Comments on: ummm… Happy Labor Day http://atheists.org/blog/2006/09/05/ummm_happy_labor_day A Blog of Atheist Thought Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:45:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: godless77 http://atheists.org/blog/2006/09/05/ummm_happy_labor_day/comment-page-1#comment-44130 godless77 Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-44130 Um, no, and I think it's a dumb question.<br /> You know, you could talk about workers conidering the day is called <b>Labor</b> day. Um, no, and I think it’s a dumb question.
You know, you could talk about workers conidering the day is called Labor day.

]]> By: spanders http://atheists.org/blog/2006/09/05/ummm_happy_labor_day/comment-page-1#comment-44131 spanders Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-44131 I agree that worker's rights issues would be a bit more appropriate, but I don't think it's a dumb question. I think it gets at the importance of ritual, whether it is religious or not. Is there importance to formalized benchmarks? I would think that if one were to consider a rite of passage for atheists, it might be interesting to consider a rite of passage that would include some type of level of free thought or scientific discovery. As rituals tend to create a level of common goal and perhaps strengthen what could be considered a disporate group, I think a rite of passage may unite and strengthen a group (like atheists) much like unions tie together workers for a common goal. <br /> <br /> To your point about worker's rights: I was listening to market place on NPR today and they were talking about the pros and cons of 401k vs. traditional pensions. It seems as though in the long run traditional pensions seem to return about 20% more in the long run than 401ks. Your thoughts? I agree that worker’s rights issues would be a bit more appropriate, but I don’t think it’s a dumb question. I think it gets at the importance of ritual, whether it is religious or not. Is there importance to formalized benchmarks? I would think that if one were to consider a rite of passage for atheists, it might be interesting to consider a rite of passage that would include some type of level of free thought or scientific discovery. As rituals tend to create a level of common goal and perhaps strengthen what could be considered a disporate group, I think a rite of passage may unite and strengthen a group (like atheists) much like unions tie together workers for a common goal.

To your point about worker’s rights: I was listening to market place on NPR today and they were talking about the pros and cons of 401k vs. traditional pensions. It seems as though in the long run traditional pensions seem to return about 20% more in the long run than 401ks. Your thoughts?

]]> By: high on fire http://atheists.org/blog/2006/09/05/ummm_happy_labor_day/comment-page-1#comment-44132 high on fire Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-44132 How about a topic of religious holidays at work? I don't mind getting paid for Easter and Christmas and staying home. <br /> <br /> I must also admit to using "church" as a reason I can't come in extra during the weekend. How about a topic of religious holidays at work? I don’t mind getting paid for Easter and Christmas and staying home.

I must also admit to using “church” as a reason I can’t come in extra during the weekend.

]]> By: Esperdome http://atheists.org/blog/2006/09/05/ummm_happy_labor_day/comment-page-1#comment-44133 Esperdome Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-44133 Comment from spanders:<br /> <br /> <blockquote><br /> To your point about worker's rights: I was listening to market place on NPR today and they were talking about the pros and cons of 401k vs. traditional pensions. It seems as though in the long run traditional pensions seem to return about 20% more in the long run than 401ks. Your thoughts?<br /> </blockquote><br /> <br /> I'm sure there are other factors involved like; does your company match part of your contribution? or how many choices do you have in your 401k plan? <br /> <br /> 401k plans must now be fully funded, whereas pension plans are often not. I personally feel more secure with the 401k. Comment from spanders:

To your point about worker’s rights: I was listening to market place on NPR today and they were talking about the pros and cons of 401k vs. traditional pensions. It seems as though in the long run traditional pensions seem to return about 20% more in the long run than 401ks. Your thoughts?

I’m sure there are other factors involved like; does your company match part of your contribution? or how many choices do you have in your 401k plan?

401k plans must now be fully funded, whereas pension plans are often not. I personally feel more secure with the 401k.

]]> By: spanders http://atheists.org/blog/2006/09/05/ummm_happy_labor_day/comment-page-1#comment-44134 spanders Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-44134 Aha, here's the link:<br /> http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2006/09/05/PM200609055.html<br /> <br /> I'm sure that you're right that there are a great deal of complexities when it comes to investing in one's retirement. Certainly I pick out certain things in the report so I wanted to give you the link so you could give it a listen if you care to and help me get a better understanding. Aha, here’s the link:
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2006/09/05/PM200609055.html

I’m sure that you’re right that there are a great deal of complexities when it comes to investing in one’s retirement. Certainly I pick out certain things in the report so I wanted to give you the link so you could give it a listen if you care to and help me get a better understanding.

]]> By: Esperdome http://atheists.org/blog/2006/09/05/ummm_happy_labor_day/comment-page-1#comment-44137 Esperdome Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-44137 Spanders, I'm no financial expert, but what it boils down to for me is; saving for your retirement = good, depending on Social Security alone = bad. Spanders, I’m no financial expert, but what it boils down to for me is; saving for your retirement = good, depending on Social Security alone = bad.

]]> By: aviaa http://atheists.org/blog/2006/09/05/ummm_happy_labor_day/comment-page-1#comment-44138 aviaa Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-44138 Spanders,<br /> <blockquote> I would think that if one were to consider a rite of passage for atheists, it might be interesting to consider a rite of passage that would include some type of level of free thought or scientific discovery. </blockquote> <br /> Like a better science fair? Actually, I really like the idea. My local UU church (and likely many other UU churches) has a program where teenagers study the various religions of the world for several years and then present their chosen beliefs to the congregation. There is quite a mix of atheists, agnostics, Christians, Buddhists, etc. <br /> <br /> For the atheist crowd, I?d favor a more skeptic/free thought type of investigation where middle or high school students would be encouraged to take on a science project or study of philosophy or something of that nature? the scope of which would be large enough to span several years but still not be too intense for a 12 ? 18 year old. The various groups in the free thought community could provide online mentors to provide information and/or guidance, depending on the student?s chosen project. At the end of the study/project/etc, the students could present their findings with a presentation at a local free thought group or paper or web page or the like. Spanders,

I would think that if one were to consider a rite of passage for atheists, it might be interesting to consider a rite of passage that would include some type of level of free thought or scientific discovery.

