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Today's topics:
* "Are Teachers Overpaid?" by Mr. Tamim Ansary - 8 messages, 4 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/bc0959f836a427e3?hl=en
* Millions of tires subject to recall due to blowout hazard - 3 messages, 3
authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/e5bd68d9e7fcbe32?hl=en
* Royal blood? - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/1ddf3e90b4396b6a?hl=en
* Use it or lose it? - 3 messages, 3 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/8826541b5009dfa9?hl=en
* The DSL 12-Month Commitment - 2 messages, 2 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/bb1b6c0797411fac?hl=en
* Walmart Prices: Urban vs Rural? - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/85719f2d4728a958?hl=en
* Sanyon Enerloop any good? - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/1c30a867749390d0?hl=en
==============================================================================
TOPIC: "Are Teachers Overpaid?" by Mr. Tamim Ansary
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/bc0959f836a427e3?hl=en
==============================================================================
== 1 of 8 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 7:15 pm
From: "Rod Speed"
The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
> Rod Speed wrote
>> The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
>>> terryc wrote
>>>> The Real Bev wrote
>>>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>>>> And what matters gets done fine, regardless of the teachers.
>>>>>> Essentially because those that matter dont need teachers.
>>>>> What about the other 90%?
>>>> For those there is porn and sport at all levels and grades.
>>> How many jobs are available in those fields? Way smaller number than the number of hopeless losers who figured
>>> that's what they'd do when they grew up.
>> Even the hopelessly inadequate teachers do manage
>> to teach even those how to read and watch TV etc.
> Don't be so sure about the reading.
I know they do.
> There's a not-negligible percentage of functional illiterates in the USA.
Functional illiterates are that way not because of any deficiency of the teachers.
> You don't have any of those?
Nope, not anymore. We used to have some, and even they can be taught to read if they want to read.
We do have a few that dont bother, just like we have hordes of
imigrants that dont bother to speak the language or read english.
== 2 of 8 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 8:32 pm
From: The Real Bev
Rod Speed wrote:
> The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>
>>> Even the hopelessly inadequate teachers do manage
>>> to teach even those how to read and watch TV etc.
>
>> Don't be so sure about the reading.
>
> I know they do.
>
>> There's a not-negligible percentage of functional illiterates in the USA.
>
> Functional illiterates are that way not because of any deficiency of the teachers.
It's the job of the educational system to educate ALL of the children,
not just the ones who want to be educated.
>> You don't have any of those?
>
> Nope, not anymore. We used to have some, and even they can be taught to read if they want to read.
>
> We do have a few that dont bother, just like we have hordes of
> imigrants that dont bother to speak the language or read english.
The problem is what to do with children who have no parental incentive
to do well in school and end up at 18 with no skills at all, including
the ability to read. Right now crime seems to be the only career option
unless the kid has some talent for sports or the kind of music that the
Great Unwashed like. The number of jobs available to the totally
unskilled are vanishingly few, especially since the illegals seem to be
far more eager to take those jobs than our home-grown louts. We can't
kill them, at least not all of them, and we can't jail all of them either.
The only hope for such kids is the public schools, and they're failing.
If their job is to deal with what might be considered disposable
children, they're failing miserably.
Any ideas?
--
Cheers,
Bev
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Rats cry when they hear about my life." -- Dilbert
== 3 of 8 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 9:24 pm
From: "Rod Speed"
The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
> Rod Speed wrote
>> The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>> Even the hopelessly inadequate teachers do manage
>>>> to teach even those how to read and watch TV etc.
>>> Don't be so sure about the reading.
>> I know they do.
>>> There's a not-negligible percentage of functional illiterates in the USA.
>> Functional illiterates are that way not because of any deficiency of the teachers.
> It's the job of the educational system to educate ALL of the children,
Yes, and they do that as far as reading is concerned with all but the absolute dregs now.
> not just the ones who want to be educated.
Yes, but it isnt just those who want to be educated that end up being able to read and use a calculator etc.
>>> You don't have any of those?
>> Nope, not anymore. We used to have some, and even they can be taught to read if they want to read.
