Am I A Regular Guy? - iKnife Collector2024-03-28T10:43:24Zhttps://iknifecollector.com/forum/topics/am-i-a-regular-guy?commentId=3181080%3AComment%3A1445724&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noOK folks we have now official…tag:iknifecollector.com,2016-10-07:3181080:Comment:14457242016-10-07T01:42:25.026ZJan Carterhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/JanCarter
<p>OK folks we have now officially stepped over the political line here. Let's all remain friends and cut off the comments at this point</p>
<p>OK folks we have now officially stepped over the political line here. Let's all remain friends and cut off the comments at this point</p> Again, to quote myself, &…tag:iknifecollector.com,2016-10-07:3181080:Comment:14456552016-10-07T00:47:39.600Zdead_left_knife_guyhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/deadleftknifeguy
<p>Again, to quote myself, & only to drive the point home: "S<span>o the choice ... really is college with debt or no college at all for the vast majority of people."</span></p>
<p><span>BUT, college is a bit more of a necessity these days than it was a few decades back. Average wages earned for those with college degrees has dropped significantly, while average wages for those with high school diplomas has also dropped, with a significantly lower average than for those with college…</span></p>
<p>Again, to quote myself, & only to drive the point home: "S<span>o the choice ... really is college with debt or no college at all for the vast majority of people."</span></p>
<p><span>BUT, college is a bit more of a necessity these days than it was a few decades back. Average wages earned for those with college degrees has dropped significantly, while average wages for those with high school diplomas has also dropped, with a significantly lower average than for those with college degrees. The better economic choice, for decades, was to minimize debt while attending college, but to take on that debt if necessary because it was still likely to propel a graduate farther, financially, than someone with just a high school diploma. That is still true, I believe, but colleges are raising tuition significantly, well outpacing inflation, because they know they can. </span></p>
<p><span>Institutions of higher learning have, in far too many cases, become focused more on profits than serving students & their communities with a more highly educated population. Worst are the private institutions that charge horribly high sums for limited income trades, making promises they knew they could not or would not deliver. You know whose name can't be left out of this discussion? That's right, Donald Trump & Trump University. People who believed in him & his "real estate secrets" enough to shell out a bunch of money for, well, not Trump's real estate secrets. </span></p>
<p><span>I repeat: Trump promised to let people in his real estate secrets, charged them a bunch of money they paid for his real estate secrets, & he gave them -- someone else's stuff. He wasn't involved in the curriculum, so they were either not his secrets, or they weren't secrets. Snake oil salesmen are frauds, & that's exactly what Donald Trump is. He's made a lot of money bilking people out of money, blatantly (refusing to pay for contracted work -- breach of contract isn't something you "don't pay for," it's something you sue for, & he's not stranger to filing law suits, so that's not what kept him from paying up debts owed). </span></p>
<p><span>And now he's bilking the American people by trying to sell the idea that he'll be president of the US, even though he offered up control of "domestic & foreign policy" -- which is all of the duties of the position of the POTUS -- to whomever stepped on as VP.</span></p>
<p><span>It's good that people don't like Trump -- I fricking DESPISE Hillary -- but she's not going to shoot her mouth off & get us into a war we can't win. Remember how people wanted to go into Iraq because they were afraid Saddam might have nukes? Donald Trump is going to have nukes, & he's just as much of a megalomaniac as Saddam. </span></p>
<p>And now many of the same people that wanted to invade Iraq want to give Trump nukes?!? </p>
<p>So far, everyone's been focusing on Trump's incredibly deplorable domestic policies. But it's his xenophobic foreign policies that are going to be really, really dangerous for Americans. </p>
<p>I repeat, Trump will have THE launch codes if he's elected president. Hillary will be much more careful. She's got experience for a job people really, really should have experience for. Even Reagan was a governor, & governor of the most populated state in the union. No matter what you do, don't something insanely stupid, even if he's not part of the Washington elite -- neither is the stupidest person you know, but you don't want to elect that person, do you? </p>
