Occupy Bay street | Page 28 | GTAMotorcycle.com

Occupy Bay street

frankly, i worked in factories during my younger years and i would never want to spend a lifetime doing it. i am much happier in my white collar job, thank you. the sheer numbing, psychologically-empty task of working on a line is not for everybody, imho. . .i don't know why some people think that everybody could do that job. i could do it for a summer, but not for 25 years straight.

So true, I've been there. I was between semesters in college and needed to pick up some extra scratch so I signed on to assemble bicycles at Canadian Tire. Had to work around the warehouse staff for one day. Hate to sound intellectually superior but these were some of the most low-browed hosers I had ever encountered. That was enough to motivate me when I went back to school. I did well and made a career from my education.
 
then i wish you all the best in your pursuit of one of those jobs. . .there are fewer and fewer of them every year.

No thanks. Im happy with my current industry.
 
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Never underestimate the non-wage factors in plants and jobs moving offshore. With ever increasing automation on the assembly line the labour costs are becoming less of a factor (although still a large one, so the unions are not off the hook here). With the price of fuel for shipping increasing, the shipping costs will eventually offset much of the wage differences. Shipping vs automation vs wages is one of the reasons we can still manufacture large items here (cars), but this is changing.

What is becoming an ever increasing factor is the non-wage costs. Items like environmental regulations, labour rules (human rights), and taxation are becoming bigger factors (I am sure there are others). To make the same product here in NA there are limits on the working conditions, cost of utilities, there are tighter environmental rules, and there are additional costs such as payroll taxes and "environmental" taxes.

It is not a one dimensional equation of cheap labour. To compete there has to be considerations on how to compete on all fronts. Do we impose import duties based on some sort of environmental assessment, working condition assessment of the manufacturing process in other countries? Do we bend our rules to compete at all levels?

Not suggesting answers here but we have to give our heads a shake when we start to tighten up rules here and drive up utility rates or tighten environmental regulations too far. Driving up hydro costs for manufacturing due to alternative energy might feel good but what is the long term impact? Manufacturing moves offshore looking for lower costs, they buy even dirtier energy there and create even more pollution for the planet (so are we as a planet better off?). Things like carbon taxes will also kill jobs, why pay even more silly taxes here when somewhere else you will not, will jobs moving to dirty energy and long shipping actually reduce carbon emissions, which is a planet not local issue?

Environmental issues is a big reason why things like ship breaking, computer breaking, electronics manufacturing have moved offshore. Everyday it continues to be a factor for every non-white collar job.

In short it is more than a simpleton argument about wage. If we want manufacturing jobs here we have to think about wages as well as the other cost factors. If we want the jobs here of course....
 
Swiss Banks May Pay Billions, Disclose Names

By David Voreacos, Klaus Wille and Giles Broom - Oct 24, 2011 1:25 PM PT

Enlarge image Eight Offshore Banks Under Grand Jury Investigation

Credit Suisse Group AG, the second-largest Swiss bank, has said that U.S. prosecutors said it is a target of a criminal investigation. Photographer: Charlie Bibby/Financial Times-RE/Redux
Swiss Banks Likely to Pay Billions, Reveal Names

Oct. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Swiss banks will likely settle a sweeping U.S. probe of offshore tax evasion by paying billions of dollars and handing over names of thousands of Americans who have secret accounts, according to two people familiar with the matter. Erik Schatzker reports on Bloomberg Television's "InsideTrack." (Source: Bloomberg)
Enlarge image Swiss Banks Said Ready to Pay Billions

The logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse. Switzerland, the biggest haven for offshore wealth, wants an end to new U.S. probes while preserving its decades-old tradition of bank secrecy, the people said. Photographer: Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images/Newscom
Enlarge image Swiss Banks May Pay Billions to U.S., Disclose Client Names

The U.S. seeks data on Americans who have dodged U.S. taxes and a pledge by Swiss banks to stop helping such clients, according to the people. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

, who have no idea that Katrina is about to happen,” said Katzberg, of Kaplan & Katzberg in New York.








I didn't read through all that, but how can the USA sue banks in another country following the Swiss laws?
 
I didn't read through all that, but how can the USA sue banks in another country following the Swiss laws?

