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Troy Anthony Powell has been running Tap’s Barber Shop for nine years and has seen business get better every year — until this year.
With the economy in a slump, Powell said loyal customers who used to come in for a haircut every week or even more often are now coming in every two or three weeks instead. Whereas some customers used to tip $5 or $10 on a $15 or $25 service, now that’s down to $3 or even just a promise that “I’ll get you next time.”
And when they do sit down in the barber’s chair, the conversation often turns to the economic pinch that everyone seems to be feeling these days.
“Within the last two months I’ve really seen a decline in business because I think a lot of people out there, they’re struggling, they’re having economic problems,” he said.
That’s translating into financial doldrums for Powell, 42, as well. This year, Powell expects to make about half as much money as he did last year in his suburban Minneapolis shop.
As the effects of the nation’s financial crisis ripple across the country, many Americans are left holding jobs but taking home less money than they have been accustomed to earning. Hundreds of msnbc.com readers who responded to a Gut Check America call said they have seen their hours or wages cut, or that their tips and commissions have fallen sharply, because of the weak economy.
The responses reflect a national trend. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people who are working part-time but would like full-time work has risen by 1.6 million, to 6.1 million, over the past year. That figure increased by 337,000 people in September alone, the Labor Department said.
Heidi Shierholz, an economist with the Economic Policy Institute, said the sharp rise in the ranks of the underemployed has come as a big surprise and will likely end up being yet another blow for working families and the economy as a whole. That’s because it translates into less money to buy both necessities and discretionary items. That means less consumer spending, a key driver of the U.S. economy.
For Powell the drop in income means that he and his wife, a paralegal, are shopping and going out less, and probably will not be taking any trips this year. Powell has been able to keep his three other barbers on staff at the Richfield, Minn., shop, but he had to scrap a plan to provide them with health insurance.
Still, Powell said he has savings to fall back on, and he feels he has built up his business enough to weather the storm.
“I’m cutting back, but I do still feel like I’ll be all right,” he said.
For others who were already living paycheck to paycheck, the tightening market has had much harsher consequences.
Ron Siekierk, 22, quit a full-time job at a fast-food restaurant to move from his hometown of Traverse City, Mich., to California, but his plans there quickly fell through. After a stint in Florida, where he said the job market also was bleak, Siekierk found himself back in Michigan, unable to get his old job back or find another equivalent one. Everywhere he went, he said, he heard the same story — they weren’t hiring.
Siekierk finally landed a part-time job at another restaurant, making $7.40 an hour, but he said he has been unable to find full-time work. That has left his budget extremely tight.
“I don’t make enough to actually afford basic necessities,” Siekierk said.
For now, Siekierk is staying with his girlfriend, who lives about five miles outside of town, and walking to work, he said. Hoping to improve his job prospects for the future, he has enrolled in a two-year computer information technology program at Northwestern Michigan College and applied for student loans to help cover costs.
When he finishes the program, he hopes to be able to land a job that makes at least $12 an hour. While he would rather pursue a career as a cook, he has decided that getting technical training is the more practical choice.
“It’s not what I want to do, but there’s more money and it’s more readily available,” he said.
Depleted retirement savings
While Siekierk is just starting out on his career path, Milton Comeaux finds himself at what he hoped to be the tail end of it. Now 58, the car salesman had set his sights on retiring at 62, using a small 401(k) account to pad his Social Security payments.
“I’ve got grandkids; I’d love to spend some time with them,” he said.
But the stock market drop has depleted his retirement savings, and now business at the car dealership where he works, in New Iberia, La., is down sharply. Comeaux, who has worked there for the last 12 years, said he usually sells five or six cars a month, but this month, he didn’t make his first sale until Oct. 21.
Like a number of car salesmen who responded to our call for stories, Comeaux is being hit by a triple whammy of the weak economy, the recent spike in gas prices and, mostly, a tightening credit market. Customer traffic is down, and of the people who do come into the dealership, as many as half don’t qualify for a loan under new, stricter requirements, Comeaux said.
Comeaux says he lives frugally, and he’s also picked up a little extra work on the side to make ends meet, but he still has to dip into savings every month. He knows that can’t go on forever.
“At this rate I can probably go maybe another six months or so, and then I don’t know,” he said.
Bankruptcy fears
Paul Buzash also is facing the possibility that the business he has spent much of his life building will come crumbling down because of the tough credit market.
Buzash works as an environmental consultant in Glenville, N.Y., often helping companies interested in alternative energy go through the compliance process. While there has been plenty of buzz lately about alternative energy, he says most of those projects take years to complete, meaning companies can invest for as long as six years before they start generating cash.
With the credit markets tight, Buzash says many of his clients are having trouble getting the cash they need to pay him during the build-out process, in turn forcing him to leave bills unpaid. Some projects have been put on hold.
“I’m having a hard time just keeping past due 30 days, and I don’t see a change on the horizon,” he said.
For now, Buzash is relying on some savings, but he figures he can do that for only about six months. If things continue to go downhill, Buzash fears he will forced into bankruptcy, a devastating turn that could mean he would lose the house he shares with his wife and three kids, ages 17, 14 and 8. With no retirement savings, the house also is his nest egg.
“This is the worst I’ve seen it, there’s no question,” he said. “I’m trying to be optimistic and keep my head up and say, ‘Hey, it’s going to change, it’s going to get better.’ But I’m 53 years old, (and) I just don’t remember anything like this.”
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{"commentId":3734118,"authorDomain":"JackMcg"}
This story is just the tip of the iceberg that will continue to grow unless Americans realize that we need to continue on doing the things we would normally do. Many small businesses, myself included ,will go out of business unless people stop the fear of Wall st.. Many of those stocks do not effect us at all, the banking crisis is being handled but things will grow worse for many, if people just hole themselves up at home and stop living. The man in this story is making less, so he is not spending as much. The domino theory will follow, the less he spends at the stores he goes to, the less employees that store will need. If people would still go to his barber shop, he could still purchase his needs and the domino theory would be broken. His purchases will keep someone employed, thus employing others. We need to let the powers that be, sort out the mess the rich created and we need to support each others endeavors. If not pretty soon, that wil be a closed barber shop, an empty building and much loss all around.
{"commentId":3734118,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"JackMcg"}
- 4 votes
#1 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:37 AM EDT{"commentId":3734871,"authorDomain":"linda-4"}
That is such a weak comment - "Let the powers that be, sort out the mess?" You must be joking. They are the ones that got us into this mess. The working class ought to be outraged. They trusted their government, banks and Wall Street to have integrity and prudence with their hard earned money and taxes. They let us all down and they deserve to fail. I'd rather start over with a new government that knows what we expect this time around, banks that will lend responsibly, and a wall street that knows that they have to earn our respect and trust. It may hurt for a while, but in the end, we will have a more responsible government and financial sector. The same goes for big business. Sure, companies will fail, but better companies will succeed eventually. Companies that build green cars, contractors that build with quality, stores that have good customer service. Growth, at any cost, became the mantra of this country and we are now paying for it. Sometimes, smaller is better.
{"commentId":3734871,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"linda-4"}
- 11 votes
{"commentId":3734949,"authorDomain":"colleenamatt"}
You are completely right. I've been out of work for a year, and I'm conscious of all of the businesses I no longer support. I've reacted by buying locally in small businesses. I rarely went to Walmart anyway. We're all sinking together, our boat riddled with the holes created by the commercial banks.
{"commentId":3734949,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"colleenamatt"}
{"commentId":3735360,"authorDomain":"jjlemay01"}
Linda you need to take off your rose colored glasses. Jack is right! Middle America is hurting and we need to stop panicking over wall street and their mess. The only ones that can sit back and wait are the wealthy. The rest of us need to do what we can to continue business as usual to support one another.
As far as contractors that build quality and companies that build green cars - humph. I am a contractor and quality is always priority 1, but when no one is spending money, quality, or green or good service doesnt matter a bit. With no business, I and many other are out of business.
{"commentId":3735360,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"jjlemay01"}
- 9 votes
{"commentId":3735623,"authorDomain":"sjones34668"}
Joe,
You are 100% correct!
{"commentId":3735623,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"sjones34668"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3736133,"authorDomain":"klbarnard"}
"we need to continue on doing the things we would normally do" That's easy to say but harder to do when you don't have the same income as you used to. Because of the economy, my husband's hours at work got cut in half. And because of the economy, he can't find a full time job. We were doing good and even bought a house, then reality hit our pocketbooks. If I knew then what I know now. I can understand why people who are not hurting are holding back on the "normal" to dos. I would have, had I known.
{"commentId":3736133,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"klbarnard"}
{"commentId":3736657,"authorDomain":"tomas-melloni"}
Joe, you are not right, but Linda is; we, middle class Americans have no control over wall street, the ones that do are the rich and they don't care about how we do, they control the jobs market, wall street, the price of gas, etc; I think quality and green should always be a priority no matter what, if we would have had green cars we would never had struggles with high gas prices, if we would've had green homes we wouldn't be struggling to pay for energy so I definitely think that green should be one of our most important priorities and of course quality is the most important one.
Barack Obama/ Joe Bidden 2008!
