Author |
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 9:59 am
I love Gottschalks and I am so sad they are going to be gone from our mall. Our mall is sad enough without the big retailers. Gottschalks was the only reason I went to our jacked up, badly laid out, weird store mall.
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Chewpito
Member
01-04-2004
| Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 10:10 am
I agree Escapee, It sucks...I sorta feel like crying... My daughter works for the channel dept, and they are considered venders, so they only have 2 weeks and they are pulling out...the rest of the store will prob close around the end of june/july as soon as they can clearance out as much as they can. The gal that works with my Daughter is a single mom with two children and she just cryed..alot of folks did...there are no jobs here... I just dont know where all of these folks are going to go...
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 10:15 am
Does she work in YC or in Chico? There are some display tables and home stuff I would love to get my hands on in the YC store.
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 10:33 am
War the school also has to provide insurance, and pay for coaches, teachers, stuff like that. It does suck.
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Chewpito
Member
01-04-2004
| Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 10:50 am
Chico store.... employees always got a 30% discount, That was nice, but that ends thursday.... and watch out for those clearance sales, cause the liquidaters (sp) will come in a jack up all the prices and than say they are on sale.... so messed up...
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Texasdeb
Member
05-23-2003
| Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 4:58 pm
Everytime my Co. makes a major decision to change our operating system they send the folks in my position to Boston for a wk or so of deep drill it in training & it works pretty good. We come back to our locations & become the trainer to any/every one the changes effect. Well, they've made a major change & because travel has been frozen since Jan., we begin this intense training next wk at our own offices via "SameTime". The training will be 2 hrs in the morning & 2 hrs in the afternoon each day. I don't know about other locations, but I'm pretty sure I'll be expected to do all of my other work as well. I'm already working over 50 hrs/wk & am not keeping up as well as I would like to. The work load steadily increases, the hrs continue to become more, pay increases have been frozen as well as any bonuses, and EVERYTHING costs more. And, what's the deal with taxing & taxing & taxing again one of my only vices - cigarettes! Most folks at work don't even realize that I smoke. I, however enjoy my cigs with a couple of bacardi/dt cokes after a long, full day at the office. As of tomorrow, my cigs will be costing $75/carton (don't know the price of a pk because I always buy them by the carton & keep them in the fridge to save a little money). I understand the whole health issue. I was told just a wk ago by my Dr. that I am very healthy & that's all I need to know. Gvmt. is taxing tobacco to pay for Medical care for those who do not have insurance. I say, get off your butt - get a job that has benifits or at least go make a living so you can get your own insurance. I'm tired of picking up the slack!
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Happymom
Member
01-20-2003
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 9:43 am
I paid 18 cents more per gal. for gas the other day. I can't believe it went up 18 cents in a wk. or less. bummer. War, everything in our school district for all schools is on the chopping block...class size reduction, all sports, even one of the middle schools...everything. (and we closed 2 elem. schools last summer) But none of it is set in stone until we see what the feds and Sacramento will do. Lots of teachers and one of the principals got pink slips. Hopefully most of them will actually still be able to work next year, but some won't. CA public education is in a very sad state. I hate that because I wish politicians would realize that education is our future. I have hope for Obama though and stuff does fall from the top down. There's nothing to lose by hoping.
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Beekindpleez
Member
07-18-2006
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 9:49 am
Wow, Texasdeb. I bought a couple of cartons yesterday because of the increase in taxes today. They were just over $50...but $75??!!! WOW! As I understand it, the feds raised that tax from 39cents to $1.01. It's for "Children's health care" apparently. Then, top that off with California's new sales tax increase. It will be interesting to see how much they are the next time I buy them.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 2:06 pm
I say, get off your butt - get a job that has benefits or at least go make a living so you can get your own insurance. I'm tired of picking up the slack! Let's just say I find that VEEEEERY OFFENSIVE at this point. Seeing as my dh's position is being eliminated at the end of his workday Friday. Our future does not look very bright.