Pretty good question. I think they go after the U.S. domiciled offices of the Swiss banks. U.S. govt. is very aggressively going after 'U.S. tax persons' i.e. anybody who may owe them taxes, and forcing foreign (e.g. Canadian) banks to gumshoe the bad guys for them. Penalties for 'non compliance' means the foreign bank can't do business in the U.S. This 'can't do business' may include stuff not like not being able to wire money back and forth from the U.S. - never mind the obvious like having a U.S. presence.

google

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
 
47% of american's don't pay federal taxes!?!?!

I wonder what that number is up here....
 
47% of american's don't pay federal taxes!?!?!

I wonder what that number is up here....


Probably the same amount,its not tax evaders only it's people who dont make enough or have enough deductions to not pay in most cases
 
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47% of american's don't pay federal taxes!?!?!

I wonder what that number is up here....

well kids/students don't pay tax, so that's 20% of the population, lots of retired/older people don't pay tax-say 10% of the population, now add the 10% unemployment rate and the people that don't need to work and it gets up there pretty quick.
 
The 99 percent is a BS misnomer as the 53 percent are now getting in on the game to tell the supposed 99 percent to stfu
http://money.cnn.com/2011/10/26/news/economy/occupy_wall_street_backlash/?npt=NP1&hpt=hp_t2

i find it hilarious that someone can criticize one group for erroneously speaking on behalf of 99% of people. . .and then go right ahead and claim to speak on behalf of the 53% who are 'taxpayers'. . .

what a fat pantload, and the same goes for anyone who believes him.

two huge problems with that steaming pile of dung:

1. i am one of the supposed 53%, i pay a crapload of taxes, and he DEFINITELY doesn't speak for me. nor do i suspect he comes anywhere close to a fraction of 53%

2. so anyone who doesn't pay taxes somehow doesn't deserve to be considered on the same level, their voice shouldn't count? sheer nonsense. seniors don't suddenly stop being citizens, homeless people don't suddenly stop being citizens. . .we all have an equally valuable say in our society, imho.

frankly, the whole 53% concept is bloody offensive, and smacks of petty small-mindedness. . .
 
i find it hilarious that someone can criticize one group for erroneously speaking on behalf of 99% of people. . .and then go right ahead and claim to speak on behalf of the 53% who are 'taxpayers'. . .

what a fat pantload, and the same goes for anyone who believes him.

two huge problems with that steaming pile of dung:

1. i am one of the supposed 53%, i pay a crapload of taxes, and he DEFINITELY doesn't speak for me. nor do i suspect he comes anywhere close to a fraction of 53%

2. so anyone who doesn't pay taxes somehow doesn't deserve to be considered on the same level, their voice shouldn't count? sheer nonsense. seniors don't suddenly stop being citizens, homeless people don't suddenly stop being citizens. . .we all have an equally valuable say in our society, imho.

frankly, the whole 53% concept is bloody offensive, and smacks of petty small-mindedness. . .

So facts are small minded? If you don't pay taxes your say is not invalid but certainly not as valid as those who do pay. Certain milestones in life give you rights, turn 18 and you can vote for example, by your logic everyone below 18 should have a say in the election results too. Pay taxes get to complain about taxes. The point is that this bs about 99 percent against 1 percent is not true...and homeless have a say in society ? Really?
 
So facts are small minded? If you don't pay taxes your say is not invalid but certainly not as valid as those who do pay. Certain milestones in life give you rights, turn 18 and you can vote for example, by your logic everyone below 18 should have a say in the election results too. Pay taxes get to complain about taxes. The point is that this bs about 99 percent against 1 percent is not true...and homeless have a say in society ? Really?

and what 'facts' would that be?

the only 'fact' he represented was that his opinion represented his personal views.

that dude should have had his little rant, and stopped at that.

if he doesn't like people speaking for him, he should start by not trying to speak for me. that's hypocrisy at it's finest.

by your criteria, the people who dodge taxes and shelter their money offshore don't have as much validity as you. hahaha, i imagine there are a few in the 1% who might not agree with you on that one. . .

and no, my logic does not extend to elections, as you suggest. not sure how you managed that leap. . .

this protest is about corporate greed. in that regard, EVERYONE has a vested interest, as no one is immune. . .

