patrick.net

I have mentioned it to my friends for years, I have made a shitload of money in the last few years.

But, they are reluctant to actually pull the trigger and buy a mutual fund.

I mostly own mutual funds, but I bought a few stocks for fun recently.

I think Roku is cool, it’s like an OS installed on many new TVs; the analogy is Microsoft Windows installed on many personal computers.

The biased media makes a big deal over a 3.5% drop today after a 1.5% drop last week.

Big deal. 5% is not huge. I wish I had new cash to invest.

Buy.

clambo says

I have mentioned it to my friends for years, I have made a shitload of money in the last few years.

$2 million over here since November 2016. Sounds good to me!

WookieMan says

Rin says

The good ones use the 'union job' to cover the benefits but then, make their money out of self-employment.

I get that. My wife's cousin does that as a firefighter. He's praying right now for snow here in IL cause he can plow for one night and make a couple grand. What I would argue though is if he's the best firefighter, shouldn't he make more? Could that compensate for plowing on the side (lol)?

Union workers are mainly clock punchers. They don't care about the work even though I'll agree they're "probably" better trained. Within the union though, the best worker and the worst worker can make the same. That would fucking piss me off. I have no interest in working a side gig because the union dragged my wages down. For the shitty workers it brings their wages up. That's the point of it.

It really doesn’t work that way in the public sector. I can’t imagine not working with a union representing me. I’ve long gotten over the idea of someone who doesn’t perform as well as me making the same amount. The larger issue is nepotism and assorted issues related to appointed persons running departments.

In short, your assumption that the most productive individuals would be retained is incorrect. This isn’t private industry where a vp’s feet will be held to the fire and if you are the only one that can do your job you will be kept on and well paid. In government, There’s literal buffoons that get appointed as department general managers and nothing can save your job if there’s an asshole that doesn’t like you, unless you have a strong union representing you.

CovfefeButDeadly says

In government, There’s literal buffoons that get appointed as department general managers and nothing can save your job if there’s an asshole that doesn’t like you, unless you have a strong union representing you.

I get your sentiment, but then just move to another employer if you have a dumb ass as a manager. Union or not. It incentivizes you to hone your skills and be the best so you can tell that manager to fuck off and work elsewhere.

Whereas in a union, once you check a certain box you're locked in for the most part. Fine that manager can't fire you, but then are you just staying at a job with a shit manager that makes more than you just because you won't get fired? I personally don't think that scenario is any better. Sounds miserable.

Besides job protection, unions are of very low value to highly skilled workers. And job retention shouldn't be a concern if you're good at your job in the private sector. Get a new one or make sure your skills are in demand.

Let's put it this way. I'd rather negotiate my salary as a teacher or crane operator, make 40-50% more than the others and retire in 20 years instead of 30. You simply can't do that in a union. The guy that wants to retire at 45 is stuck for another 10 years because of other people. I don't know, that doesn't feel like freedom to me. Unions are very good at messaging and marketing, I just don't buy it.

Again not with government work. Switching entities messes with your benefits, retirement, and seniority.

I do get what your saying and as far as private industry goes I generally agree. But with the public sector you aren’t playing by the same rules and without union representation, you really aren’t plying by any rules at all(the politicians will circumvent and ignore any rules already in place).

Beautiful!

Better for this correction and panic to occur now than this Fall right before the election.

I don't think most clear thinking people are going to suddenly pull the lever for Bernie and the Democrats because China is fucking up the world's economy with their primitive 3rd world diseases. If anything, this should help Trump's argument that we need to be more restrictive on immigration and bring more supply chains back home or into safer countries.

Tech Workers made a huge mistake being all Libertarian in the 80s and 90s. They should have formed an IT association with official licensing like the BAR/Teachers/Doctors/Florists, enforced by the State. And further got the Feds to pass a law saying only licensed, naturalized US Citizens can work on Government projects, not just Defense.

Sorry Ho Ming, you need a US Degree with an official Information Technology Guild approved certificate of competence!

CovfefeButDeadly says

In government, There’s literal buffoons that get appointed as department general managers and nothing can save your job if there’s an asshole that doesn’t like you, unless you have a strong union representing you.

Get rid of the unions, you can get rid of the asshole managers who aren't performing.

Trump needs to replace the token libby legislator with Darth Vader!

How dare her!

Cant we ignore all idiot teenagers?

At least a billion.

When the roadways are filled with rotting, steaming corpses, bursting with green purulence.

When somebody over 12 and under 65 that I know has it. Been through this crap already with SARS and Ebola.

NoCoupForYou says

When somebody over 12 and under 65 that I know has it. Been through this crap already with SARS and Ebola.

Thought I just read something that no one under the age of 9 has died from it. It's strictly killing old people or the weak. I'm literally not even worried about this virus. Zero %.

It's big news because the Chinese fucked up and impeachment is over. Simple as that.

I'm already hiding in the kitchen pantry.

