Well... nobody's perfect. :lol:Originally Posted by The Dude
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Well... nobody's perfect. :lol:
We can't spell either.Well... nobody's perfect. :lol:
"Jan, cut the crap."
"It's just a donut."
It is ironic that the political emergence of the Xers, a generation that is routinely maligned for not exhibiting boomer-like passion, might be the antidote to the politics of polarization. But what this nation needs now more than ever is to have the so-called slackers of Generation X run for office. Only when they dominate the ranks of political leaders will we be able to finally declare the 1960s officially over."
Please Please Xers! Please take over. We can't live through another 15 years of Boomer mismanagement. PLEASE, your country needs you. (Nevermind you'll never get the credit for saving us... it's your duty) And think of how good you'll look, after the boomers.
jadams
"Can it be believed that the democracy that has overthrown the feudal system and vanquished kings will retreat before tradesmen and capitalists?" Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America
Wrong word
Actually, Dude, "Morons" is the wrong term. The Greeks referred to someone who did not take part in politics as an "idiot", which in those days seemed to mean "slacker," not "stupid." And since both the major parties have gone barking mad, and the minor ones aren't even living on this planet any more, perhaps this should be a term meaning "Sensible enough not to bang your head against the wall any more."
ex-political-junkie, banging away....
Economic problems Millennials face (vindicating S&H prediction of economic and social hardship particularly for the first wave age bracket). For discussion purposes only.
Millennials need to be alert in 'freaky' financial times
08:31 AM CST on Monday, November 14, 2005
By IEVA M. AUGSTUMS / The Dallas Morning News
First in an occasional series
Starting Out
Young? Or just young at heart?
DAVID WOO/DMN
Whether you're a Millennial or a Generation Xer, check out Starting Out. It's our new occasional series on careers, the workplace, personal finance and other choices confronting Texans age 35 and younger.
While banks, brokers and would-be bosses bombard you with marketing messages, staff writer Ieva M. Augstums (right) cuts through the clutter.
Ieva – pronounced yeh-vuh – is a twentysomething herself. She's focused on helping you make better decisions about your financial and personal security.
Talk to Millennials, and they will tell you: The U.S. economy isn't what it used to be.
In some ways, of course, it's actually a lot better. But that's small comfort to young adults who didn't live through previous recessions or other crises.
They're coming of age at a time when old assurances about retirement security and American technological supremacy are crumbling. And they're following generations for whom life was much easier – or at least they made it look much easier.
"Gen Y is seeing the world change right before their eyes, and they are concerned about their futures," said David Morrison, president of Twentysomething Inc., a Philadelphia-based young adult marketing consultancy. "Rightly so – these are freaky times right now."
Many of the 70 million Americans born between 1977 and 2002 grew up questioning the ways of generations before them. Now the Millennials, also known as Generation Y, are asking these questions:
Should they be fretting over a housing bubble, the trade deficit or inflation? What about Social Security and energy prices?
"They need to be aware of all of those things, but none of those things are things that Gen Yers need to be overly concerned about," said W. Michael Cox, senior vice president and chief economist of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
Maybe so, but such topics are on the minds of young adults today.
More reasons to think ahead
It's a fact: Young people are going to have to deal with things that older generations ignore.
But not many Millennials are ready to figure out how our country's trade deficit, Social Security system or supposed housing bubble is going to affect them.
VOICES OF WISDOM
Eugenio Alemán, senior economist, Wells Fargo & Co.
W. Michael Cox, senior vice president and chief economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Andrew Eschtruth, spokesman, Center for Retirement Research at Boston College
Dan Saur, investment adviser and president, Dallas-based D.R. Saur Financial Inc.
John Silvia, chief economist, Wachovia Corp.
"As a kid myself, I couldn't care less what was going to happen in 15 years," said Eugenio Alemán, a senior economist with Wells Fargo & Co. "The world is not going to cease to exist because of economic problems or uncertainties.
"The best thing the younger generation can do is start paying attention to things now."
