RaZor

I only read up on the DTV signal because I live in a hurricane prone area and even though I have a generator, cable often goes down during or after a storm. Here are couple links that you might want to do some research on: http://antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx You fill in your exact address and it will give you all the stations in your area and what type of antenna is needed and even the degrees from mag north to rotate your antenna to for best reception. http://www.zipinstallation.com/Antennas_s/125.htm There are antenna that can reach out more than 50 miles - but if you are in a valley - well that may be a problem. My next door neighbor has a similar situation in that they have a home in NC in a valley that they go to fairly often. They have satellite service here in Fla and purchased an extra "box" for their NC home which is included in the same monthly rate. He owns a software company and even uses the satellite service for phone and internet connections in both locations. According to him, it is broadband (roughly as fast as basic DSL band rates - which is very slow IMO) but it is enough for him. He really doesn't have any alternatives as there is not any cable service to his NC home. This article sums it up rather nicely http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/24/technolo...h/24basics.html

http://www.careervoyages.gov/ http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecopro.t06.htm http://jobs.stateuniversity.com/collection...ing-Future.html It is never too late to think of a career - unless you are in your sixties (or even late fifties). Then one may have to be more careful in their choice. Of course, if one has acquired the necessary skills - there is nothing like being your own boss - having your own business. A couple of problems there though. It is not a "punch the clock - pick up your check" job. But then, it is one of the few ways to become financially comfortable (unless, of course, you choose one of the higher earning professions - but they all require a high level of education) today. IF one tends to think of how many hours one puts in - then this probably isn't for you either. Your success, or failure, will depend totally on you, your skills, your motivation, your continuing education (you cannot sit still as there is just plain too much competition out there that is looking to take your place in the marketplace). But then again, if one has the mindset to just do what is necessary (and not go the extra mile) and create greater "value" (and standout from other employees), then one needs to be realistic about their expectations - even in a "job". The business world is very competitive environment (even if you invent a widget that millions want & need and will continue to buy - in short, a consumable - there will many many others that will attempt to get a piece of the action - or even replace you) . . . and so is the workforce world. It's all about creating . . . value. If you don't have a Plan B today, don't blame anyone else but yourself because the world is rapidly changing - and the rate of change will increase. Sit still and you'll get left behind.

That would qualify IMO - in that the employee has shown the commitment to pay for him/herself - initially - to be reimbursed after satisfactory completion. As a matter of fact, many companies changed their policy to that method simply because far too many employees were half-assing it when the company paid for it up front. I saw that back in the eighties. Make the employee show their commitment and if they do not put forth the effort to gain a required level of certification, then why should the company pay for it? After all the whole purpose was to improve the employee's value to the company. I was amazed how many employees screwed off going through an apprenticeship program (one that I helped create) - whose sole purpose was to make them significantly more skilled (valuable to their employer) -- even when it had prescribed pay increases as they progressed through the program. Attendance (just going to the classes) was often a problem. One of the big short-comings of many unions has been to not sponsor, conduct continuing education of their members. Who in their right mind thinks that the business world is going to sit still? Again, the value of assemblers in manufacturing has been declining for a long time. Oh and by the way, I am not anti-UAW, and would point out that most office workers - that had any motivation to advance, obtain greater job security and longevity -- definitely pursued continuing education (if they were smart). Remember, there were also millions of office workers that were obsoleted with the rise of computers in business, esp beginning again, in the eighties. I take it that you cannot list any efforts on your part to improve your (employment) value. Gee I wonder why you are where you are - now? Want respect? Might want to start with yourself. The world isn't against you - you apparently wasted away with time. Take the number of years that you have been pursuing your employment, multiply it by the number of days, and you will get the number of days that you failed to make a decision to improve your lot in life. Don't blame it on Mullaly (or management). He is indeed VERY VALUABLE.

