I do my part. I regularly give cardboard and felt-tipped markers to the homeless.

Girion47: Everytime I try to feel sorry for the laid off people, I'm reminded of my friend.

She hasn't had a job in 14 months and lives in a one bedroom handicap apartment by herself. This is located in Crystal City, VA. Extremely nice place. She isn't handicapped, yes there's a waiting list for her place. She won't move because she has lower income assistance to live there. This place is within one mile of 2 grocery stores and a HUGE MALL. But facebook is always full of "Don't have food, Grocery too far to shop there, have to eat out again, I'm poor" So one day, I look at my company's site, and find a job that she's qualified for. So I send it to her, willing to risk my reputation to help a friend, and lo and behold she texts me. "Does it make at least 47k?" Apparently, if she gets a job, she loses unemployment and housing assistance, to afford this place, she has to make 47k a year.

This is why I don't support unemployment benefits, it encourages stupid shiat like this.

/When they run out for her? she's moving back to Arizona to mooch off her retired mother.

Can I send you my resume? I'm having a hard time even getting a minimum wage retail job. I'm getting the vibe that I am overqualified for anything I apply for. In reality, I just want to work. I don't even care what I get paid. I'll live off Ramens and rice again.

Why Would I Read the Article: Brainwash: Stupid, bordering on animalistic:

"This wasn't the bill I would have wanted," said Sen. Franken. "If there were a better way, I would do that in a heartbeat. But today we are forced to decide between taking a stand against irresponsible tax cuts for millionaires versus helping struggling families. And given that choice, I simply can't turn my back on all the Minnesotans that desperately need the help this bill will provide."

/yes, forced
//at least...anyone with a soul was forced, I'm sure you don't qualify

Democrats are still harping on that "tax cuts for the rich" canard, huh? This is why nobody (should) take(s) them seriously; unfortunately there are a lot of gullible idiots in this country, most of Fark chief among them.

Fark yourself shait head

In other news, being in Iraq is still costing the US $1.8 billion a week...

hailin: The US is bankrupt. What do you except? They are slashing left and right and people are complaining about every penny being cut, but we have to do it. All these social services are sure nice to have, but are completely unmaintainable. Cut everything back to just the basics and build from there. Giving people a home tax credit or first-time home buying money is nice, but not a necessity.

or the peasants can revolt.

I paid more in taxes this year than GE has paid in the last 5... it wasn't hard since GE hasn't had to pay taxes in the last five years... but still... I gave my money to the government as part of my sacred and patriotic oath to ensure that no shareholders go wanting.

Kirk's_Toupee: hailin: The US is bankrupt. What do you except? They are slashing left and right and people are complaining about every penny being cut, but we have to do it. All these social services are sure nice to have, but are completely unmaintainable. Cut everything back to just the basics and build from there. Giving people a home tax credit or first-time home buying money is nice, but not a necessity.

or the peasants can revolt.

The peasants have always been revolting.

The shoulder length hair, the beard, the clothes and the alcohol ravaged face. Let's face it, the only productive thing this guy has done since he was laid off during the Carter administration is make that sign. Protip: they don't call it stagflation any more.

It's no good handing out money.

Invent things for people to do for a few bucks...

The "Live Sensation" position pays 10 bucks an hour and includes a free trip to Japan. All you have to do is wade in the water with short boots. Your lead will listen for screams, take notes.

The "Freedom Collector" teams dig holes in local parks and bury those who have been freed from the chains of society only to freeze to death on park benches. Sad, but it really needs cleaned up.

The "Giza Crue" trade their wives and children for the opportunity to participate in the New Giza Arizonian reconstruction project. Upon completion, all obedient descendents to be granted a special Giza Gaze brand and cast into freedom.

All paid for and written off by your glorious gods of money, that wonderful 1% who do it for you, you awesome American fool.

True not-so csb:
The one time, almost ten years ago, that I truly craved perspective I got the bright idea into my head that the perfect place to ponder such a thing would be to gain it physically as well as mentally. And so, I headed off to meet up with a buddy of mine one particular Tuesday morning. He worked for Lehman, just promoted to the 34th floor. I was going to have breakfast at the tallest spot I could think to find - all the way to the 110th. THAT, I thought will be perspective - with perspective! Brilliant!