Before you buy your next technology gadget, put off starting your 401(k) for another year or decide to pursue your Ph.D., you might want to think about the following:
Retirement: Severe
One thing younger generations should worry about is planning how they'll survive after leaving the workforce.
Today's young adults have seen their parents plan financially for the future only to have pensions and jobs taken away.
"The pendulum has shifted," said Andrew Eschtruth of the Center for Retirement Research. "The more you can do on your own, the better off you will be."
For starters, expect to work longer. Most people today are retiring in their early 60s, but they are living longer, he said.
Start saving regularly. And if you aren't already, start participating in your company's 401(k).
"Typically what I see is people wake up around age 40 and 50 and realize, 'Oh my gosh, I haven't saved a darn thing,' " said Dallas investment adviser Dan Saur.
"Young people need to be disciplined about saving and just put it away somewhere where they can't reach it until they're older."
Global competition: Severe
Traditional barriers to international trade and workforces are shrinking.
"Education is the key thing for this generation," said W. Michael Cox of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. "More than ever today, you earn what you learn."
New information from the U.S. Census Bureau reinforces the value of a college education. Workers 18 and over with a bachelor's degree earn an average of $51,206 a year, while those with a high school diploma earn $27,915. Workers with an advanced degree average $74,602, and those without a high school diploma average $18,734.
When it comes to the workplace, Millennials in the U.S. are not competing with themselves. They're competing with their educated and very mobile counterparts across the globe, Mr. Cox said.
"The world is expecting more from this generation," he said. "Learn to manage your talents, improve them and make money off of it."
Energy prices: Severe
The soaring gasoline and utility prices after Hurricane Katrina touched all generations. But Millennials saw their future and started worrying.
Just because gasoline prices in Dallas hovered around $2.25 a gallon this week, it doesn't mean they won't shoot up to $6 a gallon in the future.
Oil and natural gas prices have been rising steadily as the world's appetite for energy increases faster than supply. Alternative energy sources are out there, but it will take a while for them to hit the mainstream.
"We feel like this price thing will not last forever, but for a while – maybe 10 years or so – we will be seeing somewhat higher prices," Mr. Cox said.
Going forward, the price of energy will continue to be an important factor in young people's lives.
"It may not be the disaster scenario like the 1970s, but the price of gas will influence where they live and how they live," said Wachovia Corp.'s John Silvia. "This generation, the Xs and Ys, are going to look at all their options and are going to have to be more focused on alternatives."
Social Security: High
In 2005, more than 48 million Americans will receive $518 billion in Social Security benefits.
Young workers today are paying part of that, just as older generations contributed to the program for generations before them.
"Some may not think it's fair, but it's the way the system is and works," said Mr. Eschtruth.
But the program, which is part way between a tax plan and social insurance, hasn't accumulated enough funds to be sustainable going forward, he said.
The face of the nation's workforce is shifting.
There are currently 3.3 workers for each Social Security beneficiary, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration. By 2031, there will be 2.1 workers for each beneficiary.
Basically, Social Security will be around, but it's going to be different in size and scope. And payroll taxes will continue to go up to fund it.
"My parents, and for many others, Social Security was a sustainable thing for their futures," said Mr. Silvia.
"My generation is realizing that Social Security is not going to provide everything," he said. "For the younger generations, they are going to be lucky if Social Security will be paying for the weekly groceries."
Housing bubble: Elevated
The housing bubble – if one exists – hasn't affected Dallas the way it has other parts of the country, economists say.
The possibility of a run-up in home prices nationwide has gotten lots of attention. But few economists worry about Dallas real estate values holding their own.
If a young person sees an appealing house or condo in an appealing area, go ahead and buy it, Mr. Silvia said.
Millennials just have to look at their parents' experience to realize that home equity can be a solid investment.
"The reality of Dallas is that it's one of the best, fastest-growing, nicest cities in America," he said. Real estate is going to be expensive over time, no matter where you go.
"If you are thinking of somebody buying a home out on the gulf or a beach resort, somewhere exclusive, that's a different story," Mr. Silvia said.
Trade deficit: Guarded
Negative trade balances are not necessarily terrible news, but they may be a sign of other economic problems.
