Can we afford to fight national politics on a local level?

Norcross this morning in the Star Ledger:

N.J. Congressman: Murphy wants $15 min. wage by year-end. Let’s do it

The best social program is a good job with fair wages and the dignity that comes with it.

Last week, Governor Murphy reiterated that raising the state minimum wage to $15 an hour is one of his top three legislative priorities this year, and I not only applaud his strong stance, but urge my friends in the state legislature and my colleagues in Congress to heed our shared call to raise wages.

I’ve spent my life fighting for good pay for workers, and spent years working as an electrician installing and restoring power for New Jersey homes, businesses and industrial sites. Raising wages for hardworking families is the first issue I talked to the governor and the new team in Trenton about. In fact, we brought together Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and Assembly Leader Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, for their first joint public appearance after last year’s election to call for a $15 minimum wage.

Today, the wage floor is $7.25 an hour nationally and $8.60 in New Jersey, leaving Americans who work full time living in poverty. Families are coming up thousands of dollars short each month just trying to meet basic living standards — asking if they should pay for heat or for medicine. Food or rent. Those types of choices shouldn’t have to be made — not by an American with a full-time job. That doesn’t reflect our country’s values. But until wages rise, economic anxiety will continue to be the norm.

It’s illogical that our nation’s workers are more productive than ever, but profits are all going to CEO bonuses and offshore accounts instead of actual paychecks. And while everyone deserves a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work, our policies are not addressing the needs of everyday Americans — the many of us without trust funds, yachts and private jets. Trumpism favors the wealthiest among us — it doesn’t match American ingenuity or productivity.

To make matters worse, President Donald Trump and his Republican accomplices passed a heinous tax scam that gives 83 percent of the tax cuts to the wealthiest 1 percent. They rewarded billionaires, prioritized corporate profits and hurt working families — particularly in New Jersey — by gutting critical state and local tax deductions that Americans depend on.

This entry was posted in Demographics, Economics, Employment, New Jersey Real Estate. Bookmark the permalink.

204 Responses to Can we afford to fight national politics on a local level?

  1. grim says:

    Using the minimum wage as a political maneuver, part of a local revolt against national tax policy, seems awfully misguided. We don’t have the budget surplus to fund it, we don’t have a strong enough economy to support it, I’m not even sure we can understand what the ultimate impacts are going to be as a result of it. Given the current economic climate in NJ, it’s hard to make a case where this would be entirely positive. We know there will be negatives, are we willing to accept those to make a political statement?

    Of course, I’m sure Murphy is 100% behind it, as I fully expect him to start pivoting towards hard-socialist as part of his presidential bid, and I’m pretty sure he could care less about the NJ economy as long as he gets a talking point out of it.

  2. Very Stable Genius says:

    Using TAX CUTS as a political maneuver, part of a local revolt against national tax policy, seems awfully misguided. We don’t have the budget surplus to fund it, we don’t have a strong enough economy to support it, I’m not even sure we can understand what the ultimate impacts are going to be as a result of it. Given the current economic climate in NJ, it’s hard to make a case where this would be entirely positive. We know there will be negatives, are we willing to accept those to make a political statement?

  3. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    fristish

  4. Very Stable Genius says:

    @_waleedshahid

    The “sensible, balanced, ethical” position is:

    🏥 Health care for all
    📚 Free college for all
    💰 Good wages for al
    🌎 A livable planet for all
    ⚖️ Justice for all
    ✊🏽 Getting big corporate, money out of politics
    🇺🇸 An America for all, not the few

  5. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    I don’t know the complete history of the minimum wage but growing up, it felt to me like it was in place so you couldn’t victimize children with ultra low wages.

    At the Route 46 McDonalds in Rockaway where I worked as a teenager the entire staff was pretty much 16-18 year olds. The only exception was during school hours when senior citizen women worked the registers and with maybe a couple 18-22 year junior college boys or trade school guys working the grill. Also “closers”, who had to work past 10PM, had to be over 18, and again it was 18-22 year olds, maybe a couple 30 year old housewives making a part time income now that their husbands were home to watch the kids. Heck, the managers were 23-25 years old (two full time and one part time).

    The whole point was that nobody ever thought of minimum wage as a “working wage.” It was considered a “kid’s wage.” and it was always for part-timers. Anybody who had a full time 40 hour a week gig, it always paid a lot more than minimum wage.

    My take on the current situation is that pretty much any full time job already pays $15/hour or more, at least in the Northeast. I guess I could be persuaded to think that $15/hour in most expensive states might be a good minimum wage for full time work, but not for part time. I still don’t like the idea though.

  6. leftwing says:

    MSM watch….

    Not even out of the morning news yet and a couple beauties….

    Reporting on the Page FISA release CBS cannot even bring itself to say the words “the Hillary Clinton campaign” while discussing the Steele dossier. The whole segment referred to “parties who may be politically hostile to the Trump campaign”. Then the segment immediately following goes into the Cohen-Playboy model news, giving all the particulars including her name (much lack of relevance there)? The double standard is mind bending. Then these idiots wonder why Fox News is so popular?

    Next…puppy leasing. No joke. Apparently people now sign papers when purchasing a dog? Appears some of these papers are actually lease agreements and you are not actually purchasing the dog. Lessors thereafter have sought additional future ‘lease’ payments under the terms of the agreement, and are foreclosing to repossess the puppies when not paid. Society has officially jumped the shark…

  7. leftwing says:

    “The best social program is a good job with fair wages and the dignity that comes with it.”

    Where is the dignity for the employee when he takes more money than value he produces by using government coercion?

    Are you so useless to the rest of society that under the threat of imprisonment someone else is obligated to meet the basic needs of your family?

    That is dignity? Really?

  8. Fast Eddie says:

    I’m 100 pages away from finishing “Atlas Shrugged” and I often laugh in stunned belief how accurate Rand is in illustrating the failures of progressive ideology. “It’s for the benefit of humanity… it’s the compassionate thing to do… we don’t want to destroy the rich, just take a “little” for the benefit of the poor.” And when the sh1t hits the fan and one thing breaks after another, the finger-pointing begins but it’s never the fault of the government directives because those directives are just and necessary and thought and reason is not required. She would be so amused and not surprised to see it unfolding here just as she envisioned. It’s an exact blueprint for the failures of soc1alism masked in the guise of moral actions.

  9. The Great Pumpkin says:

    “Disappointing economic reports pop up all the time, such as the modest gain in first-quarter gross domestic product. But that was neither unusual nor significant. The median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg is for the government to say Friday that GDP rebounded to a 4 percent rate last quarter, the fastest since 2014, on the back of strong hiring trends, consumer spending, capital goods orders and numerous other items.

    These positive reports were presaged by another more forward-looking statistic on job openings that points to continued solid growth for as far ahead as we can reasonably see, which, admittedly, isn’t overly far. In fact, the Fed could determine that it needs to raise rates faster and higher than it currently projects if the data continues on its recent tear, especially in terms of the labor market.”

    https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-07-23/the-u-s-economy-deserves-a-lot-more-credit

  10. The Great Pumpkin says:

    “It is appropriate to suspect the expansion is on sound footing when firms are reporting rising — and record — levels of job openings, as measured by the Labor Department’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, otherwise known as the JOLTS report. Job openings data have only been available since 2001, but they are already an invaluable aid to understanding how the economy is performing. According to the most recent data, we now have more job openings, 6.6 million, than the 6.56 million reported to be unemployed. Moreover, job openings are still trending higher, a clear indication that firms are trying to hire, even if the monthly employment report suggests they aren’t finding the workers they need and the pool of unemployed keeps shrinking.”

  11. Fast Eddie says:

    Are we still worried about illegal immigrants and their plight or has the media generated a new outrage to feed to the masses?

  12. nwnj says:

    LW-also interesting over the weekend. Clapper cracked and admitted that Obama was pulling the strings behind the wiretaps, spying, fisa abuse, etc. we new that before of course but it wasn’t openly discussed.

  13. The Great Pumpkin says:

    Biggest boom of our lifetime underway and we still haven’t seen anything yet. Roaring 20’s 2.o.