{"commentId":3736657,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"tomas-melloni"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":3736774,"authorDomain":"JackMcg"}
Linda J Nelson, you seriously do not have a clue. I never trusted my government and won't until Nov. 5 when we have Obama for President. a man for the people, a man for the working class. Only the powers that be can sort out the mess wall st created for itself. Because I damn well know I am not smart enough to figure out that financial mess. We need regulation, we need to go back to the days when banks had to close on Wednesdays to square up with the government, to make sure they were following the rules properly. We need someone on our side and the only thing you are right about , isit is not the present government. we need a new leader with good morals and intentions, we need someone who is going to use force when it and where it is needed. For the rest of you fools who think we are going to be under terrorist attack when he takes office, you seriously need to look at who Obama has surrounded himself with. Top military intelligence, that will not get us into war, but will keep us safe using strategy that works. Remember, it was george Bush and his republican majority that was in office when the Twin towers came down.
{"commentId":3736774,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"JackMcg"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":3737040,"authorDomain":"mfernandez314"}
I agree with Tomas-melloni and Linda. How are we the middle class suppose to continue business as usual as all of my hard earn money is going to necessities only. I do not have any extra cash to spend. I am a systems analyst whose salary was cut by 20%, my bonus was taken away, my insurance is $350 more than last year. I do not have any credit card debt nor car payments.
I no longer visit the salon for hair treatments, go out to dinner, entertainment in our home is strictly at home. There is no going out. I watch every penny I spend and I can barely keep my head above water. What I have left I save.
I feel for those in the service industry as they inevitably suffer. I cannot justify spending in those areas right now. I do not have it.
I guess I can use my credit cards, live beyond my means, file for bankruptcy and let someone else deal with it.
{"commentId":3737040,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"mfernandez314"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":3737124,"authorDomain":"bvrinc"}
I couldn't agree with Jack more. It seems like there is a feeding frenzy on reporting bad news. It seems anymore in this society reporting negative news is what people want to see or have been trained to look for. Whatever happened to seeing the glass half full, I still want to believe that we still have a much better upside as a country and world leader than a downside I feel that the world is watching and we are not showing them that strength and grit that this country was built on. We did what we did , we are in this together, now we have to get out of it together. Live your life dont hide and whine help yourself and someone else if you can. Look forward with optimism in everything we do.
Rolo
{"commentId":3737124,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"bvrinc"}
{"commentId":3737405,"authorDomain":"dawnbelotti"}
Jack ( original poster) has a good point but I agree with a good deal of what Linda says. Yes, panic is contributing to this mess. Whether people are being directly affected or are just scared and do not want to spend, the result is the same. It is a domino effect. However companies are cutting back on hours and laying people off. You can not get blood from a stone. Some people are just holding on so going out to dinner, shopping for items they do not immediately need taking a vacation, are not an option. As Linda said, with the current economic situation business needs to diversify or take advantage of what will make people spend money. They either do that or they go out of business. Right now buyers are in control so sellers need to make buyers want to spend money at the place of business or service. Customer service and quality are two things that are important to people and they have gone the way of the wind lately.
{"commentId":3737405,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"dawnbelotti"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":3737470,"authorDomain":"novarone2000"}
Living beyond our means is what got this country into this mess....as well as the predators who counted on people living above their means....
{"commentId":3737470,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"novarone2000"}
{"commentId":3737497,"authorDomain":"novarone2000"}
people living beyond their means is the reason our country is in this mess....
{"commentId":3737497,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"novarone2000"}
{"commentId":3737885,"authorDomain":"nativemedicfire"}
Tm one of the most important things to people now is feeding there family. Green mean nothing when you have a family to feed and no job or money. We need to fix this mess then we can all go green
{"commentId":3737885,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"nativemedicfire"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":3738052,"authorDomain":"JackMcg"}
To TigerGuardian, the layoff are a double edge, some are being laid due to the outsourcing to foreign soil of American jobs. Others are being laid off because few are purchasing. To FEDUp, no one is asking you tolive beyond your means. If you are presently living beyond your means you need to downsize. get rid of the beemer, get rid of the hummer (examples only) get rid of the high priced items you needed to "dress to impress' when you were a high rolling systems analyst with 20% more salary and bonuses. do not cut off your entertainment, that will lead to a lousy life, further you are cheating your neighbors and small business by doing so. What we need is people to help people. The layoffs can be rehired if people would purchase the products, Customer service and quality is what Americans are made of, so let's show the world we are strong, we can weather this storm and we together will stop the layoffs, because we will purchase the products and keep people employed..
{"commentId":3738052,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"JackMcg"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3738056,"authorDomain":"Memphis-2008"}
Oh my, can this be?
The unemployment rate was dropping until the Democrats took over Congress?
Wake up sheeple. The numbers are there in front of you. Try to stop drinking the Obama kool-aid and stop blaming Bush for everything. Yes, he's a disgrace and needs to be out, but that does not automatically mean that Obama is the best choice.
NObama.
{"commentId":3738056,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"Memphis-2008"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":3738207,"authorDomain":"ls5633"}
{"commentId":3738333,"authorDomain":"jtolbert"}
LSB, do you not realize that sugarcane is a green technology. Also what is the difference between Middle East Oil and Brazilian sugar cane besides the obvious. They are both foreign energy sources. Your theory just trades one foregin dependency for another. But Linda and Jack both make good points. But one thing to remember government just sat back and allowed all of this to happen, so we definitely need a change at the top. That is why Obamas economic plan is needed, because money flows from the bottom to the top..Not the top to the bottom at some point people have to realize that. Just like how many of you have said people need to spend more, this is true that is why we need more money in our pockets, to be able to do that. Spreading the Wealth is not about just taking from the rich and giving to the poor its about continuing the natural cycle of money flowing from the bottom to the top and back around. When money gets stagnated at the top as it is now then we have economic chaos as we do now. Its like trying to play poker but only 1 person has all the chips.
{"commentId":3738333,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"jtolbert"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3738481,"authorDomain":"ls5633"}
{"commentId":3738568,"authorDomain":"dkh4992"}
Obama is our only choice. mccain is too old and palin too stupid!
{"commentId":3738568,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"dkh4992"}
{"commentId":3739175,"authorDomain":"jamescleveland"}
They are complaining paychecks getting smaller, if Obama is elected they will get even smaller, with the tax increases throughout the year, and with Obamas policy and the cost of living will rise considerably, auto insurance will increase for everyone. If Obama is elected the govt will get bigger and that means more people in charge of running his programs, your taxes will be paying these salaries, just because Obama say's so doesn't mean these programs will run themselves they have to pay someone to do that. Pay will go down, taxes up, and cost of living up. Believe as you like but you will see the reality ifObama is elected.
{"commentId":3739175,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"jamescleveland"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":3739901,"authorDomain":"JackMcg"}
Spreading the Wealth is not about just taking from the rich and giving to the poor its about continuing the natural cycle of money flowing from the bottom to the top and back around. When money gets stagnated at the top as it is now then we have economic chaos as we do now. Its like trying to play poker but only 1 person has all the chips.
that was very well said jt3000. the money got stuck at the chute , the "Bush Hogs" said was going to come down. they lied as usual
the only way to get it into the chute is from the bottom. that means you and me.
{"commentId":3739901,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"JackMcg"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3740054,"authorDomain":"ispeedtoo"}
I just talked to a small business owner in California with 100 employees that is looking at relocating to Nevada. That is my business.
He told me that if Obama is elected he knows between California and Obama he will have to lay off workers before moving. He likes all his workers but he will have to layoff ten, question is which ten. I asked him for some data that he left in his car so he asked me to call him back in ten minutes.
Now I called him back first thing he tells me is "hey I figured out who to let go. I walked out in the parking lot and got my stuff and on the way back in I counted ten obama stickers on cars so I decided to let those people go.
You can not tax your way to success and every dollar you give the government is a wasted dollar.
America stop talking about doing it. Europe is struggling to break a 50 year addiction called TAXING everybody to DEATH because it does not work.
Have a Great Day!
{"commentId":3740054,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"ispeedtoo"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3740476,"authorDomain":"JackMcg"}
Paul Lucero, I am thinking you are not on the ball too much. I have read the Obama plan and it does not call for such extensive taxation to have the need to lay off ten workers. I am thinking the move from california to nevada is costing way too much and that is the reason. perhaps you should lower your prices for consulting and give up one of your homes/condos
{"commentId":3740476,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"JackMcg"}
{"commentId":3741298,"authorDomain":"mfernandez314"}
To JackMcB - I do not own a beemer. I own two Hondas, 2001 & 2002. I have a modest 1700 sq. foot home, no pool, cars are paid off, no credit card debt, no flat screen tv, no latest gadgits etc. I only shop at discount stores, I do not buy designer clothes. Did not buy a house in this inflated market. In fact, my house is financed for 15 years and have 7 to go. I do not live beyond my means.
So please do not insult me by asking me to downsize!
{"commentId":3741298,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"mfernandez314"}
{"commentId":3746329,"authorDomain":"JackMcg"}
Hey FEDUP. I was talking to paul lucero, not you. You already appear to have cobwebs in your money drawer.
{"commentId":3746329,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"JackMcg"}
{"commentId":3747601,"authorDomain":"wude121"}
Jack ,Paul had a good point if you would look past the class warfare rhetoric you might see .We need to invest back in America by helping industries relocate back in the States.There is no way that any country that would think of any feasible purpose of moving here with such a burdensome Tax on it self .Economy's flourish with low tax's ,proven fact .If you have a problem with the way they spend their profits you choose not to buy that product or service,simple economics's If they have a monopoly you have laws that are on the books that take care of that also called antitrust.But undoubtedly you want a government so big that they are the providers of such antitrust.
