The Real Sexism Project.... www.realsexism.com

[_Jersey Girl]

So far as I am concerned, people like Cam and my husband paid their dues and some of yours as well. That they did well for themselves is a statement on what kind of human beings they are.

Jersey Girl,

I think in your rant you summarized life in the military pretty well. I could go on and on about the impact it has on interpersonal relationships, not being there when my brother was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident, not being there when my mother died, fighting a custody battle for my daughters from Korea and then North Carolina when they lived in Utah, missing various birthdays and holidays, so and so forth... I can talk about 20-hour/7-day-a-week work cycles in Iraq. I can talk about going outside the wire, or taking mortars. I can talk about freezing night ops and blistering heat day ops. I can talk about the dozens of times I was brutalized by others during training ops, or about how fun SERE school wasn't. I can talk about the 0600 pt whether you wanted to do it or not. But I chose it. It's all good. The government incentivized me to stay, and I did (as did your husband). The military made a deal with me that if I was willing to do x-y-z it was willing to do x-y-z. And I agreed to it*. You better believe I feel I earned what the military promised in exchange for my time, energy, and body.

I feel good about the career, and the things I've done so I don't really care what someone like Ajax thinks. The funny thing is if I were a raging Conservative he'd probably be very supportive of my retirement. Interesting how that works. Also, what he doesn't understand there are a lot people, inside and outside the military, who reach "retirement age" but can't do it because of the choices they made. For us military types, unless you plan ahead you simply can't get by on your basic retirement income (especially after taxes and insurance). Just like anyone else you have to be a savvy saver and investor.

That said, I want this on record, I personally believe the ER nurses, the doctors, the first responders... The people who really put themselves on the line here in America are the ones worthy of our respect. Day in and day they go through the grind. It's a tough go for them. Quick story:

So a long time ago I went on a ride-along with the Las Vegas Metro PD. Within the span of just one night I was witness to a man holding a butcher's knife to his wife's throat, various strippers passed out and waiting for pick-up (or fighting), robberies, and other assorted issues. I was shocked. I asked our officers if this was typical and they said yes. They dealt and deal with this sort of nonsense every-single-night. I asked them why they did it. And they said they loved their job, and felt they were giving back in a way.

And that's why I did what I did. It was a good deal on many levels, and it felt good to feel like your time spent was part of something greater than yourself rather than working hard just to buy stuff. Ugh. No thanks.

So. My hats off to those LVMPD officers.

- Doc

* The only time I really question my career path is when it comes to architecture. To build something that lasts, that has your thumbprints all over it, I think is pretty special. That would be my only regret, to not have pursued that course. BUT... There's still time. :)

Everyone makes choices. We always lived below our means and we still do. We've always done our own home and car repairs. We know how to live on very little and how to save like demons. And, I am looking at some guy here who makes an alleged 6 figure income bitching about how hard he has it and begrudging others their successes.

If he thinks he has it so bad, he needs to visit the local VA hospital and see what bad really is.

About that architecture degree. Don't let yourself wake up one day and wonder "What if I had?" Take time off and then go back to school. Follow your passion!

[_Jersey Girl]

Doc -

It's hard to imagine that at least one person who frequents this board will read your post, as he has so many others, yet still claim to have experienced more of life and it's challenges than everyone else. But it will happen.

Thank you for your service to this country. (Jersey Girl, that goes for you and JB as well...)

And, you're correct - it's never too late to pursue that architecture degree. : )

Thank you and you're welcome.
:-)

[_just me]

It sounds like I'm not the only one on this board who would likely see a significant tax increase if Bernie is elected

For someone making $100k/year, how much does Bernie want to raise their income taxes? What percent of people making $100k/year can retire at 45?

I can't find any plans to increase your taxes. I'm not sure how his single payer insurance plan would affect you.

The percent of people who make $100k a year who can retire at 45 is the wise percent.

[_Some Schmo]

It's pretty remarkable to me that I have to convince religious people we should have compassion for the poor.

What's compassionate about giving away other peoples money?

I'm sick of this ridiculous canard.

Screw you. You're an idiot.

[_schreech]

f*** you. You're an idiot.

Anyone that bitches and moans about taxes as much as ajax, our resident, racist, red-state, redneck, has done a sh#t job of planning out their life. When low wage immigrants and other minorities become of the focus of your life/financial failures, maybe its time to reevaluate your own decisions, spend less time ignorantly bitching online and work a little harder. I know, I know, its easier to spew bigotry online and blame others for his problems than it is to suck it up, work harder and not be an a$$hole...there are plenty of us not living paycheck to paycheck and, as a resident of california, I guarantee I pay a higher tax rate than he does...

[_The CCC]

I can't find any plans to increase your taxes. I'm not sure how his single payer insurance plan would affect you.

The percent of people who make $100k a year who can retire at 45 is the wise percent.[/quote]

In my neck of the woods 100k is still middle class, though at the upper end of it. To retire on it takes strategic investing in stocks and bonds, wise insurance choices, and some luck. But it can be done. You won't be rich, but you'll make ends meet, with some to spare.

[_Some Schmo]

f*** you. You're an idiot.

Anyone that bitches and moans about taxes as much as ajax, our resident, racist, red-state, redneck, has done a sh#t job of planning out their life. When low wage immigrants and other minorities become of the focus of your life/financial failures, maybe its time to reevaluate your own decisions, spend less time ignorantly bitching online and work a little harder. I know, I know, its easier to spew bigotry online and blame others for his problems than it is to suck it up, work harder and not be an a$$hole...

This is pretty much exactly what was going through my mind after reading his idiotic question.