    “There is currently a higher level of uncertainty because of conflicts over trade policy and assorted other contentious international and domestic issues. Even so, forward-looking indicators, such as the JOLTS report, suggest that the economy remains on a solid trajectory that will continue the key trends of declining unemployment and rising labor costs, reflecting the growing scarcity of labor. Until these trends change, the expansion will continue.”

  14. 3b says:

    One minute this income inequality can’t go on things will explode. The next minute huge boom roaring 20s. Talk about a contradiction and disconnect!

  15. Very Stable Genius says:

    @paulkrugman

    Someone is getting ready to wag the dog, using war to distract us from their own betrayal of America.

    Also, the bit about accusing Iranian leaders of using power to enrich themselves is just .. special, coming from the Trump administration

  16. exEssex says:

    stunned beli

    Pretty Much sums up your persona.

    Thanks for the analysis, but guys like you are the reason that ‘you’ are not setting any policies here or anywhere else, beside’s maybe Chez Eddie.

  17. exEssex says:

    Tell me again how any of you guys really believe this Moron in Chief. Of yeah, he’s not black……

  18. exEssex says:

    The profile of the Trump voter. MisInformed. Poorly Educated (reading 8th grade reading assignments as 40 year-old) Racist, undervalued (probably for a reason), and hostile to The Arts, The Forth Estate, Culture that isn’t Murican’, and Women.

  19. exEssex says:

    The Big Question is “How much damage will D Trump-o do to the economy, the environment, and world affairs….during his time in office?” My prediction it will be a shitstorm of epic proportion. Where we had alliances, we’ll he hostility (4 marriages anyone) where we had revenue, we’ll be dry, and where people had hope they will be defeated and withdraw. No secret I am not a fan of Trump, convince me I am wrong.

  20. leftwing says:

    June existing home sales fell out of bed. Down 0.6% seasonally adjusted annually v. expectation of up 0.4%.

    May revised down as well. YTD six months down 0.2%.

    Low supply, high price impact.

    Median price at all time high, still at 4.3 months supply, DOM still shrinking, 26 days down from 28. All cash purchase at high of 22%, investors at high of 13%, first time buyers low of 31%.

  21. leftwing says:

    “@paulkrugman…the bit about accusing Iranian leaders of using power to enrich themselves is just .. special, coming from the Trump administration”

    What bizarro world does this guy krugman occupy?

    Trump came into office as one of the wealthiest people on earth.

    Clintons were so broke they could not qualify for a mortgage and spent the ensuing years having an ethical yard sale that accumulated enough wealth to make them among the richest families in America.

    Recall, I don’t support Trump…..your guys are just…unhinged.

  22. leftwing says:

    God knows we all post typos. If one is going to post to denigrate another’s education level, however, a good proofread is generally recommended……

    “The profile of the Trump voter. MisInformed. Poorly Educated (reading 8th grade reading assignments as 40 year-old)…and hostile to The Forth Estate…”

    Please hold forth further on the fourth estate….

  23. exEssex says:

    I don’t think “unhinged” describes the left. When you describe Nazi’s as good people. That’s unhinged. When you constantly harp on the black guy for taking golf outings and You then proceed to play more golf and take more vacations (on the backs of the tax payers) than anyone in History. That’s unhinged. Shall I continue….? Because nearly every single thing that I see from Trump is designed to hurt someone somewhere.

  24. exEssex says:

    Trump is a bully, He’s stupid, he seems to think he is ‘attractive’ to the opposite sex and if he is spurned he takes vengeful action sometimes physical assault. He dates “models” who he pays for sex. Trump is garbage. And YOU guys love him.

  25. NNJJEFF says:

    Longtime lurker here. Asking for help on fighting medical bills.
    Wife recently have to stay in California hospital for 3plus days.
    Expecting hugh medical bill from CA hospital and BCBS. Is there any good website or resources that educate you on what to do in situation like this. What to pay, what not to pay? And how to deal with hospital collection and negotiate with BCBS.
    Thanks in advance.

  26. exEssex says:

    Trump is co-opted by a foreign power completely and literally changes his story DAILY about Russia’s impact on an election….and…..you guys are concerned with an Ex-President ‘bowing’ to some dignitary. Like that mattered At All. THAT IS UNHINGED.

  27. Libturd questioning the gender of Hillary's Cankle fluid. says:

    NNJJEFF,

    Assuming wife was covered by BCBS but hospital was out-of-network? Need a little more flavor here to be able to help.

  28. The Great Pumpkin says:

    Longterm it can’t go on forever, but income inequality can run some more, and it will.

    3b says:
    July 23, 2018 at 9:37 am
    One minute this income inequality can’t go on things will explode. The next minute huge boom roaring 20s. Talk about a contradiction and disconnect!

  29. Fast Eddie says:

    Why is Hillary Clinton wearing a hospital gown? She looks like a bag lady! Holy sh1t!

  30. NNJEFF says:

    Lib.
    Hospital is out of network.
    Assuming all the doctors are too.
    Wife covered in BCBS high deductible plan.
    Expecting a lot of payment due to high deductible.
    Just want to limit the unnecessary payment.

  31. The Great Pumpkin says:

    3b,

    If this is the real boom, the income inequality should be corrected with large wage gains by workers.

  32. ExEssex says:

    To quote Ronald Reagan: “The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they’re ignorant; it’s just that they know so much that isn’t so.” They presume that because Trump is so unconventional in style, his coalition must be equally unconventional. But it’s not. The data clearly shows that Trump’s political coalition is pretty much the traditional Republican coalition. And the often virulent behavior of anti-Trump partisans has made partisan Republicans especially unwilling to abandon their leader even when he stumbles.

    The sheer ordinariness of Trump’s coalition is impossible to overstate. Data from the Voter Study Group show that more than 80% of his votes came from men and women who voted for Republican nominee Mitt Romney just four years before. This group contains the usual suspects among American Republicans: tax-cut advocates, religious evangelicals and Catholics, gun rights supporters and business types eager for deregulation. Trump has made sure to give each faction what they most desire just like any good politician would. That keeps them in his camp even as the media flays him with each supposed transgression.

  33. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    We should have expected that even before Obama took office when he claimed he would have the most transparent administration ever.

    Similarly, if a guy suddenly declares himself a feminist, it usually means that rape charges are being filed imminently.

    LW-also interesting over the weekend. Clapper cracked and admitted that Obama was pulling the strings behind the wiretaps, spying, fisa abuse, etc. we new that before of course but it wasn’t openly discussed.

  34. ExEssex says:

    The latest progressive cause célèbre is for eliminating America’s border enforcement agency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice). One can be outraged at how Trump is enforcing America’s immigration laws without thinking that eliminating all border enforcement is a good idea. An idea like this keeps Republicans united in their support for Trump as it clearly shows how unacceptable the alternative is.

    The news media’s behavior also keeps Republicans in line. It is impossible to overstate the degree of daily vituperation visited upon the president in the media. Comics and actors use their non-political programs to attack him, often to the implicit applause of the press. Virtually all coverage outside the conservative Fox News and isolated conservative outlets is negative, often couched in highly hostile terms. Virtually all of the columnists at the New York Times and the Washington Post, America’s two most respected dailies, despise Trump – and that includes nearly all of the conservative, libertarian and Republican columnists too. Trump supporters who follow news at all cannot escape the daily blast of negativity.

    This has, predictably, hardened the attitudes of many Trump supporters. As minor issues are blown up into major catastrophes, it’s not surprising that potentially major issues like Trump’s embarrassing and obsequious behavior towards Russian president Vladimir Putin in Helsinki get overlooked. It’s “boy who cried wolf” syndrome writ large; when the media cries “wolf” at every passing shadow, many Trump backers simply don’t believe them when they say that a wolf might actually be coming.

  35. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    Yeah, drop your pants, put your head between your legs, spread your cheeks and wait for the Boom.