So as in closing do you really want a government that let a few that are in power choose what you buy ,drive,eat ,sleep,work (how long you can do that too)by choosing the tax loop hole on that certain entity.(ie sugarcane)
{"commentId":3747601,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"wude121"}
{"commentId":3734315,"authorDomain":"EEEEEMAN"}
The economic crisis has been on the horizon for more than two years, the only factor that this administration did not anticipate was that the crisis would hit so close to election time?
"Even the best laid plans fail" our country has been open to non regulated borrowing and spending for over 8 years. The non regulated economy started at a time when this country was not at war, and, slipped through the cracks as we became more indebted to the war.
The global outreach was in part due to our economic activity creating the pace and insisting that our global partners participate. The oil cartel waited to put the icing on the cake and broke the reflective mirror of I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today?
Sound economic change is needed and sound new leadership is a must?
{"commentId":3734315,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"EEEEEMAN"}
- 5 votes
#2 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:49 AM EDT{"commentId":3736531,"authorDomain":"carlostoadvine"}
I would maintain the administration and the legislative branch were equally guiltyof incompetence. To blame one and exonerate the other will not lead us as a country in the necessary direction. If none of our elected officials saw this coming they were idiots! Unworthy of their office. If we reelect any of them we are idiots! The 2 party's let us down for partisan advantage in this election, we should not reward them, vote 3 party for real reform.
{"commentId":3736531,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"carlostoadvine"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":3737341,"authorDomain":"EEEEEMAN"}
As time continues and the nations grow, 3 party leadership must also enhance broader appeal and substance.
{"commentId":3737341,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"EEEEEMAN"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":3734337,"authorDomain":"jaydog47"}
You think pay checks are smaller now, just wait until Obama is elected. I can at least get my medical and other premiums taken out of my check pre-tax, which saves me having to pay income tax on the higher amount, but Obama has said in HIS OWN WORDS that he will eliminate this option for employers and taxpayers. I'm just a middle class working stiff and he will lower my pay with increased taxes. I wish America would wake up before its too late. God help us.
{"commentId":3734337,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"jaydog47"}
- 10 votes
#3 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:50 AM EDT{"commentId":3734423,"authorDomain":"kmeyer2023"}
Amen!
{"commentId":3734423,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"kmeyer2023"}
{"commentId":3734828,"authorDomain":"mel2877"}
John McCain is the candidate that wants to tax health care premiums not Obama. Have you been listening to Fox News? Try going to Factcheck.org or Politico and you will see that I am right and you are wrong. McCain is spending this last week lying his you know what off to get your vote and you should fact check every word that comes out of his mouth before it's too late.
{"commentId":3734828,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"mel2877"}
- 11 votes
{"commentId":3734892,"authorDomain":"StormAZ"}
You're not paying attention, Jayson. Obama isn't going to increase your taxes unless you make over $250,000 a year. Sorry, an annual income of over a quarter of a million dollars is not middle class.
McCain is the one that's going to tax your medical benefits, not Obama.
I too wish people would wake up and start paying a bit more attention to something besides Fox 'News.'
{"commentId":3734892,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"StormAZ"}
- 9 votes
{"commentId":3734917,"authorDomain":"linda-4"}
Open your ears. You are not listening or doing your homework. Besides, the healthcare programs offered to most working class employees are so lousy, they aren't worth having.
{"commentId":3734917,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"linda-4"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3734924,"authorDomain":"summergal46845"}
My biggest fear with Obama is that this country will see a huge terrorist attack and there is no way we can survive with a rookie! Especially if he surrounds himself with staff that is just like him! My second is that no one else gets what the country will face if he is elected! Taxes, insurance coverage. Is no one getting the damage that will occur? McCain may not be the best choice but at least right now, in these times, he is the logical choice. How will this country survive a total revamp on top of a recession?
{"commentId":3734924,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"summergal46845"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":3734964,"authorDomain":"bradlisa"}
Excuse me...it is JOHN MCCAIN'S plan that would make your health insurance plan TAXABLE INCOME. Under John McCain's plan, there is a very real possibility that you won't have to worry about that in the future as your employer may drop the plan and let you go find your own coverage with your big old tax credit ($2500 for a single person or $5000 for a couple). Hope you don't have any pre-existing conditions as none of those health plans will want you or will charge you up the nose for the premium and that tax credit won't begin to cover the cost.
{"commentId":3734964,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"bradlisa"}
{"commentId":3735633,"authorDomain":"thelaughons"}
RIGHT ON JAYSON! Don't feel bad though. Giving more of your paycheck makes you "patriotic". Aren't you glad you can help?
As for StormAZ100...politically uneducated people such as yourself are the ones that are going to put Obama in the White House. We'll all be handing over our checks so that the government can "distribute" them as they please...but "everyone" will have a "chance" then...IT IS NOT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DECIDE WHAT THE MONEY THAT I WORK FOR GOES TOWARD. IF I WANT TO HELP SOMEONE LESS FORTUNATE WITH MY MONEY THAT SHOULD BE MY DECISION. NOT THEIRS.
And no, a $250,000 annual salary may not be "middle-class" but it probably WILL affect that business you work for. When you're out of a job because those extra taxes eat up the salary the company pays you...well, you should be ok. We'll all be handing over our paychecks to take care of you.
WAKE UP! Sounds like you need to watch MORE of Fox News...
{"commentId":3735633,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"thelaughons"}
- 8 votes
{"commentId":3736456,"authorDomain":"gabe-akiyama"}
I have to laugh at Mel's response. Obama is for redistrubution of wealth. He wants to give people money who don't pay taxes. I am not interested in my hard earned money going to people to who don't have jobs and pay nothing. I don't want socialism. If you do, move to Europe or Canada. I don't want national healthcare.
Obama has voted in the past to raise taxes on people making $42,000 a year, and only now deny's that, and says he would not do it. Look at Obama's track record and quit being mezmorized by his speeches. Look at his substance, of what he stands for and his friends like Louis Farrakhan. Don't be so niave. Frankly MSNBC is far more bias for Obama than Fox news is for McCain. Furthermore, the hypocrisy of the obama camp saying Palin won't go on any news channels besides fox is a joke, heck how many times has Michelle Obama, Barack or Joe Biden been on fox news, twice? Much less than Palin and McCain. I used to be a demorcrat, I even worked on Bill Clinton's campain in 92, but the bias of the media and the radical left, has caused me to be an independent. I may just vote for my first GOP president this year.
{"commentId":3736456,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"gabe-akiyama"}
{"commentId":3736672,"authorDomain":"macontarra2000"}
How exactly is taxing an employer more supposed to help if the employer is already cutting back on pay or are laying people off? I hope all you Obama supporters feel comfortable about this story because you can expect to hear it a lot more if your guy wins the election.
{"commentId":3736672,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"macontarra2000"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":3737146,"authorDomain":"JollyRogers"}
Better hang on Troy. You can't afford to give your employees health insurance now? If Obama's elected and enacts his plan you will be REQUIRED to provide them health insurance. You have read his plan haven't you?
{"commentId":3737146,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"JollyRogers"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":3737357,"authorDomain":"tomas-melloni"}
summergal46845, LSB and disgustedwithpolitics; all three of you need to go back to school and educate yourselves... the chances of the US having another terrorist attack are the same under either administration, I think that if we were hit under a McCain administration we would probably end up invading the wrong country, not catching the mastermind, be in war for years and years and years, in the other hand if we were hit under and Obama administration most likely he would take advise from the right people, he would definitely would have the support of the international community, and would not rush any decisions to secure re-election. when they talk about higher taxes for businesses making $250k plus they talk about revenue not including expenses and most small businesses do not generate revenues that big, besides all of you talking about higher taxes, do any of you know how much more it would be? it really does not make much more of a difference, just so you know... and the Obama plan does not tax your health care benefits, it would lower your premium by about $2500 a year and if you currently do not have health insurance it would provide you with one, unlike the McCain's plan.
{"commentId":3737357,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"tomas-melloni"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":3737488,"authorDomain":"scrosby"}
Way to go Jayson!!! If more people thought like you and I we would be in a whole lot better position. Besides taking away our pre taxed health benefits, what about his share the wealth ideas? Talk about communism, it will be like living in Russia, where cab drives earn the same wage as doctors. This will take away all incentive for people to excell. Why try harder just to have to give it away? The Bible says he that does not work does not eat! Wake up America before it's too late!!!!!!
{"commentId":3737488,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"scrosby"}
{"commentId":3737563,"authorDomain":"tomas-melloni"}
An small business laying off employees most definitely would not be affected by Obama's plan because most likely that business is not doing too well and they are not generating revenues of $250k plus. It would actually help them reduce their tax costs and would be able to employ more people, save money and earn more!!!!!
{"commentId":3737563,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"tomas-melloni"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":3737606,"authorDomain":"dawnbelotti"}
The only way to combat terror is to have a good relationship with other nations. We need their intelligence in order to stop terror cells abroad. This is why communication with other nations and not constantly pissing them off is essential. Not every country is going to like each other but I doubt the majority of them want terrorism growing in their nations anymore than we do in ours. The other option is vigilance from law enforcement agencies here at home. That is the best anyone can do. A terrorist attack could happen on our shores regardless of who is in office and there is little anyone can do about that. Look at the size of Israel compared to the U.S. and they can't stop terrorist attacks.