Stugots, It is apparent that there is one very important rule of life (in regards to occupation/employment) that may have escaped you all these years. That is the rule of "value". The job that one qualifies for, one's remuneration, job security, and longevity are all determined by your value to whom ever is buying your time, expertise, skills, etc. Things really started changing around 1980 when there were roughly 16 million Americans working for Fortune 500 companies. Within ten years that number had dropped to around half of that. Previously, many Americans worked for one company their entire working life. That really began to end in the eighties. Ever since, for those who cared to notice, it became obvious that the chances of lifetime employment with any one corporation grew dimmer with each year. This also was the period that automation really took off in many forms of manufacturing. Again, for those who cared to notice (and absorb the reality of life), that simply meant that one's "value" was also changing. . . in that one needed more and more education, specialized training, expertise, skills - in short, value - just to remain employed in their selected occupation, let alone qualify for higher level or new jobs with new employers. I only mention these things because it has been readily apparent that occupational opportunities and security have been changing for quite some time. It is not like this has happened all of a sudden. Maybe you will list for us just how you have endeavored to increase your value/skills/expertise -- on your own -- on your own time -- even at your own cost. You know, sorta like one would list on a resume. You don't need to identify any schools of higher learning, technical schools, or other identifying specifics. . . but please do demonstrate how you have made a commitment to better your employment opportunities (value) during you working life thus far. Oh, and please make a differentiation between continuing education that you pursued and that which was required, or provided by, your employer. I am not trying to put you on the spot -- just trying to understand why you are having a hard time understanding what several here have tried repeatedly to get across to you regarding your complaints/concerns.

A perfect example of And this from a man that collects pay from his employer while doing a significant amount of non-company activities all during the work day. Hope for your sake that they never find out and fire you . . . then you come down with some condition that will determine your insurability for the rest of your life. It happens to people rather routinely in this country - loose their job, insurance . . . and then something happens . . . IF you think that the close to 47-50 million that don't have health insurance in this country is because their are deadbeats, or have "unhealthy lifestyles" as you put it, well, Nick, I think that you are wrong. People that think that there are perfectly healthy have things come up every hour, of every day. . . and if it happens (Murphy's Law) when they don't have insurance, or think that do have it (like Ford4v) . . .well, that happens everyday too. Be careful - there is a thing called Karma.

There is this thing on the world wide web, Floyd -it's called "search" function, like in Goggle. When one uses it it renders all sorts of sources, such as: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/11856.php That is just one and it's from the industry itself - and is several years old and basically deals with just preventable in-hospital deaths(195k for several yrs). It took maybe 5 seconds to find it. Do your own research, although I doubt that you are really interested in finding sources that contradict the position that you already taken. If I have the time (I doubt it), I'll find a more recent one (that I have read recently) that deals not only with in-hospital preventable deaths, but due to all medical errors (including misdiagnosed and meds errors) -- and that was well over 200k. But then the AMA admitted a year or two ago to 125K. I suppose that you think that is an OK number. Sorry, chiefstang - I was moved by Ford4v's post and then later by WingDingMan's -- unfortunately there are tens of thousands of people out there (even with insurance) that find themselves really screwed by our archaic system. Oh and Floyd, I am in the tax bracket that will realize an increase in 2011 - I don't really give two shits about paying another 3% (it's easy to make up if I feel like it) - I don't have this obsession that "I’ve got mine, I want to keep all of it, you should get your own. . . and if you don’t, it’s your fault – tough shit . . . and, and, and, and you are a lazy, ne’re do well, a pig, a socialist . . .a communist, a fascist, and an unending assortment of stereotypical name-calling . . . if you don’t have yours. . . it’s your own fault." I just happen to believe it is unAmerican to not care about millions of other Americans needlessly suffering. There is an old adage (?) that a chain is as strong as its weakest link. America's "chain" has far too many weak links - and that weakens our entire country. Hell, I don't even care if they raise the cap for Social Security and Medicare (that along with eliminating and prosecution of Medicare fraud providers & businesses) would fix that system in a hurry. Why should I get away with paying a percentage or two of my earnings towards the system - when those that earn less than $90k are paying 6% + (or self-employed paying double that)? Again, sorry chiefstang for my complicity in hijacking your thread. Oh, and I am buying a Taurus SHO later this year - might as well while we can,eh? :shades: Thought about buying a GT500 - but my son reminded how old I am. . . so we're going to build a race car for on (SCCA) track fun next year (when his job constraints ease up a little and I live a little closer to him).

