Wednesday, December 24, 2008

misc.consumers.frugal-living - 25 new messages in 15 topics - digest

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misc.consumers.frugal-living - 25 new messages in 7 topics - digest

misc.consumers.frugal-living
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living?hl=en

misc.consumers.frugal-living@googlegroups.com

Today's topics:

* Negro, hispanic crime ripping through America. - 6 messages, 4 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/dc68feb795ea956f?hl=en
* What minor frugal change did you make this year? - 8 messages, 4 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/2d2a9d8612f0c718?hl=en
* poverty line - 2 messages, 2 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/4eaa805a9a816468?hl=en
* Collision insurance - 6 messages, 4 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/2850cf9d787416a8?hl=en
* self-employed, the price? - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/25ab6d7a439ac7f1?hl=en
* Don't they just print more money? - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/372a5a8a074f3f89?hl=en
* Companies closing down without telling their employees - 1 messages, 1
author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/e9ad2a790d1b3e5a?hl=en

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Negro, hispanic crime ripping through America.
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/dc68feb795ea956f?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 8:43 am
From: wismel@yahoo.com


http://www.newnation.org/

What wimps be these American who tolerate such outrages.

Death to diversity!

ted


== 2 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 9:01 am
From: BrianNZ


wismel@yahoo.com wrote:
> http://www.newnation.org/
>
> What wimps be these American who tolerate such outrages.
>
> Death to diversity!
>
> ted


fair call....you certainly aren't mainstream, and you don't do anything
about these 'outrages' so you must be a wimp.....BANG!!


== 3 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 9:10 am
From: .p.jm@see_my_sig_for_address.com


On Thu, 25 Dec 2008 06:01:28 +1300, BrianNZ <brian@itnz.co.nz> wrote:

>wismel@yahoo.com wrote:
>> http://www.newnation.org/
>>
>> What wimps be these American who tolerate such outrages.
>>
>> Death to diversity!
>>
>> ted
>
>
>fair call....you certainly aren't mainstream, and you don't do anything
>about these 'outrages' so you must be a wimp.....BANG!!

Please don't feed the trolls.


--
Click here every day to feed an animal that needs you today !!!
www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

Paul ( pjm @ pobox . com ) - remove spaces to email me
'Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.'
'With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine.'
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== 4 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 9:34 am
From: BrianNZ


.p.jm@see_my_sig_for_address.com wrote:
> On Thu, 25 Dec 2008 06:01:28 +1300, BrianNZ <brian@itnz.co.nz> wrote:
>
>> wismel@yahoo.com wrote:
>>> http://www.newnation.org/
>>>
>>> What wimps be these American who tolerate such outrages.
>>>
>>> Death to diversity!
>>>
>>> ted
>>
>> fair call....you certainly aren't mainstream, and you don't do anything
>> about these 'outrages' so you must be a wimp.....BANG!!
>
> Please don't feed the trolls.
>
>


C'mon, it's 6.30am Christmas morning....peace and goodwill to all (and
all that crap) :)


== 5 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 10:09 am
From: "."


On Dec 24, 9:34�am, The Man From Another Planet <br...@itnz.co.nz>
wrote:

> C'mon, it's 6.30am Christmas morning....peace and goodwill to all (and
> all that crap) �:)

Christmas morning, in the middle of summer in Godzone, and you have
nothing better to do than debate foreign politics that don't affect
you in any way?

Is that *lame*, or what?

== 6 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 10:32 am
From: BrianNZ


. wrote:
> On Dec 24, 9:34�am, The Man From Another Planet <br...@itnz.co.nz>
> wrote:
>
>> C'mon, it's 6.30am Christmas morning....peace and goodwill to all (and
>> all that crap) �:)
>
> Christmas morning, in the middle of summer in Godzone, and you have
> nothing better to do than debate foreign politics that don't affect
> you in any way?
>
> Is that *lame*, or what?
>


Just another day in paradise....soon I'll be doing more important
things.....the dishes, washing, mop the floors....usual 'day-off' stuff.

I think todays mission is to get the Mitsi truck to the back of the
section and load up a Triumph Herald which has found a new home.

Tomorrow I'm off to Wanganui for the 'Cemetery Circuit' bike racing.
Sean Harris is making a comeback from his IOM crash.......
"> In June last year, Harris cheated death in the Isle of Man Tourist
Trophy race, crashing his 1000cc Suzuki at 230km/h on the final lap on
the 37-mile (60km) circuit.
>
> Race officials and medics who came to his rescue at the time didn't give him a chance and their feelings were echoed by doctors at the hospital.
>
> He broke both arms, both legs, some ribs, his pelvis and lost his front teeth in the smash and was in a medically induced coma for several days."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dailynews/4802138a6404.html


.....and I'll be cheering him on. Rather than ride down (as usual, but
the KTM's off the road until I can afford a service) I've got a driver
to take me in my car and I will be making a booze cruise of it.

I love Christmas when I'm on my own....so much more relaxing!

==============================================================================
TOPIC: What minor frugal change did you make this year?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/2d2a9d8612f0c718?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 8 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 8:47 am
From: "Daniel T."


On Dec 23, 5:30�pm, The Real Bev <bashley...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Daniel T. wrote:
> > The Real Bev <bashley101+use...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Nicik Name wrote:
> > > > "Daniel T." <danie...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> > > Isn't there some rule of thumb about how long you should idle
> > > and when you should turn the engine off?
> >
> > From what I understand, it's 10 Seconds. In our state, the left turn
> > signal always goes green before the main light. So if I hit the turn
> > lane and the left turn signal is red, I shut off the engine until
> > after the cross traffic starts going. If I can see the cross traffic
> > light, I will wait until they have a yellow light.
> >
> > This is exactly how Priuses save gas, shut the engine off at lights.
>
> They're electric at low speeds, right? �So you probably aren't using
> any gas in high-traffic areas, right?

Not really. They don't work like the Volt is planed too (for example.)
The battery on a Prius is quite small, so it's not like you can expect
to leave the engine off during a trip to the grocery store, even if
you do keep under the 30-40 MPH cut-off point.

The Volt, on the other hand is planed to be a true electric vehicle.
It will opperate on electricity alone, with a gas generator on-board
for those times when you can't charge it before the batteries die out.


== 2 of 8 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 8:57 am
From: "Daniel T."


"Nicik Name" <orb...@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>
> For security reasons NEVER shut down the motor while on a roadway.
> Hope this helps.........