<p>Don't Brexit this frickin' country. Please don't. I have children that I want to live, & I really want them to have a chance at economic success. If Trump is elected, the economy will tank. Corporations don't like him, he'd be a huge shock to the system. The only possible way that any of this stuff won't happen is if the office of president lacks the power to make the changes you want to see by voting for Trump. Please, please don't vote for Trump. Nothing good will come of it, nothing for you anyway, though I'm sure Trump is making all sorts of plans for profit. </p>
<p>Or at least to seek immunity from potential criminal fraud charges related to Trump University (because he can do that as president). </p>
<p></p>
<p>PS sent as a message to Jan, thought we should share</p>
<p><em>"Things can get spirited around here, but it's always with the knowledge that everyone is well-intentioned, & that makes this the best knife forum around."</em><br/><br/><em>Have a good night, Jan.</em><br/><br/><em>dlkg</em></p> Really good satire. Did not m…tag:iknifecollector.com,2016-10-06:3181080:Comment:14456322016-10-06T23:56:47.627ZBilly Onealehttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/BillyOneale
Really good satire. Did not make it to college myself, but have been working since I was 15. I have worked my self up the ranks of what I do for a living. I do think education is important. I have told my kids and grandkids that most everything can be achieved if you want it bad enough. Personally, I am tired of all this political correctness. I am not Union. I feel that is up to an individual. I like guns, believe what the bibles says and believe in people being treated fairly with dignity and…
Really good satire. Did not make it to college myself, but have been working since I was 15. I have worked my self up the ranks of what I do for a living. I do think education is important. I have told my kids and grandkids that most everything can be achieved if you want it bad enough. Personally, I am tired of all this political correctness. I am not Union. I feel that is up to an individual. I like guns, believe what the bibles says and believe in people being treated fairly with dignity and respect, which should be reciprocated. The golden rule pretty much sums it up for me, treat others as you want to be treated. Just my two cents from the deplorable basket. Well said, Jan.
tag:iknifecollector.com,2016-10-06:3181080:Comment:14453142016-10-06T18:33:31.426ZJ.J. Smith IIIhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/JohnJSmithIII
<p>Well said, Jan.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Well said, Jan.</p>
<p></p> Cory,
I think you hit the nai…tag:iknifecollector.com,2016-10-06:3181080:Comment:14453122016-10-06T15:19:38.531ZJan Carterhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/JanCarter
<p>Cory,</p>
<p>I think you hit the nail on the head...<em>Then again, I was raised to believe in being self-reliant. If I were to go four years without working I'd to be in debt too, whether I'm attending classes or not. That kinda seems like common sense to me.</em></p>
<p>It seems to me common sense is not so common any longer. Not the fault of the people just coming up, the faulty lies with the people raising them. If you do not instill these basic life skills and ways of thinking,…</p>
<p>Cory,</p>
<p>I think you hit the nail on the head...<em>Then again, I was raised to believe in being self-reliant. If I were to go four years without working I'd to be in debt too, whether I'm attending classes or not. That kinda seems like common sense to me.</em></p>
<p>It seems to me common sense is not so common any longer. Not the fault of the people just coming up, the faulty lies with the people raising them. If you do not instill these basic life skills and ways of thinking, what you will get is someone that needs a safe space from words written in chalk</p>
<p>No, I am not always politically correct. I told a member and friend, just yesterday, it is my opinion. I dont want to have to defend my feelings to anyone. I respect that you have a right to feel as you do and I demand the same treatment</p> The student loan debts people…tag:iknifecollector.com,2016-10-05:3181080:Comment:14451092016-10-05T05:26:08.582ZCory Hesshttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/CoryHess
<p>The student loan debts people accrue kills me. I went to college in the 90s, and I took advantage of a government program that paid 100% of my tuition and even covered my room and board. Almost everybody qualifies, and as long as you keep your grades up you never have to pay it back. It's called the G.I. Bill. It's a great program, and when you use it you'll realize that you don't learn the important stuff sitting in a classroom anyways.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Of course I also held down two jobs…</p>
