patrick.net

1sfrenter says

FortWayne says

In a private sector folks are stretched out to pay for healthcare costs

Uh, sorry, no.

I pay $700 month for health insurance, which increases yearly.

Another $600 month goes straight out of my paycheck into the State Teacher's Retirement System.

In CA, teachers do not pay into nor do we receive Social Security.

We spend more of our tax dollars PER PRISONER than we do PER STUDENT and the United States currently incarcerates a higher percentage of its population than any other civilization in history (including during Stalin's reign in the Soviet Union).

You aren't paying the $700/month for health insurance. This is paid to you by the taxpayers, you are merely aware of the amount. If the number is that high it proves the point that tax payers are paying your entire premium for a Cadillac healthcare plan in a high risk pool.

$600 Retirement system, darling what do you think everyone else does? And if you are a small business or in a private sector taxpayers do not guarantee and often do not provide any kind of match. Especially when the widespread practice is to goose the pensions with overtime pay and saved up vacation.

The only way CA will get back on track where perks and benefits it promised to the public sector can be sustained is with health job growth in the private sector and a modest pension reform to eliminate spiking and fraud. We don't have that. What we have is a growing welfare state pretend and extend system. You as a working bee are like to be getting some sort of pay cuts in near future with more students per classroom because the state is broke and is moving in a wrong direction both socially and financially. Without any sort of bold change in direction there will be exodus of businesses out of CA. Even AAPL started moving to Texas, an Iconic CA entity.

bmwman91 says

Just keep in mind how marketing works. It operates by making you UNhappy with your life as it is now by promising greater happiness via whatever they are trying to sell. Think about all the fantasies that most of us have in our heads about how great a house will be. When emotions get put down and we actually THINK about it, it only looks like a pile of trade-offs. In some cases it is worth it, and in others it isn't. Just remember, the way things get sold is by spurring discontent in the consumers so that they come seek happiness in your product, with open wallets. Most stuff is shrouded in a disguise of why you "need" it, but a moment of rational thought will quickly show that there is in fact zero NEED involved, just want, usually driven by emotions. Keep those particular emotions under control!

We really are living in a toxic culture, aren't we?

Are we now talking about the goldbricks who work for public entities and make a fortune?
My old friend is retired from a guard at the Q and he also sold his Berkeley house around 2007. Bailed out with his pockets very full. He is probably the wealthiest guy I know who never graduated from college. He's a nice guy so I can't hate him.
Another guy I know worked in San Diego and was able to "buy" 10 years of pension for about $40,000 in cash. I don't know how they even allowed this. So, in due time, San Diego was considering bankruptcy and they "retired" him. He is getting a nice pension and health care and he's about 56. His pension should never end, so he's essentially a millionaire several times over also.
I can't prepay a pension so I had to shove some more dough into AAPL recently.
Save dough, invest it in a true investment, wait till it's giant then decide later.
The other reason I love AAPL and stocks in general is they are focused on making profits.

Reducing the amount of mortgage lending would be hard to pull off though, since that means all house prices would fall a lot, and there are huge political and powerful consituencies that DO NOT want falling prices:
* everyone who indebted himself at current prices
* old people who want to sell and downsize
* banks, because high prices are the main assets on their balance sheets

Pretty much.

Old people vote. And we all know that the Big Banks own the federal government.

ArtimusMaxtor says

Uhuh I don't. Cheat'em back Goran.

I see what you're saying Artimus. I hate the current system and the way it's been rigged to destroy the middle class in a little over a decade. Your post is a good read, I suggest others read it.

But I don't want to get put into prison, or ruin my credit. I'm just not sure how else to cheat them besides possibly doing harm to myself.

Ok Goran you don't want to go to prison. I understand that. Its not a formula. Ok. Nor anything specific. Look closer at what was written. The bad guy always gets caught Goran. The empire is far to flung not to have it any other way. Asset managment is laughble. Its called a homeowner with a mortgage. Want a job in asset managment that get a mortgage and a home. Thats even more-so for a commerical building. You might think your a big deal to the thug department. However the guys that own the assets are the really big deal. Guess who's side they are taking first. That gives you the scope of things. Don't start small. See. I have given with all my writtings a really good description of the situation. It's seamless for the most part and I won't back down. Ask Frodo up there. You want to learn how to really steal give him a call.

The way I'd rather "cheat" them is just not to participate in their gamed system. Passive resistance like Ghandi, but less altruistic.

tiny tina says

I think you are full of a lot of crap.

