Richard Casady wrote:
On Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:20:41 -0400, "Eisboch"
wrote:

"Tim" wrote in message
...

I have a young cousin that is in the skilled carpenters union. he
builds scaffolds in power plants and makes 28-30.00 USD per hr. and in
many cases also gets a per diam.

he had tt take a pee test, but no hard physical... didn't have to go
through basic training, run miles, hike, go though any inspections.
march anything like that.

He bought his card....

---------------------------------------

I am getting a big kick out of this.
One thing for sure. You don't exactly "buy" your rating designation or
qualifications in the military.

At one time, in the Brittish army, you bought your commission.

Casady

That was true in the USA, too. Actually, it still is, in a way, though
you don't pay with cash.

SteveB wrote:
Just like joining those record or CD clubs. Keep sending them your money
and you are a member.

I retired from Teamsters with 37 years on and off. I get $1851 a month plus
$300 a month insurance allowance to buy my own policy, which costs $187.
They paid about $240,000 for an 8.5 hour heart operation, plus various
others over the years.

I figger I got my money's worth and more out of my dues.

Steve



Yup, the union and the benefits was a great deal for you. As you said,
you got your money's worth, which is the way many union members feel
about the union. I only know one blowhard union man, who tries to
pretend he pays his union fees to support his "brothers", when in
reality he pays the fees so he has access to low cost health insurance.

SteveB wrote:

I retired from Teamsters with 37 years on and off. I get $1851 a month
plus $300 a month insurance allowance to buy my own policy, which costs
$187. They paid about $240,000 for an 8.5 hour heart operation, plus
various others over the years.



I'd love to know where you get health insurance for $187 per month.
Our plan (family - wife and I) is currently just under $1,500 per month for
Blue Cross.

Eisboch

Eisboch wrote:

SteveB wrote:

I retired from Teamsters with 37 years on and off. I get $1851 a
month plus $300 a month insurance allowance to buy my own policy,
which costs $187. They paid about $240,000 for an 8.5 hour heart
operation, plus various others over the years.



I'd love to know where you get health insurance for $187 per month.
Our plan (family - wife and I) is currently just under $1,500 per month
for Blue Cross.

Eisboch


A supplemental program that adds benefits to Medicare? Just a guess.

"HK" wrote in message
m...
Eisboch wrote:

SteveB wrote:

I retired from Teamsters with 37 years on and off. I get $1851 a month
plus $300 a month insurance allowance to buy my own policy, which costs
$187. They paid about $240,000 for an 8.5 hour heart operation, plus
various others over the years.



I'd love to know where you get health insurance for $187 per month.
Our plan (family - wife and I) is currently just under $1,500 per month
for Blue Cross.

Eisboch


A supplemental program that adds benefits to Medicare? Just a guess.

That makes sense. Didn't think of that. Still too much of a youngster to
qualify.

Eisboch

Eisboch wrote:

"HK" wrote in message
m...
Eisboch wrote:

SteveB wrote:

I retired from Teamsters with 37 years on and off. I get $1851 a
month plus $300 a month insurance allowance to buy my own policy,
which costs $187. They paid about $240,000 for an 8.5 hour heart
operation, plus various others over the years.



I'd love to know where you get health insurance for $187 per month.
Our plan (family - wife and I) is currently just under $1,500 per
month for Blue Cross.

Eisboch


A supplemental program that adds benefits to Medicare? Just a guess.

That makes sense. Didn't think of that. Still too much of a youngster
to qualify.

Eisboch

As the Age of Decreptitude approaches, your mailbox will be stuffed with
supplemental health insurance offers you cannot comprehend, even if you
have a master's in English.

On Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:11:56 -0700, "Mike" wrote:

He seems to make a fool of himself no matter what he's talking about. Trying
to equate the military to a union!!?? Man he's off the deep end.

Its closer to a religion. In common with a religion it pays next to
nothing to start and you will not get rich. You really need to be a
believer, in both cases.

Casady

On Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:20:41 -0400, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"Tim" wrote in message
...

I have a young cousin that is in the skilled carpenters union. he
builds scaffolds in power plants and makes 28-30.00 USD per hr. and in
many cases also gets a per diam.

he had tt take a pee test, but no hard physical... didn't have to go
through basic training, run miles, hike, go though any inspections.
march anything like that.

He bought his card....

---------------------------------------

I am getting a big kick out of this.
One thing for sure. You don't exactly "buy" your rating designation or
qualifications in the military.

At one time, in the Brittish army, you bought your commission.

Casady

"Richard Casady" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:20:41 -0400, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"Tim" wrote in message
...

I have a young cousin that is in the skilled carpenters union. he
builds scaffolds in power plants and makes 28-30.00 USD per hr. and in
many cases also gets a per diam.

he had tt take a pee test, but no hard physical... didn't have to go
through basic training, run miles, hike, go though any inspections.
march anything like that.

He bought his card....

---------------------------------------

I am getting a big kick out of this.
One thing for sure. You don't exactly "buy" your rating designation or
qualifications in the military.

At one time, in the Brittish army, you bought your commission.

Casady

And at one time doctors didn't have to have a medical degree either.
I think we are talking about *now*.

Eisboch

Eisboch wrote:

"Richard Casady" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:20:41 -0400, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"Tim" wrote in message
...

I have a young cousin that is in the skilled carpenters union. he
builds scaffolds in power plants and makes 28-30.00 USD per hr. and in
many cases also gets a per diam.

he had tt take a pee test, but no hard physical... didn't have to go
through basic training, run miles, hike, go though any inspections.
march anything like that.

He bought his card....

---------------------------------------

I am getting a big kick out of this.
One thing for sure. You don't exactly "buy" your rating designation or
qualifications in the military.

At one time, in the Brittish army, you bought your commission.

Casady

And at one time doctors didn't have to have a medical degree either.
I think we are talking about *now*.

Eisboch


Sorry, but I'm just not *overwhelmed* by the military or what it takes
to be in it. I appreciate that we have a military, and that sometimes it
is put to good use, and I also appreciate the sacrifices many in the
military have made and continue to make. It's not an easy life for many
in uniform.

But I see no reason to put ordinary individuals in the military on a
pedestal, as if they have accomplished something utterly remarkable
because they joined. I'm far more impressed with the everyday frontline
work done by doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, firefighters,
public health workers, real charitable organization workers, et cetera.

I know I would have felt differently about the military during World War
II.