Collectibles Markets vs Economy - Why does it have to be this way?

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by jingram058

If you're struggling now to make ends meet, and you're less than 34 years old, and in good health, I recommend the service. Doesn't matter which one. If you simply do as you're told, and don't be a problem child, you'll advance steadily in rank, you and your family will have health care, and if you live within your means, you will most certainly save money. You will have your education paid for. If you choose to leave, you have the GI Bill, education and home loans guaranteed with no money down. If you stay, you can retire at 20 years with 50% your base pay. 2.5% for each year past 20 for a max of 75% at 30 years. Where are you ever going to find a retirement plan like that, realistically? If you stay, when you retire you have health care paid for the rest of your life, either TriCare or VA. You can use either one. You will be young enough to have a 2nd career, and employers will welcome you with open arms due to your acquired experience and skill. You will most certainly have the wherewithal to participate in "the hobby" or any other hobby, frankly, should you desire to do so.

I did 26 years in the Navy. I started out a boot E-1, seaman recruit, and wound up an O-4 Lieutenant Commander. I have a beautiful house with a pool in Florida. In the Navy I was able to acquire such things as a Babe Ruth signed ball (Gehrig and Cobb, too), a 1933 Goudey Ruth and Gehrig, lots of other good cards too, all kinds of working antique radios, and anything else I really ever truly wanted. I'm able to take trips and vacations whenever I feel like it. I use the VA for my health care; my wife uses TriCare. Our cars are paid for.

I found out early on that life is what you make it. If you're in an awful situation, one way to turn it around is in the service.

James, when are you going to open your own Naval Recruiting Station? Makes me want to enlist, but, hell, I already did that and served with the Naval Security Group (CT) for 3 years in Rota, Spain, which was a terrific duty station, then stayed with the Reserves for several years. Ended up as an E6, just missed CPO. As you know, it is the Chiefs who run the Navy.
You make a strong, valid case for considering a military career.

[G1911]

If you work a full time job, you should be able to afford a roof and to provide for your child. If you are willing to work there should be work for you. The fruits of your labor should primarily benefit your loved ones. Simplistic, but the goal usually is.

I have not seen a whole lot of correlation between hard work and incomes; in my experience it seems to have far more to do with politics (the corporate and personal kind). Laborers work harder than I ever have in my life, they don’t make as much. It’s an attractive notion I like, but it’s not really true. Some people work very hard and make a ton, some people work very hard and make nothing. Some barely work and rake it in.

The system doesn’t seem to be working all that well right now (measured against a goal, rather than measured against third world nations), we have completely failed a large number of our citizens who don’t even have a roof, we have people willing to work without work, we have a majority apparently living paycheck to paycheck or close to it. There’s not a lot of time (probably beyond the lifespan of some of the board, but not long in historical terms) before we have to have massive unemployment as a consequence of automation. What do we do when the work to live paradigm starts to end, as appears likely? I wish that was a subject of citizen discourse rather than some of the absurdities people are debating in the present instead.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by Yoda

James, when are you going to open your own Naval Recruiting Station? Makes me want to enlist, but, hell, I already did that and served with the Naval Security Group (CT) for 3 years in Rota, Spain, which was a terrific duty station, then stayed with the Reserves for several years. Ended up as an E6, just missed CPO. As you know, it is the Chiefs who run the Navy.
You make a strong, valid case for considering a military career.

Wow, I was a Pacific Fleety for almost my entire Navy career, with the exception of Charleston, Key West and schools. So I missed out on Rota. Everyone I know who was there says it is awesome. Thanks for your service, sir! I was an Aerographer's Mate (AG, weather guesser) before I got commissioned. Yes, Chiefs do run the Navy! I made AGC while on board USS Independence CV-62. Sad to say she's razor blades now. Indy was a good ship.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Wow, I was a Pacific Fleety for almost my entire Navy career, with the exception of Charleston, Key West and schools. So I missed out on Rota. Everyone I know who was there says it is awesome. Thanks for your service, sir! I was an Aerographer's Mate (AG, weather guesser) before I got commissioned. Yes, Chiefs do run the Navy! I made AGC while on board USS Independence CV-62. Sad to say she's razor blades now. Indy was a good ship.

No, sir, thank you for your service, a lot longer than mine. Your rise through the ranks from E1 to O4 is a spectacular Navy success story. Well done. I knew quite a few Mustangs and none ever got higher than O3. And you proved that even a lowly squid can have a terrific vintage collection.

I hope you agree with me that Senator Tommy Tuberville should be tarred and feathered. John
P.S. What's tomorrow's forecast?