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More Job Losses


ctman987

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The reason our economy is better is because we don't have the amount of social services that Europe has. Europeon countries tax a lot more than we do to support these programs, even with the amount of high taxes we have. Do you really want to accelerate social programs here at the expense of our economy? I sure as hell don't. I'm not saying that the poor shouldn't be helped, they should be helped. It's the lazy people collecting welfare, when their fully capable of looking for a job that bothers me. We should help the poor access all the wonderful opportunities that this country offers.

No offense, but you guys are from affluent areas and it's more than likely easier to feel how you feel when you don't interact with desperate downtrodden individuals everyday. Do you really think it's that easy to find a job even if you want one? I know people that have been looking, really looking to the point where you tell them to relax sometimes and take a deep breath and have not been able to find work for years. I sent out hundreds of resumes after I earned my B.A. and only got a handfull of interviews. If it's that hard for me, I can only imagine how hard it can be for others. Now that was in Atlanta, an oversaturated metro. I found a job fairly easily once I decided to move home. The fact is that many people can either do odd jobs to make ends meet while they look for a job ( odd jobs never cut it ) or sell drugs or some kind of other hustle. I'm not defending nor advocating illegal activity, but when you have bills you do what you have to do. The deck is stacked, I know some of you may have had hard lives and if so this is not directed to you. I had an affluent upbringing in a poor neighborhood. It's an eye opener to say the least. If you are trying to say that there really are enough jobs to go around, then I think you underestimate the situation. If you think that it's not easier for certain types of people to do OK even withought an education then you should open your eyes. I wouldn't be at my job withought a degree. Yet there are plenty of people there without one. Wanna guess what they look like and where they come from. Not Hartford or anyplace like it is all I'll say. If there were enough jobs, people wouldn't be out of work period.

Come to my neighborhood and tell some people how easy it is to find a job and do well for yourself in America. I'm really not trying to be funny. I think the conversations you would have would enlighten you in many ways.

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No offense, but you guys are from affluent areas and it's more than likely easier to feel how you feel when you don't interact with desperate downtrodden individuals everyday. Do you really think it's that easy to find a job even if you want one? I know people that have been looking, really looking to the point where you tell them to relax sometimes and take a deep breath and have not been able to find work for years. I sent out hundreds of resumes after I earned my B.A. and only got a handfull of interviews. If it's that hard for me, I can only imagine how hard it can be for others. Now that was in Atlanta, an oversaturated metro. I found a job fairly easily once I decided to move home. The fact is that many people can either do odd jobs to make ends meet while they look for a job ( odd jobs never cut it ) or sell drugs or some kind of other hustle. I'm not defending nor advocating illegal activity, but when you have bills you do what you have to do. The deck is stacked, I know some of you may have had hard lives and if so this is not directed to you. I had an affluent upbringing in a poor neighborhood. It's an eye opener to say the least. If you are trying to say that there really are enough jobs to go around, then I think you underestimate the situation. If you think that it's not easier for certain types of people to do OK even withought an education then you should open your eyes. I wouldn't be at my job withought a degree. Yet there are plenty of people there without one. Wanna guess what they look like and where they come from. Not Hartford or anyplace like it is all I'll say. If there were enough jobs, people wouldn't be out of work period.

Come to my neighborhood and tell some people how easy it is to find a job and do well for yourself in America. I'm really not trying to be funny. I think the conversations you would have would enlighten you in many ways.

I agree the job market is not the greatest and like you said many people are in tough economic situations and that I can understand. I totally support the state in helping people with job training.

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Fair enough. To sum it up though I just think we need to restore some balance. My real point is that I don't support any more tax cuts for major corporations. You wanna be an American you pay the price just like me and you.

I'm an Underwriter and one coverage I write is D&O(directors and officers liability). I review financial statements every day and maybe it just amazes me how much money is being thrown around freely while people in America starve and don't have healthcare. I'm a liberal so stuff like that bothers me ( I know you conservatives are thick skinned). I know that we can hold our corporations to a higher standard than we currently do without the bottom falling out. I also know that America is dismal in many social service areas that European countries and Canada succeed in. What do they have that we don't? Why can they have better access to health care when our economy dwarfs theirs? I just have to wonder. I'm not an expert, these are just my opinions.