    Biggest boom of our lifetime underway

  36. Libturd questioning the gender of Hillary's Cankle fluid. says:

    Essex,

    Left is way more unhinged than the right was. Nearly every lefty is off their rocker. At least when the supposed Kenyan was in office, it was only a small contingent of political wonks on the right who were unhinged. People who don’t know the first thing about how government works or who were apolitical are all going completely gaga.

    Even you. These are some of the things you are mentioning as important. Trump’s four marriages. Trump’s vacations. Trump’s golf outings. Trump’s love of large-chested hookers to which he did not make the mistake Bill did and lie about it. As for the Russian thing? There is no doubt that Russian hackers trolled around with our elections. Get used to it. There is no stopping it going forward. Unless you want to censor the internet, which none of us want. Did the request come from Trump? Most likely not. The only reason people assume it did is because he one. If HRC won, Trump would probably still be heard today crying about how the election was rigged.

    As for allies around the world. Be very careful with this one. Don’t think for a minute that the world has forgotten how truly powerful our defense spending makes us. Though the Merkel’s and the Philippe’s talk a game of peace. Out of the other side of their mouths they kiss the ground that Trump walks on. They (secretly) wish they were as tough on immigration (as even Obama tried to be), but can’t be without ruining their political careers.

    If you want to get unhinged over Trump, the real issue is the transfer of wealth. You’ll see the impact of it more and more over the next few years. There is no doubt that he’s in it for his brand as much as he is in it for his love of the country. But the sad truth is, they all are. When HRC was criticized for accepting hundreds of millions dollars from the IBs, she said she could still rule against them. Really? They are all the same. The only reason it seems worse now to you with Trump than it was when O-man was in office is that our mass media is mainly left leaning. They were very nice to the O-man and not so much towards the Trump man.

    And I’ll repeat this over and over again. The big issue in this country is that our politicians are bought. It’s what is responsible for the rapidly increasing divide between the rich and the not. And this is a non-partisan issue. Everyone is arguing about the wrong things. And the lack of philanthropy today is gross.

    I made a pit-stop yesterday at Bear Mountain after dropping my kid off at Army hockey camp in West Point. It is a great example of how the rich were different in the 20s. There’s the Inn, the pool, the zoo, outdoor ice rink, etc. All donated. The only thing there was a charge for was parking ($10 too which is a complete rip). I suppose the Muir’s and the Harriman’s (Union Pacific Railroad owner) were not as greedy. Even look at the Morgan Library, Bryant Park, etc. Today, the only philanthropy is building a lab or two at a nearby college campus, having it named after you and then using at as a recruiting ground for your business.

    But I’m way off topic here. Trump is the red state winner. They think he is the greatest president since Lincoln. Much like the Left saw Obama as their super hero. The truth is, they’re really not that difference. They just have different sponsors. Ouch, the truth sucks.

  37. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    Essex must be done with his early morning ritual. He puts on Mommas and the Poppas vinyl, drops his cargo shorts, then sings along to California Creamin’ while he does his bicep workout.

    Tell me again how any of you guys really believe this Moron in Chief. Of yeah, he’s not black……

  38. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    You should work for the DNC, Essex. I’m sure the RNC would pay you handsomely if you could be a messaging influencer. BTW, read up on the difference between forth and fourth. One is moving forward, the other is the grade where your brain stopped developing.

    The profile of the Trump voter. MisInformed. Poorly Educated (reading 8th grade reading assignments as 40 year-old) Racist, undervalued (probably for a reason), and hostile to The Arts, The Forth Estate, Culture that isn’t Murican’, and Women.

  39. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    I sense Essex is feeling a high level of frustration. I’m not sure if he bought bogus Vi#gra over the internet or his legit prescription is past the expiration date.

    The Big Question is “How much damage will D Trump-o do to the economy, the environment, and world affairs….during his time in office?” My prediction it will be a shitstorm of epic proportion. Where we had alliances, we’ll he hostility (4 marriages anyone) where we had revenue, we’ll be dry, and where people had hope they will be defeated and withdraw. No secret I am not a fan of Trump, convince me I am wrong.

  40. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    I sense Essex is feeling a high level of frustration. I’m not sure if he bought bogus Vi#gr# over the internet or his legit prescr!ption is past the expiration date.

    The Big Question is “How much damage will D Trump-o do to the economy, the environment, and world affairs….during his time in office?” My prediction it will be a shitstorm of epic proportion. Where we had alliances, we’ll he hostility (4 marriages anyone) where we had revenue, we’ll be dry, and where people had hope they will be defeated and withdraw. No secret I am not a fan of Trump, convince me I am wrong.

  41. Fast Eddie says:

    Forth and fourth — LOL! I caught that one, too! Reading is fundamental in the publik skool edumacation system especially with teachers like exEssex. California was indeed the right choice for you.

  42. Fast Eddie says:

    …we’ll he hostility…

    Is this middle English? Thouest wanteth to knoweth.

  43. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    leftwing – I love that, ethical yard sale! I don’t know how any journalist can just ignore the story of how you can go from 0 to $200 million dollars in a decade and a half with no participation in the private sector (officially).

    Clintons were so broke they could not qualify for a mortgage and spent the ensuing years having an ethical yard sale that accumulated enough wealth to make them among the richest families in America.

  44. Libturd questioning the gender of Hillary's Cankle fluid. says:

    Jeff,
    Did the wife have no choice but to use an OON hospital? If so, first thing to do is to try to prove this to BCBS and they will charge you as if it was IN.
    Never pay a bill without an XOB from BCBS (duh).
    Wait until you are nearly in collections and work out a payment plan with the vendor (hospital, doctor, etc.). We pretty much pay $500 month in perpetuity.
    Being sent to collections is fine. You still have 60 to 90 days before they try to ding your credit. And in many cases, they are happy to receive a reduced payment (figure that one out? Think you are overpaying in the first place perhaps?). Also, keep a spreadsheet to make sure you are not paying more than you should. There are tons of mistakes in billing. Especially when they start combining multiple treatments on concurrent bills. It’s very easy to pay for something more than once and this is done intentionally. Paying bills becomes a part-time job if there are a lot of spec1alists involved. My bills number near the thousands. I buy books of stamps like people buy milk. One of the main reasons I find Pura Vida so attractive. Some people complain. I will vote with my feet. Grim is also good with fighting the health care man. I’m sure he’ll offer up some advice too. Good luck and remember to be the squeekiest wheel ever.

  45. Juice Box says:

    NNJEFF – When the balance bills start coming you need to research the price and then negotiate. You need to do this with the Hospital Billing Dept before it goes to collections.

    Look up the price (without the massive markups) and see if you can negotiate down. Try offering 35% less, using research to back it up. They may counter offer, key is to avoid collections, once the debt is sold off etc they won’t budge.

    https://www.healthcarebluebook.com/

  46. Not NJEEFF says:

    Demand itemized bills from Doctors and Hospitals. Don’t pay any bills now. Wait two months and demand payment plan, and knick it down every step of the way.

    One more thing.

    Next time Vote for the Guy that wants Medicare For All, and stop listening to the poor schmucks that think they are billionaires because they read a book by crazy old lady or putin’s b!tch.

  47. ExEssex says:

    Suuure. 4th – whatever You bricks get the point.

  48. ExEssex says:

    California is fun as hell. Just saying. Kind of remote but damn…

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  50. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    She’s wearing a colostomy bag on her left thigh and Hum-a-Weiner on her right.

    Why is Hillary Clinton wearing a hospital gown? She looks like a bag lady! Holy sh1t!

  51. Blue Ribbon Teacher says:

    Longtime lurker here. Asking for help on fighting medical bills.
    Wife recently have to stay in California hospital for 3plus days.
    Expecting hugh medical bill from CA hospital and BCBS. Is there any good website or resources that educate you on what to do in situation like this. What to pay, what not to pay? And how to deal with hospital collection and negotiate with BCBS.

    Used to do billing for my father. Just claim poverty and say you don’t have the money but would like to try to work out to pay something in cash on a payment plan. Try for 20% of the bill, 10 bucks a month.