In my state, and I think in most states, it's illegal to shut off the
engine while the car is moving, (though I have been known to do that
on occasion when I'm comming up to a light that I know will be red for
a long time.)

Nicik is right though, there is a safety concern. With the engine off,
you don't have your power breaks or power stearing, and of course you
loose all ability to accelerate.

For example, I will leave my engine running if nobody is behind me.
Just in case someone shows up and forgets to break soon enough, I want
the ability to pull ahead and out of their way so I won't be rear-
ended.

> Lic driver circa 1968......eh what do i know

I'm over 20 years accident free. I tell my kids there are three kinds
of drivers, those who get into accidents and it's usually their fault,
those who get into accidents and it's rarely their fault, and then
there are those who simply don't get into accidents.


== 3 of 8 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 9:01 am
From: "Daniel T."


On Dec 23, 11:19�pm, Dave Garland <dave.garl...@wizinfo.com> wrote:
> The Real Bev wrote:
> > Isn't there some rule of thumb about how long you should idle and when
> > you should turn the engine off?
>
> In Minneapolis, it's 3 minutes. �Beyond that (5 for heavy diesels)
> it's a violation and you can be ticketed.
>
> Though I'm not sure that anyone has been, in the year the ordinance
> has been in effect. �On slow news days, news crews shoot pictures of
> cops, garbage trucks, etc. violating the ordinance.

I think Dave is talking about a slightly different subject... Ever
notice how UPS drivers turn off the engine as soon as they stop, even
if they are just jumping out and jumping right back in again?


== 4 of 8 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 9:24 am
From: Marsha


Daniel T. wrote:
> I'm over 20 years accident free. I tell my kids there are three kinds
> of drivers, those who get into accidents and it's usually their fault,
> those who get into accidents and it's rarely their fault, and then
> there are those who simply don't get into accidents.

Same here, but there have been some close ones, which would not have
been my fault. Sometimes it's only pure luck if you haven't had an
accident for a while. You just haven't been in the right place at the
right time.

Marsha/Ohio


== 5 of 8 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 9:45 am
From: Dennis


On Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:24:42 -0500, Marsha <mas@xeb.net> wrote:

>Daniel T. wrote:
> > I'm over 20 years accident free. I tell my kids there are three kinds
>> of drivers, those who get into accidents and it's usually their fault,
>> those who get into accidents and it's rarely their fault, and then
>> there are those who simply don't get into accidents.
>
>Same here, but there have been some close ones, which would not have
>been my fault. Sometimes it's only pure luck if you haven't had an
>accident for a while. You just haven't been in the right place at the
>right time.

I'm not sure how it is in your state, but here in Oregon we have what
is termed "proportional neglect". What this means (as my agent
explained it to me) is that, unless you are (legally and properly)
completely stopped somewhere and someone else hits your vehicle, each
driver is assigned some percentage of fault in an accident. The
respective insurance companies pay out based on the percentages
assigned to their client.


Dennis (evil)
--
The honest man is the one who realizes that he cannot
consume more, in his lifetime, than he produces.


== 6 of 8 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 10:08 am
From: Dave Garland


Daniel T. wrote:

> I think Dave is talking about a slightly different subject... Ever
> notice how UPS drivers turn off the engine as soon as they stop, even
> if they are just jumping out and jumping right back in again?

It does turn out that it doesn't apply if you're "in traffic". I
didn't know that. (I do sometimes turn my engine off if I'm waiting
for a train to pass.) However, it does apply if your aggregate idling
time is more than 3 minutes in an hour, I didn't realize that it
wasn't "per instance". There are various exemptions.

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/airquality/AntiIdling_home.asp


== 7 of 8 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 10:59 am
From: Marsha


Dennis wrote:
> I'm not sure how it is in your state, but here in Oregon we have what
> is termed "proportional neglect". What this means (as my agent
> explained it to me) is that, unless you are (legally and properly)
> completely stopped somewhere and someone else hits your vehicle, each
> driver is assigned some percentage of fault in an accident. The
> respective insurance companies pay out based on the percentages
> assigned to their client.
>
>
> Dennis (evil)
> --
> The honest man is the one who realizes that he cannot
> consume more, in his lifetime, than he produces.

Does that apply to rear-end accidents if both vehicles are moving? That
doesn't seem fair, in most cases.

Marsha/Ohio


== 8 of 8 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 11:14 am
From: Dennis


On Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:59:38 -0500, Marsha <mas@xeb.net> wrote:

>Dennis wrote:
>> I'm not sure how it is in your state, but here in Oregon we have what
>> is termed "proportional neglect". What this means (as my agent
>> explained it to me) is that, unless you are (legally and properly)
>> completely stopped somewhere and someone else hits your vehicle, each
>> driver is assigned some percentage of fault in an accident. The
>> respective insurance companies pay out based on the percentages
>> assigned to their client.
>>
>>
>> Dennis (evil)
>> --
>> The honest man is the one who realizes that he cannot
>> consume more, in his lifetime, than he produces.
>
>Does that apply to rear-end accidents if both vehicles are moving?

It did in my case -- my car was rear ended when I slowed to make a
left turn into a residential driveway. The guy who hit me was
speeding, drunk, had outstanding warrants and tried to flee when the
police arrived. Nonetheless, I was assigned some percentage of fault
(I forget how much -- it was over 25 years ago -- less than 10% I
think, but still...).

>That doesn't seem fair, in most cases.

Insurers, politicians and lawyers made the rules. What made you think
"fair" had anything to do with it? ;-)


Dennis (evil)
--
The honest man is the one who realizes that he cannot
consume more, in his lifetime, than he produces.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: poverty line
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/4eaa805a9a816468?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 9:00 am
From: "JonquilJan"


This varies so much throughout the country.

In some locations, the amount stated can enable the person to qualify for
breaks on subsidized housing, food stamps, tax breaks, etc. In my locality
(the only one where I have personal experience) I qualify for the STAR tax
program - which lowers my school taxes. But I do not qualify for HEAP -
which would help with my winter heating bills.

I could go to the monthly surplus food distribution (I can't stand up long
enough to wait in the lines however) but anyone can do that regardless of
income. I would qualify for subsidized housing - but only if I stopped
working (just barely over the line when I work) - and I wouldn't want to
leave my home anyway.

Some people 'live' quite well when their income is below the 'poverty line'
because they are frugal and make good choices. Others live quite 'poorly'
even when they are well above the 'poverty line' because they make bad
choices and live extravagently.

