[johnforbes]

Bilbo lied about having PhD and MBA degrees.

Bilbo can't spell "cat" without help, and he had no idea what stock ownership even meant.

[snakeoil]

Wow! I'm having trouble digesting all of these great ideas for getting America Back to work. (LOL)

Note: As of this morning the Congressional approval rating was 9%, which is the lowest in history. The President's approval rating hovers around 46%. I feel that if these numbers remain constant the outcome of any election, local or federal, can go either way.

Note: My OP is about USA jobs and USA education but we should also worry about the massive unemployment in other countries. Greece has huge unemployment and is seeing the rise of anarchist and neo-nazi groups taking to the streets. Alll of the Euro-zone is experiencing unusually high unemployment. I caution our leaders to remember what happened in Germany in the 1930's because of high unemployment.

Note: Wired Magazine Dec. 2013 issue. An article about Vaclav Smil-An author and Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba. (Bill Gates favorite author.) He states that no nation in history has had a vibrant economy and a growing standard of living after losing their manufacturing base and he gives fact and figures to back his statements up.

Personal Opinion: I feel that we have a great problem in this country in that we are too quick to criticize and too slow to seek ideas and solutions. The news programs and the comments on this board are a good illustration. Even our "leaders" do little to solve our long-term problems. (Both parties) Way too many of our citizens believe in "slash-and-burn" politics; believing that destroying everything that has been done in the past is bad and that we must go back to the good old days. We have huge problems that will severly impact our children and great grandchildren if we don't recognize the future problems and get to work on them today. As far as I can see; none of our politicians today can see past their nose.

[snakeoil]

Wow! I'm having trouble digesting all of these great ideas for getting America Back to work. (LOL)

Note: As of this morning the Congressional approval rating was 9%, which is the lowest in history. The President's approval rating hovers around 46%. I feel that if these numbers remain constant the outcome of any election, local or federal, can go either way.

Note: My OP is about USA jobs and USA education but we should also worry about the massive unemployment in other countries. Greece has huge unemployment and is seeing the rise of anarchist and neo-nazi groups taking to the streets. Alll of the Euro-zone is experiencing unusually high unemployment. I caution our leaders to remember what happened in Germany in the 1930's because of high unemployment.

Note: Wired Magazine Dec. 2013 issue. An article about Vaclav Smil-An author and Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba. (Bill Gates favorite author.) He states that no nation in history has had a vibrant economy and a growing standard of living after losing their manufacturing base and he gives fact and figures to back his statements up.

Personal Opinion: I feel that we have a great problem in this country in that we are too quick to criticize and too slow to seek ideas and solutions. The news programs and the comments on this board are a good illustration. Even our "leaders" do little to solve our long-term problems. (Both parties) Way too many of our citizens believe in "slash-and-burn" politics; believing that destroying everything that has been done in the past is bad and that we must go back to the good old days. We have huge problems that will severly impact our children and great grandchildren if we don't recognize the future problems and get to work on them today. As far as I can see; none of our politicians today can see past their nose.

[BilboBagend]

The current, 113th, Congress has enacted exactly 0 major pieces of legislation beyond honoraria and baseline operational measures.

That is how "focused" House Republicans are on jobs or any other serious rational substantive issue.

But, one must admit we had 2,648,8972,175 bills to repeal or defund Obamacare and a few more to make abortion illegal or ban gay marriage.

[snakeoil]

To expand on my post of today; these are some of our major problems that I feel our "leaders" should be working on:

1. We are falling way behind on our education standards. We rank 28th in math and science and this wil destroy us in the near future if we don't correct it. As the wealthy can afford quality education, it will also tend to create an eleite class that will grow more and more powerful and richer.

2. Our manufacturing base is but a fraction of what it once was and computers will continue to wipe out semi-skilled jobs and also make professional jobs open to only the higher educated. We must find a way to bring manufacturing back to this country.

