State of the Union Address

[Airstrip One]

If you speak german hitler is VERY interesting to listen to, very insane but you don't get bored watching him.

I'm reminded of the scene from The King's Speech when George is watching reels of Hitler giving speeches. Elizabeth asks "what's he saying, daddy?" and he responds "I'm not sure... but he seems to be saying it... rather well."

 

[cancel2 2022]

then of course bigger government is the only thing able to prevent it from happening again.

So it was the market left to its own devices that caused the problem but you think it should still be left alone. Presumably to do the whole thing over again.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

Obama made several statements with which I agree, including:

- Repeal tax breaks for companies that move overseas/outsource jobs
- Repeal useless/outdated business regulations
- Reward good teachers (presumably with merit pay - a conservative position)
- Provide tax breaks for companies that hire veterans
- Allow the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans to expire

Brent I can tell you're young just on your comment about merit pay. Merit pay is republican/cooporate speak that no one deserves a decent raise except their favorite pets. Wait till you find out that when you go to work, a bar for performance is set. You not only perform but you out perform and exceed the bar that was set, only when it comes to review time to have the bar changed and reset and told how you really didn't meet the bar and there fore your annual salary adjustment will be for about 1.2%, if you get one at all. That's what merit pay means. It also means you've given up the right to negotiate or bargain for your compensation. It's their way or highway and while that's you're lot and most of the others the pretty boy down the hall with the art history degree who's always droping by your desk for help cause he's a clueless nitwit who consistantly underporforms causing disruption to the team cause you're constantly having to fix his mistakes, get's a promotion and a big raise because he's pretty and he's the bosses nephew. That's what merit pay means. Don't be such a niave ninny.

The fact is merit pay is a joke. I earn what I earned because I went to college, learned a profession, served an apprenticeship and earned professional certification. I get compensated what I do because that's what the market pays and if my employer does not pay it I can go elsewhere to earn comparable pay and benefits. I have worked under a merit pay system for over 10 years now and have only once recieved a significant raise (5%). Everytime I have my anual review I sit their stoichly and hold my nose while I listent to some bullshit about how the bar is now being changed after I've met all performance goals set out at the beginning of the year. It stinks and I don't take it seriously.

 

[apple0154]

Here's the Factcheck on some of his claims...

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2012/jan/24/fact-checking-state-union-address/

Wow! An honest politician. That's certainly a change from what we've witnessed over the previous week.

 

[Cancel 2016.11]

Brent I can tell you're young just on your comment about merit pay. Merit pay is republican/cooporate speak that no one deserves a decent raise except their favorite pets. Wait till you find out that when you go to work, a bar for performance is set. You not only perform but you out perform and exceed the bar that was set, only when it comes to review time to have the bar changed and reset and told how you really didn't meet the bar and there fore your annual salary adjustment will be for about 1.2%, if you get one at all. That's what merit pay means. It also means you've given up the right to negotiate or bargain for your compensation. It's their way or highway and while that's you're lot and most of the others the pretty boy down the hall with the art history degree who's always droping by your desk for help cause he's a clueless nitwit who consistantly underporforms causing disruption to the team cause you're constantly having to fix his mistakes, get's a promotion and a big raise because he's pretty and he's the bosses nephew. That's what merit pay means. Don't be such a niave ninny.

"the pretty boy down the hall with the art history degree"

Wow, we never had one of those anywhere I worked. Sounds like a great lunch buddy!

 

[Mott the Hoople]

What did you think?

It was a full on political broad side. Nice listening to someone who can actually arcticulate an idea and then pronounce a two syllable word or larger (unlike his predecessor). Obviously the SOTU address was a shot across the bow as to what his re-election campaign is going to be focused on middle class bread and butter issues. Considering that Obama is far more dynamic personality then his opponents that should play well in the NE, Pacific Coast and the great Lakes Industrial region.

