A.I.G. Bonuses Strike a Nerve

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sisyphus @ Mar 22 2009, 08:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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I think that&#39;s part of it. I would also like to see a return to the time when the legislative session - and the compensation for serving - were more commensurate with legislator being a PART TIME job... not a professional career.

It&#39;s a pipe dream, I know... But I really would like to see Congressmen function the way they were intended to function.

1. Go to Washington
2. Pass the bills.
3. Go HOME
4. GET BACK TO YOUR REAL JOB

Somewhere along the way holding office became the ends rather than the means...[/b]

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Double Bingo.

Like most of the military, Foundations, charitable organizations...these were set up to be "service" positions. These were not the "be all to end all". When someone takes on a position of service...as opposed to a position of reward...they tend to have a more virtuous attitude towards their role. I think our forefathers called it "enlightened self interest".

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (discreetgent @ Mar 20 2009, 03:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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I can think of one way you might lean Democratic. Democrats are probably more likely to go along with decriminalizing the world of escorts than Republicans :P[/b]

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If I could actually bring myself to believe that.... you&#39;d be right! I just can&#39;t see either party going there. The decriminalization of pot has a bigger (more vocal perhaps) group of supporters than decriminalizing the oldest profession has and I don&#39;t hear any Dems trying to move on that one.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Edrienne Cole @ Mar 24 2009, 01:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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If I could actually bring myself to believe that.... you&#39;d be right! I just can&#39;t see either party going there. The decriminalization of pot has a bigger (more vocal perhaps) group of supporters than decriminalizing the oldest profession has and I don&#39;t hear any Dems trying to move on that one.[/b]

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Two in one day.....Yea! I think most Republican men lean in the decrim direction but are to scared of their women to say so. On the DEm side , I think most men are really glorified women and really believe that hooking is bad. Now there is not a ounce of science that went into my conclusion but I thought it noteworthy that we agreed twice! lol

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (WTF @ Mar 24 2009, 04:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Two in one day.....Yea! I think most Republican men lean in the decrim direction but are to scared of their women to say so. On the DEm side , I think most men are really glorified women and really believe that hooking is bad. Now there is not a ounce of science that went into my conclusion but I thought it noteworthy that we agreed twice! lol[/b]

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Does that mean you will give Edrienne a discount on the 40K you charge for a weekend? LOL :P

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (WTF @ Mar 24 2009, 03:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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I thought it noteworthy that we agreed twice! lol[/b]

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EC, a little self-reflection might be in order. :D

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (discreetgent @ Mar 24 2009, 03:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Does that mean you will give Edrienne a discount on the 40K you charge for a weekend? LOL :P[/b]

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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rudyard K @ Mar 24 2009, 03:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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EC, a little self-reflection might be in order. :D[/b]

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You two get a room :P

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rudyard K @ Mar 24 2009, 02:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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EC, a little self-reflection might be in order. :D[/b]

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Geez, no kidding! Let me check.....




(insert Jeopardy theme music)





Ya know what? I&#39;m still the same me. "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." (Mahatma Gandi) I&#39;m quite the happy camper!

But I did run across an interesting tidbit in a book I was reading.... Theodore Millon uses a term "abrasive psychopath" to describe a person who, while sociopathic, lacks the sociopath&#39;s customary charm and finesse. Millon defines the abrasive psychopath as one who "acts in an overtly and directly contentious and quarrelsome way" and "everything and everyone is an object available for nagging and assualting". The abrasive psycopath&#39;s specific talent is to take the smallest, subtlest whisper of conflict and amplify it into a shouting match. They excel at the creation of hostility and bitterness where there was none before, and specializes in provoking people who are ordinarily gentle and peace-loving. In their universe, they are always right and take self-righteous pleasure in opposing and frustrating their opponents, who are seemingly everywhere and somehow always wrong. Their mission in life is to correct the world, a calling they heed without hesitation or conscience.

I thought this interesting so I decided to do a little experiment. WTF has dragged my name around assigning beliefs, qualities and viewpoints to me that are entirely false and without merit, through a variety of threads making reference to other totally unrelated threads, for no obvious purpose that I can fathom but to bait me. He has even addressed me several times in tones I find completely offensive and demeaning, and often with completely irrelevant content. I&#39;ve ignored him. So what does Theodore Millon say happens when an abrasive psychopath doesn&#39;t succeed in drawing someone into their world of conflict? They attempt to seduce that person into an exchange so that they can then return to their normal mode of functioning.... being an abrasive ass (my terminology). Interesting, eh?