3. The birth rate in the Euro-Zone and the USA is falling while the birth rate of the developing countries and the Muslim countries is above 5 childrem per couple. This will ensure that minorities and Muslims wiil be able to gain the upper hand in Western politics.

4. The population growth is eventually going to exceed the earth's ability to support it. Food, commodities and space will become more scarce and more expensive.

5. Our infrastructure is failing and must be upgraded and maintained. It will be much more expensive to do this in the future than it would be to fix it now.

6. Our business model must be rethought and miodernized. An example of this is that many of today's jobs could be done from employees working from home. the problem is that many employers don't feel confident that the work is being done unless they can touch the employee. Having many more working form home would create less pollution, save money for the employer as he would not have to have a huge business complex, save money for the employee in transportation costs.

7. Our oil and natural gas will eventually decrease to the point where it will be so expensive to get out of the ground that it will be cost-prohibitive. I have read reports that cast doubt on whether renewables can be scaled enough to cover our future energy usage. Fusion energy is still a pipe dream so research into our future energy sources must start now.

8. One of the reasons that our economy took such a hit in 2008 is that Americans spend almost all that they earn, borrow for what they want and save little. Chinese save 50% of their salary. Japanese save 20% of their salary. We must get americans to save more of their salaries. This would decrease the demand for government services such as SS. One way to do this would be to make a set amount of bank savings interest tax free. This would not apply to hedge funds, stock markets, only bank savings account interest. Actually, this is a small benefit to the average person but it would help change the saving mentality of Americans.

9. Our politicians must change their mentality when it comes to government programs and government spending. we never pay for anything. We put it on the Government "credit card." In the future, any programs must be funded.

[BilboBagend]

Yes, Snakeoil, we need either real moderate Republicans or real moderate Democrats. What we don't need is a do nothing anti-Obama cabal of terrorists.

We need to fix the election process.

Elect the President by popular vote.

Create Congressional districts by computer program that knows only number of state representatives, state boundaries, county boundaries, town boundaries, the road system, and the position of every citizens residence. Do the same for state legislatures.

Pass a law that only people are people. Corporations are not people. Then pass a constitutional amendment to make sure it's clear.

Pass yet another law that clarifies that corporations are entities created by government and subject to government regulation as publically created entities to insure that corporations serve the public good, do no harm, and bear the full cost of their operations.

All this to enable fixing all those problems that you mention.

No, we do not wait to fix the problems. We work on those at the same time, but fixing the election process is a fundamental necessary.

I would like to see the total elimination of political parties in the government's election process and in the function of government by law. No mention of parties on any ballot. No candidate on a ballot more than once (per office). Random order of candidates on each ballot.

News papers and news web sites required to publish sample ballots and candidate statements at no cost in a political section at least one month before each elections. Also, publish at no cost full text of all ballot initiatives and statements about all ballot initiatives by government and by multiple other people with differing views. Here is where political parties should be allowed to function, in the public discourse. They can make their endorsements and statements about each and every candidate and issue.

Political parties should be required to choose their candidates by primary. Each and every eligible voter should be able to vote in each and every primary for which they are eligible to vote in the election.

[snakeoil]

I'm curious-Are there no ideas concerning what to do about our high unemployment? It would seem to me that this board would be all over this thread with ideas since many of our members are much more brilliant than our "leaders."

Joking aside-Unless we get this country back to work we will continue to sink further as compared to the rest of the world. Several of our trading partners are experiencing downturms in their economy so this might be an ideal time to gear up and put our people back to work.

[BilboBagend]

Start by:

NOT signing the secret Pacific Free Trade agreement.

Stop giving tax breaks to corporations for off-shoring and out-sourcing to foreign lands

Stop exporting U.S. technologies and manufacturing plants for the benefit of corporate executives and the already uber wealthy.