While I really feel for this business owner, I keep wondering why he did not act several years ago when it was pretty obvious that Chrysler had very BIG problems. Daimler totally screwed up the company and Cerberus bought a very injured company - without a real plan (bus plan) to put it all back together again. They certainly did not allocate funds above the purchase price to turn the company into a bona fide competitive manufacturer. But then again, look who Cerberus is - and who runs the show there - and what they are - and who they hired to be CEO (Nardelli - who Home Depot had to pay to get rid of). Has it not been common knowledge that the D3 were going to have to eliminate dealers - as there existed far too many - did he not get that "memo"? Did he not know that he was not a top performer (that would survive even the most drastic cuts? Somewhere along the line, if I were this man, I would have figured out that what I was holding was a lemon. . . and the taste wasn't ever going to get better . . . it would never turn sweet . . . and the chances that it was going to get more sour - was very high. I would have unloaded that dealership years ago (when the writing was on the wall - in bright red). <who knows a new owner might have been able to turn that dealership into a top performer - that didn't eventually get axed> I hope that he has a plan to have a fire sale with complete inventory elimination (note that I did not use the word reduction) -- BEFORE June 9th. Otherwise, he is going to eat even more dollars (they do not taste good and are loaded with germs). . . if he has to sell them as used. Somehow I don't think that pursuing legal solutions is going to be productive for him (and others in his position). Sell the frigging cars before June 9th!!! Is it fair what is being done to these people? Of course not. Was it fair for long time employees that got laid-off/fired just before their pensions fully vested over the last three decades? Of course not. I've known people that got canned just a couple of months before being fully vested (max pension bennies) and everyone knew why they were canned. Some say that IS the free market place (and it was never fair). Personally, I don't think the free marketplace has every existed. Just like free trade does not exist. Someone most often looses. The trick is being ahead of the ball and don't get run over in the first place (even if the business has been in the family for decades). Once upon a time A&P was the greatest supermarket chain in the country (founded in the 1850's). It was family owned and they refused to adjust to new business plans and change with the market place. It did not take long for it to fall to just a also-ran chain. I am sure many of you can think of other examples. Anyone in the market to buy a Blockbuster (or other video store) franchise? The smart ones got out many years ago.

I seem to recall that you are approx my age. Why don't you take suv_guy up on his suggestion, and "come on down!"? Let me give you a little heads up to what you are most likely looking at. If you work for a large corp and have their health insurance, you will need to get the insurance company's permission before any treatment(that means that a claims adjuster will decide whether they approve the procedure and they look to find ANY excuse to not approve it - after all that would cut into their profits). Tens of thousands die every year in this country before that approval comes - or are turned down for premium treatment. Over 200,000 die every year due to medical mistakes (the AMA admits to 125,000 deaths). Yeah, we've got a great system. At age 60, my health insurance for an individual (I am semi-retired) had gone up over 700% in less than 8 years - to over $15,000 per year. I am totally healthy, have no pre-existing conditions, do not take any meds, etc. Now one would think that would take care of most medical situations (above my $2,500 deductible -with another $2,500 out-of-pocket before 100% coverage up to the maximum of the policy per occurrence/lifetime). Nope, I was responsible for an amazing amount of care - esp anything that is really costly (like most cancer treatments, transplants, etc.). For example, if you ever received treatment for your back (esp due to work related) - it will never be covered by private insurance - until you qualify for Medicare - then it will be covered. I changed it out to a plan with a $5,000 deductible (the insurance does not pay one red cent until I hit $5k in a year - then it pays 80%) - there is no co-pay for doctors/meds/anything - if I go to a doctor, I pay out-of-pocket (until I hit $5k). Now that insurance costs me $8,000/year. Most Americans think that they are covered for catastrophic conditions, when in fact, they are not. Health insurance companies are nothing more than legalized crime syndicates (the mob). Oh, and by the way anything that you have been diagnosed with, treated for, for a minimum of 5 years (actually any medical condition that pre-exists) -- will NOT be covered under any private insurance plan. It cracks me up every time I read (or hear someone) who makes the statement that with universal health care - the gov't will make your healthcare decisions. With private insurance, do you know who makes those decisions - a person paid to find a reason NOT to pay a claim. Practically every claim (esp any claim worth significant $) is reviewed to find a reason to not pay it. Why do you think Aetna had to settle a multi-billion dollar suit for not paying billions in valid claims a few years ago? Why do you think that UnitedHealth Group settled out of court for several hundred million similar suit - for not paying valid claims just a couple months ago? So tell me . . . how were those "insured" citizens affected by the non-payment of those billions of dollars of claims that went unpaid (by the insurance company)? Do you think any of them got worse . . . or died? You better stay right where you are (we don't need any more anarchists here anyway) because those figures ($) have no relation to what your income is (if you only make $45k/year and your insurance cost $15k plus out-of pocket costs, tough shit). Oh and I spoke with a guy who got laid off and he is paying $2400/month for his Cobra insurance (and guess what -- that does not pick up all health care costs either). Can you do the math? Probably not . . . that extends out to $28,800 per year and he is still responsible for health care costs above that. Yep . . . you better stay right where you are at - 'cause you obviously do not have a clue to the reality of very much. . . certainly not what millions of Americans have to deal with these days.