>> We do have a few that dont bother, just like we have hordes of
>> imigrants that dont bother to speak the language or read english.
> The problem is what to do with children who have no parental incentive to do well in school and end up at 18 with no
> skills at all, including the ability to read.
I dont believe that there is enough of those to matter anymore.
> Right now crime seems to be the only career option unless the kid has some talent for sports or the kind of music that
> the Great Unwashed like.
Yep, that is where most of them end up, but thats got nothing to do
with the teachers, everything to do with the 'society' they are part of.
> The number of jobs available to the totally unskilled are vanishingly few,
Thats just plain wrong. You dont even need to be able to read to collect the garbage etc.
> especially since the illegals seem to be far more eager to take those jobs than our home-grown louts.
Yes, most of them prefer crime instead. Its always been that way. Nothing to do with the teachers.
> We can't kill them, at least not all of them, and we can't jail all of them either.
You do jail a hell of a lot of them and you can always teach them
to read there where they dont have anything else useful to do.
> The only hope for such kids is the public schools,
Not when most of them end up in jail regardless of what you do about teachers in public schools.
> and they're failing.
No evidence that they are.
And nothing you can do about those who prefer a 'life' of crime anyway.
> If their job is to deal with what might be considered disposable children,
No one has ever been able to work out how to do that.
The best prospect with those is to teach them in jail given that you lot are
prepared to spend the immense amount of money required to keep them in jail.
> they're failing miserably.
Yes, but so does the education system everywhere else too.
> Any ideas?
I've always been in favour of the approach the chinese use, bullet
in the back of the neck and send the bill for the bullet to the 'parents'
I doubt even McBush has the balls to propose that tho.
So you get to wear the immense cost of keeping them in jail and might as well
attempt to teach them to read if they cant read already when they are in there.
Not that will make a blind bit of difference to their prospects. Which
is why I personally favor the bullet in the back of the neck instead.
Worth doing that with the 'parents' too, so you dont have to wear the
downsides that are inevitable when they pump out even more the same.
Tho sterilisation might well be a tad more politically acceptible with them.
== 4 of 8 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 9:52 pm
From: The Real Bev
Rod Speed wrote:
> The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
>> Rod Speed wrote
>>> The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
>>>> Rod Speed wrote
>
>>>>> Even the hopelessly inadequate teachers do manage to teach
>>>>> even those how to read and watch TV etc.
>
>>>> Don't be so sure about the reading.
>
>>> I know they do.
>
>>>> There's a not-negligible percentage of functional illiterates
>>>> in the USA.
>
>>> Functional illiterates are that way not because of any deficiency
>>> of the teachers.
>
>> It's the job of the educational system to educate ALL of the
>> children,
>
> Yes, and they do that as far as reading is concerned with all but the
> absolute dregs now.
What do you suggest we do with those absolute dregs? They probably
won't disembowel themselves...
>> not just the ones who want to be educated.
>
> Yes, but it isnt just those who want to be educated that end up being
> able to read and use a calculator etc.
>
>>>> You don't have any of those?
>
>>> Nope, not anymore. We used to have some, and even they can be
>>> taught to read if they want to read.
>
>>> We do have a few that dont bother, just like we have hordes of
>>> imigrants that dont bother to speak the language or read english.
>
>> The problem is what to do with children who have no parental
>> incentive to do well in school and end up at 18 with no skills at
>> all, including the ability to read.
>
> I dont believe that there is enough of those to matter anymore.
It depends on where you live. Los Angeles has quite a few -- enough to
matter significantly if you happen to be one of their victims.
>> Right now crime seems to be the only career option unless the kid
>> has some talent for sports or the kind of music that the Great
>> Unwashed like.
>
> Yep, that is where most of them end up, but thats got nothing to do
> with the teachers, everything to do with the 'society' they are part
> of.
Society hires teachers to do the job that some parents don't. Teachers
aren't drafted, they choose the career. They signed up for the WHOLE
thing, not just the fun part. There were some news stories about people
who joined the National Guard but were outraged that they were actually
expected to pick up a gun and go to Iraq. Same thing.