  52. Juice Box says:

    re: Medicare For All

    We need to move the 99% into the 1%.

    http://www.sho.com/video/62884/move-the-99-into-the-1

  53. Bystander says:

    Eddie,

    All countries start out in Ayn Rand utopia – small govt and loosely regulated free market. One plague, natural distaster or bombing campaign and government steps in because a ruler needs its subjects afterall. A country starts growing and needs cheap labor so you let it flow unrestricted. The social programs and safety nets are created to help these situations. What a country has never been able to do is step back from these programs without risk to their own power structure. It is easier to keep adding to it incrementally than removing it so long as the game allows it (ie debt). Call it a liberal thing if you want but it is human nature really. A king faced with starving barbarians at the gate will empty the bread pantry if it will save his own life. It has always been this way and will always be this way.

  54. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    In our case the welfare state was created by Johnson as part of his vision of The Great Society. He was able to eliminate hunger, you have to give him that much. Poverty, not so much. His true goal, in his own words, was “to out-Kennedy the Kennedys.”

    The social programs and safety nets are created to help these situations.

  55. Grim says:

    Dealing with balance billing.

    You need to make it abundantly clear that you will never pay a penny. This is the starting point for negotiation. When they threaten collections just laugh and say they’ll be one of dozens.

    Appeal to the insurance company, over and over. Your position is always that the service provided was on an emergency basis and you had no decision over the provider.

  56. exEssex says:

    BTW, if you play your cards right out here, you can buy a place, just make sure you bar the windows……the homeless are a pesky bunch and if they ever arm themselves….Oy Vey.

  57. exEssex says:

    11:05 I just don’t want our boys in harms way (again) so that we can appease Trumps sense of entitlement…..which is Yuuuuuuge.

  58. exEssex says:

    Oh BTW, you guys think you ‘hate’ my liberal ass now? If you really saw the whole picture in other words, a guy with a pretty superb life which he (I) have crafted over the years through sweat and toil. Just. Like. You. Only I can guarantee my wife is hotter.

  59. The Great Pumpkin says:

    Too funny. What a messed up world we live in. Really can’t make this stuff up.

    “Less than a month after he won a Supreme Court case to preserve his First Amendment rights as a state worker not to pay union fees, Mark Janus has announced he’s quitting his job for a position with the conservative think tank that helped bankroll his case.”

    https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/janus-afscme-illinois-policy-institute-job-ruling-fair-share-union-dues/

  60. Juice Box says:

    I prefer NorCal, will be in Napa this weekend in fact for some RnR but no way would I live in your neck of the state. A 4 bedroom home in Calabasas is well over a million, anything else is off Ventura in the valley and is just like the tiny ranch homes in Fast Times in Ridgemont High.

  61. The Great Pumpkin says:

    Supreme Court decision based on a worker who quits after receiving the right. Unreal. We just wasted all this tax money on this case for what? The dude fighting for the right quits the minute he wins the case. Conservatives are a dirty bunch, just play straight up dirty. Used this guy as a puppet to push their agenda.

  62. Libturd questioning the gender of Hillary's Cankle fluid. says:

    Pumps, you are a dolt.

    Perhaps, he feels he is doing the work of god with this think tank rather than sitting on his fat ass as an unincentivised public serpent?

  63. Libturd questioning the gender of Hillary's Cankle fluid. says:

    Or more realistically, without a union getting in the way, perhaps he’ll feel more productive at a supposed, not-for-profit?

  64. The Great Pumpkin says:

    Lib,

    Look at the picture being painted……union worker sues govt for right to not have to contribute to union, wins case, and then quits to join one of the most conservative think tanks out there. What a joke.

  65. The Great Pumpkin says:

    Dude was bought and paid for, and used to push an agenda. Simple as that. This Janus guy is scum of the earth.

  66. The Great Pumpkin says:

    He is getting a no show job for the rest of his life as a reward. I want to puke right now. You complain about bought and paid for politicians, but ignore this because it fits your agenda of hate for the union.

    Libturd questioning the gender of Hillary’s Cankle fluid. says:
    July 23, 2018 at 12:06 pm
    Or more realistically, without a union getting in the way, perhaps he’ll feel more productive at a supposed, not-for-profit?

  67. Very Stable Genius says:

    Universal Healthcare

    NNJJEFF says:
    July 23, 2018 at 10:18 am
    Longtime lurker here. Asking for help on fighting medical bills.
    Wife recently have to stay in California hospital for 3plus days.
    Expecting hugh medical bill from CA hospital and BCBS. Is there any good website or resources that educate you on what to do in situation like this. What to pay, what not to pay? And how to deal with hospital collection and negotiate with BCBS.
    Thanks in advance.

  68. Fast Eddie says:

    Universal Healthcare

    You pay for it.

  69. Bystander says:

    Pat,

    Once the structures were in place with new Deal, everything else was just a natural extension. If you want to go back further than excesses of 20s caused a depression and govt. could let people starve to death or stick to guns on free market. We saw what happened to Hoover with the latter. I guess Hoover would be a hero to Ayn Rand with no govt. intervention. Oh wait, she voted for FDR.

  70. Libturd questioning the gender of Hillary's Cankle fluid. says:

    Pumps,

    You are such an ignoramus. It still amazes me that you can’t see through it. It’s why everyone picks on you.

  71. No One says:

    Fun fact: Hoover was a big government Republican pushing more public works and government intervention. Don’t mistake him for Coolidge, who was a small-govt president and presided over a strong economy. Hoover is pretty much nobody’s hero. FDR actually campaigned against Hoover promising less spending!

  72. Not ReadingCrazyLady that voted for FDR says:

    Koch brothers’ fanatical free market believes have allowed Putin’s wolf in, from Wall Street on Parade Blog.

    Stanley Fischer, Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve
    Stanley Fischer, Former Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve

    According to a report at Reuters yesterday, while Stanley Fischer (the former head of the Israel Central Bank) was sitting in the curious position as Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve in 2015 (the U.S. central bank), he took a meeting with Maria Butina, whom U.S. prosecutors charged last week with being a Russian spy.

    That’s pretty embarrassing. But that turns out not to be the most interesting part of the Reuters story.

    The newswire reports that the meeting was arranged by “the Center for the National Interest, a Washington foreign policy think tank….” As it turns out, foreign policy is not exactly all that this taxpayer-subsidized nonprofit does. According to Greenpeace, based on very solid evidence, this is a “Koch Industries climate denial front group.”

    The Center for the National Interest publishes a magazine, National Interest, which Greenpeace says in 2015 and 2016 “featured the writing of Nick Loris of the Koch-funded Heritage Foundation, a longtime aid to corporations seeking to undermine public trust in science.” Greenpeace explains further:

    “Heritage has underwritten much of President Trump’s energy agenda. Loris himself is an economist with no scientific qualifications, nor any experience publishing scientific research. Loris has used the National Interest to deny the validity of data published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to denounce international climate treaties, to advocate for the Keystone XL pipeline….”

    Apparently, freedom of opinion is not one of the things this “think tank” prizes. ForeignPolicy.com reported in May 2016 that the nonprofit had fired an employee, a junior fellow named Alexander Kirss, the same day he published an article criticizing the Center for inviting Donald Trump to deliver a foreign policy speech. Kirss wrote: “Whether intended as an endorsement or not, the Center’s invitation is tantamount to tacit, if not explicit, approval of Trump’s positions,” adding that Trump’s positions contain “logical flaws and errors.”

  73. Bystander says:

    FDR ran on the New Deal and won. Of course, there was no real framework for it but let’s not paint a picture that American’s wanted a limited spending govt and at time of wiped savings, 25% unemployment, and starving farmers. They voted intervention and they got it. Hoover was a businessman who thought business would bring us out of it. He was wrong.

  74. Very Stable Genius says:

    @GunDeaths

    The U.S. has witnessed 31 mass shootings in the 23 days of July, which brings this year’s total to 188.