Hartford Tycoon:

I have to weigh in on NATIONALIZE HEALTH CARE. I don't want it, I don't have Health insurance, because it is my choice. I can put my $$ into health saving account and if I do need health care -- I can get a doctor and pay him CASH!

Europe is a SOCIALISTIC continent. France's ECONOMY is ailing. Also, France's MINORITY is ROITING and FRANCE keeps some industries as state owned. We don't, except AMTRAK, and the post office and both need to be PRIVATIZED!

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No offense, but you guys are from affluent areas and it's more than likely easier to feel how you feel when you don't interact with desperate downtrodden individuals everyday. Do you really think it's that easy to find a job even if you want one? I know people that have been looking, really looking to the point where you tell them to relax sometimes and take a deep breath and have not been able to find work for years. I sent out hundreds of resumes after I earned my B.A. and only got a handfull of interviews. If it's that hard for me, I can only imagine how hard it can be for others. Now that was in Atlanta, an oversaturated metro. I found a job fairly easily once I decided to move home. The fact is that many people can either do odd jobs to make ends meet while they look for a job ( odd jobs never cut it ) or sell drugs or some kind of other hustle. I'm not defending nor advocating illegal activity, but when you have bills you do what you have to do. The deck is stacked, I know some of you may have had hard lives and if so this is not directed to you. I had an affluent upbringing in a poor neighborhood. It's an eye opener to say the least. If you are trying to say that there really are enough jobs to go around, then I think you underestimate the situation. If you think that it's not easier for certain types of people to do OK even withought an education then you should open your eyes. I wouldn't be at my job withought a degree. Yet there are plenty of people there without one. Wanna guess what they look like and where they come from. Not Hartford or anyplace like it is all I'll say. If there were enough jobs, people wouldn't be out of work period.

Come to my neighborhood and tell some people how easy it is to find a job and do well for yourself in America. I'm really not trying to be funny. I think the conversations you would have would enlighten you in many ways.

Hartford Tycoon:

Do the people in your NEIGHBORHOOD have CELL PHONES? People don't have to stay in Hartford (or Connecticut for that matter) if they are looking for a JOB. Florida has an unemployment rate of 3% and some COUNTIES it even less.

I also will have to say that Hartford (and New Haven, Bridgeport, Norwich and Waterbury, too) need to start a small business center -- to help minorities create jobs for the inner cities.

Jim S

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Hartford Tycoon:

I have to weigh in on NATIONALIZE HEALTH CARE. I don't want it, I don't have Health insurance, because it is my choice. I can put my $$ into health saving account and if I do need health care -- I can get a doctor and pay him CASH!

Europe is a SOCIALISTIC continent. France's ECONOMY is ailing. Also, France's MINORITY is ROITING and FRANCE keeps some industries as state owned. We don't, except AMTRAK, and the post office and both need to be PRIVATIZED!

Look, maybe these are the issues that are emotional to me and it comes through. I know people without health care or a job and can't get state benefits. One of my best friends just lost her job a few months ago, can't find another and has sickle cell. I don't really need to elaborate on how bad a situation that is, that at least she would not be going through if we had universal health care. So my reasons are personal as well and based on my experiences with life and seeing people in emotional and physical distress due to the harsh realities of American life. I know it's never going to be a perfect world, but I just want some help for some people who need it and don't see what wrong with wanting that. I know to many people who have gotten the short end of the stick in life to agree with your views. Period, that's how it is. But I do understand and respect your opinions and values even if they differ from my own.

We definately need a small business center. I'm sure you know that there are more than enough underutilized spaces on my side of town. If some folks with good ideas (like me) could get some friggin help we could make some really positive things happen very quickly.

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Europe is a SOCIALISTIC continent. France's ECONOMY is ailing. Also, France's MINORITY is ROITING and FRANCE keeps some industries as state owned. We don't, except AMTRAK, and the post office and both need to be PRIVATIZED!

