[PinkString]

If you are always expecting the worst, you will get it. You live one life in the body you are in.
I am going to tune out while you all are going at it. Have "fun."

[PinkString]

Here is a great place to banter about the coming end of it all: godlikeproductions.com. They are quite wacky over there and anything goes. It's a conspiracy forum. Please take the crazy religious freaks with you. thank you.

[airics]

actually pink, it seems as if you are the one that is having some issues about the discussion... thank you.. no one else is bantering..

[Daddys///M3]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

I value both of your opinions and I actually learned some things from both posts. I will admit I am partially biased because of class envy. My best friend in Phoenix works as a correction officer in a tower. He basically does the same thing as I do as a security guard. The difference is he makes 2 1/2 times what I make. He gets tons of sick and vacation days each year on top of severely discounted health care. He will be able to retire on a pension in 4 years at only 41 years old. On top of getting paid less than $10 an hour, I get absolutely no benefits and will have to continue to work till the day I die. I hope you guys can at least see where I am coming from.

I do understand where you are coming from and I'm not familiar with the AZ DOC so I can't comment on their pay, benefits or collective bargaining/lack thereof. I can say with much certainty that even a tower troll (as they're known in the NDOC) does quite a bit more than you, or should be if he is doing his job correctly. The tower is actually supposed to be a position of great responsibility, particularly towers that coordinate inmate movement during the day. That said, was he always assigned to a tower or did he work a housing unit for 10 years before bidding on a tower post? I can assure you that when you work as a floor officer supervising level 1 inmates at an officer/inmate ratio of 1/100 (many times up to 5 officers on shift working a double due to under staffing), $20 an hour, or $16 an hour after my PERS contributions, doesn't seem like a whole lot of money. Add to that my high deductible, low coverage insurance that doesn't even cover my family although it could for another $200 a month albeit no more dental coverage. I'm not complaining, I love my job and I love the fact that I even have a job. I'm not going to take to the streets to protest the fact that the state may never bring back merit pay raises, longevity raises or cost of living raises. Rather, I am just going to try and promote and work harder to make more money. But many folks need to understand that the majority of state workers are not six figure employees with exorbitant benefits but rather people living at the lower end of the middle class and doing so on two incomes.

[Daddys///M3]

Originally Posted by PinkString

If you are always expecting the worst, you will get it. You live one life in the body you are in.
I am going to tune out while you all are going at it. Have "fun."

"I am prepared for the worst, but hope the best."

- Benjamin Disraeli

Pink, one can be prepared for the worst and still live a happy and fulfilling life. A s**t hitting the fan event does not have to be something as far fetched as a coordinated global economic meltdown or any similar conspiracy theory. What would you do should a large magnitude earthquake strike the Las Vegas Valley? We do have quite a few faults running through the area that are capable of such an event. Although not likely, one can never tell. Thus, it does not hurt to be aware of the fact and to be prepared for the possibility. It could be something as simple as a weather event. Optimism and looking on the bright side are definitely essential to one's well being, but that doesn't mean one must tune out the negative.

[elkotronics]

Preparing for the future is one of the smartest things a person can do. One of the others is avoiding Joy Behar and Bab-waa Waa-Waa like the plaque.

Good discussions going on in here, I might add. Edumacational and edificating and just downright helpful for us all to learn by.

[quixotic59]

I totally agree that being obsessed with gloom and doom and conspiracy theories is extremely unhealthy. I also acknowledge that there are many things we have no control over and that we should appreciate every day we have on this planet. However, that does not mean that we should be unaware of what is happening around us.
Unbridled greed has consumed this country. I was born here, have lived my entire life as an American citizen and served the society I live in as a public servant. I recognize the beauty that this country possesses as a natural resource and the rich history of accomplishment.
That is why I am offended by the recent path our leaders have chosen. Our roots are those of rebellion against inhumane and intolerant governing. Our forefathers, while not perfect, started this country as a statement for independence and fair treatment. While some of their beliefs conflicted with our modern perception of society, the record shows they were not mean spirited or abusive. The Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Emancipation Proclamation etc. plainly show their intentions, albeit in a simpler time.
The things I see happening now offend me as an American and as a human. We have no need to be a military presence in foreign countries or be spending billions in foreign aid when we have record numbers of hungry and homeless children in this country. When our own families struggle every day to have a roof and food on the table (no I don't mean video games and an SUV) every penny this country has should be used to take care of our own.
We have substituted the word "socialism" for "humanity" and "charity". In NYC, a man wearing $2,000 worth of clothes, getting out of a $75,000 automobile, just having eaten a $100 lunch, who makes his living using insider trading, doubts the sincerity of a beggar on the street asking for $1.00. I have witnessed this and have no idea how to explain it. That same man will justify billions on a foreign war, or billions in foreign aid, or tax relief for billion dollar corporations but balks at paying a few thousand more in taxes.
People complain about "public unions" stealing tax money. Why is an American policeman, or fireman, or teacher, or sanitation man, or student less deserving of our support than an Iraqi citizen? I must be stupid because I can't answer that question.
I will say this: when I stand in manhattan and look at all the man made "wonders" around me I feel sad. When I stand in the desert around Las Vegas and witness the power of nature ( or God, Buddah, Hari, Jehovah, Allah, etc.) my soul feels alive. And it's there to see, no charge.