 

[The Dude]

He said he'd open up 75% of US offshore drilling.
If he follows through the Republicans are fucked.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

"the pretty boy down the hall with the art history degree"

Wow, we never had one of those anywhere I worked. Sounds like a great lunch buddy!

Not really, they tend to eat your lunch while you're dong their work for them.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

He said he'd open up 75% of US offshore drilling.
If he follows through the Republicans are fucked.

I'll believe that when I see it. There are to many people living in the coastal areas who will oppose it because of the potential threat to tourism and property values if there's a spill.

 

[The Dude]

I'll believe that when I see it. There are to many people living in the coastal areas who will oppose it because of the potential threat to tourism and property values if there's a spill.

True that he doesn't have to do it, just make people believe he will. He touted domestice production up highest in the last 8 years etc. He's claiming credit when it was inspite of him not because of him.

 

[Cancel 2016.2]

What did you think?

Watched the start of Dexter Season 4 on DVD... way more interesting.

 

[Cancel 2016.2]

Obama made several statements with which I agree, including:

- Repeal tax breaks for companies that move overseas/outsource jobs
- Repeal useless/outdated business regulations
- Reward good teachers (presumably with merit pay - a conservative position)
- Provide tax breaks for companies that hire veterans
- Allow the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans to expire

I disagree with the first.
The second is good if they actually do it.
The third is obvious, the partner to that is to fire bad teachers
The fourth is a good idea. We can never truly repay them for what they risked/gave for the rest of us.
The fifth is pointless if they don't clean up the tax code (which is part of why I disagree with the first above). Just start with one simple move. ALL income taxed the same. ie... no special rate for cap gains. No special carry provision for hedge funds. Obviously you all are aware of what I would do to the tax code if omnipotent tax powers were granted to me, but that at least would be a good start.

 

[Cancel 2016.2]

He said he'd open up 75% of US offshore drilling.
If he follows through the Republicans are fucked.

He says crap like that because he knows the Dems in the Senate will never let it happen. That said, if he does that after nixing Keystone, he looks like an idiot.

 

[Cancel 2016.2]

Brent I can tell you're young just on your comment about merit pay. Merit pay is republican/cooporate speak that no one deserves a decent raise except their favorite pets.

That is just ridiculous.

Wait till you find out that when you go to work, a bar for performance is set. You not only perform but you out perform and exceed the bar that was set, only when it comes to review time to have the bar changed and reset and told how you really didn't meet the bar and there fore your annual salary adjustment will be for about 1.2%, if you get one at all. That's what merit pay means. It also means you've given up the right to negotiate or bargain for your compensation.

What fucking planet do you live on? Merit pay doesn't mean you give up the right to negotiate. Seriously you are a brain washed union stooge. Only a person who believes unions are the be all end all would even think to spout such nonsense.

It's their way or highway and while that's you're lot and most of the others the pretty boy down the hall with the art history degree who's always droping by your desk for help cause he's a clueless nitwit who consistantly underporforms causing disruption to the team cause you're constantly having to fix his mistakes, get's a promotion and a big raise because he's pretty and he's the bosses nephew. That's what merit pay means. Don't be such a niave ninny.

The only ninny is YOU. Your ramblings sound like that of a left wing nut. Yes, nepotism happens. But you are insane if you think that is the norm or anywhere close to the norm.

The fact is merit pay is a joke. I earn what I earned because I went to college, learned a profession, served an apprenticeship and earned professional certification. I get compensated what I do because that's what the market pays and if my employer does not pay it I can go elsewhere to earn comparable pay and benefits. I have worked under a merit pay system for over 10 years now and have only once recieved a significant raise (5%). Everytime I have my anual review I sit their stoichly and hold my nose while I listent to some bullshit about how the bar is now being changed after I've met all performance goals set out at the beginning of the year. It stinks and I don't take it seriously.

So in other words, you are the only one that sees you as a valued employee deserving of a merit increase. Given your bitter attitude, it really isn't surprising.

 

[Cancel 2016.2]

For those of us who didn't watch. How much did he talk about Obama care?