As that particular tall building crumbled to the ground my soul winced and whined - "I give up."

Good perspective is hard to find.

Magnanimous_J: In one fell swoop, you have dis-proven my argument and made a fool of me personally! I bow to your superior internetting.

Consider my previous statement withdrawn.

If you fold that easily, you have only proven my point.

Between your home and my 401k, guess which I care more about.

hailin: The US is bankrupt. What do you except? They are slashing left and right and people are complaining about every penny being cut, but we have to do it. All these social services are sure nice to have, but are completely unmaintainable. Cut everything back to just the basics and build from there. Giving people a home tax credit or first-time home buying money is nice, but not a necessity.

They're slashing left and right... but not touching any of the Medicare, Social Security, or Defense Spending that accounts for 3/4 of our spending. The "slashing" they are doing is political posturing that doesn't help in any meaningful way so long as they are unwilling to touch the big three.

Ew, I clicked on a hash-bang link and now I feel soiled. Results indicate participation in the Home Affordable Modification Program merely postpones foreclosure at significant taxpayer expense. How does Gawker manage to suck this much?

Mouser: Between your home and my 401k, guess which I care more about.

And we'll all remember that during the next financial crisis when when your "too big to fail" bank stock is on the verge of worthlessness if they don't get another government bail out.

Girion47: Everytime I try to feel sorry for the laid off people, I'm reminded of my friend.

She hasn't had a job in 14 months and lives in a one bedroom handicap apartment by herself. This is located in Crystal City, VA. Extremely nice place. She isn't handicapped, yes there's a waiting list for her place. She won't move because she has lower income assistance to live there. This place is within one mile of 2 grocery stores and a HUGE MALL. But facebook is always full of "Don't have food, Grocery too far to shop there, have to eat out again, I'm poor" So one day, I look at my company's site, and find a job that she's qualified for. So I send it to her, willing to risk my reputation to help a friend, and lo and behold she texts me. "Does it make at least 47k?" Apparently, if she gets a job, she loses unemployment and housing assistance, to afford this place, she has to make 47k a year.

This is why I don't support unemployment benefits, it encourages stupid shiat like this.

/When they run out for her? she's moving back to Arizona to mooch off her retired mother.

Except that employers have pulled enough shiat that the unemployed have standing to complain. While there are people that might abuse it, there are a large amount that do not.

I'd like to see employers have to expand opportunity in the US w/o regard to any status other than having legal US citizenship. Even if it means they end up training these people for *actual* deficiencies, not the perceived "lack of skill".

If it takes force to convince an employer to contribute to the labor participation rate instead of the unemployment rate in the US, so be it. Just remind them that they had the voluntary option to not fark with the unemployed.

firefly212: hailin: The US is bankrupt. What do you except? They are slashing left and right and people are complaining about every penny being cut, but we have to do it. All these social services are sure nice to have, but are completely unmaintainable. Cut everything back to just the basics and build from there. Giving people a home tax credit or first-time home buying money is nice, but not a necessity.

They're slashing left and right... but not touching any of the Medicare, Social Security, or Defense Spending that accounts for 3/4 of our spending. The "slashing" they are doing is political posturing that doesn't help in any meaningful way so long as they are unwilling to touch the big three.

I hate to even bring up the "tax the rich" argument because I'll immediately be dismissed as a socialist, but if we're going to spend $1 trillion / year on defense and homeland SOMEBODY has to pay for it. The middle class can't afford it - most of them are struggling to keep pace and more are falling behind every year. Meanwhile, corporations and the rich are being taxed at the lowest rates in 100 years and making record gains/profits. Something has to give - either the tax side or the military/security industrial complex. If they don't the next financial crisis will make the "great recession" seem like nothing.

I see Gawker sites' new design still sucks. Won't be reading that article.

soapdish: I see Gawker sites' new design still sucks. Won't be reading that article.

Okay, let me sum it up for you:
Some bum....something.....perspective, and, uh...

Ah, forgit it. It's not important.

hailin: The US is bankrupt. What do you except? They are slashing left and right and people are complaining about every penny being cut, but we have to do it. All these social services are sure nice to have, but are completely unmaintainable. Cut everything back to just the basics and build from there. Giving people a home tax credit or first-time home buying money is nice, but not a necessity.