I don't have a cell phone, only basic cable (less that $9 a month), a used
car, no stereo, no microwave, have the house paid off. Health care through
Medicare. I am almost 70 (less than 2 months) and have been disabled for
over 35 years. Poverty line - I'm close - but not under that line as yet.

JonquilJan

Learn something new every day
As long as you are learning, you are living
When you stop learning, you start dying


== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 9:52 am
From: Dave Garland


Marsha wrote:

> But the media and politicians like to paint a picture of the poor as
> someone without adequate shelter, not enough food, not much income and
> no medical care.

You're right, that image is not always accurate. It is sometimes, but
not others. Sometimes the poor is a 80-year-old widow living in her
own deteriorating house on social security. Sometimes it's a single
mom with kids who left daddy because he beat them, or is doing time.
Sometimes it's a family with one wage-earner in a minimum-wage job and
medical problems. And yeah, sometimes it's a guy who's allergic to work.

The media and politicians like to reduce their stories to simple black
and white. Because the public's attention span isn't long enough for
anything more complicated. It's gotta fit into a sound bite.

>Someone with cable or satellite TV reception and/or a
> cell phone in addition to a land line does not fit that category.

I'd agree about the TV. But most of the poor who I know that have a
cellphone don't have a landline. If you have bad credit, do you know
what it costs to get a landline installed? You can get a prepaid
cellphone at K-Mart for $20 no questions asked, another $20 will load
it with 100 minutes talk time. You tell me what the local telco will
charge (don't forget to include the taxes, they can double a low-end
bill).

> Most
> truly poor people simply can't or don't make good choices.

That's sometimes true. But do you have any evidence do you have for
"most"?

> What we need
> is a major overhaul of the welfare system and immigration.

Along with a major overhaul of developers and sports team owners who
get big tax giveaways, buddies of the vice president who get no-bid
government contracts so they can charge twice or three times the
market rate, major corporations who get multi-billion dollar bailouts
no strings attached, subsidies for telephone service of people who
choose to live in places like Alaska, and a lot of other stuff.

Dave

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Collision insurance
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/2850cf9d787416a8?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 9:17 am
From: Marsha


Ben wrote:
> Your company gave you wrong/misleading info.
>
> Medical bills etc aren't covered. But your collision insurance will
> cover damage to the car if the other person is uninsured. I checked
> this multiple times before I removed it.
>

Are you sure that this isn't specific to your policy and/or your state?

My question to the rep was very specific. "If I don't have
uninsured/underinsured coverage, and someone without insurance or
inadequate insurance causes an accident, what would my insurance pay?"
Her response was "nothing."

Marsha/Ohio

== 2 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 9:29 am
From: "Ben"

"Marsha" <mas@xeb.net> wrote in message news:gitqs2$c4s$1@news.datemas.de...
> Ben wrote:
> > Your company gave you wrong/misleading info.
>>
>> Medical bills etc aren't covered. But your collision insurance will
>> cover damage to the car if the other person is uninsured. I checked
>> this multiple times before I removed it.
>>
>
> Are you sure that this isn't specific to your policy and/or your state?

No. I am sure. I had checked multiple times earlier.

I got this from googling.
http://www.whybike.com/blog/index.php?p=152

As it says, your comprehensive will take care of the repair
costs of your vehicle, but you will have to pay the deductible.
But your medical expenses etc, loss of wages etc will not be
paid.

>
> My question to the rep was very specific. "If I don't have
> uninsured/underinsured coverage, and someone without insurance or
> inadequate insurance causes an accident, what would my insurance pay?" Her
> response was "nothing."

Her response was wrong. Check again.


== 3 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 9:59 am
From: Dave Garland


Ben wrote:

> You don't need uninsured motorist coverage.

You do in Minnesota. Also liability, personal injury, and
underinsured motorist.

Dave


== 4 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 10:02 am
From: George


Marsha wrote:
> George wrote:
>> Marsha wrote:
>>> Vic Smith wrote:
>>>> If you can write off $7000 without "undue hardship" where's the "undue
>>>> hardship" about kicking in $170 a year?
>>>>
>>>> --Vic
>>>
>>> It's not much, granted, but I abhor donating money to insurance
>>> companies. A necessary evil, though.
>>>
>>> Marsha/Ohio
>>
>> Why? insurance is nothing more than gambling. You are betting
>> something will happen and they are betting that it won't. Most folks
>> can't cover catastrophic stuff but are able to cover the routine
>> stuff. If you add up all of the money you never spent on extended
>> warranties, collision etc you would find that you could easily cover
>> the routine stuff if necessary and still be ahead.
>
> If I want to go to a casino, that's my choice. A minimum of liability
> is required in this state, although, by my insurance company's
> statistics, 50% of drivers do not have even that. That upsets me. Why
> should anyone need to pay for uninsured motorist coverage?
>
> Marsha/Ohio

Votes, if I let my insurance drop and don't return the plate they will
send the state police to remove it. That is known to be a much rarer
occurrence in Philly.

I didn't think liability was under discussion since it is typically a
regulatory requirement and your original question was about collision
insurance.


== 5 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 10:04 am
From: George


Ben wrote:
> "Marsha" <mas@xeb.net> wrote in message news:gitk2q$nps$2@news.datemas.de...
>> If I want to go to a casino, that's my choice. A minimum of liability is
>> required in this state, although, by my insurance company's statistics,
>> 50% of drivers do not have even that. That upsets me. Why should anyone
>> need to pay for uninsured motorist coverage?
>>
>> Marsha/Ohio
>
> You don't need uninsured motorist coverage. You will be covered
> even if you don't have that. Only difference is that you will have to pay
> your regular deductible if an uninsured motorist hits you. OTOH, if you have
> uninsured motorist coverage, you will get the full repair costs without
> a deductible.
>

It isn't an option in PA. Also anyone taking the state required minimum
insurance whose values seem to have been set 50 years ago should rethink
that idea.

> I have never had uninsured motorist coverage after I realized this.
>
>


== 6 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 10:45 am
From: Marsha


George wrote:
> Votes, if I let my insurance drop and don't return the plate they will
> send the state police to remove it. That is known to be a much rarer
> occurrence in Philly.

Ohio doesn't do anything. We don't even have to show proof of insurance
to renew your plate. We only have to sign a statement saying that you
have insurance or have enough money to cover the minimum liability
requirement.


> I didn't think liability was under discussion since it is typically a
> regulatory requirement and your original question was about collision
> insurance.