Scratch the surface and I think you might find that we do indeed subsidize many industries You picked on Amtrak (which is woefully underfunded), but left out all the subsidy goodies the airline industry gets. Why? Amtrak has to pay to keep up its infrastructure, but airlines don't. Why is that okay for you?

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Scratch the surface and I think you might find that we do indeed subsidize many industries You picked on Amtrak (which is woefully underfunded), but left out all the subsidy goodies the airline industry gets. Why? Amtrak has to pay to keep up its infrastructure, but airlines don't. Why is that okay for you?

I think that's part of what's wrong with us. The airline industry shouldn't have to be bailed out all the time. Southwest seems to have a profitable business model. We have a tendancy to panic and try to not let our businesses run themselves into the ground.

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Scratch the surface and I think you might find that we do indeed subsidize many industries You picked on Amtrak (which is woefully underfunded), but left out all the subsidy goodies the airline industry gets. Why? Amtrak has to pay to keep up its infrastructure, but airlines don't. Why is that okay for you?

don't forget farm subsidies...

Hartford Tycoon:

I have to weigh in on NATIONALIZE HEALTH CARE. I don't want it, I don't have Health insurance, because it is my choice. I can put my $$ into health saving account and if I do need health care -- I can get a doctor and pay him CASH!

Europe is a SOCIALISTIC continent. France's ECONOMY is ailing. Also, France's MINORITY is ROITING and FRANCE keeps some industries as state owned. We don't, except AMTRAK, and the post office and both need to be PRIVATIZED!

massachusetts is on the way to socializing their health care. the fact remains that people who need it can't get it, nor do they make enough to put money into a health savings account and pay cash at the doctor.

socializing health care would be a step in the right direction.

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don't forget farm subsidies...

massachusetts is on the way to socializing their health care. the fact remains that people who need it can't get it, nor do they make enough to put money into a health savings account and pay cash at the doctor.

socializing health care would be a step in the right direction.

Give the less fortunate healthcare at the expense of taxpayers. I've got no problem with paying a little more in taxes to help out, but leave the fortunate people alone. I like being able to choose my own healthcare and my own doctor. I'm not willing to wait in line for days or weeks to see a mediocore doctor when I have the opportunity to see a great doctor in short time.

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Give the less fortunate healthcare at the expense of taxpayers. I've got no problem with paying a little more in taxes to help out, but leave the fortunate people alone. I like being able to choose my own healthcare and my own doctor. I'm not willing to wait in line for days or weeks to see a mediocore doctor when I have the opportunity to see a great doctor in short time.

Whoever said that those of us with healthcare would have to wait for the public healthcare? I would like to keep seeing my doctor too, but I would like for everyone to simply be able to see a doctor and have access to basic healthcare. Did anyone else see the report last week about how the wealthiest white Americans have the equivelent health of the poorest white English? I know there are other factors at play, but the fact remains that our healthcare system is flawed, inadequate and the laughing stock of the industrialized world. This will not change without some degree of socialization of US Healthcare.

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Look, maybe these are the issues that are emotional to me and it comes through. I know people without health care or a job and can't get state benefits. One of my best friends just lost her job a few months ago, can't find another and has sickle cell. I don't really need to elaborate on how bad a situation that is, that at least she would not be going through if we had universal health care. So my reasons are personal as well and based on my experiences with life and seeing people in emotional and physical distress due to the harsh realities of American life. I know it's never going to be a perfect world, but I just want some help for some people who need it and don't see what wrong with wanting that. I know to many people who have gotten the short end of the stick in life to agree with your views. Period, that's how it is. But I do understand and respect your opinions and values even if they differ from my own.

We definately need a small business center. I'm sure you know that there are more than enough underutilized spaces on my side of town. If some folks with good ideas (like me) could get some friggin help we could make some really positive things happen very quickly.

Tycoon:

What will NATIONALIZED HEATH CARE do for the ECONOMY? It will create more GOVERNMENTAL WORKERS -- and it would be POLICIALIZED. Sorry, I don't need 1/7 of my paycheck to go to something --I can pay for. The USA is not SOCIALIST -- FREEDOM OF CHOICE is the way to go. My Choice is no health insurance for me, because I don't need it!

