John Stossel/ABC 20/20

Scotty
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Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 3:21pm
Finally somebody in the media who has it right. No B.S, just plain facts about what's really going on in America today.


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jtomasik
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3/16/2009 3:18pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 10:57pm
Everybody should own a home. Everybody should own a $40,000 SUV. Everybody should be at least a millionaire by the time they retire.


At least, that's what the government wants you to believe. So, they want to throw money at the system to support that fallacy. And people can't figure out why the industry moved off-shore.....
flarider
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3/16/2009 3:21pm
Well, we had to bailout brainbasket's son-in-law at AIG with a fat bonus, but he says that's OK
Scotty
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3/16/2009 3:29pm
flarider wrote:
Well, we had to bailout brainbasket's son-in-law at AIG with a fat bonus, but he says that's OK
If it's part of his pay structure, then what's the problem? I used to be a car stereo installer, and we didn't get paid shit( around $8 bucks per hour) We made our money in bonuses based on how much business we did, how many cars, how much labor, blah blah. I'm sure brainbaskets kid is the same way. I highly doubt he is getting the millions you think he is.
flarider
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3/16/2009 3:35pm
Did the stereo store receive federal bailouts totaling tens of BILLIONS of dollars using taxpayer money?

The Shop

Scotty
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3/16/2009 4:18pm
flarider wrote:
Did the stereo store receive federal bailouts totaling tens of BILLIONS of dollars using taxpayer money?

You can blame Obama and GW for that one. If he already has a contract, to bad.
Scotty
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3/16/2009 4:19pm Edited Date/Time 3/16/2009 4:26pm
The whole point of this post was to show just how bad the media spins everything to make it worse than it actually is. Did you even watch the video?
3/16/2009 9:19pm Edited Date/Time 3/16/2009 9:42pm
what he forgot to ask was how much of that shit was paid for in cash.. What a dumbfucken story.
super rat
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3/16/2009 9:35pm
How come that kids book who could make it isn't required reading in any schools?



To eazy.
Scotty
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3/16/2009 9:47pm
what he forgot to ask was how much of that shit was paid for in cash.. What a dumbfucken story.
I guess you really didn't pay attention?
3/16/2009 10:09pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 10:58pm
Scotty wrote:
I guess you really didn't pay attention?
Yeah I did.
The lady who wrote that book was a typical liberal idiot, and should have never been given the time of day.

The college kid only has himself to worry about.

And the families at the dunes probably refied their house to buy all that shit which now has a big bank owned sign out front.
Scotty
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3/16/2009 10:28pm
Scotty wrote:
I guess you really didn't pay attention?
Yeah I did. The lady who wrote that book was a typical liberal idiot, and should have never been given the time of day. The college...
Yeah I did.
The lady who wrote that book was a typical liberal idiot, and should have never been given the time of day.

The college kid only has himself to worry about.

And the families at the dunes probably refied their house to buy all that shit which now has a big bank owned sign out front.
I actually know the family that was featured in the dunes. They didn't refi shit. They are driving a bunch of quads. Did you refi your house to buy a bike?
3/16/2009 10:59pm
Scotty wrote:
I actually know the family that was featured in the dunes. They didn't refi shit. They are driving a bunch of quads. Did you refi your...
I actually know the family that was featured in the dunes. They didn't refi shit. They are driving a bunch of quads. Did you refi your house to buy a bike?
The point I was trying to make was, it was probably all bought on credit. And I got my bike on honda credit.
Dogger
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3/17/2009 3:38am
flarider wrote:
Did the stereo store receive federal bailouts totaling tens of BILLIONS of dollars using taxpayer money?

agreed, there are a lot of people who didn't get bonuses this year who work for companies that were not partly responsible for the mess we are in.