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Chewpito
Member
01-04-2004
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 2:37 pm
Thankyou Julieboo, I was trying to think of a way to express my feeling since yesterday but just didnt want to get into it.... Your damned if you do and damned if you dont... I worked for 34 yrs and had a really bad work injury...not my fault, the company's. Well now I am in pain constently, and I know I am not the only one here.. I have found a part time job that I can do from home but it isnt even near what I used to make, what my medical used to be...that is just a dream now... As I said up thread, here in my town we have lost more than 7 major companys in just the last 9 months, really good people that have been working hard and paying their dues are now in a cituation just like you Julie... they are looking for work where there are NO jobs.... there just isnt work here, people are in a panic, and thier whole life has been turned upside down..... I cry for them....It really sucks!! A couple pennys from my taxes or the next guys...Come on, Really....!! I never thought that my life would change like it did in my late 40's and now Im going on 53 and it has....It hurts to sit,stand,bend....sleep...things can change in a snap....it did to me. Julie, when I first lost my insurance after my injury I paid for cobra, for the allowed amount of time...(6 months I think)...it was a huge amount, If I had to do it all again I would have just put that money aside each month in a special file for medical... (work comp was taking care of my injury needs) I hardly got sick and really thru alot of cash away...cause I didnt use even near what I paid into cobra... If I would have thought harder at the time, (but I was in a panic like you) I would have had the money (put aside) ready if I needed it, but only if and when...the cobra was a huge waste for me....My daughter was grown up though so I dont know what your health issues are or your children...but I would give great thought befor you do any thing..figure out what you think you will need for medical and compare the prices.... good luck.. When I got hurt I fell into a huge depression and seriously did not even want to live, my life changed so much....I now find I am doing alright and have learned to do with much less and its not so bad...but shit happens and when it does, its not easy... I dont mind helping anyone...and actually it feels pretty good when I do....
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 3:08 pm
I can totally understand potentially falling into a depression, chewie. I mean I *thought* I paid my dues. I went into debt to go to college. Worked my ass of afterwards (I worked about three jobs at once during my 20's). Soon the student loans were paid off and I was making more money as I slowly climbed the corporate ladder. Then I met my dh. Got married, had a baby. My priorities changed a bit. I went to a 32 hr. work week, still got FT benefits. My dh was also paying student loans back and slowly working his way up. In 2000, he got recruited to a new job. Well, then shortly after 9-11, that company folded. He worked his ass off at that point. (He had a ton of crap jobs; he worked at Chili's as a server, at Blockbuster, also at a newspaper, the super late shift, getting the pages ready for the early morning print. He also was an umpire in the spring and summer months. Also covered HS sports for the local paper. Back then I was working so we had insurance. Finally he got a "real" position and gave up almost all his side jobs. FF to recently. I was making some side $$ freelance graphic art jobs from home and he had a "real" job. WE weren't rolling in dough or anything, but were doing alright. Fertility treatments and adoption put us in the hole. Likely spent over 50K for that. At least Abby is worth it, but it would have been nice to not have to spend so much for a family. Anyways, I am getting way off target here. There are times when I feel very discouraged. And the hard part has not even started yet as my dh still has his job. FOR 2 MORE DAYS. Next week is when it is going to hit hard. Sometimes I wish I could give up. Then I get mad that I can't because I cannot do that to Ryan or Abby or Chris. CHris is going to need my positive attitude more than ever now. (He is always the pessimist and I am the optimist.) But now I feel like I have had enough. I would like to run off. But again, I know I can't. Ryan, Abby and Chris deserve better than that. Just feels like there is always something going on. Some damn gray cloud over our heads that we can never outrun. First it was Chris losing that first job. Then it was infertility and unsuccessful treatments. Then we did get Abby!!! But that was not without its' own set of challenges (money being the main thing.) And now Chris losing another job. It stinks. And now we may have to face some very harsh realities and do some very drastic things. (Like choosing to pay our mortgage over health insurance...) Or going into foreclosure and moving away from all the friends Ryan has...
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 3:29 pm
Yes, thank you Julieboo for your post. I also couldn't figure out a way to say what you said. I live in what is known as a bedroom community. Everyone works in Buffalo or Rochester. We have no industry here. Plenty of fast food places, gas stations, and banks. That's it for employment opportunities.