>> The number of jobs available to the totally unskilled are
>> vanishingly few,
>
> Thats just plain wrong. You dont even need to be able to read to
> collect the garbage etc.
Are you kidding? Garbage collectors are unionized and are quite well
paid. Our locals drive automated garbage trucks, so they have to be
able to at least read well enough to pass the driver's license test.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_much_money_does_a_garbage_collector_earn
>> especially since the illegals seem to be far more eager to take
>> those jobs than our home-grown louts.
>
> Yes, most of them prefer crime instead. Its always been that way.
> Nothing to do with the teachers.
>
>> We can't kill them, at least not all of them, and we can't jail all
>> of them either.
>
> You do jail a hell of a lot of them and you can always teach them to
> read there where they dont have anything else useful to do.
Apparently they can also learn to be better criminals. Carjackers can
learn to pick locks, for instance. There are all kinds of opportunities.
>> The only hope for such kids is the public schools,
>
> Not when most of them end up in jail regardless of what you do about
> teachers in public schools.
Surprise. Nobody is doing anything about teachers in public schools.
They're unionized and their main concern is keeping their jobs and
getting better pay.
>> and they're failing.
>
> No evidence that they are.
>
> And nothing you can do about those who prefer a 'life' of crime
> anyway.
Possibly, but I'm not willing to believe that that preference is present
at birth.
>> If their job is to deal with what might be considered disposable
>> children,
>
> No one has ever been able to work out how to do that.
Then throwing money at the problem isn't likely to solve it, is it?
Still, that's what the teachers keep claiming -- There isn't enough
money to do a good job. Do we really believe that they WILL do a good
job if we just pay them more? Yeah, right.
> The best prospect with those is to teach them in jail given that you
> lot are prepared to spend the immense amount of money required to
> keep them in jail.
What makes you think that teachers willing to work in jails are any more
competent than the others?
>> they're failing miserably.
>
> Yes, but so does the education system everywhere else too.
Not as badly, apparently. The US is becoming (or has become) a
third-world country as far as K-12 education goes. Sure there are
pockets of excellence, but they're few and far between and generally
pretty well-heeled.
>> Any ideas?
>
> I've always been in favour of the approach the chinese use, bullet in
> the back of the neck and send the bill for the bullet to the
> 'parents'
Kind of overkill for shoplifting...
> I doubt even McBush has the balls to propose that tho.
>
> So you get to wear the immense cost of keeping them in jail and might
> as well attempt to teach them to read if they cant read already when
> they are in there.
We already do that, and sometimes it works.
> Not that will make a blind bit of difference to their prospects.
> Which is why I personally favor the bullet in the back of the neck
> instead.
>
> Worth doing that with the 'parents' too, so you dont have to wear the
> downsides that are inevitable when they pump out even more the same.
> Tho sterilisation might well be a tad more politically acceptible
> with them.
The US used to do that. All things considered, it's probably a better
alternative than a lot of others. Did you know that welfare recipients
may actually be entitled to free fertility treatments?
--
Cheers,
Bev
MSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMS
FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION. It comes bundled with the software.
== 5 of 8 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 10:15 pm
From: terryc
On Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:31:07 -0700, The Real Bev wrote:
> Don't be so sure about the reading. There's a not-negligible percentage
> of functional illiterates in the USA. You don't have any of those?
We do, but usually when you enquire, it was more a lack of a tacher that
was the problem (intinerant parents usually), but some do have learning
difficulties, which any non-stressed competent teacher will pick up and
correct.
Frankly, a bit problem is parents. If they care about their child and ask
questions, problems are usualu overcome. it is the children of parents who
really don't give a toss, that sometimes fall through the cracks.
The alltime classic excuse from a mother about her child not being able to
read or write "he can always get a job as a horse breaker like his
father". Sheesh, the teacher was trying to help, but he needed someone to
sit down at home and listen to him read for the extra practise and she
wasn't prepared to do that.
== 6 of 8 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 10:17 pm
From: terryc
On Sat, 23 Aug 2008 20:32:38 -0700, The Real Bev wrote:
> It's the job of the educational system to educate ALL of the children,
> not just the ones who want to be educated.
