Recruiting forum off topic thread (merged)

[kmkemp11]

I can't decide completely on Rubio.

I like him. And he does very well in the debates. But I don't know. I still think he could end up just continuing a lot of the same ol' same ol'. And end up not fixing our spending/debt problem. Maybe slow it down some. But not reverse it. We need more serious real cuts. Cruz would deliver, IMO. And not capitulate to the establishment

Didn't Cruz say at the debate last night that his tax plan wasn't budget neutral? Even given growth estimates (which I'm sure are the most favorable he could come up with), he stated it would cost us $700b, right? How is that in line with reigning in our deficit?

 

[volatil]

I'm pretty sure Dr. Carson characterized our current national minimum wage of $7.25/hour as "high". That's a lot more dumb and relevant than a Pyramids theory.

He also stated a higher minimum wage reduces the amount of citizens employed. Companies are forced to reduce their workforce. Larger companies will find ways to have cheaper labor as in the use of robots in manufacturing. Said they are missing out on becoming a responsible member of society by relying on federal aid.

Smaller companies are reduced to using undocumented help to provide lower wages.

 

[WinginFlorida]

Be wary of Sanders as he isn't going to be able to deliver. I find the USA Today extremely liberal in their editiorials and opinions. Even they said last week that Bernie's ideas don't make economic sense.

Hillary has moved much farther left and that is why I dislike her so much. Yet it's not so much the ideals themselves...it's the fact she will say or do absolutely anything to get elected.

She is not what America needs.

 

[kmkemp11]

He also stated a higher minimum wage reduces the amount of citizens employed.

The evidence here is mixed, but there is a reason that the minimum wage was introduced... to prevent exploitation of our citizens. Do you think that is no longer a concern?

Companies are forced to reduce their workforce. Larger companies will find ways to have cheaper labor as in the use of robots in manufacturing. Said they are missing out on becoming a responsible member of society by relying on federal aid.

Yes, many jobs are being automated. Carson makes a good point, but I would counter that that is already the case and will continue to happen regardless of the minimum wage. I do agree though that a higher minimum wage will increase the incentive to automate more quickly, but again, in the long run those jobs will not exist anyway.

Smaller companies are reduced to using undocumented help to provide lower wages.

Yes, and that will probably increase with a higher minimum wage. Still not a reasonable argument against it, though. Many employers cannot easily hire undocumented workers.

 

[74volz]

Don't know if you like what he says (though I very very much do) but Cruz at least fits your second stipulation. He follows through with what he says and what he believes. He doesn't back down.

74vol said earlier that the word is he is the most hated man among in his own party [establishment]. To me, that only adds to what I love about him. He doesn't just fall In line to the party leadership. He is about truth. At least truth as he understands it. And his view of it lines up very closely to mine, personally.

I now you're sold on the guy and that'll never change. And that's fine. You're choice. It's just hard to believe in a candidate like him who when wrong on many issues sticks to his guns so much that his republican constituents don't want to listen or deal with him at all. In a republican lead congress, how will anything get done if he's not respected enough by his own party. It's like having two Trumps out there. Just don't see him making it..

It'll probably be Hilary in the end. Even after the 11 hour Republican bashing over Benghazi, nothing came from that in the voters eyes. In fact, it helped her. I know Republican voters see her as the ultimate liar, but what politician is not?! That's what politicians do. Lie, fabricate or make s**t up out of thin air like Carson. Pyramids, stabbing someone, being gay is a choice. It's crazy what we as citizens have to accept listening to all politicians try to become President. There's so many faults in all the candidates it's just going to be a very crucial difficult election.

 

[Tennessee Golfer]

The evidence here is mixed, but there is a reason that the minimum wage was introduced... to prevent exploitation of our citizens. Do you think that is no longer a concern?



Yes, many jobs are being automated. Carson makes a good point, but I would counter that that is already the case and will continue to happen regardless of the minimum wage. I do agree though that a higher minimum wage will increase the incentive to automate more quickly, but again, in the long run those jobs will not exist anyway.



Yes, and that will probably increase with a higher minimum wage. Still not a reasonable argument against it, though. Many employers cannot easily hire undocumented workers.

If they raise the minimum wage to $15/hour that's more than I make with a college degree. I may have to quit my job and start flipping burgers. The same people whining about raising it will then be without a job because there will be workers more qualified than them (recent college grads).

 

[WinginFlorida]

He also stated a higher minimum wage reduces the amount of citizens employed. Companies are forced to reduce their workforce. Larger companies will find ways to have cheaper labor as in the use of robots in manufacturing. Said they are missing out on becoming a responsible member of society by relying on federal aid.

Smaller companies are reduced to using undocumented help to provide lower wages.