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Keldogg
Member
08-12-2005
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 3:45 pm
Even if you can get health insurance, you may run into problems getting good care. The health care field is being hit hard, too. I work for an HMO, providing case management for high risk patients. Because so many people have been laid off from their companies, and lost their health insurace, our membership has had a steep decline. In 3 weeks, my department will be going from 5 employees to 1.
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 3:56 pm
I hope your job is secure Keldogg! It's such an awful domino effect what is happening everywhere. I never even thought about the HMO's etc being affected, too!
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Beekindpleez
Member
07-18-2006
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 4:17 pm
Perhaps Texasdeb had just read this story, since she's from Texas, and that's where she was coming from or something. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090401/ap_on_re_us/frequent_er_patients When that kind of tax payer money is spent, it is difficult to justify. But it's happening all the time. Just sayin'. That's all. I hate to see folks get so upset.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 4:48 pm
The story did not prove that those 9 people did not need the help they got. They likely should have been sent on to a mental health facility. (They said 7 of the 9 had mental issues.) But I would never resent someone who needed medical help. I would hold the hospital responsible, but I would not have them turn anyone away.
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Karuuna
Board Administrator
08-31-2000
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 5:00 pm
Seven of them had mental health problems. Are we now expecting people with mental health problems to get jobs, and jobs with health care benefits? That's not even close to being realistic. And then those health care benefits don't cover much in the way of mental health care. They are in a no win situation. Trying to cope with a world that is often incomprehensible to them, and not getting the help they really need. That's why a national health *insurance* plan is so critical. They could get health insurance, and I pray mental health care they really need.
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 5:02 pm
I don't know about other locations, but I'm pretty sure I'll be expected to do all of my other work as well. I'm already working over 50 hrs/wk & am not keeping up as well as I would like to. Been there, done that. It's hard to balance getting the job done the way you like it done, and having a life. I at least wasn't salary so got compensated for anything over 40 hours. But I will tell you, if you continue doing the job for the same or less pay, they continue to add stuff to your job and you still continue to do the job, they are going to keep cutting people until you finally break. Only then will they realize they can't push people so hard. I know it's probably not in your nature, but you have to STOP picking up the slack. If your boss doesn't like it, give him a to do list, have him prioritize it, then do what you can do. Otherwise they will push you until you drop or go crazy, or both. Then where will you be? I doubt they will fire you, but if they do, I guess you can "sit on your butt and draw benefits" too.
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 6:06 pm
I understand what she means though. Why should smokers have to foot the bill for all that? Why not make it an across the board tax? I dont think she is upset paying taxes to help others she just feels that smokers are always punished. I dont even think alcohol taxes are as steep as cig taxes.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 6:10 pm
If that is what she meant, that is not what she said. (by the way, Foot the bill for all "what??") She said: I say, get off your butt - get a job that has benefits or at least go make a living so you can get your own insurance. I'm tired of picking up the slack! That does not say anything about cigarette smokers having to pay more. To me it was a jab at ANYONE who does not have their own insurance. And do we know that the cigarette tax money goes towards the un or under-insured? (Maybe it does, I don't know. But I thought it went to schools.)
