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Stimulus bust: AP says road projects didn't help create jobs

  • cbus4life
    Prescott wrote:
    It is insulting, the assinine generalizations you make.
    I think that ALL generalizations are insulting and ignorant.
    Agreed. In this instance, though, was just talking about the idiotic mass generalizations about those in academia.

    But, i'm tired of the generalizations that start out with "typical liberal this" or "typical conservative that."

    Anyone with half-a-brain knows that it isn't nearly as simple as that.
  • fish82
    cbus4life wrote: Always love the "grad students have no real life experience" BS.

    Where do you guys get these opinions?

    My grad school experience, and my fiancee, who is at the University of Michigan...lots of folks, who at one point were Engineers, Programmers, etc., etc. Many who have wives, children, etc. Struggling to put themselves through graduate school, going full-time, in one of the best programs in the country, while at the same time supporting a family.

    It is almost insulting. I worked full-time as a Research Assistant while attending Graduate School full-time, in order to make a living and keep myself debt free.

    Hell, i've even found that in many of the "humanities" areas as well, like English and History. My best friend, also at the University of Michigan, just got his PhD in History, and worked as a linemen for AEP for 10 years before heading back to school. Yep, no real world experience there. Even had to take care of his dad who had a stroke during that time.

    Where the hell did you guys spend time in graduate school, if you guys went? I've been in numerous academic institutions, and taught undergraduate courses while i was attending graduate school.

    Please, you guys are smarter than this. End the ridiculous rhetoric about the "real world," academia, etc., etc. It is an easy BS talking point to spew, but isn't nearly as cut-and-dry as you make it out to be, ALL THE DAMN TIME.

    It is insulting, the assinine generalizations you make. FEAR THE EDuCATED AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I agree 100%. I for one would wander aimlessly in the wilderness without you people to tell me what to do. ;)

    Seriously though...the stigma (as unfair as it may be) is perpetrated by the "intellectual elite" who have access to cameras & microphones. They're the ones who spew the condescending "Let us educate/guide you...we have Ivy League graduate degrees!" crap.
  • cbus4life
    Understood.

    Just tired of this "college=no real world experience" BS.

    Not the case whatsoever.
  • fish82
    cbus4life wrote: Understood.

    Just tired of this "college=no real world experience" BS.

    Not the case whatsoever.
    Absolutely not. Hell, without college I wouldn't have my awesome laundry and cooking skills! ;)
  • cbus4life
    :D

    Sorry, i know i get all nuts about this all the time, but just tired of being told that i believe as i do only because i've never been in the "real world," and that being in school all of a sudden makes me less qualified to think about these things. As, my personal experience tells me that isn't even close to the truth.

    As i always say, i know that academia leans to the left. But, this idea that they're all completely out of touch with the real world is wrong, plain and simple.

    I mean, kinda crazy to believe that a professor i had who served in the Marines is out of touch with the real world, and doesn't know what it is like to have to work to support a familiy and pay the bills, etc.

    But, i apologize for going off the deep end.

    Just my number one pet peeve, as far as comments go, on this board. Because i, as have many of my other friends, have worked like hell at certain points in our life to pay the bills, put ourselves through school, stay out of debt, and even raise a family, though that last one doesn't apply to me. :D

    I promise, i'm done now.
  • Bigdogg
    Just to get back on track, If the stimulus is a bust then what do you think ought to be done instead?
  • wkfan
    Bigdogg wrote: Just to get back on track, If the stimulus is a bust then what do you think ought to be done instead?
    Just a few suggestions.....

    1. Let those businesses regardless of size that do not 'get it' fail.
    2. Reduce the size of federal gov't rather than increase it as is happening now.
    3. Cut taxes on those companies that employ people to allow for expansion and more hiring.
    4. Implement a flat tax and dismantle the IRS.
  • Bigdogg
    wkfan wrote:
    Bigdogg wrote: Just to get back on track, If the stimulus is a bust then what do you think ought to be done instead?
    Just a few suggestions.....

    1. Let those businesses regardless of size that do not 'get it' fail.
    2. Reduce the size of federal gov't rather than increase it as is happening now.
    3. Cut taxes on those companies that employ people to allow for expansion and more hiring.
    4. Implement a flat tax and dismantle the IRS.
    No surprises here from you but the devil is in the details.
    1. Let those businesses regardless of size that do not 'get it' fail.

    How do you define business that "get it"? How about the business that "got it" but through no fault of there own are failing because of competition from other foreign government's protectionism or financial support that gives them an unfair advantage? Also who decides which business should fail? Should we let China make our tanks and planes because they are cheaper and they "get It"?

    2. Reduce the size of federal gov't rather than increase it as is happening now.
    I agree that government is not efficient. Where do you want to start. Why did the Republican when they were in power not make the government smaller? It's a great Rush talking point but neither party is going to do it.