1. So you thin the government should tell you what you should think?
2. Thats lets the teachers off then as it is "the educaion system" that is
failing and not the teachers.
FFS, most parents take an active part in their childrens education from
the moment they are born.
== 7 of 8 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 10:52 pm
From: "Rod Speed"
The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
> Rod Speed wrote
>> The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>> The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
>>>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>>>> Even the hopelessly inadequate teachers do manage to teach even those how to read and watch TV etc.
>>>>> Don't be so sure about the reading.
>>>> I know they do.
>>>>> There's a not-negligible percentage of functional illiterates in the USA.
>>>> Functional illiterates are that way not because of any deficiency of the teachers.
>>> It's the job of the educational system to educate ALL of the children,
>> Yes, and they do that as far as reading is concerned with all but the absolute dregs now.
> What do you suggest we do with those absolute dregs?
Like I said, bullet in the back of the neck and send the bill for the bullet to the 'parent'
If you lot dont have the balls for that, keep jailing them like you currently do when they break the law.
> They probably won't disembowel themselves...
And I doubt even the best teachers would do much good at teaching them how to do that.
It takes a class of teacher like the Japs have had for centurys to be able to do that successfully.
Not much point in importing those either, their english is lousy and almost completely incomprehensible.
Most of the dregs have AIDS as a result of their IV drug use too, so it could get messy with all that blood and gore
around.
>>> not just the ones who want to be educated.
>> Yes, but it isnt just those who want to be educated that end up being able to read and use a calculator etc.
>>>>> You don't have any of those?
>>>> Nope, not anymore. We used to have some, and even they can be taught to read if they want to read.
>>>> We do have a few that dont bother, just like we have hordes of
>>>> imigrants that dont bother to speak the language or read english.
>>> The problem is what to do with children who have no parental
>>> incentive to do well in school and end up at 18 with no skills at
>>> all, including the ability to read.
>> I dont believe that there is enough of those to matter anymore.
> It depends on where you live.
Nope.
> Los Angeles has quite a few
Nope, fuck all of them cant read.
> -- enough to matter significantly if you happen to be one of their victims.
Why, because they cant read your sign, 'please dont attack me, I'm a cripple' ?
>>> Right now crime seems to be the only career option unless the kid has some talent for sports or the kind of music
>>> that the Great Unwashed like.
>> Yep, that is where most of them end up, but thats got nothing to do
>> with the teachers, everything to do with the 'society' they are part of.
> Society hires teachers to do the job that some parents don't.
And no teachers do any good with the absolute dregs that dont see any point in being able to read.
> Teachers aren't drafted, they choose the career. They signed up for the WHOLE thing, not just the fun part.
No teachers do any good with the absolute dregs that dont see any point in being able to read.
Even the military has never managed to do anything with those absolute
dregs even when they could execute them if they didnt learn.
> There were some news stories about people who joined the National Guard but were outraged that they were actually
> expected to pick up a gun and go to Iraq. Same thing.
Nope, nothing like the same thing.
No teachers do any good with the absolute dregs that dont see any point in being able to read.
Even the military has never managed to do anything with those absolute
dregs even when they could execute them if they didnt learn.
>>> The number of jobs available to the totally unskilled are vanishingly few,
>> Thats just plain wrong. You dont even need to be able to read to collect the garbage etc.
> Are you kidding?
Nope.
> Garbage collectors are unionized and are quite well paid.
They're still totally unskilled and dont need to be able to read to join the union.
> Our locals drive automated garbage trucks,
So do ours.
> so they have to be able to at least read well enough to pass the driver's license test.
Nope, the immigrants who cant read the language manage to get licensed fine.
That does cause a few problems when they cant read the road signs, but they
do manage somehow, presumably by memorising the most important road signs.
> http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_much_money_does_a_garbage_collector_earn
Doesnt say that they need any 'skills'
Even the stupidest ape can learn how to drive a truck and
they clearly managed to work out how to drive a car too.
>>> especially since the illegals seem to be far more eager to take those jobs than our home-grown louts.
>> Yes, most of them prefer crime instead. Its always been that way.