{"commentId":3737606,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"dawnbelotti"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":3737708,"authorDomain":"crystal-4"}
Obama's crazy plan must be stopped. It will not only cost you money, it will throw the U.S. economy into a depression.
— removal of the FICA tax cap, meaning all ordinary income above $97,000 will be taxed an additional 7%!
— the Bush tax cuts will not be renewed in 2010 — meaning everyone in the upper tax brackets will have an immediate almost 5% increase in income taxes
— an increase in the dividend tax from 15% to at least 20%
— an increase of the capital gains tax from 15% to as high as 28%
— and estate taxes will skyrocket.
{"commentId":3737708,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"crystal-4"}
- 6 votes
{"commentId":3737731,"authorDomain":"macontarra2000"}
tomas, wrong on both points. Biden has already told us that Obama will not handle a crisis correctly. As for small businesses , they do turn those kind of year end profits, it's just that they use that money to pay for equipment or invest back into the business next year instead of having to purchase on credit. The idea that just because someone makes more than me that they can afford higher taxes is so counter productive to financial reality that it blows my mind.
{"commentId":3737731,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"macontarra2000"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":3738705,"authorDomain":"dkh4992"}
Read Obama's plan...you're missing the boat. I'm a hard-working stiff also. He's not going to change any taxes and will help keep money in my 401k that the Bush administration has taken away.
{"commentId":3738705,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"dkh4992"}
{"commentId":3739213,"authorDomain":"jamescleveland"}
Obamas tax plan does not say it is a 1 time increase, this leaves many doors open for many tax increases over a period of time.
{"commentId":3739213,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"jamescleveland"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":3739413,"authorDomain":"ls5633"}
{"commentId":3739843,"authorDomain":"StormAZ"}
My, the Desperation Express does have its share of riders today!
{"commentId":3739843,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"StormAZ"}
{"commentId":3739936,"authorDomain":"ysimoneau"}
Stormaz100:
Are you really buying the $250,000 crap? You really are walking through life in a fog. When was the last time a democrat lowered taxes - that would be FDR - and by today's standards, he wouldn't be a democrat.
Do you remember the Carter years? Double digit inflation! Housing loans at 14% - and today, people whine about 6% loans, gas lines, a destroyed military (which Clinton also tried to do and which Obama has said he will do)!
There is no way in hell the Obama Socialist can do what he wants to due without the middle class paying for it.
Those of us on the right can only hope that corporations and business's that actually hire people and turn the economy will find a way to lay-off the Obama supporters first. Then you can knock on Obama's door!
{"commentId":3739936,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"ysimoneau"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":3740024,"authorDomain":"ls5633"}
{"commentId":3734344,"authorDomain":"weavilkv"}
But you can't spend money you don't have. If it is a choice between a haircut and groceries, groceries are probably going to win.
{"commentId":3734344,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"weavilkv"}
#4 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:51 AM EDT{"commentId":3734374,"authorDomain":"wgreg"}
If Obama is elected that paycheck will be even smaller. When will people realize it is the ones who create jobs in this country that pay the paychecks as well. If you increase taxes to those who create jobs as Obama wants to do under his plan, then there will be fewer employed and those that are left will have a smaller paycheck. Those tax increases will be paid for by the employees of the companies they work for, not out of the pocket of the employer.
{"commentId":3734374,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"wgreg"}
- 5 votes
#5 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:52 AM EDT{"commentId":3734878,"authorDomain":"bwriter-1"}
If that's so, why is the system working as badly as it is now, under Bush? Think before you write.
{"commentId":3734878,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"bwriter-1"}
- 10 votes
{"commentId":3734997,"authorDomain":"vsposobiec"}
{"commentId":3735393,"authorDomain":"caesar-munene"}
{"commentId":3735408,"authorDomain":"pchacker"}
{"commentId":3735419,"authorDomain":"amyteg1"}
Wow. That's some solid reasoning you have there. I don't think you need God more than ever. I think you need psychiatric help, and FAST, more than ever.
{"commentId":3735419,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"amyteg1"}
{"commentId":3735994,"authorDomain":"432763a"}
{"commentId":3737374,"authorDomain":"twnk"}
Let's see. I lost my job as accountant, 2 months after watching the president and vice president quadruple their weekly paychecks. Yup...less taxes for those making over $250,000 a year are going to use that extra money to create jobs. The more the companies make, the more they keep for themselves. I think our current economy proves that. The blame goes in just about all directions, Democrat, Republicans, many employers, Wall Street.... etc. I agree with Obama that good economy does NOT come from a trickle down effect! If the average worker cannot afford to buy, who does the businesses expect will buy their services or materials?
{"commentId":3737374,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"twnk"}
{"commentId":3738869,"authorDomain":"cattailcove55006"}
Uh, yeah. Probably. But under Republican theory, it shouldn't. You see, that whole trickle down theory is supposed to mean we're already fat and happy down here in middle class suburbia. Except the trickle is less of a trickle and more of a slight drizzle. No, maybe more like vapor. Naw. Nothing but hot air.
Greed has sucked all the riches to the top. My boss has made millions in his life. Think he offers health care for anybody here? One of my coworkers just found out that the baby in his wife's womb has spina bifida, and he has no insurance. They are considering aborting it because they know they cannot afford the care.
Think my boss felt badly? Not so much. He showed his condolences by flying for two months to the Riviera.
{"commentId":3738869,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"cattailcove55006"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":3739304,"authorDomain":"tishamauro"}
Greg
Let's just pretend for a minute that you are a business owner and you sell some sort of product. If the people do not have any money they cannot buy your product. Even if you have a tax credit why would you hire more people without demand? If you do not have more customers you do not need more employees.
Simple economics, supply and demand. Even with a slightly heavier tax load (that most business will never actually see) if you have more customers you will make money and need more employees. They other way, you just get a tax break and no new customers.
Unless you are the ONLY business in the world that hires people just for the fun of it and not because you actually need them.
{"commentId":3739304,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"tishamauro"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3739406,"authorDomain":"naranjo-melissa"}
{"commentId":3740196,"authorDomain":"wgreg"}
Hey Miles, If Obama is elected I will pay a 50% tax rate instead of the 35% I already pay; who would you like me to fire first. Maybe you should think before you write. I am a business owner and I know what increasing taxes will do to the small businesses in this country. I provide 2 weeks paid vacation, 1 week sick leave, 8 paid holidays, and health insurance. Before you tell me what I already know, why don't you get out there and see what it's like running a small business. Until you do that and pour your blood, sweat and tears into something only to have some idiot come along and tell you you need to pay even more money so it can go to somebody else then keep your comments to yourself.
{"commentId":3740196,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"wgreg"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3740498,"authorDomain":"justfun-1"}
How the hell do yo think this country is going to pay off the 3 trillion dollars we gave to the private sector to ensure they do not fail? Some people will have to pay more taxes and you do think should be taxed for this? The ones least able to pay or the ones that money to burn. Your are fooling yourself it you think taxes will not go up no matter who is president or who controls congress, the present administration has seen to that.
{"commentId":3740498,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"justfun-1"}
{"commentId":3745639,"authorDomain":"ysimoneau"}
Uncommon Sensibility:
It's sad that your co-workers baby has spinal bifida. But honestly, you have to think these choices through. Getting pregnant without insurance is not real smart. You have to think about the what-ifs. Life happens.
{"commentId":3745639,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"ysimoneau"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3734386,"authorDomain":"hd65"}
The only way out of this mess is to buy American. Don't believe me? Okay, keep buying all the foreign goods you can find. And then drive your foreign car to the unemployment line, and to pick up your welfare check. But they won't last long either because there will be nobody paying taxes to support the sytem...LOL!!! I love it. Americans are not smart enough to realize they have destoryed their own econmy and jobs. They instead blame the politicians. This going to get REAL good REAL quick.
{"commentId":3734386,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"hd65"}
- 3 votes
#6 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:53 AM EDT{"commentId":3734875,"authorDomain":"urnotthafather"}
Thanks for stating the obvious instead of blaming and name calling. Others are so mean and nasty that all they have or can comprehend is name calling or misstating facts. They don't or will not see their part in the failing economy it is always someone Else's fault.
{"commentId":3734875,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"urnotthafather"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3737516,"authorDomain":"adrianaepl"}
I have been saying the same thing, you have to buy American products or at least products made here, but most don't want to pay the extra $ they want cheap and that is what they get. China owns us and we keep giving them the money, borrowing from them, buying from them and ignore their human rights violations. I check every product I buy if is made in China I don't buy it.
{"commentId":3737516,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"adrianaepl"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3737952,"authorDomain":"nativemedicfire"}
You are right I try to buy all American made hard to do anymore we all need to do that. next job could be yours they outsorce
{"commentId":3737952,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"nativemedicfire"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3739343,"authorDomain":"tishamauro"}
I said the same thing about 2 weeks ago on another thread and nearly had my head taken off. I believe in buying American and try to do so as much as possible!
{"commentId":3739343,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"tishamauro"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3758313,"authorDomain":"pchacker"}
I would agree but you need to determine which "buying American" you want to prescribe to...say Ford vs. Toyota for example. Do you buy the American Ford (made in Mexico) or the Japanese Toyota (assembled in America). Plainly put, do you support the American unions or the American white collars?
And before you ask, I own a Hyundai that was made in America (as per my VIN number).
As for other products, I buy American where I am able and it makes sense...and you know what - while I do pay 30-40% more, the stuff doesn't fall apart after a few weeks...go figure!!!
