|
|
IMO
Nov 17, 2018 16:39:25 GMT -5
Post by Tru (NAPA CA) on Nov 17, 2018 16:39:25 GMT -5
This will be a miscellaneous thread, not political, tho politics might enter a discussion. I hope everyone can open a topic that they are interested in and others will be respectful in their responses if any. A topic can be changed at any time. Everyone has an opinion and they are entitled to have it without name calling or labeling by responders.
Topics could be anything from the environment to price of gas , health coverage, or are companies violating the monopoly law , drivers texting, unions, full time jobs vs part time, infrastructure, DMV lines, prices or whatever you have an opinion on that you wish to express.
So l will start it off with my experience with Medicare as to the proposed Universal Health care.
Medicare has already the set up to administer any universal health care options for everyone, of course it would have to expand to cover everyone. I don't know if everyone is aware that Medicare does not pay for everything. I am on it and I pay $280 a month. Now that might be offset by age. I am 88 so whatever l get will cost more than a person in their 40's. l pay one of the highest, just because l do not want to have to pay at the dr office. My thinking is what if l get sick and don't have any money to go to DR? I do not want a co-pay , nor do l want to receive bills.
I understand Doctors don't like it because it doesn't pay what is billed, it pays what is reasonable. lMO. Any opinions on this or any other subject?
|
|
|
|
IMO
Nov 18, 2018 10:15:56 GMT -5
Post by Tru (NAPA CA) on Nov 18, 2018 10:15:56 GMT -5
Pot holes. Sure there are bigger issues with our infrastructure. like bridges and overpasses that need to be replaced or made earthquake proof (is that even possible?) but the roads are wearing out. IMO due to all the big ole heavy truck use. Since we stopped using trains to deliver our goods to us, and switched to trucks, our roads have been devastated. Not exactly the word l want but it is early in the morning and l have only had one cup of coffee.
Hiways weren't made to hold the weight of all those heavy 18 wheelers. I am not sure they could be even. IMO trucks need to get off our roads and hiways. Period. Use planes and trains again. Fix our roads and keep them for cars. We sure have enough of them to fill up the existing hiways without adding trucks.
|
|
|
|
IMO
Nov 20, 2018 11:07:05 GMT -5
Post by Tru (NAPA CA) on Nov 20, 2018 11:07:05 GMT -5
Raking is not going to help manage our forests. Working towards slowing the climate change might though.
|
|
|
|
IMO
Nov 20, 2018 11:34:44 GMT -5
Post by gth (Columbus OH) on Nov 20, 2018 11:34:44 GMT -5
Raking is not going to help manage our forests. Working towards slowing the climate change might though.
I am on the fence as to whether "climate change" is anything more than a natural variation such as happened even in historical times. But if it is believed that climate change is man-made and potentially man-reversible, then the only real solution is advocating for the replacement of fossil fuel power generation by nuclear power. No other power source has the power density needed. And the so-called "renewables" of wind and solar are neither dense power sources, nor are they constant.
(And of course, this is all IMO). :-) |
|
|
|
IMO
Nov 21, 2018 10:24:50 GMT -5
Post by Tru (NAPA CA) on Nov 21, 2018 10:24:50 GMT -5
Finland has no forest fires because of their location on the globe. they are colder and have ice and snow a whole lot of the time covering their ground. That would help here too but Ca nights are warmer and the vegetation is drier since we are in drought still. That is my opinion. From looking back in my journals it is fairly well based.
|
|
|
|
IMO
Nov 28, 2018 11:36:02 GMT -5
Post by Tru (NAPA CA) on Nov 28, 2018 11:36:02 GMT -5
I am of the opinion that people need to have some help in getting back some of the benefits that unions had won for them. Like healthcare at least half paid by owners, and sick day leaves, and vacation time. But most of all full time positions which then would qualify one for benefits if a company offers them. All this part time stuff which cuts one out of any benefits and fluffs up the employment statistics has got to stop. IMO. People can't get 2 or 3 jobs just to meet expenses anymore. Dovetailing job hours, to be able to work 2 jobs is hard and holding out for a full time position keeps one unemployed. They are few and far between unless you have some special qualifications. The average little guy is left out again. IMO.