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 6:16 pm
I have no idea if this is legit or not. Tax Facts - Where Does The Money Go? Cigarette taxes and settlement agreement funds are supposed to fund youth smoking prevention programs and other tobacco-related public health programs, but that's not always where the money really goes. Instead, more and more of your taxes are used to fund causes and projects unrelated to tobacco control. Here are just a few of the projects funded by your MSA dollars: Dump trucks, golf carts and a course irrigation system, and a new county jail in New York Broadband-cable networks in Virginia Psychiatric care for prisoners in New Jersey Boot camps for juvenile delinquents, alternative schools, and metal detectors and surveillance cameras for schools in Alabama Upgrading public television stations with DVD technology in Nevada Harbor renovation and museum expansion in Alaska Water and sewer improvements in South Carolina Pasture and weather monitoring for a thoroughbred association in Kentucky College scholarships in Michigan New schools in Alaska and Ohio City parks and the purchase of undeveloped land in California A senior citizen prescription-drug program and property-tax rebates in Illinois Medicaid dental services in Maine Water Resources Trust Fund and flood-control projects in North Dakota Operating expenses for the Carolina Horse Park, truck-driver training, pine-straw farming research and equipment upgrades at a knitting plant in North Carolina A People's Trust Fund, which will generate interest income that can be spent at the legislature's discretion, in South Dakota Help in balancing the budget, which used four years of MSA money, in Tennessee Rural economic development in Georgia Tax rebates in several states Offsetting a revenue shortfall in Wisconsin by selling municipal bonds backed by future MSA payments The source is: http://www.nocigtax.com/tax-facts/where-does-the-money-go
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Babyruth
Member
07-19-2001
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 6:24 pm
One reason cigarettes are heavily taxed is because the rest of us taxpayers always have to "pick up the slack" ($$ for EMS for smoking related heart attacks, Fire Dept for smoking related fires, ER for children's asthma treatments from second hand smoke, etc etc etc) while smokers make themselves and others ill.
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Keldogg
Member
08-12-2005
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 6:29 pm
You can use that same logic for many other things, which don't carry the same heavy taxload as cigarettes.
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Watching2
Member
07-07-2001
| Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 9:10 pm
Huk - Unfortunately, the work opportunities in Rochester and I would guess Buffalo as well, are bleak. It used to be once you got a job at Kodak, you were set for life. Well, that's long gone. They've knocked down so many buildings and sold others that it's only a fraction of what it was when I started there in the mid 70s. Xerox is not much better. There's so many empty stores at the mall, it's pathetic. My DS just got a job in a kitchen at a nursing home. He's not even sure how many hours he'll be getting, but he's just thankful to finally have a job. My younger DD and her DH both have good jobs, so thank God for that. My oldest DD has a BA in biology and she puts in application after application, registered with temp agencies, and rarely gets any calls. Many who do call you in for an interview, don't even call back even when they say they will. She's 28 yrs old and looking to go back to school to get a tech degree to open her possibilities. She never would have thought to be living w/her parents at her age and we didn't expect it either. When she lost her health insurance and ended up in the hosp., one ED visit was 20k! It was not easy to get on any health care assistance for those who think it is. They kept telling her she was all set and she wasn't and before long there was over 35K in bills. It finally took a letter to our State Senator to get help after 6 mo. Plus, they're always looking to take away services, make you pay, anything they can to reduce the cost. If my DD had her choice, she would be a hard-working person paying her own way. Never in our lives did we think anyone in our family would need assistance. We've always paid our own way. A lay off turns your world upside down and I just hope for all of you looking, it's better for you.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-30-2004
| Thursday, April 02, 2009 - 2:19 am
Babyruth ~ One reason cigarettes are heavily taxed is because the rest of us taxpayers always have to "pick up the slack" ($$ for EMS for smoking related heart attacks, Fire Dept for smoking related fires, ER for children's asthma treatments from second hand smoke, etc etc etc) while smokers make themselves and others ill. Umm, I know that you have NEVER picked up slack for my healthcare. Not sure why there seems a standard belief that smokers never carry health insurance? Just like there seems to be a belief that ONLY smokers produce children (who must also not be insured as well). Personally, I was paying $750/mo out of my retirement funds to pay for my own health insurance until forced to go the HMO route last year. So, no, you have not covered all the ills that I must have unknowingly caused. Here in my state of WA it's been going on for years. Anything, the rest of the population didn't wish to pay for they lobbed on the backs of the "Sin" taxes, mainly cigarettes. When the voters didn't want to pay a measly 5cents additional tax on fancy coffee Lattes to pay for poor children to have health insurance, of COURSE they decided it was the smokers' responsibility to pay up. All those wonderful tobacco lawsuit settlements (my state was the first to go after it, and our Attn Genl made that her case when she ran for Gov. & won)? Well, those funds got absorbed into the General Fund, never to be seen again. Probably cheaper for the state to start helping to buy birth control or vasectomies for poor people, but that's never going to happen here. At least it might reduce the numbers of kids that I'm responsible to cover.
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