If you want your country back, stand up and fight for it, don't look for handouts.
{"commentId":3758313,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"pchacker"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":4308393,"authorDomain":"tishamauro"}
Shawn - Assembled in America is not the same as "Made in America". The majority of parts for Toyota, Honda etc. are made in Japan and the bulk of the money goes straight back to Japan.
The majority of Fords ARE "Made in America". A very small portion are made in Mexico. Far more Honda's and Toyota's and Hyanda's are made in Japan or Korea than Ford's made in Mexico. By the way the majority of parts on a Ford are made in America regardless of where the final assembly is.
{"commentId":4308393,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"tishamauro"}
{"commentId":4316770,"authorDomain":"pchacker"}
"not over it",
I understand what you're saying with respect to made vs. manufactured and I know a TON of smaller US companies rely on car companies to buy their parts. My only point was the UAW (hate or love them) is the assembly line worker and those cars/trucks that have the VIN number indicating that they were assembled in the US are those that support those particular workers.
I'm not here to support the CEO's with their 27 million dollar salaries and their private corporate jets (even if they DO happen to show up to congress in a hybrid for good measure). The working class of the American automotive industry is our assembly worker and we have to ensure they survive.
Parts companies are needed regardless where the assembly is performed, so if I look to buy a car assembled in the US, I know I'm looking out for my fellow working class American (as well as supplier, that being the one that supplied the business with parts).
{"commentId":4316770,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"pchacker"}
{"commentId":3734394,"authorDomain":"beklommen"}
Why are the "bailoutees" enjoying spas, trips and years end bonuses and the taxpayer, bailouter" being forced to cut back on their spending habits?
{"commentId":3734394,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"beklommen"}
#7 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:53 AM EDT{"commentId":3734567,"authorDomain":"electrichead2005"}
I work as an adjuster for a large insurance company, but have always lived frugally just for this reason. I haven't had cable since I first moved out at the age of 19, and the first thing I did after paying out my last bit of credit card debt I've had since college was start putting money back into savings. That's the first thing I do as I get my paycheck, transfer money over to savings, then project my expenses until my next pay check so I don't go overboard. I project up to my grocery expenses- keeping track of EVERYTHING that I buy, and writing it all down to know what to expect the following month. Once you start doing it a bit, you won't be able to imagine handling your finances any other way. And most of all which will seem hokey to most people, I am thankful everyday that I have a place to go to I call "work" as so many people are suffering right now.
Okay, enough of my blabbing.
{"commentId":3734567,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"electrichead2005"}
#8 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:04 AM EDT{"commentId":3734604,"authorDomain":"banopendoor"}
The only way out of this mess is to tighten our belts and to allow small businesses to invest their money in their businesses through buying new equipment and increaseing their employee base. Taxing thousands of small businesses more is not the answer.
I love it when you see all of those "experts" do Obama's tax plan compaired to McCain's tax plan.
On the surface it may appear that Obama's plan allows those making under $200, 000.00 per year to pay less taxes.
Let us look deeper than surface economics here.
Majority of households have children in them.
McCain wants to increase the child deduction from $3500.00 per child to $7000.00 per child giving the average American household with 2 children in them $7000.00 more in tax deductions.
Obama does not!
So the next time you see those experts on news programs and hear them on the radio, call in and ask them why they do not take into account the doubling of the child tax credit in their analysist.
Obama may on the surface give you more bang for your buck but in the end it is a smaller buck you are getting back!
{"commentId":3734604,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"banopendoor"}
- 3 votes
#9 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:06 AM EDT{"commentId":3734607,"authorDomain":"rahall"}
Very good story, JackMcG has done a good follow up. What now is needed is for the the financial reporters to change the thrust of their advice. Up to now most reports have been about how one needs to beef up their savings. For a great many in this country just meeting the light bill is job one. Lead by example has always been a time tested model, so it would stand to reason that leadership must begin at the top. Which brings me to this thought, how galling is it to be lectured to by a talking head on how to save money. The person giving the advice has a job plus insurance. How about giving the average guy a national platform in which to dispense advice? A half hour show daily, different parts of the country could be brought on line through the local affiliates. I bet ad time could even be sold in this time slot.
Think fair and balanced.
{"commentId":3734607,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"rahall"}
- 1 vote
#10 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:06 AM EDT{"commentId":3734718,"authorDomain":"sjones34668"}
I agree...........I am sick of Ali Velshi and Suze Orman. I USED to have health insurance, I USED to have a 401K (and thank god cashed out months ago to pay business expenses) I USED to have good credit, I USED to be able to buy groceries, I USED to be able to get my haircut (I look great with a ponytail and a bottle of $2.00 store brand haircolor NOT!) I USED to not worry if I had enough gas to get my kids to their PUBLIC school. I USED to not have to pick between electric or water.
{"commentId":3734718,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"sjones34668"}
{"commentId":3734900,"authorDomain":"banopendoor"}
I agree!
I am tired of hearing all of those elitest telling the average Joe how to invest when the average Joe does not have the money to invest.
We are trying to figure out where to buy the cheapest gas rather than how to afford the latest hybrid that cost $25, 000.00 or more.
Most Americans drive used vehicles. Tell us how to trade in our used cars for a new one without having to pay a large monthly bill and you might see more hybrids on the roads.
The media does thousands of articles on how to eat healthier but not one program on how to eat cheapier and healthier.
You have the new Dr.'s program on television which spends more time advertiseing for expensive cosmetic surgery than doing anything to truly change our lives.
CNN has the new program Bo Biass, No Bull and yet the host is full of Biass and that is no bull!
When CNN advertises itself as me most trusted name in news I want to throw up.
Today we need a news program that allows the true average Joe like myself and most of you to espress our feelings and get answers for things like how to make $75.00 per week buy food for 5 in your house and still be able to invest in a retirement program.
NBC has a cooking segment on the weekends in which they show you how to sepnd less than $40.00 on a meal for a family of 4.
How about how to prepare it on less than $10.00 without having to go out and buy any spicees that cost more than $10.00!
{"commentId":3734900,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"banopendoor"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":3735173,"authorDomain":"amsterdamgoodtime"}
,
Sounds like you USED to live outside your means. If in the period of six or so months you've become so incredibly strapped that you have to make these cutbacks then you obviously had no reasonable backup plan for potentially hard times. Woowoo! All aboard the pitty train, someone get this man some hope and change.
{"commentId":3735173,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"amsterdamgoodtime"}
{"commentId":3735750,"authorDomain":"alphabetty"}
$2.28 pound of 80/20 ground beef + $1.79 box of hamburger helper + $4 tiny bottle of rum to wash it down?
Sorry, I could not resist. We eat so much hamburger helper. My husband and I were trying to figure out some way to make it more palatable and that was the best we could do. But I completely agree with you.
This morning as I was walking my daughter to her bus stop, I noticed that a house around the corner from mine is for rent, and the rent is $925 less than my mortgage payment. It's the same house as mine, just painted a different color! I think I have found a way to save $925 a month!
{"commentId":3735750,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"alphabetty"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":3735857,"authorDomain":"sjones34668"}
Soup,
I will never buy another house! I will become a renter! And you are right, rent is cheaper!
{"commentId":3735857,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"sjones34668"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3737487,"authorDomain":"mfernandez314"}
I hope you are right. I live in Jacksonville, Florida and rent has gone through the roof. They are asking $1500/$1700 for a 3 BR/2 Bth home. Those who bought before this mess are raking it in. I rent a small house and my landlord has raised my rent the past two years. I have to maintain the lawn fully and pay for any repair greater than $50 even if it is normal wear and tear. She is now asking for $350 deposit every year for 3lb dog. I am now pay $1650 and cannot find another home for less. Apartments are going for $1200 or higher for a 2 BR.
I keep looking for cheaper rent and can't find it unless I move to the middle of nowhere and commute over an hour to work.
{"commentId":3737487,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"mfernandez314"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":3739705,"authorDomain":"tomas-melloni"}
Fedup, I feel your pain; I live in Miami and it's the same exact thing, even that house prices are falling rent prices are still holding at the same prices or going higher and higher...
{"commentId":3739705,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"tomas-melloni"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3740761,"authorDomain":"JackMcg"}
Just a quick note to sickNtired...student pickup/dropoff is the biggest waste of gas in America. You are contributing to the problem of high prices for gas. did you miss the big yellow thing that comes around every morning?
{"commentId":3740761,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"JackMcg"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3741355,"authorDomain":"sjones34668"}
Just a quick note to Jack...in case you have not heard you have to live X number of miles from the school to qualify. I am too close for buses...too far to let my five year old walk! Also, you may not have heard, schools are cutting back too and that includes BUSES! Thanks for the tip though, if only there were a simple solution to everything.
{"commentId":3741355,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"sjones34668"}
{"commentId":3741640,"authorDomain":"widemoto"}
People who lose their homes need a place to live, consequently the rental market has taken advantage of this opportunity. The rentals where I live have also gone up instead of down because of the demand for them. There are cheaper rentals in the crime infested areas and it comes with the territory.
The biggest problem in my city are rentals that are in foreclosure with the renters unaware of the problem. They put their deposits down and pay rent for a while and end up getting evicted by the bank losing their money and having to incurr costs to relocate again.
Unfortunately my state have the highest foreclosure rates around and it is hurting everyone.