I HOPE THEY GET THAT BONUS MONEY BACK!
3/17/2009 7:03am
Scotty wrote:
I actually know the family that was featured in the dunes. They didn't refi shit. They are driving a bunch of quads. Did you refi your...
I actually know the family that was featured in the dunes. They didn't refi shit. They are driving a bunch of quads. Did you refi your house to buy a bike?
The point I was trying to make was, it was probably all bought on credit. And I got my bike on honda credit.
That's exactly what I thought when I saw that on TV.
These "normal" people having expensive toys and other things - they are all making payments and don't own outright.
the problem is if those people lose their job, can't find another one with same pay, they will have those toys, cars, and whatever else repo'd/foreclosed on.
dumb fucking story by John. That is part of what got us in this mess in the first place, buying every damn thing on credit.
DDub8
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3/17/2009 7:26am
Dogger wrote:
agreed, there are a lot of people who didn't get bonuses this year who work for companies that were not partly responsible for the mess we...
agreed, there are a lot of people who didn't get bonuses this year who work for companies that were not partly responsible for the mess we are in.

I HOPE THEY GET THAT BONUS MONEY BACK!
I was laid off in 2008 from a huge high tech company that posted record profits. Wrong place at the wrong time. I've had fantastic years and made huge commissions in years the company lost money. Right place at the right time.

I once questioned a cell phone plan I was on with my former company when it seemed like the price they were paying was twice what it was when I had my own plan. It was answered by a high level finance person who basically told me not to worry. The amount of money changing hands between us and the cell phone company meant the rates for cell phone plans were an incredible deal, regardless of how it looked to me.

The point is that the our government is incredibly naive when it comes to understanding businesses as large as AIG. That coupled with lawmakers whining about a few million when they waste billions makes this all a comedy of errors. In my opinion, they're in way over their heads and look worse with every new bailout decision.
Scotty
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3/17/2009 7:46am
Scotty wrote:
I actually know the family that was featured in the dunes. They didn't refi shit. They are driving a bunch of quads. Did you refi your...
I actually know the family that was featured in the dunes. They didn't refi shit. They are driving a bunch of quads. Did you refi your house to buy a bike?
The point I was trying to make was, it was probably all bought on credit. And I got my bike on honda credit.
That's exactly what I thought when I saw that on TV. These "normal" people having expensive toys and other things - they are all making payments...
That's exactly what I thought when I saw that on TV.
These "normal" people having expensive toys and other things - they are all making payments and don't own outright.
the problem is if those people lose their job, can't find another one with same pay, they will have those toys, cars, and whatever else repo'd/foreclosed on.
dumb fucking story by John. That is part of what got us in this mess in the first place, buying every damn thing on credit.
So you bought your house with cash??? And your car/truck with cash? Thats how America works.. CREDIT! You're being a little bit of a hypocrite here. The point of the Stossel's story was, the so called "middle class" is living larger than ever. The salaries have jumped from $30k to almost $80k, yet the media and our PRESIDENT says the middle class is disappearing? The so called middle class would have been considered "wealthy" just 15-20 years ago.
txmxer
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3/17/2009 7:47am
the responses here seem way off from the subject.

1) The woman w/ the book seems useless. I haven't read her book, so I can't comment on that, but it sounds like she is an idiot.
2) The guy showed what can be done if someone is basically competent and wants to get out of a bad situation and is willing to make a few sacrifices.
3) The folks in the dunes are not average Joe families IMO unless they are in debt up to their eyeballs to have all of that stuff. The median income in the US is what?

In 2007, the median annual household income rose 1.3% to $50,233.00 according to the Census Bureau. household income - wiki

You can't have a decent home and $100 k plus worth of toys on $50k and not be in over your head.

