Why is everyone ready to snap in NJ? (high schools, taxes)

[luckyshoes]

I have another theory and I'm sure I'm going to get hammered on this, but here goes.

This is based on my comparisons with this area and Canada.

I think healthcare is the problem. Here's my logic. Let's say you have a job, but your healthcare is tied to it. So if you lose your job, not only are you worried about paying your bills, but now you've lost your healthcare coverage, or have to pay outrageous Cobra to keep it going, etc. So you're one job away from bankruptcy and losing your healthcare.

On the flip side, even if you have a job with healthcare, let's say you get very sick. You'll probably lose your job at some point, and hence your healthcare, and hence everything.

So, not only do you need a job that can put a roof over your head and food on the table, which isn't that hard. You can always adjust your standard of living there. But it also has to be one of a certain caliber that provides healthcare.

Maybe some of us would work at different jobs if we didn't have that healthcare albatross around our necks and we would be happier and we wouldn't be all road raging on the highways on our way to work. Maybe some of us would start our own businesses. Maybe we would trade in our big jobs for something smaller. Maybe some of us would just be ski bums.

This could apply to the whole country obviously, but in this area, add in outrageous property taxes and expensive housing; it all adds up to some severe grumpiness.

I don't want to get into a healthcare debate on policy and I don't know how to solve the HC problem. I just noticed that people in Canada seem to be happier overall and I think it's the healthcare safety net.

[JG183]

Originally Posted by luckyshoes

I just noticed that people in Canada seem to be happier overall and I think it's the healthcare safety net.

indeed

[Phish Head]

Originally Posted by luckyshoes

I have another theory and I'm sure I'm going to get hammered on this, but here goes.

This is based on my comparisons with this area and Canada.

I think healthcare is the problem. Here's my logic. Let's say you have a job, but your healthcare is tied to it. So if you lose your job, not only are you worried about paying your bills, but now you've lost your healthcare coverage, or have to pay outrageous Cobra to keep it going, etc. So you're one job away from bankruptcy and losing your healthcare.

On the flip side, even if you have a job with healthcare, let's say you get very sick. You'll probably lose your job at some point, and hence your healthcare, and hence everything.

So, not only do you need a job that can put a roof over your head and food on the table, which isn't that hard. You can always adjust your standard of living there. But it also has to be one of a certain caliber that provides healthcare.

Maybe some of us would work at different jobs if we didn't have that healthcare albatross around our necks and we would be happier and we wouldn't be all road raging on the highways on our way to work. Maybe some of us would start our own businesses. Maybe we would trade in our big jobs for something smaller. Maybe some of us would just be ski bums.

This could apply to the whole country obviously, but in this area, add in outrageous property taxes and expensive housing; it all adds up to some severe grumpiness.

I don't want to get into a healthcare debate on policy and I don't know how to solve the HC problem. I just noticed that people in Canada seem to be happier overall and I think it's the healthcare safety net.

Actually, I think that makes a lot of sense. I know TONS of people that work (slave) in jobs they can't stand to keep their healthcare. I never saw the logic in tying employment to healthcare. And no, I'm not trying to turn this political- I'm a middle of the road independent.

What I can't understand is: In my job I have to travel all over the northeast (from Maine to Virginia) and meet with clients and customers all over. It consistently seems like NJ (including South Jersey), NY, Long Island, etc; the people are angrier, have a shorter fuse, and seriously seem ready to explode on you. Even in other "high-stress" areas, (Northern Virginia, Boston, Providence, etc) the average person I meet is cordial, civil, and laid back. Of course there are exceptions, but in NJ it seems to be the rule to be short fused.

[luckyshoes]

Originally Posted by Phish Head

What I can't understand is: In my job I have to travel all over the northeast (from Maine to Virginia) and meet with clients and customers all over. It consistently seems like NJ (including South Jersey), NY, Long Island, etc; the people are angrier, have a shorter fuse, and seriously seem ready to explode on you. Even in other "high-stress" areas, (Northern Virginia, Boston, Providence, etc) the average person I meet is cordial, civil, and laid back. Of course there are exceptions, but in NJ it seems to be the rule to be short fused.

Yes, there are definitely still regional differences. Personally, I don't find the people in Boston or DC much nicer than here. Same for LA. Now, I do find the people in South Jersey easier going than North Jersey. Maybe it's a cost of living thing that accounts for the differences.

I do think that the NY metro area suburbs are unique though. NYC is (was? I don't know) the center of the universe. That fierce competitiveness (some would call it greed), can be a productive thing, but it also has an ugly side and I think it pours out into North Jersey at least.

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by luckyshoes

Yes, there are definitely still regional differences. Personally, I don't find the people in Boston or DC much nicer than here. Same for LA. Now, I do find the people in South Jersey easier going than North Jersey. Maybe it's a cost of living thing that accounts for the differences.

I do think that the NY metro area suburbs are unique though. NYC is (was? I don't know) the center of the universe. That fierce competitiveness (some would call it greed), can be a productive thing, but it also has an ugly side and I think it pours out into North Jersey at least.

please don't lump Northeast Jersey with Northwest...they may as well be on 2 different planets. THanks.

[luckyshoes]

Originally Posted by tahiti

please don't lump Northeast Jersey with Northwest...they may as well be on 2 different planets. THanks.

That's true. Where is the dividing line, 287?

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by luckyshoes

That's true. Where is the dividing line, 287?

That's a damn good question. Tahiti beat me to it though: it's not fair to NW Jersey to be lumped into NE Jersey.

I think I'd probably make the soft border somewhere between Rockaway and Lake Hoptacong on Rt 80, and Warren Twp to Bonnie Burn on Rt 78.

[TigerLily24]

Too much traffic, lousy weather too much of the time, lines for everything, lack of parking, having to wait for someone to pump your gas, ridiculous rates for electricity, sky-high taxes, too much traffic, having to drive miles out of your way to make a u-turn, too few left-turn lights at intersections, the cost of entertainment (movie tickets, concert tickets, etc.), feeling pressured to keep up with the neighbors, buy the latest fashions, have the newest car, Christmas decorations in the stores in late September/early October, too much traffic.

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by TigerLily24

Too much traffic, lousy weather too much of the time, lines for everything, lack of parking, having to wait for someone to pump your gas, ridiculous rates for electricity, sky-high taxes, too much traffic, having to drive miles out of your way to make a u-turn, too few left-turn lights at intersections, the cost of entertainment (movie tickets, concert tickets, etc.), feeling pressured to keep up with the neighbors, buy the latest fashions, have the newest car, Christmas decorations in the stores in late September/early October, too much traffic.

Hey Tigerlily,

What's the going rate for a ticket to see Transformers down at the Allen Cinema on Telshor? My inquiring mind wants to know.

[TigerLily24]

Originally Posted by mike0421

Hey Tigerlily,

What's the going rate for a ticket to see Transformers down at the Allen Cinema on Telshor? My inquiring mind wants to know.

Depends on when you buy tickets. I think if you buy them before 6pm, they are $6.00. If you buy them after 6pm then it's $8.00.