I am old enough to remember getting Unions started at companies, like the lumber industry in Westwood CA, and the Chevron oil refinery in Richmond CA, and the bloody battles (literally) that happened just so people would be fairly treated. I also remember when the unions were negated and torn down and continue to be bad mouthed .. so they won't get started again.
|
|
|
|
IMO
Dec 1, 2018 19:47:13 GMT -5
Post by Tru (NAPA CA) on Dec 1, 2018 19:47:13 GMT -5
The big fires in California have stranded many without homes or anything of their own. I hope to help some of them, even one of them and gave my phone number out to a lady who said she was staying at her daughter's and hope she will call. I don't have a lot that she could use, but did make up a small package and am waiting for her to call. I love helping others especially one on one. That way it is more like my neighbor l am helping. When l started looking around l was amazed at how much l had duplicates of or didn't want anymore, like 2 metal loaf pans. brand new and l prefer glass. She has no pots and pans so they may come in handy if she ever gets a place of her own again. I am not bragging because it is so little, but IMO there are lots of people who would help out , if you only met them or had some connection. I was lucky to run into her. IMO
|
|
|
|
IMO
Dec 3, 2018 12:33:08 GMT -5
Post by Tru (NAPA CA) on Dec 3, 2018 12:33:08 GMT -5
Not many people have opinions l guess. LOL
Well l do. Strong opinions and l don't mind expressing them.
I hope we do not build anymore nuclear plants and the worry of them causing all the problems every where they do exist or have existed should deter that. Chernoble, Japan's meltdown and Our own nuclear problem at 3 mile island.
Close them all and figure out the way to air and water and sun power. WE do have sustainable sun and wind and ocean waves plenty of times and plenty of places. Using one or the other to cover each and to store it should be figured out. Remember the old windmills that a lot of homes had to bring up water from the wells? There are ways around the not always having wind. Or sun.
|
|
|
|
IMO
Dec 3, 2018 15:16:21 GMT -5
Post by gth (Columbus OH) on Dec 3, 2018 15:16:21 GMT -5
Not many people have opinions l guess. LOL
Well l do. Strong opinions and l don't mind expressing them.
I hope we do not build anymore nuclear plants and the worry of them causing all the problems every where they do exist or have existed should deter that. Chernoble, Japan's meltdown and Our own nuclear problem at 3 mile island.
Close them all and figure out the way to air and water and sun power. WE do have sustainable sun and wind and ocean waves plenty of times and plenty of places. Using one or the other to cover each and to store it should be figured out. Remember the old windmills that a lot of homes had to bring up water from the wells? There are ways around the not always having wind. Or sun.
Sure, wind and solar can help some. But they won't replace fossil fuels.
I'm convinced that nuclear power plants can be designed so as to be "fail-safe" and not melt down if the cooling pumps fail, as happened at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in Japan. And from what I remember reading, Chernobyl was poorly designed and subjected to an extremely dangerous test that caused the nuclear release. (The same is probably true for other Soviet nuclear accidents which never were widely publicized in the West). Three Mile Island was more a scare than anything else. Very little radiation was released.
(BTW, I do have some opinions on labor unions, but I wasn't sure where you were going with that comment). |
|
|
|
IMO
Dec 4, 2018 11:21:39 GMT -5
Post by Tru (NAPA CA) on Dec 4, 2018 11:21:39 GMT -5
gth l respect your expressed opinions , however l also believe the waste products also would be a lasting damaging part of the nuclear plants.
If you have an opinion on Labor unions then it doesn't matter what mine is , talk about how YOU feel about them. This is not necessarily a back and forth or arguing thread , not my intent, just a personal opinion place. Bring up your own topic to opine about. I would like to hear what anyone thinks about what is on their minds.
I have added positive opinion on Universal Health care, as l recently found out that people in countries that have it , live longer. wonderful. As l was thinking about the demise of the 41st president and his age. I thought well besides good genes, he had great health care and then l looked up Universal health care. Everyone would be able to have drs and hospital at their convenience, instead of like now only the wealthy or government employees and a few good companies that provide good health care have it.
|
|
|
|
IMO
Dec 4, 2018 21:59:39 GMT -5
Post by gth (Columbus OH) on Dec 4, 2018 21:59:39 GMT -5
Tru, nuclear waste at least is concentrated in one place. And that place can be a multi-thousand year stable location like the Yucca Mountaim location in Nevada (which NIMBYs and pols have blocked for years). Waste from fossil fuels, the CO2 believed responsible for global warming, is dpspersed in the atmosphere.
Labor unions have done a lot of good in improving the lives of workers. Some still do. But many of them are for all practical purposes, not accountable to their members.
Mandatory union dues often get spend on liberal political candidates that may not reflect their member's beliefs. Worse, some unions (like the Teamsters) have been corrupt and mob ridden (as Jimmy Hoffa could tell you, were he alive to do so). And these old-line unions often make the companies their members work for, like the auto companies, noncompetitive in today's global environment.