"I take that as a sign of a developing country," Mr. Cox said.
In recent months, energy costs have increased the U.S. trade deficit and pushed up import prices.
"This should be a concern of the current generation and younger generation – that is, if we continue to consume beyond our possibilities," Mr. Alemán said.
One way to limit the deficit is through free trade. Others argue that we should buy as many U.S.-produced goods as we can – if we can find them.
"If we say 'Buy American,' aren't we constraining ourselves?" asked Mr. Alemán. "How are you going to do that if all the goods are produced outside the country?"
Inflation: Guarded
Inflation is a serious problem and is becoming a bigger problem, "but the younger generation can't do anything about it," said Mr. Alemán. "The responsibility is out of their control."
It's the Federal Reserve Board's job to create monetary policy that fosters a sound banking system and a healthy economy, he said.
Economists agree the best thing young adults can do is pay attention to rising costs so that they continue to live within their means.
"Clearly, over 20 years, inflation cuts the standard of living," Mr. Silvia said. "But Gen X and Y today, they have five, 10, 20 years to plan. There's no reason to worry today."
"The urge to dream, and the will to enable it is fundamental to being human and have coincided with what it is to be American." -- Neil deGrasse Tyson
intp '82er
One caveat:
"Education is the key thing for this generation," said W. Michael Cox of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. "More than ever today, you earn what you learn."
Yet a lot of jobs calling for higher education are being outsourced to India. A sensible Millie might also look for the sort of jobs or trades that can - and have to - be done hands-on, like plumber. Unless an unbreakable or modularized pipe is invented, we will always need plumbers. Ditto electricians, HVAC people, etc.
I'm a homeowner. Believe me, I know how much we need them.
Re: One caveat:
I've long been an advocate of that. Everyone should have at least a back-up trade. Working it through (or before) college not only guarantees one a marketable skill -- something your sheepskin most certainly does not do -- but will certainly help focus his mind in his ongoing academic pursuits."Education is the key thing for this generation," said W. Michael Cox of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. "More than ever today, you earn what you learn."
Yet a lot of jobs calling for higher education are being outsourced to India. A sensible Millie might also look for the sort of jobs or trades that can - and have to - be done hands-on, like plumber. Unless an unbreakable or modularized pipe is invented, we will always need plumbers. Ditto electricians, HVAC people, etc.
I'm a homeowner. Believe me, I know how much we need them.
Re: More Spin, Not Less?
It's partly intentional, partly just a side-effect that the majority of the MsM shares the same worldview and that they associate with each other. A lot of what comes across as bias just seems too obviously true to question...to them.Until recently, I wasn't heavily into the conspiracy theory perspectives that the mainstream media (MSM) is heavily promoting a collective agenda. The Rovegate mess has made me more of a convert. The gap between domestic and Arab coverage of Iraq contributes as well. Whether it is corporate interests, brown nosing government sources to get inside access, improving ratings by telling people what they want to hear, or all of the above, we have post modern reality being presented by the MSM.
The right-wing, eco and anti-eco, religious and secular sources all show the same tendencies to a greater or lesser degree. It's more obvious with the MsM because of their sheer size and former near-monopoly.
And will. It's a given that every source has an agenda. That's why lots of sources are better than a few, no matter how 'professional' the few are.
Problem is, the bloggers have their own agendas. Anyone with enough energy to put out a blog worth reading has an agenda. Thus, as we move past the First Wave bards and town criers, to Second Wave newspapers and broadcasts to Third Wave networked information, it won't be the Establishment that determines which worldview is presented.
The reader can select bloggers that will tell him whatever he wants to hear.
Nor should you.
My news draw-bar has CNN, Google News and BBC web page URLs. I've got the Times, Post and Wired RSS feeds. So what. That gives me the mainstream perspective of what I'm supposed to hear. I've also got Al Jazeera, Al Ahram and Pravda URLs up there for good luck. I've also been doing Firedoglake, for an anti Bush / Rove / Cheeny spin.
But I don't trust any of it.