It evolved into uninsured/underinsured coverage. I'm upset that there
is even a need for such a thing, because of so many irresponsible,
illegal drivers on the road. I'm just bitchin' out loud.

Marsha/Ohio

==============================================================================
TOPIC: self-employed, the price?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/25ab6d7a439ac7f1?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 9:26 am
From: Dennis


On Wed, 24 Dec 2008 07:45:05 -0500, George <george@nospam.invalid>
wrote:

>clams_casino wrote:
>> George wrote:
>>
>>> clams_casino wrote:
>>>
>>>> George wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Napoleon wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:52:41 -0500, George <george@nospam.invalid>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> or completely eliminate the income tax and go to a sales tax with
>>>>>>> say a 35% rate to collect equivalent tax funds.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> That's exactly what should be done. Sales tax only, no exceptions for
>>>>>> anyone. In return, it would be required to fund National Healthcare
>>>>>> with a single payer government fund.
>>>>>> Then the rich would actually, possibly pay taxes. And for frugal
>>>>>> people the hit would not be so bad since we know how to live without
>>>>>> excessively spending anyways. It might also stop Americans from being
>>>>>> considered as only "CONSUMERS" and we might become CITIZENS once
>>>>>> again.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Bah, ha, ha. Like that would ever happen. How would we fund the Afghan
>>>>>> war?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -N
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Thats the wrong argument for why it would never happen. If a sales
>>>>> tax brought in the same amount of money then it is status quo. It
>>>>> won't happen because of the special interests such as those who have
>>>>> tax exemptions or considerations for whatever reason and the massive
>>>>> industry consisting of accountants and lawyers required for our
>>>>> current tax system.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> It would also significantly shift the burden of tax from the upper
>>>> classes onto the lower and middle classes.
>>>
>>>
>>> It wouldn't have to if implemented in the same fashion as out state
>>> sales tax. Food that you buy to prepare yourself is exempt and so is
>>> basic clothing. Medical is exempt. Pretty much everything else is
>>> taxable.
>>
>>
>> If you don't tax everything, then the percentage will have to be much
>> higher than 35% on the non exempt items.
>
>Sure, but it is fair and responds to your objection. And it would be a
>good thing because when all of the other taxes are removed and
>everything has to be paid via the sales tax folks will get a much better
>grasp of who actually pays for the government when they pay 39% sales tax.

Plus it would tax some of the underground economy. Drug dealers and
other criminals who avoid income taxes still have to/want to buy
stuff.

This is probably one of the main reasons it would never be
implemented.


Dennis (evil)
--
What government gives, it must first take away.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Don't they just print more money?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/372a5a8a074f3f89?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 9:32 am
From: Dennis


On Wed, 24 Dec 2008 07:36:59 -0500, "Dave" <noway1@nohow2.not> wrote:

>
>"'nam vet." <georgewkspam@humboldt1.com> wrote in message
>news:georgewkspam-20E90C.14542323122008@sn-ip.vsrv-sjc.supernews.net...
>> aren't these "bail-outs" just more $$$ that they print. backed by
>> nothing and they're running these presses 24/7
>> Inflationary? ya think?
>
>It's worse than that. They're not printing money, they are borrowing money,
>mainly from China. So all the bailouts come with decades of interest
>payments, doubling or tripling the dollar amount of the actual money that
>was originally stolen from the taxpayers. Take the original "700 billion"
>package, which was defeated, and then 820 Billion by the time it actually
>passed. The payoff on that one alone is going to be somewhere North of 1.6
>Trillion dollars. So the taxpayers are on the hook for something more than
>1.6 Trillion dollars already. But assuming the loan payoff value is exactly
>1.6 Trillion, and knowing there are about 138,000,000 taxpayers in the U.S.,
>do the math to find out how much each taxpayer is going to pay for that "700
>billion" bailout package. Now multiply by two if you're in the typical
>two-income family... and that is how much money was stolen from YOUR family.
>To go to the Chinese. -Dave

But wait, it gets even better: a big chunk of that money that we
borrowed from the Chinese (with interest) is to cover bad investments
made by Chinese banks and investment firms. Gosh we American
taxpayers are generous!


Dennis (evil)
--
What government gives, it must first take away.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Companies closing down without telling their employees
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/e9ad2a790d1b3e5a?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 12:34 pm
From: "Strider"


"Shawn Hirn" <srhi@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:srhi-628AAC.10083724122008@74.sub-97-136-209.myvzw.com...

> I think it sucks, but it seems to me that in many situations, employees
> can see the writing on the wall. Unless the bosses are cooking the
> books, when business drops significantly, any employee who doesn't
> notice that and doesn't start thinking about his or her job security is
> living in an alternate reality.

True. Newspapers are notorious for folding with very little advance notice.
In Dec. 1991 the Dallas Times Herald announced its demise on a Sunday
afternoon. The paper published its final edition the next day. It was hardly
a surprise, though -- they'd been in the proverbial "downward spiral" for a
couple of years at least. I've read instances of editors sending the
completed pages to the pressroom, then having the publisher arrive in the
newsroom an hour later saying "You've just published the last issue."

Back in college a classmate had been chosen for a summer internship at an
out-of-town newspaper. A week or two before he was scheduled to report, the
paper abruptly folded. No one so much as hinted to him that any trouble was
afoot.

Strider

--
ROT13 the "reply to" for e-mail address.

** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **


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misc.consumers.frugal-living - 24 new messages in 13 topics - digest

misc.consumers.frugal-living
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living?hl=en

misc.consumers.frugal-living@googlegroups.com

Today's topics:

* Where to buy a nikon en-el3e battery in London? - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/a8ef13c3cc645ffa?hl=en
* Don't they just print more money? - 2 messages, 2 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/372a5a8a074f3f89?hl=en
* self-employed, the price? - 2 messages, 2 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/25ab6d7a439ac7f1?hl=en
* Collision insurance - 8 messages, 4 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/2850cf9d787416a8?hl=en
* =======> WHERE'D THE BAILOUT MONEY GO? SHHHH, IT'S A SECRET! <======= - 1
messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/bef5a70b1f20852f?hl=en
* poverty line - 3 messages, 3 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/4eaa805a9a816468?hl=en
* Companies closing down without telling their employees - 1 messages, 1
author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/e9ad2a790d1b3e5a?hl=en
* OT: Holiday Picture - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/cbec63a1f70c7741?hl=en
* supply discount ugg boots, up to 29% off, Options HOT SALE UGGS Classic Tall
Boots (5815) - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/d500fba3abec4537?hl=en
* supply discount ugg boots, up to 21% off, Options HOT SALE UGGS Classic
Short Boots (5825) - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/f6fb9950db803c10?hl=en
* supply discount ugg boots, up to 21% off, Options HOT SALE UGGS Classic
Cardy Boots (5819) - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/8ee4f5f3aa166056?hl=en
* supply discount ugg boots, up to 23% off, Options HOT SALE UGG Women's
Nightfall Boot in Chestnut 5359 - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/bee765f648c76c40?hl=en
* Negro, hispanic crime ripping through America. - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/dc68feb795ea956f?hl=en