Having mulled that over a bit, I&#39;ve decided to try to follow the recommendations of Martha Stout, PhD :
1) The first rule is to accept the bitter pill that some people literally have no conscience.
5) Suspect flattery.
6) If necessary, redefine your concept of respect.
7) Do not join the game.
8) The best way to protect yourself from a sociopath is to avoid him, to refuse any kind of contact or communication.
9) Question your tendency to pity too easily.
10) Do not try to redeem the unredeemable.
11) Never agree, out of pity or for any other reason, to help a sociopath conceal his true character.
12) Defend your psyche.
13) Living well is the best revenge.

And DG, though no one has made me that offer.... rest assured that I cannot fathom a price that I would need to receive in order to entertain even the thought of entertaining WTF. :P

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Edrienne Cole @ Mar 24 2009, 05:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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And DG, though no one has made me that offer.... rest assured that I cannot fathom a price that I would need to receive in order to entertain even the thought of entertaining WTF. :P[/b]

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I think a better answer would have been "I wouldn&#39;t screw WTF with Summerhill hoochie." haha

You take yourself way to seriously Ms Cole. All I was doing was what I consider fair play. Which is to acknowledge on a message board POINTS that I agree with. I do not really care about the personality behind the points. I agrre with POV&#39;s not people. It is a discussion board. Were more people to do that and take this less personal we wouldn&#39;t be having these spitwad contests.

You and I had gotten crossway when you stated you did not support economic discrimination against gays yet when shown evidence that in fact you do support that very thing you ran and hid with the red herring that I was not civil enough to your liking. boohoo Had I been gay I would have told you where to stick your civility. Many people because of religious upbringing think just like you and I do not have one problem with that thinking, I do not agree with it but I understand it. You on the other hand engaged in a discussion where you asked me to show you something that you did not think existed.....yet when in fact I pointed out where gays were discriminated against economically, you red herring&#39;d me. Never addressing the rreal issue....your discrimination. What a total crock. I have no use for that.

Your first post*** on this site was a shot a me. Now who forgot number eight on your sociopath chart. So who baited whom?...why you did. Maybe it is I that should not engage you. sociopath, sociopath lol It seems you do not like your opinions (or belief&#39;s) challenged with actual facts. To bad.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Edrienne Cole @ Mar 24 2009, 05:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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8) The best way to protect yourself from a sociopath is to avoid him, to refuse any kind of contact or communication.[/b]

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***I&#39;ll second SvelteTamara, Lauren. You&#39;re a better woman than I to bother engaging with some people. Civil discussions are quite nice... but require someone civil to discuss with.

Say WTF, did you ever think that some day you&#39;d be looking bak at W&#39;s Administration as a time of low deficits?

http://blog.heritage.org/wp-content/...amabudget1.jpg

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pjorourke @ Mar 24 2009, 08:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Say WTF, did you ever think that some day you&#39;d be looking bak at W&#39;s Administration as a time of low deficits?

http://blog.heritage.org/wp-content/...amabudget1.jpg[/b]

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That&#39;s WTpsycoF. :D

Fuc No.

Where&#39;s a good housing bubble when you need it?!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (WTF @ Mar 24 2009, 04:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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You two get a room :P[/b]

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Awww...c&#39;mon WTF. I&#39;m just working on my swing. And as long as you keep bendng over and teeing &#39;em up...I&#39;m gonna keep taking a whack at it. :P

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (WTF @ Mar 24 2009, 09:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Where&#39;s a good housing bubble when you need it?![/b]

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Just be patient!

All that cheap money the Fed&#39;s firehosing into just about every nook and cranny of the economy will come out of its hiding places sooner or later, and a few bubbles are bound to braek out somewhere.

Commodities, anyone?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CaptainMidnight @ Mar 24 2009, 11:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Just be patient!

All that cheap money the Fed&#39;s firehosing into just about every nook and cranny of the economy will come out of its hiding places sooner or later, and a few bubbles are bound to braek out somewhere.

Commodities, anyone?[/b]

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My preference would be to find it all & squeeze it out now. There&#39;s a least two bubbles worth of "air" being released.

