Reddy

QUOTE (flippedoutpunk @ Sep 5, 2012 -> 01:21 PM) trust me id love to be able to open up a business, s*** my neighborhood desperately needs a Red Mango since the closest one is all the way in skokie and that thing is a cash cow. When the post 9-11 gi bill first came out it had its bugs but for the most part it was fair because you were paid properly, in other words you did not have to necessarily work and go to school at the same time (I dont have a problem working and schooling at the same time but since you HAVE to be a full time student in order to get paid...). Congress recently changed a part of the bill that now makes our benefits pro-rated based on when the semester starts. My semester started August 27th therefore i only received a weeks worth of living allowance for the entire month of september, which is $400. I paid my electric bill and car note and I have $20 left until October 1st (Didnt pay rent, my landlord is more lenient than 5th 3rd bank is). Now multiply my remarks for every veteran using the post 9-11 gi bill, especially the ones that are going to school in podunk towns, University of Alabama for example.. The living allowance is based off of the average rent rate in the area, im blessed to be in a Chicago area zip code but tons of other vets are going to schools outside of major cities where the rent rate is much lower therefore they are surviving on peanuts literally. This is the reason why me and hundreds of thousands of other vets just want back in the military, while we were in, it was the only job that was recession-proof, everyone is on the same fair pay scale, you couldnt get fired (unless you did something extremely stupid), and the benefits cant be beat. Were all back in the real world because of promises from the VA that we would be taken care of because they want us to go focus on school and not worry about a part time job. Now many of us are living on borderline poverty, better make sure i dont spend my last 20 in one place. that is beyond f***ed up man. sorry you have to be put through that s***.

QUOTE (flippedoutpunk @ Sep 5, 2012 -> 11:26 AM) I am back in school, double majoring in elementary ed and computer science while getting screwed by congress as they nickle and dime the post 9-11 GI Bill to the point where veterans end up with no money to pay rent, groceries, or hell even buy books for their classes! Build a business i couldnt get a loan unless i robbed a bank. I dont necessarily want more wars but at least bring the numbers back up so that those that planned to retire working for uncle sam while doing their 20 years could still do so. dude i'm completely with you. COMPLETELY. but voting for Romney because you think he'll do any more for you than Obama just isn't realistic. I'm building a business right now - i spend 5-10 hours a week doing it, and i'm already profitable after 4 months. by the end of the year i plan to be making an extra grand/month on top of my full time job, and by a year in the business i plan to quit my full time job. It's doable, you just need ambition and ingenuity. What you don't need is money.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Sep 5, 2012 -> 10:33 AM) I wish the republicans would actually spend time focusing on issues that matter, instead of constantly talk about stupid s*** that the hardcore ultra conservative wacko's want to here. It irritates the hell out of me. Come on...figure it out you morons, those guys are still going to vote republican. Irregardless if you aren't a complete ultra conservative yourself. Stupid morons. you called people stupid while using the "word" irregardless.

QUOTE (flippedoutpunk @ Sep 5, 2012 -> 11:23 AM) yep, im voting for romney only because when a republican is in office that means bigger raises and more action/jobs for us military folk.. jobs are good, obamas been downsizing the s*** out of us and now you have hundreds of thousands of unemployed vets competing with other unemployed vets for jobs (I'm one of them). that's ridiculous. voting for romney because you want more wars. i get that you're a soldier, and i appreciate your service, but damn son, you want to compete for jobs go back to school or build a business or DO something to create your own opportunities! screwing over vets isn't a GOP or DEM thing, both sides do it and it's a travesty. You have to look out for yourself.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Sep 5, 2012 -> 09:46 AM) Yea, don't even bother. i'm pretty sure you and Jake feel the same way about everything, so this is good advice.