To a degree, this is inevitable. The near-total monopoly enjoyed by the MsM over the last several decades is in much an artifact of the convergance of technological factors and social ones that were probably something of a one-off. We're returning to a state analogous to the 19th century media environment in some ways, with lots of sources, each with their own biases, and people seeking out the ones that conform with their own worldview.
But this does not entirely solve the problem of spin. Those who are net savvy enough to chase the web for alternate perspectives often enough choose information sources more spun than the main stream. As we get more and more sources of truth, will we each select the truth we most want to hear?
There will be a straining filter in the form of a kind of natural selection, if a source gets sufficiently out of tune with reality, visibly and repeatedly, after a while it'll lose its following (except for a tiny handful). There are 'natural constituencies' both in politics and media audience, that's where the bulk of the activity will always be.
Re: One caveat:
It sure feels nice to be needed! They can get the opportunity to be a hero too."Education is the key thing for this generation," said W. Michael Cox of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. "More than ever today, you earn what you learn."
Yet a lot of jobs calling for higher education are being outsourced to India. A sensible Millie might also look for the sort of jobs or trades that can - and have to - be done hands-on, like plumber. Unless an unbreakable or modularized pipe is invented, we will always need plumbers. Ditto electricians, HVAC people, etc.
I'm a homeowner. Believe me, I know how much we need them.
Our local newspaper this weekend had an article about buying appliances, looking for quality that lasts, etc. The article made a point of lamenting the dying craft of appliance repair, especially for small appliances. Looked like an obvious career opportunity for a young person who perhaps might want to work for him/herself rather than for International Mega Corp.
Aim to be an armorer
Learn the care and feeding of Ballistic-Americans. They are always in style. You might want to keep up to date with Celestial variations just in case. :arrow: :arrow: :arrow:
And they all kowtow
The Governor of the North Star State is being followed by the POTUS and the Governor of California on the path to the Forbidden City. I hope they will bring home some feng shui design into the Governors' quarters and the dwelling on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
I wish I could say that there was vast evidence generation x pols are an army of enlightened mavericks but I'm afraid I just don't see it. Many if not most of the generation x Republicans in congress are not simply Bush hacks, but the worst kind of Bush hacks. The Demcorats are a mixed bag I think. Clearly Obama is a rising star in the party, but he is cautiously grooming himself to be president, and has so far offered little more than platitudinous centrism in rhetoric, and a voting record much like Hillary Clinton's. I guess you could say he's interesting to listen to because his platitudinous centrism has a distinctively generation x character to it, and is therefore something new, but I don't see much evidence of revolutionary thought on his part. Some other generation x Democrats in congress have been asserting themselves recently (and C-Span has been covering it), but as far as I can tell it's mostly been on safe non-partisan issues like fiscal responsibility and red meat for the base, like attacking Bush for his handling of pre-war intelligence. I don't think most of the American people really want to fight the lead up to the Iraq war, even as they also I think don't want the bloody stalemate to continue forever. I had hoped to see the generation x Democrats go in a more libertarian direction at least on civil liberties, but Mr. Gay Marriage Gavin Newsom is apparently becoming a born again surveillance statist, pressing for more cameras in public places in San Francisco (despite the fact that longitudinal studies suggest all these cameras do is push crime to other intersections or locations). I do think he has been the most competent manager of that city in probably decades though, willing to sacrifice some sacred cows on both sides of the aisles, and his gay marriage play along with (the new head of the Tories in Britian) David Cameron's call for drug decriminalization do suggest that this generation has a bit of latent boldness and independence. But dailykos, which is I think ground zero for generation x (and boomer) "reform" Democrats - is to no small extent just an echo chamber for center-left conventional wisdom, not exactly a crucible for visionary political and policy thinking (although I visit there every day).
It is true that generation x has perhaps the largest plurality of Independents in American history, but without a political party, organizational structures, or some kind of grassroots movement to represent them they're pretty much forced to choose between panderers in both of the major parties.
"Jan, cut the crap."
"It's just a donut."
