patrick.net

Reality says

Earning a good living by filing government papers is just a lot easier for many people than earning a good living by being a productive worker getting the nod from fellow individual consumers. You can't be honestly telling me disability is correlated with economic conditions of the society.

What I'm telling you is that people would prefer to work for a living rather than collect disability or unemployment. As is obvious because when there are jobs available, both the UE and disability rates go down.

Call it Crazy says

If someone truly wanted to work, they'll find a job or create one for themselves....

You live in a different world than I, my friend.

Call it Crazy says

Spoken like the true liberal you are.... If it's FREE, it's for ME!!!

That's funny. I'm very middle of the road politically. Or at least what middle of the road was 20 years ago.

It's funny that I'm now considered a liberal....

edvard2 says

The problem with your assertion is that your "solution" is tied to gross assumptions and guesses. When it comes down to investments, risk, and financial planning, basing said investment on assumption is an almost assured means to LOSE a lot of money. Investments are made on the basis of more predictable outcomes. Simply put, saving two companies with large intact chains of suppliers, trained workers, and the entire network of inter-related enterprises tied to them and leaving this system intact has way LESS risk then doing what you were suggesting, which was to let em' fail and "Assume" that somehow other auto manufactures would have picked up the slack. Had something like what were suggesting been done the net loss would have almost assuredly been many, many times greater in overall cost then what it wound up being.

I can't say I agree at all with this reasoning. Giving handouts to GM does nothing to change the overall demand for cars. Therefore, if GM sells fewer cars, the other companies will sell MORE cars. And they will be better quality cars, because the other companies do not have failed business models. The "saving jobs" argument comes up constantly, and I think it's just a lame excuse for systemic transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich. 10 billion dollars would make 10,000 people instant millionaires. That's a VERY high price to pay. NO executive or shareholder at GM should have made one red cent from that 10 billion dollars. All this did was allow GM to claw market share, that it doesn't deserve, away from the other manufacturers, and allow undeserving execs to pocket a bunch of money.

edvard2 says

So no- "Modular" engineering is not new, and in the case of auto manufacturing is a well-established practice.

Yes and writing programs was a well established practice when object orientated came along. Yet oo created a paradigm shift that completely changed programming.

Modular engineering in the current usage is about providing an interface for components across the entire car line, not making parts interchange. This allows subcontractors to produce modules that will work in any platform in a carmakers line. As a company wide, product wide practice this is new. Vw is the closest to really being there. Interchanging some parts is not an entire beginning to end top to bottom system any more than cobal is java. The first true modular platforms were 2011, so I would call that new.

Your analogy is incorrect. It's not about plugging pipes in. That's a part interchange. No matter what pipe you plug in it's exactly the same thing. It's not about parts fitting together to make a "device".

It's more like a bus on a computer where any component card can plug in. You could put in a video card, memory, whatever into any computer. Same with modular platforms, except it's just one manufactorer. You could plug in your choice of gas engine, diesel, hybrid module into any car in the line. Anything from low tech basic to high performance suspensions module into any car. whatever. Sorry, but this really is new stuff. It's a paradigm shift just like oo.

Reality says

tatupu70 says

Reality says

Not the consumer staples, and most certainly not medical expense.

Overall inflation rate is low. Some things are higher than the rate, some are lower. That's why it's called an weighted average.

How many new computers can an oldster buy and eat?

That's why "weighted average" is meaningless and prone to fraud when weighted by a bunch of bureaucrats.

Absolutely. But even if you take the CPI you would have to have a 7% raise to keep up between 2010 and 2012. Stagflation is brutal.

tatupu70 says

mell says

tatupu70 says

bob2356 says

Companies that make bad business decisions should be in bankruptcy.

No kidding. Why do people keep arguing this as if anyone disagreed???

Because they aren't, and a whole bunch of them.

Not sure what you are trying to say there...

Very easy, if you agree on this premise then you cannot bail out companies left and right. You guys already adopted the Obama strategy of talking one thing but doing the opposite. If you like your company you can keep it! That is as long as you're part of the TBTFs or if I want to set an example and balatantly disregard the rule of law and fuck over the bondholders to get some good PR out of it!

mell says

Very easy, if you agree on this premise then you cannot bail out companies left and right. You guys already adopted the Obama strategy of talking one thing but doing the opposite. If you like your company you can keep it! That is as long as you're part of the TBTFs or if I want to set an example and balatantly disregard the rule of law and fuck over the bondholders to get some good PR out of it!