{"commentId":3741640,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"widemoto"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3741751,"authorDomain":"JackMcg"}
Your child is five years old, so I understand your concern. Kindergarten is or should be different. 1st graders on up are encouraged to walk to the bus stop within a mile of their home. That is where parents can get some exercise too. So I do hope when your child turns 6 and is in 1st grade you will realizwe you are contributing to the greatest waste of energy/fuel in this country and walk that mile to the bus stop, if it is that far. If you live within 2 miles of the school, you just have to walk the other way for a short trip. Regardless, I still hold firm to my belief and will not back down to any child 1st grade and up...the big yellow thing is the way to go. Yes sickNtired I still have school age children. But as your little one is only 5, then ride him/her everyday.
{"commentId":3741751,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"JackMcg"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3742438,"authorDomain":"sjones34668"}
Jack,
I am not sure what world you live in, but it is certainly different from mine!
{"commentId":3742438,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"sjones34668"}
{"commentId":3734637,"authorDomain":"sjones34668"}
Heidi Shierholz, an economist with the Economic Policy Institute, said the sharp rise in the ranks of the underemployed has come as a big surprise ........
That comment in a nut shell sums up the sheer stupidity of our "thinkers." A big surprise? Are you kidding me? The other small business owners I pal around with called this 18 months ago. The guys who work with me brought home a measly $100.00. And tips........nobody has the money to tip, myself included. The drivers at our local pizza delivery place used to fight over delivering to us because we gave great tips, especially around the holidays. Now, IF we do get delivery I am lucky to tip them $3.00 and that's in change.
{"commentId":3734637,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"sjones34668"}
- 2 votes
#11 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:08 AM EDT{"commentId":3734642,"authorDomain":"summergal46845"}
The only way to lead normal lives and perhaps cut back on some the "wants" but still have the "needs" is to stopping reading and watching the press! We have been a country of over-spending and anyone who did not see this coming is pretty self-absorbed. My spending habits have changed. Not eating out 3 nights a week, but still doing two! What everyone does not understand is that the population is controlling this recession. We have the power to make it worse by listening to the doom and gloom press or we can live life as responsible adults. I am choosing the later.
{"commentId":3734642,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"summergal46845"}
- 3 votes
#12 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:08 AM EDT{"commentId":3734699,"authorDomain":"amfocf621"}
Well said, summergal
{"commentId":3734699,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"amfocf621"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":3734651,"authorDomain":"kevindanson"}
Wake up. We are witnessing the bankrupting of our country. Great depression 2 is on the way.
{"commentId":3734651,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"kevindanson"}
- 3 votes
#13 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:09 AM EDT{"commentId":3739178,"authorDomain":"heyler-davis"}
Yes, we are headed for the worst times ever, in our Country and the new "World".
Just wait until our dollar collapses by the end of 2008, then see what happens! We are printing money like it is monopoly money, not good.
{"commentId":3739178,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"heyler-davis"}
{"commentId":3734655,"authorDomain":"amfocf621"}
Companies are cutting jobs and lowering wages and not giving overtime. So, why are we on the verge of electing a president who's true "failed policies of the past" will tax most of these businesses in turn cutting more jobs and increasing prices on everyday americans who will be making less money? We tried this in the late 70's under Carter. It didn't work. Small businesses are wonderful but big businesses are just as important for jobs. Just ask people in the auto industry. If you add Obama's tax policy to his foreign policy, not only will we have to grab our ankles but hide under our desks at the same time. I'm not built for that kind of athletic movement. Maybe that's why he's always talking about exercising. Take blinders off people. Smooth talkers and nice smiles are not what we need in the country right now.
{"commentId":3734655,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"amfocf621"}
- 4 votes
#14 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:09 AM EDT{"commentId":3734722,"authorDomain":"banopendoor"}
{"commentId":3734744,"authorDomain":"sjones34668"}
True, but sadly, McCain is just as bad.
{"commentId":3734744,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"sjones34668"}
{"commentId":3734916,"authorDomain":"bwriter-1"}
Worse! Independent study showed he will increase the deficit far more than Obama. With Obama, we at least have a shot of turning this nation around on ALL fronts. And for the better! Plus, giving more money to people for kids is not the answer!
{"commentId":3734916,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"bwriter-1"}
{"commentId":3735097,"authorDomain":"banopendoor"}
The indendant study does not take into account that everytime you lower capitol gains tax rates the governement brings in more tax dollars because investment increases.
Check me out.
It is true.
Every time capitol gains taxes rate goes up the governement brings in less money because of less investment!
{"commentId":3735097,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"banopendoor"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":3735566,"authorDomain":"ls5633"}
{"commentId":3735806,"authorDomain":"amfocf621"}
Good point John Lawrence. Over the past eight years, revenues have gone up by twenty percent since the capital gains tax was cut. The problem was the overspending that occurred during that same time.
{"commentId":3735806,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"amfocf621"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":3736071,"authorDomain":"ls5633"}
{"commentId":3737959,"authorDomain":"adrianaepl"}
LSB if McCain runs this country the way he runs his campaign we are going down and fast. Obama has run the best campaign in history. Also if you think under democrats are the big spenders check the national debt, here is a list by president
National debt :
Gerald Ford
- $84 billions
- $77 billions
- $65 billions
- $72 billions
- $56 b
- $85 b
- $99 b
- $168
- $214
- $252
- $283
- $179
- 125
- 252
- 255
- $376
- $432
- $399
- $347
- $281
- $281
- $251
- $188
- $113
- $130
- $ 18
- $133
- $421
- $555
- $596
- $554
- $574
- $501
- $????????????????????????
Jimmy Carter:
Ronald Reagan
Bill Clinton
GWBush
Is time to get the facts. We are living on credit and the invasion of Iraq, Bush's gift to us and many generations to come, is costing us billions more.
{"commentId":3737959,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"adrianaepl"}
{"commentId":3738069,"authorDomain":"EEEEEMAN"}
Oh say can you see.........
{"commentId":3738069,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"EEEEEMAN"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3738332,"authorDomain":"ls5633"}
{"commentId":3738406,"authorDomain":"ls5633"}
{"commentId":3738415,"authorDomain":"EEEEEMAN"}
Elementary control my dear Watson, control, do not lose faith, we will over come, just maintain a sense of regulation, its all elementary my dear Watson, just elementary?
{"commentId":3738415,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"EEEEEMAN"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3738713,"authorDomain":"jasonbrombach"}
Yeah because the Republican war in Iraq was a great way to spend our nation's cash.
Atleast the Democrats like to invest money into programs that actually benefit the average American.
{"commentId":3738713,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"jasonbrombach"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":3739239,"authorDomain":"ls5633"}
{"commentId":3740296,"authorDomain":"amfocf621"}
Programs that benefit average americans? Like Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae???? Or welfare??? Or the war on poverty???? Yeah, those really worked! They have kept people poor and made plenty of average americans even poorer. At least the money in Iraq has been spent on keeping the violence over there and not over here. Of course you probably haven't noticed that there hasn't been an attack on our soil since 9-11. That's probably just a coincidence.
{"commentId":3740296,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"amfocf621"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":3734771,"authorDomain":"ynotmike"}
Imperial Bush has made this a bad thing as my pet shop had to close due to slow down and profitablity, people aren't buying luxeries anymore due to fear that they can't afford to take care of what I had pets.
That ripple effect has taken it toll on me and my family and the ones who now have to travel pretty far for what they need if they still have the need.
Yes I blame Bush sorry if you don't like it, he made the system flaw by breathing our air and ruining the economy for the better of the country and National security of the empire he made for himself.
{"commentId":3734771,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"ynotmike"}
- 1 vote
#15 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:16 AM EDT{"commentId":3735201,"authorDomain":"banopendoor"}
Small businesses in any economy fail!
Maybe you should not blame Bush for every down turn as I do not blame this down turn on Obama's lead in the polls on fears that he and Pelosi and Franks and Reid will raise the corporate tax rates, the dividen tax rates, and the capitol gains tax rates!
This down turn started because of Barney Franks and his friends who said Fanny and Freddy were fine and people like Reid who would not allow the senate under a bill co-sponsored bu McCain to tighten the strings on Fanny and Freddy.
So there is enough blame to go around but blamming Bush for your small business failing is a bit of a stretch.
{"commentId":3735201,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"banopendoor"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":3735471,"authorDomain":"baja-bandito"}
{"commentId":3735644,"authorDomain":"ls5633"}
{"commentId":3738915,"authorDomain":"dkh4992"}
I'm with you! Bush is our commander-in-chief, he makes the calls, he's the been the leader and man-in-charge for 8 years and we've gradually gone down hill since day one. McCain has no different policy then Bush. We can't afford any more of it!
{"commentId":3738915,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"dkh4992"}
{"commentId":3740456,"authorDomain":"tomas-melloni"}
LBS, when you all talk about those Fannie/freddie contributions you forget to mention that it's the employees and not the companies the ones who made such contributions; I work for a big bank but and have contributed to the Obama campaign a couple of times but my views and why I donated that money to him does not reflect in any way what Wachovia think about the candidates... I personally think that the bank I work for is a republican company because of the way that they do business but I still donated to Obama because what they do, or think is not my business....