 

[Mott the Hoople]

True that he doesn't have to do it, just make people believe he will. He touted domestice production up highest in the last 8 years etc. He's claiming credit when it was inspite of him not because of him.

When haven't politicians done that?

I loved the Republican respone. God it was whiny. "He's devisive!"

Talk about projection. There's no more divisive groups of people in the nation then right wing coservatives. What a hypocrite.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

That is just ridiculous.




What fucking planet do you live on? Merit pay doesn't mean you give up the right to negotiate. Seriously you are a brain washed union stooge. Only a person who believes unions are the be all end all would even think to spout such nonsense.



The only ninny is YOU. Your ramblings sound like that of a left wing nut. Yes, nepotism happens. But you are insane if you think that is the norm or anywhere close to the norm.



So in other words, you are the only one that sees you as a valued employee deserving of a merit increase. Given your bitter attitude, it really isn't surprising.

God your a right wing schill. Some union stooge I am. I've never, ever been part of a collective bargaining unit. Not once in my life.

Merit pay is bullshit. It's a system companies impose to tell you why you're not worth what they're paying you. Only an idiot takes it seriously. I fucking don't. You can work your self to death trying to reach merit pay goals but, in the end, they'll set the bar higher or change the goals in midstream. It's pure bunk. The only ones who ever seem to get merit increases are the good ole boys and their stooges and never the people who actually get the work done. They just never seem to be able to do enough and don't try to tell me that it's any other way. I've been around the block to many times. That's the way it is. If you don't think it is that way then go ahead and be a fool and try to meet the bar. Let me know if you do it. LOL

I negotiated my compensation based on my education, experience, professional credentials and demonstrated ability to get shit done right the first time and to do so quickly and if they don't like that I can always go to work for someone else who is willing to pay me for my talents. Fuck their merit pay! Merit pay is for losers.

 

[Cancel 2016.11]

Watched the start of Dexter Season 4 on DVD... way more interesting.

You already watched the first three seasons?

 

[Cancel 2016.11]

I have such a migraine today, I can't really think. Didn't mean to derail the thread with the Dexter question. I'm reading it and snorting at SF's posts, but I don't have the wherewithal to do more than read today.

 

[Cancel 2016.2]

God your a right wing schill. Some union stooge I am. I've never, ever been part of a collective bargaining unit. Not once in my life.

Yet you still spew forth their nonsense. You don't have to have been a part of a union to spout their lines of crap. I HAVE been in a union and that is the same type of crap they spew forth on a non stop basis. The whole 'you can't do it on your own, you need us' mentality they brainwash their followers with.

Merit pay is bullshit. It's a system companies impose to tell you why you're not worth what they're paying you. Only an idiot takes it seriously. I fucking don't. You can work your self to death trying to reach merit pay goals but, in the end, they'll set the bar higher or change the goals in midstream. It's pure bunk. The only ones who ever seem to get merit increases are the good ole boys and their stooges and never the people who actually get the work done. They just never seem to be able to do enough and don't try to tell me that it's any other way. I've been around the block to many times. That's the way it is. If you don't think it is that way then go ahead and be a fool and try to meet the bar. Let me know if you do it.

Like I stated, you are using the fact that you are unsuccessful and pretending that means merit pay doesn't work. It does. If you are working for a firm that changes the bar, then you are a fucking idiot for staying there. I have worked for merit pay and when I hit the goals set forth at the beginning of the year, I got the pay increase I was promised. When I didn't hit the goals, I usually got a percentage of the pay bump based on how much of the goals I hit. THAT is the way it works in the real world.

I negotiated my compensation based on my education, experience, professional credentials and demonstrated ability to get shit done right the first time and to do so quickly and if they don't like that I can always go to work for someone else who is willing to pay me for my talents. Fuck their merit pay! Merit pay is for losers.

so in other words, you negotiated your pay based on your merit. If they didn't live up to their end, you would go somewhere else based on your merit. But you don't believe in merit pay. Like I stated, you are a fucking retard.