And the NPV of all future cash flows is still like negative $80 trillion.
Reading comments on Farsebook I feel like the average Joe is such a naive fool. Am I an elitist bastard? They all yap about republicans and democrats, and veterans, and fairness, and morality, and bla bla. Look people, there’s no money left, it’s a problem. And it’s not going away.
This is just my theory, but I would say that there is such a large percentage from CA and TX for a few reasons:
They account for 20% of the population anyway
Really patriotic folks join the military (explains TX)
People with no other options join the military (explains CA)
^Yeah. Around here, it’s considered a “badge of honor” to serve in the military.
In the northeast, I think it’s probably seen as failure.
And yes, the military is a really good alternative for somebody without any real ambition or intellect. If you’re content to follow stupid orders all day long from stupid people, and you just want to retreat to your house and play video games all night with your friends, then the military is really a great option. (This describes the vast majority of the people I know in the military. Enlisted, of course.)
There’s more options in Texas than Cali?
^ 4.7MM Californians live in poverty, as compared to 3.6MM Texans. The military provides a way out.
Most people in the Northeast respect military service, even if those who didn’t serve are pretty happy that they didn’t have to do it.
There are definitely plenty of peaceniks here (and on the West Coast) that think anyone who goes that route has sold their soul to the devil. These are mostly college students, and they tend to be louder than most, but that doesn’t mean that the rest of of us think that way.
^I don’t think it’s so much about peace-loving hippies. It’s more that (in my very limited experience), the military is just seen as something that the dredges of society do. It’s right on par with “burger-flipping” and “ditch-digging”.
Not smart enough to go to college? Enlist!
Don’t have any skills for apprenticeship? Enlist!
Can’t get an job? Enlist!
Can’t keep a job? Enlist!
In trouble with the law? Enlist!
Jim Rogers stated in “Investment biker” that the States and Canada would split up in many different countries within the next century.
Sure, people think that a lot of military types, particularly the enlisted, go into the military because they don’t have a lot of options. However, those who went to ROTC were clearly smart enough (though perhaps not rich enough) to go to college. And those who went to the service academies clearly had to fight tooth and nail to get in, so the academies clearly aren’t for losers.
Even for the enlisted folk, perhaps they had few options when they went in, but you can still have respect for what they did while they were enlisted, and what they’ve done with themselves when they come out. People like the story of the underdog who worked hard at something and found a way to come out with some skills and make it in this world.
I suspect you think people look down on your marines experience far more often than they do. I think it’s true most people would not want to have made that choice (to enlist), and that - more often than not - makes them respect you all the more for having done it and made it through.
I, for one, respect you for it. So there’s at least one guy in the Northeast who does. I’m pretty sure CvM does too. That’s two.
Like most other people, people who join the military do so because it is the best option for them. This does not mean that joining the military always leads to an inferior career. Half of Americans earn less than $50k per year. Only slightly more than 20% of US adults have college degrees. The military provides training, education, free room and board, and a lifetime of veteran benefits. When considering the sum of benefits awarded to military people, it is hard to argue that enlisting is only suitable for the lowest tier of society.
In addition, some military programs are worthwhile for even the most talented people in society. For instance, one of my college friends enlisted in the air force, as they offered to pay for his medical school tuition in return for a few years of service.
With that being said, my personal opinion is that people in non military jobs deserve just as much respect as people who join the military. “Thank you for serving the country” should also be said to plumbers, doctors, teachers, bankers, or anyone else who makes a meaningful contribution to society.
Yes, but military types put their bodies and lives at risk in a way that most other professions don’t. True, teachers die in accidents, and occasionally a student will shoot up a school, but those are not yet things that are considered “an expected part of the job.” I think that aspect deserves an extra dose of respect, particularly if they’ve served in a combat zone.
Thanks, BChad. That really means a lot. (I’m being serious about that, too.)
I agree with all three above. In fact, I would consider service academies to be more elite than the AF top 2. (But they don’t grant MBA’s, so hacksaw.)
I admit freely that the main reason I joined the military was: 1.) no skills and no job opportunities; 2.) was tired of school and didn’t know what I wanted to do, and 3.) running out of money. (In other words–no good options.) And in my experience, the vast majority of the people who join the military are in the same boat I was.
But I disagree with “what they’ve done with themselves when they come out.” Good, bad, or indifferent, the vast majority of military enlisted leave the military four years older, burdened with debt and/or families, and no more education than what they went in with. They become dependent on the government paycheck (which they DO earn), but is very generous compared to the civilian world. (Yes–I’m saying that military folk are overpaid.)
And I don’t necessarily fault the troops for this, but I do fault the system. You’re not supposed to think in the military–you’re supposed to follow orders. That means that whatever brains people have when they go in usually die from atrophy. (Mine was no different. I scored in the 99th percentile of my HS graduation exams and in the 50th percentile on the GMAT.)
^ bchad nailed it. Thank you for your service Greenie.
How bout this gubmint shutdown. I’m getting fking fed up hearing about evil republicans delaying the infallible obamacare. Poor kids are dying in the street who have no health care.
Can someone please briefly explain what’s going on with this shutdown. We in my company are all a little bit tired and worried as the shutdown of some gov. agencies affects some parts of our business.
What are the prospects? When the gov agencies will get back to work as usual?
^ The Master of No Fap Returns!
^^As soon as the Democrats and Republicans can hold hands and sing Kum-Bah-Yah together.
Don’t hold your breath.
It’s hard to say when this will end. The last government shut down, during the Clinton Presidency, lasted for 27 days. Today is only the fourth day of the current shut down.
However, if I had to guess, I would say a deal will be brokered right before the US hits its debt ceiling on October 17. Failure to keep “non-essential” government services running is bad enough. A potential default of US debt would be catastrophic, not only to the US economy, but to the world. It is almost inconceivable that Congress will not pass a bill to fund the US government. A restoration of government services could very well be tied to that bill.
^^ the first guy reminds me of James Stewart. His speech was very funny as if I was watching a movie. Is seems even politics in the US is a Hollywood show.
Especially comic is this old woman on the left. WTF is she doing there haha
Your fight with Rocky has been indefinitely postponed due to lack of funding. Please visit the applicable government website for more information. (This website has been taken down do to lack of funding.)