    January: 22 mass shootings
    February: 14 mass shootings
    March: 17 mass shootings
    April: 25 mass shootings
    May: 28 mass shootings
    June: 51 mass shootings
    July: 31 mass shootings

  75. chicagofinance says:

    The End Is Nigh (The problem with soc!alism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money Edition):

    CAMDEN – A new bike share program was to serve as a shining example that the city has turned the corner, with the full expectation that a borrowed bike would actually be returned in a city with an historic knack for crime. But two months after the program was unveiled, the company is pulling out. Why? Philly.com says the company is having serious financial problems all over the country and this decision is part of a broader pullout. Camden officials are shocked, as they joined in the initial celebration of the program, TAPInto Camden reports. Here’s hoping another vendor pops into Camden, as this pilot program should obviously continue.

  76. direct lender payday loans california cash advance money lender [url=https://cashnow.cars]lender[/url]

  77. The Great Pumpkin says:

    Not,

    Everyone knows we have no impact on the world we live in. Climate change? That’s a lefty made up conspiracy to hurt American business, or as trump would say, it’s a Chinese manufactured myth to hurt American business. Thanks for looking out for us, Donald!

  78. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    Pretty soon you’ll be like Pumps and telling us how often she blows you, Essex.

    This reminds me of degenerate gamblers who represent themselves as never losing.

    Sad.

    Oh BTW, you guys think you ‘hate’ my liberal ass now? If you really saw the whole picture in other words, a guy with a pretty superb life which he (I) have crafted over the years through sweat and toil. Just. Like. You. Only I can guarantee my wife is hotter.

  79. The Great Pumpkin says:

    I hope the Koch family goes broke and gets stuck drinking the water they polluted. Hope their food is grown in the soil they polluted.

  80. Fast Eddie says:

    CNN and MSNBC are next. Being hateful, resentful, petulant p.ussies doesn’t sell well. You don’t alienate 50% of your business:

    https://www.yahoo.com/finance/m/db9d9cb7-c2b2-3ecb-b0b9-e18b075b9eb4/ss_new-york-tabloid-known-for.html

  81. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    I have a feeling the Koch brothers won’t be buying up property in Wayne, NJ.

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

    I hope the Koch family goes broke and gets stuck drinking the water they polluted. Hope their food is grown in the soil they polluted.

  82. The Great Pumpkin says:

    After eating and drinking from polluted sources, I want to hear their position on reducing govt regulation on business.

  83. grim says:

    A 4 bedroom home in Calabasas is well over a million, anything else is off Ventura in the valley and is just like the tiny ranch homes in Fast Times in Ridgemont High.

    I prefer San Dimas, their high school football program is very good.

  84. The Great Pumpkin says:

    Nope, too many regulations for them. 😉

    The Original NJ ExPat says:
    July 23, 2018 at 2:51 pm
    I have a feeling the Koch brothers won’t be buying up property in Wayne, NJ.

  85. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    OTOH, Maybe Essex’s wife is really hot. After all, she made easy work of cutting off his balls and making him trade in his Harley for a girl’s California car.

  86. The Great Pumpkin Hypocrite says:

    Public Sector Pensions: The Parasite Devours Its Host

    A case can be made – and was made a long time ago by F.D.R among many others – that the whole idea of public sector unions is misguided. As F.D.R said, “It is impossible to bargain collectively with the government,” because when government unions strike they strike against taxpayers, which he considered “unthinkable and intolerable.”

    https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-07-23/public-sector-pensions-parasite-devours-its-host

  87. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    I have a friend who met the same fate. After getting married, his wife made him sell his Harley and also made him throw away his Playboy mag collection. Not sell, she supervised him throwing it down the garbage chute from the 7th floor. His wife has never been the least bit hot…but beggars can’t be choosers. Maybe Essex succumbed to the same fate?

  88. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    Think about it. Who has a hot wife and has to post that their wife is hot? My mind goes to Pumps and Essex, not real people.

  89. Blue Ribbon Teacher says:

    We can regulate our environment without requiring businesses to fill out mountains of paperwork.

  90. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    Maybe Pumps and Essex are the same person? Has anyone ever seen them together? I have to re-watch Sybil.

  91. The Great Pumpkin says:

    Wow, that many mass shootings this year? This is crazy. Seems temperature might have a play in it. See a rise in shootings during the warmer months.

  92. The Great Pumpkin says:

    What’s wrong with being proud that you have a hot wife?

    The Original NJ ExPat says:
    July 23, 2018 at 2:58 pm
    Think about it. Who has a hot wife and has to post that their wife is hot? My mind goes to Pumps and Essex, not real people.

  93. Fast Eddie says:

    Gee, those liberals that got sh1t-canned at the Daily News can really use that $15/hour wage now, wouldn’t you say?

  94. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    I don’t know. Perhaps inferiority complex? Low education level? Criminal deported Dad? Small cock? Nah, you’re cock is probably normal size or you’d be bragging about your Corvette. All the rest are true, though.

    What’s wrong with being proud that you have a hot wife?

  95. Libturd questioning the gender of Hillary's Cankle fluid. says:

    Apparently, all shots fired in a sanctuary city are defined as mass shootings according to Moana’s source.

  96. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    I don’t know. Perhaps inferiority complex? Low education level? Criminal deported Dad? Small c0ck? Nah, you’re c0ck is probably normal size or you’d be bragging about your Corvette. All the rest are true, though.

    What’s wrong with being proud that you have a hot wife?

  97. grim says:

    Pretty sure I have the hottest wife out of all of you guys, just saying.

  98. Fast Eddie says:

    I hear the severance packages for the axed employees include coloring books, a participation ribbon and a binkie.

  99. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    I concur.

    Pretty sure I have the hottest wife out of all of you guys, just saying.

  100. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    grim – then again, she didn’t have any full size babies.

  101. ExEssex says:

    2:46 hey now remind me to beat your dumb ass if we ever run into each other.

  102. ExEssex says:

    4:09 u wish

  103. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    If I ever drop my wife at your beauty parlor, I will.

    2:46 hey now remind me to beat your dumb ass if we ever run into each other.

  104. ExEssex says:

    3:00 pumps is alright just confused, lonely, and living in Wayne. Consistent with the demographic.

  105. The Great Pumpkin says:

    Baby Boomers Get More Selective About Friends – The Wall Street Journal
    https://apple.news/AF4E7cWEmTDWeotkFlQQ3DA

  106. The Great Pumpkin says:
  107. ExEssex says:

    3:20 just let us know the last time she needed a Brazilian we broke out the hedge clippers….

  108. Libturd questioning the gender of Hillary's Cankle fluid. says:

    What has this place become today?

  109. Very Stable Genius says:

    @Amy_Siskind

    Carter Page is a foreign agent for Russia…
    Maria Butina indicted as Russian spy…
    Lordy, Michael Cohen does have tapes..
    .fmr campaign mngr Manafort trial gets underway –
    all while Trump plans a 2nd mtg with Putin and is coming increasingly unhinged. 🍿🍿🍿

  110. Very Stable Genius says:

    @BillKristol

    Trump must expect and fear, and indeed seems to be panicking about, forthcoming bad news in the Russia investigation.

    Are new indictments imminent—this time of Americans?
    What’s in the other Cohen tapes?
    Has Manafort flipped?

  111. Not Bloomberg News says:

    Are we talking about a “hot” wife or a “hot wife”?

  112. NNJJEFF says:

    Thanks for all the kind advice.
    Would any of the advice changes if the hospital is in network?

  113. Libturd questioning the gender of Hillary's Cankle fluid. says:

    Just the part about the appeal. You wouldn’t need to. :P

  114. Juice Box says:

    Peak Bike Lanes is here!

    “The Chinese dockless bike-sharing company OFO ceased operations in Camden on Friday, just two months after the much-heralded start of what was meant to be a six-month pilot program.

    Ofo’s abrupt departure from the city is part of a broader pullout that will include mass layoffs of most of its U.S. employees and a shutdown of operations in all but a few large cities, according to an ofo employee familiar with the matter.”

    OfO failed globally it is only a matter of time now……Here is an interesting back story on why OfO is pulling out of Camden and lots and lots of countries with their bike sharing program.