Left and right? What other companies have been bailed out since the financial crisis?

mell says

Absolutely. But even if you take the CPI you would have to have a 7% raise to keep up between 2010 and 2012. Stagflation is brutal.

Brutal? You'd have to get raises of ~2.3%/year to keep up.

Quick tip--2.3%/year is not stagflation.

tatupu70 says

mell says

Absolutely. But even if you take the CPI you would have to have a 7% raise to keep up between 2010 and 2012. Stagflation is brutal.

Brutal? You'd have to get raises of ~2.3%/year to keep up.

Quick tip--2.3%/year is not stagflation.

Being in tech and business I am fortunate to actually get promotions or start my own ventures. Most people working less desirable or overcrowded sectors/areas never get anywhere close to keeping up with inflation, often they take pay-cuts over the years. Until they fall into government assistance, further thinning out the middle-class. Manufactured inflation is theft, it's that simple. "inflation target", yeah right... ;)

bob2356 says

Yes and writing programs was a well established practice when object orientated came along. Yet oo created a paradigm shift that completely changed programming.

At the end of the day the backbone of all programming still comes down to the base foundation, which is to say 1's and 0's. Likewise regardless of the system used to create them all cars will still require a platform in which to use for the car's systems.

bob2356 says

It's more like a bus on a computer where any component card can plug in. You could put in a video card, memory, whatever into any computer. Same with modular platforms, except it's just one manufactorer. You could plug in your choice of gas engine, diesel, hybrid module into any car in the line. Anything from low tech basic to high performance suspensions module into any car. whatever. Sorry, but this really is new stuff. It's a paradigm shift just like oo.

Everything you just described is basically the system that has been in place of auto manufacturing since its inception. Its been long-established that auto manufactures will often use components that in many cases are used across their entire lineup of vehicles. We can dilly-dally about this all day long, but "modular engineering" in auto manufacturing is nothing that suddenly came about. As I mentioned before, the textbook definition of modular engineering is simply about the production of different components by separate entities to be used in a finished product. That's it!

Besides- in the gist of this debate where reality was suggesting platform design is obsolete is not valid seeing as how all cars today use a platform.
Bush was first to initiate the bailout. bob2356 says

Your analogy is incorrect. It's not about plugging pipes in. That's a part interchange. No matter what pipe you plug in it's exactly the same thing. It's not about parts fitting together to make a "device".

You misunderstood my example. In the classic example of the pipe organ, well all organs use the same scale... right? So its safe to say that each pipe, though made at different times and of a different note will ultimately in combination yield the full musical scale of that final organ. Again- individual pieces made for the final reslt of an end-product, having been engineered to work with other pipes to perform slightly different "tasks" but working together result in a finalized, completed product with all pipes being necessary for that operation.

Call it Crazy says

tatupu70 says

Call it Crazy says

If someone truly wanted to work, they'll find a job or create one for themselves....

You live in a different world than I, my friend.

Yeah, and here is the perfect example of "your" world...

tatupu70 says

If you can find an island with great weather and enough available (free) land, (free) fruits and wild game, to support the current number of unemployed people, please point me in the right direction. I'd like to head there myself.

lol--nice job taking that out of context. It was a reply to gsr.

Call it Crazy says

None should be bailed out (or received a "hand out").... If you have shitty management, poor business practices, have gotten to bloated or have financial mismanagement, the company should stand on it's own ability or be gone...

Why is that so hard for you to understand???

And I agree. Why is that so hard for you to understand?

mell says

Being in tech and business I am fortunate to actually get promotions or start my own ventures. Most people working less desirable or overcrowded sectors/areas never get anywhere close to keeping up with inflation, often they take pay-cuts over the years.

#1--that's not the case.
#2--Total earnings/wages beat inflation comfortably so the only reason peoples' wages aren't keeping up is that too much of it is ending up in the hands of the onwers.

Call it Crazy says

Ha Ha... Except your posting history here tells a different story...

Nope--your definition of liberal is much different than 20 years ago. I'm middle of the road--you are far right.

Finally, this problem is not going to get any better on its own. Millions of seniors are expected to need rental housing in the coming decade.

