Why is everything so much harder and stupid here? (Seattle: insurance, credit)

[toughguy]

Bro, you've lived in a low income area for a short period of time in a generally shi**y economic period, and you are using your experiences to paint an entire metro area of almost 4 mil. Sumner ain't Western Washington, no matter how hard you try to convince yourself. I am concerned about your basic critical reasoning skills.

[CoastieTX]

I actually agree with the OP - for being a so-called progressive, modern city with a high percentage of college graduates, the incompetence I've witnessed there is every bit as bad as I had seen in backwards South Texas. But Seattle takes the stupidity to a whole new level with its ultra-green growth restrictions which have essentially made it impossible for working, middle class folks to now own homes in this city.

"An intriguing new analysis by a University of Washington economics professor argues that home prices have, perhaps inadvertently, been driven up $200,000 by good intentions.

Between 1989 and 2006, the median inflation-adjusted price of a Seattle house rose from $221,000 to $447,800. Fully $200,000 of that increase was the result of land-use regulations, says Theo Eicher — twice the financial impact that regulation has had on other major U.S. cities.

"In a nationwide study, it can be shown that Seattle is one of the most regulated cities and a city whose housing prices are profoundly influenced by regulations," he says..."

Source: Real Estate | UW study: Rules add $200,000 to Seattle house price | Seattle Times Newspaper

As if the traffic, weather, and pretentiousness of its people weren't bad enough, now nobody can afford to live there...

And no, I don't live in Seattle. I'm quite happy in Bellingham, thank you, and have no regrets turning down promotions in Seattle.

[TheTravellers]

Originally Posted by toughguy

Bro, you've lived in a low income area for a short period of time in a generally shi**y economic period, and you are using your experiences to paint an entire metro area of almost 4 mil. Sumner ain't Western Washington, no matter how hard you try to convince yourself. I am concerned about your basic critical reasoning skills.

Thanks for your concern, but my reasoning skills are just fine. During my time here, I got to know people that live all over the metro area, and worked in Seattle (and went there for other occasions besides work). Found out that, yes, there are some differences between geographic areas here, but there are also a lot of similarities (a bit more competence and clues up north, but still a bit "off", for example). And you assume that I'm extrapolating Sumner (9000 pop.) to Puget Sound - nope, didn't happen, you folks here assume a lot. Might want to hone those critical reasoning skills of your own.

[blondandfun]

I find this whole thread affensive as an American. I currentlly am employed, but even If I do lose my job I'm not going to think that I'm Owed a check by anyone for doing nothing. Hell I spend $25/WEEK on liquor alone

If you're unemployed what are you doing buying CD's anyways?

[TheTravellers]

Originally Posted by blondandfun

I find this whole thread affensive as an American. I currentlly am employed, but even If I do lose my job I'm not going to think that I'm Owed a check by anyone for doing nothing. Hell I spend $25/WEEK on liquor alone

If you're unemployed what are you doing buying CD's anyways?

Good god, people, it's not about the fact that I'm owed anything (although it is the gov't that pretty much screwed (or helped screw) the pooch, so it is indirectly caused by them), but the fact that WA can't get the $25/week promised by the President into the unemployed's hands for another 2 months, while other states are doing it now.

And whatever gave you the impression that I bought CDs while I was unemployed? There you go, assuming again....

[seattlenextyear]

I assume that you know better than to whine to the internet about your problems and expecting sympathy. Oh my bad, assuming things.

[blondandfun]

Realize that all this stimulus money Obama is promising it'll take 8 mo - 1 year to get into anybody's hands. My mother works for NASA and she told me that, and she knows because her department will get several million. Things don't happen instantaneously, you're really arrogant sounding.

[TheTravellers]

Originally Posted by blondandfun

I find this whole thread affensive as an American. I currentlly am employed, but even If I do lose my job I'm not going to think that I'm Owed a check by anyone for doing nothing. Hell I spend $25/WEEK on liquor alone

If you're unemployed what are you doing buying CD's anyways?

Mrs. Traveller here,

I can verify my husband was employed when he bought the CD, and he very nicely pointed out the mistake to the clerk and asked that it be fixed.

As for the employment, I am sure that if you lost your job and were eligible for it, you would take it, too.

[Heiwos]

Originally Posted by blondandfun

I find this whole thread affensive as an American. I currentlly am employed, but even If I do lose my job I'm not going to think that I'm Owed a check by anyone for doing nothing.

It's not for doing nothing. It's an insurance payout, from insurance paid for by premiums withdrawn automatically & involuntarily from one's paycheck. If someone rear-ends your car, you're going to want a check from your insurance company right? It's also in the public's best interest that people take unemployment rather than default on their bills.

[blondandfun]

Originally Posted by Heiwos

It's also in the public's best interest that people take unemployment rather than default on their bills.

in the public's best interest, eh... I'll enjoy Watching Washington become the next California.