NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Mar 24, 2010 -> 08:00 AM) None of my friends companies match anymore, they did...but they stopped. I have honestly never heard of that. I've known lots that either don't have and never had 401k's (usually small firms), and plenty of people saying that the match level has dropped. But unless the firm is in dire financial straits, I've never heard of matching just disappearing. I'd be curious to see some actual data on this though. I wonder if anyone tracks this sort of thing.

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Mar 24, 2010 -> 07:56 AM) Not many anymore. A lot of companies used to do that, but most don't match these days. Since the economy dropped, companies realize they don't need perks to keep people on board, so they've cut back on such things and it will probably remain this way for the foreseeable future. If your company doesn't match on 401k, there is no point in using it, as you can do it yourself with more options available as to what you can invest in. And as another poster said (Northside), if your company decides to drop your heath care, they won't magically increase anyone's salaries, they'll keep the difference (if any) on the fines incurred. Think of inflation...if inflation were to rise, your company wouldn't be so kind as to give you a huge raise to match it, either. You'd make the same, but it would be worth less. I think you are off on the 401k thing - pretty sure the precentage of firms with 401k's continues to rise, and I don't know of a single firm anywhere that has 401k's without SOME sort of matching. The issue is that at many firms, the match rate is partially or wholly dictated by the firm's performance, so right now, the match % will tend to be lower.

In the best case scenario, health insurance shouldn't really be an employment-linked thing anyway. Problem is, as companies drop it, they won't increase salaries to adjust for it, and you just burdened the population with effectively less income. Good news is, most employers aren't going to drop it in the short term, if at all. I'm convinced its here to stay, though there will probably be a few percentage point drop off in the next few years.

Nothing personal to the poster who created this thread, but... I was this/close to deleting this thread just to not have this joke show up on our site again.\ Almost did it.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 03:16 PM) So what president is there for forcing people to buy something exactly? Obama, apparently.

QUOTE (11and1 @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 03:01 PM) OK, so Teahen is a great minor league talent. Go Charlotte! Since I'm only concerned with how he can help the White Sox win in 2010, and since we're discussing his struggles as a member of the Sox, my original observation stands: He will need a career year at the major league level to become an average major league player. That's also why I think we paid too much. As for his upside, I was comparing it to Alex Rios, not Chris Getz. Like Teahen's minor league greatness, how Getz performs is not relevant-- unless we are playing the Royals. Its relevant because you said we overpaid. You think that Getz and Fields was overpaying for Teahen?

1. As I said in the Health Care thread, let's all settle down a bit. The passive comments about idiots and what not are going over the line. Cool it. 2. Can someone tell me - and I really would like to know - what exactly ACORN did that was illegal? I've seen the video, which as I understand, turns out to be highly edited. So I really have no idea how bad things really were.

There are now at least 13 states planning to sue to have the bill rendered unconstitutional. While I don't know if its really unconstitutional, I must say it seems against the spirit of the document to force the purchase of a service.

LOL, why not just say "we're going to keep doing the same thing"?

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 11:56 AM) 6 outfielders. d'oh! That's what I meant.

QUOTE (bmags @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 12:25 PM) Oh. Well, I say if the denver mayor wins the Colo. gov race, then that's who you look at for the next dem pres. Ha, wouldn't it be funny if petraeus ran as a democrat. haha.ahhhh Is that Hickenlooper? He was a fantastic mayor. Or is the more recent mayor running?

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 11:35 AM) I think De Aza sticks around and we reassign Nix actually. You think the Sox will carry 5 OF's, and only Vizquel to back up all three skill IF positions? Possible, but I highly doubt it.

QUOTE (bmags @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 10:55 AM) No I don't. Take bulls*** statements to the republican thread please, where they belong. QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 11:34 AM) Didn't think my statement warranted this, but whatever. Your posts seem to indicate that you believe any slight health ailment deserves/warrants a trip to the doctor, lest it become something serious. I think there is a philosophical difference there from my own, which I pointed out. Good to be reminded that only Republicans can be dicks though, thanks. It’s such a shocker too that the Filibuster portion of this site only has about 10-12 active members (mainly conservative hating folk). Anyone else can't get a word in without a crap response. Maybe you can both take a deep breath and let it go. No need to be nasty.

QUOTE (flavum @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 11:22 AM) Defintely. Barring injury, they're leaving camp with the roster they had in mind at the beginning of spring training. 7 cuts left will be Aquino, Hudson, Leesman, Threets, Lucy, Lillibridge, De Aza. Aquino and Hudson are still theoretically battling with Santos for the final pen spot. Santos has looked pretty good though, Aquino has been garbage during his career, and Hudson they are in no hurry to push up. Leesman and Threets, same for the LOOGY job, but Williams seems to have it all but locked up. De Aza and Lillibridge are theoretically still battling Nix, but De Aza is an OF and just not likely, and Lillibridge is... Lillibridge. Lucy may take another shot in the minors this year, but he has nowhere to go - AAA and AA starting C's are set, and Armstrong is still drifting around as well. I suspect he retires, goes to another org, or maybe becomes a coach, sometime in the next year.