    3. Cut taxes on those companies that employ people to allow for expansion and more hiring.
    You are assuming cause and effect. Ohio has cut taxes on company's but I don't see much hiring going on because of it. How are you going to replace the lost revenue? I tell you how it's being done now. They are shifting the tax burden to more school levies, more government fees and more local taxes.

    4. Implement a flat tax and dismantle the IRS.
    I hope this happens sometime in my life time but I doubt it. Too many out of work tax accountant and lawyers. Poor Fanfromtexas would have to take a pay cut
  • Manhattan Buckeye
    "Too many out of work tax accountant and lawyers. Poor Fanfromtexas would have to take a pay cut "

    I'm pretty sure he isn't a tax lawyer, and like me, would probably stand to gain considerably by a flat tax. I hate accountants and tax lawyers, my job is to HELP businesses which helps employees which helps the economy, it appears that the government, particularly the current regime, is the biggest threat to the private sector as evidenced by the disaster that was the stimulus. But don't let your prejudices get in the way of reality. I applaud your willingness to stand by your Pres. and your goverment but the last year has been the worst political class in most people's lifetimes. Generationally high unemployment, record national debt and interest rates that can't be lowered further produces a very, very bad mix.
  • Writerbuckeye
    Ohio has done a lousy job of creating an atmosphere that favors small businesses (or any businesses, for that matter).

    The move of NCR from Dayton, and now the threatened move of American Greetings from Cleveland are just two very significant examples.
  • fan_from_texas
    Bigdogg wrote: 4. Implement a flat tax and dismantle the IRS.
    I hope this happens sometime in my life time but I doubt it. Too many out of work tax accountant and lawyers. Poor Fanfromtexas would have to take a pay cut
    It's amazing yhat you bring me up on unrelated threads. I guess I should take that as a compliment.

    Re a flat tax--unless you're dense, you'd realize that I'd be one who would benefit immensely from a flat tax. There are few political things I'd rather see than tax reform, so I'm a little amused by singling me out as someone who would oppose it. I'm not a tax lawyer, and much of the regulatory stuff I do requires pulling in tax lawyers to figure out how we can possibly do things, which is a real PITA and incredibly expensive for businesses trying to create jobs.

    Simplifying the tax code would probably benefit me personally (by paying lower taxes, if it truly were just a flat tax) and professionally (by reducing the hurdles to positive business activity).

    But hey, why let facts get in the way of running your mouth?
  • wkfan
    Bigdogg wrote:
    No surprises here from you but the devil is in the details.
    1. Let those businesses regardless of size that do not 'get it' fail.

    How do you define business that "get it"? How about the business that "got it" but through no fault of there own are failing because of competition from other foreign government's protectionism or financial support that gives them an unfair advantage? Also who decides which business should fail? Should we let China make our tanks and planes because they are cheaper and they "get It"?
    A business, or a person for that matter, who says 'through no fault of their own', clearly does not 'get it'. The people in charge of those businesses need to be savvy enough and proactive enough to anticipate and/or worl through any of those scenarios. If they cannot, then they have failed and do not deserve any of my tax dollars to pay for their mistakes.

    Who decides what business should fail, you ask? I believe that the business itself does by the decisions that they make every day.
    Bigdogg wrote:
    2. Reduce the size of federal gov't rather than increase it as is happening now.
    I agree that government is not efficient. Where do you want to start.
    See my point #4 below.

    Bigdogg wrote:
    2. Reduce the size of federal gov't rather than increase it as is happening now.
    Why did the Republican when they were in power not make the government smaller? It's a great Rush talking point but neither party is going to do it.
    How is this relavant? I agree with you that this should have taken place during the last 8 years...but what about the 8 before that? Clinton was the mastermind behind one of the biggest pieces that led to the recession and the economic downfall of the last 18 months...the housing 'crisis'. By allowing, and in fact mandating that financial institutions lend money to people who could not afford it based on solid financial analysis and were approved for mortgages that they could not pay for, Clinton started the housing boom and subsequyent housing bust that we are currently suffering from.

    BTW...nice James Carville talking point in your response....."why didn't the republicans do it?' That is only an answer for someone who doesn't understand the question......

    Bigdogg wrote:
    3. Cut taxes on those companies that employ people to allow for expansion and more hiring.
    You are assuming cause and effect. Ohio has cut taxes on company's but I don't see much hiring going on because of it. How are you going to replace the lost revenue? I tell you how it's being done now. They are shifting the tax burden to more school levies, more government fees and more local taxes.
    I'm assuming 'cause and effect' because that is typically how economics work. Ohio is an awful place to start or try to grow a business because of many more factors than taxes.....
    Bigdogg wrote:
    4. Implement a flat tax and dismantle the IRS.
    I hope this happens sometime in my life time but I doubt it. Too many out of work tax accountant and lawyers. Poor Fanfromtexas would have to take a pay cut
    First, FFT is not a tax lawyer...and he is one of the most insightful and unbiased posters on this site or the former one. Second, the litigious society in which we live could use a few less lawyers. Here is another example of decreasing the effective tax bite on the people who are creating and expanding their business would create more jobs than it would cost.