>> Nothing to do with the teachers.
>>> We can't kill them, at least not all of them, and we can't jail all of them either.
>> You do jail a hell of a lot of them and you can always teach them to read there where they dont have anything else
>> useful to do.
> Apparently they can also learn to be better criminals. Carjackers can
> learn to pick locks, for instance. There are all kinds of opportunities.
Corse they do. So you can teach them to read if you want to.
If they dont learn, they dont eat etc.
>>> The only hope for such kids is the public schools,
>> Not when most of them end up in jail regardless of what you do about teachers in public schools.
> Surprise. Nobody is doing anything about teachers in public schools.
> They're unionized and their main concern is keeping their jobs and getting better pay.
Even before that stuff happened, they still didnt manage to teach everyone to read.
>>> and they're failing.
>> No evidence that they are.
>> And nothing you can do about those who prefer a 'life' of crime anyway.
> Possibly, but I'm not willing to believe that that preference is present at birth.
It is with the worst of them, particularly the psychopaths.
And growing up in the environment they grow up in is enough with the rest.
Even the military never did manage to fix the worst of them, they just kick them out.
>>> If their job is to deal with what might be considered disposable children,
>> No one has ever been able to work out how to do that.
> Then throwing money at the problem isn't likely to solve it, is it?
Yep, thats why the bullet in the back of the neck is the only thing that works.
> Still, that's what the teachers keep claiming -- There isn't enough money to do a good job. Do we really believe that
> they WILL do a good job if we just pay them more? Yeah, right.
Just like every other union scam.
>> The best prospect with those is to teach them in jail given that you lot are prepared to spend the immense amount of
>> money required to keep them in jail.
> What makes you think that teachers willing to work in jails are any more competent than the others?
They arent, but they can at least ensure that they do attend.
Presumably a few will decide that they dont have anything better to do but learn to read.
In fact we know that some do learn to read in jail.
And that some who at one time couldnt see any point in learning to read when
in school change their mind when they get a bit older and have nothing else to do.
Not that I think there is any point in teaching them to
read, except that they will be able to read the signs etc.
>>> they're failing miserably.
>> Yes, but so does the education system everywhere else too.
> Not as badly, apparently. The US is becoming (or has become) a third-world country as far as K-12 education goes.
Thats just plain silly. Whoever claimed that has never
seen a real third world country's education system.
> Sure there are pockets of excellence, but they're few and far between and generally pretty well-heeled.
Sure, but the vast bulk of those that spend any time at all in them do end up being able to read.
>>> Any ideas?
>> I've always been in favour of the approach the chinese use, bullet in
>> the back of the neck and send the bill for the bullet to the 'parents'
> Kind of overkill for shoplifting...
Does have a 0% recidivism rate.
>> I doubt even McBush has the balls to propose that tho.
>> So you get to wear the immense cost of keeping them in jail and might as well attempt to teach them to read if they
>> cant read already when they are in there.
> We already do that, and sometimes it works.
It does indeed. So there isnt any point in hyperventilating about the teachers in the public schools.
Just send your rug rats to schools that do a decent job.
>> Not that will make a blind bit of difference to their prospects.
>> Which is why I personally favor the bullet in the back of the neck instead.
>> Worth doing that with the 'parents' too, so you dont have to wear the
>> downsides that are inevitable when they pump out even more the same.
>> Tho sterilisation might well be a tad more politically acceptible with them.
> The US used to do that.
It did indeed, and it wasnt alone in that either.
We were more into poisoning our's wells.
> All things considered, it's probably a better alternative than a lot of others.
Yep.
> Did you know that welfare recipients may actually be entitled to free fertility treatments?
Yep. Barking mad.
== 8 of 8 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 10:53 pm
From: "Simon" <192900@spam.com>
terryc <newssixspam-spam@woa.com.au> wrote:
> On Sat, 23 Aug 2008 20:32:38 -0700, The Real Bev wrote:
>
>> It's the job of the educational system to educate ALL of the
>> children, not just the ones who want to be educated.
>
> 1. So you thin the government should tell you what you should think?