Please read: http://money.cnn.com/2011/02/22/news...ex.htm?iid=HLM

Thank you for listening, you've been a great audience.

[tazz]

Originally Posted by quixotic59

I totally agree that being obsessed with gloom and doom and conspiracy theories is extremely unhealthy. I also acknowledge that there are many things we have no control over and that we should appreciate every day we have on this planet. However, that does not mean that we should be unaware of what is happening around us.
Unbridled greed has consumed this country. I was born here, have lived my entire life as an American citizen and served the society I live in as a public servant. I recognize the beauty that this country possesses as a natural resource and the rich history of accomplishment.
That is why I am offended by the recent path our leaders have chosen. Our roots are those of rebellion against inhumane and intolerant governing. Our forefathers, while not perfect, started this country as a statement for independence and fair treatment. While some of their beliefs conflicted with our modern perception of society, the record shows they were not mean spirited or abusive. The Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Emancipation Proclamation etc. plainly show their intentions, albeit in a simpler time.
The things I see happening now offend me as an American and as a human. We have no need to be a military presence in foreign countries or be spending billions in foreign aid when we have record numbers of hungry and homeless children in this country. When our own families struggle every day to have a roof and food on the table (no I don't mean video games and an SUV) every penny this country has should be used to take care of our own.
We have substituted the word "socialism" for "humanity" and "charity". In NYC, a man wearing $2,000 worth of clothes, getting out of a $75,000 automobile, just having eaten a $100 lunch, who makes his living using insider trading, doubts the sincerity of a beggar on the street asking for $1.00. I have witnessed this and have no idea how to explain it. That same man will justify billions on a foreign war, or billions in foreign aid, or tax relief for billion dollar corporations but balks at paying a few thousand more in taxes.
People complain about "public unions" stealing tax money. Why is an American policeman, or fireman, or teacher, or sanitation man, or student less deserving of our support than an Iraqi citizen? I must be stupid because I can't answer that question.
I will say this: when I stand in manhattan and look at all the man made "wonders" around me I feel sad. When I stand in the desert around Las Vegas and witness the power of nature ( or God, Buddah, Hari, Jehovah, Allah, etc.) my soul feels alive. And it's there to see, no charge.

Please read: How the rich became the ber rich - Feb. 22, 2011

Thank you for listening, you've been a great audience.

Excellent assessment of the current state of affairs in the US.

I hate it when my fellow middle class citizens allow themselves to be so totally manipulated by the super rich to do their bidding.

The Tea Party is an enemy of the middle class funded by billionaires.

The cuts to the real people who run this country is their plan to make us frightened, hopeless and broken while corporate welfare and imperialistic warmongering and it massive benefits to the profiteers remains untoucheable.

[unf0rgiven6262]

Honestly, if Nevada goes through with cutting minimum wage to $5.15 an hour here I will be ashamed to be a citizen of this state. There are so many other ways to save money than to decimate those who need it most.

[tazz]

Originally Posted by unf0rgiven6262

Honestly, if Nevada goes through with cutting minimum wage to $5.15 an hour here I will be ashamed to be a citizen of this state. There are so many other ways to save money than to decimate those who need it most.

You ain't seen nothing yet.

Just imagine what will happen if a republican gets into office of prez in 2012 with a repub senate and house.

We will be lucky if there is a minimum wage at all.

And the fat cats will reward themselves with big bonuses at their martini board meetings.