this thread is awesome.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 5, 2012 -> 12:35 AM) As expected, the pundits are not talking at all about Barack's actions the last four years, just the words of Michelle's speech tonight. I thought it was a very good speech, she's very likeable. But the fact remains they've been in office four years and it was a s***ty four years. He's going to win (as long as the voters come out and aren't overconfident) but he needs to get off his ass and start working on the economy. Fixing the economy. If the other side blocks his good ideas he needs to do what politicians did in the past and meet with some of these men on the other side and get their support. Play politics. Get a consensus. He's a piss poor leader. He's going to win so he needs to get his act together and do a better job the next four years. Crucial years. as StrangeSox said, a president can't do a thing unless congress supports him. Congress Republicans tried to undermine him at every turn. How can you say he didn't get things done? 1) The GOP didn't let him, and 2) he's gotten things done. - I'm going to have health insurance thanks to him - I've had health insurance the last couple years thanks to him - I've had an easier time paying back my student loans because of him - He got Osama bin Laden - He came out in support of gay marriage - He has stopped the economic plummet, and has started the long, slow climb to recovery He's also done some things I don't like, like continuing to expand the power of the presidency (something ALL presidents, not just Dems do) But to say he hasn't accomplished anything is just not true.

QUOTE (kev211 @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 10:34 PM) That kids been on the Daily Show. He's also had a few AMA's on Reddit. yeah saw him on the Daily Show too - this is slightly higher profile.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 10:29 PM) i wonder how many Pinocchio's he'll get from fact-check. probably 4 um. what? his parents are gay. he's an eagle scout. he's speaking about his STORY. it's all true... there's nothing to fact check.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 10:23 PM) They have a liberal bias yeah i'm not biting.

Zach Wahls will be speaking at the DNC tomorrow. Went to my high school. I never knew him well, but my brother's good friends with him. They talk on facebook about this crazy ride he's been on. Amazing. Y'all better watch and listen. This kid's inspiring.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 10:12 PM) And 'conservative' FOX news can't stop talking about how much they have loved this convention and all the speeches so far. this coverage is terrible. do you seriously disagree that FOX News has a conservative bias?

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Sep 3, 2012 -> 02:58 AM) So, I'm building muscle and losing a small bit of weight at a pretty good rate due to quidditch practice starting back up, eating healthier, and working out a bit. But f*** me I'm still barely losing weight. Part of the problem is I can't go on long runs as they're high impact on my knees. Anyone know if swimming is a good cardio workout? i'm ignorant here... but what exactly is involved in quidditch? besides flying on brooms. but you say you're doing practice and working out "a bit"... you're probably just not doing enough. you have to be operating under a calorie deficit in order to drop weight. do you know your calorie intake vs calories burned? that's an easy way to figure out the problem. but there's another way to help lose weight: your diet. what does "eating healthier" mean? what's a typical days worth of meals?

QUOTE (SexiAlexei @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 07:36 PM) I'm looking for some advice here. I have some friends interested in doing the Miami Marathon, or at least the 1/2. Being in Chicago, this would make training difficult, as the marathon is in January I believe. Has anyone trained for a marathon in the winter? If so, how have you done it? Indoors? Bundled up outside? And if you have done it, what was your experience like? I can't see running the distances it would take to train on a treadmill. indoor tracks can be good. some people just bundle up. or a mix of all three to keep yourself entertained. have you ever run a marathon, or any sort of long distance before?