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Where to buy a nikon en-el3e battery in London?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/a8ef13c3cc645ffa?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 3:10 am
From: clams_casino


Zanasil wrote:

>Any1 has idea about replacement nikon en-el3e battery recourse online
>in london?
>.Thanks for your advice.
>
>

My advice is to stop spamming this newsgroup.

abuse@ecommerce.com
abuse@cnc-noc.net
postmaster@cnc-noc.net

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Don't they just print more money?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/372a5a8a074f3f89?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 4:36 am
From: "Dave"

"'nam vet." <georgewkspam@humboldt1.com> wrote in message
news:georgewkspam-20E90C.14542323122008@sn-ip.vsrv-sjc.supernews.net...
> aren't these "bail-outs" just more $$$ that they print. backed by
> nothing and they're running these presses 24/7
> Inflationary? ya think?

It's worse than that. They're not printing money, they are borrowing money,
mainly from China. So all the bailouts come with decades of interest
payments, doubling or tripling the dollar amount of the actual money that
was originally stolen from the taxpayers. Take the original "700 billion"
package, which was defeated, and then 820 Billion by the time it actually
passed. The payoff on that one alone is going to be somewhere North of 1.6
Trillion dollars. So the taxpayers are on the hook for something more than
1.6 Trillion dollars already. But assuming the loan payoff value is exactly
1.6 Trillion, and knowing there are about 138,000,000 taxpayers in the U.S.,
do the math to find out how much each taxpayer is going to pay for that "700
billion" bailout package. Now multiply by two if you're in the typical
two-income family... and that is how much money was stolen from YOUR family.
To go to the Chinese. -Dave

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 5:06 am
From: Napoleon


On Wed, 24 Dec 2008 07:36:59 -0500, "Dave" <noway1@nohow2.not> wrote:

>But assuming the loan payoff value is exactly
>1.6 Trillion, and knowing there are about 138,000,000 taxpayers in the U.S.,
>do the math to find out how much each taxpayer is going to pay for that "700
>billion" bailout package. Now multiply by two if you're in the typical
>two-income family... and that is how much money was stolen from YOUR family.
>To go to the Chinese. -Dave

But, but the USA has no intention of paying anything off. Kind of like
the housing bubble where no actual money was ever switched hands and
no one actually ever paid off anything.

See, the USA is that illegal alien who lives in Watts CA, and he needs
an overinflated house that costs 500,000. How does he get it with no
money? Well, go to the bank, who is China, tell him that he needs half
a million dollars pronto, and he is not putting any money down as a
down payment, nor does he need to prove he can ever pay the money
back.

The bank says, that's fine because in one year you can sell that house
and make 200,000 or if you can't and I get stuck with the house I can
sell it for even more! Sure, here's your money. Don't bother to make
one payment, because you have no money and your goal isn't to pay off
and live in the house anyway, it's to make money. The illegal alien
smiles and runs off to his overinflated house thinking "this is the
American dream! Living off air!"

But I still wonder why the Chinese are covering our debts, for now.
They obviously know we will NEVER pay them back. Maybe the domino
theory of communism works with no guns needed. Let the USA fall like a
house of cards. Oh well.

-N

==============================================================================
TOPIC: self-employed, the price?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/25ab6d7a439ac7f1?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 4:45 am
From: George


clams_casino wrote:
> George wrote:
>
>> clams_casino wrote:
>>
>>> George wrote:
>>>
>>>> Napoleon wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:52:41 -0500, George <george@nospam.invalid>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> or completely eliminate the income tax and go to a sales tax with
>>>>>> say a 35% rate to collect equivalent tax funds.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> That's exactly what should be done. Sales tax only, no exceptions for
>>>>> anyone. In return, it would be required to fund National Healthcare
>>>>> with a single payer government fund.
>>>>> Then the rich would actually, possibly pay taxes. And for frugal
>>>>> people the hit would not be so bad since we know how to live without
>>>>> excessively spending anyways. It might also stop Americans from being
>>>>> considered as only "CONSUMERS" and we might become CITIZENS once
>>>>> again.
>>>>>
>>>>> Bah, ha, ha. Like that would ever happen. How would we fund the Afghan
>>>>> war?
>>>>>
>>>>> -N
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thats the wrong argument for why it would never happen. If a sales
>>>> tax brought in the same amount of money then it is status quo. It
>>>> won't happen because of the special interests such as those who have
>>>> tax exemptions or considerations for whatever reason and the massive
>>>> industry consisting of accountants and lawyers required for our
>>>> current tax system.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> It would also significantly shift the burden of tax from the upper
>>> classes onto the lower and middle classes.
>>
>>
>> It wouldn't have to if implemented in the same fashion as out state
>> sales tax. Food that you buy to prepare yourself is exempt and so is
>> basic clothing. Medical is exempt. Pretty much everything else is
>> taxable.
>
>
> If you don't tax everything, then the percentage will have to be much
> higher than 35% on the non exempt items.

Sure, but it is fair and responds to your objection. And it would be a
good thing because when all of the other taxes are removed and
everything has to be paid via the sales tax folks will get a much better
grasp of who actually pays for the government when they pay 39% sales tax.


== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 4:55 am
From: Napoleon


On Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:42:29 -0500, clams_casino
<PeterGriffin@DrunkinClam.com> wrote:


>Ask a IRS agent - the force would quadruple (or more) because it would
>be much harder / much more time consuming to track tax revenue via sales
>taxes vs. payroll taxes.
>

How do other countries do it? You know, the countries that actually
provide national health care to their citizens and impose VAT/GST. It
can be done, it's being done now.

People in this country hate change - apparently except Obama, but he
only talks about change he's not actually going to do anything. That's
why the USA will never have national healthcare, will never go back to
the moon or Mars, will never find a cure for cancer, and will never
ever manufacture anything every again. What you see is what you get
for the rest of America's history, which should be mercifully short.