    Just look at the pics, bicycle graveyards everywhere in China. Why pay to rent a bike when you can just steal it?

    https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2018/03/bike-share-oversupply-in-china-huge-piles-of-abandoned-and-broken-bicycles/556268/

  115. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    Essex tried to beat off and couldn’t get it up. His rage runs through it.

    What has this place become today?

  116. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    Maybe his Harley was prostate therapy…but now it’s gone…forever?

  117. ExEssex says:

    4:16 well I think we are crossing lines here, i’ll Have you know I am…nevermind

  118. Blue Ribbon Teacher says:

    God damn, and I just spend 60 bucks getting my bike worked on. Why can’t they ship all those bikes over here for a low price?

  119. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    Reminds me of what I heard about girls in the 1950’s. Nice girls let you. Good girls help you.

    I think Essex is in need of some help.

    Are we talking about a “hot” wife or a “hot wife”?

  120. ExEssex says:

    4:17 honestly I really don’t miss that thing. It handled like crap. Wandered all over the road . I get all
    The adrenaline and 1/10 the danger in the new ride.

    Plus don’t have to
    Wear a helmet.

  121. ExEssex says:

    It’s 4:20. Puff puff

  122. Juice Box says:

    NNJJEFF – California passed a law last year protecting against balance billing for out-of-network care at in-network facilities.

    Google “ab 72 california”

  123. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    Which hog are you talking about, Mr. Softee?

    honestly I really don’t miss that thing. It handled like crap. Wandered all over the road .

  124. ExEssex says:

    Keyword: Tangie Biscotti

  125. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    Keyword…or Safe word?

  126. Libturd questioning the gender of Hillary's Cankle fluid. says:

    The bike repair business is a racket. Unless you are a grade one mechanical idiot, there are few repairs or tuning up that you can’t do yourself. Plus it’s good to know how to do it when your derailleur gets sucked into your back spokes in the middle of the woods in the middle of no where.

  127. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    I can just see Essex trying to yell past his ball-gag, Tangie Biscotti!!!!!!!!

  128. 1987 Condo says:

    Hopefully the hospital is in Network, or you have the “Blue Card” option on the BCBS coverage (little suitcase on your id card). The advantage of BCBS is that out of state hospitals/docs that belong to the local BCBS network are often considered as in network if you have “Blue Card”

  129. 3b says:

    Grim getting into whose wife is the hottest??!! Totally out of character for Grim. Just saying.

  130. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    You’re preaching to the choir, Lib. I used to completely rebuild bikes, basically disassembling, repacking bearings, adjusting derailleurs, from the time I was about 11. I used to charge kids on my street $20, which included new brake pads and I gave a money back guarantee if the bike didn’t perform better than new.

    The bike repair business is a racket. Unless you are a grade one mechanical idiot, there are few repairs or tuning up that you can’t do yourself. Plus it’s good to know how to do it when your derailleur gets sucked into your back spokes in the middle of the woods in the middle of no where.

  131. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    Flash forward a bunch of years, and I own probably $15K in personal bikes, current resale value. My most expensive bike cost me more than I thought. It took me $3500 in tools and components to build it, it would cost me $7K to replace it if it was stolen, and I would gladly spend the money to do that.

  132. Project on Tap says:

    Hi. New here and seeking some info for a pending purchase in Bergen County. Can someone recommend a solid, thorough home inspector for an inspection in Bergen County (Englewood/Bergenfield/Tenafly area) for starters? Thanks.

    Here are the potential projects, listed in no particular order, that I am considering doing. Figuring out the order to do them is my first step and then any input on the jobs themselves. They don’t ALL have to be done before move-in.

    – painting of kitchen cabinets
    – install new kitchen countertops
    – potentially extend kitchen by moving some walls
    – replace kitchen appliances
    – full interior painting
    – change oil heat to gas, remove tank (in the basement)
    – install ductless AC in a few areas or full-on central AC (currently does not have, heat is oil)
    – refinish wood floors
    – transform attic into loft area/guest room
    – full master bath suite with steam. current master (no bath currently but close to pipes of another bath)
    – update full bath #2
    – change entrance/stairs to the basement
    – finish basement
    – add to the driveway for 2nd car

    Any info on the projects (tips, tricks, contractor recs, etc) are appreciated!

  133. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    Park Tools – have most of them. Park stands – have permanent and ultralight portable ones. Inch pound torque wrenches – Have both of them. Expensive headset tools, have them all. Chris King tools – have them all. The only think I don’t have is bottom bracket facing tools.

  134. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    One of the things I’ve entertained doing is creating a database of really expensive components and buying up local bikes just to part out on eBay. I would use the database to make sure I don’t overpay, and I would pay about zero for the frame because that is where the most risk lies. I wouldn’t sell the frames online.

  135. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    What I think is the most interesting part about this business is that it takes almost zero time to disassemble a high end bike, provided you have the right tools. It takes a much longer time to assemble a high end bike correctly because you need to very delicately torque and tune/adjust and apply thread compound. With just my high quality hand tools I could probably disassemble a $4,000 bike in 15 minutes (not breaking down wheels into rims, spokes, and hubs, of course).

  136. grim says:

    Grim getting into whose wife is the hottest??!! Totally out of character for Grim. Just saying.

    My wife occasionally browses the blog, not that it influences what I say.

  137. grim says:

    NNJJEFF – California passed a law last year protecting against balance billing for out-of-network care at in-network facilities.

    NJ politicians killed similar legislation, instead putting forward some watered down nonsense.

  138. Project on Tap says:

    Another question…

    Do people recommend getting an architect to run a big reno as I listed above?
    One contractor/builder, that can do it all?
    Multiple contractors, that specialize in each area?

    Thanks.

    P.S. If this is not the best forum to be asking questions likes these, does anyone have another board I should check out?

  139. grim says:

    This is what NJ democrats settled on, after their donors raised holy hell:

    Insurance carriers would be required to keep current network listings on their own websites, clearly describe their out-of-network policies, and provide examples of standard out-of-pocket cost scenarios. They would also be forced to file information with the state about claims’ denials and so-called down-coding, in which treatments are reclassified to reduce their reimbursements.

    Completely meaningless garbage

  140. grim says:

    – painting of kitchen cabinets = Waste of time, save for a full reno.
    – install new kitchen countertops = Waste of money, save for a full reno.
    – potentially extend kitchen by moving some walls = Do all the kitchen reno at once.
    – replace kitchen appliances = Sure, if it means getting a few more years out of your kitchen.
    – full interior painting
    – change oil heat to gas, remove tank (in the basement) = Do it now, do not wait any longer, HVAC guys will charge a premium if you come to them in November.
    – install ductless AC in a few areas or full-on central AC (currently does not have, heat is oil) = Big difference, decide what you want – full on central may mean that your attic room is impossible.
    – refinish wood floors = do this before, it’s impossible otherwise.
    – transform attic into loft area/guest room = ok – is this even feasible – you have enough clear ceiling height, to-code stairs, how are you going to deal with heat? cooling in the summer (it will be brutal).
    – full master bath suite with steam. current master (no bath currently but close to pipes of another bath) = What are you from 1987, steam? Sorry, no. That’s a f’n disaster on sheetrock.
    – update full bath #2
    – change entrance/stairs to the basement
    – finish basement = do this after all your work is done, and do it off the books.
    – add to the driveway for 2nd car = check with your township on whether or not this is even possible.

  141. grim says:

    Do people recommend getting an architect to run a big reno as I listed above? Architect for what you are proposing? No, it seems like a bunch of small disjoint projects, not a whole house reno.

    One contractor/builder, that can do it all? Multiple contractors, that specialize in each area? Based on what you are talking about, it seems like multiple subs that you should manage.

  142. grim says:

    Just to be clear here, you have a bunch of projects that will cost a tremendous amount of money, but will add nearly zero to the value of the property.

    Moving basement stairs and entrance? Like Sub-grade? You are talking about excavation, infill, foundation work, engineering, etc. You realize this could be a $25,000, project just for this. Tack on another $25,000 for the basement build-out, and you are talking $50k sunk into a basement? Sorry, payback will be nearly nil.