QUOTE (flavum @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 11:13 AM) Roster moves: White Sox Option Tyler Flowers & Carlos Torres to Class AAA; Reassign Ryan Braun, Jordan Danks, Josh Kroeger, Brent Morel & C.J. Retherford 32 left in camp. CJ the only mild surprise there - I thought he'd be sticking around longer. Looks like the bench is set, then.

QUOTE (bmags @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 11:11 AM) Um, it pays for itself in like 5 years. My uncle's had his on insurance...i assumed it was more widespread. That said, once i have $1000 to spend i'm going to take a lazer to both my eyes and then fly planes to save peoples lives. wolverines. Odd trivia about laser surgery... for federal jobs that have vision requirements (i.e. USSS and other law enforcement agencies), havign had laser eye surgery is an automatic disqualification.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 10:41 AM) Remember, Quentin was also a #1 pick who had shown good power numbers at the major league level as well. I'm not saying Kila doesn't have a shot to be solid but I don't think he's in the same league as Quentin was when the Sox acquired him. I'd agree that CQ had more potential. I was just noting the parallel in terms of situation they were both in, and the Sox team needs in both cases.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 09:25 AM) That's not saying much considering Gload has the ceiling of a smurf Hey now, lay off the G-Load!!!

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Mar 22, 2010 -> 07:25 PM) Sucks to be him: Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund, said her group was revoking its “Defender of Life” award to Stupak, which was to be awarded at its Wednesday night gala. “Let me be clear: Any representative, including Rep. Stupak, who votes for this health...care bill can no longer call themselves ‘pro-life,’” Dannenfelser said. QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 09:19 AM) Reply 3: How about the lie that was made in the State of the Union speech tha the health care reform bill would not include any Federal funding for abortion? Sure seems to me that there is language in the bill that will allow this. How is it that people are this ignorant? I'm not talking about people's stances on abortion, mind you. I'm talking about the fact that not only does the bill prohibit it... federal law already prohibits it as well... AND the Prez signed a needless XO to affirm said law, just to make it very clear. And yet, people STILL think this is some sort of baby killing initiative. This means that they either spouted off knowing absolutely nothing, or knew something and are being intentionally false. Either way... ignorant. So many of the problem we have in government could be solved by voters taking a little time to educate themselves, instead of going purely off the 30 second tidbits they hear on some blathering radio or TV talking head's show.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 09:18 AM) So why not do both in 6 months? I assume part of the issue here was allowing lead time to the insurance firms to analyze, and implement, the many new rules. 4 years does seem a little ridiculous though, I'm not sure why they need THAT long.

QUOTE (bighurt4life @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 06:09 AM) No first basemen, that worries me with PK aging in front of our eyes, (no more of the late 30's career resurgences since the roid testing started) Tell me again why we traded chris carter and brandon allen. Viciedo is basically a 1B at this point. Marrero can also play there, though he's spent most of his time recently in the outfield.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 08:25 AM) Kila Ka'ahuie and NSS72 the sordid love affair continues He's my new Ross Gload. Except I think Kila has a lot higher ceiling.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 08:06 AM) The question you have to ask your scouts is...why is he stuck in AAA for the Royals. Do the Royals just think he's a career minor leaguer? It's always possible. Sure. I'm not saying he's a can't miss - no such thing anyway. Maybe he hit a ceiling. Maybe he had a mechanically off year. Maybe he had nagging injuries like TCQ. Maybe he needs some guidance. Lots of possibilities. But for a cheap-ish trade deal, I'd be willing to take some chances, if the scouts feel he still has the talent he appeared to have previously.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 23, 2010 -> 07:58 AM) I wouldn't give up Hudson, D2, or Flowers for him. That's kind of my point. I personally think that he'd probably just cost you Morel, or maybe not even Morel. Maybe Retherford and Leesman. In any case, I believe he could be had for not a lot.

Just a thought here... Kila Ka'ahuie has a .344/.447/.656/1.104 line in ST. Royals appear ready to stick with Butler at 1B. Kila would be sent back to AAA. I cannot believe the Sox haven't looked at him - he looks to me like he's in the position TCQ was prior to 2008 (raked in minors, then had a bad AAA year, and is stuck behind someone), and he's a lefty power bat that could be had for cheap. Would you rather give up Hudson/Flowers/Danks2/Morel for 1.5 or 2 years of Gonzo, or give up only one of those (at most) and get 5 years of Kila for cheap, and still leave money room for some other big acquisition later if Kila ends up a flop?