Three years ago, the city in which I live finally decided that they needed to redo all of the lakes and canals within the city to be better prepared against flooding (mandated by ordinances - and which had not be done/maintained for over 50 years). It was found that the all of the utilities had placed their underground lines (originally) in the wrong place - within the city property - not in the utility easement. They were all required to move them to the correct location. They all did --- BUT -- there was one BellSouth (now AT&T) that applied for and received FEMA money for the cost of doing so (they claimed they were replacing hurricane damaged equipment). They upgraded everything to fibre optics while doing so -- all on taxpayer money. Something that they were responsible for in the first place. It was reported and the Bush admin did nothing - still paid BellSouth for replacing/upgrading/moving their lines - with the taxpayer dollar(s). When will you people realize that corporations are the biggest feeders at the trough of public funds - that makes the ones you cite - like pocket change (peanuts)? And guess what - it has ALWAYS been this way. If you care to do a little research on the matter you will find that it was indeed an issue back in 1781 - when the Constitution was drafted. Who on earth was looking for government help then? Try the farmers – who were looking for protection so that their properties wouldn’t be seized for nonpayment of taxes, for the return of runaway slaves to their owners, and to kill Indians, so that settlers could expand and steal land (from those Indians). A little research will also reveal that it was during that time that the government was pressed into guaranteeing near-worthless bonds held by the speculators of the time. Hmmm, doesn’t that sound familiar? Has the ring of buying today’s toxic assets, doesn’t it? And yet, the country was only a few years old. In 1794 Pennsylvania farmers amassed themselves to stand up against unfair tax laws and in the very first session of Congress, one of the results was to have government manipulate markets with tariffs – wait for it – to subsidize manufacturers. In reality subsidizing business (welfare/entitlements for business) has been around since the year our Constitution was written.

Hmmm, not so sure about that - but even if true, it only buys them 3-4 years extra to comply and by that time the goal is even higher IIRC. Seem to remember the number 60,000 vehicle sales - which before was to Calif & 13 other states. I would assume that number would now be all 50 states. I think that is why Porsche was so intent on the VW deal to get included in their corporate fleet numbers. Personally I think that number should be much lower - say like 1,500 to 2,500 total vehicles - that way the real small car companies get some time to meet the regs - Porsche certainly has the means, the resources and the time to meet the regs.

The Obama administration was apparently following the lead of the Bush Homeland Security Department in assessing the very real threat of violent right-wing extremism. Indeed, Bush appointees such as FBI Director Robert Mueller have acknowledged the threat of right-wing extremism multiple times. There is an element of the story which has largely gone unreported. One looks at right-wing groups. And a second is on left-wing groups. Significantly, both were requested by the Bush administration but not finished until President Bush left office. Due to the fact all domestic terrorist events in the last 3 decades in this country perpetrated by domestic terrorists has been by right-wingers (OK bombing, Atlanta Olympics bombing, etc), with the exception of that small eco-terrorist group that burned some uninhabited houses in the NW, the DHS and FBI wouldn't be doing their jobs if they weren't proactive on this issue. What about the Pittsburgh shooting just a month ago. Right wingers get paranoid - paranoia can lead to violence - it's as simple as that. Former FBI Dir. Robert Mueller: Read more Hope you guys aren't getting too paranoid

Totally agree. Besides I have a hard time envisioning any company selling a Nano here in the States that will meet safety standards - unless, of course, they make it a 3-wheeler to bring it under motorcycle regs. . . or it's one of those glorified golf-cart electric thingees.

I like them both - in fact they make the Audi look so overdone - I am really getting to hate the Audi front end look. There is some guy that bought an R8 here in the hood - and I do not like the "eye-brow" or "eye-liner" lights that are on all of the time. But I guess that if one has a really, really, really great need to be noticed - that does the trick. I agree - you ought to be communicating with Ford . Have you learned 3D modeling yet?