Would rather do it ONCE & be done with it...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (WTF @ Mar 24 2009, 07:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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I think a better answer would have been "I wouldn&#39;t screw WTF with Summerhill hoochie." haha[/b]

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Is Summerhill the female equiv. of WTF?

I mean more than one member here has referred to undesireables with the expression, "I wouldn&#39;t Fu*K her with WTF&#39;s dick"

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rudyard K @ Mar 24 2009, 11:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Awww...c&#39;mon WTF. I&#39;m just working on my swing. And as long as you keep bendng over and teeing &#39;em up...I&#39;m gonna keep taking a whack at it. :P[/b]

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Now I&#39;m worried. WTF is bending over and you are "whacking it". :D

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rudyard K @ Mar 24 2009, 10:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Awww...c&#39;mon WTF. I&#39;m just working on my swing. And as long as you keep bendng over and teeing &#39;em up...I&#39;m gonna keep taking a whack at it. :P[/b]

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Wack away brother RK....I&#39;d be the biggest hypocrite ever if I got upset over someone pulling my tail!


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CaptainMidnight @ Mar 24 2009, 11:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Just be patient!

All that cheap money the Fed&#39;s firehosing into just about every nook and cranny of the economy will come out of its hiding places sooner or later, and a few bubbles are bound to braek out somewhere.

Commodities, anyone?[/b]

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That was kinda my point Capt&#39;n. And the Chinese&#39;s! lol

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (WTF @ Mar 25 2009, 08:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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That was kinda my point Capt&#39;n. And the Chinese&#39;s! lol[/b]

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Figured that was more or less exactly your point...and as for the Chinese, did you see the comments Premier Wen made last week? Additionally, several other Chinese officials are pressing for the idea of replacing the dollar as a reserve currency with SDRs. (Of course, people like OPEC have been pushing for things like this for a long time. But the Chinese have a lot more clout.)

And aside from whether the they&#39;re willing to continue to purchase U.S. treasuries over the next few years, how are the Chinese going to be able to do so at anything like the pace that we&#39;ll be bringing debt offerings to market? (several trillion dollars over the next couple of years). That&#39;s especially true now, given that the recession has greatly reduced our imports of Chinese goods. And who else is going to buy all that debt? (without a huge interest rate increase, anyway.)

Even European finance ministers are becoming alarmed, even though they&#39;re obviously proponents of big-government spending. But they see the obvious: The U.S. is proposing huge spending increases with no credible way to finance them, and if nothing changes, our budget deficits will never decline much below 8-10% of GDP. Unless politicians actually start making some tough choices (rather than simply saying they&#39;re going to make them, and then demonstrating that they have no such intention), we&#39;re facing a massive fiscal train wreck.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CaptainMidnight @ Mar 25 2009, 10:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Figured that was more or less exactly your point...and as for the Chinese, did you see the comments Premier Wen made last week? Additionally, several other Chinese officials are pressing for the idea of replacing the dollar as a reserve currency with SDRs. (Of course, people like OPEC have been pushing for things like this for a long time. But the Chinese have a lot more clout.)[/b]

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Makes for good headlines re: replacing the dollar but will never happen in the foreseeable future.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (atlcomedy @ Mar 25 2009, 11:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Makes for good headlines re: replacing the dollar but will never happen in the foreseeable future.[/b]

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You&#39;re probably right, but the mere fact that this is being widely discussed will likely cause confidence in the dollar to be a bit more shaky than it otherwise would.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CaptainMidnight @ Mar 25 2009, 11:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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You&#39;re probably right, but the mere fact that this is being widely discussed will likely cause confidence in the dollar to be a bit more shaky than it otherwise would.[/b]

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Can&#39;t have that, I&#39;m heading down to Mexico this weekend!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (WTF @ Mar 25 2009, 05:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Can&#39;t have that, I&#39;m heading down to Mexico this weekend![/b]

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Bring your private security team.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CaptainMidnight @ Mar 25 2009, 11:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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You&#39;re probably right, but the mere fact that this is being widely discussed will likely cause confidence in the dollar to be a bit more shaky than it otherwise would.[/b]

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The cynical side of me says...maybe that was their intent. Could be someone has a position to cover. :rolleyes:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (atlcomedy @ Mar 25 2009, 05:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Bring your private security team.[/b]

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Nah...It would be like the Ransom of Red Chief. :P

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (WTF @ Mar 25 2009, 04:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Can&#39;t have that, I&#39;m heading down to Mexico this weekend![/b]

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Have fun!