  143. ExEssex says:

    4:46 I heard you had a loooose bottom bracket.

  144. grim says:

    Same with the driveway, going to cost you $10-15,000 to tear out and put down a new driveway. Payback? Zero.

  145. 3b says:

    Anyone know a good concrete guy?

  146. leftwing says:

    “The U.S. has witnessed 31 mass shootings in the 23 days of July, which brings this year’s total to 188”

    Seems we need more armed law abiding citizens under stand your ground laws.

  147. leftwing says:

    So, a couple important pieces of data end of week…

    Thurs, jobless claims, median estimate 219k.

    Fri….2QGDP. Median forecast 4.3%. Not a typo.

    Views? Over/under on GDP?

  148. Project on Tap says:

    @grim

    Thanks for the answers. A few follow-ups…

    You recommend trashing the good cabinets? I am basically replacing everything in the kitchen but the cabinets. Is it only the cabinets that would make it a full kitchen reno? I am prepared to drop $30K-$40K here.

    HVAC contractors are very busy now…I have been told it could be better to do it when they are not as busy, come fall. Do you disagree with that thinking?

    Was thinking a window unit to cool the attic loft. Will find out if possible once I have some contractors out there.

    Steam – 1987? Therapeutic steam has been around for thousands of years..and thousands more, sheetrock be damned!

  149. Project on Tap says:

    @grim

    not sub on the stairs and door

  150. grim says:

    HVAC contractors are very busy now…I have been told it could be better to do it when they are not as busy, come fall. Do you disagree with that thinking?

    Plumbers do boilers, get a plumber to do the work, not an HVAC contractor.

  151. grim says:

    Was thinking a window unit to cool the attic loft. Will find out if possible once I have some contractors out there.

    Two story or one story?

    Realize if you do central air, you’ll either be losing the attic or the basement. Air handler and ducting will make both retrofit and remodeling very difficult.

  152. grim says:

    Fri….2QGDP. Median forecast 4.3%. Not a typo.

    Views? Over/under on GDP?

    Everyone watching for this number, it’s insane right?

  153. Project on Tap says:

    I guess I am understanding why you go by Grim…

    It sounds like you know way more about this stuff than I do but I am buying the house and doing upgrade projects because (this is key) I intend to live in the house. I am not sure of the philosophy that I shouldn’t update/upgrade the home because “payback will be nil.” Are you suggesting I buy the home, live miserably and not make it more comfortable/livable/enjoyable because in 10, 15, 20 years, upon sale, it will be worth nil?

    I am not following the thinking there. I came here looking for knowledge, perhaps you can shed some on your thinking. I would appreciate it. Thanks.

  154. Very Stable Genius says:

    Yes, but get the right guy. It’s all disjointed and you need to bring a skilled hand to make it all consistent

    might be a costly disaster if you don’t know what you are doing

    grim says:
    July 23, 2018 at 5:12 pm
    Do people recommend getting an architect to run a big reno as I listed above? Architect for what you are proposing? No, it seems like a bunch of small disjoint projects, not a whole house reno.

  155. Project on Tap says:

    two story house (plus basement and attic).
    many contractors do both HVAC and plumbing (and home automation, etc), from what I can tell – is there not a possibility of saving some money negotiating to have one crew do it all?

    i appreciate you responding and helping me understand. thx.

  156. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    Smart people have known this since forever. Wives have never known this.

    Just to be clear here, you have a bunch of projects that will cost a tremendous amount of money, but will add nearly zero to the value of the property.

  157. Project on Tap says:

    yeah, a disjointed mess is what I am afraid of. looking to get ahead of that with some experienced recommendations and tips.

  158. Very Stable Genius says:

    a beatiful home that you really like is very valuable

    invest in it. you will be living in it every day

    grim says:
    July 23, 2018 at 5:14 pm
    Just to be clear here, you have a bunch of projects that will cost a tremendous amount of money, but will add nearly zero to the value of the property.

    Moving basement stairs and entrance? Like Sub-grade? You are talking about excavation, infill, foundation work, engineering, etc. You realize this could be a $25,000, project just for this. Tack on another $25,000 for the basement build-out, and you are talking $50k sunk into a basement? Sorry, payback will be nearly nil.

  159. Project on Tap says:

    I agree with this assessment.
    Logical next question…who is the right guy?

    Very Stable Genius says:
    July 23, 2018 at 5:48 pm
    Yes, but get the right guy. It’s all disjointed and you need to bring a skilled hand to make it all consistent

    might be a costly disaster if you don’t know what you are doing

  160. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    I’ve heard much worse about your wife, Essex.

    4:46 I heard you had a loooose bottom bracket.

  161. ExEssex says:

    5:51 — two words: Sing Chan
    Find him – use him – he’ll bring resources and makes most contractors look like Trump’s cabinet.

  162. ExEssex says:

    5:53 my wife is a unicorn.

  163. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    Kind of like your old BMW. Fairly attractive, a lot of hard and rough miles.

  164. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    A good daily driver, though.

  165. Very Stable Genius says:

    I got 8 recommendations and interviewed half of them

    Grim is always right on RE, don’t know know why he’s anti architect. grim knows lots and doesn’t need them

    Project on Tap says:
    July 23, 2018 at 5:53 pm
    I agree with this assessment.
    Logical next question…who is the right guy?

    Very Stable Genius says:
    July 23, 2018 at 5:48 pm
    Yes, but get the right guy. It’s all disjointed and you need to bring a skilled hand to make it all consistent

    might be a costly disaster if you don’t know what you are doing

  166. Project on Tap says:

    Sing – Custom Design Cabinetry in Livinsgton?

  167. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    A horse with a perpetual bone on her face?

    5:53 my wife is a unicorn.

  168. Project on Tap says:

    Agree…I am prepared to drop $100K to $150K into upgrading this home and enjoying it.

    Very Stable Genius says:
    July 23, 2018 at 5:52 pm
    a beautiful home that you really like is very valuable

    invest in it. you will be living in it every day

  169. grim says:

    is there not a possibility of saving some money negotiating to have one crew do it all?

    No, a GC is going to sub it out to a plumber and mark up the plumbers price. I think for the boiler, treat it separately. GC isn’t going to do you any favors, especially managing odd jobs like redoing driveways.

    Compared to say, if you were doing a full kitchen reno, then a GC might be a good idea because you are going to be juggling a lot of subs that need to be coordinated, electrician, plumber, cabinet guys, appliance deliveries, counter guys, etc etc. A job like this, there is a big benefit to a single overall manager.

    The bathroom remodels – these can be separate in my book, but if the master and the other bathroom remodels are the ones that share a wall, have one contractor do both at the same time, since you’ll need to open walls.

    It’s going to be tough to not use a GC if you need to get into that property fast after closing.

    We did a full interior remodel, including removing walls, gutting kitchen, baths, basement, major plumbing/heating/electrical upgrades.

    We closed in April, we moved in late September.

  170. leftwing says:

    “You recommend trashing the good cabinets? I am basically replacing everything in the kitchen but the cabinets.”

    If you’re doing the entire kitchen bite the bullet and replace the cabinets. They’ll look horrible surrounded with new countertops, walls, deco, appliances…..Unless they are uber-quality, don’t repaint.

    Do your research into new cabinets. Multiple labels come from only a few manufacturers. Easy to get ripped off but you can also get solid deals by putting some time in.

    More than a few years ago I used a shop near Wayne (by Willowbrook Mall in a strip type mall I think?). Carried a solid selection of mid-range quality construction at best price. You should know what you want and generally where in the kitchen when you go in. Salespeople will help and obviously they will send someone out to measure exactly and put it all on CAD/CAM. But basically you’ll go through the massive catalogue of every possible box, its size and configuration, door choices, and pick.