If I'm not mistaken, Seattle was one of the first large cities in the U.S. to implement a $15 per hour minimum wage. Early studies have shown it has NOT destroyed small businesses as was predicted and has NOT cost jobs as was feared. What has happened, however, is employees are requesting reduced hours as their increased income is threatening the other aid they are receiving for items such as housing, etc.

I don't believe this was or is the goal. It appears to be a textbook example of the ongoing and increasing reliance on governmental handouts. If this mindset isn't curbed, then the system will certainly implode.

Greece says hello.

 

[MockingVol]

Hilary wins and the US's gradual decline sees the bottom fall out. I would much rather us have some nobody as President that would continue the US's decline than someone that is going to crash us.

I don't have a lot of confidence in the Voters though as approximately 95% of our populace seems to be somewhere between just under moderate levels of intelligence to barely being sentient. Bell curve be damned.

 

[kmkemp11]

If they raise the minimum wage to $15/hour that's more than I make with a college degree. I may have to quit my job and start flipping burgers. The same people whining about raising it will then be without a job because there will be workers more qualified than them (recent college grads).

The net effect of raising the minimum wage to $15 will eventually be that other jobs' wages are increased. It won't happen overnight, but what you just stated is leverage in a negotiation. You now have hundreds of other openings that you could take that would pay you the same amount, so why should you stay?

 

[Tennessee Golfer]

The net effect of raising the minimum wage to $15 will eventually be that other jobs' wages are increased. It won't happen overnight, but what you just stated is leverage in a negotiation. You now have hundreds of other openings that you could take that would pay you the same amount, so why should you stay?

So the cost of goods would skyrocket because the big companies will just pass the additional overhead down to the consumer. It's a never ending cycle that's always hurting the middle class.

 

[Atzar]

Paul is the only Republican running for office that isn't allergic to nuance. I like how he pointed out that China wasn't involved with the TPP, which I was screaming at my TV. I like how he points out that more defense spending doesn't make us more secure, even though that is not a popular thing to say in front of Republicans. Even though I don't really believe a minimalist government is the best approach in today's world, at least he has thought things through.

On defense spending, if all of the countries in the world banded together (no nukes involved) and attempted to attack the USA, I'm honestly not sure who would win. People need to realize that economy is a primary factor in our long term security and there needs to be a balance in defense spending.

Sidenote: I've been trying for the past several weeks to learn about the TPP, and finding somebody to calmly talk facts is frustrating as hell. Anybody who says a word about it has a blatant agenda to push.

I've started to read through the thing myself just in an attempt to get a clear understanding of it.

 

[kmkemp11]

So the cost of goods would skyrocket because the big companies will just pass the additional overhead down to the consumer. It's a never ending cycle that's always hurting the middle class.

Sure, until another company decides to compete with them by paying their executives less, and having fewer of them, while selling their goods for less.

 

[kmkemp11]

Sidenote: I've been trying for the past several weeks to learn about the TPP, and finding somebody to calmly talk facts is frustrating as hell. Anybody who says a word about it has a blatant agenda to push.

I've started to read through the thing myself just in an attempt to get a clear understanding of it.

Agree with that, but I honestly am not sure if Trump knew which countries were involved. That is the bare minimum required to speak publicly about it, which he did.

 

[WinginFlorida]

Hilary wins and the US's gradual decline sees the bottom fall out. I would much rather us have some nobody as President that would continue the US's decline than someone that is going to crash us.

I don't have a lot of confidence in the Voters though as approximately 95% of our populace seems to be somewhere between just under moderate levels of intelligence to barely being sentient. Bell curve be damned.

Promise 'em a slightly increased level of poverty with a few more pennies in welfare, and they'll support you forever. All the while you're doing absolutely nothing to truly bring about change and significantly impact lives.

 

[Tennessee Golfer]

Sure, until another company decides to compete with them by paying their executives less, and having fewer of them, while selling their goods for less.

I have to wait to see a large company do that before I'll believe it.

 

[volssam]

Didn't Cruz say at the debate last night that his tax plan wasn't budget neutral? Even given growth estimates (which I'm sure are the most favorable he could come up with), he stated it would cost us $700b, right? How is that in line with reigning in our deficit?

That is before making spending cuts. Which Cruz would definitely do. And which must be done for us to survive.

Cruz is a big anti-national-debt guy.

So Cruz would cut taxes and put more money back in the pocket of the ones who earned it and also work to fix our spending and debt crisis

And hilary would not cut taxes, and I'm fairly confident she would actually raise them, and then also continue to raise our debt.

Not a tough choice to make IMO.

 

[volssam]

If I'm not mistaken, Seattle was one of the first large cities in the U.S. to implement a $15 per hour minimum wage. Early studies have shown it has NOT destroyed small businesses as was predicted and has NOT cost jobs as was feared. What has happened, however, is employees are requesting reduced hours as their increased income is threatening the other aid they are receiving for items such as housing, etc.