Personally, I think that the Fiesta is looking real good, will be a hot item in sales, and as Ford moves closer and closer to one global platform and uniformity of parts, that we will see the gap between what the Europeans, the South Americans (etc), and what Americans get - to narrow and narrow with each passing year. It never fails to amaze me some of the comments about spy-shots in regards to camo’d cars (and even the wheels) in terms of “those look very much like first gen” etc. Does that little light bulb ever go off that if a manuf is camo-ing a car that they are doing their best to NOT show us what the end product will look like? And I am totally in agreement with a manuf striving to keep secret (as possible) what the end product will look like. Critic, I hate to jump in here, but FordBuyer is probably much closer to the truth than you are willing to admit. There is very little doubt that automation will continue to replace human workers . . . and for those that choose to live in a fantasy world that a high school education will be sufficient to be gainfully employed (without regular job changes and periods of unemployment) are going to face painful results of their ‘career’ choice. Now I am not saying that everyone needs to go to college and get a degree, to the contrary, I believe that we are going to see a significant rise in technical schools available that teach job skills. Those that do not pursue that further education/training (past HS education – and it will not be free, or paid for by others) will increasing be left behind in the job market. Yes, there will always be some human involvement where human dexterity will be needed (or too costly to automate – but even that will change with time) – but you can pretty much count on that diminishing with each passing year . . . and that those types of jobs will experience a downward spiral in income. The current constant search by manufacturers to find a cheaper and cheaper labor market (3rd world countries) will at some point be no longer cost effective due to the cost of constructing/outfitting factories in one country after another. Sooner or later, mgmt will come to the realization that constructing an automated factory within the market country will be the most cost effective (profitable) and worth the investment in the technology/equipment. Assemblers will indeed be increasingly transformed into technicians in the future – and that requires education and training. By the way, I am not inferring that you (or UAW etc workers) have only a HS education. But I will add that there is a huge problem in the number of youth today that are not only getting just a HS education – but in the numbers that are dropping out of (not completing) HS. IF only they knew how their decisions now- are going to impact their lives – for the rest of their lives – well, let’s just say it is really sad. I do some volunteer work with education and it amazes me the number of kids that are hell-bent on making their lives very difficult (as an adult). Of course, one thing that could hold up the implementation of automation – and that is a huge market of unskilled, basic-education-only workers (those that have not chosen a continuing education program in their adult life) that will be willing to work for ever decreasing wages. As I told a group of young boys (& a few girls) just last week . . . you will get out of life exactly what you put into it . . . you will be rewarded for your effort (or lack thereof). By the way, it is part of a mentoring program and for the most part, these kids' parents didn't teach them much (but then how can they teach - that which they themselves do not know/understand?)

Gorby had a lot to do with it - he envisioned doing what China ended up doing - but there were too many hard-liners to allow that to happen and the corruption squashed it. The Chinese kept it (corruption) under control - enough to get the job started and on its way. Whether they can hold it together is another story.

Isn't there some rumors floating about that GM will keep the G8 platform, rework it with new sheet metal and turn it into a new RWD Impala and a new cop-car? Or did that just present itself in my "nap"? :shades:

I take it that you concede and agree with my point that old Bushie & his admin failed in their Constitutional responsibility to enforce (existing) laws in this regard, in that you did not address it, or contest it. Rather, as per usual, you misdirect. . . yeah, but, but, but . . . Actually, you are addressing my point in the preceding post, in that we MUST (IMO) rise above this partisanship and get to work at what's best for our country. I agree that the Dems have, at times, shown that they have not pressed for better controls on the illegal invasion, or expulsion of same. I haven't seen any greater examples of "open borders" and/or "decries crackdowns" on the part of the Dems (I am not one, by the way) than the actions, or lack thereof, of the "decider" and his admin. This BS needs to stop. What good does it do to have "laws of the land" - if we don't enforce them? Of course, that brings up another issue, which is curiously missing from the discussion here, in the outright circumvention (breaking) of the "laws of the land" by the same people that are charged with the responsibility to enforce the "laws of the land". And yes, you are right, Republicans usually aren't not concerned with civil rights. Edit: Thanks Nick -'twas on phone with/REA and didn't notice it.