To make unions more responsive, union dues should not be mandatory at a unionized workplace. Unions must convince work-be members that they will get valuable representation that protects their livelihood in exchange for their dues.
|
|
|
|
IMO
Dec 5, 2018 18:53:26 GMT -5
Post by Tru (NAPA CA) on Dec 5, 2018 18:53:26 GMT -5
Quoted from gth previous post that caught my attention:::To make unions more responsive, union dues should not be mandatory at a unionized workplace. Unions must convince work-be members that they will get valuable representation that protects their livelihood in exchange for their dues.
When l was a union member, the way it was was, the non union people (it wasn't mandatory) got raises and time off etc right along with the paying members. Kinda defeated the idea of joining dont'cha think? So if they now make it mandatory then l would agree if they want the benefits then pay for them just like the rest of the members .. unless they could work it so they stayed at the lower wage and never got time off or sick leave. Unless one could trust the kindness of ones employer, and history shows how that worked out.
|
|
|
|
IMO
Dec 7, 2018 9:36:07 GMT -5
Post by Tru (NAPA CA) on Dec 7, 2018 9:36:07 GMT -5
IMO buying fruit this time of year, besides green apples and maybe an orange or two, is a waste of money. Oh and persimmons. But we are spoiled by being able to have fruit flown in from southern most countries and tho it looks really good, l don't find it very ripe or tasty like our summer fruits.
|
|
|
|
IMO
Dec 7, 2018 9:56:11 GMT -5
Post by gth (Columbus OH) on Dec 7, 2018 9:56:11 GMT -5
Quoted from gth previous post that caught my attention:::To make unions more responsive, union dues should not be mandatory at a unionized workplace. Unions must convince work-be members that they will get valuable representation that protects their livelihood in exchange for their dues. When l was a union member, the way it was was, the non union people (it wasn't mandatory) got raises and time off etc right along with the paying members. Kinda defeated the idea of joining dont'cha think? So if they now make it mandatory then l would agree if they want the benefits then pay for them just like the rest of the members .. unless they could work it so they stayed at the lower wage and never got time off or sick leave. Unless one could trust the kindness of ones employer, and history shows how that worked out.
I have no problem with such non-union workers not being covered by a union contract (although in practice, the employer would be smart to treat such workers substantially the same as union workers).
The argument most unions make is that non-union workers at union workplaces are "free riders" who should pay their "fair share". That inverts who is accountable to whom. The union should be accountable to its members (and would-be members) -- not the other way around.
As you can tell, that is something of a sore point with me over unions. Fortunately as an IT professional, I work in a sufficiently competitive job market that I make a good living and am treated with respect. If a given employer causes me unreasonable problems, I can leave and go elsewhere (and I have done so). I do get that many workers are not in a competitive market and need something to level their playing field, as it were. But that "something" still needs to be accountable to them. |
|
|
|
IMO
Dec 7, 2018 12:39:57 GMT -5
Post by markjames on Dec 7, 2018 12:39:57 GMT -5
As you can tell, that is something of a sore point with me over unions. Fortunately as an IT professional, I work in a sufficiently competitive job market that I make a good living and am treated with respect. If a given employer causes me unreasonable problems, I can leave and go elsewhere (and I have done so). I do get that many workers are not in a competitive market and need something to level their playing field, as it were. But that "something" still needs to be accountable to them.
Rather than acquiring high demand, high value, marketable and portable skill sets, many of these workers look to employers, or the state and government due to their shortcomings.
I've never had the problems they've had with employment and self-employment opportunities as I acquired construction, plumbing, heating, hydronics, steam, gas/propane/oil, cooling, refrigeration, electrical, woodworking, metalworking, machinist, welding, technical, automotive, marine, hydraulics and other skills when was a teenager.
In my late teens to early 20s I acquired numerous commercial/professional licenses as well as numerous college/technical degrees and certifications.
I remember working on an automation and commercial/industrial construction/demolition project at a manufacturer when I was 19.
Many workers were losing well paying low skilled and semi-skilled jobs due to automation and/or relocation of manufacturing to Mexico.
The state offered paid training and extended unemployment benefits to many I believe they called "displaced workers" at the time, however few took advantage of paid college/technical school and other forms of paid training.
Several of the workers called me "College Boy". When they were laid off, they turned down the paid college/technical training and sacrificed the extended unemployment benefits they would have qualified for had they attended college/tech school.
Years later while they were interviewing for jobs at my distribution warehouse 2 of them said they deeply regretted not taking advantage of the paid college/technical training.
I helped both get their commercial driver's licenses. Both currently make very good money as truck drivers. |
|
