra portion please.)

crws, don't get me wrong, I know people need help, but here in California, it is getting ridiculous. My statement wasn't for those who try, but for those who don't. We also need to ask now more than ever, is the answer going to be welfare or are we going to own up and start teaching new generations to prepare for the worst?

Peace

 

[nasa1974]

I have no issue with the vast majority of people who need federal assistance, and if you look closely for EBT transactions when you are in a grocery checkout line,
you will see the variety of people, many you wouldn't suspect, that depend on your tax dollars' benefit.

crws, There a a lot of folks that need the assistance today because of the economy. But there are many more abusing the system. But how do you help the people that really need it and keep it from those that don't? Many years ago I was at the grocery store with my wife and there was this very pretty women in line ahead of us. Full length fur coat, rings on just about every finger, very classy. She paid her grocery bill with food stamps and for her liquor and cigarettes she pulls out a wad of twenties and then walks out to her Cadillac.

 

[Birchtree]

Classy or not, she's still a baby machine - surviving on the backs of her illegitimate children.

 

[malyla]

crws, There a a lot of folks that need the assistance today because of the economy. But there are many more abusing the system. But how do you help the people that really need it and keep it from those that don't? Many years ago I was at the grocery store with my wife and there was this very pretty women in line ahead of us. Full length fur coat, rings on just about every finger, very classy. She paid her grocery bill with food stamps and for her liquor and cigarettes she pulls out a wad of twenties and then walks out to her Cadillac.

Nasa1974,

I think you will find that the number abusing the system is smaller than you think. Saying that "many more" are abusing the system implies that the abusers are the majority and that is not the case. One or 10 lazy, bad apples does not invalidate the need that hundreds have at this moment and that I believe is well supported by my tax dollars. I would even say I am willing to support the people in need (even the few freeloaders) with my tax dollars over the large corporations of AIG, GS, big oil, etc... alot of that support being unnecessary for that corporations survival and just a major drain on this country's economy. Moneys to corporations should be diverted to jobs programs IMO.

I would also add that there are many more people in need who will not use the system out of pride or a fear of the stigma attached (I know of at least two people who need help but will not take food stamps). This system is a safety net and should not have the stigma attached to it that prevents someone in need from using it. With all the safeguards and deadlines, it's impossible (ok, highly unlikely), that someone can be 'in the system' to abuse it indefinitely without a disability to show need. That's why congress should pass the extension. Who could have predicted that jobs generation would take an extra year because of the credit crunch (corporations are sitting on how much money?) Hiring and growth will resume when lending resumes.

Malyla

 

[Steadygain]

I think you will find that the number abusing the system is smaller than you think. Saying that "many more" are abusing the system implies that the abusers are the majority and that is not the case.

Malyla,
The past few days it's dawned on me how much I appreciated a woman's input. I rarely have time to read or interact.

What you express is based on a heart and life that have 'empathy' and genuinely feels for the needs of others and somehow is able to appreciate the circumstances they have to deal with.

In my heart, because of this, you see things more realistically.

One or 10 lazy, bad apples does not invalidate the need that hundreds have at this moment and that I believe is well supported by my tax dollars.

I believe that is the 'True Purpose' for Taxes -- and I wholeheartedly agree

I would even say I am willing to support the people in need (even the few freeloaders) with my tax dollars over the large corporations of AIG, GS, big oil, etc... alot of that support being unnecessary for that corporations survival and just a major drain on this country's economy.

Amen !! my friend.

Moneys to corporations should be diverted to jobs programs IMO.

A world without 'politics' - or at least the corruption that is largely beyond our control.

I would also add that there are many more people in need who will not use the system out of pride or a fear of the stigma attached (I know of at least two people who need help but will not take food stamps). This system is a safety net and should not have the stigma attached to it that prevents someone in need from using it. With all the safeguards and deadlines, it's impossible (ok, highly unlikely), that someone can be 'in the system' to abuse it indefinitely without a disability to show need.

WOW -- what a treasure you are.

That's why congress should pass the extension. Who could have predicted that jobs generation would take an extra year because of the credit crunch (corporations are sitting on how much money?) Hiring and growth will resume when lending resumes.

Malyla

Thank You !!

Back to the grinding wheel


Oh and Markets will hit new HIGHS within 2 months

 

[crws]

I call that the "OctoMom" stigma.
Coming from retail, I saw many instances of abuse (many the egregious kind like you mentioned -drug trade perhaps?) and dire need.
Truth is, you really aren't able to guarantee the system is free of the scammers. But in looking at a cross section of the public in general, I agree with Malyla that the vast majority of folks on PA have no long term desire to stay, and the folks that make it their career- well, if they are scamming the system now, what type of other scam or thievery would they resort to without that assistance- At least with PA for food, it is fairly certain it finds it's intent.
I would add, that electronic debit has put much more control into the hands of the state to dictate where the funds be spent (i.e. in-state), and I would suspect a possibility to develop would be $ allocation per percentages of nutrition value.
In our area it is encouraging to see more farmers markets accepting the PA food system.

crws, There a a lot of folks that need the assistance today because of the economy. But there are many more abusing the system. But how do you help the people that really need it and keep it from those that don't? Many years ago I was at the grocery store with my wife and there was this very pretty women in line ahead of us. Full length fur coat, rings on just about every finger, very classy. She paid her grocery bill with food stamps and for her liquor and cigarettes she pulls out a wad of twenties and then walks out to her Cadillac.

 

[Frixxxx]

back to the market....what just happened?

Bernanke burp or something?

 

[crws]

indigestion...no free lunch! :nuts:

back to the market....what just happened?