The leveling of world economies IS inevitable, but we don't need to accelerate it for the profit of the corporate executives and the uber wealthy. Yes, eventually, Free Market economics will cause a growth in the world wide economy and greater prosperity for all, but we don't actually need to destroy the American economy and the middle class to let it happen. Let foreign countries compete with their own technological development. They already have the advantage of knowing what can be done and buying examples of how it was constructed. Let them figure out the process and develop the equipment on their own.

Help them (sell them last generation technologies) at a CONTROLLED rate that does not destroy our economy and our middle class. Let them develop their companies, corporations, equipment, processes, middle class, and wealth class rather than enrich our uber wealthy class and destroy our middle class.

It's always the same problem from millennium to millennium. Concentration of wealth and power without regard to developing and maintaining the middle class. GREED. Lack of regulation. It has never been the 47%, or the poor sucking the wealthy dry, or any of that delusional nonsense.

It's NOT hard to see. Unless you blinder yourself.

Stop Wall Street gambling. Separate banks from investment firms. Make investment firms engage only in investment, not gambling. Legalize gambling in gambling institutions. Let the wealthy gamble all they want on the future price of stocks and commodities, only honestly in gambling palaces, not in investment firms, nor in banks.

Fix the electronic markets and make them real free markets. No preferred channels, nor any preferred prices for trades. One level only of trading, available to all with equal access, equal speed of access, equal verified information, equal pricing available to all. No high speed traders computers linked directly to trading exchange computers with preferred pricing and access. No preferred access and pricing for brokerages. One level. One price. Equal access to information. Real free market capitalism.

[johnforbes]

Looking to Congress to create jobs is looking in the wrong place.

Given economic vigor, you'd look to small business.

The WW II GI Bill was great. A fellow could get out, get married, rent an apt, have a kid, and still afford to attend college full-time. That was eroded by inflation until, by the 1970s, the GI Bill was a joke.

Apparently, the modern GI Bill has improved, but I'd defer to those who have used it recently.

What America needs now is an end to the sugar high given by the Fed, tapering, and a measured pace of rate increases. Sure, that will cause some near-term pain, but at some point the Fed has to halt this unprecedented stimulation.

[RealJustme]

I went to university on work, government loans, work study, Veterans benefits, and scholarships. Went to graduate school for chemistry on teaching fellowships and research fellowships. Went on a paid post doctoral research fellowship. Went to business school on my companies coin.

Bilbo, as a small business owner one thing I know about your statement above for sure...you don't have a business degree, you have no concept of operating anything within in your own means and without handouts. I suspect you're a teacher's aide living in a fantasy world with no concept of what it's really like out there.

Carlos

[snakeoil]

Stop Wall Street gambling. Separate banks from investment firms. Make investment firms engage only in investment, not gambling. Legalize gambling in gambling institutions. Let the wealthy gamble all they want on the future price of stocks and commodities, only honestly in gambling palaces, not in investment firms, nor in banks.

Did you see the thing that Wall Street is going to try now? They are going to create new securities by paying recent college graduates a lump sum for a cut of future earnings. These small packages will then be bundled into securites to be peddled on the market.

Damn, doesn't Wall Street ever learn?

[snakeoil]

One commentater said that it would be a sucker's bet for everyone involved.

[johnforbes]

But what does "Wall Street" as a label mean?

In the 1970s, IRAs and 401s and money market funds and muni bond funds were born.

Today, more average Americans are investors than ever.

There's been a very pronounced democratization process in investing. It isn't just rich folks in private clubs who invest.

I started investing long ago by adding in $100 or $200 per check. You can't get any smaller than that.

[Clownkicker]

"But what does "Wall Street" as a label mean?"-johnforbes

Jesus, johnny, the context is perfectly clear in snakeoil's post.
He's talking about the big investment banks and brokerage firms the congregate near Wall Street in lower Manhatten.
Particularly, he's talking about those companies that create and package the potentially dangerous and morally questionable investment vehicles that brought down the global economy a few years back, which companies continue the same reckless and immoral practices today.