I.e., millions of seniors downsizing in the next decade, driving house prices down where they will continue to spiral until the last boomer dies.

WOW! The UNtrustworthy are certainly in control of what information is apparent to the people!

Say hey! This was in the Wall Street Journal on March 30, 1999. Note "... how much it will buy."

Holy cow/interesting/compelling ...!

And where is it up to date??? Right here ... see the first chart shown in this thread.
Recent Dow day is Tuesday, December 10, 2013 __ Level is 102.2

WOW! It is hideous that this is hidden! Is there any such "Homes, Inflation Adjusted"? Yes! This was in the New York Times on August 27, 2006:

And up to date (by me) is here:
http://patrick.net/?p=1219038&c=999083#comment-999083

WOW! The UNtrustworthy are certainly in control of what information is apparent to the people!

And http://patrick.net/?p=1230886

Homeboy says

That's a VERY high price to pay. NO executive or shareholder at GM should have made one red cent from that 10 billion dollars.

when the USG "invested" into GM they also become responsible for the employee contracts and vendor obligations. So if an executive gets $$$, so be it even if its from USG 'invested' money. Its called contract laws! If GM can just change its contracted obligations based on political pressure, who is to say they would back slide on their vendor and union contracts.

Call it Crazy says

Let's see.... First you're against bankruptcy because it causes unemployment....

Nope--I'm not. I'm just not naïve enough to think bankruptcy doesn't cause unemployment.

Call it Crazy says

You agree with this... but when businesses close, people lose jobs...

So, which is it... You can't have it both ways????

It's pretty simple. As a rule, businesses should go bankrupt when they are mismanaged. It will cause unemployment. Under unique circumstances, extenuating circumstances may dictate that it's better if a company is bailed out and allowed to stay in business. The world isn't black and white...

Call it Crazy says

U.S. exits GM stake in $10 billon loss for taxpayers

other options... Sell or Spinoff (IPO) SAAB, Opel, Holden, Vauxhall Motors and other division. The IPO proceeds would keep GM afloat...

thomaswong.1986 says

other options... Sell or Spinoff (IPO) SAAB, Opel, Holden, Vauxhall Motors and other division. The IPO proceeds would keep GM afloat...

Not sure what you're meaning here. SAAB was let go a few years ago and went bankrupt. GM had also cut Pontiac, Saturn, and Hummer as well.

edvard2 says

SAAB was let go a few years ago and went bankrupt

yes Saab was sold off to a dutch company in 2010 and BK ..
the othes are still part of GM.. foreign operations.

After all if you want to see all the overseas money to come back to the
US parent company ... this would be the way to do it.

reminds of ATT when they downsized and sold off, spun off their divisions
and other assets to raise capital... and somehow they are still around.

The same is happening in California. The new policies cover more "services" that no rational person would buy (e.g. diagnostic radiation even in situations where it does more harm than good), but fewer doctors and hospitals.

Many seniors do own homes, heck, they had decent salaries at one time, coming up through a pretty good industrial era in this country, most always having local work, not always having to move and such. Then, at least being able to afford taxes and upkeep when it's paid off, often though, they can't afford the upkeep, and can really only just pay the taxes.

New Renter says

Strategist says

So what's the solution?

More section 8 probably.

Oh God, is there any solution that does not cost anyone money?

Dan8267 says

Finally, this problem is not going to get any better on its own. Millions of seniors are expected to need rental housing in the coming decade.

I.e., millions of seniors downsizing in the next decade, driving house prices down where they will continue to spiral until the last boomer dies.

How can that be possible with a rising population?
1. Population is rising.
2. Dumps like Detroit are being abandoned.
3. Old homes have to be replaced.
People have to live somewhere, and they all want to live in the sunbelt.

Strategist says

Falling house prices will mean less construction of new homes, which means a shortage of homes, which means higher rents.

Houses were being built when they were much cheaper than today.
They were just slightly smaller and more basic.

Today builders all want to build "luxury" houses but they will have to adapt to reality and build houses people can afford.

As long as the demand is there, I'm not sure why some private company would not offer a solution.

Well they do have a lot of that Boardwalk money to pay back to Obama.

New Renter says

The real question is why do burger flippers bother to stay in SF.

Exactly.

There is a point where poor people need to draw the conclusions and move to union city.

It's not a human right to live in one of the most expensive place in the world.