I won't use the word (your last one), but your analysis is vary amateurish, naive, and incomplete. Consider for one moment the effect on California's budget for the past 8 years on revenue that ended up being expended on illegals. Illegals (from Mexico - or though Mexico) influx -which just about doubled AFTER 9/11 - an event that any prudent person would think, would have provided cause for the Feds to have taken steps to halt (in the interest of security). Expensive, of course. Less expensive (for the Fed gov't - who is responsible by law) than the Bush War (which will be over $3 trillion) - for sure. You see - Calif cannot legally withhold public services, medical care, etc from illegals (just like any other state that has this huge problem and budgetary burden). Do a little research and find out what California spends on these services/costs annually (over the past 8 years) and then comeback with an analysis based on reality. Ahhh, you say, you're just picking on poor old Bushie again. Lemme ask you which branch of the Fed gov't is constitutionally charged with enforcement of the laws of the land? God gave you a brain - use it.

A couple of weeks ago, I caught a show on the Science channel "How They Do It" (or something like that) which is very much like "How It's Made". I only caught part of the show but it was how the Braun electric shaver is made (in Germany IIRC). The entire parts manufacturing process is completely automated, as is the entire assembly process -- except for snapping on the plastic cover and packaging. They explained that human dexterity was best at snapping on the cover and also included a complete inspection of the shaver before packaging. Now mind you, this is a waterproof shaver and so tolerances are very close. But it was a very good example of how manufacturing can be done -- within the country of origin - instead of outsourcing it to some country where labor costs are extremely low. BUT, there is one requirement. The company needs to invest in the technology to have the computer-controlled automated machines etc that manufacturer the parts and do the almost-compete assembly. Then one looks at all of the (relatively) simple products that American companies out-sourced to China. This may be a bad example, but the only reason Mattel out-sourced almost 100% of their products (toys etc) to China is because they didn't want to make that investment. Of course, automated manufacturing is going to eliminate lots of jobs (assembly etc) but it also opens up lots of employment for the manufacturing of the automated machines that manufacture the parts, and assemble the parts (etc). The bottom line to me, is that what far too many companies did was follow everyone else that followed the easiest course - make no investment in your own company and country - just out-source it to the cheapest source of labor. Globalization is nothing more than a trade war with production looking for a country with cheaper labor. It becomes an unending search for that end - cheaper labor. China is now building factories in VietNam, Thailand, Laos and other South Asia countries that have even cheaper labor - because the China cost of labor has already climbed too high. Some may argue that raises all boats (income level) for workers of all 3rd world countries - and therefore, is good. I contend that is rather naive in that it just exposes more and more people of the world to exploitation - because it is very rare that companies have the workers' interest at heart. No it's really about maximizing profits and, in far too many cases, just increases the number of sweat shops worldwide. Personally I believe that we ought to compete in globalization by eliminating the subsidy to almost all off-shoring, mandate a balanced trade balance (any country that has a trade deficit will always lose in the long run - so it is not a win-win situation), either adopt VAT that’s rebate-able to equalize our disadvantage in international trade, or institute safeguards (intelligent trade policies) that eliminates foreign VAT tax predatory practices. Adoption of VAT would be the easiest ISTM, and easiest to enforce, and may in the long run help to eliminate personal income tax burden. And that, of course, brings up another subject - income tax. Unless you are totally naive anarchist (like WingDingMan), taxes are indeed necessary (that does not mean that we cannot figure out a way to do it fairer and more efficiently), and unless you live on fantasy island, life without taxes and government (I contend that we have the right to expect effective gov't) would be much, much worse in their absence. <----that is a link <use your curser to hover over each year and it shows the ratio> While some say that corporations should not pay any income taxes at all (with the misguided logic that if they don't - they will pay the employees more - yeah right - just fell off the turnip truck, eh?) - I suggest that a corporation is a legal entity (and consumer) just as an individual is - and should pay taxes based on their income. The difference is that corporations are, in reality, only tax collectors - not really income tax payers - and can deduct significantly more expenses than an individual can (who does not have one else to pass their tax on to). ISTM that we just need to cease all of this political polarization, ideology BS, and get busy figuring out what its going to take to get this country going again - and take the steps to put in enough (just enough) safeguards - so this collapse - never happens again. Yes, business cycles can go up and down - but that does not mean that the hills and valleys need to be like the biggest, most extreme roller coaster around.