I except everything that affects myself. So there. Perhaps you meant expect. It's a big word... It's in the dictionary even, look it up.

bill_01915: firefly212: hailin: The US is bankrupt. What do you except? They are slashing left and right and people are complaining about every penny being cut, but we have to do it. All these social services are sure nice to have, but are completely unmaintainable. Cut everything back to just the basics and build from there. Giving people a home tax credit or first-time home buying money is nice, but not a necessity.

They're slashing left and right... but not touching any of the Medicare, Social Security, or Defense Spending that accounts for 3/4 of our spending. The "slashing" they are doing is political posturing that doesn't help in any meaningful way so long as they are unwilling to touch the big three.

I hate to even bring up the "tax the rich" argument because I'll immediately be dismissed as a socialist, but if we're going to spend $1 trillion / year on defense and homeland SOMEBODY has to pay for it. The middle class can't afford it - most of them are struggling to keep pace and more are falling behind every year. Meanwhile, corporations and the rich are being taxed at the lowest rates in 100 years and making record gains/profits. Something has to give - either the tax side or the military/security industrial complex. If they don't the next financial crisis will make the "great recession" seem like nothing.

Socialist is weak, I'd go with uninformed lemming.

Yep, I'm content that the majority of our money is spent on ensuring our defense and taking care of the people who help defend us. Pretty much don't want psychos like Qaddafi ruining my mimosa Sundays, you know? And last time I checked the tax rate increases the more money you make. Single and making 8k you're taxed 10%. Single making 380k you're taxed 35%. What record lows? How much more should anyone be taxed? We should reduce the burden on the taxpayers by cutting back other stupid programs. Like NASA, which I think we all can agree on. And maybe the Department of Housing and Urban Development--that 50 billion isn't going to keep my neighbor from building his two story shed.

foofooLe'Rue:

Yeah, Mimosa Sundays are good.

Jobbers: A person signs a mortgage but cannot afford to make the payments. They are foreclosed, kicked into the street, and given no aid.
The government signs bargaining agreements with unions but cannot afford to pay them. Workers are accused of being greedy and their rights are taken away.

If the Democrats don't have landslide victories it's their own damned fault.

A person signs a mortgage, (the Democrats arranged to be a zero-down, reverse-amortizing mortgagee, without proof of job or income and that the GSEs were forced to BUY) and can't make the payments. Gets foreclosed on and doesn't get aid?
So, instead of just renting, which this person may have afforded, he/she did something that was unworkable. Why would AID be forthcoming? If you buy a big car and don't make the payments, it gets repossessed... no aid for that!

Democrats make absurd and actuarially UNSOUND promises that no one can make happen to pay back unions for campaign donations and in-kind contributions.

Public employee unions PAY the people who determine THEIR pay to GET FAR MORE PAY and benefits than the private sector. It gets TOTALLY out of hand, and gets stopped.

If REPUBLICANS don't have landslide victories (again), it's THEIR own damn fault!

slithering_wombastage: Jobbers: A person signs a mortgage but cannot afford to make the payments. They are foreclosed, kicked into the street, and given no aid.
The government signs bargaining agreements with unions but cannot afford to pay them. Workers are accused of being greedy and their rights are taken away.

If the Democrats don't have landslide victories it's their own damned fault.

A person signs a mortgage, (the Democrats arranged to be a zero-down, reverse-amortizing mortgagee, without proof of job or income and that the GSEs were forced to BUY) and can't make the payments. Gets foreclosed on and doesn't get aid?
So, instead of just renting, which this person may have afforded, he/she did something that was unworkable. Why would AID be forthcoming? If you buy a big car and don't make the payments, it gets repossessed... no aid for that!

Democrats make absurd and actuarially UNSOUND promises that no one can make happen to pay back unions for campaign donations and in-kind contributions.

Public employee unions PAY the people who determine THEIR pay to GET FAR MORE PAY and benefits than the private sector. It gets TOTALLY out of hand, and gets stopped.

If REPUBLICANS don't have landslide victories (again), it's THEIR own damn fault!