<p>The student loan debts people accrue kills me. I went to college in the 90s, and I took advantage of a government program that paid 100% of my tuition and even covered my room and board. Almost everybody qualifies, and as long as you keep your grades up you never have to pay it back. It's called the G.I. Bill. It's a great program, and when you use it you'll realize that you don't learn the important stuff sitting in a classroom anyways.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Of course I also held down two jobs through college, one on campus and one off. Then again, I was raised to believe in being self-reliant. What really gets me is these people that go to school for four years, don't work any kind of job while they're in school, and then complain about being in debt. If I were to go four years without working I'd to be in debt too, whether I'm attending classes or not. That kinda seems like common sense to me.</p> tag:iknifecollector.com,2016-10-03:3181080:Comment:14446142016-10-03T13:44:51.738ZJan Carterhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/JanCarter
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2160232997?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2160232997?profile=original" width="245" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2160232997?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2160232997?profile=original" width="245" class="align-full"/></a></p> No matter where Charles (and…tag:iknifecollector.com,2016-10-03:3181080:Comment:14448622016-10-03T13:20:31.812ZJ.J. Smith IIIhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/JohnJSmithIII
No matter where Charles (and as well as John and whoever HE got it from), it contains more than a small amount of truth.<br />
<br />
I only wish I had thought it out and committed it to print first.
No matter where Charles (and as well as John and whoever HE got it from), it contains more than a small amount of truth.<br />
<br />
I only wish I had thought it out and committed it to print first. DLKG, joking aside I have to…tag:iknifecollector.com,2016-10-03:3181080:Comment:14446062016-10-03T02:35:42.463ZCharles Samplehttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/CharlesSample
<p>DLKG, joking aside I have to answer you in all seriousness. First I will say I just posted that as I found it. I did not change any wording. I thought that it was it humorous satire. I am going to answer point by point.</p>
<p><br></br> <cite>dead_left_knife_guy said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://iknifecollector.com/forum/topics/am-i-a-regular-guy?commentId=3181080%3AComment%3A1444737&xg_source=msg_com_forum#3181080Comment1444737"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p><strong>Charles,…</strong></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>DLKG, joking aside I have to answer you in all seriousness. First I will say I just posted that as I found it. I did not change any wording. I thought that it was it humorous satire. I am going to answer point by point.</p>
<p><br/> <cite>dead_left_knife_guy said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://iknifecollector.com/forum/topics/am-i-a-regular-guy?commentId=3181080%3AComment%3A1444737&xg_source=msg_com_forum#3181080Comment1444737"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p><strong>Charles, did you ever consider the possibility that you were in the other, non-deplorable half of Trump supporters?</strong></p>
<p>I believe Hillary thinks all Trump supporters are deplorable. I am sure she would think I am deplorable if she knew me. After all I am against sin and perversion and I cling to my Bible and my guns.</p>
<p><strong>Seriously, if you believe people should have equal rights to employment, to love who they actually love & file taxes jointly with whom they please,</strong></p>
<p>I am a firm believer in equal rights but not special rights. And reverse discrimination is still discrimination.</p>
<p><strong>to be able to walk down the streets without being harassed by police, regardless of race, gender, orientation, or religion,</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>I don't believe any innocent person should be harassed by police. I have seen the badge from both sides. I carried a badge myself for several years. Most people have no idea what a police officer faces in doing his duty. A police officer has no idea who he is stopping. He wears a uniform but the one being stopped doesn't. And he wants to go home at the end of his shift as much as anybody else. If stopped by the police, don't be belligerent, don't try to fight them. Just do what they say and you will be alright. Why is that so hard to understand? </p>
<p><strong>then maybe you're not in that basket of deplorables to which Hillary was referring.</strong></p>
<p>Again i am sure Hillary would think I am deplorable.</p>
<p><strong>By the way, college tuition has increased dramatically in the likely decades since you went to school, & grants cover a much smaller percentage of student bills than they used to (most students get little if anything in grants), so the choice there really is college with debt or no college at all for the vast majority of people.</strong></p>
<p>My parents weren't able to pay my college bills. I got a small scholarship that paid about half of my tuition for one year. My parents did all they could but I had student loans for the rest. I had several thousand dollars in debt when I graduated. But I went to work and paid them off. And I don't think the only choice is debt or no college. My son went to the local junior college and got a two year degree in industrial maintenance. He worked his way through and finished with no debt. I only had to help him one semester.</p>