Just wondering, do you actually have some basis for making this statement - or is this pure supposition? Maybe you made observations from movies or television? I seem to remember that Americans that smoke, or have smoked at some point in their life, is significantly (I seem to remember something of the range of 22-25% more) more than Europeans.

I am going to stick my neck out (not really ) that Chrysler will emerge from this Ch11 with ONLY debt to the gov't.

Until it addresses the underlying cause of the financial sector’s collapse, part of which is the massive imbalance in trade, the economic mood of the country will not change. There are too many millions of Americans who intuitively know — because they shop — that the country no longer produces what it consumes(I seem to recall seeing a nat'l survey that 3 out of 4 Americans do not think globalization is good - for us). America’s wealth is no longer in America. The American industrial sector knows very well that until the government puts in place policies that encourage U.S.-based production of a new generation of consumer and industrial products, there can only be an anemic economic recovery. All of the well-funded interests that have been pro-free trade, globalization (without fair trade that protects our own critical industries - just like every other nation does) proponents have won the economic debate (for the better part of 20+ years), and especially for the last 8 years (during which we lost four million manufacturing jobs here) — they claim that cheap prices and offshore outsourcing are good for Americans — but the United States has lost the underpinnings of its economy. It will not turn around until we eliminate the trade deficit. At least Padilla is gone. . . maybe now something can be done to turn it around. If the Chinese "pulls" the CC, maybe that will help give the impetus to bring back manufacturing Stateside. Lord knows, there are enough shuttered factories to do it.

You are correct in that one should have it in their plan, at the very least, to do a semi-annual review of their tax situation and what the effect that the amount of withholding will be -- come filing time. I have often heard people (for as long as I can remember) that bragged that they were getting a large refund (typ a couple grand or more). These people are what I have always thought of as "people who do not understand the value of the dollar" and/or do not possess the discipline to budget and save - so they like a big refund. Or those that "short" their W/H ( or ETPs) and end up having to pay significantly come filing time (and then complain about it) Although I retired ten years early (in advance of SS), and therefore, have not kept up with tax tables and such - based on W-2s, if more people treated their financial lives like a business (which includes tax planning) - they would be much better off. AFAIC if you have almost all of your income from one source (W-2) and you ever get more than a few hundred dollars back in a refund, or ever have to pay more than a few hundred dollars - you are not doing your job very well. Either you are allowing the Fed gov't use of your money (interest free) or you are opening up yourself (if you have to pay too great a percentage come filing time) to penalties. As to whether or not you actually are going to get a tax cut: I don't know about you - but if you pay less taxes by a reduced percentage of gross income (tax rate %) - then you received (or will receive) a tax cut. It is apparent that many insist on going through life whining like an early teenage girl if life doesn't go according to their wishes or desires -- but may I suggest that you do your financial (tax) planning - there are so many tools that are so readily available now (esp online) that there should not be any excuse to not doing so. I suggest quarterly (just pretend that you are going to treat your financial life -- as a business, and you are the CFO). Are you going to pay less taxes (lower tax rate) for the year? Try this estimator Or this one Or this one - W/H planning My concern has always been more to accurately apply W/H, make estimated tax pymts, etc - so that I have maximum use of my income throughout the year and never have to pay any penalties. I often had years where I received a refund of less than $150 come filing time on a 6-figure income -- that was always my objective ----> $0 refund/$0 taxes due. Personally, I have never had this obsession with taxes that many seem to have. I really never complained that I was paying too much tax and conversely, always had it to be my objective to rise into the next higher tax bracket (where historically the tax rate increased as one moved up into the next higher bracket). I very much liked it when I ascended into that next higher tax bracket - because it always meant more income as an end result. I will not see a tax-cut and if things stay pretty much the same w/o change, I will will see a tax increase come 2011. Think I give two $hits? Not a chance. But I still plan on increasing my gross (and net) income (annually) -- even after I qualify for SS a little more than a handful of years from now. I guess much of it boils down to one's attitude/philosophy and even time management: am I going to spend some time learning/ earning/ developing an new income stream and thus a greater income this year (or even the next - if the learning curve is steeper)? Or, am I going to spend a great deal of time posting on internet forums (and even in my personal life) complaining that I am being too heavily taxed, that this, or that - is BS, that the world is not going the way that I think that it should . . . blah, blah, blah. Think about it . . . can you comprehend what is behind a philosophy that: "I am going to do what it takes so that I can pay a higher rate of taxes either this year - or the next!" Clue #1 : open that first link above and look in the box on the left that has "tax thresholds tax rate percentages". Thought #1 : What does it take to increase one's tax rate? Thought #2 : What does that mean? Thought #3 : What would be the bottom line if I were able to achieve that? Thought #4 : How would my life (and that of my family) change if I were able to accomplish that?

