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  #31 (permalink)  
Old 01-04-2008
Americano Americano is offline
Secretary of State

 
Member Since: Feb 2007
Location: Southern Oregon
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Re: Government to make huge change in bebefit laws

Quote:
Originally Posted by Americano
Stating existing resources are adequate to improve standard of living for the lower income tier is a sign of badly skewed resource allocation, indicating incompetent government management of available resources.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lostinacause View Post
I am comfortable making such a statement. The amount of money spent on defense is ridiculous. The money saved through using a little bit of diplomacy would could be better spent on almost everything.

I would be just as inclined to blame the problem on the American voter. Both the voter and the system play a role in the outcome.
Americans generally prefer blaming someone, anyone else for their problems. As an example, few Americans understand why Al Qaeda considers the US public their target (due to our proclaimed government of by the people for the people). IMO it will require major US economic disruption to modify the apathetic behavior of the US voter regarding political corruption.
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  #32 (permalink)  
Old 01-04-2008
lostinacause lostinacause is offline
Governor

 
Member Since: Oct 2007
Location: In transition
Posts: 499

Canada    
Re: Government to make huge change in benefit laws

I don't even think a major disruption would do it. People would probably just gravitate to some quick fix a politician offers.
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  #33 (permalink)  
Old 01-04-2008
Americano Americano is offline
Secretary of State

 
Member Since: Feb 2007
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 5,661

   
Re: Government to make huge change in benefit laws

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Originally Posted by lostinacause View Post
I don't even think a major disruption would do it. People would probably just gravitate to some quick fix a politician offers.
A service economy mismanaged to the extent the US has experienced facing the loss of half of its semi-skilled and skilled work force over the next decade won't have many options for quick fixes. Historical US urban sprawl driving a declining service economy facing a labor shortage, escalating social costs and an energy cost crisis could bring it to its knees in short order. Unless you can see another equity bubble in the near future that I'm unable to recognize.

Taking half the real 'defense' budget and applying it to quasi-private sector alternative energy research in a Manhattan Project style would offer some hope, but the oil barons will use their massive resources and political control to fight that tooth and nail.
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  #34 (permalink)  
Old 01-04-2008
Georgerufus Georgerufus is offline
City Mayor

 
Member Since: Nov 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 230

   
Re: Government to make huge change in bebefit laws

Quote:
Originally Posted by lostinacause View Post
What are the long term gains? You assume that consumer spending will increase but it is not even clear that total wages would increase. Even if they did corporate revenue would fall causing corporate taxes and investment income to fall. Any spending related to returns on investment would fall. This is without considering the dynamic issues relating to investment.
The only way it will is if wages are undervalued compared to the amount of productivity the workers are producing. Given the enormous profits US corps are making, I assume something is out of whack. They have bargaining power over employees they use to offer wages that are too low.
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  #35 (permalink)  
Old 01-06-2008
lostinacause lostinacause is offline
Governor

 
Member Since: Oct 2007
Location: In transition
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Canada    
Re: Government to make huge change in bebefit laws

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Originally Posted by Georgerufus View Post
The only way it will is if wages are undervalued compared to the amount of productivity the workers are producing. Given the enormous profits US corps are making, I assume something is out of whack. They have bargaining power over employees they use to offer wages that are too low.
Are we specifically talking about the low wage earners? Where I live there are 40 businesses within walking distance and many more within a short drive. Collusion strikes me as infeasible so it seems that something else must be driving these profits. My understanding is that applied economic literature shows large companies offering higher wages then small businesses. I believe this is enough to show that bargaining power descriptor of why wages are too low (if they even are to low).
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  #36 (permalink)  
Old 01-09-2008
danielpalos danielpalos is offline
Secretary of Defense

 
Member Since: Jun 2006
Location: US, California
Posts: 2,976

   
Re: Government to make huge change in benefit laws

Currently, there are an excessive amount of regulations on capital accumulation using an HSA.
Here is where reducing barriers to capital accumulation would help individuals. With fewer restrictions on HSA type of financial vehicles, it would be much easier for private individuals to use their capital to purchase better products on the open market.

Individuals would find it easier to purchase forms of insurance protection on health care benefits if they can do so from the convenience of a capital and market friendly HSA type of financial vehicle. An example would be to be able to purchase insurance riders on current employer sponsored benefits that will continue after any mandatory age limits.

From a more legal perspective, why is it that age discrimination laws are not being applied to these types of age related issues?
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  #37 (permalink)  
Old 01-09-2008
lostinacause lostinacause is offline
Governor

 
Member Since: Oct 2007
Location: In transition
Posts: 499

Canada    
Re: Government to make huge change in benefit laws

Quote:
Originally Posted by danielpalos View Post
Currently, there are an excessive amount of regulations on capital accumulation using an HSA.
Here is where reducing barriers to capital accumulation would help individuals. With fewer restrictions on HSA type of financial vehicles, it would be much easier for private individuals to use their capital to purchase better products on the open market.

Individuals would find it easier to purchase forms of insurance protection on health care benefits if they can do so from the convenience of a capital and market friendly HSA type of financial vehicle. An example would be to be able to purchase insurance riders on current employer sponsored benefits that will continue after any mandatory age limits.

From a more legal perspective, why is it that age discrimination laws are not being applied to these types of age related issues?
Is there any chance you to expand on this a little? I not familiar with the current framework and I am curious as to what you want changed?
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