I look forward to seeing Republicans of integrity rejecting her message on the basis of age alone the way they did with Greta.

It's big news because the Chinese fucked up and impeachment is over. Simple as that.

Notice it took the Hong Kong protests out of the news....

I already hate crowds; no sports events, concerts, etc for me.

I also avoid crummy “festivals”, e.g. “art and wine” etc.

Amazon sold out of face masks.

I'll probably get it from the health club.

Automan Empire says

I look forward to seeing Republicans of integrity rejecting her message on the basis of age alone the way they did with Greta.

CBOEtrader says

Cant we ignore all idiot teenagers?

not a republican, but i appreciate your acknowledgment of my integrity.

i did listen to a talk from this girl. "i dont want you to panic. i want you to think." enormous difference. this girl is calling for reason rather than hysteria. her message isnt a call to authority bias, like ignorant greta

jazz_music says

We have no way to determine the number of cases.

Of a slightly more aggressive flu to geezers..... The horror!

I've sealed off my home and taken the preventative measure of burning all the houses in my town so no one is near me and I burn off any possibility of that Chinese Wuhan rubbish. I then sent my golden doodle out to maul any of the remaining survivors.

FYI, let me know when just 1 person dies in the USA at this point. https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
(** if it is not obvious, my statement above is satire. Nothing is being burned and my golden doodle will only bit you if backed into a corner)

Automan Empire says

I look forward to seeing Republicans of integrity rejecting her message on the basis of age alone the way they did with Greta.

Done.

The budget Trump had put together was before the coronavirus outbreak. Trump has been known to change his mind when something new pops up, thus him asking congress for $2.5 billion to put towards covid-19 preparations.

I personally don't think it will do much, but hopefully we will have a vaccine by September.

I don’t need to convince you that there are low-bandwidth liberal deplorables. All rabidly hate Trump. Is the TDS strong enough for enough of them to vote for Bernie? Stay tuned.

So cute!!

We have to be careful this year. If Bernie gets the nomination, it's possible Republican Voters could believe Trump's re-election will be a slam dunk, and might not show up. The general election is a must-show event this year. Let's not allow four more years of prosperity go away. All hands on deck!

With any luck, Ivanka will have a greater role in the next administration. She's being groomed now for the future. Then we'll have our first Jewish Female President.

Misc says

The budget Trump had put together was before the coronavirus outbreak. Trump has been known to change his mind when something new pops up, thus him asking congress for $2.5 billion to put towards covid-19 preparations.

I personally don't think it will do much, but hopefully we will have a vaccine by September.

Restricting travel and quarantining are the best options, which Trump has already implemented. In the meantime, a vaccine is being worked on.

With any luck, Ivanka will have a greater role in the next administration. She's being groomed now for the future. Then we'll have our first Jewish Female President.

I hope not. Being the offspring or spouse of a successful office holder is not a qualification. We do not need "royalty" raised to rule because of pedigree over qualifications. No more Clinton, Bush, Obama, or Trump relatives , please.

TrumpingTits says

We have to be careful this year. If Bernie gets the nomination, it's possible Republican Voters could believe Trump's re-election will be a slam dunk, and might not show up. The general election is a must-show event this year. Let's not allow four more years of prosperity go away. All hands on deck!

Not worried about that.

At all.

I know alot of Conservatives in California who can't wait to vote for Trump this year, not that he has a prayer in California - but we want to goose the popular vote count.

I can't imagine Trump has lost many 2016 voters. I got to believe there are alot of people like me who were skeptical of him in 2016 and are very enthusiastic to vote for him in 2020. I will be even more motivated if they nominate a freak like Bernie or Warren.

I don’t listen to anyone who hasn’t raised kids and dealt with all the lives problems.

So yeah, absolutely don’t care. I think the target audience are very young people, not anyone on this board.

The fact that some in left took Greta seriously, just shows they are clueless overgrown manchildren.


TrumpingTits says

Automan Empire says
I look forward to seeing Republicans of integrity rejecting her message on the basis of age alone the way they did with Greta.

Why? This chick is an adult. 19 yrs old.

Reviewing some posts and responses, Flavius is a real user in my opinion. Pretty sure it's a former user based on the format of the comments and then the responses. I actually liked their content in the past, but they have clearly taken a negative tone which is fine by me. Not gonna tell people how to think.

If my guess is correct, this user used to be prominent in the "what are you listening to tonight" thread or whatever the title is.

I despise Rush. The statement isn't that inaccurate though. It's killing old people. Which influenza, common colds and good old fashioned pneumonia are already doing at likely a greater clip than corona can. Try to reduce spreading it, don't travel if you don't have to and stay healthy. This isn't all that complicated.

I think its a Russian bot.

Heraclitusstudent says

I think its a Russian bot.

I agree.

I'm still not convinced it's a bot. OP's are formatted the exact same way a previous user would for years that I think Patrick may have actually known. Can't remember the username though.