mrschwarz
join:2001-12-01
Flower Mound, TX
 ·Vonage
| reply to hottboiinnc
Re: in the back pocket
said by hottboiinnc  :Here when you ask; Taxes and Fees depend on region. We can't give you that price only a rough idea. Even with AT&T, VZ and everyone else. TWC is the only one that has is usually close. Their billing department doesn't seem to have a problem calculating the fees. Why should the sales rep? If they give that answer, ask again. |
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DonLibes
Premium,ExMod 2001
join:2003-01-19
| reply to dcurrey
said by dcurrey :True they would move them to base price. But the thing is this. When Sprint, Verizion or T-mobile advertise a $59.99 they all would end up being the same price after taxes since you should always pay the same tax no matter what company you use. Right now a $59 plan could add $5 to $10 depending on what the companies bogus fees are. It would make it easier to compare rates. This is what they don't want. We shouldn't need new laws to fix this. This clearly is false advertising. True but it would be very easy to come up with new ways that are not technically false advertising but are misleading nonetheless. For example, consider a broadplan advertised at $10/month but which rises to $50/month for the year if any calls are made to the support line. All the company has to do is screw up your service once and they'll guarantee themselves the $50/month charge. Doesn't even matter if the company doesn't do it intentionally. The number of customers that make no calls to a support line for broadband for a year has got to be close to zero. |
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jc100
join:2002-04-10
| reply to amigo_boy
Re: in the back pocket
Amigo, isn't that an over generalization. You say that since I am against what those in office stand for, I must be the extreme. No, simply put, I think those running the country are idiots. Since we live in a two party system by all accords, that leaves little alternatives. I don't for once believe the Democrats are the end all to fix all. They are just as corrupt as the other guy. The thing we do get when they are in office is a little lube to go along with the rape. Usually when Republicans take over, or history has dictated, we sink into a recession and add multiple trillions to our Deficit. Regan, Bush and Bush Jr have racked up the largest increases in our national deficit. That money HAS to be paid back and is simply recovered by weakening the dollar and taxing more. The only difference between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats raise taxes to directly pay for their wasteful spending and Republicans borrow it and sink us in debt to countries we call Human Right Violators and supporters of Terror...Russia, China, Middle East, etc. So yes, there's no discernible difference. The main reason I'd never vote Republican is I feel religion has nothing to do with politics and people are free to marry and live their lives as they wish. Republicans seem to think their god and their bible dictate our lives, and I disagree. Hence, I pick the other party. |
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jc100
join:2002-04-10
| reply to marigolds
Well if we look at the current figures it should paint a picture. 5 Percent average unemployment (which I think is much higher, but let's take their data). 12-14 percent Poverty level. CIA world factbook quota 4.8 unemployment so I think its only fair to add about 1 percent to the poverty level to reflect a .2 percent jump. I figure .2 percent increase on 4.8-5 = 1 percent so thats how I figure at least 13 percent on the poverty. Anyhow, not a good picture that gets painted. |
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marigolds
Gainfully employed, finally
Premium,MVM
join:2002-05-13
Saint Louis, MO
| reply to pnh102
The government tracks part-time versus full-time employment. And that is the underemployment stat to be concerned about as it is a leading indicator to recession or stagnation.
More importantly, that stat is not dependent on the skill set of the employed person so it is not nearly as subjective. Instead, it is dependent on whether or not the person is seeking full-time work (still somewhat subjective, but no less subjective than whether or not a person is actively seeking employment).
--
ISCABBS - the oldest and largest BBS on the Internet
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Geographic Information Science researcher |
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jc100
join:2002-04-10
| reply to pnh102
No basis for your explanation but you offer loads of useless sarcasm. I think no one here can take you seriously. Every debate you have with me goes off base because some how you are the world authority on all subjects. Blatant B.S? I guess the CIA world factbook sticking poverty at 12 percent and probably at 13-14 now do to the increased unemployment since their last update, is wrong. I guess the financial companies predicting a recession are wrong. I guess the stock market losing money and the housing market going belly up is a figment of our imagination. We all know, PNH has the answers for all. Grow up. You might have a job but you lack something else. Common sense. |
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jc100
join:2002-04-10
| reply to pnh102
Yes but they track poverty level and the last figure courtesy of the CIA worldfactbook, which is outdated, tracks it at 12 percent. Figure another 2 percent and its 13-14 percent now as their figure for unemployment is off base there some. So yes, that's a HIGH NUMBER. 1 in 7 people in the U.S. are living in poverty right now. |
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pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
 ·Comcast
| reply to jc100
said by jc100 :PNH returns. Surprise Surprise. (Not Really). Considering I do have a job, I don't have time to respond to all of my fan mail in a timely manner.
said by jc100 :First off PNH. The U.S. dolllar is at it's lowest value EVER. Sure it is. I am sure this is the worst depression since 1775 as well. Everything is horrible. We're all going to die tomorrow. Blah Blah Blah.