Bernanke burp or something?

 

[Frixxxx]

I hate early run up days....Never seems like we earn them and it forces us into a unrealistic expectation.

Also reminds me of days like these:

View attachment 9755

Hope we end + even though I buy in today/tomorrow!

 

[crws]

That 10/13/2008 has always been the one that has bugged me, however, for the month, as of yesterday, the DOW was still UP 4%, the low (sofar) of this downturn 9686 on 7/02.

I hate early run up days....Never seems like we earn them and it forces us into a unrealistic expectation.

Also reminds me of days like these:

View attachment 9755

Hope we end + even though I buy in today/tomorrow!

 

[Frixxxx]

Guess I should have konwn the markets would celebrate the EU banks demise.....

Hungary now downgraded, Euro is crap!

No growth in that market anytime soon, yet we run.....I can no longer see the reason to be in the market except to get robbed by the manipulators.

No one is coming off unemployment in droves.....State governments are bankrupt....When do the people start calling in their $.

Oh, but we got 100 points in the market....thank God we caught back up to last week!

Monday will be a slaughter!

 

[Birchtree]

The bears will be the only ones in the shut. Remember the market is omnipotent and may be seeing something yet on the horizon.

 

[crws]

au contraire, my good man.
I think the Euro will blow right past 1.30 Monday and things will start to shift into 2nd gear. The hither and yon of the last 4 months will be the basis for the point of no return.
Jobs will follow as M&A's rush in and restructure their already marginal workforces to aggressively compete!

Guess I should have konwn the markets would celebrate the EU banks demise.....

Hungary now downgraded, Euro is crap!

No growth in that market anytime soon, yet we run.....I can no longer see the reason to be in the market except to get robbed by the manipulators.

No one is coming off unemployment in droves.....State governments are bankrupt....When do the people start calling in their $.

Oh, but we got 100 points in the market....thank God we caught back up to last week!

Monday will be a slaughter!

 

[Frixxxx]

au contraire, my good man.
I think the Euro will blow right past 1.30 Monday and things will start to shift into 2nd gear. The hither and yon of the last 4 months will be the basis for the point of no return.
Jobs will follow as M&A's rush in and restructure their already marginal workforces to aggressively compete!

All manufacturing is being outsourced more than ever...unless you start paying $15.00/hr at Denny's you need to rethink the job growth. I've got more fast food restaraunts closing in California everyday......The guy cutting meat at my supermarket used to be a foreman in construction at $90K a year. He can't even get a landscaping gig! Being in California, we tend to drop first and recover last. I'm preparing for many a county battle to beat up the state legilature which is STILL paying minimum wage until a budget can get rewritten. Saving grace is that the appraisors in the real estate market are now under scrutiny and are not over valuing prices. Of course the only ones buying are those with cash or weird loans w/points.

I'm waiting....shoe will drop, I'm 8.47% for the year and that's not bad....will dabble later...

So CRWS, you may see that 1.30 or 1.31, but wait until more countries start getting downgraded over there....When you hear Germany is printing Marks.....BEWARE!

 

[crws]

I hear ya. Don't get me as over the top, full Bull ahead- but we have been at this point before, and it leads to the upside.
You folks in CA have had a cr@p sandwich ever since Enron wiped out your budget.
sux, dude.

All manufacturing is being outsourced more than ever...unless you start paying $15.00/hr at Denny's you need to rethink the job growth. I've got more fast food restaraunts closing in California everyday......The guy cutting meat at my supermarket used to be a foreman in construction at $90K a year. He can't even get a landscaping gig! Being in California, we tend to drop first and recover last. I'm preparing for many a county battle to beat up the state legilature which is STILL paying minimum wage until a budget can get rewritten. Saving grace is that the appraisors in the real estate market are now under scrutiny and are not over valuing prices. Of course the only ones buying are those with cash or weird loans w/points.

I'm waiting....shoe will drop, I'm 8.47% for the year and that's not bad....will dabble later...

So CRWS, you may see that 1.30 or 1.31, but wait until more countries start getting downgraded over there....When you hear Germany is printing Marks.....BEWARE!

 

[Frixxxx]

Dumbass bank tests proved nothing..... Someone really tip-toed around the UNSPONSORED support of the government on these tests...... How many more Greeks have to die? How many people lose everything because of NO ETHICS?

Europe is lying to itself if they think this test counts..... And America will not balk or test itelf any better!

After a while, when do we stop being sheep? :notrust: When do we tell the governments that they work for us, so stop lying to us?

For more info:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66M2LF20100723

YES, I am pissed, this type of stupidity actually physically hurts today -

 

[Frixxxx]

Treasury to hold conference on Fannie, Freddie
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration, which has been under fire for not developing a concrete plan for mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, says it will hold a conference in next month to discuss their future.
The administration said Tuesday the event will be held Aug. 17 at the Treasury Department.
The financial overhaul signed by President Barack Obama didn't address their future, despite protest from Republicans that it was incomplete without a plan for the two companies. The Obama administration has said it wants to wait until next year to determine their future.
So far stabilizing the pair of mortgage buyers has cost taxpayers $145 billion.
The government created the two companies as a hybrid of private company and federal agency to help make mortgages available. They buy home loans from lenders, package them into bonds with a guarantee against default and sell them to investors.

More

And we keep letting the government run our businesses? PLEASE

 

[Frixxxx]

U.S. Dollar Forecast To Fall Further Against Euro, British Pound, and Japanese Yen


FULL ARTICLE

I'm Just saying - - -

So 350Z - > I'm LOOOOOOONG on the Yen again!