Like a better science fair? Actually, I really like the idea. My local UU church (and likely many other UU churches) has a program where teenagers study the various religions of the world for several years and then present their chosen beliefs to the congregation. There is quite a mix of atheists, agnostics, Christians, Buddhists, etc.

For the atheist crowd, I?d favor a more skeptic/free thought type of investigation where middle or high school students would be encouraged to take on a science project or study of philosophy or something of that nature? the scope of which would be large enough to span several years but still not be too intense for a 12 ? 18 year old. The various groups in the free thought community could provide online mentors to provide information and/or guidance, depending on the student?s chosen project. At the end of the study/project/etc, the students could present their findings with a presentation at a local free thought group or paper or web page or the like.

]]> By: spanders http://atheists.org/blog/2006/09/05/ummm_happy_labor_day/comment-page-1#comment-44139 spanders Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-44139 Esperdome,<br /> I'm conflicted on my thoughts about saving for retirement. The reality seems to be that the majority of the population has little to no savings due to the anemic growth in wages and increased cost of living (a systemic causation thought) and choice about how one spends their money (a direct causation thought). Leaving it up to the individual who has little understanding of how to diversify their portfolio in a complicated stock market seems dicey. Trusting the government or your employer to invest for you is dicey as well. Our society benefits from having an aging population with a wide range of knowledge and experience of investment with some type of security in their earnings. Most people's money is tied up in their house, which they have to sell to be able to free up their money, which forces them to find less expensive housing or stay in their homes and rely on social security.<br /> <br /> It seems to be a matter of trust (trust the government/employer or ones' own knowledge of the cas-ino stock market). Each has its pros and cons. Owning my own business, chances are good that I'll see little social security benefits and I'll have to make my own retirement decisions and make these decisions for my employees. I don't have any clear answers. Esperdome,
I’m conflicted on my thoughts about saving for retirement. The reality seems to be that the majority of the population has little to no savings due to the anemic growth in wages and increased cost of living (a systemic causation thought) and choice about how one spends their money (a direct causation thought). Leaving it up to the individual who has little understanding of how to diversify their portfolio in a complicated stock market seems dicey. Trusting the government or your employer to invest for you is dicey as well. Our society benefits from having an aging population with a wide range of knowledge and experience of investment with some type of security in their earnings. Most people’s money is tied up in their house, which they have to sell to be able to free up their money, which forces them to find less expensive housing or stay in their homes and rely on social security.

It seems to be a matter of trust (trust the government/employer or ones’ own knowledge of the cas-ino stock market). Each has its pros and cons. Owning my own business, chances are good that I’ll see little social security benefits and I’ll have to make my own retirement decisions and make these decisions for my employees. I don’t have any clear answers.

]]> By: mxracer652 http://atheists.org/blog/2006/09/05/ummm_happy_labor_day/comment-page-1#comment-44142 mxracer652 Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-44142 The atheist rite of passage: Simply beg any deity to prove their existence by killing everyone you love dearly (children, relatives, friends, etc). Once you can say things like that without fear, congratulations, you're officially godless.<br /> <br /> Other than that, I'm going with knowing the quadratic equation :p<br /> <br /> 401ks - Taking a few classes to bone up on economics isn't difficult, most people are just too lazy to do it. Look at the elderly & their dependence on social security, it wasn't meant to be lived off of, but that's what people think it's for and they don't save anything else.<br /> <br /> More & more people are becoming dependent on the government to run every facet of their lives (education, retirement, health care). I believe a man named Marx wrote a book about this a while back. The atheist rite of passage: Simply beg any deity to prove their existence by killing everyone you love dearly (children, relatives, friends, etc). Once you can say things like that without fear, congratulations, you’re officially godless.

Other than that, I’m going with knowing the quadratic equation :p

401ks – Taking a few classes to bone up on economics isn’t difficult, most people are just too lazy to do it. Look at the elderly & their dependence on social security, it wasn’t meant to be lived off of, but that’s what people think it’s for and they don’t save anything else.

More & more people are becoming dependent on the government to run every facet of their lives (education, retirement, health care). I believe a man named Marx wrote a book about this a while back.

]]> By: cry4turtles http://atheists.org/blog/2006/09/05/ummm_happy_labor_day/comment-page-1#comment-44143 cry4turtles Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-44143 I plan on working until the day I die. What point would my life have without work? Of course I have the benefit of loving my job. I also write and plan on breaking into the market very soon.<br /> Therefore, when I'm too old to work with children (I can't wait to hear them call me "Grandma"), I should be able to peck away at my keyboard.<br /> When SS time comes around, I hope to be able to say "no thank you, give it to the needy." Perhaps if wealthy retirees passed on public money they don't need, SS wouldn't be in such a pickle.<br /> <br /> PS I know they're other problems with SS. I'm not real educated in economics though. I plan on working until the day I die. What point would my life have without work? Of course I have the benefit of loving my job. I also write and plan on breaking into the market very soon.
Therefore, when I’m too old to work with children (I can’t wait to hear them call me “Grandma”), I should be able to peck away at my keyboard.
When SS time comes around, I hope to be able to say “no thank you, give it to the needy.” Perhaps if wealthy retirees passed on public money they don’t need, SS wouldn’t be in such a pickle.

PS I know they’re other problems with SS. I’m not real educated in economics though.

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