Comments for Mike the Mad Biologist

Comment on “Wealthy Libertarian” Is a Synonym For… by Grung_e_Gene

Grung_e_Gene — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:58:08 +0000

Rich Assholes have always stayed Rich by squeezing the poor not by giving them good pay for their labor. You think a Neo-Feudal Landgrave like David Koch stays a Billionaire by paying the serfs who toil for him?

Comment on Things To Do in Denver When You’re Not Dead: The Botantic Gardens by ly

ly — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:45:52 +0000

Just so you know the Galium verum is the plant with small linear leaves. The flower is some kind of lily.

Comment on Almost Two-Thirds of Your 401(k) Will Wind Up in Wall Street’s Pockets by Industry Scientist

Industry Scientist — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:03:24 +0000

I got that week on top of three-and-a-half to start, plus ample holidays. That was double what I was allowed to take as a postdoc.

I don’t deny there’s much about our employment system which is out of whack, but there are some companies which try to take care of their employees within the current system.

Comment on “Wealthy Libertarian” Is a Synonym For… by Rich S.

Rich S. — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:55:31 +0000

Interesting how a blog post about assholes brings out the assholes in the comment threads, as well.

Comment on “Wealthy Libertarian” Is a Synonym For… by Bayesian Bouffant, FCD

Bayesian Bouffant, FCD — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:43:43 +0000

" ... Fifty-dollar check for Christmas, too—yeah, I mean, a check! At least you could give us cash.”

Why? So you can fail to report it on your tax return?

Comment on “Wealthy Libertarian” Is a Synonym For… by albanaeon

albanaeon — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:23:33 +0000

Yeah, I maintain the fascination with Ayn Rand and her “philosophy” revolves entirely around the fact it makes assholism a virtue above virtues and assuring them that their adolescent power trip is reality.

I wonder if part of it is that they have to know that their philosophy is horseshit and they are where they are by an accident of birth or if they really believe they are all powerful Titans that the universe revolves around and they are merely treating everyone else as they deserve to be treated as insignificant moochers.

Either way, “asshole” really doesn’t even cover the damage they end up doing.

Comment on Things To Do in Denver When You’re Not Dead: The Botantic Gardens by albanaeon

albanaeon — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:15:07 +0000

Glad you like the Botanic Gardens. They are always worth a visit.

Comment on Almost Two-Thirds of Your 401(k) Will Wind Up in Wall Street’s Pockets by Keith Lancaster

Keith Lancaster — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:24:58 +0000

I think that the current construct of FSA’s is a rip off. The government has created another industry that takes our healthcare dollars and does nothing to improve the quality of our healthcare – like insurance companies, claim scrubbers and plan administrators. They have forced us into utilizing these “services” with their confiscation of excess funds clauses and ever changing rules, not for our benefit, but for the employer’s and FSA administrator’s benefit. Industry Scientist, you should have been allowed to simply deduct the money from your tax “bill” w/o all a FSA admin being involved. and with the added benefit of not having to fear losing unused sums. Yes, I get the benefit you received by front loading your expenses, but a system that allowed to deduct the total costs at the end of the year – when you know the total – would have allowed you to net more for the year.

Comment on Almost Two-Thirds of Your 401(k) Will Wind Up in Wall Street’s Pockets by Min

Min — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:15:14 +0000

The easy way to find the ballpark figure is to find (1 – 0.02)^50. That is, the manager takes 2% of what he manages each year for 50 years. You can see the effect without assuming any particular rate of return. What is left after 50 years is 0.364. Management fees have consumed 63.4%.

Frankly, I was shocked by the 2% figure, which is not what everybody pays for the management of a 401(k). Even the 0.5% fee means a take of 22.2% over 50 years, which seems high.

Comment on Cherry Tree by Nathan Thompson

Nathan Thompson — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:43:06 +0000

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