And when burger joints in SF don't find anyone willing to work for them, they will also draw the conclusions and either pack too, or pay their employees better - raising prices if need be.

People just have to adapt.

Heraclitusstudent says

Strategist says

Falling house prices will mean less construction of new homes, which means a shortage of homes, which means higher rents.

Houses were being built when they were much cheaper than today.

They were just slightly smaller and more basic.

Today builders all want to build "luxury" houses but they will have to adapt to reality and build houses people can afford.

As long as the demand is there, I'm not sure why some private company would not offer a solution.

I here there is a huge demand for the million dollar homes. Toll Brothers, a luxury home builder now averages $675,000 per home.
Want to get rich? Buy the home builders, their stock prices are about to go through the roof.

Strategist says

I.e., millions of seniors downsizing in the next decade, driving house prices down where they will continue to spiral until the last boomer dies.

How can that be possible with a rising population?

1. Population is rising.

2. Dumps like Detroit are being abandoned.

3. Old homes have to be replaced.

People have to live somewhere, and they all want to live in the sunbelt.

If the next generation cannot afford the boomers houses, prices will go down - especially larger more expensive houses.
It is possible to build more cheaper units, apartments etc...

Strategist says

Want to get rich? Buy the home builders

They already ramped up.
And the one that will grow most are not the one making luxury homes.

Heraclitusstudent says

Strategist says

I.e., millions of seniors downsizing in the next decade, driving house prices down where they will continue to spiral until the last boomer dies.

How can that be possible with a rising population?

1. Population is rising.

2. Dumps like Detroit are being abandoned.

3. Old homes have to be replaced.

People have to live somewhere, and they all want to live in the sunbelt.

If the next generation cannot afford the boomers houses, prices will go down - especially larger more expensive houses.

It is possible to build more cheaper units, apartments etc...

That will be a decision for the home builders to make when the time comes. Their only goal is to maximize profits regardless of what they sell.
I personally believe our standard of living will keep getting better over the decades, and the average consumer will have a much higher purchasing power, benefiting real estate the most.

Strategist says

New Renter says

Strategist says

So what's the solution?

More section 8 probably.

Oh God, is there any solution that does not cost anyone money?

Yes:

He he he.
Those cave men paid no mortgage and yet no one foreclosed on them.
I think I'll take the hut, it looks like its on a beautiful island somewhere.

Strategist says

He he he.

Those cave men paid no mortgage and yet no one foreclosed on them.

I think I'll take the hut, it looks like its on a beautiful island somewhere.

Well caves CAN be a great way to live. The main problem is light and ventilation. I'm thinking ventilation shafts can double as light tunnels. Put in a few solar panels and or windmills for electrical power with a large water tower for energy storage and you've got yourself a nice little setup.

In the good old days (18th century England) being a hermit was a pretty good gig. Unfortunately like all good jobs demand has dried up.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/aug/20/arts.artsnews

Fourth-quarter earnings for 2013 were $94.9 million, or $0.54 per share diluted, compared to $411.4 million, or $2.35 per share, in fiscal year 2012.

This is when you buy.....when temporary bad news hits the stock.

New Renter says

Strategist says

He he he.

Those cave men paid no mortgage and yet no one foreclosed on them.

I think I'll take the hut, it looks like its on a beautiful island somewhere.

Well caves CAN be a great way to live. The main problem is light and ventilation. I'm thinking ventilation shafts can double as light tunnels. Put in a few solar panels and or windmills for electrical power with a large water tower for energy storage and you've got yourself a nice little setup.

In the good old days (18th century England) being a hermit was a pretty good gig. Unfortunately like all good jobs demand has dried up.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/aug/20/arts.artsnews

Nah! I don't like fixer uppers.
How about flipping it?

tatupu70 says

Actually, that is not at all what I'm saying. How in the world did you interpret my posts as what you wrote above?

Look, if someone does not a find job, there should be a way for that person to start a business on his/her own. That does not happen so easily due to enormous number of regulations. Fortunately, they are little less in the tech industry.

tatupu70 says

If you can find an island with great weather and enough available (free) land, (free) fruits and wild game, to support the current number of unemployed people, please point me in the right direction. I'd like to head there myself.

Well, you will still have to haul your own ass to get them. Or, do you need government assistance for that because of disability?

Danke Amerika...Roll out the Barrel...