You know, "Wall Street"
Not too bright, are you, dummy?

$100 to $200 per check. :lol:
Yeah, like anyone thought he might be talking about that.
When you're that easily confused, take your meds like a good boy.

[RealJustme]

he's talking about those companies that create and package the potentially dangerous and morally questionable investment vehicles that brought down the global economy a few years back, which companies continue the same reckless and immoral practices today.

Is that why Obama recruited his financial people from Wall Street? Hell then everyone of his financial staff get plush executive jobs with Wall Street when they leave the White House.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, is joining private-equity firm Warburg Pincus LLC as it's CEO.

The firm is known for its role in buyouts of companies including eye-care firm Bausch & Lomb Inc., luxury retailer Neiman Marcus Group Inc. and stadium concessionaire Aramark Corp and then massive layoffs reducing costs.

[Clownkicker]

RealTool is just now catching on to the revolting revolving door system that is Washington.
He of course had no problem when the same thing was going on with the W. Bush White House.
But maybe the clown will finally get to understand that the established parties are not his friends.
Maybe next time when a Republican Administration is guilty of the same practices, he'll be here criticizing them as well.
Who wants to hold his breath for that one? :lol:

EVERY President recruits his financial people from Wall Street, you moron.
That's why nothing changes.
They have no choice.
Both parties are owned by those people and they would be removed one way or another if they actually tried to change the rigged game in favor of regular citizens.

RealTool, listen to Brandon and stop being controlled by partisan handlers.
Neither major party has your interests in mind.
Obama is not the devil any more than W. Bush was.
Stop being their RealTool.
Think for a change.

[johnforbes]

To a poor lad such as Clownhicker, "Wall Street" does create envy.

Clownhicker gazes in awe and envy and successful people such as bankers.

However, the point of my posting (vide supra) was that investing has become far, far more democratized over the past 40 years or so.

Thus, tossing around labels such as "Wall Street" isn't very accurate because the typical investor is your neighbor.

P.S.:

Somebody please give young master Clownhicker some advice on how to spell what he thinks is "Manhatten."

[Clownkicker]

"However, the point of my posting (vide supra) was that investing has become far, far more democratized over the past 40 years or so."-johnforbes

And the point of my posting was to point out that your post was pointless since no one had any confusion about who "Wall Street" is besides you.
You still don't get it.
He wasn't talking about your "typical investor".
He was talking about those organizations who create and market that crap.
Everyone knew this except you (due to your atrocious reading comprehension.)


Oh, and stop saying "vide supra".
It's pretentious and juvenile.
(But thanks for the typo patrol, you useless twit.) :lol:

[johnforbes]

To a poor lad such as Clownhicker, of course "Wall Street" creates envy.

Clownhicker gazes in awe and envy and successful people such as bankers.

However, the point of my posting (vide supra) was that investing has become far, far more democratized over the past 40 years or so.

Thus, tossing around labels such as "Wall Street" isn't very accurate because the typical investor is your neighbor.

P.S.:

Somebody please give young master Clownhicker some advice on how to spell what he thinks is "Manhatten."
johnforbes Posts: 771Joined: Tue May 14, 2013 9:23 pm


Top

[snakeoil]

On the subject of jobs; here is a great infographic on how we could solve unemployment. The infographic is a bit scary too when you really think about it.

http://inhabitat.com/infographic-americ ... o-improve/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[johnforbes]

Sure, fix bridges and roads. That is what they used to be called before the babble word "infrastructure" was inexplicably introduced.

However, capital flows toward cheap labor, so that means manufacturing outside the US.

The social welfare state designers, like Obama, never understand that their "improvements" mean high labor costs and thus no manufacturing.

[RealJustme]

On the subject of jobs; here is a great infographic on how we could solve unemployment. The infographic is a bit scary too when you really think about it.