To me (which includes experiencing US Army training to deal with torture -if captured), torture is any act that inflicts severe pain and suffering, whether physical or mental, to coerce information from a person. Besides being profoundly un-Christian and un-American, torture, as any experienced military person will tell you, rarely yields good intelligence/information. People who are tortured will tell you what you want to hear, factual or not, just to get you to stop. . . and, that has pretty much has been proven over and over, for a very long time. Do I consider water boarding (a technique that the Japanese used on American prisoners and others in WWII – and that we convicted them for doing so) constitute torture? Unless you do not understand what it entails – of course it does. Using inhuman violence to extract information is one thing, but for punitive or revenge purposes brings a whole other aspect to inhuman treatment of other humans. Would this be a form of torture? Six enemy soldiers are captured and initially questioned in the field (while a chopper is dispatched to pick them up and return them to military intelligence location - as almost all intelligence gained from combatants is timely – the longer it takes to gain it – the less effective/accurate it is) and then during their flight back to the intell location, one of the combatants (the one that is least likely to have valuable intell) is thrown out of the chopper at 1,500ft – to give incentive to the remaining five to spill the beans. Does this cause mental suffering/fear on the remaining prisoners? Is that torture? Oh wait – that’s killing someone isn’t it? I suppose one could look to the Bible for inspiration (justification) here too. Some scholars believe that because the Ten Commandments were issued to the Jews, that “Thou shall not kill” only applies to other Jews (Thou shalt not kill other Jews). Throughout history (you can include the almost 800 hundred years of the Spanish Inquisition, the Crusades, and all sorts of man’s slaughtering other man in the name of God) it seems that it really means for some religious people: “Thou shall kill, unless…” or “thou shall not kill, except when . . .” It is not surprising that one could also extend that to “Thou shall not torture, unless…” The Bible provides more than ample references for all sorts of aberrant violent behavior – and it is not surprising to me that those who choose to interpret its verses in a literal sense turn out to have violence, inhumanity, brutality, suspicion, rage, intolerance and vengeance woven into their entire system of beliefs. After all, it’s right there in the Scriptures. There is even specific guide and formula for selling one’s own daughter into slavery and as long as one follows Moses’ rules for same, apparently it is justified and accepted. But, as long as one does it in line with Scriptures, all sorts of behavior is OK as they forgive themselves for these transgressions, creating all manner of justifications that allow them to see these acts as forgivable, if not blessed. “Why . . . not only did Rumsfeld, Cheney, Bush, order and approve of torture--so did God.” Fortunately, for most, we know better than to sell our children into slavery, to stone them for misbehavior and we know better than to stone ‘disobedient’ women. Exodus clearly states that anyone working on the Sabbath should be put to death – does that mean what I think it does? Am I morally obligated to do the deed, or do I call the police so that they can handle it? If my brother (who is a farmer), if he plants different crops side by side – do all his neighbors get together and stone him – or who handles that? Do I have to burn by mother/sister/wife/gf in a family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads? Thankfully, we have adopted civil laws – otherwise life could be really difficult. And I submit we know better than to torture. Thank God . . . no wait – I didn’t mean it that way . . . I meant . . . oh, never mind. How about – don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time?

Oh really! Pew Research’s survey “has been well shown to have been misleading” – by whom? You do realize that Pew is, and has been, one of the few (top) pollsters in regards to accuracy, reliability, unbiased, even-handed without embellishments and contrived questions that frame or invoke specific results . . . for quite some time, don’t you? Hell, even Limbaugh quotes them – when the results support his position. I would definitely be interested to see your basis for making such a statement. As far as your statement/question (in bold above), could you rephrase – as I am not quite sure exactly what the question is (is it a question – just not punctuated properly?) – especially the second part. I have an idea what you are getting at, but would prefer that you put it in proper English so that I am not guessing.