I love you too tina tina. :)

Amen Frodo. No one should let these guys make a fool out of them. Is basically what I am saying. Its like Rupert Murdoch. Found not fit to run a business. A guy that publishes the Enquirer and other tabloids. That has Zombies, Werewolves and Vampires. Not to mention alien abductions and all the other bullshit he publishes. They finally figured that out. Its a game of course. Very simple. People get wound up when they throw the raw meat in front of the two opposing sides. I don't care for him any more than I do Anderson Coopers 360 revolutions or Wolf Blister. They are owned. Simple. They don't do it right they get everything taken away from them when they get fired.

We might have a side here. Not the 99 percent vs the 1 percent thats way to vague. Its more like everyone vs a monetary system thats nothing but loan cash both to us and the government they own. With that cash they own us for a lifetime not to mention the government which has never been out of debt to them EVER.

In today's rigged system, the gamers sit in wait like lions by the watering hole. They know you need houses, medical insurance, college, gas, etc. They know you're coming, and they're ready to gouge you. Their goal is to live off your labor for as long as you'll produce for them. And then when there is nothing left of you, they'll kick you over the cliff and laugh.

Save as much as you can. Then get off their treadmill.

For inspiration try listening to the old Lou Rawls classic "Natural Man" or even Johnny Paycheck's "Take this job and shove it".

See theres a lot of consideration here for parents, grandparents etc. children. Even your grandparents can be afraid for the little they dole out. You know that. They are careful for these bastards. Loan nazi's or paper despots. They could have taught kids how to be self sufficent. Instead of learning the basics of running there empire. In their very own privately owned monetary system of nothing but loans. Which means you have to pay and pay and pay back.

They taught you how to spell, grammer, writting, math (guess for what purpose) science, geography how to read. The 3 r's. Nothing about being self sufficent again. Which both you and I know they could put together if they are that technologically proficient . Shouldn't be a problem. Little children they are doing this to. Know what you were one of them. Sad part is many people don't think that what is imparted to kids is done on purpose for their own benifit. Know what it very much is.

People are afraid of these GD people. Believe me I know it. Not stripping me of my being a man fuck frodo up there in the corner. I don't need him. Funny part is the ole Wizard of OZ there. No one ever stops to think he's hiding from you and not the other way around. Oh hes got his managment, however he don't want to be known you can be sure of that.

When I get into discussions about the current Peak Civilization situation, people often wonder about what we should do for a place to live. I think the main factor in the decision (whether to buy or rent; whether to stay in a place or find another; whether to buy gold or guns; etc) is always money. In that context, as the Barbarians cause disruption to civilization (sometimes the barbarians are within the system..bleeding off the value of things), the worst places to be will be those where people lose the most perceived value. In our current society, the perceived value is based on prices and cash on hand, rather than social capital or living skills. It's kind of a given that living skills will determine one's ability to cope, but the conflicts will be determined by the attitudes of those around us. When the Big Bust occurs (2008 was a warning shot across the bow), it will be easier to live without money near people who are accustomed to living without much money than to try and survive near those who have grown accustomed to too much of it.
If you can tally up the comforts you have, and decide how to live without most of them, then you might have a shot at understanding where you will want to be. Whether renting or buying, very few will have any money at all when the fed gets done, but food will still be needed, skills will still be useful, and people will still want to live. The houses will mostly be standing there, and it will be up to communities to decide how to employ them usefully. We can already see some cities where houses are being removed to plant gardens. If we think in terms of villages (local economics), it might be time to consolidate them into apartments, too. Owning the right house in the right place just might be your ticket to being Mayor of SurvivalTown.

A semite in a bunker. Archie Bunker. Look I'm no good at barracades. If self-suffiency were taught in the schools know what would happen? The teachers would dissapear. They would say know what. Fuck this. I can do it all. Who needs anyone.

APOCALYPSEFUCK is Tony Manero says

It's CASH or FUCK YOU, AMERICA!

That should be the new Pledge of Allegiance. The kids could recite it every morning before classes start.

FortWayne says

You aren't paying the $700/month for health insurance.

$700 month comes right out of my paycheck (yes, pretax) and affects my monthly net. It does indeed come directly out of my paycheck.

im pretty sure any country where 'you cant get any kind of loan' is like somalia.

PockyClipsNow says

im pretty sure any country where 'you cant get any kind of loan' is like somalia.

I think AF Tony Monero would like Somalia. ;-)

tiny tina says

What are you doing eating cookies with people you hate instead of spending time with your child?

Maybe his baby likes cookies.

Mmmm...cookies...

APOCALYPSEFUCK is Tony Manero says

The schools need to teach It's CASH or FUCK YOU, AMERICA! - and that every dollar of debt is a knife in the back of liberty.