Remember that $800 Billion stimulus plan Obama wanted with the promises to rebuild our failing roads, bridges and create millions of new jobs? Well Obama got the money but we didn't get our roads or bridges built and neither did we get the jobs.

We spent $800 billion and all we got was lousy T-shirts. Now liberals have come up with something new, we need something called a stimulus plan to rebuild our failing roads, bridges and create millions of new jobs. Obama promises, give him the money for his new plan and all will be well. Many of us didn't want the first T-shirt, I certainly don't want another one.

[snakeoil]

Huh? Damn, three separate ideas in one reply. I really don't see the intent behind your reply. Are you saying that we shouldn't attempt to repair our infrastructure (sorry, roads and bridges?) Or, are you saying that we shouldn't repair them until we get manufacturing back in the USA? Or, are you just taking the opportunity to mouth off about your political views without offering any suggestions about how we can get our citizens back to work? If you hate Obama so much what are you going to do when Hillary gets in office.

That sound you hear is conservative heads exploding!

[johnforbes]

Heads, liberal and conservative, are just fine.

An investor must deal with reality -- not some fantasy world in which his own political opinions always rule the day.

When you invest, a successful person does so with cold eyes and as little emotion as possible.

[Clownkicker]

"Sure, fix bridges and roads. That is what they used to be called before the babble word "infrastructure" was inexplicably introduced."-johnforbes

Yeah, why would anyone inexplicably say "infrastructure" when they could say "roads, bridges, railroads, tunnels, canals, ports, and airports" instead?
It's "inexplicable." (And then he wonders why people call him an idiot.) :lol:

Jesus H. Chrisis, johnny, what is inexplicable (and pretentious) is someone saying the babble words "vide supra" when he could simply say "above".
Replacing an unwieldy string of seven or more words with one that is better anyway and covers them all more completely is perfectly fine, you prissy buffoon.

[RealJustme]

Are you saying that we shouldn't attempt to repair our infrastructure (sorry, roads and bridges?)

I'm saying there is no excuse for them not being repaired already, we've paid 10 times over but our government isn't doing it's job. Go to the Department of Transportation's website and try and find out what their budget is>

http://www.dot.gov/tags/2013-budget" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BilboBagend]

That is what they used to be called before the babble word "infrastructure" was inexplicably introduced.

Obviously, this is someone who is having trouble adapting to a modern world that has left them behind. A focus on their inability to learn new words at the expense of understanding concepts and adapting to new pragmatic solutions.

[snakeoil]

Justme-I know that the Cock brothers and Speaker Bawler have been saying that Obama doesn't have a budget...but

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default ... tation.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[johnforbes]

Taking roads and bridges and calling them "infrastructure" isn't adapting to a new world, or a modern world, or any new concept whatever.

It is merely babbling.

To be fair, Bilbo does babble bodacious bilge, so the sort of baloney Bilbo babbles bids fair to be intrinsically tantamount to terrible tedium.

[elklindo69]

Taking roads and bridges and calling them "infrastructure" isn't adapting to a new world, or a modern world, or any new concept whatever.

It is merely babbling.

To be fair, Bilbo does babble bodacious bilge, so the sort of baloney Bilbo babbles bids fair to be intrinsically tantamount to terrible tedium.

Conservatives spend resources on war mongering activities. How many critized Bush for the monumental cluster fuck called the Iraq war which costed thousands of lives and trillions of dollars? Which could have been spent employing people to build roads, tunnels, bridges, sewer systems, etc...

[sillydaddy]

"..... How many critized Bush for the monumental cluster fuck called the Iraq war which costed thousands of lives and trillions of dollars? Which could have been spent employing people to build roads, tunnels, bridges, sewer systems, etc......." ~~~~elk

A lot really ! Didn't someone throw a shoe at him ! But unlike when Obama is criticized....I don't recall anyone calling the Demos supporters racists and terrorists when they expressed their opinions.