So, the last part of the video is erroneous. We do have it pretty good...the ability to assume debt has allowed people to live far beyond their means.
txmxer
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3/17/2009 7:49am
Scotty wrote:
So you bought your house with cash??? And your car/truck with cash? Thats how America works.. CREDIT! You're being a little bit of a hypocrite here...
So you bought your house with cash??? And your car/truck with cash? Thats how America works.. CREDIT! You're being a little bit of a hypocrite here. The point of the Stossel's story was, the so called "middle class" is living larger than ever. The salaries have jumped from $30k to almost $80k, yet the media and our PRESIDENT says the middle class is disappearing? The so called middle class would have been considered "wealthy" just 15-20 years ago.
they are living beyond their means.
3/17/2009 11:41am Edited Date/Time 3/17/2009 11:42am
Scotty wrote:
So you bought your house with cash??? And your car/truck with cash? Thats how America works.. CREDIT! You're being a little bit of a hypocrite here...
So you bought your house with cash??? And your car/truck with cash? Thats how America works.. CREDIT! You're being a little bit of a hypocrite here. The point of the Stossel's story was, the so called "middle class" is living larger than ever. The salaries have jumped from $30k to almost $80k, yet the media and our PRESIDENT says the middle class is disappearing? The so called middle class would have been considered "wealthy" just 15-20 years ago.
The middle class could be considered "wealthy" because of dual incomes. Trying to make it nowadays with a single income puts most people in the poor catagory.
Farva
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3/17/2009 11:46am
flarider wrote:
Did the stereo store receive federal bailouts totaling tens of BILLIONS of dollars using taxpayer money?

If he had a contract tough shit.
Dogger
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3/17/2009 12:13pm
Scotty wrote:
So you bought your house with cash??? And your car/truck with cash? Thats how America works.. CREDIT! You're being a little bit of a hypocrite here...
So you bought your house with cash??? And your car/truck with cash? Thats how America works.. CREDIT! You're being a little bit of a hypocrite here. The point of the Stossel's story was, the so called "middle class" is living larger than ever. The salaries have jumped from $30k to almost $80k, yet the media and our PRESIDENT says the middle class is disappearing? The so called middle class would have been considered "wealthy" just 15-20 years ago.
The middle class could be considered "wealthy" because of dual incomes. Trying to make it nowadays with a single income puts most people in the poor...
The middle class could be considered "wealthy" because of dual incomes. Trying to make it nowadays with a single income puts most people in the poor catagory.
That's a good point that needs to be factored into the equation. Years ago, the middle class was a single income household.

That just goes to show, we as the middle class, have gone backwards in income without factoring in debt.
Scotty
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3/17/2009 12:19pm
Scotty wrote:
So you bought your house with cash??? And your car/truck with cash? Thats how America works.. CREDIT! You're being a little bit of a hypocrite here...
So you bought your house with cash??? And your car/truck with cash? Thats how America works.. CREDIT! You're being a little bit of a hypocrite here. The point of the Stossel's story was, the so called "middle class" is living larger than ever. The salaries have jumped from $30k to almost $80k, yet the media and our PRESIDENT says the middle class is disappearing? The so called middle class would have been considered "wealthy" just 15-20 years ago.
The middle class could be considered "wealthy" because of dual incomes. Trying to make it nowadays with a single income puts most people in the poor...
The middle class could be considered "wealthy" because of dual incomes. Trying to make it nowadays with a single income puts most people in the poor catagory.
Dude we don't live in the 60's anymore. Most families since the 70's have had both parents working. My Dad told me during the 70's If you made $10 bucks per hour you were doing pretty good. And single incomes are debatable. A single income could be anywhere from $7.50 per hour to $100k per year. And still be considered middle class.
Scotty
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3/17/2009 12:20pm
Scotty wrote:
So you bought your house with cash??? And your car/truck with cash? Thats how America works.. CREDIT! You're being a little bit of a hypocrite here...
So you bought your house with cash??? And your car/truck with cash? Thats how America works.. CREDIT! You're being a little bit of a hypocrite here. The point of the Stossel's story was, the so called "middle class" is living larger than ever. The salaries have jumped from $30k to almost $80k, yet the media and our PRESIDENT says the middle class is disappearing? The so called middle class would have been considered "wealthy" just 15-20 years ago.
txmxer wrote:
they are living beyond their means.
Sorry but I disagree. Buying a few quads on credit it not living beyond your means.
Farva
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3/17/2009 12:24pm
flarider wrote:
Well, we had to bailout brainbasket's son-in-law at AIG with a fat bonus, but he says that's OK
Are you going to the Flarider of old and just repeat the same thing over and over in every thread regardless of the relevance?
Dogger
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3/17/2009 12:27pm
Scotty wrote:
Dude we don't live in the 60's anymore. Most families since the 70's have had both parents working. My Dad told me during the 70's If...
Dude we don't live in the 60's anymore. Most families since the 70's have had both parents working. My Dad told me during the 70's If you made $10 bucks per hour you were doing pretty good. And single incomes are debatable. A single income could be anywhere from $7.50 per hour to $100k per year. And still be considered middle class.
everyone considers themselves "middle class" these days.....Laughing

