eighth wonder of the world
- callmeslick
- Posts: 16473
- Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:02 pm
- Location: Fearing and loathing in Delaware and Virginia.
- Reservoir_Dog
- Posts: 8858
- Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2009 3:46 pm
- Location: Kicking and a' gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer.
Re: eighth wonder of the world
You fucker! I was gonna post that one! 
- callmeslick
- Posts: 16473
- Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:02 pm
- Location: Fearing and loathing in Delaware and Virginia.
Re: eighth wonder of the world
sorry, Res.......
On the other hand, despite the funny Onion treatment, I've been harping on this issue for years. It is a real problem that will(if it hasn't already) destroy the fabric of American society. No nation has ever let that gap grow so large without either developing an Oligarchy or undergoing a radical Revolution. And, every day, little things get done in the US to make that gap grow even larger.
Yesterday, I got to see it again, at work. My employer laid-off around 1.5% of the workforce, nationwide. Now, despite Ruggies pronouncements about my employability, I was not among them. Mostly, it seemed to be relatively new hires that they could pay little or no severance to. Is my company struggling? Not really, profits and sales are steady, and the business is inherently profitable. Are outlooks for the future poor? Not at all. However, it added to on-hand cash so that, for the second time in a year, they could buy back around $750,000,000 worth of the company's stock. That's 1.5 Billion in cash for stock buybacks in a year. What does that accomplish? In the two trading days since this layoff was announced, the stock is up 6.5% on the markets. Who benefits? Well, all stockholders, but the largest of these are the CEO and Board Members. So, while a few 'nobodies' now have less means to feed and house themselves and their families, a few wealthy investors and top execs have made millions in two days. Sweet. And, sadly, this scenario plays out daily. We have created a nation whose economy is driven by short term investment income, and not a large, well paid populace consuming goods and services and fueling a healthy domestic economy. In short, the rich get richer and the poor? They are just fecked. As usual.
On the other hand, despite the funny Onion treatment, I've been harping on this issue for years. It is a real problem that will(if it hasn't already) destroy the fabric of American society. No nation has ever let that gap grow so large without either developing an Oligarchy or undergoing a radical Revolution. And, every day, little things get done in the US to make that gap grow even larger.
Yesterday, I got to see it again, at work. My employer laid-off around 1.5% of the workforce, nationwide. Now, despite Ruggies pronouncements about my employability, I was not among them. Mostly, it seemed to be relatively new hires that they could pay little or no severance to. Is my company struggling? Not really, profits and sales are steady, and the business is inherently profitable. Are outlooks for the future poor? Not at all. However, it added to on-hand cash so that, for the second time in a year, they could buy back around $750,000,000 worth of the company's stock. That's 1.5 Billion in cash for stock buybacks in a year. What does that accomplish? In the two trading days since this layoff was announced, the stock is up 6.5% on the markets. Who benefits? Well, all stockholders, but the largest of these are the CEO and Board Members. So, while a few 'nobodies' now have less means to feed and house themselves and their families, a few wealthy investors and top execs have made millions in two days. Sweet. And, sadly, this scenario plays out daily. We have created a nation whose economy is driven by short term investment income, and not a large, well paid populace consuming goods and services and fueling a healthy domestic economy. In short, the rich get richer and the poor? They are just fecked. As usual.
-
Pudfark
Re: eighth wonder of the world
Well, to be really, really honest...as I always are...
The first word said "Paris"....so I stopped, right there.
The first word said "Paris"....so I stopped, right there.
- Reservoir_Dog
- Posts: 8858
- Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2009 3:46 pm
- Location: Kicking and a' gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer.
Re: eighth wonder of the world
Why the Hell haven't you mentioned this before!?!?Pudfark wrote:Well, to be really, really honest...as I always are...![]()
The first word said "Paris"....so I stopped, right there.
From now on I'm starting every post I make with the word Paris !!!!
- callmeslick
- Posts: 16473
- Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:02 pm
- Location: Fearing and loathing in Delaware and Virginia.
Re: eighth wonder of the world
Paris. Home to great art, great food, annoying local residents. Yup, works for me. 
- Reservoir_Dog
- Posts: 8858
- Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2009 3:46 pm
- Location: Kicking and a' gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer.
Re: eighth wonder of the world
Paris: It's easier than the "Dawg" banning method.
Dude will censor himself!.....
Dude will censor himself!.....
-
Pudfark
Re: eighth wonder of the world
No, it just makes it easier for the "dude" to censor you.... 