    The benefits of a flat tax would far outweigh the negatives IMO.
  • CenterBHSFan
    CenterBHSFan wrote:
    Bigdogg wrote:
    ytownfootball wrote: I'm amazed by how much the left is supported by "grad students" so fervently yet so little by those who actually have real world experience. lol
    About as amazing as you so called right wingers lack of free thinking.
    What makes you think republicans have no free thinking?
    Better yet, why would you blanket every republican like that?

    What about democrats? Do any of them "lack free thinking"??
    If so, why?

    Would you go so far as to say that conservatives lack free thinking, but liberals do not?
    What about independents/libertarians/constitutionalists?
    Writerbuckeye wrote: Stop poking the dogg with a stick! :Rolleyes:

    Sorry, my bad! :angel:


    I'm still waiting to read the reasoning behind his statement, though.
    I think I asked nicely enough.
  • Bigdogg
    fan_from_texas wrote:
    Bigdogg wrote: 4. Implement a flat tax and dismantle the IRS.
    I hope this happens sometime in my life time but I doubt it. Too many out of work tax accountant and lawyers. Poor Fanfromtexas would have to take a pay cut
    My recollection is that every time we crossed paths on the old Huddle, you said dumb stuff, and I called you out on it. It's amazing to me that you're still so bitter about the continual ownage that you bring me up on unrelated threads. I guess I should take that as a compliment. For what it's worth, I still think you're stupid.

    Re a flat tax--unless you're really this painfully dense, you'd realize that I'd be one who would benefit immensely from a flat tax. There are few political things I'd rather see than tax reform, so I'm a little amused by singling me out as someone who would oppose it. I'm not a tax lawyer, and much of the regulatory stuff I do requires pulling in tax lawyers to figure out how we can possibly do things, which is a real PITA and incredibly expensive for businesses trying to create jobs.

    Simplifying the tax code would probably benefit me personally (by paying lower taxes, if it truly were just a flat tax) and professionally (by reducing the hurdles to positive business activity).

    But hey, why let facts get in the way of running your mouth? Did you learn that in grad school, too?
    Not bitter at all. I just like to get a rise from you. Looks like I did. I know lots of people just like you. You seemed to be more impressed with yourself then you should be;)
  • fan_from_texas
    Bigdogg wrote:
    fan_from_texas wrote:
    Bigdogg wrote: 4. Implement a flat tax and dismantle the IRS.
    I hope this happens sometime in my life time but I doubt it. Too many out of work tax accountant and lawyers. Poor Fanfromtexas would have to take a pay cut
    My recollection is that every time we crossed paths on the old Huddle, you said dumb stuff, and I called you out on it. It's amazing to me that you're still so bitter about the continual ownage that you bring me up on unrelated threads. I guess I should take that as a compliment. For what it's worth, I still think you're stupid.

    Re a flat tax--unless you're really this painfully dense, you'd realize that I'd be one who would benefit immensely from a flat tax. There are few political things I'd rather see than tax reform, so I'm a little amused by singling me out as someone who would oppose it. I'm not a tax lawyer, and much of the regulatory stuff I do requires pulling in tax lawyers to figure out how we can possibly do things, which is a real PITA and incredibly expensive for businesses trying to create jobs.

    Simplifying the tax code would probably benefit me personally (by paying lower taxes, if it truly were just a flat tax) and professionally (by reducing the hurdles to positive business activity).

    But hey, why let facts get in the way of running your mouth? Did you learn that in grad school, too?
    Not bitter at all. I just like to get a rise from you. Looks like I did. I know lots of people just like you. You seemed to be more impressed with yourself then you should be;)
    Nice comeback. You're really holding your own on this thread.
  • LJ
    FFT, don't make me ban another mod....
  • fan_from_texas
    LJ wrote: FFT, don't make me ban another mod....
    Heh--sorry. :cool: I'll clean up the egregious parts.
  • LJ
    Biggdogg, I don't care what your opinion is, but cut out the personal attacks.
  • Bigdogg
    LJ wrote: FFT, don't make me ban another mod....
    Please don't ban him. Name calling and belittling people and the other fallacies he likes to use are all techniques I am sure he learned in Law school. Ad Hominem is one of my favorites also.
  • LJ
    Bigdogg wrote:
    LJ wrote: FFT, don't make me ban another mod....
    Please don't ban him. Name calling and belittling people and the other fallacy he likes to use are all techniques I am sure he learned in Law school. Ad Hominem is one of my favorites also.
    And you are gonna get banned too for your continuous personal attacks.

    You ruined this thread, good job.