(Any hot women down that way?) :)

The buck should still serve you pretty well there -- I think you can get about 14 pesos for one.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rudyard K @ Mar 25 2009, 05:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Nah...It would be like the Ransom of Red Chief. :P[/b]

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NOW... I&#39;m laughing!!!! God BLESS you, sir!, for working in an O&#39;Henry reference today!!!! :D

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sisyphus @ Mar 25 2009, 07:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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NOW... I&#39;m laughing!!!! God BLESS you, sir!, for working in an O&#39;Henry reference today!!!! :D[/b]

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I prefer Twain and his main man the Huckster.


But now you have me humming War&#39;s Cisco Kid

"The Cisco Kid was a friend of mine
He drink whiskey, Poncho drink the wine. . .

. . .The outlaws had us pinned down at the fort
Cisco came in blastin&#39;, drinkin&#39; port. . .--------------I love that line!

. . .They rode the sunset, horse was made of steel
Chased a gringo last night through a field?




Captain, caliente caliente caliente. . .

I leave for a few days and all hell breaks loose. . .

Does anyone remember that document our country is founded on? I am as pissed as anyone, but the house just passed a legislature that is very dangerous.

For all the damn lawyers that are also politicians, you would think one of them would remember their first damn year in law school.

Bill of Attainder?

Ex Post Facto?

Find another way to act like you are doing something about AIG, but don&#39;t shit on the constitution in the process!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (WTF @ Mar 25 2009, 09:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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I prefer Twain and his main man the Huckster.[/b]

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Where&#39;ve you been? &#39;Tis verbooten now.... it&#39;s got *sshhh* THAT word in it....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (WTF @ Mar 25 2009, 09:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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But now you have me humming War&#39;s Cisco Kid

"The Cisco Kid was a friend of mine
He drink whiskey, Poncho drink the wine. . .

. . .The outlaws had us pinned down at the fort
Cisco came in blastin&#39;, drinkin&#39; port. . .--------------I love that line!

. . .They rode the sunset, horse was made of steel
Chased a gringo last night through a field?[/b]

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What a coinkidink... "Summer" & "All Day Music" have been in heavy rotation on the radio station in my head all week...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Anonone @ Mar 25 2009, 10:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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I leave for a few days and all hell breaks loose. . .

Does anyone remember that document our country is founded on? I am as pissed as anyone, but the house just passed a legislature that is very dangerous.

For all the damn lawyers that are also politicians, you would think one of them would remember their first damn year in law school.

Bill of Attainder?

Ex Post Facto?

Find another way to act like you are doing something about AIG, but don&#39;t shit on the constitution in the process![/b]

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I would hope that those educated on these shores encountered those concepts without having to attend law school. We went over it in high school civics once upon a time...

Perhaps, THAT&#39;s the problem!!! There certainly seem to be far too many these days who can&#39;t tell their

"post hoc.."

from their

"...ergo propter hoc."

This guy suggests that, when in doubt, one should follow the money -- not the rhetoric:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/25/news/econo...sion=2009032609

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CaptainMidnight @ Mar 26 2009, 10:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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This guy suggests that, when in doubt, one should follow the money -- not the rhetoric:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/25/news/econo...sion=2009032609[/b]

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I always laugh when I read about buying &#39;toxic assets&#39;. How can an asset be toxic, if it&#39;s really an asset?


Education is at the top of my list of priorities and should be for our country. I was glad to hear that the govt is putting more money into the Pell Grant program, which was the only way I could afford college when I was 19(only a few years ago ;) ). It&#39;s a great program and definitely a necessity these days for those who can&#39;t afford college. Of course now my tuition/book costs are much higher, but I&#39;m also getting a more advanced education.

Last night on CNN, they were talking about Obama&#39;s townhall meeting where a lady was asking if U.S companies could bring back outsourced jobs for our own unemployed citizens. While this is not likely to happen, it does bring up the idea of improving our own education system so that those who are unemployed can learn a new trade and hopefully increase their salary and job opportunities. I learned in my economics classes that outsourcing the lower paying jobs allows companies to create higher paying positions. Technology, as an input into the GDP, is also supposed to help create better jobs. I&#39;ve not seen this happen, and don&#39;t think this theory is realistic. There are not enough programs to help those losing their jobs to improve their education and qualify for the better jobs.