{"commentId":3740456,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"tomas-melloni"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":4122722,"authorDomain":"kwhit-57"}
Amen some with some brains I blame Bush & company 100%
this admiration has done nothing but put all their efforts in to Iraq Afghanistan I agree with 100 % But Iraq no yes saddam was evil where is forgotten Bin Laden ask your self that i am cashier and not one day from the next i wonder if i will have a job this is insane how can anyone still support this idiot he has not just but brought the US down the whole world i knew this from the start what make me most sick Bush and darth Vader will get their pension for doing what screwing us all over
{"commentId":4122722,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"kwhit-57"}
{"commentId":3734782,"authorDomain":"tmdcedar"}
Now, evidence continues to mount that Obama’s campaign allowed donors to engage in massive fraud by allowing individuals to use a single credit card to make multiple donations – keeping their individual donations below the $200 threshold and never revealed to the public.
But writing in the New York Post, Minneapolis attorney Scott W. Johnson reported that the Address Verification System (AVS) is used by the McCain campaign to screen all credit card-based donations against a searchable database of all donors, including those who fall below the $200 threshold. The Obama campaign still won’t reveal the names and addresses of its donors who gave under $200 – even though Obama says they donated more than $200 million to his campaign.
{"commentId":3734782,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"tmdcedar"}
- 2 votes
#16 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:16 AM EDT{"commentId":3735006,"authorDomain":"summergal46845"}
Certainly that should not surprise us. I don't know about you but I don't want to be obama's "test dummy" to see if he can make it in American politics. Facts show he has no experience. Why can't people see this?
{"commentId":3735006,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"summergal46845"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3735056,"authorDomain":"urnotthafather"}
You are about as lost in this conversation as Palin is out on the campaign trail. Stay with us please, the discussion is about the economy not donating to a campaign. If people have $200 to donate to a campaign, don't you want to be able to do the same and donate to campaign of your choosing. These people can't even tip servers much less donate to a campaign. Catch a clue and keep up or do you not comprehend what the subject matter is about?
{"commentId":3735056,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"urnotthafather"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":3735303,"authorDomain":"banopendoor"}
If we cannot trust Obama to run a campaign above board with its finances how can we expect him to run a country above board?
This goes straight to the point that whnever you make an honest argument against an Obama presidency someone wants to shoot the messenger like the Obama/Biden campign for not allowing that ABC affiliate to have anymore interviews because they dared to ask a question that they did not approve of!
I guess the KGB is running the Obama campaign. I'm sorry I confused one communistic governement with the Obama campaign! 'Now how did that happen?
{"commentId":3735303,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"banopendoor"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":3737602,"authorDomain":"billsthename"}
Tmcedar -
What evidence would that be? Your inane disbelief that there are enough dissatisfied Americans that their $20 contributions could not amount to 200 million.
Obama is following the rules with respect to reporting. Those rules for the most part were established by the Republicans.
{"commentId":3737602,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"billsthename"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":3741127,"authorDomain":"tomas-melloni"}
TexMan... is right, I'm one of those pissed off people... Obama is not cheating by any means, is just that all you republicans like to make Ishhh up and are always coming up with numbers and things that you all can not probe... I gave money to Obama and I am not a terroris, I have only donated what I'm allowed to not a single extra penny. I don't know why you all like to say that.
{"commentId":3741127,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"tomas-melloni"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3734950,"authorDomain":"afulsom"}
As a small business owner I can tell you our business is down 35% from a year ago. My company provides building materials doors and cabinets. I will be forced to let 4 workers go and hope things pick up early next year or I will need to let 4 more workers go. The average employee has been with us for 9 years. I provide health coverage to my workers and pick up half the cost for them. If a national health care is offered by the Government I will terminate the present healty insurance program and instruct my workforce to join the Government offered program. This will save me money. I have a workforce of 50 people and do around 3.5 Million in business in a good year. I am not rich and the company has been in business for 58 years, started by my father. My shipping cost are up by 400% my property tax is up 80% ,utility cost are up 200% and raw materials are up 300%. Small business cannot return America to the economy we had by paying more taxes. Paying me $3,000.00 to create a job for someone is absurd. Do the math.
{"commentId":3734950,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"afulsom"}
- 1 vote
#17 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:25 AM EDT{"commentId":3735149,"authorDomain":"sjones34668"}
TF...........I hear ya....it's bad enough to fight for your own family. But what I find horrifying is knowing that I am responsible for at least four other families. It honestly breaks my heart to know I have nothing on the books for them. And my guys are fabulous...not one man who doesn't work his butt off everyday to provide for his loved ones.
Sure, they could look for another job........but there aren't any. I have at least 20 people come by to fill out applications for non-existant work plus previous employees from 1-2 years ago call looking for anything because they have been laid off.
{"commentId":3735149,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"sjones34668"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3735782,"authorDomain":"leprechaun1230"}
So, what, you're blaming this all on Obama??? GIVE ME A BREAK, WILL YOU??? King George II and his sidekick Big Dick are to blame. How in the hell do you think four more years of the King, in the name of McSame is going to get you anything better????
At least Obama has a plan. McShame keeps saying " I know how to fix this, I know about this and about that, yet never a plan out of his mouth. His VP selection, the Pig With Lipstick. The voting process hasn't yet occurred and already she's been implicated for some hokey pokey while the Gov. of Alaska. YEAH, Republican Family Values. What a farce. Had some things to do with Stevens as well, and he's just been found guilty.
All the things you point to as problems with your business have NOTHING to do with Obama. God help us all if McShame and Caribou Barbie win this election.
{"commentId":3735782,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"leprechaun1230"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":3735886,"authorDomain":"amfocf621"}
Even if all McCain did was put a freeze on spending, that would be better than another 10 trillion in spending from Obama. Obama hasn't talked in specifics about what he would have to cut in order to pay for his massive spending.
{"commentId":3735886,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"amfocf621"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":3736109,"authorDomain":"ls5633"}
{"commentId":3736363,"authorDomain":"ls5633"}
{"commentId":3738251,"authorDomain":"JollyRogers"}
tf-322700. Got bad news for you. If you terminate your employees health insurance it does not mean you will be saving money. Under Obama's plan you will be required to contribute a percentage of payroll to cover your employees health care. The amount of that percentage hasn't been disclosed yet. BTW, since your revenues are over $250,000 per year, your income taxes will also go up.
{"commentId":3738251,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"JollyRogers"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3739332,"authorDomain":"jasonbrombach"}
"additionally, any form of tax relief to one income bracket in Obama's plan only becomes an increase in tax to another -- a sum ZERO game -"
I don't know if I'm keen on the GOP strategy of cutting taxes on the rich, slashing all of social programs because they are too costly to afford since tax revenues were cut, and hoping that extra money the rich sit on some how trickles down to the middle and lower class instead of sitting in trust funds that guarantee generations of privledged people don't ever have to be employed.
{"commentId":3739332,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"jasonbrombach"}
{"commentId":3734972,"authorDomain":"idcmanager"}
{"commentId":3735002,"authorDomain":"pfritts"}
My job went to China in 06...my income is now 46% less, after trying everyway under the sun to get a job that paid the same or at least nearly the same. It's been a sobering shock. A lot of small things I took for granted before are now a luxury.
{"commentId":3735002,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"pfritts"}
#19 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:28 AM EDT{"commentId":3737811,"authorDomain":"crystal-4"}
It is because the US already has the highest corporate tax of any other country. Ours is 35%, France not too far behind at 34.4% and all the way down to Ireland at 12.5% and Switzerland at 8.50% That's why the jobs are leaving this country. Look up the Celtic Tiger on wikepedia. And obama wants to make it higher?!
{"commentId":3737811,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"crystal-4"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":3738473,"authorDomain":"JollyRogers"}
Crystal is absolutely right. In Michigan, virtually every new business of any size that come here receives some sort of tax abatement. Otherwise, they wouldn't come here because the State taxes are so high.
{"commentId":3738473,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"JollyRogers"}
{"commentId":3735049,"authorDomain":"biodredd"}
I've been out of work since May 14 of 2007. I've sent out over 2000 resumes and filled out even more applications. It doesn't matter which line of work I apply for that I have good solid experience in (web development, management, warehouse, manufacturing) no one is hiring. The best position I could find recently was a part-time job as a product demonstrator for a nation chain of warehouse stores. It doesn't begin to cover my expenses and I'm running out of personal items to sell to make up the short fall.
Pretty soon my one bedroom furnished apartment will be an unfurnished one bedroom apartment where I sleep on a floor and have the ability to cook and bathe and not much more.
I continue to send out those applications and resumes but at this point I don't see anything changing for a very long time. I feel fortunate to have made it this long in this market, but I suspect by the time spring arrives that the street will become my new home.
{"commentId":3735049,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"biodredd"}
#20 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:29 AM EDT{"commentId":3735468,"authorDomain":"banopendoor"}
Two things I want to write to you about.
1) If you have no kids you should look at relocating.
2) Fast food pays better than unemployemnt.
Sometimes we have to make the hard decisions in life such as moving to find better work and a willingness to work wherever there is opportunity.
Places like Michigan where the state started to lose jobs decieded to raise their corporate tax rtes in order to pay for their increasing number of people asking for services.
How did that work out Michigan?
One of the nations highest unemployment rates and business running out of their state trying to survive.
{"commentId":3735468,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"banopendoor"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":3738792,"authorDomain":"kimberlyre2000-1"}
John,
I have been on the financial side of the large companies off-shoring the jobs BioDredd is talking about. I have compassion for BioDredd and some words of thought for those who think it is not a bid deal.
