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Get Used to Unemployment
But the FFs say that if they can't keep their fat pensions, they will leave and go elsewhere. Where? ========= The police say that too. All gov employees say that. They also say they need to comp these semi skilled "public safety" positions @ $200K per year to get the best "qualified" employee. These are just baloney talking points with no factual basis to support them. The City Manager of Bell, a City with a $15 million budget and 37K residents with a median income of $27K, was being comped $1.5 million and said he could make MORE if he were in the private sector- that is a perposterous statement on its face. Same with these FF/cop talking points. You know the used to say they all die 2-3 years after they retire-they USED to say that until Calpers releseased their mortality rates and proved they live just as long as everyone else does. Talkign points, thats all. If this City/gov were running a Taco Bell in Mission Valley they would be paying the front counter kid $80K per year with a $50K fringe benefits package making the claim they need to pay that to get a "qualified employee"...........................— August 25, 2010 7:21 a.m.
Get Used to Unemployment
Well, I'm encouraged. My husband currently makes $15hour part-time, and I thought that was depressing. Now I've learned it's better than a "damn good wage in this economy." I may not jump off the nearest bridge after all. ================= $15 an hour-especially for a part time job- is far above average. And given the 25% U-6 unemployment rate it is pretty good. That is more than substitute teachers make in the SDUSD, who have 6 years of college under their belts. I know people who have been out of work for over 2 years and would die for a $15 hour job. If you don't mind-can you disclose what type of job it is>?— August 25, 2010 7:12 a.m.
Get Used to Unemployment
My barber's son graduated from the UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television Master's program 5 years ago. The son is currently employed at Disneyland earning $11 an hour. ============== That's a damn good wage in this economy. Plus Disney pays excellent benefits (although they have had problems with their hospitality employees recently). There was recently a PART TIME position open in a local So Cal water agency, like 20 hours per week (OK-so utilities are the best gov jobs), and the HR manager received 440 applications for it. 440 applications for a part time gov job. I would hate to see how many applications the FD is getting for a FF job, well into the thousands.— August 24, 2010 10:46 p.m.
Get Used to Unemployment
How about the yachts that dodge local taxes because they are registered in a tax havens? ====== Of course. No rock or stone would be left unturned, our future, the future of our country depends on it.— August 24, 2010 10:41 p.m.
Buffett Stock Picker Simpson, Formerly of RSF, Retiring
I didn't know the 401K was implemented in 1977.— August 24, 2010 10:38 p.m.
County Unemployment Rate Jumps to 10.8%
You are assuming said poster has only posted under 1 name. For example, surfpuppy has only been posting since Feb, 2009, as surfpuppy. Before that, he posted as johnnyvegas and probably a couple more before that. ========== This "johnnyvegas" handle does not sound familiar.......(and for the record, there was ONLY ONE account name before that).— August 24, 2010 5:55 p.m.
Prop 8
The difficulty I have is in accepting a difference that may be harmful/hateful. Where do you draw the line? ======= People have a right to have a "hateful" difference, no matter what. People do not have a right to a "harmful" difference. Harming people, legit harm, is not the same as speaking ones mind and being hated for speaking it.— August 24, 2010 5:52 p.m.
Prop 8
The topic turned to politics and quickly went downhill. ============== LOL...no ONE talks politics or relegion in my family for this very reason-we all have very diametrically opposing views, and no one is changing anyones mind-so shy go thru the brain damage??? My family unit is already fractured beyond repair, we put the "fun" in dysfunctional.— August 24, 2010 5:48 p.m.
Get Used to Unemployment
And don't you think you should adjust the tax system so the superrich have to carry a larger share of the burden than they are now? Best, Don Bauder ============== Yes I do, especially capital gains taxes. which are taxed far too low. Far below what the labor tax rate of a $40K taxpayer. I would look at the coprorate tax rate and also the TOP tax rate, which I think is currently at 39%. 39% is close to where I think it should be, but loopholes lower that 39% drastically-so maybe a small 5% boost while closing the loop holes. I would also start placing tariffs on ALL imported goods, level the playing field for our workers. I would then go after companies that are placing their HQers in foriegn countries to deprive USA tax receipts. Then I would go after the indiustries paying NO TAXES, like the cruise ship industry. I would charge a tax on all income derived from US customers no matter what country the ship is flagged under. Next would be a good look at the so called "non profits", which also pay NO TAXES. When the NFL can claim non profit status and not pay taxes we have a problem. I would turn over every rock and stone there is-while capping and freezing ALL gov salary and benefits for 5 years-all the surplus would go to retire the national debt. If the debt was not paid off in 5 years I would keep the freeze in place. That is my plan, and I would make it work.— August 24, 2010 12:30 p.m.
Get Used to Unemployment
Surfpuppy...u know lot's more then how to ride a surfboard...this looks like a good site to follow the bouncing ball of pensions http://www.pensiontsunami.com/ By nan ============== Thank you Nan. I have forwarded a few of Don's columns to Jack Dean, the guy who runs www.Pensiontsunami.com , sometimes he puts them on the site, sometimes he doesn't.— August 24, 2010 12:18 p.m.