Revamping Our Technologica Supremacy
http://news.com.com/Democrats+unveil...l?tag=nefd.top
I really hope that these bills pass. Nancy Pelosi and the House Democrats are unveiling bills to bring inexpensive broadband to everyone, and are also introducing bills granting scholarships aimed at producing 100,000 new scientists, mathematicians and engineers in the next four years; doubling research and development spending, and boosting tax incentives; seeking alternative-energy sources that lessen the nation's reliance on Middle East oil; and providing assistance to small businesses (PDF here)
"The urge to dream, and the will to enable it is fundamental to being human and have coincided with what it is to be American." -- Neil deGrasse Tyson
intp '82er
All worthy goals and aspirations. My question is how much government involvement is necessary to attain them. That's one of the few reasons I can't quite call myself a Democrat yet.
R&D for alternative energy is one issue. It's too slow if left entirely to the market, and it's too fiscally inefficient if it is under complete supervision of the government.
Right-Wing liberal, slow progressive, and other contradictions straddling both the past and future, but out of touch with the present . . .
"We also know there are known unknowns.
That is to say, we know there are some things we do not know." - Donald Rumsfeld
I suggest we do what we do for medical research, fork over trillions in taxpayer dollars to government and university labs for the basic science, and then let industry steal all that research for next to nothing and charge us (but not the Canadians or Europeans) obscene prices for the final product. That seems to be working out well.
"Jan, cut the crap."
"It's just a donut."
Just as I had said.
If you want it to be affordable but very slow, look to the markets.
If you want it done soon but with a high price, institutionalize it.
Or a method I would endorse: find a genius and throw a bunch of money at him or her to let 'em tinker around till they make or discover something big. We need the next Thomas Edison.
Right-Wing liberal, slow progressive, and other contradictions straddling both the past and future, but out of touch with the present . . .
"We also know there are known unknowns.
That is to say, we know there are some things we do not know." - Donald Rumsfeld
Except Thomas Edison didn't need to have money thrown at him. His early projects financed his later projects. Today, the divide between money people and idea people is more convoluted, with stock deals, government financed research and takeovers tangling things up.
What's your position on commons based peer production?Just as I had said.
If you want it to be affordable but very slow, look to the markets.
If you want it done soon but with a high price, institutionalize it.
Or a method I would endorse: find a genius and throw a bunch of money at him or her to let 'em tinker around till they make or discover something big. We need the next Thomas Edison.
"The urge to dream, and the will to enable it is fundamental to being human and have coincided with what it is to be American." -- Neil deGrasse Tyson
intp '82er
That's my last tax deduction on the wall
Shot it at 70 yards in Zambia
Anyone notice how it's been mostly Silent senators and congressmen that have been the mos strongly opinionated lately? McCain, Harry Reid, and now John Murtha:
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20051117/D8DUG8207.html
That generation may still have some piss and vinegar in them! Aren't the Boomers supposed to be the no-bullshit ones at this point?
Maybe for Bovine Canadians, but a Lot of Bull?
Cow-tipping myth hasn't got a leg to stand on
For discussion purposes only. Do not try this at home.
Sounds like 3T to me, but they only did analysis. They didn't actually perform the experiments. Academics. A true scientist would report immediately to a rural hostelry. :wink:
On the revolution of Bovine-Americans
If you were to approach a Bovine-American at her ease in the dead of night you would likely be in a fight-or-flight situation. Her hearing, sense of smell, and eyesight is better than yours at this hour. She would run away or run you down or both in no particular order.
If a scientist were to try this experiment, I fear that "sh*t would fly". But, it would most likely be contained by underpants.
Honestly, I don't have one yet since I am not familiar with the concept. And that explanation you linked to is a little over my head.
Right-Wing liberal, slow progressive, and other contradictions straddling both the past and future, but out of touch with the present . . .
"We also know there are known unknowns.
That is to say, we know there are some things we do not know." - Donald Rumsfeld
I first read that as "commons based beer production." I guess I need one.Honestly, I don't have one yet since I am not familiar with the concept. And that explanation you linked to is a little over my head.
Jeff '61