> 2. Thats lets the teachers off then as it is "the educaion system"
> that is failing and not the teachers.
>
> FFS, most parents take an active part in their childrens education
> from the moment they are born.
The dregs we are discussing dont.
==============================================================================
TOPIC: Millions of tires subject to recall due to blowout hazard
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/e5bd68d9e7fcbe32?hl=en
==============================================================================
== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 7:20 pm
From: "AllEmailDeletedImmediately"
<ultimauw@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:027762b1-6b33-47c6-9b70-75b1df75d09b@m73g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/consumer/recalls&id=6338125
not tires, tire stems
== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 8:00 pm
From: Paulie Walnutts
On Aug 23, 9:20 pm, "AllEmailDeletedImmediately" <der...@hotmail.com>
wrote:
> <ultim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:027762b1-6b33-47c6-9b70-75b1df75d09b@m73g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
>
> >http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/consumer/recalls&id=63...
>
> not tires, tire stems
From overuse. Thank you Obama.
== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 8:19 pm
From: The Real Bev
AllEmailDeletedImmediately wrote:
> <ultimauw@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/consumer/recalls&id=6338125
>
> not tires, tire stems
Can you still get metal ones? Are they better or worse?
--
Cheers,
Bev
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Rats cry when they hear about my life." -- Dilbert
==============================================================================
TOPIC: Royal blood?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/1ddf3e90b4396b6a?hl=en
==============================================================================
== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 7:28 pm
From: phil scott
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa-YPNl8-7k
==============================================================================
TOPIC: Use it or lose it?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/8826541b5009dfa9?hl=en
==============================================================================
== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 7:28 pm
From: "AllEmailDeletedImmediately"
"The Real Bev" <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:PG2sk.15082$Is1.8159@newsfe04.iad...
> Rod Speed wrote:
>
>> George <george@nospam.invalid> wrote:
>>> timeOday wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Considering the rapid increase in standard of living in China and
>>>> India over the last decade or so, and considering we do business
>>>> with them, it surprises me that the median US standard of living
>>>> really hasn't increased in a generation or so. Some things get
>>>> better (e.g. invention of the Internet) while others get worse (e.g.
>>>> affordability of beach-front property).
>>>>
>>> Why would it? Consider that China is doing things we used to do and
>>> thats why their standard of living increased.
>>>
>>> Previously we had lots of good paying manufacturing jobs which
>>> enabled a true middle class.
>>
>> The real middle class never ever was involved in manufacturing jobs.
>
> Certainly not actually having to TOUCH the machinery itself, but they
> might have started out that way.
>
> Nobody ever actually defines "the middle class" or "the rich". It's way
> easier to despise and wish to soak The Rich when you don't know that
> you're one of them.
it's divided into quintiles. the rich, the poor and the 3 quints in the
middle:
upper middle class, middle class, lower middle class. i don't know where
the lines are drawn.
== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 8:18 pm
From: The Real Bev
Rod Speed wrote:
> The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
>
>> Nobody ever actually defines "the middle class" or "the rich".
>
> Because it isnt really possible to define it. But you never get the
> middle class involved in collecting the garbage, doing the plumbing,
> working in a factory, or cleaning either.
>
>> It's way easier to despise and wish to soak The Rich when you don't
>> know that you're one of them.
>
> None of the rich ever want the rich to soaked and they certainly know
> if they are rich or not.
In the US, when politicians talk about "the rich" they mean something
like a family earning $75K. I'm pretty sure that working people earning
$75K don't know they're "rich". Sorry, I can't give you a cite because
it's something I read over a year ago.
--
Cheers,
Bev
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Rats cry when they hear about my life." -- Dilbert
== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 9:10 pm
From: "Rod Speed"
The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
> Rod Speed wrote
>> The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
>>> Nobody ever actually defines "the middle class" or "the rich".
>> Because it isnt really possible to define it. But you never get the middle class involved in collecting the garbage,
>> doing the plumbing, working in a factory, or cleaning either.
>>> It's way easier to despise and wish to soak The Rich when you don't know that you're one of them.
>> None of the rich ever want the rich to soaked and they certainly know if they are rich or not.