When you begin a reply with such blatant BS, it pretty much negates any reason for reading the rest of your post. Sorry.
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Only SHATNER is Kirk. |
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pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
·Comcast
| reply to marigolds
said by marigolds :Underemployment has nothing to do with pay rates. Underemployment is high skilled laborers being employed in low skill jobs out of their primary skill field or involuntary part-time workers (at least in the sense that is statistically tracked, there are other definitions of underemployment but none of them have to do with paid wage). I'm aware of the classic definition of underemployment. However, there are many times when people have to work outside of their job skill set. The only time this is a problem is when they get significantly less pay for doing so. Part of the reason I do not believe that the government tracks "underemployment" is because there is no real definition of what the "right" wage for a job is. It is too subjective.
That's why my generalization of everyone being "underemployed" still stands.
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Only SHATNER is Kirk. |
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jc100
join:2002-04-10
| reply to marigolds
Mari,
Thanks I actually forgot that in my explanation to PNH. The government only tracks "unemployed" via the unemployment index and a survey of 60,000. They don't track the underemployed. Those who have the education or lack there of that are forced to take jobs that pay less than the poverty level. I am sure this number is VERY HIGH right now. Yet, we have no data on just how many are underemployed. The CIA World Factbook sticks the poverty level at 12 percent right now in the U.S. This is outdated and probably is a few percentage points higher considering the unemployment is still listed at 4.8 there. |
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jc100
join:2002-04-10
1 edit | reply to pnh102
PNH returns. Surprise Surprise. (Not Really).
First off PNH. The U.S. dolllar is at it's lowest value EVER. IE inflation. That in itself means we're importing more at HIGHER prices and exporting at lower prices. The exporting part is good, but considering a MAJORITY of products are made overseas, we're paying more than ever.
Oil and Energy prices are at record highs while wages have not kept up with such increases. In the span of 3 or 4 years fuel prices have tripled.
We have spent around 1 Trillion on a war, yet we have neglected our own country. Ever seen the break down of what 1 trillion could buy? It could fund Healtcare for every American, Fund every school, build new roads, provide community programs, the list goes on. Yet, we use this money chasing big bad boogey men in a country who never harmed us. How about let's look at what one trillion could do in another aspect. It could fight crime. Crime has risen a lot under Bush. We have 20-22,000 murders in this country. Crime in the suburbs has seen record surges. The list goes on. How about hiring more Police, Firefighters, EMS, and creating community programs to keep kids engaged so they are off the street?
Better yet, unemployment took it's largest jump since 2001 to a national average of 5 percent. Sure, that 5 percent might not seem high but let's consider that people who lose benefits and aren't counted. The government then does s survey of 60,000 to "calculate" an index. So let's see, 60,000 people are representative of 300 Million? I don't know where this index was taken but I guarantee you not anywhere east of the Mississippi. You might have a great job and live in Maryland, but that doesn't mean everyone does. I have been to Maryland and the first thing I saw were multiple people holding signs begging for food within about a 20 minute drive of D.C. So maybe you aren't one of those effected. Good for you. However, many are. Step outside your enclosed world, and take a drive up and down this part of the country. You'll see how many actually are. If you believe we're not headed for a recession, that's fine . You are selling yourself a lie though. My family and many others I know have felt the economy crunch first hand and they are all professionals with an outstanding education. Therefore, your life doesn't speak for the rest of America.
Last, look at the stock market and the retail markets. Major companies are down for the year and most are predicting a recession. I guess their knowledge of the market is surpassed by your professional expertise. I'm assuming you are a financial adviser or went to school for stockbroking right? Probably not. |
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marigolds
Gainfully employed, finally
Premium,MVM
join:2002-05-13
Saint Louis, MO
| reply to pnh102
said by pnh102 :said by marigolds :Meanwhile in underemployment rates.... Considering that just about everyone believes themselves to be underpaid, I would dare say the underemployment rate is a constant 100%. Underemployment has nothing to do with pay rates. Underemployment is high skilled laborers being employed in low skill jobs out of their primary skill field or involuntary part-time workers (at least in the sense that is statistically tracked, there are other definitions of underemployment but none of them have to do with paid wage).