. . .keep your establishmentarianism in mind the next time:

--you pay thousands more here than in the u.s. for a car manufactured down the 401 from you
--the gas prices magically spike every friday morning
--banks earn record profits while downsizing (read: cut jobs) their workforce
--insurance companies inexplicably raise premiums year over year
--walmart moves into your town and half a dozen small businesses shutter within a year--replacing entrepreneurs with a part-time retail labour force without benefits, or job security

and so on, and so on. . .

finally, do you really want to be on record suggesting that the homeless have no say in society?

do you really fail to understand the broad and complicated spectrum of reasons why people become homeless, with the diverse and often valuable backgrounds that they possess?
 
and what 'facts' would that be?

the only 'fact' he represented was that his opinion represented his personal views.

that dude should have had his little rant, and stopped at that.

if he doesn't like people speaking for him, he should start by not trying to speak for me. that's hypocrisy at it's finest.

by your criteria, the people who dodge taxes and shelter their money offshore don't have as much validity as you. hahaha, i imagine there are a few in the 1% who might not agree with you on that one. . .

and no, my logic does not extend to elections, as you suggest. not sure how you managed that leap. . .

this protest is about corporate greed. in that regard, EVERYONE has a vested interest, as no one is immune. . .

. . .keep your establishmentarianism in mind the next time:

--you pay thousands more here than in the u.s. for a car manufactured down the 401 from you
--the gas prices magically spike every friday morning
--banks earn record profits while downsizing (read: cut jobs) their workforce
--insurance companies inexplicably raise premiums year over year
--walmart moves into your town and half a dozen small businesses shutter within a year--replacing entrepreneurs with a part-time retail labour force without benefits, or job security

and so on, and so on. . .

finally, do you really want to be on record suggesting that the homeless have no say in society?

do you really fail to understand the broad and complicated spectrum of reasons why people become homeless, with the diverse and often valuable backgrounds that they possess?
Fact 1: 47 percent don't pay taxes!
Insurance companies inexplicably raise premiums every year? They do.?. I guess the filings they do for rate increases or decreases ( yes they happen) are unexplained? You can also view their financials online as to why they increased rates the past 2 years on personal insurance while business. insurance has been getting cheaper and cheaper.Walmart has benefits for employees by the way, it's a myth they don't.. You have no information that is valid or useful. And yes I go on record saying the homeless have no say in society. How do you suggest they have their say by the way? If you are homeless you are on the fringe and therefore have more important things to worry about like food, water and shelter than how society is running. Having a say in society means you are in society and have the sense and time to contribute. You don't get to contribute just because your heart is beating
Here is some Walmart info for your ignorant self:
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/companyprofiles/p/walmart.htm
 
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Fact 1: 47 percent don't pay taxes!
Insurance companies inexplicably raise premiums every year? They do.?. I guess the filings they do for rate increases or decreases ( yes they happen) are unexplained? You can also view their financials online as to why they increased rates the past 2 years on personal insurance while business. insurance has been getting cheaper and cheaper.Walmart has benefits for employees by the way, it's a myth they don't.. You have no information that is valid or useful. And yes I go on record saying the homeless have no say in society. How do you suggest they have their say by the way? If you are homeless you are on the fringe and therefore have more important things to worry about like food, water and shelter than how society is running. Having a say in society means you are in society and have the sense and time to contribute. You don't get to contribute just because your heart is beating
Here is some Walmart info for your ignorant self:
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/companyprofiles/p/walmart.htm

hello, i am fully aware of the 'benefits' that walmart offers its full-time workers. note what i ACTUALLY wrote, however.

a brand new walmart recently moved into a nearby town. it staffed its entire store with a total of 3 full time employees, and all the rest were "part-time" employees. unless the half-dozen part-time employees i spoke to lied to me, they do not receive the same benefits and opportunities that full time staff do.

is it actually possible to staff a full size supercentre walmart with only 3 full time employees? apparently it is.

is it way more profitable for walmart to pretend that fulltime employees are not necessary, and instead fill their stores with part-timers that cost less? hell yes.

i stand to be corrected on either of these points, but i have seen it with my own eyes.

as for your view on the homeless, someone once said that the true measure of a society is how it treats its least fortunate.

apparently for you, that means we should disenfranchise them and treat them as the 'other'. . .

sorry, but that smacks of pettiness and small-mindedness
 

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