-N

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Collision insurance
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/2850cf9d787416a8?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 8 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 4:50 am
From: George


Marsha wrote:
> Vic Smith wrote:
>> If you can write off $7000 without "undue hardship" where's the "undue
>> hardship" about kicking in $170 a year?
>>
>> --Vic
>
> It's not much, granted, but I abhor donating money to insurance
> companies. A necessary evil, though.
>
> Marsha/Ohio

Why? insurance is nothing more than gambling. You are betting something
will happen and they are betting that it won't. Most folks can't cover
catastrophic stuff but are able to cover the routine stuff. If you add
up all of the money you never spent on extended warranties, collision
etc you would find that you could easily cover the routine stuff if
necessary and still be ahead.


== 2 of 8 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 7:22 am
From: Marsha


George wrote:
> Marsha wrote:
>> Vic Smith wrote:
>>> If you can write off $7000 without "undue hardship" where's the "undue
>>> hardship" about kicking in $170 a year?
>>>
>>> --Vic
>>
>> It's not much, granted, but I abhor donating money to insurance
>> companies. A necessary evil, though.
>>
>> Marsha/Ohio
>
> Why? insurance is nothing more than gambling. You are betting something
> will happen and they are betting that it won't. Most folks can't cover
> catastrophic stuff but are able to cover the routine stuff. If you add
> up all of the money you never spent on extended warranties, collision
> etc you would find that you could easily cover the routine stuff if
> necessary and still be ahead.

If I want to go to a casino, that's my choice. A minimum of liability
is required in this state, although, by my insurance company's
statistics, 50% of drivers do not have even that. That upsets me. Why
should anyone need to pay for uninsured motorist coverage?

Marsha/Ohio


== 3 of 8 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 7:48 am
From: "Ben"


"Marsha" <mas@xeb.net> wrote in message news:gitk2q$nps$2@news.datemas.de...
> If I want to go to a casino, that's my choice. A minimum of liability is
> required in this state, although, by my insurance company's statistics,
> 50% of drivers do not have even that. That upsets me. Why should anyone
> need to pay for uninsured motorist coverage?
>
> Marsha/Ohio

You don't need uninsured motorist coverage. You will be covered
even if you don't have that. Only difference is that you will have to pay
your regular deductible if an uninsured motorist hits you. OTOH, if you have
uninsured motorist coverage, you will get the full repair costs without
a deductible.

I have never had uninsured motorist coverage after I realized this.


== 4 of 8 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 7:57 am
From: imascot


James <j0069bond@hotmail.com> wrote in news:b933e313-dccc-4b0a-9354-
9d9564f3e11d@g1g2000pra.googlegroups.com:

> I've also had lots of collisions but I
> figure I pay for it either way. If I had the insurance they jack up
> my premiums for 3 years.
>

Lots of collisions, eh? Um, where do you live?

J.


== 5 of 8 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 7:57 am
From: Marsha


Ben wrote:
> "Marsha" <mas@xeb.net> wrote in message news:gitk2q$nps$2@news.datemas.de...
>> If I want to go to a casino, that's my choice. A minimum of liability is
>> required in this state, although, by my insurance company's statistics,
>> 50% of drivers do not have even that. That upsets me. Why should anyone
>> need to pay for uninsured motorist coverage?
>>
>> Marsha/Ohio
>
> You don't need uninsured motorist coverage. You will be covered
> even if you don't have that. Only difference is that you will have to pay
> your regular deductible if an uninsured motorist hits you. OTOH, if you have
> uninsured motorist coverage, you will get the full repair costs without
> a deductible.
>
> I have never had uninsured motorist coverage after I realized this.
>
>

I didn't know that. Is that true for underinsured motorist coverage, too?

Marsha/Ohio


== 6 of 8 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 8:12 am
From: Marsha


Ben wrote:
> You don't need uninsured motorist coverage. You will be covered
> even if you don't have that. Only difference is that you will have to pay
> your regular deductible if an uninsured motorist hits you. OTOH, if you have
> uninsured motorist coverage, you will get the full repair costs without
> a deductible.
>
> I have never had uninsured motorist coverage after I realized this.
>

I just called the insurance company and that's not true in my case. If
I didn't carry uninsured/underinsured coverage, which costs me $120/yr.
for 2 cars, I would get nothing for injuries or property damage. On the
other hand, they told me I was on a list of names for them to check
other carriers for a lower premium overall, since my insurer's rates
went up.

Marsha/Ohio


== 7 of 8 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 8:27 am
From: "Ben"

"Marsha" <mas@xeb.net> wrote in message news:gitn16$3vg$2@news.datemas.de...
> Ben wrote:
>> You don't need uninsured motorist coverage. You will be covered
>> even if you don't have that. Only difference is that you will have to pay
>> your regular deductible if an uninsured motorist hits you. OTOH, if you
>> have
>> uninsured motorist coverage, you will get the full repair costs without
>> a deductible.
>>
>> I have never had uninsured motorist coverage after I realized this.
>
> I just called the insurance company and that's not true in my case.

Your company gave you wrong/misleading info.

Medical bills etc aren't covered. But your collision insurance will
cover damage to the car if the other person is uninsured. I checked
this multiple times before I removed it.

> If I didn't carry uninsured/underinsured coverage, which costs me $120/yr.
> for 2 cars, I would get nothing for injuries or property damage. On the
> other hand, they told me I was on a list of names for them to check other
> carriers for a lower premium overall, since my insurer's rates went up.


== 8 of 8 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 8:30 am
From: "Ben"

"Ben" <ben@ben.com> wrote in message
news:gitnu5$t91$1@news.motzarella.org...
>
> "Marsha" <mas@xeb.net> wrote in message
> news:gitn16$3vg$2@news.datemas.de...
>> Ben wrote:
>>> You don't need uninsured motorist coverage. You will be covered
>>> even if you don't have that. Only difference is that you will have to
>>> pay
>>> your regular deductible if an uninsured motorist hits you. OTOH, if you
>>> have
>>> uninsured motorist coverage, you will get the full repair costs without
>>> a deductible.
>>>
>>> I have never had uninsured motorist coverage after I realized this.
>>
>> I just called the insurance company and that's not true in my case.
>
> Your company gave you wrong/misleading info.
>
> Medical bills etc aren't covered. But your collision insurance will
> cover damage to the car if the other person is uninsured. I checked
> this multiple times before I removed it.