JS

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Scratch the surface and I think you might find that we do indeed subsidize many industries You picked on Amtrak (which is woefully underfunded), but left out all the subsidy goodies the airline industry gets. Why? Amtrak has to pay to keep up its infrastructure, but airlines don't. Why is that okay for you?

KRC:

yes, the airline industry is another industry that needs to make it on its own! A friend just closed his boat business, the government didn't bail him out. If you open a business, be it railroad, boat building, farming, airline, freight delivery or cell phone -- DON'T ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO BAIL YOU OUT!!!

JS

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Whoever said that those of us with healthcare would have to wait for the public healthcare? I would like to keep seeing my doctor too, but I would like for everyone to simply be able to see a doctor and have access to basic healthcare. Did anyone else see the report last week about how the wealthiest white Americans have the equivelent health of the poorest white English? I know there are other factors at play, but the fact remains that our healthcare system is flawed, inadequate and the laughing stock of the industrialized world. This will not change without some degree of socialization of US Healthcare.

Tycoon:

Why not NATIONALIZE the AUTO INDUSTRY? Why not NATIONALIZE the WATER COMPANIES. (here in Tampa, we have private water). HEALTH CARE is the best in the WORLD -- people from Canada are crossing the border to go get operations in the USA. Look at the people who go to the MAYO CLINIC...

JS

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Tycoon:

What will NATIONALIZED HEATH CARE do for the ECONOMY? It will create more GOVERNMENTAL WORKERS -- and it would be POLICIALIZED. Sorry, I don't need 1/7 of my paycheck to go to something --I can pay for. The USA is not SOCIALIST -- FREEDOM OF CHOICE is the way to go. My Choice is no health insurance for me, because I don't need it!

JS

I'm glad you don't need it. I am truly happy that you are so fortunate. What do I tell my friend with sickle cell and medical bills she'll never be able to re-pay? Don't say get a job, because that is the plan, it's just not working out.

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We do have nationalized public schools, and they're considered mediocre. Our nationalized military has been considered the best, but its performance in Iraq against an enemy with inferior technology has shown otherwise (though I'd say it's because we fight by the rules and they don't). In England the Universities at Cambridge and Oxford have been treading water, getting by with increased foreign scholars who pay full tuition because the state run system doesn't give the schools enough funding. We still have some of the best Universities in the world and our health care system is pretty good; we actually subsidize the lower rates that other country's (i.e. Canada) governments demand their drugs be sold for. They use the same bully tactics as Wal-Mart, the drug companies make a profit on the pills but don't really put a dent into the $$$ spent on R&D.

There is a health care problem in this country, but I don't think putting its control completely in the hands of Uncle Sam is the answer. I'm curious to see how Massachusetts' innovative quasi universal healthcare system works out.

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Tycoon:

Why not NATIONALIZE the AUTO INDUSTRY? Why not NATIONALIZE the WATER COMPANIES. (here in Tampa, we have private water). HEALTH CARE is the best in the WORLD -- people from Canada are crossing the border to go get operations in the USA. Look at the people who go to the MAYO CLINIC...

JS

and people from the US are buying prescription drugs from canada. what's your point?

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and people from the US are buying prescription drugs from canada. what's your point?

........and getting operations in France. I mean c'mon. US Healthcare sucks, I don't know what world some of you are living on. At least runaway seems to agree with me today......

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........and getting operations in France. I mean c'mon. US Healthcare sucks, I don't know what world some of you are living on. At least runaway seems to agree with me today......

i'm anti-capitalism in many ways... at least when a free market economy ceases to be free. i know jim sawhill is gonna say that the health care system is completely free market, when in reality, it's not. government regulations prevent that whether it's subsidized or not.

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i'm anti-capitalism in many ways... at least when a free market economy ceases to be free. i know jim sawhill is gonna say that the health care system is completely free market, when in reality, it's not. government regulations prevent that whether it's subsidized or not.

As am I. I actually think trying to improve lives is more important than making money. Maybe I am immature or something.

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As am I. I actually think trying to improve lives is more important than making money. Maybe I am immature or something.