Wow, it's like, 1972. Kurt Waldheim has just been appointed Secretary General of the UN, Bobby Fischer has defeated Boris Spasky, George Carlin has just been arrested for seven dirty words, and for some reason we're selling all our grain to the USSR.

Hector Remarkable: slithering_wombastage: Jobbers: A person signs a mortgage but cannot afford to make the payments. They are foreclosed, kicked into the street, and given no aid.
The government signs bargaining agreements with unions but cannot afford to pay them. Workers are accused of being greedy and their rights are taken away.

If the Democrats don't have landslide victories it's their own damned fault.

A person signs a mortgage, (the Democrats arranged to be a zero-down, reverse-amortizing mortgagee, without proof of job or income and that the GSEs were forced to BUY) and can't make the payments. Gets foreclosed on and doesn't get aid?
So, instead of just renting, which this person may have afforded, he/she did something that was unworkable. Why would AID be forthcoming? If you buy a big car and don't make the payments, it gets repossessed... no aid for that!

Democrats make absurd and actuarially UNSOUND promises that no one can make happen to pay back unions for campaign donations and in-kind contributions.

Public employee unions PAY the people who determine THEIR pay to GET FAR MORE PAY and benefits than the private sector. It gets TOTALLY out of hand, and gets stopped.

If REPUBLICANS don't have landslide victories (again), it's THEIR own damn fault!


Wow, it's like, 1972. Kurt Waldheim has just been appointed Secretary General of the UN, Bobby Fischer has defeated Boris Spasky, George Carlin has just been arrested for seven dirty words, and for some reason we're selling all our grain to the USSR.

You left out an important fact. At the END of 1972, our national debt was $450 BILLION.

slithering_wombastage: Hector Remarkable: slithering_wombastage: Jobbers: A person signs a mortgage but cannot afford to make the payments. They are foreclosed, kicked into the street, and given no aid.
The government signs bargaining agreements with unions but cannot afford to pay them. Workers are accused of being greedy and their rights are taken away.

If the Democrats don't have landslide victories it's their own damned fault.

A person signs a mortgage, (the Democrats arranged to be a zero-down, reverse-amortizing mortgagee, without proof of job or income and that the GSEs were forced to BUY) and can't make the payments. Gets foreclosed on and doesn't get aid?
So, instead of just renting, which this person may have afforded, he/she did something that was unworkable. Why would AID be forthcoming? If you buy a big car and don't make the payments, it gets repossessed... no aid for that!

Democrats make absurd and actuarially UNSOUND promises that no one can make happen to pay back unions for campaign donations and in-kind contributions.

Public employee unions PAY the people who determine THEIR pay to GET FAR MORE PAY and benefits than the private sector. It gets TOTALLY out of hand, and gets stopped.

If REPUBLICANS don't have landslide victories (again), it's THEIR own damn fault!


Wow, it's like, 1972. Kurt Waldheim has just been appointed Secretary General of the UN, Bobby Fischer has defeated Boris Spasky, George Carlin has just been arrested for seven dirty words, and for some reason we're selling all our grain to the USSR.

You left out an important fact. At the END of 1972, our national debt was $450 BILLION.

No, no, it's cool, dude, I just need to sell some weed and I can cover it.

foofooLe'Rue
We should reduce the burden on the taxpayers by cutting back other stupid programs. Like NASA, which I think we all can agree on.

NASA is a net economic GAIN! If you want to get rid of programs that just throw money away, revoke the last decade's tax cuts. They were supposed to create jobs, they didn't; revoke them, end of story.

saintc79: That Wasn't a Fart:
Thank your browser.

It works for everything else out there on the internets. Nick Denton and his geocities-like design appear to be the problem here. Judging from the comments above, it seems that nothing of value was in that article anyway.

OS X, FF4. It absolutely refuses to open these Gawker/io9/etc links and just dumps me at the sites main page.

Screw em, nothing of value was lost.

hailin: The US is bankrupt. What do you except? They are slashing left and right and people are complaining about every penny being cut, but we have to do it. All these social services are sure nice to have, but are completely unmaintainable. Cut everything back to just the basics and build from there. Giving people a home tax credit or first-time home buying money is nice, but not a necessity.

Or we could just cut you know, the 3 wars we're in, and have money to send a thousand men to mars AND fix all our domestic problems.