I have really good medical insurance - so I wasn't worried about it.


==============================================================================
TOPIC: =======> WHERE'D THE BAILOUT MONEY GO? SHHHH, IT'S A SECRET! <=======
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/bef5a70b1f20852f?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 5:17 am
From: hpope@lycos.com


On Dec 23, 6:41 pm, ChasNemo <chasn...@aol.com> wrote:
> http://www.mail.com/Article.aspx?articlepath=APNews\General-Business\20081222\Meltdown-Secrets.xml&cat=money&subcat=business&pa­geid=1
>
> Where'd the bailout money go? Shhhh, it's a secret
> 12/22/2008 06:08:26
> By MATT APUZZO
>
> It's something any bank would demand to know before handing out a
> loan: Where's the money going?
>
> But after receiving billions in aid from U.S. taxpayers, the nation's
> largest banks say they can't track exactly how they're spending the
> money or they simply refuse to discuss it.
>
> "We've lent some of it. We've not lent some of it. We've not given any
> accounting of, 'Here's how we're doing it,'" said Thomas Kelly, a
> spokesman for JPMorgan Chase, which received $25 billion in emergency
> bailout money. "We have not disclosed that to the public. We're
> declining to."
>
> The Associated Press contacted 21 banks that received at least
> $1billion in government money and asked four questions: How much has
> been spent? What was it spent on? How much is being held in savings,
> and what's the plan for the rest?
>
> None of the banks provided specific answers.
>
> "We're not providing dollar-in, dollar-out tracking," said Barry
> Koling, a spokesman for Atlanta, Ga.-based SunTrust Banks Inc., which
> got $3.5 billion in taxpayer dollars.
>
> Some banks said they simply didn't know where the money was going.
>
> "We manage our capital in its aggregate," said Regions Financial Corp.
> spokesman Tim Deighton, who said the Birmingham, Ala.-based company is
> not tracking how it is spending the $3.5 billion it received as part
> of the financial bailout.
>
> The answers highlight the secrecy surrounding the Troubled Assets
> Relief Program, which earmarked $700 billion -- about the size of the
> Netherlands' economy -- to help rescue the financial industry. The
> Treasury Department has been using the money to buy stock in U.S.
> banks, hoping that the sudden inflow of cash will get banks to start
> lending money.
>
> There has been no accounting of how banks spend that money. Lawmakers
> summoned bank executives to Capitol Hill last month and implored them
> to lend the money -- not to hoard it or spend it on corporate bonuses,
> junkets or to buy other banks. But there is no process in place to
> make sure that's happening and there are no consequences for banks who
> don't comply.
>
> "It is entirely appropriate for the American people to know how their
> taxpayer dollars are being spent in private industry," said Elizabeth
> Warren, the top congressional watchdog overseeing the financial
> bailout.
>
> But, at least for now, there's no way for taxpayers to find that out.
>
> Pressured by the Bush administration to approve the money quickly,
> Congress attached nearly no strings on the $700 billion bailout in
> October. And the Treasury Department, which doles out the money, never
> asked banks how it would be spent.
>
> "Those are legitimate questions that should have been asked on Day
> One," said Rep. Scott Garrett, R-N.J., a House Financial Services
> Committee member who opposed the bailout as it was rushed through
> Congress. "Where is the money going to go to? How is it going to be
> spent? When are we going to get a record on it?"
> Nearly every bank AP questioned -- including Citibank and Bank of
> America, two of the largest recipients of bailout money -- responded
> with generic public relations statements explaining that the money was
> being used to strengthen balance sheets and continue making loans to
> ease the credit crisis.
>
> A few banks described company-specific programs, such as JPMorgan
> Chase's plan to lend $5 billion to nonprofit and health care companies
> next year. Richard Becker, senior vice president of Wisconsin-based
> Marshall & Ilsley Corp., said the $1.75 billion in bailout money
> allowed the bank to temporarily stop foreclosing on homes.
>
> But no bank provided even the most basic accounting for the federal
> money.
>
> "We're choosing not to disclose that," said Kevin Heine, spokesman for
> Bank of New York Mellon, which received about $3 billion.
>
> Others said the money couldn't be tracked. Bob Denham, a spokesman for
> North Carolina-based BB&T Corp., said the bailout money "doesn't have
> its own bucket." But he said taxpayer money wasn't used in the bank's
> recent purchase of a Florida insurance company. Asked how he could be
> sure, since the money wasn't being tracked, Denham said the bank would
> have made that deal regardless.
>
> Others, such as Morgan Stanley spokeswoman Carissa Ramirez, offered to
> discuss the matter with reporters on condition of anonymity. When AP
> refused, Ramirez sent an e-mail saying: "We are going to decline to
> comment on your story."
>
> Most banks wouldn't say why they were keeping the details secret.
>
> "We're not sharing any other details. We're just not at this time,"
> said Wendy Walker, a spokeswoman for Dallas-based Comerica Inc., which
> received $2.25 billion from the government.
>
> Heine, the New York Mellon Corp. spokesman who said he wouldn't share
> spending specifics, added: "I just would prefer if you wouldn't say
> that we're not going to discuss those details."
>
> The banks which came closest to answering the questions were those,
> such as U.S. Bancorp and Huntington Bancshares Inc., that only
> recently received the money and have yet to spend it. But neither
> provided anything more than a generic summary of how the money would
> be spent.
>
> Lawmakers say they want to tighten restrictions on the remaining, yet-
> to-be-released $350 billion block of bailout money before more cash is
> handed out. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said the department is
> trying to step up its monitoring of bank spending.
>
> "What we've been doing here is moving, I think, with lightning speed
> to put necessary programs in place, to develop them, implement them,
> and then we need to monitor them while we're doing this," Paulson said
> at a recent forum in New York. "So we're building this organization as
> we're going."
>
> Warren, the congressional watchdog appointed by Democrats, said her
> oversight panelwill try to force the banks to say where they've spent
> the money.
>
> "It would take a lot of nerve not to give answers," she said.
>
> But Warren said she's surprised she even has to ask.
>
> "If the appropriate restrictions were put on the money to begin with,
> if the appropriate transparency was in place, then we wouldn't be in a
> position where you're trying to call every recipient and get the basic
> information that should already be in public documents," she said.
>
> Garrett, the New Jersey congressman, said the nation might never get a
> clear answer on where hundreds of billions of dollars went.
>
> "A year or two ago, when we talked about spending $100 million for a
> bridge to nowhere, that was considered a scandal," he said.