QUOTE (Jake @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 04:08 PM) That's super ambitious, I'll be really impressed if you can do it that quickly. beyond ambitious. cutting your body fat in HALF in 4 months is damn near impossible. what's your plan though Mark? I'm curious what your diet will be like.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 01:17 PM) I agree that there are other places to cut. But every time you bring them up, you always get "but that is just a drop in the bucket'. Well, the drops will add up eventually. tell that to SS, who said that taxing the rich wouldn't solve the problem.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 01:04 PM) Or they see many teachers making more than them and get mad when they strike for raises, when they themselves haven't had a raise in years, or are unemployed. At some point the bank runs dry. And many people DO pay more for teachers. As I posted above there are some teachers paid damn well. With all the hoopla in Wisconsin last year, the teachers forgot that on average they made more than most of the other residents of the state. And got good benefits. Is it jealousy? Sure, on some part that plays in. On the other, you have those that want to know why everyone just 'won't pitch in and happily accept higher taxes', but then want certain groups of public employees exempt from the pains and cuts everyone else endures. this is just incredibly hypocritical. you don't have a problem with certain professions doing exactly what you described, but when teachers do it - uproar. and if you want to make as much as teachers do, why didn't you become a teacher? if money is so important to you. Or do something else besides what you're doing? That's what I don't get. You rail against teachers for taking it upon themselves to protect their own self-interest, but you won't do it for yourself. You just want the big bad government to step in and do it for you.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 11:58 AM) I like this job. And is has decreased only because this job pays less than the one I previously had before the business closed. You need to pick a point and stay with it. First they are underpaid, then they are underpaid compared to athletes, and even the average numbers you posted to supposedly support your facts show that on average they are in the top tier in the state for income. And those numbers didnt' include generous benefits. it's all the same point brother. sorry you can't comprehend that. and top tier compared to what? plumbers and firemen and the type of people who flunked out or didn't even go to college? yeah, they SHOULD be making more than those people. They got a degree in something. EDIT: before y'all flame, that was my nuclear hyperbole talking. yes, firefighters and plumbers are very important. and frankly i don't even know. they could make more than teachers... didn't do the research. But if you let that stand in the way of the point i was making you're an idiot.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 11:59 AM) Why are you getting pissy with him when you mentioned the raise standard? i didn't. i said their pay has increased 3% in the last 20 years. which is A SLOWER INCREASE than the rate of inflation. Salaries SHOULD directly correlate to inflation. This wasn't a "look how much their pay has increased" it was a "look how LITTLE their pay has increased in regard to inflation"

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 10:54 AM) Mine has DECREASED 15%. I don't care about athletes, and quit moving the goalposts. what does that have to do with anything? that's just selfish sour grapes. how bout YOU get a new job and stop b****ing.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 10:46 AM) Average Teacher Salary in Joliet Township High School District 204 The average teacher salary in Joliet Township High School District 204 is $56,092. Grade Level Average 10th percentile 25th percentile Median 75th percentile 90th percentile Pre-school $29,350 $19,930 $22,900 $27,970 $34,110 $40,410 Kindergarten $47,800 $27,360 $34,670 $42,890 $59,050 $76,870 Elementary $63,860 $36,450 $45,290 $60,420 $81,490 $99,340 Middle school $64,920 $38,540 $46,660 $62,320 $81,590 $98,810 High school $74,530 $42,210 $54,700 $72,360 $93,200 $113,870 The high school out here does pretty good, even if it doesn't reach 6 figures in average. And there is a guy at Joliet West who makes almost $150k (although he also does drivers ed and coaches football). Lets look at the WHOLE country shall we? 3%. How much have athlete salaries increased in the last 20 years?

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 10:30 AM) Or get a new job besides teaching after tax payers shoot down your demands. Or just accept your $100,000 a year salary. If you can't live on that u fail. do you seriously think teachers make 100k a year? are you insane?

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 10:31 AM) I think it's safe to say that both spending and low taxation is a problem. cue SS screaming and yelling about something to distract from the facts.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 10:20 AM) After you finish holding your breath, there is a pretty clear alternative here which was said early on, and ignored. We don't have a tax problem, we have a spending problem. You could tax the 1% at a 100% tax rate, and we would still have a significant deficit. Assume Balta's numbers are right, and we at currently at $400 billion a year in interest payments. We are estimated to spend $586 billion in Fiscal 2012 on "Pre-primary thru secondary education". http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/year_s...1n_2021#usgs302 right. taxing the rich more wouldn't ENTIRELY fix the problem, so we shouldn't do it. Damn anything that helps but doesn't solve.

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Sep 4, 2012 -> 10:11 AM) This is a ... I'd call it a misrepresentation of reality. A bastardization, if you will. This "increase" is based on adding the one time TARP spending by GW Bush. If you remove that one time TARP, it's just not true. I wish people would stop repeating this, because it's a silly bending of reality. Yes, it's true Obama increased spending LESS than any other president IF -- and ONLY IF -- you INCLUDE the one time TARP payment in the LAST year of GW's reign. If you remove that one time payment, like I said...the numbers fall apart. TL;DR: Stop repeating that. It's a bending of the truth and reality based on adding a one time TARP payment to GW's spending, and only including what GW spent in his final year, not every year preceding it. why do you get to just remove expenditures to make someone look better? can we remove Obama's bailout then as well and compare the numbers?