I don't believe this was or is the goal. It appears to be a textbook example of the ongoing and increasing reliance on governmental handouts. If this mindset isn't curbed, then the system will certainly implode.

Greece says hello.

Another Minimum Wage Backfire
Another Minimum Wage Backfire - WSJ



Seattle’s $15 minimum wage law is supposed to lift workers out of poverty and move them off public assistance.

Seattle sees fallout from $15 minimum wage, as other cities follow suit | Fox News

 

[volssam]

"The twist is just one apparent side effect of the controversial -- yet trendsetting -- minimum wage law in Seattle, which is being copied in several other cities despite concerns over prices rising and businesses struggling to keep up.

The notion that employees are intentionally working less to preserve their welfare has been a hot topic on talk radio. While the claims are difficult to track, state stats indeed suggest few are moving off welfare programs under the new wage.

Despite a booming economy throughout western Washington, the state’s welfare caseload has dropped very little since the higher wage phase began in Seattle in April. In March 130,851 people were enrolled in the Basic Food program. In April, the caseload dropped to 130,376.

At the same time, prices appear to be going up on just about everything.

Some restaurants have tacked on a 15 percent surcharge to cover the higher wages. And some managers are no longer encouraging customers to tip, leading to a redistribution of income. Workers in the back of the kitchen, such as dishwashers and cooks, are getting paid more, but servers who rely on tips are seeing a pay cut.

Some long-time Seattle restaurants have closed altogether, though none of the owners publicly blamed the minimum wage law.

“It’s what happens when the government imposes a restriction on the labor market that normally wouldn’t be there, and marginal businesses get hit the hardest, and usually those are small, neighborhood businesses,” said Paul Guppy, of the Washington Policy Center."

 

[InVOLuntary]

Don't know if you like what he says (though I very very much do) but Cruz at least fits your second stipulation. He follows through with what he says and what he believes. He doesn't back down.

74vol said earlier that the word is he is the most hated man among in his own party [establishment]. To me, that only adds to what I love about him. He doesn't just fall In line to the party leadership. He is about truth. At least truth as he understands it. And his view of it lines up very closely to mine, personally.

I do like Cruz. He has a great idealogy. I'm very cynical about our political system these days.

 

[therickbol]

Promise 'em a slightly increased level of poverty with a few more pennies in welfare, and they'll support you forever. All the while you're doing absolutely nothing to truly bring about change and significantly impact lives.

Very accurate summary of 21st century 'Murica (and humanity in general).

 

[volssam]

74volz -

On your post earlier about Cruz and him not being liked by republicans (and it goes without needing to be said, democrats)...

Again that's what I like about him. What has been being done is. Not. Working. And we always hear we need someone who can compromise and work with everyone and yada yada. Again that's always said and what's going on is not working. We need someone with new ideas and sticks to his guns IMO. We need to try something new.
Our country is at a critical dire crossroads and we need someone who has big ideas for big solutions. Cruz is that guy IMO.

But alas, as you said, you likely won't change your opinion on him. And many won't. But I encourage everyone who will be voting to look at each candidate's ideas and also at their track record to determine if they will back up what they're saying or if they're just talking to attract votes.

 

[volatil]

Just speaking for myself

I think the all have some positives and negatives.

I am merely looking at the most electable option over Hillary.

Really like how those in this conversation has read up on the issues. That gives me hope that our voices will be heard. No matter what side anyone has posted on here today, there have been logical answers.

Hell I would vote for some of you on here. Good job VN!

 

[volssam]

Just speaking for myself

I think the all have some positives and negatives.

I am merely looking at the most electable option over Hillary.

Really like how those in this conversation has read up on the issues. That gives me hope that our voices will be heard. No matter what side anyone has posted on here today, there have been logical answers.

I would vote for some of you on here. Good job VN!

Well I might seriously be doing a write-in if some of these candidates get the nomination. Verne Lundquist may get a vote. Haha. He would be better than hilary.

 

[kmkemp11]

That is before making spending cuts. Which Cruz would definitely do. And which must be done for us to survive.

Cruz is a big anti-national-debt guy.

So Cruz would cut taxes and put more money back in the pocket of the ones who earned it and also work to fix our spending and debt crisis

And hilary would not cut taxes, and I'm fairly confident she would actually raise them, and then also continue to raise our debt.

Not a tough choice to make IMO.

I'm just saying our current deficits are in the 500b range and he wants to create a tax plan that will put us at 1.2t (if I'm not misunderstanding him)... that's a LOT of cuts. Our entire budget is what, around 3t ?

 

[volssam]

I'm just saying our current deficits are in the 500b range and he wants to create a tax plan that will put us at 1.2t (if I'm not misunderstanding him)... that's a LOT of cuts. Our entire budget is what, around 3t ?

Well remember he is gonna cut the dept of commerce twice. Haha

In seriousness, though, a LOT of cuts are needed. IMO anyways