    They aren’t Kuche+Cucina service (or that level of quality), but they’re also only a fraction of the cost. Friends put in custom cabinets from a high end shop like that, came in at $110k. We did slightly more volume, pieces (that looked) custom including two ‘towers’ that ran floor to ceiling (11′ ) with desktop/shelving between, offbeat heights on the hanging cabinets, custom looking moulding, and came in at $30k for a very large kitchen with a big ass center island. Visually no obvious difference from our friend’s cabinet, their quality was marginally better but not much if you looked hard (we actually had thicker sides and backing on the boxes). Our entire box was natural obviously, dovetail joints, self closing drawers no plastic, etc.

    If you can’t track the vendor down I’ll see if I still have records nearby on our cabinet brand and shop name.

    Seriously, on my last house (built it ground up) I spent by far the greatest amount of my personal time on cabinetry. Your kitchen is now a focus of the house, you want it nice, and the savings on price and upgrade on quality from doing solid research is measurable.

    Also, we ended up using the same shop for the closets. Couldn’t find same quality boxes for any reasonable price, and got the shop to cut us a further deal for adding that on.

    Please don’t use HD/Lowes, ripoff compared the alternative.

    Replace them, educate yourself, and shop it.

  171. Very Stable Genius says:

    no doubt

    “Your kitchen is now a focus of the house, you want it nice,”

  172. grim says:

    For Cabinetry, we used L.I.S. Custom Designs, Inc. (Long Island Stove) in Lyndhurst, ask for Terry, but I don’t think he is there anymore. We used Durasupreme cabinetry, near stock price for full custom. http://www.durasupreme.com

  173. Project on Tap says:

    @leftwing

    Thank you for that input. You did full kitchen (including cabinets) for $30K?

  174. Project on Tap says:

    anyone have any input on Unico heating/cooling system?

    http://www.unicosystem.com/

  175. chicagofinance says:

    WTF? The blog exploded with posts this afternoon and it wasn’t the skippable variety……

  176. grim says:

    I’m still working on your subscription.

  177. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    I think kitchen and bath remodels are like crystal meth for people who haven’t tried crystal meth.

  178. grim says:

    Unico is a kind of high velocity miniature duct system, there are others.

    They are incredibly expensive systems, with few contractors having knowledge to install. They are typically used to retrofit into expensive historic homes, where the owners will do anything to not impact any of the interior structure. Keep that in mind when you get the price tag.

  179. Project on Tap says:

    any input on this guy?

    https://yourhomeinspectorllc.com/about/

    or another recommended inspector?

  180. Project on Tap says:

    Thanks. Will keep that in mind.

    grim says:
    July 23, 2018 at 6:20 pm
    Unico is a kind of high velocity tiny duct system, there are others.

    They are incredibly expensive systems, with few contractors having knowledge to install. They are typically used to retrofit into expensive historic homes, so keep that in mind when you get the price tag.

  181. grim says:

    Just for reference, a high velocity system might cost around $15,000-20,000 for a typical house.

  182. Project on Tap says:

    Yes, that is what I had read…approx $15K+.

    What’s the damage on a regular duct system? 2300 sq ft.

  183. grim says:

    $5000-7500.

    But the cost is going to depend on the duct runs, since 75% of that cost is labor.

    Simple duct runs means that the ducts will run across your attic floor, so good-bye attic room. Also, simple duct runs to the first floor might mean a ceiling height issues in the basement. Having ducts run with renovation in mind could push the labor up tremendously.

  184. Gobsmacked says:

    VSG @ 8:25 am

    What nonsense. Free healthcare for all, free college – what about free water? No one can last more than a couple of days without water. How dare you promote things like free healthcare or free college while denying people the first thing we all need to survive? What, no free food? People need food, no? How about free clothing? We all need clothing to protect us from the elements. Or free housing? We all need shelter from the elements. Why don’t you soc1al1sts start with the basics like water, food, clothing and shelter? Hey, I am ready to line up for my freebies – I think I look quite dashing in a Mao jacket.

  185. leftwing says:

    30k for all the boxes hanging, base, and island. Complete (incl. trim, moulding, end pieces, hardware). Not countertops. Kitchen was decent sized, 20x25ish.

    Trying to remember how many total boxes, taking me back to 2011-12 time frame….

    Regardless, recommend pseudo-GCing the cabinets. If you use a ‘designer’ or contractor remember they make their money on change orders and special orders. This shop was more like a factory direct with support for a few lines. Working with them the ‘change orders’ were mine to make – no charge. And there really wasn’t a special order. Eye opening, the hanging cabinets are standard across a wide range of heights with only a nominal difference in cost for materials. If I had a designer or contractor the unusual but factory standard height would have been marked up 1.5-2x because they would have called it a special order.

  186. leftwing says:

    Configuring a kitchen isn’t hard, ideally you have a tight work triangle (stove, oven, refrigerator), the dishwasher and microwave just outside it (so the kids’ nuking pizza doesn’t interfere with the chef). Around those items factor in a good amount of running counter work space and the rest of the layout falls into place. Biggest questions will be specific box configuration (pull out drawer for pots, built in utensil tray, etc). Lots of really neat specialty stuff to pick from to jam into the boxes.

    You have your existing layout if you want to follow, or better yet re-do the layout especially if you are moving a wall.

    Really don’t see the need for a designer and associated markups.

  187. Project on Tap says:

    Thank you. Very good feedback.

    leftwing says:
    July 23, 2018 at 7:12 pm

  188. Project on Tap says:

    That is not so bad. I will get some contractors out and see how feasible it is. Thx.

    grim says:
    July 23, 2018 at 6:35 pm
    $5000-7500.

    But the cost is going to depend on the duct runs, since 75% of that cost is labor.

    Simple duct runs means that the ducts will run across your attic floor, so good-bye attic room. Also, simple duct runs to the first floor might mean a ceiling height issues in the basement. Having ducts run with renovation in mind could push the labor up tremendously.

  189. Blue Ribbon Teacher says:

    What, no free food

    They already have it. But remember, Corey Booker couldn’t figure out how to budget on $30 a week.

    https://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2012/12/cory_booker_begins_challenge_t.html

    He speaks Spanish, but never heard of beans and rice.

  190. leftwing says:

    “Thank you. Very good feedback.”

    NP, pleasure to talk actually talk real estate than politics lol.

  191. ExEssex says:

    Trump is the Anti-Christ

  192. D-FENS says:

    Did you guys hear that the Syrian refugees who settled in NJ during the Christie administration are leaving because they found NJ too dangerous and expensive?

    https://www.northjersey.com/get-access/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.northjersey.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2F2018%2F07%2F20%2Fthey-fled-war-syria-now-many-refugees-leaving-paterson-nj%2F771916002%2F

  193. chicagofinance says:

    WOW THX!

    grim says:
    July 23, 2018 at 6:18 pm
    I’m still working on your subscription.

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  195. ExEssex says:

    Like other high-tax states, New York’s Department of Taxation and Finance will go to great lengths to keep wealthy residents on their tax lists. The states’ methods can be aggressive: Issuing subpoenas to pore through credit card statements, bank transactions or phone records to track a taxpayer’s location, and sending auditors to interview doormen or confirm doctors’ appointments.

    “When people understand they have to change their life circumstances, some people say: ‘Never mind, that’s too big a life change for us to do right now”’ said Timothy Noonan, a partner at law firm Hodgson Russ LLP, who’s based in Buffalo and Manhattan.

    Read more about how high-tax states are suing the Trump administration

    Lloyd Abramowitz, a wealth manager who works with clients who live in New York City and Greenwich, Connecticut, says fewer than 10 percent of clients who express an interest in moving are actually going through with it. He said he typically counsels people making around $500,000 in taxable income a year not to uproot themselves just for tax reasons. Even above that level, family considerations and ties to community have to be taken into account, he said.

    It isn’t easy to measure, but one early indicator shows no evidence of a mass exodus. In the past 12 months through May, the number of net change-of-address forms filed with the U.S. Postal Service for people moving to Florida from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut has actually declined slightly from recent highs.

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  198. The Original NJ ExPat says:

    Then why don’t Democrats kneel at his feet?

    Trump is the Anti-Christ

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