It's become too broad of a range.
txmxer
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3/17/2009 1:22pm
Scotty wrote:
So you bought your house with cash??? And your car/truck with cash? Thats how America works.. CREDIT! You're being a little bit of a hypocrite here...
So you bought your house with cash??? And your car/truck with cash? Thats how America works.. CREDIT! You're being a little bit of a hypocrite here. The point of the Stossel's story was, the so called "middle class" is living larger than ever. The salaries have jumped from $30k to almost $80k, yet the media and our PRESIDENT says the middle class is disappearing? The so called middle class would have been considered "wealthy" just 15-20 years ago.
txmxer wrote:
they are living beyond their means.
Scotty wrote:
Sorry but I disagree. Buying a few quads on credit it not living beyond your means.
50k of quads is what he said. I can't afford that and I make a pretty good living with minimal debt.

Let's see what the income would probably look like just to get by:

Monthly payments

1000 1 weekend/month
1042 monthly payment on bikes 50k/48 months, no interest
1500 home lone
1000 2 vehicle, monthly payment
1500 5 people X $10/day
200 clothes
350 gas
200 Auto Insurance
500 Utilities
500 Misc
____________________________
7792 Net monthly expenses
1.25 taxes
___________________________
9740 Gross monthly pay
12 months
____________________________
116875 1 year gross income

That's much higher than the median household income of 50k. That may not be beyond those folks means, but it certainly is not representative of the norm.



3/17/2009 1:39pm
txmxer wrote:
50k of quads is what he said. I can't afford that and I make a pretty good living with minimal debt. Let's see what the income...
50k of quads is what he said. I can't afford that and I make a pretty good living with minimal debt.

Let's see what the income would probably look like just to get by:

Monthly payments

1000 1 weekend/month
1042 monthly payment on bikes 50k/48 months, no interest
1500 home lone
1000 2 vehicle, monthly payment
1500 5 people X $10/day
200 clothes
350 gas
200 Auto Insurance
500 Utilities
500 Misc
____________________________
7792 Net monthly expenses
1.25 taxes
___________________________
9740 Gross monthly pay
12 months
____________________________
116875 1 year gross income

That's much higher than the median household income of 50k. That may not be beyond those folks means, but it certainly is not representative of the norm.



Hope they don't have any daycare expenses on top of that.

you could write a list just as long for 3 kids in school nowadays.


Racer92
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3/17/2009 1:54pm
Hope they don't have any daycare expenses on top of that.

you could write a list just as long for 3 kids in school nowadays.


Try putting a kid thru a major university.......... Blink
Scotty
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3/17/2009 2:11pm
txmxer wrote:
50k of quads is what he said. I can't afford that and I make a pretty good living with minimal debt. Let's see what the income...
50k of quads is what he said. I can't afford that and I make a pretty good living with minimal debt.

Let's see what the income would probably look like just to get by:

Monthly payments

1000 1 weekend/month
1042 monthly payment on bikes 50k/48 months, no interest
1500 home lone
1000 2 vehicle, monthly payment
1500 5 people X $10/day
200 clothes
350 gas
200 Auto Insurance
500 Utilities
500 Misc
____________________________
7792 Net monthly expenses
1.25 taxes
___________________________
9740 Gross monthly pay
12 months
____________________________
116875 1 year gross income

That's much higher than the median household income of 50k. That may not be beyond those folks means, but it certainly is not representative of the norm.



Hope they don't have any daycare expenses on top of that.

you could write a list just as long for 3 kids in school nowadays.


You guys are killing me. Do you think if the dude can spend a grand to go to the desert for the weekend, he can't afford daycare? Or his three kids? Blink
tcannon521
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Fantasy
1807th
3/17/2009 2:15pm
Didn't he say he was self employed?

That isn't a lot of money for someone owning their own business which is succesful.

What did it say the average household income was 60 or 70k?

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