Thats true Tony. The fucking bastards. Probably true you have to move to one of the "Commonwealth" countries where they have everyone on the hook. Then again the pricks will never advertise or show you if theyre is any paradise. If they ain't lending in it. Then again you may be living in one who knows.

1sfrenter says

FortWayne says

You aren't paying the $700/month for health insurance.

$700 month comes right out of my paycheck (yes, pretax) and affects my monthly net. It does indeed come directly out of my paycheck.

Just curious - but how is it that you post here during school hours?

Ladies and Gentlemen. I give you Singapore. Member of the Commonwealth.

The port of Singapore, one of the world's five busiest, with the skyline of Singapore in the background.

Sometimes China makes it. Singpore manages and ships it a lot of times.

1sfrenter says

FortWayne says

You aren't paying the $700/month for health insurance.

$700 month comes right out of my paycheck (yes, pretax) and affects my monthly net. It does indeed come directly out of my paycheck.

Are you a substitute? What district are you in? What carrier are you using? $700 is a very high premium, this is the entire Cadillac premium.

FortWayne says

Are you a substitute? What district are you in? What carrier are you using? $700 is a very high premium, this is the entire Cadillac premium.

No, regular certificated teacher. Kaiser. It's cheap if you are just insuring yourself, but if you add a kid, they get you. And you can't put your kid on your insurance unless you also have it yourself.

rowemoore says

Just curious - but how is it that you post here during school hours?

Lunch break I check my email and the news while eating at my desk, then take a break when school ends before grading papers.

1sfrenter says

FortWayne says

Are you a substitute? What district are you in? What carrier are you using? $700 is a very high premium, this is the entire Cadillac premium.

No, regular certificated teacher. Kaiser. It's cheap if you are just insuring yourself, but if you add a kid, they get you. And you can't put your kid on your insurance unless you also have it yourself.

$700 is a very low premium if you're trying to get insurance for a family of four. I have an $8000 deductible with Blue Shield and it costs us $770/month. There is nothing cheaper.

Insurance in the US is complely f'd up compared to everywhere else on earth, because a lot of those premiums go to pay lobbyists in DC who make sure that premiums stay high no matter what.

The only thing the insurance companies fear is the public option, because insurance is one thing that government does far more efficiently and with lower overhead that the private insurance price-fixing cartel. So the public is never allowed the option to escape to a cheap government insurance plan.

Insurance in the US is complely f'd up compared to everywhere else on earth, because a lot of those premiums go to pay lobbyists in DC who make sure that premiums stay high no matter what.

Oh boy do I have stories for you about that going wrong, but I really should keep it to myself.

$700 is a very low premium if you're trying to get insurance for a family of four. I have an $8000 deductible with Blue Shield and it costs us $770/month. There is nothing cheaper.

Wow, I have good insurance. I now have a family of 4 and I figure that every year I will hit the out of pocket maximum. If I add my monthly premium to my out of pocket I get roughly 5000 out of pocket for the year . This year I was able to cover that amount with flex spending (pre-tax) so that leaves me at under $300 per month. Too bad the flex spending cap is going down next year.
Of course insurance varies greatly by employer, but most big tech companies in the bay area have great plans. Of course if you are self employed it is brutal...been there too.

Insurance in the US is complely f'd up compared to everywhere else on earth, because a lot of those premiums go to pay lobbyists in DC who make sure that premiums stay high no matter what.

The only thing the insurance companies fear is the public option, because insurance is one thing that government does far more efficiently and with lower overhead that the private insurance price-fixing cartel. So the public is never allowed the option to escape to a cheap government insurance plan.

God Bless America.

ArtimusMaxtor says

The port of Singapore, one of the world's five busiest, with the skyline of Singapore in the background.

http://www.ongpohlin.com/2012/03/capitaland-sky-habitat-bishan-condo-new.html is a link to Sky Habitat. Indicative average price of Sky Habitat at Bishan Street 14 is expected to range between S$1,700 psf and S$1,800 psf. That is, S$1 million can only buy a 556 sqft built-in unit.

FunTime says

tiny tina says

What are you doing eating cookies with people you hate instead of spending time with your child?

Maybe his baby likes cookies.

Now if they served baby cookies I would be willing to pay at least 100K more for a house. Forget granite counters, neptune W&D, sub-zero double-wide fridge. Baby-cookies would rock!

Also, just for the record I don't 'hate anyone'. However, I do not like some peoples intentions towards my hard earned money. Get back, go get your own! I wouldn't call that hate though.

fil says

Of course if you are self employed it is brutal...been there too.

I'm self-employed by Patrick.net.

So far, my direct experience is that the principle factor preventing small business formation in the US is Republican opposition to the public option.

