*rob* had more people singing his praises and saying he’s hilarious in the Brian Williams thread last night. Say what you will about *rob*, but it’s very hard to find anyone who does NOT have a strong opinion about him one way or the other, and I’m not just talking about PLUSAs, but people who actually read Brownstoner for the real estate posts.
Last night it ocurred to me that this sanitation worker slowdown, if it turns out to be true, might turn out to be the opening salvo of our “Greece 2011”. As we’ve been saying, it’s only a matter of time.
Late last night I posted a quote from a book I read some time ago. I’ll repost it here:
From “The Return of Thrift” by Phillip Longman in 1996:
“While debate rages in Washington over dismantling welfare, few realize that the “welfare state” properly understood encompasses much more than aid to the poor. There is a vast and hidden “middle class welfare state” in this country, which provides comfort and security for tens of millions of Americans in the form of home mortgage deductions, Medicare, Social Security, veterans’ benefits, and well-paid government and military jobs. It is precisely this huge entitlement structure that is the source of our most serious long-term economic problems. As the Baby Boom generation ages, public and private pension systems will be taxed to their limits, government spending will spiral out of control, and health care will be priced as a luxury good.”
Pretty prescient, no?
If I were to urge folks to read one book, it would be this one. The book predicts a rough time as the entitlement state collapses, but ends on an optimistic note. Its subtitle is: “How the Collapse of the Middle Class Welfare State Will Reawaken Values in America”.
That’s it for me today. Happy New Years to all!!!!
dave, picking up on your comments over there >>>, what makes it particularly bad where I live is all of the LICH employees and visitors who come into my nabe from all over the City. I realize I’m generalizing, but as a group, they are rude and inconsiderate and litter all over the neighborhood.
Regarding the snow, I learned an interesting form of Brooklyn etiquette last night…
When the sidewalk path is only wide enough for one person and another is approaching, people will open up the iron gate to a property and step inside so as to let someone else pass. Then they close the gate and continue on.
I had not experinced this in previous snowfalls (that hadn’t been as high) and it was quite a courtesy. It happened to me last night on the way to Saraghina.
Of course this could not happen in front of a Fedders building as there are no nice wrought iron gates.
“By Heights Magnifico on December 30, 2010 5:50 PM
Randolph,
(thumping chest twice, stretching hand out, making peace sign)
Thanks for looking out dude(tte), but I have my own blog. Um, doesn’t everybody?? It’s not about real estate though. Do you think I should switch it over to cover Brooklyn real estate? Your advice is most valuable.
And I love the liberty you’ve taken with the spelling of my ‘name’. Brilliant, I tell you! Brilliant!”
If anyone sees Heights Magnifico around today, encourage him/her to join us in the OT. S/he had some funny posts yesterday, and pwnd randi but good!!
Happy, Healthy New Year, benson, to you, Mrs. Benson, your daughter, and your new pup!!
Government spending has already spiralled out of control.
*rob* had more people singing his praises and saying he’s hilarious in the Brian Williams thread last night. Say what you will about *rob*, but it’s very hard to find anyone who does NOT have a strong opinion about him one way or the other, and I’m not just talking about PLUSAs, but people who actually read Brownstoner for the real estate posts.
CGar, imagine how many more will be arriving because they think they now have free healthcare!!!!
Legion, DIBS, DeLepp and Brooklyn Couch;
Last night it ocurred to me that this sanitation worker slowdown, if it turns out to be true, might turn out to be the opening salvo of our “Greece 2011”. As we’ve been saying, it’s only a matter of time.
Late last night I posted a quote from a book I read some time ago. I’ll repost it here:
From “The Return of Thrift” by Phillip Longman in 1996:
“While debate rages in Washington over dismantling welfare, few realize that the “welfare state” properly understood encompasses much more than aid to the poor. There is a vast and hidden “middle class welfare state” in this country, which provides comfort and security for tens of millions of Americans in the form of home mortgage deductions, Medicare, Social Security, veterans’ benefits, and well-paid government and military jobs. It is precisely this huge entitlement structure that is the source of our most serious long-term economic problems. As the Baby Boom generation ages, public and private pension systems will be taxed to their limits, government spending will spiral out of control, and health care will be priced as a luxury good.”
Pretty prescient, no?
If I were to urge folks to read one book, it would be this one. The book predicts a rough time as the entitlement state collapses, but ends on an optimistic note. Its subtitle is: “How the Collapse of the Middle Class Welfare State Will Reawaken Values in America”.
That’s it for me today. Happy New Years to all!!!!
dave, picking up on your comments over there >>>, what makes it particularly bad where I live is all of the LICH employees and visitors who come into my nabe from all over the City. I realize I’m generalizing, but as a group, they are rude and inconsiderate and litter all over the neighborhood.
I saw that. randi called him Heights Magnifarto!!!
I posted this below but wanted to repost here….
By daveinbedstuy on December 31, 2010 8:43 AM
Regarding the snow, I learned an interesting form of Brooklyn etiquette last night…
When the sidewalk path is only wide enough for one person and another is approaching, people will open up the iron gate to a property and step inside so as to let someone else pass. Then they close the gate and continue on.
I had not experinced this in previous snowfalls (that hadn’t been as high) and it was quite a courtesy. It happened to me last night on the way to Saraghina.
Of course this could not happen in front of a Fedders building as there are no nice wrought iron gates.
“By Heights Magnifico on December 30, 2010 5:50 PM
Randolph,
(thumping chest twice, stretching hand out, making peace sign)
Thanks for looking out dude(tte), but I have my own blog. Um, doesn’t everybody?? It’s not about real estate though. Do you think I should switch it over to cover Brooklyn real estate? Your advice is most valuable.
And I love the liberty you’ve taken with the spelling of my ‘name’. Brilliant, I tell you! Brilliant!”
If anyone sees Heights Magnifico around today, encourage him/her to join us in the OT. S/he had some funny posts yesterday, and pwnd randi but good!!