I'm for improving lives ... but when you take away the money from healthcare you take away a lot of incentive (and capacity) to spend billions of dollars on research. Universal health care in other countries results in governments using their clout to demand that prices are low for drugs, which in turn forces the companies to maintain higher prices in the USA. I'm not saying these companies are perfect saints out for the greater good. They're in it for the money. When you take the money out of the equation, everyone loses.

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As am I. I actually think trying to improve lives is more important than making money. Maybe I am immature or something.

funny you should say that considering your stance on utopia. :whistling:

but seriously, that's the issue at hand with health care. doctors should be licensed in order to practice, but when the government gets in the way of regulating health care (the current capitalistic health care system that we have now) and when the justice system allows people to sue doctors for mal-practice for what would be considered a normal mistake or one of the risks, the system is no longer the free system that jim sawhill likes to think it is. the current system prevents people of certain demographics from receiving proper care. in doing so, it aids in the spread of viruses and disease.

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I'm for improving lives ... but when you take away the money from healthcare you take away a lot of incentive (and capacity) to spend billions of dollars on research. Universal health care in other countries results in governments using their clout to demand that prices are low for drugs, which in turn forces the companies to maintain higher prices in the USA. I'm not saying these companies are perfect saints out for the greater good. They're in it for the money. When you take the money out of the equation, everyone loses.

Well, a lot of Americans are losing right now. What can we do about that, or is that just how it is and going to be? We need to look long and hard at ourselves. If it's okay with you the way it is, than so be it. It's very far from okay to me. I don't care what anyone thinks, this is not an issue I will ever compromise on. Every American deserves access to adequate healthcare period. Whatever the rest of us and the government have to do to get us to that point, so be it.

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I'm for improving lives ... but when you take away the money from healthcare you take away a lot of incentive (and capacity) to spend billions of dollars on research. Universal health care in other countries results in governments using their clout to demand that prices are low for drugs, which in turn forces the companies to maintain higher prices in the USA. I'm not saying these companies are perfect saints out for the greater good. They're in it for the money. When you take the money out of the equation, everyone loses.

i like to reference law and order... it might be tv but it brings up some good points. there was an episode where they put a drug manufacturer on trial for the deaths of several college students who were involved in a study. previous studies of the drug in question were not published and were kept secret because they were paid for by the drug company and found that the drug was responsible for very strong suicidal feelings in otherwise completely mentally sound individuals. the study that the trial involved was only to look at certain factors and not any other side effects, meaning they knew about the mental issues and they would basically ignore it. the drug company CEO was found guilty of murder.

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Whoever said that those of us with healthcare would have to wait for the public healthcare? I would like to keep seeing my doctor too, but I would like for everyone to simply be able to see a doctor and have access to basic healthcare. Did anyone else see the report last week about how the wealthiest white Americans have the equivelent health of the poorest white English? I know there are other factors at play, but the fact remains that our healthcare system is flawed, inadequate and the laughing stock of the industrialized world. This will not change without some degree of socialization of US Healthcare.

In America, if you're willing to pay good money, you'll get the best healthcare in the world. Fortunately, I'm able to afford this, and I will not stand by idily if the government forced me to see certain doctors. I demand to see who I want, when I want. Hard working people who make good money should be able to spend it on the best doctors if they so choose.

Our healthcare system is flawed; I never said it wasn't. The fact that 45 million don't have any sort of health insurance is proof of this. As I stated earlier, I'd be happy to dish out a little more in order to cover these people. What I don't want is a nationalized system that not only takes away my right to see whoever I want, whenever I want, but also waters down the quality of the physicians.

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Well, a lot of Americans are losing right now. What can we do about that, or is that just how it is and going to be?

I stated in a previous post that I'm curious to see how Massachusetts' system will work as it's nothing like a traditional universal healthcare system, instead mandating by law that everyone either gets private insurance or state-run insurance. Jim brought up a good point with the malpractice suits coming along, and I think there was something in the news about that. OBGYNs are seeing a shortage of practitioners because of the high malpractice insurance rates. Ambulance chasers helping to create a mentality that resulted in lawsuits filed left and right don't help the problem.

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