Having worked for Citigroup, Lehman Bros, IHS in IT finance and have observed these companies of sending jobs over seas. It is a "trend" for large companies to look at "every" job within their company and decide which ones to off-shore (IT, finance, accounting, data entry, manufacturing, etc.) CEOs are like everyone else and follow trends, what their friends are doing and more importantly can they reduce their bottom line so their bonuses are bigger.
While we may pay an IT professional $60k here, they are paid roughly $20k in India. Then, as was my experience, they look at their US employees versus UK employees versus Canadian employees to see who then can lay off when the send the jobs to India (or China - I will get to that in a minute). Guess what, you can lay off a US employee and give them minimal severance (maybe they are kind or federal law requires 60 days) but you cannot lay off employees in the UK or Canada as cheaply because their governments require their employees get 1 years severance. So, they lay off the US worker and pat themselves on the back for "thinking outside the box".
HOWEVER, what they fail to take into account is that it is very difficult to manage a team over seas. I have seen them spend $10k a month on an off-shored employee to come here for several months to learn the system, management spending an average of $10k per trip to visit facilities over there, quality of product suffering, trouble with the India firm being able to get enough Visa's for the off-shored employees to visit the US for a couple months. Business, particularly with IT, is affected because the team needs to be in close contact and time differences, langauge barriers, come into play.
Also, I have seen them ship jobs to China but the pay there is relative higher than India $48k, so they are saving $12k against each US employee, yet have all of the issues and problems mentioned above. In addition, China is known for stealing trade secrets.
Before jumping on the "fair trade" with no barriers look at your own job, guaranteed if it has anything to do with a computer, your job may be the next to be off-shored.
I, like BioDredd, am unemployeed because of off-shoring. In response to your advice, We are smart enough to know about relocating (it does cost money and I do have children not only in school but that I share custody with my ex-husband). 2) Fast food does not pay more than unemployment... I have an MBA, a masters in accounting and three children, therefore $8.00 isn't going to pay my mortgage, feed my children, pay for gas and put my children in college. I am looking for jobs EVERY WHERE, down to positions I had 10 years ago, etc. Please do not ASSUME anyone is lazy, not smart or not thinking outside the box when we have children to support.
Also, before thinking about casting stones, issuing advice, please give thought to your job and how easily they can off-shore most jobs (the only thing safe is the service industry) all while CEOs pat themselves on the back and collect bonuses.
{"commentId":3738792,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"kimberlyre2000-1"}
{"commentId":3741596,"authorDomain":"mfernandez314"}
Kimberly, I agree with you 100%. Our CFO comes from the same background and has said the same thing. In fact that is his strength. Identifying the areas that can be sent off shore.
{"commentId":3741596,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"mfernandez314"}
{"commentId":3735080,"authorDomain":"heidi-burnsmn"}
My Husband runs a manufactering company that employs approx 80 people in a suburb of Minneapolis. I am petrified of what Obama's election combined witha democratic senate and house mean for us. They are already paid at the top of the scale for the state, much less the nation in their industry. The company can't afford to pay more....not if they want to remain competitive and have jobs to offer in the first place. If taxes go up for the company (and they WILL under the Dem plan)...workers WILL have to be cut. People WILL lose their jobs. That tears us up. We are not alone...thousands of companies just like my husband's WILL be in the same position. This will NOT create jobs. It will cost jobs. It will increase the burden on unemployment, welfare, etc. etc. Obama and his campaign are lying to you! "90% of small businesses will not see an increase in taxes." BULL!!! That counts EVERY self employed individual (i.e. a real estate agent, a network marketer); not every BUSINESS that EMPLOYS people. Of the businesses that employ people we are talking about 90% having their taxes INCREASE. We want American companies to be competitive...how on earth can they compete if they can't afford to keep the doors open? How is it beneficial if they are forced to lay off workers or close locations? Look at the ramifications: Bob the steel worker works for ABC company. ABC has a tax hike. Bob gets laid off. Bob can't find a job that pays as well; his pay rate was based on seniority. Bob can't afford to go the local diner for dinner anymore, cuts down on groceries and doesn't go get his hair cut as often. Bob collects unemployment. Bob can't afford his mortgage. So...imagine a hundred Bob's...(not too far fetched at all...) The diner loses business, lays off a few workers. The diner isn't ordering as much food, screws up the distributors. The grocery store has a decline in revenue, lays a few people off. The barber has a drop in business and can't pay his bills, either. Closes. Bob's house goes into foreclosure., the value of all of Bob's neighbors homes drops as a result. They can't refinance because of it...now they face payment problems. The barber and Bob's neighbors, much less the people at the grocery store had all voted for Obama because he was going to "lower their taxes" and they thought the tax increases dodn't matter to them...now they don't have jobs, can't pay their bills and the thousand dollars in tax savings isn't exactly helping when there aren't any wages to tax in the first place.
WAKE UP!!!!!
America: Would you rather have a secure job that pays a decent wage or no job at all? If you chose a job...you can NOT cast your vote for Barack Obama. We only have eight days to get this right. I like Barack, too. I like my home, job, children's future and the future of all of the Bob's out there more.
{"commentId":3735080,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"heidi-burnsmn"}
#21 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:31 AM EDT{"commentId":3735082,"authorDomain":"summergal46845"}
No matter how the politicians try to sugar-coat it or deny it, this election is a matter of race. Period
{"commentId":3735082,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"summergal46845"}
#22 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:31 AM EDT{"commentId":3735531,"authorDomain":"banopendoor"}
Race is a sin punishable by eterna seperation from God like any other sin.
This race is about issues and race should never play a role in your vote.
I do not care if you are white, black, red, or purple.
If you are voting on the basis of race then you should stay home and let someone else decide this election!
{"commentId":3735531,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"banopendoor"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3735574,"authorDomain":"baja-bandito"}
{"commentId":3736754,"authorDomain":"philip-c26"}
What!?!?!?
{"commentId":3736754,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"philip-c26"}
{"commentId":3738574,"authorDomain":"philip-c26"}
Seems to me that for the majority of voters, not fringe elements from either the right of the left, this election is more about the direction of this country and which ideas are better to help us move forward and out of this malaise. Yes, this election is about race for some of the 95% African Americans who will vote for Sen. Obama. Being in the 5% of those who will not, it really doesn't make sense to me to vote either for or against someone because of race, gender or ethnicity. Thanks to narrow-minded people and an unprincipled media (not to mention the history of this county), race has become a much larger factor than it should be.
{"commentId":3738574,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"philip-c26"}
{"commentId":3738626,"authorDomain":"JollyRogers"}
If this election was about race then Obama would have 13% of the vote and McCain would have 87%.
{"commentId":3738626,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"JollyRogers"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":3739287,"authorDomain":"kimberlyre2000-1"}
and here I thought I was voting on the economy, thanks for the insight.
{"commentId":3739287,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"kimberlyre2000-1"}
{"commentId":3740818,"authorDomain":"tompduffy3"}
{"commentId":3735175,"authorDomain":"tgibson11"}
I think it is interesting that the barbershop owner is wearing an Obama button, yet he doesn't realize that his pay will go down even farther if Obama is elected because Obama has promised to raise taxes on all businesses including small ones. It seems the people posting here have a clear understanding of the consequences of the wrong choice on election day. We are in for tough times regardless of whomever is elected but there is a lesser of 2 evils. My family has not served this nation through military service, often shedding our own blood, to see it taken over by a socialist/Marxist like Barrack Hussein Obama and his cohorts like Nancy Pilosi.
{"commentId":3735175,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"tgibson11"}
#23 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:35 AM EDT{"commentId":3735208,"authorDomain":"baja-bandito"}
{"commentId":3735239,"authorDomain":"imoes-imoes"}
due to the economical crisis; i am a victim of employer/union reps. abuse.i have witnessed my former employer crescent electric supply,co violate many contractual agreements;including firing me for reporting and refusing to drive unsafe vehicles.
{"commentId":3735239,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"imoes-imoes"}
#25 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:38 AM EDT{"commentId":3735312,"authorDomain":"rocio-vbel"}
I'm still working, but I work in the food industry. Being a server used to be a good thing if you could deal with the customers. You take home a good chunk of money. But with more people refusing to go out to eat, that means less business and, for me, way less money. I'm in college and trying to pay for it has been nearly impossible. I'm going to school full time and spending any time out of school either at work or trying to find an additional job.
{"commentId":3735312,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"rocio-vbel"}
#26 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:41 AM EDT{"commentId":3735342,"authorDomain":"MrBaker"}
I'll be 25 on Nov. 1. In 2005 my wife an i determined if I made 20 bucks in hour, she could stay home with any future children we would have. Fast forward and we have our first son (yay!) and I make 18.22 an hour. That is not enough to afford health insurance for my family under my wage but now I make too much money to afford any assistance. My wife works and they had the nerve to tell us that if she DIDN'T have a job, they could help. So should she quit her part time job at the grocery store so we can get food stamps and medicare? Its a catch 22. I make 40,000 in IT without a college degree. I used to think this was the American dreama and that when I made the magical middle class 40k that I could support my family. It's pennies in today's economy. I'm proud that i have a secure job but it keeps me up at night that the best of my ambitions and hard work still has me coming up short. I'm still looking for insurnace for my two week old...
{"commentId":3735342,"threadId":"401490","contentId":"2045675","authorDomain":"MrBaker"}
#27 - Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:43 AM EDT{"canLink":false,"threadId":"401490","isPrivate":false}
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