<p><strong>Also, American unions have long since peaked & gone into decline -- few people are union these days. Average middle class wages also went into decline around the same time & have largely been in decline since the 70's, as adjusted for inflation, while executive income has increased, leading to the depletion of the middle class that's often mentioned.</strong></p>
<p>A lot of the unions' problems was due to their overreaching demands and the graft and corruption of their leadership. As an example there used to be a large GM plant just ten miles down the road from here. It closed several years ago because it lost too much money. Due to union rules they were having to pay a lot of employees nearly full salary for not working while they were having to pay others overtime.</p>
<p><strong>I'm surprised you used the term "anti-socialist" as opposed to "capitalist", so I have to ask why?</strong></p>
<p>Well I am anti socialist and I am a capitalist. That is why I am anti Hillary. She is a rabid socialist besides being evil.</p>
<p><strong>(I know you said you took this from someone else who has since said he took it from another -- but you republished as if to own the words yourself, & you certainly could've added, subtracted, or modified any of the words or phrases posted, so I'll assume you at least back the sentiment of each in your post.)</strong></p>
<p>I posted it because I thought it was humorous satire. And for humor to be really funny it has to have a basis in truth. And there is a lot of truth in it. And yes I agree with pretty much all of the sentiment expressed.</p>
<p></p>
<p>PS: I am not so much a Trump supporter as I am anti Hillary. To me this election is more about the Supreme Court than either Hillary or Trump. Hillary is a rabid socialist and would appoint a rabid socialist to the Court. After eight years of Hillary we would most likely have at least a 6-3 if not a 7-2 liberal/socialist Supreme Court. And we would not see another conservative decision out of the Court for at least the next 40 years. As for Trump I don't know what kind of president he would be but he is a capitalist and has put together a list of conservative justices for possible Supreme Court nominees. </p>
</div>
</blockquote> Jan, I think it's great that…tag:iknifecollector.com,2016-10-02:3181080:Comment:14447462016-10-02T23:50:05.926Zdead_left_knife_guyhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/deadleftknifeguy
<p>Jan, I think it's great that your daughters did not acquire any debt (or at least any significant debt) getting through college, but there's another quite significant difference that you mention -- graduating college and working two jobs even with that degree. Granted, sometimes getting further in your career requires doing exactly this, & sometimes people just take on a second job for fun. However, most often, it's due to financial need. I certainly hope theirs is more a matter of…</p>
<p>Jan, I think it's great that your daughters did not acquire any debt (or at least any significant debt) getting through college, but there's another quite significant difference that you mention -- graduating college and working two jobs even with that degree. Granted, sometimes getting further in your career requires doing exactly this, & sometimes people just take on a second job for fun. However, most often, it's due to financial need. I certainly hope theirs is more a matter of choice, & not need.</p>
<p>I'll definitely disagree with your sentiment that people get equal pay for equal work (this may have been an off-hand comment that was worded poorly, but in case it wasn't, I'll expand on my thought). That's just not how our system works -- employees are paid based on what the employer considers to be their worth, & this varies based on the market as well as on the supply & demand of the necessary workforce -- mostly gone are the days of the pension, for example. And there has long been lower pay for women and people of color. We're simply not in a society that is completely race or gender neutral, or race & gender equal. White working class men are benefiting less now from the system than they ever have, but on the whole they still are in superior positions to working class women & working class men of color. Here's a recent article that seems to take all of these factors into consideration, including the decline of the white blue collar man in recent decades:</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/23/opinions/shell-shocked-white-working-class-opinion-coontz/" target="_blank">http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/23/opinions/shell-shocked-white-working-...</a></p>
<p>However, I can sympathize with not knowing where I fit in, especially since the notion of "fit in" has changed so drastically in recent decades, as has what it means to not fit in.</p>
<p></p>