Republicans talk about how much they love business, but what they really mean is that they love BIG business, and they don't want you to be able to compete with it.

If you are dependent on your big employer's insurance, that makes the big employer happy, and they donate to Republican candidates who promise to keep you dependent that way.

ArtimusMaxtor says

The port of Singapore, one of the world's five busiest, with the skyline of Singapore in the background.

http://www.ongpohlin.com/2012/03/capitaland-sky-habitat-bishan-condo-new.html

Indicative average price of Sky Habitat at Bishan Street 14 is expected to range between S$1,700 psf and S$1,800 psf. That is, S$1 million can only buy a 556 sqft built-in unit.

orbitron says

I remember arguing about gas prices with some uninformed guy and he was unaware that gas companies make around 30 cents per gallon of gasoline if you include upstream and downstream income while in California, federal and state gas taxes add up to around 60-70 cents per gallon!

Inform us all. Cite your sources. Margins, and cost break-downs, on any business are typically difficult to learn, unless you work in that business and watch a balance sheet.

fil says

Of course if you are self employed it is brutal...been there too.

I'm self-employed by Patrick.net.

So far, my direct experience is that the principle factor preventing small business formation in the US is Republican opposition to the public option.

Patrick - I don't get it. I too am self employed so I sympathize with the plight of the self employed but when you say the "principal barrier is..... etc" I am thinking we are living on different planets. I guess if the only reason you start a small business is to buy insurance than the cost of insurance would be an obstacle but even if you admit that you have to jump from there to various economic theories before you start thinking about "the public option" problem. At the very least I don't think you can say your opinion is intuitive. I'd have to hear your argument before I agreed.

Day in day out the biggest, by a wide margin, problems I face come from the government (city, county, state and federal) -- no I am not a drug dealer....

I have to agree. It can be difficult for small businesses to obtain insurance. In California it is a bit easier, since any corporation with two or more employees is eligible to buy insurance, though the insurance company surely sets the price, and the price will be high. However, I know a lot of sole proprietors who operate without insurance because they cannot afford or cannot obtain insurance as individuals. I also know a very bright engineer who spent years working for a cable company rather than for the innovative start-ups that would have suited her better, but could not offer good insurance right away. Access to insurance defines many people's working lives.

Wow, so it's Republicans who are making health insurance expensive?
What a bunch of total nonsense.
Which party belongs to the ambulance chaser lawyers? Hint: John Edwards was one.
Who should pay for the health care of the millions of people who refuse to buy insurance?
Why should health insurance companies be told to 1. cover pre-existing conditions 2. pay for nonsense fake snake oil treatments, e.g. accupuncture, chiropractic, coffee enemas?

Republicans talk about how much they love business, but what they really mean is that they love BIG business, and they don't want you to be able to compete with it.

I think that's a correct assertion. After all, who pays for their political campaigns?

Republicans talk about how much they love business, but what they really mean is that they love BIG business, and they don't want you to be able to compete with it.

If you are dependent on your big employer's insurance, that makes the big employer happy, and they donate to Republican candidates who promise to keep you dependent that way.

I don't think it is about dependence. Healthcare costs have been going up and up for many reasons. But biggest one is the supply and demand curve. And when healthcare reform attempted to push what government considered "affordable insurance" it sounded like anything but.

Insurance, as you know, is predicated on a risk analysis. Balancing higher risks with higher premiums with mixed pools of members and claims to create a wide risk offset. But in case of Obamas healthcare plan people are free to squander physician resources on everyday colds and other non emergency hickups at a very high cost.

My biggest concern here is that similarly to the housing bubble, this bill will force a subsequent Healthcare bubble which will be brutal. People can rent and save money, housing isn't all that. But healthcare...

OK, it's not all about dependence, but that is a large part of it. The US Chamber of Commerce, which is basically representatives of the F500, was intensely opposed to the public option and the logical conclusion is that it is a threat to their control over employees. Another factor preventing the public option is the large amount of money insurance companies can spend lobbying.

FortWayne says

But in case of Obamas healthcare plan people are free to squander physician resources on everyday colds and other non emergency hickups at a very high cost.

I don't see that at all. What makes you say that? Obama's plan keeps all the same expenses: no limit on premiums, co-pays, deductibles, etc. Obama's plan does not squander money at all as far as I can tell.

Anyway, Obama's plan does not include the public option because he sold out to the insurance companies and Chamber of Commerce just to get something past Congress so he could point to that as an accomplishment.

And I'm not talking about a public option that covers everything. Just life-and-death stuff. Just enough to make it possible for people without large amounts of money to go out on their own and start a small business that competes with the F500.