> In the US, when politicians talk about "the rich" they mean something like a family earning $75K.
Thats nothing like rich and includes hordes of professionals, in spades when there is more than one income.
> I'm pretty sure that working people earning $75K don't know they're "rich".
Yes, but thats nothing like 'the rich'
> Sorry, I can't give you a cite because it's something I read over a year ago.
I doubt its even what the politicians call 'the rich' and if it is, they are just plain wrong.
==============================================================================
TOPIC: The DSL 12-Month Commitment
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/bb1b6c0797411fac?hl=en
==============================================================================
== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 7:50 pm
From: spam@nospam.org (Messiah Obama)
On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:24:14 +1000, "Rod Speed"
<rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote:
>Some gutless fuckwit desperately cowering behind
>Messiah Obama <spam@nospam.org> wrote the completely superfluous
>proof that its never ever had a fucking clue about anything at all, ever.
So spake the 'ho.
== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 8:09 pm
From: "Rod Speed"
Some gutless fuckwit desperately cowering behind
Messiah Obama <spam@nospam.org> wrote the completely superfluous
proof that its never ever had a fucking clue about anything at all, ever.
==============================================================================
TOPIC: Walmart Prices: Urban vs Rural?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/85719f2d4728a958?hl=en
==============================================================================
== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 7:08 pm
From: Ann
On Sat, 23 Aug 2008 20:15:58 -0500, Dean Hoffman wrote:
> enigma wrote:
>> Jonathan Grobe <grobe@netins.net> wrote in
>> news:slrngb14vp.9b3.grobe@worf.netins.net:
>>
>>> Does Walmart have the same prices in its urban and rural Walmarts? How
>>> much latitude do individual store managers have in pricing?
>>
>> i don't shop at Wal-Mart, but as an ex-retail manager, i can say that
>> they most likely have "zone pricing" for various stores, depending on
>> their location. it doesn't so much have to do with suburban vs rural,
>> but with the various local economies. most retail companies have 3 to 5
>> "zones", or pricing levels.
>> individual store managers would have very little leeway in
>> adjusting prices in their store. they would likely be able to price
>> match a competitor, but they couldn't make the price lower than the
>> competition. they couldn't match an online price, only a local
>> competitor. they would need district manager approval to price match a
>> differently zoned Wal-Mart, & that would be unlikely unless the other
>> store was within 50 miles or so.
>> lee
>>
>>
> Does the internet affect such things? I've never really compared
> internet pricing to the local stores.
A lot of what Walmart sells - like small kitchen appliances - just aren't
worth comparison shopping for online. It's much easier to just pop it
into the cart while grocery shopping, knowing you aren't going to get
stung too bad and that it will be almost as easy to bring it back if it's
defective or you change your mind.
> Our local farmer's coop prices their gas according to the town the
> station is in. It probably has 8 or 10 of the self serve card stations
> scattered around the area.
>
> Dean
==============================================================================
TOPIC: Sanyon Enerloop any good?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/1c30a867749390d0?hl=en
==============================================================================
== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sat, Aug 23 2008 8:22 pm
From: Vic Smith
On Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:13:35 -0500, me@privacy.net wrote:
>Sanyo has rechargeable battery system called Enerloop
>
>I have a Texas Instruments 84 graphing calculator and
>various other small devices that seem to eat up AA and
>AAA batteries.
>
>Would it be frugal to buy this Sanyo system instead of
>throw away batteries?
Yep. Anything that's "eating" batteries will be cheaper to run buying
the rechargeables.
The Eneloops are supposed to be good for things like flashlights too
since they supposedly hold their charge.
Bought a Sanyo setup off ebay, and been using them a few months with
my cordless laser mouse, and they seem fine so far, lasting as least
as long between recharges as the Targus and one other brand I was
using before. Those lost their recharging capability.
Supposedly the Eneloops have more cycles. We'll see.
But if you price them out the Eneloops are close to the same cost as
any other brand of rechargeables, so I figured I'd try them.
Haven't tried them in my camera or flashlights, just the mouse and
keyboard, so that's all I can say.
--Vic
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