K.C.

Why don't you ask JFM the same question? You seem to be 'fair and balanced'.

ouch

Jon A,

I meant to reply to you sooner, but I had bigger fish to fry. But I need to address this with you because I felt very disrespected and insulted, and that you were off base and out of line:

I do not disagree with what you are saying, it IS everyone's choice what they do. But you somehow fail to see that some people have far more choices than others, and that some have far less choices than others. I think you may be a prime example of this statement: Privilege is invisible to those by whom it is enjoyed.

I think we can do better for those less privileged, less fortunate than we, and less fortunate than I. It is not ME that I am worried about, I am doing very well, really!

Many people never get the chance to go to college. Many people never get that choice to make. Many people have to choose between buying milk and bread, and saving in a 401k or an IRA, never mind the finer things. I know, because I have been there. I am not there now, because I worked hard, and sacrificed, and struggled to rise above, and I have definitely succeeded.

My wife and I have been married for 23 years, have 3 great kids, make just shy of six figures, we have a nice house, 2 decent vehicles, and live comfortably. None of my ideology is designed to benefit me personally. I am where I am in my life, I got myself here, I don't need, want, or ask for anything more, from anyone.


I never said it was anyone elses fault, nor have I blamed anyone for the choices I made, nor have I complained about my own lot, or my own financial position. I readily accept personal responsibility and accountability for my choices. I have never regretted my choices. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT ME! I am talking about the 70% of those in this country who do not have it as good as I do, who have not had the choices and opportunities I have had, who do not live as well as I do, or you do. I am not asking for anything for myself from Kerry or Bush, nor do I expect to get anything from Kerry or Bush.

And I am NOT talking about having money to invest! Christ, you really ARE out of touch with that lower 70%! Do you think that is their biggest problem? Not having money to INVEST? I am talking about SHELTER, FOOD, CLOTHING, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION..... money to invest? Money to invest is a LUXURY by comparison to what I am advocating for those 70% of our peers. I'm talking about money to LIVE!! Have you ever heard of the HIERARCHY OF NEEDS? Money to invest is WAY down on that list of priorities. People like you have had it too easy, and too good, for too long! You have NO CLUE what other people in this country go through while you and I worry about MONEY TO INVEST!!! Holy Smokes!!!! It's worse than I thought!!!

I have not asked for, nor do I want, or need, anyone's sympathy,nor have I blamed anyone for anything. BTW, while I am out hurt I am collecting my full pay, plus it is tax exempt money, (I take home more on comp than I do when I'm working!) so that is not a factor in my views, and I again, clearly don't need anyone to feel sorry for me. So save your sympathy for someone who needs and deserves it. My being out is temporary, I should be back by the end of the month, and it has no impact on the ideas I espouse. You are way off base.

I don't want nor expect you or anyone else to feel bad for the decisions I made, AND I DON'T REGRET THEM, EITHER! This was NEVER about ME! But JFM, and you, and others MADE IT SO! I am NOT talking about ME, I am talking about the 70% of this country that does not have it as good as me, or you, or others on the board.

Since I have raised and supported a family for the past 23 years, I really don't want or need any financial advice from you, but thank you just the same. I know very well what I have to do, and how I have to do it, and BTW as a State employee, I certainly don't need to get a new or different job. Where would you come up with something like that, and do you realize how condescending, insulting, and disrespectful that comes across?

I have an EXCELLANT job, I am highly paid, I have great benies, including health, dental, and group life, very generous sick, vacation, and holiday benefits, and a very lucrative 20 year retirement benefit, as well as a very lucrative, voluntary, tax deferred compensation savings plan.

Who do you think you are to presume or pretend that you know thing one about me or my financial situation and that you are qualified to give me personal advice? Nothing I have expressed on this thread has anything to do with me complaining about my own situation or looking to benefit myself at all.

I AM ONLY INTERESTED IN WHAT IS BEST FOR THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE, AND SPECIFICALLY WHAT IS BEST FOR THE MAJORITY OF OUR FELLOW AMERICANS, INSTEAD OF WHAT IS BEST FOR THE FEW AND THE VERY WEALTHY.

I apologize for coming on a little strong, but I really needed to address this with you, because I felt very disrespected and very insulted by what you posted. You don't know me well enough, or anything about my financial situation, to be qualified to make those remarks, and you were out of line.

I have heard very good things about you from Spunfisher, and I'd like to meet and fish with you. I hope we can put this behind us and perhaps get together in person and shake hands and go fishing.

Sincerely,

Jim