Sobering Conversation about my Kid's Future...........

[FinanceDude]

I had a long talk with a buddy of mine. His wife was recently downsized, and he himself was downsized out of the blue several years ago. After awhile, we started talking about the world our sons will face in the future. Here is his take (a little cynical for me):

Trust noone
Be emotionally ready to be let go at any time for little or no reason
Learn a trade AND go to college
Terrorism is a fact of life, get used to it.
A draft will be reinstated
No SS for our kids

This guy is pretty upbeat usually...............wonder if that's a prevailing sentiment?

[brewer12345]

Sounds about right, except for the draft.

[Zathras]

I would say 'close'

Trust no politicians that prey on fear (which is all of them right now) or talk about the past as opposed to the future.

Be emotionally ready to be let go at any time for little or no reason
Learn a trade AND go to college
Terrorism is a fact of life, get used to it AND be prepared for it while not letting it paralyze you.
A draft will be reinstated
No SS for our kids

And remember, the corporations are in charge of our country, not the people.

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinanceDude Trust noone Be emotionally ready to be let go at any time for little or no reason Learn a trade AND go to college Terrorism is a fact of life, get used to it. A draft will be reinstated No SS for our kids

This list isn't much different from the one we grew up with! How about:
1. Find someone you can trust and spend the rest of your life with.
2., 3., 4. Good advice.
5. If this happens you'll have more important problems-- WWII only bigger. There won't be a peacetime-- it'll hurt the military more than it'll hurt the draftees.
6. There should always be a safety net for the poor/disabled. Hopefully you won't need it, but you'll be paying for it one way or another.

[peggy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zathras I would say 'close' Trust no politicians that prey on fear (which is all of them right now) or talk about the past as opposed to the future. Be emotionally ready to be let go at any time for little or no reason Learn a trade AND go to college Terrorism is a fact of life, get used to it AND be prepared for it while not letting it paralyze you. A draft will be reinstated No SS for our kids And remember, the corporations are in charge of our country, not the people.

I'd say "closer."

To "Be emotionally ready to be let go at any time for little or no reason" I'd add, and be vigilant for new and better opportunities. Don't let blind loyalty to an employer hamstring you.

[brewer12345]

Quote:

Originally Posted by peggy I'd add, and be vigilant for new and better opportunities. Don't let blind loyalty to an employer hamstring you.

'Zackly. I view myself as a glorified contractor who has one client at a time.

[heyyou]

Blind loyalty to any idea will hamstring you.
I took pride in helping my customers long after I had given up on my employer.

[Khan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords This list isn't much different from the one we grew up with! How about: 1. Find someone you can trust and spend the rest of your life with. 2., 3., 4. Good advice. 5. If this happens you'll have more important problems-- WWII only bigger. There won't be a peacetime-- it'll hurt the military more than it'll hurt the draftees. 6. There should always be a safety net for the poor/disabled. Hopefully you won't need it, but you'll be paying for it one way or another.

Thought I had.

I won't try again.
--------
I think there will be some sort of pseudo draft: prisoners, illegal aliens, people with no other possibility of a job.

[soupcxan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewer12345 'Zackly. I view myself as a glorified contractor who has one client at a time.

So if you're a mercenary, does this mean you can deduct the cost of a subscription to Soldier of Fortune magazine?

[TromboneAl]

Quote:

Terrorism is a fact of life, get used to it.

True, but the chances that it will directly affect your life are almost zero.

[brewer12345]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soupcxan So if you're a mercenary, does this mean you can deduct the cost of a subscription to Soldier of Fortune magazine?

Contractor, not mercenary.

[Zoocat]

One thing bothers me about your lists. When you list "The draft will be reinstated" it seems that you assume the electorate have no say over that. More and more these days I am dismayed that people talk about the government's actions on terrorism, defense, on social security, etc., etc., as if we don't have any control. It's really not true at all! We need to become much more fierce in making our government behave the way we want it too. We outnumber the corporations and we have the votes!

[Mr._johngalt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldbabe as if we don't have any control. It's really not true at all! We need to become much more fierce and proactive in making our government behave the way we want it too. We outnumber the corporations and we have the votes!

Gosh, I wish you had not said "proactive".

You are dreaming. Besides, if it comes to a clash between
"corporations" and "the masses", I am with the corporations
every time. I understand where they are coming from.
The voters/people/masses/Joe Sixpack are all out there in looneyland.
I don't even recognize the planet they came from. You know this
is the straight "gen" as I am no longer part of the "elite" and so I can say
whatever I think (actually I always did).

JG

[youbet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr._johngalt The voters/people/masses/Joe Sixpack are all out there in looneyland.

Gee, Joe Sixpack is really out on a limb these days. Hated by the Neocons. Hated by the Liberal Elite. It's gotta be a tough life.......

[HFWR]

Yeah, but he's got a deer rifle, and knows how to use it...

[kumquat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinanceDude A draft will be reinstated

Don't worry about the draft. Worry about what they will ask order the draftees to do.

[youbet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFWR Yeah, but he's got a deer rifle, and knows how to use it...

Well, could be. Some are saying that if the disparity in wealth continues and grows, rich folks, both the politically liberal and conservative, may awake to find the masses at their gates. And maybe they will be carrying those deer rifles.

[Arc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinanceDude I had a long talk with a buddy of mine. His wife was recently downsized, and he himself was downsized out of the blue several years ago. After awhile, we started talking about the world our sons will face in the future. Here is his take (a little cynical for me): Trust noone Be emotionally ready to be let go at any time for little or no reason Learn a trade AND go to college Terrorism is a fact of life, get used to it. A draft will be reinstated No SS for our kids This guy is pretty upbeat usually...............wonder if that's a prevailing sentiment?

Kids should be taught to believe that their future is in their hands and if they accept this responsibility, they will be able to respond positively to whatever life hands them - and the unavoidable bumps in the road will not be big enough to derail them. There is simply zero value in being negative.

[Mr._johngalt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arc Kids should be taught to believe that their future is in their hands and if they accept this responsibility, they will be able to respond positively to whatever life hands them - and the unavoidable bumps in the road will not be big enough to derail them. There is simply zero value in being negative.

This is good stuff. I have trouble explaining this sometimes. I am a cynic
but not a pessimist. Big difference. I have unbounded 100% confidence in me
and what I can do. I expect most others to disappoint. So far, I am batting
close to 1.000 in this area. With regard to the negative views of FinanceDude's buddy,
he appears to be pretty depressed. It's a shame.

JG

[alphabet soup]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr._johngalt Besides, if it comes to a clash between "corporations" and "the masses", I am with the corporations every time. JG

Hot flash for john galt.:

The only difference between you and the slob sleeping in the doorway is blind luck. You're not nearly as smart and superior as you think you are. Smug and complacent, yes.

I know whereof I speak. I was once a "It's all about me" Ayn Rand objectivist until I really needed help. That's when I learned about the true value of charity and mercy, two things you know nothing about.

Maybe, one day. After all, it happened to me. I was as big an asshole as you.