For practical purposes you do not exist unless your folks in Congress
hear from you. Email or phone via this site:

http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

mitch


==============================================================================
TOPIC: poverty line
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/4eaa805a9a816468?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 6:31 am
From: Marsha


Dave Garland wrote:
> catalpa wrote:
>
>> Forty-three percent of all poor households actu­ally own their own homes.
>
> And a lot of them are elderly. But what's your point? Should they be
> paying $1000/mo in rent, instead of nothing (if they have the home
> paid off) or $550/mo mortgage?
>
>> Nearly three-quarters of poor households own a car;
>
> Unfortunately, in the US, most places you can't hunt for work, hold a
> job (many poor households do hold down jobs), or shop for groceries
> without a car.
>
>> 31 percent own two or more cars.
>
> How many of those are up on blocks? But in any case, owning a car
> isn't difficult, you can find a car for a couple of hundred dollars.
>
>> Eighty-nine percent own microwave ovens,
>
> $10 at garage sales
>
>> more than half have a stereo,
>
> free for taking from the alley
>
>> http://www.heritage.org/
>
> A far-right organization.
>
> Dave

But the media and politicians like to paint a picture of the poor as
someone without adequate shelter, not enough food, not much income and
no medical care. Someone with cable or satellite TV reception and/or a
cell phone in addition to a land line does not fit that category. Most
truly poor people simply can't or don't make good choices. What we need
is a major overhaul of the welfare system and immigration.

Marsha


== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 7:15 am
From: clams_casino


Marsha wrote:

>
> But the media and politicians like to paint a picture of the poor as
> someone without adequate shelter, not enough food, not much income and
> no medical care. Someone with cable or satellite TV reception and/or
> a cell phone in addition to a land line does not fit that category.
> Most truly poor people simply can't or don't make good choices. What
> we need is a major overhaul of the welfare system and immigration.
>
> Marsha


What the US really needs is a revision to the tax code. The amount of
money going into welfare is negligible relative to the perks the rich
receive via generous tax breaks. For a start, why do the lower and
middle income groups typically have to pay for health care using after
tax income while most upper & wealthy receive / enjoy $14k + / year free
/ untaxed health care?

Why is it a concern to provide a few hundred dollars / month in housing
subsidies for the poor while providing tens of thousands of dollars in
tax relief for the wealthy to live in multi-million dollar homes.

Why is it such a concern to provide food stamps to the needy, but
provide tax free $100+ lobster & steak dinners to businessmen?

Why are spa, box seat sporting event seats, country club memberships,
etc provided tax free which primarily the wealthy enjoy?

The cost of welfare is negligible relative to the bonuses being hand out
to financial bankers at the expense of tax payers.


== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 7:52 am
From: Rick


On Dec 22, 10:35 pm, James <j0069b...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> If you are at the line, what are you supposed to be able to do?  Are
> you supposed to be able to afford a certain size apartment with heat,
> eat healthy, and dress warmly?  Or is it just a number that qualifies
> you for welfare?

That is a tricky number. It is calculated so differently by so many
different people that you could easily have a large range to tell
people "I live below the poverty line" and you would not be lieing.

In Michigan, if you can prove you have expenses more then a certain
amount that when subtracted from your gross income it falls below
predetermined amounts for the size faimly you are in, you can have
your property taxes dismissed. It's called Poverty Exemption and many
people are taking advantage of it right now as you can probably guess.

Regards,

Rick

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Companies closing down without telling their employees
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/e9ad2a790d1b3e5a?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 7:08 am
From: Shawn Hirn


In article
<f158d9ac-349d-4d0a-afd2-8d2926459ac3@w1g2000prm.googlegroups.com>,
ultimauw@gmail.com wrote:

> On Dec 21, 11:24 pm, ultim...@gmail.com wrote:
> > On Dec 21, 8:37 pm, ultim...@live.com wrote:
> >
> > >http://consumerist.com/5113170/three-tgifridays-mysteriously-close-no...
>
> How does the Orthodox Capitalists feel about companies closing down
> without telling their employees?

I think it sucks, but it seems to me that in many situations, employees
can see the writing on the wall. Unless the bosses are cooking the
books, when business drops significantly, any employee who doesn't
notice that and doesn't start thinking about his or her job security is
living in an alternate reality.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: OT: Holiday Picture
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/cbec63a1f70c7741?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 8:24 am
From: MSfortune@mcpmail.com


On Dec 23, 11:55 am, clams_casino <PeterGrif...@DrunkinClam.com>
wrote:
> Rick wrote:
> >On Dec 23, 10:52 am, MSfort...@mcpmail.com wrote:
>
> >>On Dec 23, 9:34 am, Rick <r...@quesocabezafarm.com> wrote:
>
> >>>Hello everyone,
>
> >>>I thought I would share our Christmas Picture with everyone.
>
> >>>Rick Boesen
>
> >>Just spamming the Internet with his store site.
>
> >No. That's a link to my blog.
>
> and that's not spam?

He manages to get his commercial link into every post. I guess a lot
of people may not care just like they throw the junk mail out of their
mailboxes and move on. This just ain't the place for it.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: supply discount ugg boots, up to 29% off, Options HOT SALE UGGS Classic
Tall Boots (5815)
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/d500fba3abec4537?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 8:26 am
From: nanasmith001@gmail.com


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==============================================================================
TOPIC: supply discount ugg boots, up to 21% off, Options HOT SALE UGGS Classic
Short Boots (5825)
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/f6fb9950db803c10?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 8:28 am
From: nanasmith001@gmail.com


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==============================================================================
TOPIC: supply discount ugg boots, up to 21% off, Options HOT SALE UGGS Classic
Cardy Boots (5819)
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/8ee4f5f3aa166056?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 8:29 am
From: nanasmith001@gmail.com

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==============================================================================
TOPIC: supply discount ugg boots, up to 23% off, Options HOT SALE UGG Women's
Nightfall Boot in Chestnut 5359
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/bee765f648c76c40?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 8:30 am
From: nanasmith001@gmail.com


http://www.uggsweet.com/ugg-womens-nightfall-boot-in-chestnut-p-16

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==============================================================================
TOPIC: Negro, hispanic crime ripping through America.
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/dc68feb795ea956f?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Dec 24 2008 8:43 am
From: wismel@yahoo.com


http://www.newnation.org/

What wimps be these American who tolerate such outrages.

Death to diversity!

ted


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