The second type I mentioned is particularly high right now (a phenomena that is a leading indicating for economic stagnation). This is particuarly strange right now because underemployment is not supposed to appear when unemployment is normal as it is right now.
Economic growth though is plenty healthy right (especially since we are seeing an appropriate export response to the weak dollar), there are just some disturbing abnormalities rising up.
--
ISCABBS - the oldest and largest BBS on the Internet
telnet://bbs.iscabbs.com
Professional Geographer
Geographic Information Science researcher |
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pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
·Comcast
| reply to marigolds
said by marigolds :Meanwhile in underemployment rates.... Considering that just about everyone believes themselves to be underpaid, I would dare say the underemployment rate is a constant 100%.
--
Only SHATNER is Kirk. |
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marigolds
Gainfully employed, finally
Premium,MVM
join:2002-05-13
Saint Louis, MO
| reply to pnh102
said by pnh102 :Unemployment is down to historic lows. GDP continues to grow. Meanwhile in underemployment rates....
And don't forget that inflation is 4.3% against that 3.8% increase in GDP. |
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pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
·Comcast
| reply to Ahrenl
said by Ahrenl :State tax receipts are DOWN across the country ... Maybe if your version of "down" means less than expected. Every year that passes, government at all levels collects more tax than the previous year, regardless of the economy. It might be a lot more, it might be a little more, but it is always more.
--
Only SHATNER is Kirk. |
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Ahrenl
join:2004-10-26
North Andover, MA
 ·Verizon FIOS
| reply to pnh102
State tax receipts are DOWN across the country, and were only up before because of the housing market, which was the result of an expansionary monetary policy perpetrated by this administration.
The current administrations "economic stewardship" was to double the national debt by adding 5 trillion dollars and distribute through inflated government contracts, and tax breaks on interest and capital gains income that lowered the effective tax rate of the super wealthy below those living at the poverty line. Oh our saviour.
This has been one of the worst administrations this country HAS EVER HAD. I know some people like the fact that they tried to put discrimination into the constitution, and prevent life saving medicine from being funded; our only hope (and I mean real republicans) is the evangelicals the f@&k out of the party and go back to being marginalized crazies again where they can't hurt anyone but themselves. |
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supergirl
join:2007-03-20
Pensacola, FL
·Cox VOIP
·Skype
·Cox HSI
 ·AT&T Southeast
·magicjack.com
| reply to TKJunkMail
said by TKJunkMail :said by jjeffeory :Yes, the fees are hidden. You don't know what they are until after you're charged. That seems pretty hidden to me. All you have to do is ask the rep when ordering. They will give you what % the unfees come to. Funny, Bellsouth claimed the "hurricane cost recovery fee" was a tax. It wasn't. It was a tariff that went directly to them.
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Saving the world keeps me busy. However, I find Earth very primitive from my home planet of Krypton.
-Supergirl |
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amigo_boy
join:2005-07-22
Tempe, AZ
·Cox HSI
·magicjack.com
| reply to pnh102
said by pnh102 :Voting should be the same way. I have no problem with people of opposing political views casting votes against me if they could prove that they too have a working knowledge of what is going on before they cast a ballot. Prove it according to who? As I said, it seems like politics are dominated by extremes who believe they have a working knowledge, when all they're doing is fighting to save us from someone not much different than the person they want us to have.
Whether that's more valuable than votes from the apathetic is left for the reader to decide. Personally, I think the extremes put more value on themselves for saving us than is justified.
Your comparison to the right to arms is a good one. The right to arms was intended to guarantee (at least primarily) the existence of the universal militia where *all* individuals were coerced into public service and hardship to foster a spirit of civic virtue, setting aside one's personal ambitions for the sake of the common good. The modern use of the 2nd amendment has virtually nothing in common with those original goals.
IMO voting has suffered similarly. And for similar reasons. Those who fancy themselves as patriots are usually the most extreme partisans, just as far removed from civic vitue (common good). It's no wonder they prefer the less passionate to remain home. Or, that they want to be the judge of what passes as a meaningful vote.
Mark |
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KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK | reply to pnh102
You're leaving out all the good stuff.
IE, the parts that don't agree with your Partisanship, that is.
I'll just throw out a few words.
Energy
Inflation
Debt
War
Budgets
'Nuff said really |
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